Final answer:
DME, or Distance Measuring Equipment, is an aviation navigation tool that calculates the distance from an aircraft to a ground station, assisting pilots with precise location information. It measures distance in nautical miles and can be used with other navigational aids for improved accuracy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) is a navigation tool used in aviation to determine an aircraft's distance from a ground station. This technology operates by sending a pulse from the aircraft to the DME ground station, which then immediately sends a return signal. The time it takes for the round trip of the signal is used to calculate the distance.
DME equipment shows pilots the distance in nautical miles, and when used with VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) or ILS (Instrument Landing System) navigational aids, it can provide even more accurate and useful information for flight navigation. Pilots can use DME to fly DME arcs and to ensure they are following airways with precision, maintaining separation from obstacles and terrain, and organizing descent profiles for approaches.
Modern aircraft may have DME integrated into their avionics systems. This integration allows for automatic tuning based on the flight plan and can display the DME data on glass cockpit flight displays for easy access and monitoring during flight.