Final answer:
A VORTAC provides navigation and altitude information, allowing pilots to identify their position and maintain course. It offers both azimuth and distance readings essential for accurate navigation, especially when compensating for wind drift.
Step-by-step explanation:
A VORTAC provides critical information for aviation navigation. The acronym stands for VHF (Very High Frequency) Omnidirectional Range radio beacon, combined with TACAN, which is Tactical Air Navigation system. Together, they provide navigation and altitude information to pilots.
The pilot can use a VORTAC to determine her plane's position and maintain a desired path. By using the VHF band of radio frequencies, it aligns with specific airways in the sky. A pilot can dial into a VORTAC's frequency to receive azimuth readings (bearing from the station to the aircraft) and distance information to or from the VORTAC station. This is crucial for determining the plane's exact location and planning the flight path accordingly.
Particularly when encountering wind, the pilot must adjust the plane's heading to maintain the intended track. By using the information provided by VORTAC, along with vector equations that take into account the velocity of the plane with respect to the air and the velocity of the air with respect to the ground, the pilot can determine the correct heading. The magnitude and direction of the wind's effect on the flight can be illustrated graphically using vectors, which allows the pilot to correct the aircraft's heading to reach the intended position, compensating for wind drift.