How is TACAN primarily used by pilots?

TACAN, or Tactical Air Navigation, is primarily used by pilots to determine their position relative to an airport or a navigational aid. It enables aircraft to receive precise distance and bearing information, which pilots can use to ascertain their location in relation to their intended destination. This functionality is critical for navigation, especially in areas with limited visibility or in complex airspace environments.

The TACAN system sends out signals that aircraft can triangulate to determine their distance to the TACAN station and the bearing to it. This capability aids pilots in situational awareness and is instrumental during various phases of flight, especially during approach and landing.

While communication with ground control is essential for flight operations, TACAN itself is not primarily a communication tool. Moreover, while TACAN data can play a role in assisting with approach angles during landing and can be relevant for calibrating navigation systems, those specific applications are secondary to its core function of helping pilots locate their position relative to an airport.