Meaning & use
omnirange
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountabletechnical
A radio navigation system that sends signals in all directions so aircraft can find their bearing.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'an omnirange' or 'the omnirange', and the plural is 'omniranges'.
Patterns
- an omnirange
- the omnirange system
- fly using an omnirange
The pilot tuned the radio to the nearest omnirange.
Omnirange stations are placed across the country to guide aircraft.
Modern aircraft still use omnirange signals as a backup to GPS.
Word forms
| plural | omniranges |
|---|
Common combinations
- omnirange station
- The omnirange station on the hill serves several airports.
- omnirange signal
- The omnirange signal was weak because of the storm.
- tune to an omnirange
- The co-pilot tuned to an omnirange to check their position.
- VHF omnirange
- VHF omnirange is the full name of the system usually called VOR.
Synonyms and how they differ
- VOR
- VOR is the common abbreviation for omnirange and is more frequent in everyday aviation talk.
- radio range
- Radio range is an older, broader term for radio navigation aids; omnirange is a specific modern type.
Commonly confused: omnirange or omniscient?
omnirange vs omniscient
Omniscient means knowing everything, while omnirange is a navigation system. The shared prefix omni- means 'all', but the words are unrelated.
Practice
What does an omnirange help an aircraft do?
Choose one answer.
An omnirange broadcasts directional signals so pilots can find their bearing. It does not measure altitude, which is done by an altimeter, nor is it a weather or communication system.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “omnirange”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.