What are the primary NAVAIDs for the nation's airways in the NAS?

The primary NAVAIDs for the nation's airways in the National Airspace System (NAS) are VORs (VHF Omnidirectional Range) and VORTACs (VOR Tactical Air Navigation). VORs are essential navigational aids that provide pilots with a reliable means of determining their position and maintaining their course by receiving radio signals from ground-based stations. These signals allow aircraft to navigate along airways, which are predefined routes in the sky that align with these VORs.

VORTACs combine the functionality of a VOR and a TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation) system, making them useful for both civilian and military aircraft. The VORTAC provides additional information, such as distance measuring, which aids in more precise navigation. Together, VORs and VORTACs serve as foundational tools for air traffic control and support safe and efficient flight operations across the country.

Other choices involve navigational aids, but they do not represent the primary reference for airways in the same way that VORs and VORTACs do. For example, ILS (Instrument Landing System) and NDBs (Non-Directional Beacons) serve different purposes — ILS is primarily for landing, while NDB