Is the VOR identification via audible Morse code automated in modern autopilots / avionics?
Or does a pilot in an A380 still sits in there, listens and compares the .-. .. -.. to her charts?
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2$\begingroup$ Related $\endgroup$– PondlifeCommented Jun 19, 2018 at 11:47
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3 Answers
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Modern air transport and bizjet avionics do decode the audio ID and provide it digitally on the data output bus. This data is displayed on the Nav display or RMI (depending on Mode) along with the frequency. It's not as common for general aviation radios to have this capability.
VORs that comply with ARINC Characteristic 711, VOR MB Receiver, output the ground station ID in two ARINC 429 Labels. The first and second characters will be in Label 242. The third and fourth (if there is a fourth) characters will be in Label 244. Characters are coded in ISO 5 format.
Since all modern radios are DSP based, detecting and decoding the audio tones is a fairly straightforward process. The radios also provide an analog audio output, so the crew can select the VOR radio on the audio panel and listen to the Morse code if they desire. (I'd be surprised if you found a pilot that did that routinely.)
ILS is similar. The ILS ID is contained in Labels 263 and 264.
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1$\begingroup$ To add to this excellent answer; it's becoming increasingly common for VOR stations to broadcast an audio voice signal encoded into the navigation frequency. With the right radio this will allow the pilot to hear a voice reading out the ID, rather than the Morse code. Much handier for those who can't decode Morse in our heads! $\endgroup$– CooperCommented Jun 20, 2018 at 10:19
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Even small planes have radios that can decode & display identifiers. The Avidyne IFD540 is one such example.
answered Jun 20, 2018 at 4:43
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As everyone said, modern avionics is capable to decode the audio code of the station, even on small GA airplanes. This is how it looks on the G1000 PFD/MFD (in the top left corner of the screen; taken from the Garmin manual):
