Private Pilot Private Exam

What do the letters VHF/DF indicate in the Airport/Facility Directory?

1. The Flight Service Station has VFR weather capability

2. The airport has a visual approach slope indicator

3. The Flight Service Station has equipment to determine your direction from the station

4. The airport has a control tower with radar services

The correct answer is: The Flight Service Station has equipment to determine your direction from the station

The abbreviation VHF/DF stands for Very High Frequency Direction Finding. This indicates that the Flight Service Station is equipped with technology that allows it to determine the direction of a transmitting aircraft relative to the station. This capability is crucial for air traffic control and navigation, as it assists in pinpointing an aircraft's location, especially when other methods of position identification may not be available. Having this equipment enhances the safety and efficiency of flight operations, particularly in areas where radar coverage may be limited. By knowing the direction from which an aircraft is transmitting, air traffic controllers can give better instructions and guidance to pilots. The other options do not pertain to the meaning of VHF/DF. For example, VFR weather capability involves visual flight rules and does not directly relate to direction finding. The visual approach slope indicator refers to equipment that aids pilots in their approach path to the runway rather than to direction finding. Lastly, while a control tower with radar services is critical for managing traffic, it does not describe the VHF/DF capability.