Which navigation aid provides information on both distance and bearing to a station?

The VORTAC navigation aid is specifically designed to provide pilots with both distance and bearing information to a station. It combines the functions of a VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) and a TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation) system.

The VOR component offers bearing information, allowing pilots to determine the direction to the station. Meanwhile, the TACAN portion provides distance measuring capability, enabling pilots to ascertain how far they are from the station in nautical miles. This dual functionality makes the VORTAC particularly valuable for both civilian and military aviation, as it facilitates more precise navigation.

In comparison, while other systems such as VOR and GPS also assist in navigation, they do not provide both distance and bearing in the way that VORTAC does. For instance, a VOR provides only the bearing information, and although GPS offers distance and positional data, it does so without the traditional navigation aids' structure and reference.