Which navigation system provides pilots with information regarding their position relative to the runway?

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is vital for providing pilots with precise information about their location concerning the runway. GPS enables real-time tracking of an aircraft's position by using signals from satellites. This information is crucial for navigation during approach and landing phases, as it allows pilots to discern their distance and heading relative to the runway.

While other systems also play important roles in navigation and safety, they serve different functions. The Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) alerts pilots when an aircraft is in danger of flying into the ground or an obstacle, and does not provide positional data relative to the runway. The Inertial Navigation System (INS) uses onboard sensors to calculate the aircraft's position based on its last known coordinates, but it does not utilize external references like GPS, which can result in drift over time. The Flight Management System (FMS) integrates various navigational data and assists in flight planning, but its primary operation relies on data from systems like GPS to provide real-time positional information. In this context, GPS stands out as the most reliable source for determining an aircraft's position relative to the runway.