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This glossary is written for virtual airline and flight simulation use within Virtual Air Canada Airline. It is not intended as a real-world aviation reference.
The Navigation Display is a primary cockpit instrument that presents a moving-map view of the aircraft’s position relative to its planned route. On modern glass-cockpit aircraft such as the Airbus A320 family or Boeing 737NG/MAX, the ND occupies the lower half of each pilot’s primary display unit and can be set to several modes - ARC, ROSE NAV, ROSE ILS, ROSE VOR, and PLAN - allowing crews to switch between a forward-looking arc view and a full 360-degree rose depending on the phase of flight. The ND integrates data from the FMS, weather radar, TCAS, and terrain awareness systems. Waypoints, airways, VORs, airports, and speed/altitude constraints are overlaid on the map, and range is adjustable from as little as 10 NM for approach to 320 NM or more for oceanic cruise. Weather radar returns, TCAS traffic advisories, and EGPWS terrain shading are displayed in color, giving the crew a consolidated situational picture without switching between multiple standalone instruments.

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In Virtual Airline Operations

At Virtual Air Canada Airline, the ND is a central tool for monitoring your FMS route, confirming waypoint sequences, and detecting traffic on VATSIM. Familiarity with ND mode selection and range settings is expected of all pilots and is referenced in the Flight Deck SOPs. Cross-checking the ND against the FMS flight plan during cruise is considered standard practice.
  • PBN - Performance-Based Navigation
  • RNAV - Area Navigation
  • RA - Resolution Advisory / Radio Altimeter