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.
RNAV
Area Navigation
Area Navigation is a navigation method that allows an aircraft to fly along any desired flight path within the coverage area of ground-based or space-based navigation aids, or within the limits of self-contained navigation system capability. Unlike conventional navigation that required flying directly to or from a fixed navaid such as a VOR, RNAV uses the FMS to define waypoints at any geographic position by combining position data from GPS, DME/DME, or IRS sources. This enables more direct routing, curved approach paths, and efficient use of airspace.
RNAV procedures are defined by their accuracy requirements under the Performance-Based Navigation framework. RNAV 5 is used on en-route airways in some regions, RNAV 2 and RNAV 1 are required for terminal and departure procedures, and RNAV approaches use specifications such as RNAV (GNSS) or RNAV (RNP). Unlike RNP, basic RNAV does not require the aircraft to monitor its own navigation integrity and alert the crew if accuracy is degraded. Flight crews must verify the aircraft is approved and equipped for the RNAV specification required by a given procedure before flight.