Definition
A defined point along an arrival, approach, or departure procedure where the procedure transitions from one segment, course, or speed regime to another. At a break point, an aircraft is expected to perform a specific action — such as turning, descending, changing speed, or shifting from one navigation reference to the next.
Plain English
A spot on the route where something changes — usually a turn, a descent, or a switch from following one path to the next.
Context Anchor
Seen in route descriptions, airspace descriptions, and procedure wording where a path or set of instructions is divided into segments.
Derivation
From the everyday sense of 'break' meaning a point of change or interruption. Here it marks where the procedure 'breaks' from one segment into the next.
Why Pilots Care
Marks the planned handoff point between air traffic control sectors or between a published procedure and the next phase of navigation, reducing the chance of a clearance misunderstanding.
Grounding Statement
Picture a line on a chart: the break point is the spot on that line where the next segment begins.
Intuition Check
Do not read break point as a place where the aircraft must “break” or make an abrupt maneuver. Here, it means a dividing point in a route, procedure, or airspace description.
Example Sentence 1
At the break point, the arrival transitions from the en route segment into the initial approach.
Example Sentence 2
At the break point the departure procedure ended and the aircraft joined the low-altitude airway.