Definition
A point along a Federal airway where the airway meets, crosses, or branches from another airway or navigational reference, defined by named fixes such as VOR radial crossings, DME distances, or GPS waypoints. Airway intersections are used as reporting points, route-change points, or holding fixes along the en route structure.
Plain English
A specific named point along an airway where it meets or crosses another airway or navigation line. Pilots use these points to mark position, change route, or hold.
Context Anchor
Seen on IFR charts and in instrument procedures when a route, report, or timing calculation uses a named point along an airway.
Derivation
‘Airway’ is the published flight corridor between navigation aids. ‘Intersection’ comes from the Latin intersecare, meaning ‘to cut between.’ An airway intersection is literally a point where one airway is cut by, or meets, another reference line.
Why Pilots Care
It lets pilots follow precise routes, transition between airways, and meet reporting or clearance requirements during instrument flight.
Intuition Check
Do not read “intersection” here as a road crossing you can see outside. In instrument flying, an airway intersection is a charted navigation point identified by instruments and shown on IFR charts.
Example Sentence 1
ATC cleared the flight direct to the airway intersection, where the pilot was instructed to hold as published.
Example Sentence 2
ATC instructed the aircraft to cross the airway intersection at or above 8000 feet.