Definition
A five-letter pronounceable identifier assigned to a waypoint or fix used in navigation, particularly for waypoints defined along airways, RNAV routes, and instrument procedures. These names are unique within the navigation database and are used in flight plans, charts, and pilot/controller communications to refer to a specific geographic point.
Plain English
A five-letter name given to a point in the sky used for navigation. The name is unique, easy to say over the radio, and identifies an exact location, like CIVET, BAYST, or DRAKO.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument charts and in GPS databases when selecting a named fix, including when GPS is used in place of ADF or DME to identify a position.
Derivation
In aviation, a “fix” is a known position, not a repair. The word comes from the idea of fixing, or establishing, an exact location. That helps here because a five-letter fix name labels one established navigation position.
Why Pilots Care
Enables accurate waypoint identification when using GPS to replace traditional navigation aids.
Intuition Check
Do not read “fix” as something being repaired. Here, a fix is a named navigation position.
Example Sentence 1
Example Sentence 2
GPS substitution used the five-letter fix name in place of the DME arc reference.