Definition
An FAA initiative that restructured the high-altitude airspace route system above 18,000 feet (Class A airspace) by introducing more efficient, often direct, RNAV-based routes designed for aircraft equipped with area navigation capability. HAR routes allow flights to operate on more flexible tracks rather than being confined to the older system of fixed jet routes between ground-based VOR navaids.
Plain English
A redesign of the high-altitude route network so capable aircraft can fly more direct, flexible paths between airports instead of being locked onto the older zig-zag routes between ground navigation stations.
Context Anchor
Seen in ground training, route-planning, and en route chart discussions for flights that operate in the upper-level instrument system.
Derivation
‘High Altitude’ refers to airspace above 18,000 feet MSL (Class A). ‘Redesign’ indicates this was a deliberate reworking of the existing route structure rather than a brand-new system layered on top. The name simply describes what the program did.
Why Pilots Care
Redesigned routes can shorten flight times and lower fuel burn for aircraft operating in the upper airspace.
Intuition Check
Do not read “high altitude” here as just “pretty high.” In this FAA context, it refers to the upper route system used by aircraft operating at higher cruising altitudes, commonly at and above 18,000 feet.
Example Sentence 1
The dispatcher filed a HAR route for the cross-country leg, taking advantage of the aircraft’s RNAV capability for a more direct path.
Example Sentence 2
During preflight planning the captain checked the latest HAR updates before accepting the high-altitude clearance.