Definition
A Global Positioning System receiver that meets the FAA's technical and operational standards (such as TSO-C129, TSO-C145, or TSO-C146) for use as a primary navigation source under Instrument Flight Rules. It is approved and installed in accordance with the aircraft's airworthiness documentation for en route, terminal, and (depending on certification level) instrument approach operations.
Plain English
A GPS unit that has been officially approved for use when flying in the clouds or on an instrument flight plan, not just for reference in good weather.
Context Anchor
You encounter this term when planning an IFR descent or approach and checking whether the airplane is legally and properly equipped to use GPS guidance.
Derivation
GPS stands for Global Positioning System, the satellite-based system that gives position information. IFR stands for instrument flight rules, meaning flight conducted under the rules used when the pilot must navigate mainly by instruments. Certified means the GPS is not just receiving signals; it has been approved for this kind of instrument flying.
Why Pilots Care
Only an IFR-certified GPS can be used as a primary navigation source on an IFR flight plan, ensuring legal compliance and reliable position data when visual references are unavailable.
Intuition Check
Do not assume any GPS is IFR-certified just because it shows your position accurately. Here, certified means approved equipment, approved installation, and proper use for IFR operations.
Example Sentence 1
Because the aircraft has an IFR-certified GPS, the pilot filed a direct route from departure to destination on the IFR flight plan.
Example Sentence 2
Because the aircraft's GPS was IFR-certified, the pilot could file and fly the route in instrument conditions.