Definition
An instrument approach service that provides both horizontal (lateral) course guidance and vertical descent guidance to a runway, using satellite-based navigation systems with augmentation that meets accuracy and integrity standards for vertical guidance. LNAV/VNAV approaches publish a Decision Altitude (DA) rather than a Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA), and the vertical path is computed by the aircraft's flight management system or generated by SBAS (such as WAAS).
Plain English
An approach where the GPS-based system guides the airplane both side-to-side toward the runway and up-and-down along a descent path. Instead of stepping down to a flat minimum altitude, the pilot follows a smooth glide path down to a decision altitude, where they either see the runway and land or go around.
Context Anchor
Seen on RNAV approach charts as an LNAV/VNAV line of minimums, and in avionics when the system is providing both side-to-side guidance and descent-path guidance.
Derivation
Lateral comes from Latin lateralis, meaning 'of the side' — side-to-side guidance. Vertical comes from Latin verticalis, meaning 'of the highest point' — up-and-down guidance. Together they describe an approach guided in both dimensions, like an ILS but built from satellite data instead of ground-based radio beams.
Why Pilots Care
It gives lower decision heights than LNAV-only approaches, letting pilots land at more airports in marginal weather.
Analogy
Think of it like driving with lane guidance and hill guidance at the same time: one part keeps you lined up left and right, and the other tells you the proper path down. LNAV/VNAV does both for an instrument approach.
Grounding Statement
On an LNAV/VNAV approach, the aircraft is being guided toward the runway in two ways at the same time: centered on the course and descending along a calculated path.
Intuition Check
Do not assume VNAV guidance is the same as an ILS glideslope. LNAV/VNAV has its own equipment requirements and its own published limits.
Example Sentence 1
Approach cleared us for the RNAV (GPS) Runway 27 approach, and we briefed the LNAV/VNAV minimums since our aircraft was equipped for vertical guidance.
Example Sentence 2
With LNAV/VNAV armed, the autopilot captured the glidepath and began a steady descent toward the threshold.