Definition
The lowest decision altitude and visibility values published on an RNAV (GPS) approach chart for the LPV line of minimums, which is flown using WAAS-augmented GPS to provide both lateral and vertical guidance with accuracy similar to an ILS. LPV minimums require an approach-approved WAAS receiver and are flown to a decision altitude (DA), not a minimum descent altitude (MDA). LPV is not a precision approach by ICAO definition, but it is treated operationally like one because it provides an electronic glidepath.
Plain English
The lowest height and visibility you're allowed to descend to on a GPS approach when you're using the most accurate type of GPS guidance, which gives you both side-to-side and up-and-down course information, much like an ILS.
Context Anchor
Seen in the minimums section of an instrument approach chart for an RNAV (GPS) approach, usually on a line labeled “LPV.”
Derivation
Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance' is named because the lateral course behaves like an ILS localizer (narrowing as you near the runway) and 'vertical guidance' indicates an electronic glidepath is provided. 'Minimums' refers to the published decision altitude and visibility limits for that line of the approach chart.
Why Pilots Care
These minimums give precision-like vertical guidance to many runways that lack ground-based ILS equipment.
Intuition Check
Do not read “minimums” as a personal comfort level or a suggestion. Here it means the published limit for that approach: at that altitude and visibility point, you either have what is required to land or you go missed.
Example Sentence 1
With WAAS on board and the runway reporting a 300-foot ceiling, we briefed the LPV minimums for the RNAV (GPS) approach to Runway 27.
Example Sentence 2
With the reported visibility above the LPV minimums, the crew continued the approach to a landing.