Definition
A published departure procedure designed to be flown using ground-based navigation aids (such as VORs, NDBs, or DME) rather than area navigation systems. A Non-RNAV DP provides a specific route and climb gradient from the departure runway to the en route structure, with all course guidance referenced to conventional navaids and headings.
Plain English
A departure route from an airport that you fly using traditional radio navigation stations on the ground, not GPS or other area navigation. The chart tells you which navaids to track, what headings to fly, and how steeply to climb until you join your en route course.
Context Anchor
Seen during instrument flight planning and before takeoff when selecting or briefing the published route for leaving an airport.
Derivation
RNAV stands for Area Navigation, which lets an aircraft fly any course within a network of stations or via GPS, rather than directly to or from a single navaid. Adding 'Non-' simply means the procedure does not rely on RNAV equipment — it uses the older, station-to-station method.
Why Pilots Care
Aircraft without RNAV equipment must use these procedures to remain on published routes and maintain proper terrain and traffic separation.
Intuition Check
Non-RNAV does not mean “no navigation.” It means the procedure does not depend on area navigation; you still must follow the published departure instructions exactly.
Example Sentence 1
Because the aircraft was not equipped with approved GPS, the crew selected a Non-RNAV DP that used the local VOR for course guidance.
Example Sentence 2
ATC assigned a Non-RNAV DP after the crew reported their RNAV system was unavailable for the departure.