Definition
A function on a GPS navigation unit that displays the closest airports (or other selected facility types such as VORs, NDBs, intersections, or user waypoints) to the aircraft's present position, typically listed in order of distance with bearing, distance, and basic facility information.
Plain English
A button or page on the GPS that instantly shows you the airports closest to where you are right now, sorted nearest first.
Context Anchor
Seen on GPS units and moving-map displays when a pilot needs to quickly find a nearby airport, especially during a diversion or emergency.
Derivation
NRST is a shortened cockpit-display form of “nearest.” GPS units use short labels because screen and button space is limited. Reading NRST as “nearest” tells you the page is about the closest usable choices from your current position.
Why Pilots Care
Gives pilots an immediate list of the closest airports for emergency diversion or unplanned stops.
Intuition Check
NRST is not the name of an airport or a navigation point. It is a GPS function that means “show me the nearest options from here.”
Example Sentence 1
When the engine started running rough, the pilot pressed NRST and selected the closest airport with a paved runway.
Example Sentence 2
NRST displayed three suitable runways within eight miles of the current position.