Definition
Continuous lateral navigation guidance along a defined flight path, provided by a ground-based or satellite-based navigation source (such as VOR, localizer, GPS, or RNAV) that the pilot can track on cockpit instruments at all times along that segment.
Plain English
A navigation signal that constantly tells the pilot whether they are left, right, or on the intended track. The guidance is always there along the segment — not just at the start or end.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument procedure design, especially when a procedure needs reliable guidance for staying on a published course.
Derivation
‘Positive’ here comes from the Latin positivus, meaning ‘definitely placed’ or ‘affirmed.’ In aviation it is used in the sense of ‘definite, continuous, and reliable’ — not in the everyday sense of ‘good.’ ‘Course guidance’ simply means information that keeps the aircraft on its intended track.
Why Pilots Care
Ensures the aircraft can follow a precise path during instrument flight, critical for safe approaches in low visibility.
Intuition Check
Do not read “positive” as “good” or “encouraging” here. In positive course guidance, it means definite guidance that clearly shows where the aircraft is relative to the desired course.
Example Sentence 1
The departure procedure required positive course guidance, so the controller could not clear the flight on that route until the GPS was confirmed operational.
Example Sentence 2
The procedure requires positive course guidance between the initial approach fix and the final approach fix.