Definition
A method of area navigation in which an aircraft's required navigation accuracy, integrity, continuity, and functionality are specified for a particular route, procedure, or airspace, rather than relying on a specific piece of equipment or ground-based navigation aid. The aircraft may use any combination of onboard systems (such as GPS, inertial reference, or DME/DME) so long as the system meets the published performance standard for that operation.
Plain English
A way of flying where the rules say how accurately you must navigate, not which equipment you must use. As long as your aircraft can hit the required level of accuracy, you're approved to fly the route.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument flight charts, instrument departure and arrival procedures, instrument approaches, and airspace requirements that specify what navigation capability the aircraft must have.
Derivation
The name describes the concept directly: navigation is judged by performance (accuracy and reliability) rather than by which equipment produces it. This is a shift from older rules that named specific navaids the pilot had to use.
Why Pilots Care
It permits more direct routes, lower fuel use, and access to precision approaches at airports without traditional ground aids.
Intuition Check
Performance does not mean engine power, climb rate, or aircraft speed here. It means the required accuracy and reliability of the aircraft's navigation system.
Example Sentence 1
The new approach into the regional airport is a performance-based navigation procedure, so we verified that our GPS met the required accuracy before accepting the clearance.
Example Sentence 2
The crew confirmed the aircraft met the required Performance-Based Navigation specification before accepting the approach clearance.