Definition
Performance Based Navigation (PBN) is a framework for area navigation in which an aircraft's required navigation performance is defined by specified accuracy, integrity, continuity, and functionality standards rather than by a particular onboard sensor or ground-based navigation aid. PBN operations are flown along defined routes or procedures using onboard equipment that meets the navigation specification stated for that route or procedure.
Plain English
PBN is a way of flying routes and approaches where the aircraft is required to stay within a stated level of accuracy, instead of relying on a specific type of equipment to get there. As long as the aircraft's navigation system meets the published performance standard, it can fly the procedure.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument procedure, route, and equipment discussions, especially when deciding whether an aircraft is approved to fly a particular route or approach.
Derivation
The phrase signals a shift away from defining navigation by the equipment used (VOR, DME, NDB) and toward defining it by how well the aircraft performs. 'Performance based' simply means the rules are written in terms of measurable performance — accuracy, integrity, and so on — rather than which box is in the panel.
Why Pilots Care
It allows more efficient routes, tighter airspace use, and access to procedures that older equipment-based rules would have blocked.
Grounding Statement
The key idea is: the aircraft must keep itself within the allowed path closely enough and alert the pilot if it no longer can.
Intuition Check
Do not read “performance based” as meaning the airplane is faster, more powerful, or flown by a better pilot. Here it means the route or procedure requires a specific navigation capability from the aircraft and its equipment.
Example Sentence 1
The approach was built under PBN criteria, so any aircraft meeting the published RNP requirement could fly it.
Example Sentence 2
Before the approach, the pilot confirmed the airplane met the performance based navigation requirements for that procedure.