Definition
An ATC clearance authorizing an aircraft to proceed directly to a named fix or waypoint from wherever it currently is, rather than continuing on its previously assigned route. The aircraft's present position becomes the starting point of a new direct leg to the specified destination point.
Plain English
Controllers are telling you to leave your current route and fly straight to a named point starting from exactly where you are right now.
Context Anchor
Seen when using a GPS navigator during instrument flight, especially after air traffic control clears the aircraft direct to a named point.
Derivation
"Present position" means where the aircraft is at this moment, and "direct" means a straight-line course to the named point. The phrase tells the pilot the new leg starts here, not at some upcoming fix.
Why Pilots Care
It allows the crew to bypass unnecessary route segments, reducing flight time and fuel use while staying within the cleared airspace.
Intuition Check
Do not read “present position direct” as “the GPS keeps making a brand-new direct line every second.” It means the system makes a direct course from your current location when you activate it; if you want a fresh line later, you activate it again.
Example Sentence 1
Cleveland Center cleared the Cessna present position direct CRL, so the pilot turned and went straight to the VOR from where the aircraft was at that moment.
Example Sentence 2
The crew used present position direct to skip an out-of-the-way waypoint and rejoin the arrival sooner.