Definition
An ATC instruction authorizing a pilot to fly straight from the aircraft's present position to a specified fix, navaid, or waypoint, bypassing any intermediate route segments previously assigned.
Plain English
ATC is telling you to stop following the original route and fly straight to a named point instead.
Context Anchor
Used in instrument flying when a controller gives a route change, shortcut, or new clearance while the aircraft is already in flight.
Derivation
Proceed comes from older words meaning “to go forward.” Direct comes from a Latin word meaning “straight” or “guided in a straight line.” Together, the phrase points to the aviation meaning: continue flying, but go straight to the named place.
Why Pilots Care
Reduces flight time and fuel use while easing workload by removing the need to track multiple fixes.
Intuition Check
“Proceed direct” does not mean “keep going” or “go generally that direction.” In this context, it means fly directly to the specific point named by air traffic control.
Example Sentence 1
Center radioed, "Cessna 32A, proceed direct DURRP, rest of route unchanged."
Example Sentence 2
The controller said proceed direct to the airport to shorten our arrival routing.