Definition
An aircraft equipment suffix appended to the aircraft type in a flight plan that indicates the aircraft is equipped with Required Navigational Performance (RNP) capability along with transponder and Mode C altitude reporting. It tells ATC the aircraft can meet specific performance-based navigation accuracy requirements on RNP routes and procedures.
Plain English
A code letter you write after your aircraft type on a flight plan to tell air traffic control that your aircraft can fly RNP routes accurately and has a working transponder that reports altitude.
Context Anchor
Seen in runway markings, instrument approach titles, and radio clearances at airports with parallel runways.
Derivation
The letter 'R' was chosen to stand for RNP (Required Navigational Performance). The FAA uses single-letter suffixes as shorthand on flight plans because radio and data communications need to be brief and unambiguous.
Why Pilots Care
Using the correct designator including the R suffix ensures the pilot and controller are referring to the same procedure and navigation equipment requirements.
Intuition Check
Do not read R as a procedure version letter or as part of the runway number. After a runway number, R means the right-hand runway for that direction.
Example Sentence 1
She filed the flight plan as a C208/R because the aircraft was equipped for RNP operations.
Example Sentence 2
We requested the GPS R procedure because the ILS was out of service.