Definition
A specified geographical location, in relation to which the position of an aircraft can be reported, as defined by ICAO (the International Civil Aviation Organization).
Plain English
A named spot on the map that pilots use to tell air traffic control where they are.
Context Anchor
Seen on aeronautical charts, in flight planning, and when making position reports by radio.
Derivation
The bracketed [ICAO] indicates this is the international standard definition published by ICAO, which may differ slightly from the FAA's domestic version. ICAO standards apply to flights crossing international airspace.
Why Pilots Care
Missing a required report can break traffic separation or delay sequencing into busy airspace.
Analogy
It is like using a mile marker on a highway: instead of giving a vague location, you name a shared point that everyone can find.
Intuition Check
Do not read “reporting point” as just any place where a pilot happens to make a report. In this aviation use, it means a recognized location used as a common reference for an aircraft’s position.
Example Sentence 1
Crossing the reporting point, the pilot called center with their position, altitude, and estimated time to the next fix.
Example Sentence 2
ATC asked the pilot to report over the next reporting point on the airway.