Definition
The specific approval that permits a pilot and aircraft to fly a particular type of RNAV (Area Navigation) instrument approach procedure. Authorization depends on the aircraft's installed navigation equipment, the operator's training and operational approval, and any limitations published for the procedure. Different RNAV approach types — such as LNAV, LNAV/VNAV, LPV, and RNP — each carry their own authorization requirements based on the equipment and approvals required to fly them.
Plain English
Permission to fly a specific kind of GPS-based instrument approach. The permission depends on what your aircraft is certified for, what you are trained and approved to do, and what the approach chart requires.
Context Anchor
Seen when planning or briefing an RNAV instrument approach, checking the aircraft flight manual supplement, avionics status, navigation database, and any notes on the approach chart.
Derivation
RNAV comes from area navigation, meaning navigation that lets an aircraft fly a chosen path without having to fly directly from one ground-based radio aid to the next. Authorization comes from the idea of permission given by an authority. Together, the phrase points to being properly approved to use RNAV for an instrument approach.
Why Pilots Care
It determines whether a pilot can legally conduct modern GPS-based approaches instead of being limited to traditional ground-based procedures.
Intuition Check
Do not read authorization as simply “air traffic control said yes.” Here it means the aircraft, equipment, database, and any required approvals meet the rules for flying that RNAV approach.
Example Sentence 1
Before accepting the RNAV (GPS) RWY 27 approach, the pilot confirmed the aircraft's RNAV approach authorization included LPV minimums.
Example Sentence 2
The operator could not fly the RNAV approach until receiving the necessary authorization from the FAA.