Definition
A method of navigation that allows an aircraft to fly any desired flight path within the coverage of ground- or space-based navigation aids, or within the limits of the capability of self-contained aids, rather than being restricted to flying directly to or from individual navigation stations. RNAV systems compute the aircraft's position, track, groundspeed, and time/distance to a defined point (waypoint) using inputs from sources such as GPS, DME/DME, VOR/DME, or inertial reference systems.
Plain English
A way of navigating that lets the pilot fly straight from one point to another point of their choosing, instead of having to fly from one ground station to the next. The aircraft's equipment works out where the plane is and which way to go to reach the next chosen point.
Context Anchor
You will see RNAV on IFR routes, instrument procedures, GPS flight plans, and clearances such as direct routing or an RNAV approach.
Derivation
Area' here means anywhere within the coverage area of the navigation signals — not just along the line between two stations. 'Navigation' is finding your way. So 'area navigation' literally means navigating freely within an area, rather than being tied to fixed routes between ground beacons.
Why Pilots Care
It enables shorter routes, lower fuel burn, and instrument approaches to airports that lack traditional ground navigation aids.
Grounding Statement
RNAV is the difference between following a path the navigator calculates through space and simply flying from one fixed radio station to another.
Intuition Check
RNAV does not mean “fly anywhere.” It means the aircraft may fly a chosen path only when its equipment, accuracy, and approved navigation coverage support that path.
Example Sentence 1
Cleared direct to the destination, the pilot selected the airport identifier in the RNAV system and the aircraft turned onto the new course.
Example Sentence 2
Many smaller airports now offer RNAV approaches that provide vertical guidance without localizer or glideslope equipment.