Definition
Course and position information provided by an area navigation (RNAV) system, allowing the aircraft to fly directly between any two points defined by latitude and longitude rather than only along routes between ground-based navigation stations. RNAV guidance is typically generated by GPS, FMS, or other onboard navigation computers and is presented to the pilot through a course deviation indicator, moving map, or flight director.
Plain English
Steering information from a navigation system that lets the aircraft fly directly from any point to any other point, instead of having to follow paths between ground radio stations.
Context Anchor
Seen when using GPS-based routes, departures, arrivals, and approaches in the cockpit.
Derivation
RNAV stands for area navigation. The name reflects the key idea: instead of flying along a line between two ground stations, the aircraft can navigate freely within an area, point to point, using computed positions.
Why Pilots Care
It enables shorter routes, lower fuel use, and approaches to airports that lack traditional navigation aids.
Intuition Check
Do not read “guidance” as general advice. In this context, it means specific navigation cues from the RNAV system that show whether the aircraft is on the selected path or needs correction.
Example Sentence 1
After takeoff, the crew followed RNAV guidance from the flight management system direct to the first en route waypoint.
Example Sentence 2
RNAV guidance kept the airplane on the correct lateral path during the arrival procedure.