Definition
A published instrument-style approach procedure designed to guide aircraft using onboard area navigation (RNAV) equipment along a defined lateral and, in some cases, vertical path to a runway, while still requiring the pilot to remain in visual conditions and maintain visual contact with the airport or runway environment to complete the landing. An RVFP combines the repeatability and noise-abatement benefits of a charted RNAV path with the visual-flight requirement of a traditional visual approach.
Plain English
A charted approach that uses GPS-based navigation to guide the aircraft along a precise track toward the runway, but the pilot still has to be able to see the airport and fly the final part visually.
Context Anchor
Seen on approach charts, in arrival planning, and in ATC clearances when an aircraft is being guided to a runway in visual conditions.
Derivation
RNAV stands for area navigation, meaning the aircraft can fly any path defined by waypoints rather than being tied to ground-based navigation aids. Combined with 'visual flight procedure,' the name signals a procedure that uses RNAV guidance but is still flown under visual flight rules during the approach.
Why Pilots Care
Reduces pilot workload, improves track accuracy, and increases safety on visual approaches where terrain or traffic make unaided visual alignment more demanding.
Intuition Check
Do not read “visual” as “no navigation guidance.” In an RVFP, the pilot is flying visually, but the aircraft navigation system still provides the path to follow. Do not read “procedure” as “instrument approach.” An RVFP helps with lateral guidance, but it is not an instrument approach procedure.
Example Sentence 1
Approach cleared us for the RVFP to Runway 28R, so we followed the charted RNAV track while keeping the runway in sight.
Example Sentence 2
Because the weather was clear, ATC cleared the flight for the RVFP instead of the full ILS approach.