Definition
The published fix that marks the end of a Standard Instrument Departure (SID) or other instrument procedure segment, where the procedure ends and the aircraft transitions to the next phase of flight, typically en route navigation under ATC clearance.
Plain English
The point on a departure or arrival procedure where the procedure stops. Once you reach it, you stop following the procedure and continue on whatever route ATC has cleared you for.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument procedure charts and in descriptions of approach routes, missed approach paths, and other published instrument procedure segments.
Derivation
From Latin terminare, 'to set a limit or end.' The termination fix is literally the fix where the procedure terminates -- the limit point of the published instructions.
Why Pilots Care
It tells the pilot precisely when the current procedure ends so they know when to begin the next action, such as a missed approach.
Analogy
Think of it like the finish line for one part of a route. Once you reach it, you stop following that part and move to the next published instruction.
Intuition Check
Do not read “termination” as canceling the flight or stopping all action. Here it means the end of one published part of the route. Do not read “fix” as a repair. In aviation navigation, a fix is a known point to navigate by.
Example Sentence 1
After crossing the termination fix, the crew turned on course toward their first en route waypoint.
Example Sentence 2
Review the chart to locate the termination fix before briefing the approach.