Plain English Meaning

A short ID number that pulls up one specific WAAS approach in your navigation unit, so you don't have to scroll through menus to find and load it.

Full Definition

A five-digit number assigned to a specific WAAS-enabled instrument approach procedure that, when entered into the GPS or flight management system, automatically loads that exact approach into the unit. The channel number uniquely identifies a single approach to a particular runway end at a particular airport.

Context Anchor

Seen on WAAS-enabled approach charts, including LPV approaches, and used when selecting an approach in an approved GPS navigator.

Derivation

WAAS stands for Wide Area Augmentation System, the -based that improves GPS . 'Channel' here is borrowed from usage — just as a radio channel selects one specific , a WAAS channel number selects one specific approach.