RNAVapproaches

RNAV approaches are instrument approach procedures that use a aircraft’s area navigation capability to fly a defined path to a runway using waypoints, rather than relying solely on ground-based navaids. They provide precise lateral guidance and, in many cases, vertical guidance, depending on the procedure and navigation data available.

Two broad families exist: RNAV (GNSS) approaches and RNP approaches. RNAV (GNSS) approaches rely on satellite navigation (for example GPS with augmentation) to define the flight path. Within RNAV, LNAV offers lateral navigation only; LNAV/VNAV provides lateral and vertical guidance using barometric or satellite augmentation systems; LPV (Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance) delivers high-precision lateral and vertical guidance similar to ILS, using augmentation such as WAAS or EGNOS.

RNP approaches add performance requirements. They specify a navigation performance value and may include curved or constrained segments that require tighter containment and on-board performance monitoring. RNP approaches can be standard RNP or RNP AR (authorization required), the latter involving additional pilot qualifications and procedures.

RNAV approaches are categorized as APV (approaches with vertical guidance) or as precision-like when performance meets stringent standards. LPV and LNAV/VNAV are APV; traditional precision approaches include ILS and GLS. RNAV can also support non-precision lateral approaches (LNAV) without vertical guidance.

Operational considerations include dependence on GNSS signals and augmentation integrity, potential susceptibilities to outages or jamming, and system-wide requirements for navigation performance monitoring. They are widely used globally and enable flexible approach paths where ground-based navaids are limited or unavailable.