NAVAID, RNAV, waypoint
| Term | Is | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| NAVAID (navigation aid) | Device: umbrella term | Visual or electronic device (airborne, space-based, or ground) giving point-to-point guidance or position data to aircraft in flight. VOR, NDB, DME, GPS all count |
| RNAV (area navigation) | Method, not device | Fly any desired path, not station to station. Uses coverage of ground- or space-based NAVAIDs, limits of a self-contained system, or a combination |
| Waypoint (WP) | Specified geographic location | Latitude and longitude. Defines a route or terminal segment; used for progress reporting |
(AC 100-001 glossary)
- Waypoint need not sit on a NAVAID.
- RNAV route strings together waypoints, possibly with no ground station.
Trap: NAVAID = station (ground or space); RNAV = method of flying a path using one, several, or none directly overflown.
References
- AC 100-001 glossary: navigation aid (NAVAID)
- AC 100-001 glossary: area navigation (RNAV)
- AC 100-001 glossary: waypoint (WP)