Unscrambling RNAV, RNP, and Other Chart Naming Conventions and Notes

Many pilots are confused by the terms RNAV, RNP, and RNP APCH that appear on instrument approach charts, and it’s easy to see why.

Although ICAO is adopting a new naming standard as the world shifts to Performance Based Navigation, or PBN, the FAA is sticking to its conventions. And that approach leads to some terms having more than one meaning or to blurring important distinctions.

This video below takes a closer look at what those abbreviations, initialisms, and notes mean.

You can watch videos on other topics at my Presentations for Pilots playlist on YouTube.

For more information on this topic, see:

• RNP: Performance Monitoring in Light GA Aircraft
• RNP Procedures and Typical Part 91 Pilots
• Garmin GTN Avionics and RF Legs
• Draft AC 90-119 Performance-Based Navigation Operations
• Use of GPS on Conventional Approaches (Update)
• Handy WAAS and RNAV (GPS) Approach Fact Sheets
• Z, Y, X in Approach Titles