Everything You Need to Know about RNAV GPS Approaches

Friday, September 07, 2018 at 09:00 PM ET

Verified

Relevant Discussion: AIM 1-1-17 through 1-1-20, 1-2-1 through 1-2-3, 5-1-16, 5-3-4, 5-4-5 through 5-4-7, P/C Glossary, OpSpec C052, FAA-H-8083-16, AC 20-138, AC 90-97, AC 90-100, AC 90-101, AC 90-105, AC 90-107, AC 90-108, TSO-C161, TSO-C162, TSO-C196, FAA Order 8260.19 Garmin

Key Takeaways:

RNAV GPS approaches are widely used and categorized by their navigation performance, offering various levels of lateral and vertical guidance.
Key approach types include LNAV (lateral-only), LP (lateral, WAAS mandatory), LNAV/VNAV (lateral and approved vertical guidance), and LPV (localizer performance with vertical, WAAS mandatory, and operationally equivalent to an ILS).
WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) is crucial for achieving the highest precision RNAV approaches like LP, LPV, and some LNAV/VNAV, enabling lower minimums and approved vertical guidance.
RNAV approach charts often list multiple minimums (LNAV, LNAV/VNAV, LP, LPV) to accommodate diverse aircraft equipage and provide operational flexibility.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Pass the Test. Take to the Skies

Easily become an airplane or commercial pilot online! Courses designed by industry experts can help you pass FAA tests and get into the sky!

Enroll Now

RNAV GPS (aRea NAVigation) stand-alone instrument approaches have become commonplace as GPS and the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) hit the mainstream.