Performance Based Flight Systems Branch
Performance Based Navigation (PBN)
Guidance & Approval
Performance Based Navigation (PBN) is comprised of Area Navigation (RNAV) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) and describes an aircraft's capability to navigate using performance standards. RNAV enables aircraft to fly on any desired flight path within the coverage of ground or space based navigation aids, within the limits of the capability of the self-contained systems, or a combination of both capabilities.
RNP is RNAV with the addition of onboard performance monitoring and alerting capability. A defining characteristic of RNP operations is the ability of the aircraft navigation system to monitor the navigation performance it achieves and inform the crew if the requirement is not met during an operation. The performance requirements of PBN are conveyed to the operators through navigation specifications. PBN navigation specifications include RNAV 1, RNP 1, RNAV 2, RNAV 5, RNP 10, RNP 4 as well as RNAV (GPS) and RNAV (RNP) approaches.
| Type of Operation | Guidance Materials | Overview Presentations | Approval Mechanism | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RNAV 1 (Departures and Arrival Procedures) | AC 90-100A | RNAV1_RNP1_RNAV2 (SWF) | OPSPEC/MSPEC/LOA C063 | GPS RAIM Prediction "Climb Via" video |
| RNP 1 (Departure and Arrival Procedures) | AC 90-105 | RNAV1_RNP1_RNAV2 (SWF) | OPSPEC/MSPEC/LOA C063 | GPS RAIM Prediction |
| RNAV 2 (Q and T-Routes) | AC 90-100A | RNAV1_RNP1_RNAV2 (SWF) | OPSPEC/MSPEC/LOA B035 | GPS RAIM Prediction |
| RNAV (GPS) and GPS (RNP Approaches) | AC 90-105 | RNP Approaches (SWF) | OPSPEC/MSPEC/LOA C052 |
GPS RAIM Prediction RNAV (GPS) Approaches Fact Sheet (PDF) |
| RNAV (RNP) (RNP AR Approaches) | AC 90-101A | RNP AR (SWF) | OPSPEC/MSPEC/LOA C384 | Additional Information for RNP AR |
| RNAV 5 (N/A for U.S. Airspace) | AC 90-96A | OPSPEC/MSPEC/LOA B034 | ||
| RNP 10 | Order 8400.12C | CNS (SWF) | OPSPEC/MSPEC B036 |
Order 7110.82 FAA Oceanic and Offshore Operations Group |
| RNP 4 | Order 8400.33 | CNS (SWF) | OPSPEC/MSPEC B036 |
Order 7110.82 FAA Oceanic and Offshore Operations Group |
Page Last Modified: 05/09/13 10:14 EDT