Chapter 3. Aeronautical Information

Section 3. Naming of NAVAIDs, Aeronautical ­Facilities, and Fixes

3-3-1. GENERAL

  1. All fixes located at a common point must have the same name/code regardless of type, altitude, or route ­structure.
  2. If one of the collocated fixes is a NAVAID, the other fixes must be assigned the same name and three-letter ­identifier.

3-3-2. RESPONSIBILITY

  1. Service area office are responsible for assigning and changing names of NAVAID and aeronautical ­facilities, and must follow the instructions contained herein and in FAA Order JO 7350.9, Location Identifiers, ­Chapter 1.
  2. AIS is responsible for issuing five-letter names for radio fixes, waypoints, marker beacons, and compass ­locators. Five-letter names must be issued by AIS to the Terminal Procedures and Charting Group, Major ­Military Commands (MAJCOM) and Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC) for future assignments.
  3. AIS in conjunction with the respective service area office, must ensure that no duplication in location name ­exists.

3-3-3. NAMING OF NAVAIDs

  1. The NAVAID name selected should represent a city, town, or prominent geographic landmark that is ­depicted on a sectional aeronautical chart at or near the site. If one is neither available nor suitable, a local ­memorial name may be used. A common, easily understood word should be selected for the NAVAID name.
  2. The name must not sound similar to an existing NAVAID/fix location name within the originating ­ARTCC's area, the adjacent ARTCC's area, or within a 300 NM radius from the NAVAID involved.
  3. Unduly long names should not be used.
  4. A navigational aid with the same name as the associated airport should be located on that airport. However, ­in existing situations, a NAVAID off the airport with the same name as the airport may retain the airport name ­provided there is no other NAVAID with the same name. If retention of the airport name at an off-airport ­NAVAID could lead to a potentially confusing situation, the name should be changed. Only one NAVAID located ­on the airport may be assigned the airport name.
  5. Instrument Landing Systems (ILS).
    1. Inner/middle fan markers (without collocated nondirectional radio beacons (NDB) or compass locators) ­and localizer equipment are not normally assigned names. Localizers are identified with the associated airport ­name and applicable runway number in official writings.
    2. All outer markers must be assigned names/codes. If the outer marker is to be situated at the same ­geographic location as a fix, it must adopt the fix names/code.
    3. All outer compass locators (LOM) and middle compass locators (LMM) must be assigned names/codes. ­If co-located with a fix, they must also adopt the fix name/code.
  6. Names/codes assigned must be the “chart names" that will appear on aeronautical charts, in airspace ­dockets, and other official publications and records.

3-3-4. NAMING OF WAYPOINTS, INTERSECTIONS, AND DME FIXES

  1. To decide whether a fix needs to be named, see Order 8260.19, Flight Procedures and Airspace.
  2. Names assigned for waypoints, intersections, Air Traffic Control (ATC) coordination, and Distance ­Measuring Equipment (DME) fixes not co-located with a navigational aid must consist of a single five-letter ­pronounceable name. These five letters must serve as the name, identifier, and computer code.
  3. Regional/service area office requests for specific five-letter names for radio fixes and waypoints should ­be avoided, but may be granted by AIS if feasible.
  4. Five-letter names that are assigned by the Mission Support, Terminal Procedures and Charting Group and ­major commands will be coordinated with the associated ARTCC to preclude similar sounding fix names.
  5. AIS must not duplicate any radio fix, waypoint, marker beacons or compass locators names.
  6. A fix or waypoint name change is required if the fix/waypoint is moved 1 nautical mile (NM) or more unless ­operational requirements dictate otherwise.