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RNAV vs RNP: Understanding Performance-Based Navigation (PBN)

Learn the core technical differences between Area Navigation (RNAV) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) with onboard monitoring.

Published on May 2, 2026 8 min FOX SIM Editorial Team

Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) shifted global air traffic from ground-based beacon navigation to direct, highly accurate satellite waypoint routes.

Area Navigation (RNAV) Explained

RNAV allows an aircraft to fly direct routes between specified geographic coordinate waypoints without overflying terrestrial navigation stations.

Required Navigation Performance (RNP) & Onboard Alerting

RNP is an RNAV specification that mandates On-board Performance Monitoring and Alerting (OPMA). The avionics continuously verify that actual navigation error remains within the defined containment boundary (e.g., RNP 1 = 1 NM).

Nota Educacional

Este artigo faz parte da biblioteca educacional FOX SIM e destina-se a fins de estudo e simulação de voo. Para operações aeronáuticas reais, consulte sempre as publicações oficiais (AIP, ROTAER, NOTAM) e manuais aprovados da aeronave.

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