BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE AIR FORCE ...

150
AFMAN 11-217V1 3 JANUARY 2005
(Jet) followed by the airway number (e.g., J12). Jet routes, as VOR airways, are
based solely on VOR or VORTAC navigation facilities (except in Alaska).
Segments of jet routes in Alaska are based on L/MF navigation aids and are
charted in brown instead of black on en route charts.
8.3.16. RNAV Routes. RNAV is a method of navigation permitting aircraft operations
on any desired course within the coverage and capabilities of the aircraft onboard
navigation equipment.
8.3.16.1. Designated RNAV Routes. Permanent published and charted airway routes
based on area navigation equipment are available for use by aircraft with RNAV
capability. Refer to the FAA NTAP web site, section 4 for a description of
equipment requirements for RNAV Jet routes in the US NAS.
8.3.16.1.1. RVAV routes are designated in blue on US enroute charts.
8.3.16.2. Required Equipment for RNAV. FAA AC 90-45, Approval of Area
Navigation Systems for Use in the US National Airspace System, outlines the RNAV
equipment specifications for certification within the NAS. The major types of
appropriate equipment are:
8.3.16.2.1. VORTAC-Referenced or Course Line Computer (CLC) Systems.
These systems account for the greatest number of RNAV units in use. In the
military, most FMS units use the functions of a VOR, VOR/DME, DME, or
TACAN station to update an onboard navigation computer. With any of these
systems, the aircraft must remain within the service range of the navigation
station.
8.3.16.2.2. INS Systems. INS units are self-contained and require no information
from external references. They provide aircraft position and navigation
information in response to signals resulting from inertial effects on components
within the system.
8.3.16.2.3. MLS/RNAV. MLS/RNAV equipment provides area navigation with
reference to an MLS ground facility. The aircraft must remain within the service
range of the navigation station.
8.3.16.2.4. LORAN-C. LORAN-C is a long-range radio navigation system of
ground waves transmitted at low frequency to provide the user position
information at ranges of up to 600 to 1,200 nautical miles from the navigation
station at both en route and approach altitudes. The usable signal coverage varies
through many environmental and physical characteristics and must be monitored
by the aircrew during flight.
8.3.16.2.5. GPS. GPS is a space-based radio positioning, navigation, and timetransfer
system. The system provides highly accurate position and velocity
information, and precise time, on a nearly continuous global basis, to properly
equipped users. The system is unaffected by weather, and provides a worldwide
common grid reference system. GPS navigation equipment must be approved in
accordance with the requirements specified in FAA TSO, AC and Notices
pertaining to the intended operations (e.g., enroute, oceanic, terminal, nonprecision,
and precision approach). Operate GPS equipment IAW AFI 11-202