An integral part of RNAV using en route charts typically involves the use of airborne navigation databases. Because GPS receivers are basically “to-to” navigators, they must always be navigating to a defined point. On overlay approaches, if no pronounceable five-character name is published for an approach waypoint or fix, it has been given a database identifier consisting of letters and numbers. These points appear in the list of waypoints in the approach procedure database, but may not appear on the approach chart. A point used for the purpose of defining the navigation track for an airborne computer system (i.e., GPS or FMS) is called a Computer Navigation Fix (CNF). CNFs include unnamed DME fixes, beginning and ending points of DME arcs, and sensor final approach fixes (FAFs) on some GPS overlay approaches.
To aid in the approach chart/database correlation process, the FAA has begun a program to assign five-letter names to CNFs and to chart CNFs on various National Oceanic Service aeronautical products. [Figure] These CNFs are not to be used for any ATC application, such as holding for which the fix has not already been assessed. CNFs are charted to distinguish them from conventional reporting points, fixes, intersections, and waypoints. A CNF name is enclosed in parenthesis, e.g., (MABEE) and is placed next to the CNF it defines. If the CNF is not at an existing point defined by means such as crossing radials or radial/DME, the point is indicated by an X. The CNF name is not used in filing a flight plan or in aircraft/ATC communications. Use current phraseology (e.g., facility name, radial, distance) to describe these fixes.
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| Computer navigation fix |
Many of the RNAV systems available today make it all too easy to forget that en route charts are still required and necessary for flight. As important as databases are, they really are onboard the aircraft to provide navigation guidance and situational awareness (SA); they are not intended as a substitute for paper charts. When flying with GPS, FMS, or planning a flight with a computer, it is critical to understand the limitations of the system you are using, for example, incomplete information, unloadable procedures, complex procedures, and database storage limitations.
