AREA NAVIGATION/RNAV (P/CG) - A method of navigation that permits aircraft operation on any desired course within the coverage of station referenced navigation signals or within the limits of self-contained system capability. Random area navigation routes are direct routes, based on area navigation capability, between waypoints defined in terms of latitude/longitude coordinates, degree/distance fixes, or offsets from published or established routes/airways at a specified distance and direction. The major types of equipment are:

(1)
VORTAC referenced or Course Line Computer (CLC) system, which account for the greatest number of RNAV units in use. To function, the CLC must be within the service range of a VORTAC.

(2)
Inertial (INS) systems, which are totally 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.

(3)
Microwave Landing System Area Navigation (MLS/RNAV), which provides area navigation with reference to a Microwave Landing System ground facility.

(4)
LORAN-C is a long range radio navigation system that uses ground waves transmitted at low frequency to provide user position information at range of up to 600 to 1,200 nautical miles at both enroute and approach altitudes. The usable signal coverage areas are determined by the signal-to-noise ratio, the envelope-to-cycle difference, and the geometric relationship between the positions of the user and the transmitting stations.

(5) GPS - is a space-base radio positioning, navigation, and time-transfer system. The system provides highly accurate position and velocity information, and precise time, on a continuous global basis, to an unlimited number of properly equipped users. The system is unaffected by weather, and provides a worldwide common grid reference system.
AREA NAVIGATION/RNAV (ICAO) - A method of navigation which permits aircraft operation on any desired flight path within the coverage of station referenced navigation aids or within the limits of the capability of self contained aids or a combination of these.
ARMY AVIATION FLIGHT INFORMATION BULLETIN/USAFIB - A bulletin that provides air operation data covering Army, National Guard, and Army Reserve aviation activities.
ARRESTING SYSTEM - A safety device consisting of two major components, namely, engaging or catching devices and energy absorption devices for the purpose of arresting both tail hook and/or non-tail hook equipped aircraft. It is used to prevent aircraft from overrunning runways when the aircraft cannot be stopped after landing or during aborted take-off. Arresting systems have various names, e.g., arresting gear, hook device, wire, barrier cable. (See Abort)
ARRIVAL TIME - The time an aircraft touches down on arrival.
ARTCC - (See Air Route Traffic Control Center)
ASR APPROACH - (See Surveillance Approach)