Performance-Based Navigation - PBN

Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) is the ICAO framework that shifts navigation requirements from specifying which equipment to carry (sensor-based) to specifying what accuracy the aircraft must achieve (performance-based).

PBN has two main branches:

• RNAV (Area Navigation): Specifies accuracy but without on-board monitoring and alerting. Examples: RNAV 5, RNAV 2, RNAV 1
• RNP (Required Navigation Performance): Specifies accuracy WITH on-board monitoring and alerting. Examples: RNP 4, RNP 2, RNP 1, RNP APCH (approaches with LPV minima), RNP AR (Authorization Required — curved approaches)

The number indicates the accuracy in nautical miles that the aircraft must maintain 95% of the time. PBN enables more efficient routes, reduced separation, and approaches to runways that lack ground-based navaids.