---
title: "Area navigation (RNAV) — EASA Definition · Avioverse"
description: "Article 2, Regulation (EU) No 923/2012: ‘area navigation (RNAV)’ means a method of navigation which permits aircraft operation on any desired flight path…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/area-navigation"
---

# area navigation (RNAV)

EASA defines “area navigation (RNAV)” in one regulation. The wording below is reproduced verbatim from the EASA Easy Access Rules, with a link to the paragraph it comes from.

> ‘area navigation (RNAV)’ means a method of navigation which permits aircraft operation on any desired flight path within the coverage of ground- or space-based navigation aids or within the limits of the capability of self-contained aids, or a combination of these;

Article 2 · Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA) · Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 · Easy Access Rules, 26 Aug 2025 revision · [Read Article 2](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/sera/cover-regulation/powers-and-recital#article-2)

## Also in the aviation glossary

- Area Navigation (RNAV) FAA IPH

  A method of navigation that permits aircraft operations on any desired course within the coverage of station referenced navigation signals or within the limits of self contained system capability.

## Defined in the same article

- [accuracy](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/accuracy)
- [advisory airspace](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/advisory-airspace)
- [advisory route](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/advisory-route)
- [aerial work](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerial-work)
- [aerobatic flight](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerobatic-flight)
- [aerodrome](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome)
- [aerodrome control service](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome-control-service)
- [aerodrome control tower](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome-control-tower)