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Navigation

Browse Navigation terms for pilots, air traffic controllers, cabin crew and aviation learners.

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Aerovía ATS

A defined corridor in controlled airspace designated for the use of aircraft flying under Air Traffic Services, with specified route, width, and flight levels.

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Aerovía ATS superior

A designated corridor in controlled airspace, typically above a specified flight level (e.g., FL245), for use by aircraft under Air Traffic Services, forming part of the upper air route network.

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Aerovía para jets

A designated airway in controlled airspace, typically for aircraft operating at high altitudes (usually above FL180 in the US), used primarily by jet aircraft.

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Altura de cruce de umbral

The height above runway threshold at which the aircraft’s glide path crosses the runway during final approach, typically referenced in ILS and LPV procedures.

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Anillos de distancia

Circular overlays on a navigation display or chart, spaced at regular intervals from a reference point or airport, used for situational awareness and range estimation.

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Aproximación GPS

An instrument approach procedure that uses signals from the Global Positioning System (GPS) for navigation and guidance to a runway, as published on authorized approach charts.

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Arco

A segment of a circle at a fixed distance from a navigation aid, usually flown as part of a procedure turn, approach, or missed approach using DME or RNAV guidance.

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Arco DME

A curved flight path at a constant distance from a DME station, commonly used in instrument approach procedures to transition from en route to the final approach course.

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Ascenso por escalones

A series of planned altitude increases during cruise, typically due to decreasing aircraft weight from fuel burn, allowing for more efficient flight profiles and compliance with ATC or route requirements.

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Autorización requerida de rendimiento de navegación requerido

A navigation specification for RNAV operations that requires special aircrew and aircraft authorization before use, typically for advanced RNP approaches and routes.

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Cima de ascenso

The calculated point along the flight path where an aircraft completes its climb and levels off at cruising altitude as programmed in the FMS.

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Coordenadas de latitud y longitud

A geographic position expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds or decimal degrees, specifying a point north or south of the Equator (latitude) and east or west of the Prime Meridian (longitude); used for precise aircraft navigation and reporting.

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Curso magnético

The direction of flight over the ground with respect to magnetic north, obtained by correcting true course for magnetic variation.

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Curso verdadero

The intended direction of flight over the ground referenced to true north, prior to adjustment for wind, magnetic variation, or compass error.

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Desplazamiento

A lateral deviation from a published route, airway, or track, authorized by ATC to avoid weather, traffic, or other hazards, typically specified in nautical miles right or left.

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Desplazamiento paralelo

A specific type of offset in which the aircraft flies a route parallel to the original track, usually by a set number of nautical miles left or right, as instructed by ATC.

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Después del punto de ruta

A routing or procedural instruction indicating action to be taken immediately after passing a specified navigation fix.

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Directo a

A clearance to fly directly from the present position to a specified navigation fix or waypoint, bypassing intervening fixes or published routes.

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Distancia

The measured space between two points, often in nautical miles in aviation contexts.

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Distancia restante

The remaining distance to a specified point along the planned route, as displayed on the flight management system or requested by ATC for position reports.

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Entrada directa

A holding entry method where the aircraft flies directly onto the inbound leg of the holding pattern upon crossing the fix.

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Entrada en espera

The initial maneuver by which an aircraft enters a holding pattern as prescribed, using one of the approved entry procedures: direct, teardrop, or parallel.

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Entrada en lágrima

A method of entering a holding pattern in which the aircraft initially flies outbound on a course 30 degrees offset from the holding inbound leg, then turns inbound to intercept the holding course.

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Entrada paralela

A method of entering a holding pattern where the aircraft initially flies outbound parallel to the holding course, then turns back to intercept the inbound leg.

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Equipo de medición de distancia

Airborne interrogator and ground transponder pair providing slant-range distance to the station in nautical miles.

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Estación VOR y TACAN co-ubicadas

A ground-based radio navigation aid where a VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) and a Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) facility are located at the same site, providing both civil and military navigation signals (VORTAC).

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Fijo de aproximación final

A designated point in an instrument approach from which the final approach segment to the runway begins.

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Fijo de aproximación inicial

A designated point where an aircraft initiates the instrument approach procedure for a specific approach segment, leading towards final approach.

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Fijo de navegación

A specific geographical position determined by visual reference, radio aid, or satellite, used in defining air routes, procedures, or as a reporting point.

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Fijo de rumbo/distancia

A specified position defined by the intersection of a bearing from a navigation aid and a measured distance, used for fixes, approaches, and reporting points.

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Glide Slope

The vertical guidance component of an Instrument Landing System (ILS) that provides the optimal descent path to the runway threshold.

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Hora Zulu

The standard time reference used in aviation and military operations, equivalent to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), denoted by the letter Z (Zulu) after the time.

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Indicador de situación horizontal

A cockpit instrument that displays aircraft position relative to navigation aids and selected course, combining heading and navigation information for situational awareness.

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Indicador radio-magnético

An instrument displaying the aircraft's bearing to selected radio navigation aids, combining magnetic heading and bearing information, commonly used with ADF or VOR.

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Inicio de descenso

The calculated point along a flight path where the aircraft begins its planned descent from cruise altitude toward the destination, as programmed in the FMS.

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Intercepción

A maneuver where an aircraft joins a specified course, radial, localizer, track, or route as instructed by ATC, commonly used during approaches and vectoring.

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Intersección

A point defined by the crossing of two or more airways, radials, or routes, used as a reference for navigation or reporting.

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Localizador

The component of an Instrument Landing System (ILS) that provides lateral guidance to align the aircraft with the runway centerline during approach.

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Marcación ADF

The direction to or from a Non-Directional Beacon as indicated by the aircraft's Automatic Direction Finder equipment, relative to the aircraft's heading.

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Medición de distancia

The process of determining distance, often by reference to DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) in ATC phraseology.

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Navegación aérea táctica

A military navigation system (TACAN) providing bearing and distance information to aircraft, functionally similar to VOR/DME but used mainly for military operations.

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Navegación basada en el rendimiento

A navigation specification that requires aircraft to meet specific performance requirements for accuracy, integrity, continuity, and functionality in accordance with ICAO Doc 9613, applied to area navigation (RNAV) and required navigation performance (RNP) operations.

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Navegación de área

A method of navigation allowing aircraft operation on any desired flight path within the coverage of navigation aids or within the limits of self-contained aids, or a combination of these.

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Navegación lateral

A component of navigation relating to the aircraft's position in the horizontal plane (track), including guidance along a defined route or to a waypoint.

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Navegación lateral y vertical

A navigation mode providing both horizontal (lateral) and vertical guidance to the aircraft, commonly used in RNAV and RNP procedures, enabling precise 3D path tracking.

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Navegación por cuadrícula

A navigation technique using a grid reference system rather than true or magnetic north, primarily in polar regions where magnetic compasses and conventional charts are unreliable. Used for plotting and ATC reporting.

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Navegación vertical

A component of navigation relating to an aircraft's position in the vertical plane (altitude), including climb, cruise, and descent profiles.

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Performance de localizador con guía vertical

An instrument approach procedure (APV) that provides both lateral and vertical guidance using satellite-based augmentation systems, similar to ILS precision but based on GPS/WAAS signals.

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Pierna de ingreso

The segment of a holding pattern or approach procedure flown toward the fix or navigation aid, typically timed or distance-limited.

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Pierna de salida

The segment of a holding pattern or procedure flown away from the holding fix or navigation aid, typically timed or distance-limited.

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Punto crítico

A position along a route where, in the event of an emergency or abnormal situation, a decision must be made to proceed or return, often used in fuel or performance-critical calculations, such as the point beyond which it is safer or faster to continue than to turn back.

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Punto de aproximación frustrada

A specified point in an instrument approach procedure at which a missed approach must be initiated if the required visual reference to continue the approach has not been established.

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Punto de entrada de operaciones bimotor de largo alcance

The geographic position from which an aeroplane on an approved extended-range twin-engine operation (ETOPS) flight enters a phase requiring adherence to ETOPS requirements, such as designated diversion procedures and specific fuel, performance, and alternate airport planning.

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Punto de espera

A specified point, identified by navigation aids or coordinates, at which an aircraft may be instructed to hold.

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Punto de no retorno

The specific point on the route after which an aircraft does not have sufficient fuel to return to the departure aerodrome, requiring it to continue to the destination or an alternate.

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Punto de ruta

A specified geographical location, defined by coordinates, used for navigation and flight planning, including RNAV procedures.

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Punto de ruta LASER

A specifically named waypoint (LASER) used in navigation or published procedures, commonly appearing in STARs, SIDs, or enroute charts as part of ATC routing.

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Punto de tiempo igual

A calculated position along the planned route where the time required to continue to a suitable alternate aerodrome is the same as the time required to return to a different suitable alternate aerodrome, considering wind and performance.

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Punto ORA

A published, named navigation point (ORA) used in RNAV procedures, typically representing a specific fix for routing, entry, or transition, defined by coordinates and used in flight management systems.

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Radial VOR

A specific magnetic bearing from a VOR station, identified by its radial number, used for aircraft navigation and ATC instructions.

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Radiofaro marcador

A radio transmitter used in the ILS to provide pilots with range information along the approach path, typically located at specified distances from the runway threshold.

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Radiofaro no direccional

Low-frequency radio beacon transmitting a non-directional signal that pilots track with an ADF receiver.

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Radiofaro omnidireccional VHF

Ground-based VHF radio beacon providing 360-degree azimuth guidance to aircraft.

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Rendimiento de navegación requerido

A statement of the navigation performance accuracy necessary for operation within a defined airspace, expressed as a numerical value that aircraft must meet or exceed.

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Restricción de altitud

A published or assigned restriction that requires an aircraft to cross a specific point at, above, or below a certain altitude, common in RNAV and STAR procedures.

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Rumbo

The intended direction of flight expressed as an angle from North, along which an aircraft is to be flown.

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Rumbo magnético

The direction in which an aircraft’s nose is pointed, expressed in degrees from North. May differ from track due to wind drift.

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Rumbo sobre el suelo

The aircraft’s actual path over the ground, measured in degrees from North. Distinct from heading, which is the direction the nose points.

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Ruta de llegada terminal estándar

A published IFR route that provides standardized lateral and vertical guidance for arriving aircraft from the en-route structure to a point where an approach to landing can begin, typically within terminal airspace.

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Ruta del Atlántico Norte

A published daily route system over the North Atlantic, providing organized and coordinated tracks for transatlantic flights to maximize safety and efficiency.

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Ruta oceánica

A published route across oceanic airspace, usually coordinated daily, which enables safe and efficient passage of aircraft between continents over oceans.

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Ruta RNAV

A published airway or route defined by area navigation (RNAV) waypoints, allowing aircraft to fly direct between points without reliance on ground-based navigation aids.

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Salida instrumental estándar

A published IFR departure procedure providing specific routing, altitude, and navigational guidance for departing aircraft from an airport under instrument flight rules.

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Secuenciación

The process of arranging aircraft in a specific order for arrival, approach, or departure, ensuring safe and efficient flow of air traffic.

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Siguiente punto de ruta

The upcoming predefined navigation fix along a flight route, as programmed in the flight management system and used for position reporting, routing, or sequencing.

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Sistema de aterrizaje por instrumentos

Precision approach aid providing lateral (localizer) and vertical (glide slope) guidance to a runway.

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Sistema de gestión de vuelo

An integrated avionics system that automates flight planning, navigation, performance, and guidance calculations throughout all phases of flight.

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Sistema de navegación inercial

A self-contained navigation system that determines aircraft position and velocity by processing accelerations and rotations measured by onboard sensors.

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Sistema de posicionamiento global

A satellite-based navigation system providing accurate position, velocity, and time information to aircraft and other users.

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Sistema de referencia inercial

A subsystem of an INS providing attitude, position, and velocity reference information for aircraft systems and crew.

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Tiempo hasta la estación

The calculated or measured time remaining to reach a radio navigation aid, waypoint, or fix, used for position reporting and navigation accuracy.

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Transición

A published route or procedure that connects the en-route structure to an instrument approach or departure, often used to link an arrival or departure with a standard terminal procedure.

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Variación magnética

The angular difference between true north and magnetic north at a specific location. Used to calculate magnetic headings and courses for navigation and ATC procedures.

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Vector

A heading assigned by ATC to an aircraft for navigation or separation purposes, usually stated as 'fly heading…'. Vectors are used for traffic sequencing, approach, or avoidance.

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VOR con DME co-ubicado

A navigation aid installation where a VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) and Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) are located at the same site, providing both azimuth and distance information.

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