User-defined waypoints

Definitions

• Waypoint location and other data which may be input by the user, this is the only GPS database information that may be altered (edited) by the user.
• User-defined waypoints typically are created by pilots for use in their own random RNAV direct navigation. They are newly established, unpublished airspace fixes that are designated geographic locations/ positions that help provide positive course guidance for navigation and a means of checking progress on a flight. They may or may not be actually plotted by the pilot on en route charts, but would normally be communicated to ATC in terms of bearing and distance or latitude/longitude. An example of user-defined waypoints typically includes those derived from database-driven area navigation (RNAV) systems whereby latitude/longitude coordinate-based waypoints are generated by various means including keyboard input, and even electronic map mode functions used to establish waypoints with a cursor on the display. Another example is an offset phantom waypoint, which is a point in space formed by a bearing and distance from NAVAIDs, such as VORs, VORTACs, and TACANs, using a variety of navigation systems.

References

• Instrument Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2014
• Instrument Procedures Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2017
• Weight-Shift Control Aircraft Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2008