AIM
6/17/21
integrity is used for a VFR GPS receiver. VFR GPS
receivers should be used in conjunction with other
forms of navigation during VFR operations to ensure
a correct route of flight is maintained. Minimize
head
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down time in the aircraft by being familiar with
your GPS receiver’s operation and by keeping eyes
outside scanning for traffic, terrain, and obstacles.
(e) VFR Waypoints
(1)
VFR waypoints provide VFR pilots
with a supplementary tool to assist with position
awareness while navigating visually in aircraft
equipped with area navigation receivers. VFR
waypoints should be used as a tool to supplement
current navigation procedures. The uses of VFR
waypoints include providing navigational aids for
pilots unfamiliar with an area, waypoint definition of
existing reporting points, enhanced navigation in and
around Class B and Class C airspace, and enhanced
navigation around Special Use Airspace. VFR pilots
should rely on appropriate and current aeronautical
charts published specifically for visual navigation. If
operating in a terminal area, pilots should take
advantage of the Terminal Area Chart available for
that area, if published. The use of VFR waypoints
does not relieve the pilot of any responsibility to
comply with the operational requirements of 14 CFR
Part 91.
(2)
VFR waypoint names (for computer
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entry and flight plans) consist of five letters
beginning with the letters “VP” and are retrievable
from navigation databases. The VFR waypoint
names are not intended to be pronounceable, and they
are not for use in ATC communications. On VFR
charts, stand
−
alone VFR waypoints will be portrayed
using the same four
−
point star symbol used for IFR
waypoints. VFR waypoints collocated with visual
check points on the chart will be identified by small
magenta flag symbols. VFR waypoints collocated
with visual check points will be pronounceable based
on the name of the visual check point and may be used
for ATC communications. Each VFR waypoint name
will appear in parentheses adjacent to the geographic
location on the chart. Latitude/longitude data for all
established VFR waypoints may be found in the
appropriate regional Chart Supplement U.S.
(3)
VFR waypoints may not be used on IFR
flight plans. VFR waypoints are not recognized by the
IFR system and will be rejected for IFR routing
purposes.
(4)
Pilots may use the five
−
letter identifier
as a waypoint in the route of flight section on a VFR
flight plan. Pilots may use the VFR waypoints only
when operating under VFR conditions. The point
may represent an intended course change or describe
the planned route of flight. This VFR filing would be
similar to how a VOR would be used in a route of
flight.
(5)
VFR waypoints intended for use during
flight should be loaded into the receiver while on the
ground. Once airborne, pilots should avoid program
ming routes or VFR waypoint chains into their
receivers.
(6)
Pilots should be vigilant to see and
avoid other traffic when near VFR waypoints. With
the increased use of GPS navigation and accuracy,
expect increased traffic near VFR waypoints.
Regardless of the class of airspace, monitor the
available ATC frequency for traffic information on
other aircraft operating in the vicinity. See Paragraph
7
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6
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2, VFR in Congested Areas, for more
information.
2. IFR Use of GPS
(a) General Requirements.
Authorization
to conduct any GPS operation under IFR requires:
(1)
GPS navigation equipment used for IFR
operations must be approved in accordance with the
requirements specified in Technical Standard Order
(TSO) TSO
−
C129(), TSO
−
C196(), TSO
−
C145(), or
TSO
−
C146(), and the installation must be done in
accordance with Advisory Circular AC 20
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138,
Airworthiness Approval of Positioning and Naviga
tion Systems. Equipment approved in accordance
with TSO
−
C115a does not meet the requirements of
TSO
−
C129. Visual flight rules (VFR) and hand
−
held
GPS systems are not authorized for IFR navigation,
instrument approaches, or as a principal instrument
flight reference.
(2)
Aircraft using unaugmented GPS
(TSOC129() or TSOC196()) for navigation under
IFR must be equipped with an alternate approved and
operational means of navigation suitable for
navigating the proposed route of flight. (Examples of
alternate navigation equipment include VOR or
DME/DME/IRU capability). Active monitoring of
alternative navigation equipment is not required
when RAIM is available for integrity monitoring.
Active monitoring of an alternate means of
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Navigation Aids