Welcome Guest. Sign in or Signup

2 Answers

Are RNAV (Q- and T-) Routes AIRWAYS?

Asked by: 6821 views , , , ,
Airspace, Instrument Rating

They are depicted on IFR charts like Victor or Jet airways. So, are they airways? (Do they have a 8NM width, for example.)

Ace Any FAA Written Test!
Actual FAA Questions / Free Lifetime Updates
The best explanations in the business
Fast, efficient study.
Pass Your Checkride With Confidence!
FAA Practical Test prep that reflects actual checkrides.
Any checkride: Airplane, Helicopter, Glider, etc.
Written and maintained by actual pilot examiners and master CFIs.
The World's Most Trusted eLogbook
Be Organized, Current, Professional, and Safe.
Highly customizable - for student pilots through pros.
Free Transition Service for users of other eLogs.
Our sincere thanks to pilots such as yourself who support AskACFI while helping themselves by using the awesome PC, Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Android aviation apps of our sponsors.

2 Answers



  1. John D Collins on Apr 24, 2015

    They are ATC routes that require a suitable RNAV system such as an IFR GPS, so they are more flexible as to how they are constructed as they do not depend on ground based navigation systems such VOR and DME. They have the same width as a Victor airway or Jet route.

    +2 Votes Thumb up 2 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  2. Mark Kolber on Apr 25, 2015

    If one wants to be hyper-technical, they are not, but then neither are jet routes since,as indicated by AIM 5-3-4, low altitude VOR and L/MF routes are “airways” while the high altitude and RNAV routes not identified that way. IOW (and L/MF routes aside), when you are on a Victor Airway, you are on a “federal airway.” When you are on a high altitude jet route or RNAV route, you are on a “route” that is not specifically classed as a “federal airway.”

    But that’s being far more technical than is reasonable. Good for a trick question but little else.

    0 Votes Thumb up 1 Votes Thumb down 1 Votes


The following terms have been auto-detected the question above and any answers or discussion provided. Click on a term to see its definition from the Dauntless Aviation JargonBuster Glossary.

Answer Question

Our sincere thanks to all who contribute constructively to this forum in answering flight training questions. If you are a flight instructor or represent a flight school / FBO offering flight instruction, you are welcome to include links to your site and related contact information as it pertains to offering local flight instruction in a specific geographic area. Additionally, direct links to FAA and related official government sources of information are welcome. However we thank you for your understanding that links to other sites or text that may be construed as explicit or implicit advertising of other business, sites, or goods/services are not permitted even if such links nominally are relevant to the question asked.