1) "Area Navigation (RNAV) is a method of air navigation that allows an aircraft to choose any course within a network of navigation beacons, rather than navigating directly to and from the beacons. This can conserve flight distance, reduce congestion, and allow instrument flight plans into airports without beacons." Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNAV 2) "RNAV is an old term that stands for Random navigation. It was developed in the 1960s. It used a small computer to electronically manipulate the navigational information from VOR stations so that you could travel point to point instead of going from VOR to VOR. It's also known as Area navigation. Any navigation that does not go directly to or from ground based navigational aids is RNAV. " Source: http://flyawaysimulation.com/postt28642.html 3) "II.B.13. RNAV (Acronym) (Sec. 1.2) The FAA proposed to include the acronym ``RNAV'' for the term ``area navigation'' in Sec. 1.2. American Trans Air and Continental Airlines requested that the FAA withdraw the proposed acronym ``RNAV'' because, in their view, it needs industry input. Furthermore, American Trans Air said that ``RNAV'' appears to be a charting acronym and is not necessary for inclusion in Sec. 1.2. TAOARC, however, supported the acronym. ``RNAV'' is a long-standing acronym that the industry and the FAA have used to refer to area navigation for several decades. It is unclear what ``industry input'' would be necessary with respect to merely codifying a universally accepted acronym. Therefore, the FAA is adopting the acronym ``RNAV'' for ``area navigation.'' The definition of ``RNAV'' in Sec. 1.1 was adopted in the April 8, 2003 final rule, ``Designation of Class A, B, C, D, and E Airspace Areas; Air Traffic Service Routes; and Reporting Points.'' However, in that rule, the acronym ``RNAV'' was inadvertently left out of Sec. 1.2." Source: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-10609.htm 4) "RNAV is the acronym for aRea NAVigation. RNAV equipment allows for flight paths in a more direct line by using distances and radials from VOR's. If you just have standard VOR receivers, you usually navigate from VOR to VOR. With RNAV equipment you can set up your route waypoints to, for example, pass 10 miles to the east of one VOR and 13 miles northwest of another one. RNAV equipment can handle these "virtual" waypoints in a way that standard NAV equipment can't. " Source: http://www.aeroplanner.com/cfBB/index.cfm?page=userInfo&viewuserid=14 5) "Acronym Definition RNAV Area Navigation RNAV Radar Navigation RNAV Random Navigation Area Navigation RNAV Remote Navigation " Source: http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/RNAV As a conclusion, everybody knows what it is, and this is usually called today RNAV or "Area Navigation". However, there are different interpretations about how the letters should be interpreted. Further information: http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/RNAV.htm