Question: What is the meaning of "Raven" [phonetic] heard in use at Reagan National Airport? Most recently heard: The ATC will say "proceed direct raven" or "direct raven maintain" whatever altitude; or "direct raven; raven at 6,000." I've looked in every ATC/Pilot glossary I can find, but nothing. Have not heard at other airports, not even Dulles or BWI in the Washington metro area. A military pilot friend thinks it is an enroute, departure, approach or holding fix, which he says would be specific to one airport. Can anyone tell me exactly what we are hearing [an acronym?] and if this is the meaning?

Answer: 
RAVNN (Pronounced Raven) is the name of a waypoint in Maryland. From the [FAA Fixes / Waypoints directory](https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/aero_data/Loc_ID_Search/Fixes_Waypoints/)

> 
> RAVNN MARYLAND BAL\*C\*174.00/22.98 OTT\*C\*070.89/12.17
>  ENO\*C\*250.66/53.40 DCA\*D\*106.56 38-48-15.9900N 076-31-04.9100W
> 
> 
> 

[38°48'15.9900N 76°31'04.9100W](https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B048'16.0%22N+76%C2%B031'04.9%22W/@38.8839843,-76.840121,11z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d38.8044417!4d-76.5180306)(Google Maps link) is east of Washington.
RAVNN is a waypoint on the RAVNN6 STAR ([page 1](http://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/2005/00804RAVNN.PDF), [page 2](http://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/2005/00804RAVNN.PDF)) for KBWI and surrounding airports, which is handled by Potomac Approach.