Lateral Navigation (LNAV). Azimuth navigation without positive vertical guidance. This type of navigation is associated with nonprecision approach procedures or en route. 

Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS). LAAS further increases the accuracy of GPS and improves signal integrity warnings. 

Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV). LPV is one of the four lines of approach minimums found on an RNAV (GPS) approach chart. Lateral guidance accuracy is equivalent to a localizer. The HAT is published as a DA since it uses an electronic glide path that is not dependent on any ground equipment or barometric aiding and may be as low as 200 feet and 1 ⁄2 SM visibility depending on the airport terrain and infrastructure. WAAS avionics approved for LPV is required. Baro-VNAV is not authorized to fly the LPV line of minimums on a RNAV (GPS) procedure since it uses an internally generated descent path that is subject to cold temperature effects and incorrect altimeter settings. 

Loss of Separation. An occurrence or operation that results in less than prescribed separation between aircraft, or between an aircraft and a vehicle, pedestrian, or object. 

LPV. See Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance. 

Magnetic Variation. The difference in degrees between the measured values of true north and magnetic north at that location. 

Maximum Authorized Altitude (MAA). An MAA is a published altitude representing the maximum usable altitude or flight level for an airspace structure or route segment. It is the highest altitude on a Federal airway, jet route, RNAV low or high route, or other direct route for which an MEA is designated at which adequate reception of navigation signals is assured. 

Metering Fix. A fix along an established route over which aircraft are metered prior to entering terminal airspace. Normally, this fix should be established at a distance from the airport which facilitates a profile descent 10,000 feet above airport elevation (AAE) or above. 

Mid-RVR. The RVR readout values obtained from sensors located midfield of the runway. 

Mileage Break. A point on a route where the leg segment mileage ends, and a new leg segment mileage begins, often at a route turning point. 

Military Airspace Management System (MAMS). A Department of Defense system to collect and disseminate information on the current status of special use airspace. This information is provided to the Special Use Airspace Management System (SAMS). The electronic interface also provides SUA schedules and historical activation and utilization data. 

Minimum Crossing Altitude (MCA). An MCA is the lowest altitude at certain fixes at which the aircraft must cross when proceeding in the direction of a higher minimum en route IFR altitude. MCAs are established in all cases where obstacles intervene to prevent pilots from maintaining obstacle clearance during a normal climb to a higher MEA after passing a point beyond which the higher MEA applies. 

Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA). The lowest altitude, expressed in feet above mean sea level, to which descent is authorized on final approach or during circle-to-land maneuvering in execution of a standard instrument approach procedure where no electronic glide slope is provided. 

Minimum En Route Altitude (MEA). The MEA is the lowest published altitude between radio fixes that assures acceptable navigational signal coverage and meets obstacle clearance requirements between those fixes. The MEA prescribed for a Federal Airway or segment, RNAV low or high route, or other direct route applies to the entire width of the airway, segment, or route between the radio fixes defining the airway, segment, or route. 

Minimum IFR Altitude (MIA). Minimum altitudes for IFR operations are prescribed in 14 CFR Part 91. These MIAs are published on IFR charts and prescribed in 14 CFR Part 95 for airways and routes, and in 14 CFR Part 97 for standard instrument approach procedures. 

Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications (MNPS). A set of standards that require aircraft to have a minimum navigation performance capability in order to operate in MNPS designated airspace. In addition, aircraft must be certified by their State of Registry for MNPS operation. Under certain conditions, non-MNPS aircraft can operate in MNPS airspace, however, standard oceanic separation minima is provided between the non-MNPS aircraft and other traffic. 

Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude (MOCA). The MOCA is the lowest published altitude in effect between radio fixes on VOR airways, off-airway routes, or route segments that meets obstacle clearance requirements for the entire route segment. This altitude also assures acceptable navigational signal coverage only within 22 NM of a VOR. 

