In aviation, lateral navigation (LNAV, usually pronounced el-nav) is azimuth navigation, without vertical navigation (VNAV). Area navigation (RNAV) approach plates include LNAV as a non-precision instrument approach (NPA).

What is LNAV used for?

GPS NPA (LNAV) refers to a Non-Precision Approach (NPA) procedure which uses GPS and/or SBAS for Lateral Navigation (LNAV). On an LNAV approach, the pilot flies the final approach lateral course, but does not receive vertical guidance for a controlled descent to the runway.

What is Lpv vs LNAV?

The difference between LPV and LNAV/VNAV is that although they both have vertical guidance, LPV was intentionally designed to be very similar to an ILS approach with an increasingly sensitive glideslope whereas LNAV/VNAV was not.