An Overview of Low Altitude Airways

This lesson is a quick overview of the airway system in the United States.
Airways are the "highways in the sky" that connect each point in the United States. Airways tell air traffic controllers where we are going and how we are going to get there. Without airways, all aircraft would be free to amble their way across the country on their own and in their own direction.
Most current airways are "V" or Victor airways. Victor airways are defined by VOR type navigational aids and rely entirely on ground based navigation. This reliance on VORs means that victor airways have shorter segments that allow for proper signal reception between each station. Victor airways are designed with a large number of "intersections", or points at which define intermediate segments of the route. These intersections allow for continuous course monitoring and for bends within the airway.
Due to the FAA's desire to eliminate ground based navigation, new "T" routes are starting to be created. T routes use RNAV/GPS for navigation and do not rely on any ground based navigational aids. As a result, T routes can have much longer segments and go on a more direct path from point to point. T routes are depicted just the same as Victor airways, except for the "T" preceding the number designation and the new blue color of the airway.
It is also possible to fly off route direct from point to point. Direct flights require the approval of air traffic control and continuous radar contact. This is to ensure traffic separation and obstacle clearance. Obstacle clearance is assured by planning your flight to stay above the OROCA or Off Route Obstacle Clearance Altitude during your entire flight.
When filing a flight plan that involves airways, it is important to know that you can only join and exit an airway at a designated fix on the airway. Air traffic control must know where you plan to enter and exit the highway system so they can provide proper separation and sequencing of traffic. If traffic and workload permit, ATC can give you vectors to join an airway segment.
Hopefully this lesson helps!

[@ysislorenagonzalezveras3742]

I loved this explanation!! Thanksss

[@Habibiradio]

Great short and sweet video. Please keep them coming!!!

[@Blackhawkpilot14]

The OROCA that is mentioned at 4:30 IS NOT TO BE USED for RNAV/Direct route flight planning. They are on the chart only as a quick reference for situational awareness, these OROCA are not a "verified" altitude.
Excerpt from the Instrument Procedures Handbook: OROCAs are intended primarily as a pilot tool for emergencies and SA. OROCAs depicted on en route charts do not provide the pilot with an acceptable altitude for terrain and obstruction clearance
for the purposes of off-route, random RNAV direct flights in either controlled or uncontrolled airspace.
The only way to ensure obstacle clearance is to plan your Direct Route on a CURRENT VFR Sectional by clearing 4NM either side of your route and referencing the Chart Supplement and NOTAMS for NAVAID reception, airspace changes and obstructions. remember that the rounding rule on obstacles is 49/50, 49 or less feet round down 50 feet or more round up tp the next 100 foot increment. Additionally RNAV(GPS or VOR/DME) routes MUST avoid all Restricted and Prohibited areas by 3NM.

[@abbieamavi]

*thank you, very clear but short, simple graphics too*

[@Blackhawkpilot14]

At 4:51 you state that you must enter and exit at a designated fix. This statement is only partially true in that you seem to mean at a "published fix, not true. You can exit or enter anywhere along an airway by using a "User-Defined Waypoint". If your aircraft is equipped you can designate on your flight plan either a LatLong or Fix/Radial/Distance point to define the route of flight thereby conforming to FAR 91.181. Page 2-32 paragraph "User-Defined Waypoints" of the Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16) outlines this procedure. Equipment necessary can be either GPS or VOR/DME since both are considered to give RNAV capability.

[@PeterCane]

Thanks, very helpful!

[@linguaaan]

Thank you so much for a great explanation! :)

[@matthewrammig]

Wow super helpful. Thank you!

[@horizon9810]

Simple and informative Thank you

[@stealhty1]

Thanks

[@costafortia6854]

FINALLY!!! My question has been answered!

[@jjoceanicaviators6246]

Area navigation *

[@dylanshure5418]

what is the number under the Vxxx. for example, V408 on that chart has a 27 under it. what is 27?

[@kurtreber9813]

Distance (between fixes, I think)