What must a pilot understand about the vertical guidance on an RNAV approach?

• A. It is part of the non-precision approach and can be used to replace published altitudes
• B. It provides the primary altitude constraint for the approach
• C. The vertical guidance is not part of the non-precision approach; published altitudes must be complied with
• D. It guarantees altitude accuracy during all segments

Answer: (C)

Vertical guidance on an RNAV approach is not part of a non-precision path. Non-precision RNAV procedures provide lateral guidance and specify altitude restrictions that must be crossed exactly as published. If a vertical path is depicted, that belongs to approaches with vertical guidance (APV, such as LNAV/VNAV or LPV) and is intended to aid descent planning, not to replace the published altitudes on a non-precision procedure. So you must comply with the published altitudes in the chart; the vertical guidance does not substitute them.