What is a waypoint?

• A. A weather observation point used for METAR reporting.
• B. A radio navigation beacon.
• C. A designated geographical location used for route definition or progress reporting and defined by latitude/longitude coordinates.
• D. A fixed point on the runway used for landing.

Answer: (C)

In aviation navigation, a waypoint is a specific geographic location used to define routes and to report position during flight. Each waypoint is defined by its coordinates—usually latitude and longitude—so it exists as a precise point rather than a physical object you can see or fly over a beacon at. Flight plans are built from legs between waypoints, and modern systems like GPS or RNAV guide you from one waypoint to the next, helping you stay on the intended track.

Waypoints aren't weather observation points, which are locations used to report METARs, nor are they radio navigation beacons like VORs or NDBs that provide guidance from a transmitting facility. They also aren’t fixed runway references for landing; those are specific runway features, not route-defining points.