ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

VNAV

VNAV is a special tool that helps airplanes move up and down in the sky in a safe and efficient way. It stands for Vertical Navigation. Kind of like how you walk up stairs, an airplane needs to move up and down to reach the right altitude for the flight.

When an airplane takes off, it needs to climb up to a certain altitude. Once it reaches that altitude, it needs to maintain a steady height until it gets closer to its destination, where it will descend to land. VNAV helps the pilots know the exact height they need to be at each point in the flight.

Think of it like a video game that tells you where to move. In VNAV, the airplane's computer "talks" to the airplane's instruments and helps the pilots plan their climb and descent. This way, the pilots can focus on other important tasks like monitoring the weather or communicating with air traffic control.

VNAV helps airplanes fly smoother and saves energy. It does this by calculating the most efficient way to climb and descend. This is important, as it can save time and money for the airline.

So, to recap: VNAV is a tool that helps airplanes move safely up and down in the sky. It helps the pilots know the exact height they need to be at each point in the flight and it saves energy when flying which help the airlines save money.