Definition

Parallel Offset Route. A parallel track to the left or right of the designated or established airway/route. Normally associated with Area Navigation (RNAV) operations.

Source: FAA

Description

Parallel offset enables the aircraft to fly a path parallel to, but offset left or right from, the original active route (parent route). All performance requirements and constraints of the original route are applied to the offset route. It is applicable only for en-route segments and is not foreseen to be applied on standard instrument departures (SIDs), standard instrument arrivals (STARs) or approach procedures. The execution of a parallel offset includes sharper turns compared to what is normally done in the en-route phase of the flight. The intercept angle of the new flight path is normally 30 degrees.

The capability to implement parallel offset is a mandatory requirement for RNP4 and A-RNP certification.

Examples of parallel offset application include: