When issuing an RNAV SID, the controller is required to give the ______ to the pilot.

• A. initial fix/waypoint
• B. final fix/waypoint
• C. departure runway
• D. holding fix

Answer: (A)

RNAV SIDs are defined by a sequence of waypoints that the aircraft must fly from the point of departure. To start the published path correctly, the pilot must know the first navigation point—the initial fix or waypoint. This provides a concrete starting reference for the aircraft’s navigation system to activate the SID and follow the intended route exactly as designed, ensuring proper alignment and obstacle-aware separation right after takeoff.

The final fix marks where the SID ends before joining the enroute structure, which is not what the controller must provide to initiate the procedure. A holding fix is only relevant if the SID includes a hold, not as a general requirement for all RNAV SIDs. The departure runway is part of the clearance context but does not serve as the navigation starting point that the SID relies on.