The Initial Approach Fix is the point where the initial approach segment of an instrument approach

Instrument approach

For aircraft operating under instrument flight rules , an instrument approach or instrument approach procedure is a series of predetermined maneuvers for the orderly transfer of an aircraft under instrument flight conditions from the beginning of the initial approach to a landing, or to a point...

 begins. An instrument approach procedure may have more than one Initial Approach Fix and initial approach segment. The initial approach fix is usually a designated intersection

Intersection (aviation)

In aviation, an intersection is a virtual navigational fix that helps aircraft to maintain their flight plan. It is usually defined as the intersection of two VOR radials. They are usually identified as major airway intersections where aircraft, operating under instrument flight rules, often...

, VOR

VHF omnidirectional range

VOR, short for VHF omnidirectional radio range, is a type of radio navigation system for aircraft. A VOR ground station broadcasts a VHF radio composite signal including the station's identifier, voice , and navigation signal. The identifier is typically a two- or three-letter string in Morse code...

, NDB, or DME

Distance Measuring Equipment

Distance measuring equipment is a transponder-based radio navigation technology that measures distance by timing the propagation delay of VHF or UHF radio signals....

fix. The initial approach fix may be collocated with the intermediate fix of the instrument approach and in such case they designate the beginning of the intermediate segment of the approach. When initial approach fix and intermediate fix are combined there is no initial approach segment.