NAVIGATION DATABASES

The FAA updates and distributes the National Flight Database (NFD), a navigation database that is published by NACO every 28 days. This helps pilots and aircraft owners maintain current information in onboard navigation databases, such as those used in GPS and RNAV equipment. Current data elements include airports and heliports, VHF and NDB navigation aids, fixes/waypoints, airways, DPs, STARs, and GPS and RNAV (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures (SIAPs) with their associated minimum safe altitude (MSA) data, runways for airports that have a SIAP coded in the NFD, and special use airspace (SUA) including military operation areas (MOA) and national security areas (NSA).

Future data elements to be added are:

• Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes
• Class B, C, and D Airspace
• Terminal Navigation Aids
• ILS and LOC SIAPs with Localizer and Glideslope records
• FIR/UIR Airspace
• Communication

Details about the NFD can be found at: http://www.naco.faa.gov/index.asp?xml=naco/catalog/ charts/digital/nfd

The FAA has developed an implementation and development plan that will provide users with data in an acceptable, open-industry standard for use in GPS/RNAV systems. The established aviation industry standard database model, Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC 424) format, includes the essential information necessary for IFR flight in addition to those items necessary for basic VFR navigation. Essentially the new FAA database will fulfill requirements for operations within the NAS while still providing the opportunity for private entities to build upon the basic navigation database and provide users with additional services when desired. Refer to Appendix A, Airborne Navigation Databases for more detailed information.

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