Welcome to Robin's aviation simulator data homepage

This is where you can find information about the official X-Plane and FlightGear global airport, nav-aid, intersection and airway data

News What is this data? Get the data now How to install the downloaded data file Where to get more information Official definition of X-Plane's latest file formats How the data is generated Terms of use How to submit data updates and corrections  Current data problems Future enhancements Historical data Recommended links Contact information

(Real-time image of global cloud coverage from the Earth and Moon Viewer.)

Latest news

• NEW January 02 2009:  New data is now available for X-Plane.  This is data cycle 2008.12.  This data works with the very latest X-Plane release (currently X-Plane 9.21) and includes many new global airport details. A complete listing of all the updated airports is here.  Two different versions of the data are available, for X-Plane 8.61-8.64 and for 9.00 and later.  Please make sure that you download the correct version of the data.

  • This data release includes significant new airports (or enhancements) at KRIC, KOPF, LFPO, EHAM, EGVN, KBBG (new real-world airport) and KFTG.  There are many other enhancements for other global airports.

  • If you wait until there is another release of X-Plane, then this data will be installed automatically if you use the "X-Plane Installer" to update your installation.  This avoids the need to download my files and install the files into the correct folders!  But, if you want the data immediately, then download my files and install them into the appropriate folders.

• NEW June 26 2008:  I have added some details on designing taxiways signs, and some best practices on designing airports in WED.  See the apt.dat file specification for more details.

Recent news items

• Nov 25 2007:  Several users who are testing the new release of X-Plane 9.00 beta 2 have asked me what is "wrong" with the localiser data at Innsbruck (LOWI), the new default startup airport for this X-Plane beta release.  They see a localiser positioned in a strange place to the east of the airport.  Well, this is accurate!   LOWI has unusual instrument approaches.  It has LOC-DME approaches from the East and West:

•  The LOWI LOC-DME from the East is offset 5 degrees from the runway heading and includes an "advisory" glideslope (hence it is not referred to as an ILS).

• The LOWI LOC-DME from the West is even more unusual - the localiser is positioned a few miles east of LOWI, and the approach calls for overflying the field to the MDA, and then if visual, performing a course reversal to the south in the valley and landing on either runway visually.  Although this looks very odd on X-Plane's charts, I believe that the nav-aids properly positioned.

• Approach charts for LOWI can be found here.

• Sep 17 2007:  World Editor (WED) is now available as a beta release - it is a free utility to design airports in the new airport file format used by X-Plane 8.50 and later.  It includes many great features, and though freeware, it is written by the X-Plane development team and supports the latest file formats.  Downloads are available for Windows and Mac OS, and WED includes a detailed manual.  If you wish to edit airports in earlier file formats, then the free TaxiDraw utility is the appropriate tool.

• Oct 24 2006:  The DAFIF source data has been removed from the public domain.  Two issues are cited to support the removal - a paranoia that the availability of this data in the public domain poses a threat to national security (yes, really!) and that some foreign suppliers of data have intellectual property concerns if their data is freely made available via the Internet.  We are actively seeking alternatives to the DAFIF data source, in partnership with several other users of this source of aviation data.

• Mar 11 2005:   New data is available for the planet Mars for X-Plane 7.40 - 8.06.  This includes over 60 new Mars airports from Bryan Butcher - see his web site for details of the content, and charts to help you explore Mars.  These new airports are located throughout the planet and enable you to explore many of Mars' famous features.  To appreciate this addition, you need to order the Mars scenery CDs from www.X-Plane.com.  Some airports have an ILS approach, with a very shallow glideslope suited to the characteristics of Martian aeroplanes.  The range of localisers and glideslopes has been extended on Mars to enable you to establish you aircraft on the approach much further from the runway - an essential feature given the poor maneuverability and high ground speeds of Martian aeroplanes.

• Dec 02 2003:  I have added a section to this page describing the process for submitting data updates and corrections.  This addresses the vast majority of questions that neophyte airport designers ask.  I have also added a link to the GNU GPL license, under which all this data is published.  Dreadfully dull, of course, but it does explain how you can re-use and re-publish this data.

What is this data? 

This data provides details of all the airports, runways, taxiways, navigation aids (NDBs, VORs, VORTACS, DMEs and ILS components) and IFR intersections (aka "fixes") and global high and low airways for the X-Plane and FlightGear flight simulators.  New data is released several times per year.  Until recently it was based upon freely-available US Government Department of Defense and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data, but the removal of that data feed from the public domain has made the update process less reliable and less regular, and dependent upon gracious submissions shared by many X-Plane users. 

I am also the provider of the airport and navigation aid data included in the published retail (or downloaded) versions of X-Plane - the data available here on this site is just more up-to-date and (hopefully) more accurate.  This same data is also used by the FlightGear flight simulator project - an innovative, freeware, collaborative project.

This data does not replace the Global Scenery CDs that are available for X-Plane.  The Global Scenery contains the terrain, rivers, roads, and other topographical details.  You need the data files from this site to add up-to-date global runways, taxiways, nav-aids, fixes or airways.  If you do not install the global scenery (or if you install it incorrectly) then your airports will appear to float in mid-air in the midst of a boundless, post-global-warming ocean.

(The boss delaying X-Plane data updates.  She is from an Austin animal shelter.)

Get the latest data now

The data is published as a free resource to the X-Plane and FlightGear communities.  If you feel compelled to make a financial contribution, then please make a donation to your local humane society,  animal shelter or dogs' / cats' home.  Please let me know if you do this - I like to keep a tally.

• These files will be installed automatically if you upgrade to the next release of X-Plane using the "X-Plane Installer" (recommended).  Sorry, but I do not know the timescales for that release.
• Or, you may download the 2008.12 data for X--Plane 9.0 and later releases and install the files manually.

If you are using earlier versions of X-Plane (prior to version 9), you can:

• Download the 2008.12 data for X--Plane 8.61- 8.64 (identical content as the X-Plane 9.x data, but with different file and folder names).
• Download the 2008.08 data for X--Plane 8.10- 8.60 (does not include the new detailed airport features - curved taxiways, markings, etc.).  Note that this data is not currently being updated, due to problems in defining the VASI/PAPI locations.  I strongly recommend that you upgrade to X-Plane 8.64 to leverage the new features available.
• A change log lists all the airports that have been updated in each release of the X-Plane data files.

The latest data for the planet Mars is also available.   This includes over 70 airports (some near the known landing sites of Mars missions),  some ILS approaches, fixes at the locations of the Viking I, Viking II,  Mars Pathfinder landing sites, and the data file of star positions.  Astronomy is one of my other hobbies, and this data is based upon an old (1976) 1:5,000,000 map of Mars, along with a great deal of input from Jason Chandler and over 60 airports from Bryan Butcher - see his web site for details of his content.  You will need the optional Mars scenery CD from Laminar Research (the authors of X-Plane) to appreciate this data.  Some airports have an ILS approach, with a very shallow glideslope suited to the characteristics of Martian aeroplanes.  The range of localisers and glideslopes has been extended on Mars to enable you to establish you aircraft on the approach much further from the runway - an essential feature given the poor maneuverability and high groundspeeds of Martian aeroplanes.  Please download the correct version of the Mars data:

• X-Plane 7.40 - 8.06 Mars data (published Sep 14 2006)
• X-Plane 8.10 and later Mars data (published Sep 14 2006)

If you want data for old versions of X-Plane (such as X-Plane Classic, X-Plane 5.61-5.99 or X-Plane 6.40-6.70), the last releases in the appropriate file formats are available here. 

How to install the downloaded data file ...

• X-Plane 7.x and 8.x:  The file you just download for will be called AptNav200806XP861.zip (or similar) - the 200806 chunk of the name indicates the data cycle that this data contains (for example, 200401 is the first release in 2004). The XP861 (or XP740 or XP810 chunk) of the name indicates the first version of X-Plane for which the data is intended (XP861 indicates X-Plane 8.61 and later).  The file is in a zip file format.  This file will contain copies of the files apt.dat, nav.dat, fix.dat, awy.dat and astro.dat.  Copy these to your “X-System\Resources\Earth nav data" folder (or “X-System\Resources\Mars nav data" for the Martian data), overwriting any older versions of these files. Any other documentation files in the zip archive can be saved anywhere you wish.  That’s it. The new data will now be available next time you start X-Plane.
• NEW  X-Plane 9.x stores the data files in different locations and with different names, even though the file contents are the same.  The zip file you download (eg. AptNav200808XP900.zip) will contain copies of the  data files with the new names and locations.
  • Extract apt.dat to "X-System\Resources\Default Scenery\default apt dat\Earth nav data\".
  • Extract earth_nav.dat, earth_fix.dat, earth_awy.dat and earth_astro.dat to "X-Plane 9.x\Resources\Default Data\".
  • The zip file contains "path" information, so if you extract all the contents to your "X-Plane 9.x" folder, everything should be placed in the correct location.

Where to get more information ...

• I have prepared a very detailed definition of the X-Plane airport, nav-aid, fix and airway data file formats. This is essential reading for any airport designers, and the information is always up-to-date.  These are the "official" definitions of the file format upon which Austin Meyer and I have agreed.
• I have also prepared a list of steps that describe how to submit corrections or updates to the data.  It would be a great help to me in processing new data submissions if you would follow these procedures.  Thanks!
• This data is published as a free resource to the X-Plane and FlightGear community.  As such, the terms of use are as simple and open as I can make them.  If you plan on amending and then redistributing any of this data, then please read the terms of use.

How the data is generated ...

I obtain the raw data from multiple sources:

• DAFIF: The US Department of Defense NGA (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency - formerly NIMA) DAFIF (Defense Aeronautical Flight Information File) data was published on a 28-day cycle and was global in scope.  Unfortunatly, this data is no longer available to us.  The DAFIF data included global airports, runways, NDBs, VORs, DMEs, ILS elements, IFR intersections (fixes), airways, SIDs and STARs, and much more, but it is not complete (for example, it excludes many smaller airports). This data did not include airport taxiways. The DAFIF data was obtained every 28 days and automatically imported to a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 database.  This data source has now been removed from the public domain (Oct 2006) for intellectual property and national security reasons (yes, really).
• FAA: US FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is the source of the smaller US airports and helipads. This data was obtained several years ago and may contain some airports that are now defunct. This data is stored in the same Microsoft SQL Server database as the DAFIF data.
• Users: X-Plane users have added many other airports, nav-aids and all the taxiways.  This data is imported into the same database as the DAFIF data, and in many cases enhances or corrects the DAFIF data.

Every month I import the latest updates from X-Plane users to my database.  Then I generate new versions of the files (apt.dat, astro.dat, nav.dat, fix.dat and awy.dat) used by X-Plane and publish them on this web site.  These export routines sometimes have to prioritise the data in the master database to suit X-Plane’s limitations (eg. X-Plane8.61 cannot deal with more than 300 airports in a 2x3 degree latitude/longitude ‘region’).  Data is also generated in the same file format for the FlightGear simulator - in this case without any of X-Plane's limitations.  Occasiaonally, I am not able to publish timely updates, due to other commitments (especially my day job at Oracle!).

Terms of use

This data is published under the GNU GPL (General Public License).  The GPL is a type of license often used for free software, and its terms are as open and liberal as I can make them. 

How to submit data updates and corrections

The data is maintained and enhanced largely by the diligent efforts of its users.  So updates, comments and corrections are very welcome.

If you have a minor comment about a single airport, nav-aid, fix or airway, then just send me an e-mail .  I do try to respond personally to every comment I receive - sometimes it may take a few days until I have time to research the issue.  And sometimes my day-job interferes.

If you have major updates (such as a set of new custom taxiways at one or more airports), then please follow the following procedure:

• Please do not move any runways at any airports unless you are absolutely certain that they are wrong.  By default, I do not import new runway data to the master database, since the DAFIF source data is, in most cases, correct.  If you do feel it necessary to move the runways, then tell me in your e-mail and let me know why you think the existing data is wrong.
• Make your desired changes to the X-Plane data by using WorldEditor (WED) or TaxiDraw (for airports), X-Plane itself (for nav aids), or by directly editing the appropriate text files (this is the only way to edit fixes right now).  You will find the data files apt.dat, nav.dat and fix.dat in your "X-System/Resources/Earth nav data/" folder.  
• Test the new data in the latest version of  X-Plane.
• Cut the appropriate sections of your edited data file (apt.dat, nav.dat, or fix.dat)  file into a new text file, and attach this text file to your e-mail to me.  You can combine multiple revisions to airports, nav-aids and fixes into a single text file - these can be all imported automatically into my master database from a single source file.  Please do not include your amendments in the body of your e-mail - such data often has extra line breaks added when I receive it, and it is tedious and error-prone for me to remove these.
• I do not usually include 'fictitious' data in the master database.  There are some exceptions (eg. the airports on Mars).  I also usually show airports as they are at the present time - though there are exceptions for truly interesting airports (such as the old Hong Kong Kai Tak airport, VHXX, and its IGS 13 approach).  Each of these cases will be considered on its merit!
• I try to acknowledge every update in the change log on this site.  Let me know if you wish to remain anonymous.  (Note that minor changes often do not trigger the automatic update of the change log.)
• Check the terms under which this data is published and distributed.  Tedious, but as simple, fair and open as I can make it.

Current X-Plane airport and nav-aid data problems

• Jun 30 2003:  For reasons that I do not (yet) understand, most ILS data for Canada is missing from the DAFIF data source.  So the export to the X-Plane data files is using an older, less accurate data source that may not be perfectly aligned with the runways, and you may see localiser (LLZ) and glideslope (GS) aerials in odd locations (including the middle of some runways).  Some Canadian ILS data may simply be missing.  We are slowly adding back this data.

Future enhancements

• Instument Approach Procedures (IAPs).
• Global airspace boundaries are available from my DAFIF data source.  Austin and I are working on implementing these in X-Plane.
• Now that airport ATC radio frequencies are included in X-Plane 7.00, it  would be great to (optionally) enforce their use to perform communications with ATC.
• Mars enthusiasts are interesting in creating a set of alternative data for Mars - some including just VTOL landing pads, others including airports relating the the "Red Mars", "Green Mars" and "Blue Mars" trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson.

If any of these enhancements sound interesting to you, then please contact Austin Meyer at Laminar Research (the author of X-Plane) to cajole him into making the appropriate enhancements to support them.

Historical curiosities

Historical in the sense that it supports versions of X-Plane that are defunct.  Here are links to the last published data for some previous versions of X-Plane.  Note that this data will not work for versions of X-Plane not listed in each description.  I very, very strongly recommend that you make a back up of any existing data files before installing these releases.

X-Plane Classic (this data first published January 2002)

X-Plane 5.61 - 5.99 (this data first published January 2002)

X-Plane 6.40 - 6.70 (this data based on DAFIF cycle 2003.13)

X-Plane 7.40 - 8.06 (this data based on data cycle 2007.09)

Please note that:

• The data formats for X-Plane Classic, X-Plane 5.x and X-Plane 6.x are no longer supported, and that no further updates will be issued.  
• If you are using X-Plane 7.0 - 7.30, I highly recommend that you upgrade to X-Plane 7.62 - it's free!

Recommended links

• The X-Plane flight simulator home page.
• The Flightgear freeware flight simulator home page - FlightGear shares its airport and nav-aid data with X-Plane.
• World Editor (WED) is a free utility to design airports in the new 8.50 and later airport formats.  It includes many great features, and though freeware, it is written by the X-Plane development team.
• TaxiDraw is a free utility developed by The FlightGear community that greatly facilitates the development of detailed taxiways at airports for pre-8.50 airports.  If you are an airport designer, check out TaxiDraw, and thank David for his efforts in developing this tool.
• Registry of X-Plane add-on aeroplanes, utilities, etc. (X-Plane.org - who host this web site for free).
• Want to fly on-line with other simulator pilots and controllers?  Look at XSquawkBox, who also graciously host my e-mail address.
• Ben Supnik's X-Plane scenery  blog.  Even the archives are interesting reading.  Ben is one the lead architect and developer for the X-Plane scenery system, and has worked very closely with me to extend the scope of the data that we can use to define X-Plane's airports.
• GoodWay flight planning software for X-Plane.  The latest version (v2) of GoodWay will automatically check for the latest airport, nav-aid, fix and airway data on this web site, and will then download and automatically install the data.
• The Earth and Moon Viewer is an excellent resource for exploring our planet.
• Hal Stoen has written many excellent tutorials and stories on real-world flying - aimed at simulator pilots.
• US Department of Defense National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA, formerly called NIMA) - former source of the DAFIF data (no longer available).

(British Airways Trident 3B G-AWZK - with the fourth boost engine running for take off.  Nicknamed the "Ground Gripper" by its flight crews, it is rumoured that these aeroplanes only took to the air because of the curvature of the earth!)

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