Federal Aviation Administration

Do You Want To ?

National Flight Database

  • Print
  • | Updated: 10:14 am ET January 07, 2010

The National Flight Database (NFD) is a dataset modeled to the Airlines Electronic Engineering Committee (AEEC) Aeronautical Radio Incorporated (ARINC) Navigation System Data Base (NDB) international standard (ARINC 424). The NFD data can be used as a basis to support both En route and Terminal GPS navigation. Currently, ARINC 424 versions 13, 15, and 18 are provided. Version 18 supports WAAS RNAV (GPS) Approaches. The NFD is raw ARINC data. It will require additional processing before it can be loaded into an avionics system.

The NFD is updated every 28 days and is distributed to customers via CD-ROM and E-Commerce download. Contact the NACO Distribution Division for more information.

Data elements included are: Airports and Heliports, VHF and NDB Navigation Aids, Fixes/Waypoints and Airways, Departure Procedures (DPs), Standard Terminal Arrival Procedures (STARs), and GPS, RNAV (GPS) and GPS Overlay (or GPS in title) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) with their associated Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA) data, Special Use Airspace (SUAs) and Class B, C, and D Airspace.

Future data elements to be added are:

  • ILS and LOC approaches
  • Communication records
  • Off Route Obstruction Clearance Altitude (OROCA)
  • PJA records
  • Canadian SIDs and STARs
  • Latin American SIDs and STARs

A Downloadable National Flight Database (DNFD) is available to all subscribers of the NFD. Subscribers will automatically receive the DNFD with their NFD subscription every 28-days. However, the DNFD will be available for downloading earlier than the NFD CD-ROM, no later than 16-days prior to the next airspace effective date. Please see the DNFD Letter for complete information.

A data dictionary is not supplied with the NFD dataset. For detailed ARINC 424 format specifications, contact ARINC to purchase a copy of the specification.

* Note: If ordering through NACO, please provide the FAA Product IDs with your order for faster service.

Name and FAA Product ID
Product Product ID
National Flight Database NFD
Downloadable National Flight Database DNFD