Install XPNavData AIRAC

Keep your XPFlightPlanner and X-Plane navigation database up to date with the latest AIRAC cycle. Installing XPNavData takes only a few minutes and is fully compatible with both X-Plane 12 and X-Plane 11.

Important

XPNavData is licensed for personal, non-commercial flight simulation only. It must not be used for real-world aviation, flight planning, or navigation. Please refer to LICENSE.txt and COPYING.txt included with your download for the complete license terms.

Before you begin

Before installing a new AIRAC cycle:

  • Close X-Plane
  • Close XPFlightPlanner
  • It is strongly recommended to back up your existing Custom Data folder.

Installation

1. Locate your X-Plane installation

Typical installation locations are:

Operating SystemDefault Location
WindowsC:\X-Plane 12\
macOS~/Desktop/X-Plane 12/
Linux~/X-Plane 12/

If you selected a custom installation directory, simply locate your X-Plane folder instead. If your simulator was installed through Steam, see the Steam Installation section below.

2. Copy the downloaded archive

Navigate to: <X-Plane>/Custom Data

  • Delete all files and folders inside Custom Data, but keep the Custom Data folder itself.
  • Then copy the downloaded ZIP archive into the Custom Data folder.

Example:

<X-Plane>/Custom Data/NavData-2608-XP12.zip

5. Extract the archive

Extract the ZIP archive directly into the Custom Data folder, use “Extract Here”. If your extraction software asks whether existing files should be replaced, choose: Replace Existing Files

After extraction, your Custom Data folder should contain files similar to:

<X-Plane>/Custom Data/
├── earth_fix.dat
├── earth_awy.dat
├── earth_nav.dat
├── earth_hold.dat
├── earth_msa.dat
├── earth_mora.dat
└── CIFP/

Depending on the AIRAC cycle, additional navigation database files may also be present.

Using XPNavData in X-Plane

Simply start X-Plane. The simulator automatically detects the updated AIRAC cycle during startup.

No additional configuration is required.

Using XPNavData in XPFlightPlanner

To use the updated navigation database inside XPFlightPlanner:

  1. Launch XPFlightPlanner
  2. Open Edit → Database Dialog
  3. Check the <X-Plane> path is correct
  4. Enable Use Custom Data
  5. Import the newly installed database

XPFlightPlanner will then use the updated AIRAC cycle for flight planning and route generation.

Steam Installation

If X-Plane was installed using Steam:

  1. Open Steam
  2. Go to your Library
  3. Right-click X-Plane
  4. Select Properties
  5. Open Installed Files
  6. Click Browse

Steam will open your X-Plane installation folder.

Common mistakes

Do not create an extra folder

The navigation files must be extracted directly into the Custom Data folder.

Incorrect: <X-Plane>/Custom Data/XPNavData2607/

Keep a backup

Always keep a backup of your previous Custom Data folder before installing a new AIRAC cycle.

Troubleshooting

If the new AIRAC cycle is not detected, verify the following:

  • The navigation files are located directly inside <X-Plane>/Custom Data.
  • The CIFP folder exists.
  • Use Custom Data is enabled in the XPFlightPlanner Database Dialog.
  • Both X-Plane and XPFlightPlanner have been restarted after installation.