---
title: "Select the navigation database"
id: "2963"
type: "page"
slug: "select-the-navigation-database"
published_at: "2024-06-15T13:51:41+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-08-11T15:38:21+00:00"
url: "https://www.xpflightplanner.com/help/manual/select-the-navigation-database/"
markdown_url: "https://www.xpflightplanner.com/help/manual/select-the-navigation-database.md"
excerpt: "With XPFlightPlanner, you have the flexibility to use the standard navigation data provided by X-Plane or custom navigation data with XPNavData for updated AIRAC or from Navigraph. Use X-Plane database To use XPFlightPlanner, you’ll need access to X-Plane’s world navigation..."
---

# Select the navigation database

With XPFlightPlanner, you have the flexibility to use the standard navigation data provided by X-Plane or custom navigation data with [XPNavData](https://www.xpflightplanner.com/xpnavdata/)
 for updated AIRAC or from Navigraph.

## Use X-Plane database

To use XPFlightPlanner, you’ll need access to X-Plane’s world navigation database. You have two options for the database source:

- Either download the navigation database from the internet
- Or import the navigation database from your local X-Plane installation

Upon first launch, the “Navigation database” dialog will appear, allowing you to choose between the two options. You can also access this dialog at any time by selecting “Select navigation database” from the “Edit” menu.

Dialog for select the navigation database

### Download database from server

If you choose to download the database from the internet, select the “Use database from server” option and click the “Download” button. The download process can take up to a minute, depending on your network speed and the server’s conditions.

Once the database has been successfully downloaded, it will be stored on your computer in an optimized binary format. XPFlightPlanner will use this same database each time it is started, unless you update and download a new version.

### Load database from X-Plane

Alternatively, you can choose to import the database from your X-Plane installation by selecting “Use X-Plane database” and then clicking “Import from X-Plane.” This process may take up to 1 or 2 minutes, depending on the speed of your computer. After complete, the binary optimized database will be loaded every time you start XPFlightPlanner.

In order to ensure that XPFlightPlanner is using the most up-to-date navigation database, you’ll need to either download or import the database again whenever the X-Plane data cycle is updated.

## Use an updated database

XPFlightPlanner can use a custom navigation database installed in X-Plane’s **Custom Data** directory. This allows XPFlightPlanner, X-Plane, and compatible aircraft systems to use the same AIRAC cycle.

### XPNavData

[XPNavData](https://www.xpflightplanner.com/xpnavdata/)
 provides updated AIRAC cycles for X-Plane 11 and X-Plane 12 without a subscription. You can [purchase](/buy)
 and install a new cycle only when you need one.

After [installing XPNavData](https://www.xpflightplanner.com/help/manual/install-xpnavdata-airac/)
 in the `<X-Plane>/Custom Data` directory, open the **Navigation database** dialog in XPFlightPlanner and select **Use custom data**. Then click **Import from X-Plane**.

XPFlightPlanner will import the navigation data and convert it into its optimized internal format.

### Navigraph

Users with a [Navigraph](https://www.navigraph.com)
 subscription can follow the same procedure to import the AIRAC cycle installed by Navigraph in X-Plane’s **Custom Data** directory.

### Required Files

The `<X-Plane>/Custom Data` directory must contain:

- `earth_awy.dat`
- `earth_fix.dat`
- `earth_nav.dat`
- The `CIFP` directory

You must import the database again in XPFlightPlanner whenever you install a new AIRAC cycle.