---
title: "How to update X-Plane AIRAC?"
id: "5024"
type: "page"
slug: "how-to-update-airac"
published_at: "2026-07-25T16:30:12+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-08-11T15:31:31+00:00"
url: "https://www.xpflightplanner.com/help/tutorials/how-to-update-airac/"
markdown_url: "https://www.xpflightplanner.com/help/tutorials/how-to-update-airac.md"
excerpt: "Follow the steps below to install XPNavData and update the AIRAC cycle for X-Plane 12, X-Plane 11 and XPFlightPlanner. Installation Import in XPFlightPlanner Start XPFlightPlanner and open the Database Dialog from the Edit menu to import the newly installed database...."
---

# How to update X-Plane AIRAC?

Follow the **steps** below to install XPNavData and update the AIRAC cycle for X-Plane 12, X-Plane 11 and XPFlightPlanner.

## Installation

1. **Close** X-Plane and XPFlightPlanner before replacing navigation data.
2. Locate your **X-Plane** installation folder. Typical locations are:
  - **Windows**: `C:\X-Plane 12\`
  - **macOS**: `~/Desktop/X-Plane 12/`
  - **Linux**: `~/X-Plane 12/`
  - If you installed X-Plane with **Steam**, see the Steam section below.

3. Open the **Custom Data** folder: `<X-Plane>/Custom Data`
4. **Delete** all files and folders inside it. Do **not** delete the `Custom Data` folder itself.
5. **Copy** the downloaded archive `AIRAC-2608-XP12.zip` into the `Custom Data` folder.
6. Extract the ZIP archive directly into the `Custom Data` folder **Extract here**.
7. After extraction, the `Custom Data` folder should contain files and folders directly at this level:

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

## Import in XPFlightPlanner

Start XPFlightPlanner and open the **Database Dialog** from the **Edit** menu to import the newly installed database. Make sure the **Use Custom Data** checkbox is activated.

For detailed instructions, see the [Using a Custom Navigation Database](https://www.xpflightplanner.com/help/manual/select-the-navigation-database/#custom)
 section of the user manual.

## Use in X-Plane

Start X-Plane. The new AIRAC cycle will be detected automatically.

## X-Plane installed with Steam

If you installed X-Plane with **Steam**, use Steam to locate the installation folder:

1. **Open** Steam.
2. In your Library, right-click X-Plane and select **Properties**.
3. Open the **Installed Files** section.
4. Click **Browse** to open the X-Plane installation folder.
5. From that folder, open **Custom Data** and continue with the installation steps above.