X-Plane Airport & Navigation Data
Downloading the latest data ...
I try to publish new data approximately every month. Each set of data files is identified by the AIRAC year and sequential number indicating when it was published (eg. AIRAC 2012.01 refers to the first release in 2012).
Each new release of X-Plane (to which you can update automatically using the X-Plane Updater) will include the latest data files available on the X-Plane release date. But, if you would like to install the very latest data immediately, you can download the data from the links here and place the files in the appropriate folders of your X-Plane installation. These files will work on Windows, Mac and Linux.
The data files are supplied in a Zip file format, and will need to be extracted to appropriate folders. If you are not comfortable with opening and extracting Zip files, then please wait until you upgrade X-Plane to the next version. For the new X-Plane 10 release, I highly recommend that you rely on the X-Plane Updater to install the latest data files automatically.
Latest data files
The latest data was published on 16-Jan-2012 (AIRAC 2012.01, valid 12-Jan-2012 to 09-Feb-2012).
These files will work under Windows, Mac or Linux. Click a button on the left to download the version of the data you require, and to see the log of all updates in this release.
Installing the new data manually
The file you download will be a Zip archive (for example, "AptNav201201XP900.zip"). Installing this data follows the same steps under Windows, Mac OS or Linux.
For X-Plane 9 or X-Plane 10:
- Extract the file "apt.dat" to your "X-System | Resources | default scenery | default apt dat" folder.
- Extract the remaining four files ("earth_astro.dat", "earth_awy.dat", "earth_fix.dat" and "earth_nav.dat" to your "X-System | Resources | default data" folder.
- If you operating system asks if you should overwrite any existing files of the same name, you may click "Yes" or "OK".
For X-Plane 8.61 - 8.64:
- Extract all five of the data files ("apt,dat", "earth_astro.dat", "earth_awy.dat", "earth_fix.dat" and "earth_nav.dat" to your "X-System | Resources | Earth nav data" folder.
- If you operating system asks if you should overwrite any existing files of the same name, you may click "Yes" or "OK".
Expired data formats
Archived data files are also available for older versions of X-Plane, as listed on the left. These represent the last sets of data that were published in a format suitable for those older versions. It's unlikely that additional new data will be published for these defunct releases of X-Plane. If you download these new files, please make a backup copy of your existing data files before installing the new ones.
Mars!
Yes, X-Plane also supports flight on the red planet! We have created over 70 simple airports upon Mars for you to fly between. Most are near significant Martian features, allowing you to explore the planet and its distinctive atmosphere. This data is updated infrequently.
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 localizers 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.