Navdata Updates for Default, Freeware, and Payware Aircraft

[Evan Reiter]

Last Updated on October 27, 2025

 

Navigation data (navdata) consists of waypoints (intersections/fixes), navaids (VOR, NDB, etc.), and terminal procedures (SIDs, STARs, and IAPs).

 

Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) continuously updates navdata to reflect real-world changes. For FSX, Prepar3D (P3D), and X-Plane, the navdata contained in your simulator is a snapshot of the current data available at the time. As a result, although the information was accurate when the simulator was first released, it will not be kept up-to-date automatically.

 

Regardless of the simulator you fly, you may not see waypoints that have been added since the last time your navigation database was updated. In addition to the simulator's database, some in-sim aircraft have their own navdata that requires updates. This post details where these navigation data updates come from and how to access them, by simulator type.

 

In general, navigation data comes from the creation of new terminal procedures (SIDs/STARs/IAPs) or from the creation of new RNAV/GPS or conventional routes. These revisions and additions are provided to the world on a 28-day cycle known as an Aeronautical Information Regulation And Control, or AIRAC, cycle. At the time of the last update in October, 2025, the current AIRAC cycle was 2510, effective October 2, 2025. The next update date was October 30, which would be 2511.

 

MSFS:

 

MSFS' navdata is kept continuously updated through a partnership with real-world provider Lufthansa Systems. However, many simmers opt to also purchase FMS Data from Navigraph to ensure add-on aircraft databases are updated as well. (The base navdata updates in the simulator aren't always used by add-on aircraft.) Navigraph's service adds missing airports, procedures, and updates more than 70,000 enroute waypoints. For more information and pricing details, visit the Navigraph website.

 

For X-Plane:

 

In X-Plane, one database is designed to define all navdata in the simulator. Unlike other sims, it shouldn't be required for users to update both the base navdata and aircraft databases. There are two payware services available for X-Plane pilots to update their navdata: 

 

• Navigraph’s FMS Data
• SIMDATA by Keyvan

 

Although not as effective, one free option to keep (some parts) of X-Plane's navdata current is to access and install free FAA information (scroll to the "The updated approaches - what we get from the FAA for free" header.

 

For FSX and P3D:

 

There are two primary sources for navdata: the simulator itself (all pilots) and an aircraft's database (for complex, primarily airliner, add-ons). Both sources should be kept current to the latest AIRAC for the best results. 

 

For base simulator navdata, Hervé Sors has been providing free updates for years. To download the files, click the links below:

• Fixes: https://www.aero.sors.fr/navint.html (click "Worldwide" on the left).
• Navaids: http://www.aero.sors.fr/navaids3.html (click the "World Navaids package" link on the left).
• Magnetic Variation Data: https://www.aero.sors.fr/navaids.html (click "Updated Magvar Data" on the left, follow instructions in the file).

 

These freeware updates are highly recommended to keep navigation data current, even if you use add-on aircraft. The cycle available from that website is frequently updated so it is worth checking back regularly.

 

To keep payware aircraft databases current, a payware option is available via an annual subscription. See Navigraph’s FMS Data for details and pricing. Once you've purchased a subscription, you can download as many formats (to update as many aircraft) as needed.