ARINC 424-23-2022 PDF

Full title and description

ARINC Specification 424-23:2022 — Navigation System Database. This specification defines the standard record formats, coding rules and data elements used to prepare airborne navigation system reference data files (navigation system databases) for use by flight management systems, flight planning systems, simulators and other aeronautical applications.

Abstract

ARINC 424-23 (2022) is the 23rd release of the ARINC 424 series and provides a complete, formalized description of the navigation database content and fixed-record coding conventions required for the preparation and distribution of airborne navigation data. It covers record structure, data element definitions, coding conventions for airports, runways, navaids, waypoints, airways, departures/arrivals/procedures, and procedures for handling amendments and supplements.

General information

• Status: Current / Active.
• Publication date: July 8, 2022 (ARINC 424-23 / 2022 edition).
• Publisher: Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (ARINC) / published distribution via SAE ITC and ARINC channels.
• ICS / categories: Aviation / Aeronautical information systems / Navigation databases / Flight management systems.
• Edition / version: Revision 23 (A23), 2022 edition.
• Number of pages: 535 pages (approx.).

Scope

Specifies the format and coding conventions for the preparation of airborne navigation system reference data files intended for merging with airborne navigation system software. The scope includes airport and runway definitions, navaids, waypoints, airways, instrument procedures (SID/STAR/approach), route and procedure coding rules, altitude and geographic coordinate formats, data integrity considerations and update/change control procedures used by data producers and consumers across the aviation industry. The specification is an enabling document and does not prescribe operational software implementations.

Key topics and requirements

• Fixed-length record structure and field definitions for navigation database records (standard ARINC 424 record layout).
• Coding rules for airports, runways, heliports and related aerodrome data.
• Definitions and encoding of navaids (VOR, NDB, DME, GNSS fixes) and waypoint naming rules.
• Procedure coding for departures (SIDs), arrivals (STARs), approach procedures and missed approaches, including altitude/leg type encoding.
• Airway and route segment definitions, including high/low altitude airways and conditional routing constructs.
• Coordinate formats, geodetic datum handling and required precision for lat/long and bearing/altitude fields.
• Data validation, supplement/update procedures and change-management conventions for periodic database releases.
• Backward compatibility notes and extensions introduced in Release 23 (items and clarifications relative to prior releases).

Typical use and users

Used by avionics manufacturers, flight management system (FMS) software developers, navigation database producers and distributors, airlines and operators, flight planning/dispatch organizations, flight simulator vendors and civil aviation authorities to create, verify and consume standardized navigation database files for airborne and ground systems.

Related standards

Related documents and standards include earlier ARINC 424 releases (e.g., ARINC 424-22, -21, etc.), ICAO aeronautical information standards and recommended practices, AIXM (Aeronautical Information Exchange Model) for aeronautical data exchange, and other ARINC/RTCA/ISO standards that govern avionics interfaces and data exchange. ARINC 424 is commonly used alongside industry models for data exchange and regulatory requirements for aeronautical information.

Keywords

ARINC 424, navigation database, FMS, waypoints, navaids, SID, STAR, approach procedures, aeronautical data, navigation data, database record format.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ARINC 424-23:2022 is the 23rd release of the ARINC 424 specification that defines the file formats, coding rules and data elements for airborne navigation system databases used by flight management systems and related applications.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the fixed-length record layout and individual record types for airports, runways, navaids, waypoints, airways, departures/arrivals/approaches, coordinate and altitude encoding, update/change procedures, and guidance for data producers and consumers preparing navigation databases.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Avionics and FMS manufacturers, navigation data providers, airlines, flight planners, simulators and civil aviation authorities involved in the creation, validation and use of airborne navigation databases.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As of its publication (July 8, 2022), ARINC 424-23 is the current active release of the ARINC 424 series (Release 23). Users should confirm whether a later release or amendment has been published after 2022 when implementing or procuring data.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ARINC 424 is an evolving series of specifications (multiple releases since the original 1975 specification). Release numbers (e.g., 19, 20, 21, 22, 23) identify successive updates; ARINC 424-23 is the 23rd release in that series.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Navigation database, ARINC 424, avionics data, FMS, waypoint coding, navaid, SID, STAR, approach, navigation data format.