Waypoints and Navigation Facilities
The waypoint section contains various types of navigation points including airports, navigation aids, and route waypoints.
Waypoint Types
Each waypoint has a type code that identifies its category:
| Type | Description | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Airport | Terminal facilities |
| 1 | VFR Waypoint | Visual reference points |
| 2 | VOR/TACAN | Combined navigation aid |
| 3 | TACAN | Military tactical navigation |
| 4 | VOR/DME | VOR with distance measuring |
| 5 | NDB | Non-directional beacon |
| 6 | Route Waypoint | Intersection/fix |
| 9 | DME | Distance measuring equipment |
Airport Records (Type 0)
Airports represent terminal facilities with runways and services.
Format
WPT ICAO IATA0ICAOAREA1CAREAGIONNAMEEEEE DDDDDD ±LLLLLLLLL±LLLLLLLLL±EEEEERRRRRFIRCODE TTTTExample
WPT ZBAA PEK0ZBAAZBP 1CZBCAPITAL 016256 +40073333+116598333+0011612467ZBPE 9850Field Breakdown
| Field | Meaning | Notes / Examples |
|---|---|---|
WPT | Waypoint type identifier | Fixed value indicating this record is a waypoint/airport/navigation facility |
ZBAA | ICAO code | |
PEK | IATA code | |
0 | Type code | 0 = Airport |
ZBAA | ICAO code | Same as ICAO above |
ZB | Region code | |
P | Section code | Airport (ref ARINC424-18 5.4) |
1 | Flag | Fixed value indicating this record is an airport |
C | Airport category | C = Civil, M = Military, P = Private |
ZB | Region code | |
CAPITAL | Name | |
016256 | Database ID | Unique identifier |
+40073333 | Latitude | WGS-84, decimal degrees × 1e6, + = North, - = South → 40.073333°N |
+116598333 | Longitude | WGS-84, decimal degrees × 1e6, + = East, - = West → 116.598333°E |
+00116 | Elevation (feet) | + = Above MSL, - = Below MSL |
12467 | Longest runway length (feet) | e.g., 12,467 ft |
ZBPE | Airport FIR code | |
9850 | Transition altitude (ft) |
Route Waypoints (Type 6)
Intersections and fixes used for navigation routing.
Example
WPT AVBOX 6AVBOXZBE0 ZBAVBOX 097808 +38647778+116378056+0000000000ZBPEField Breakdown
| Field | Meaning | Notes / Examples |
|---|---|---|
WPT | Waypoint type identifier | Fixed value indicating this record is a waypoint/airport/navigation facility |
AVBOX | Waypoint identifier | |
6 | Type code | 6 = Waypoint |
AVBOX | Waypoint identifier | |
ZB | Region code | |
E | Section code | E = Enroute, P = Airport (ref ARINC424-18 5.4) |
0 | Terminal area flag | 0 = Not terminal area waypoint, 1 = Terminal area waypoint |
ZB | Region code | |
AVBOX | Waypoint name | If named by VOR bearing and distance, would be ZUH345015 |
097808 | Database ID | |
+38647778 | Latitude | |
+116378056 | Longitude | |
+0000000000 | Unused field | Waypoint does not need this field |
ZBPE | Flight Information Region |
VOR Stations (Type 4)
VOR navigation aids.
Example
WPT PEK 4PEKZBD 0 ZBGUANZHUANG 27126111470+40048333+116735000+0020300000ZBPEField Breakdown
| Field | Meaning | Notes / Examples |
|---|---|---|
WPT | Waypoint type identifier | Fixed value indicating this record is a waypoint/airport/navigation facility |
PEK | VOR identifier | |
4 | Type code | 4 = VOR/DME |
PEK | VOR identifier | |
ZB | Region code | |
D | Section code | D = Navigation facility (ref ARINC424-18 5.4) |
0 | Terminal area flag | 0 = Not terminal area waypoint, 1 = Terminal area waypoint |
ZB | Region code | |
GUANZHUANG | Name | |
271261 | Database ID | |
11470 | Frequency | 11470 = 114.70 MHz |
+40048333 | Latitude | |
+116735000 | Longitude | |
+00203 | Elevation | Elevation (feet), + = Above MSL, - = Below MSL |
00000 | Unused field | VOR does not need this field |
ZBPE | Flight Information Region |
NDB Stations (Type 5)
Non-Directional Beacon radio navigation aids.
Example
WPT CU 5CUZBD 0 ZBSHAHE 27392005550+40121667+116371667+0000000000ZBPEField Breakdown
| Field | Meaning | Notes / Examples |
|---|---|---|
WPT | Waypoint type identifier | Fixed value indicating this record is a waypoint/airport/navigation facility |
CU | NDB identifier | |
5 | Type code | 5 = NDB |
CU | NDB identifier | |
ZB | Region code | |
D | Section code | D = Navigation facility (ref ARINC424-18 5.4) |
0 | Terminal area flag | 0 = Not terminal area waypoint, 1 = Terminal area waypoint |
ZB | Region code | |
SHAHE | Name | |
273920 | Database ID | |
05550 | Frequency | 05550 = 555.0 kHz |
+40121667 | Latitude | |
+116371667 | Longitude | |
0000000000 | Unused field | NDB does not use this field |
ZBPE | Flight Information Region |
Coordinate Conversion
All waypoint coordinates use the same format:
Latitude
±DDDDDDDD (degrees × 1,000,000)
+40073333 → 40.073333°N
-40073333 → 40.073333°SLongitude
±DDDDDDDDD (degrees × 1,000,000)
+116598333 → 116.598333°E
-116598333 → 116.598333°WRelated Data
Waypoints connect to other navdata sections:
- Airways: Routes connect waypoints
- SID Procedures: Reference specific waypoints
- STAR Procedures: Use waypoints for routing
Next Steps
- Learn about airways - How waypoints connect via routes
- Explore procedures - Waypoint usage in SID/STAR
- Use analysis tools - Extract and analyze waypoint data