AIRAC, or Aeronautical Information Regulation and Control, is a system that publishes updates to navigation and airspace for pilots and air traffic controllers. It operates on a 28-day cycle, with new data released regularly.

Updates in AIRAC cycles cover waypoints, airspace dimensions, instrument approaches, departure and arrival procedures, and more. Keeping this information current ensures smooth operations in and around airports and airspace of all sizes.

The current AIRAC cycle is denoted with a four number code. The first two digits are the year, followed by the number of cycles released. Following this convention, the current AIRAC cycle as of writing would be 2406. 24 for the year, followed by 06 indicating this being the sixth release of the year.

Every flight simulator includes a base AIRAC cycle, but due to frequent updates, your simulator may be significantly outdated. While it’s possible to navigate VATSIM with an old cycle, many procedures may no longer be valid. Several commercial providers offer monthly updates to keep your simulator’s AIRAC data current. Subscribing to one of these services ensures you always have the latest information for your aircraft.

AIRAC establishes a standardized method for global consistency among pilots and ATC. This critical tool in real-world aviation also plays an essential role on VATSIM. If you encounter difficulties locating an approach, departure, or arrival procedure in your Flight Management System (FMS), an outdated AIRAC cycle is often the cause.