In its most basic form, the FMC has a 96k word navigation database, where one word is two bytes (ie a 16 bit processor). This was increased to 192k words in 1988, 288k in 1990, 1 million in 1992 and is now at 4 Mega words for the 737-NG with Update 10.7. The navigation database is used to store route information which the autopilot will fly when in LNAV mode.
- Waypoints/Intersection
- Airways
- Radio navigation aids including DME, VOR, NDB, and ILS.
- Airports
- Runways
- Standard instrument departure (SID)
- Standard terminal arrival (STAR)
- Holding patterns (only as part of IAPs-although can be entered by command of ATC or at pilot's discretion)
- Instrument approach procedure (IAP)
- PBN/RNP arrival, departure, engine out, etc
(note: the latest version of the FMC runs on a 30mhz 486 chip)
