A Tour of the AIXM Concepts

The Aeronautical Information Exchange Model (AIXM) and the related Aeronautical Information Conceptual Model (AICM) contain hundreds of entities, data types, and relationships used to represent aeronautical data. AICM and AIXM were originally developed by EUROCONTROL to aid in standardizing data exchange and aeronautical products within the European States. The models are primarily based on ICAO requirements for international aeronautical data exchange (Annex 15 to the ICAO Convention) and on industry standards such as ARINC 424. AICM and AIXM's adoption within the United States government means that aeronautical data providers and consumers are almost certain to encounter AIXM in the near future. This paper provides an overview of the AICM and AIXM structure. AICM and AIXM may be divided into six concepts—Airspace, Services, Fixes, Routes, Aerodromes and Procedures. We highlight the major entities and relationships within these data concept areas and discuss AIXM's geographical model for representing the locations and extents of the aeronautical data entities.