Before iPads and real-time weather uplinks, pilots navigated with heavy binders, manual revisions, and a ritualistic pen-and-highlighter process. At the heart of this analog-to-digital transition was the Jeppesen Program and Data Disc—a bridge between paper charts and modern database-driven navigation.
Jeppesen Program and Data Disc
A legacy aviation software disc combining the program executable with a specific navigation database cycle. Used in older Jeppesen-compatible flight management systems, GPS receivers, and data loaders. Today, many of these discs are obsolete for actual navigation but of interest for vintage avionics or flight simulation data migration. Typical format: CD-ROM or 3.5” floppy. Label often includes Jeppesen part number, cycle number, and expiration date.
Jeppesen Program and Data Disc is a software distribution tool used to install and update Jeppesen’s suite of Windows-based aviation applications. While traditionally provided as a physical DVD, it is now primarily accessed as a digital download (~3 GB) via the Boeing Support Portal Supported Programs
The disc contains the installation files for several key Jeppesen services: JeppView for Windows
: A PC application for viewing electronic terminal charts (SIDs, STARs, and approach plates). jeppesen program and data disc
Note: This application is being retired in favor of ForeFlight Web. eLink for Windows
: Used for managing and viewing electronic charts in a networked or server-based environment. eCharts for Windows : A viewing platform for electronic aviation charts. JetPlanner : A comprehensive flight planning and dispatch application. Installation Prerequisites To use the Program and Data Disc, you typically need: Administrative Privileges
: You must have administrator rights on the PC to run the setup. Valid Serial Number
: A 16-character serial number specific to your subscription is required to activate the software. Coverage Codes Navigating the Skies: The Legacy of the Jeppesen
: For terminal charts, specific coverage codes may be needed, which are often tied to the specific cycle number of the disc. General Installation Process Download and Extract : Download the file from the official support page , right-click it, and select Extract All to a new folder on your drive or Desktop. : Open the extracted folder and double-click Authentication : Enter your Serial Number when prompted and click
: Choose which programs (e.g., JeppView, eLink) you wish to install from the provided list.
: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation and restart your computer if required.
For ongoing data updates rather than full program installs, Jeppesen recommends using the Jeppesen Distribution Manager (JDM) Jeppesen Program and Data Disc is a software
, which is compatible with Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. for one of these programs, such as Jeppesen Program and Data Disc - Boeing Support
By 2010, the Program and Data Disc faced three disruptors:
Today, Jeppesen no longer ships program discs. The last consumer version (e.g., JeppView Cycle 1305) exists only in pilot hangar lore and eBay listings.
Today, the Jeppesen Program and Data Disc has entered the realm of aviation memorabilia. Vintage aviation enthusiasts and simmers (flight simulator hobbyists) seek out these discs for several reasons:
Verification tip for collectors: An authentic, unused Jeppesen Program and Data Disc will have a Jeppesen label with a scannable barcode, the effective date range, and the disc type (e.g., "GNC 300XL Program & Data").