This document recommends guidelines and requirements for
developing a data interchange format for terrain, obstacle, and
aerodrome data.  A common database interchange standard is a
key factor in successfully implementing digital functions in
the aviation domain.  Use of information contained in this
document will help system designers assure a common interchange
between data originators and data integrators. The updated
version for the exchange standard is published to reflect the
industry changes to the requirement document:  
•	Includes additional features and attributes derived
from the changes contained in DO-272B
•	Makes editorial corrections.

Two related documents specify requirements for database content
and quality:
- DO-272B, User Requirements for Aerodrome Mapping Information
- DO-276A, User Requirements for Terrain and Obstacle Data