Definition
A single, complete unit of related information stored within a database, made up of individual fields that each hold a specific piece of data about one item, person, or event.
Plain English
One full entry in a database — like one line in a table — containing all the details that belong together about a single thing.
Context Anchor
Seen when using panel-mounted navigation units, moving-map displays, flight-planning software, or any system that uses stored aviation data.
Derivation
From 'data' (Latin datum, 'something given') and 'base' (a foundation or storage location), combined with 'record' (Latin recordari, 'to remember or call to mind'). A database record is literally a stored piece of remembered information.
Why Pilots Care
Modern cockpits rely on database records for navigation fixes, airport data, approach procedures, and aircraft performance. A missing, outdated, or corrupted record can affect flight planning and the accuracy of onboard systems.
Analogy
A database is like a file cabinet, and a database record is one folder in that cabinet. Each folder holds the information for one specific thing.
Intuition Check
Do not read “record” here as a recording of a flight or a written log entry. In this context, it means one stored item inside an electronic aviation database.
Example Sentence 1
When the navigation database was updated, each airport's database record received the latest runway and frequency information.
Example Sentence 2
Each aircraft performance database record includes weight limits and fuel burn rates.