• A navigation database, which is updated every 28 days, including waypoints, airways, SIDs, STARs, approach procedures, runway lengths and minimum altitudes.
• A performance database, which is updated only when rquired and is able to calculate maximum and optimum cruise altitudes, the optimum speeds for climb, cruise and descent and the required thrust settings for different phases of flight.

The FMC has, also, the ability to calculate speeds to arrive over a waypoint at a defined time, a selection known as RTA (Required Time of Arrival). In case the wind component is not as expected and input into the FMC, then it adjusts the speed so as to maintain the desired ETAs.

Thus, in case the actual in-flight wind produces a greater headwind than the forecast wind input into the FMC, then speeds will be increased to maintain ETAs.