I just found this information in AC-20-138. Here is the paragraph that discusses Navigation databases under IFR flight.
[ QUOTE ]
(9) Navigation Data Base. The GPS equipment shall incorporate an appropriately
updatable navigation data base (in the WGS-84 or NAD-83 coordinate datum) containing at least the
following location information in terms of latitude and longitude with a resolution of 0.01 minute or
better for the area(s) in which IFR operations are to be conducted: all airports, VOR's (and
VORTAC's), NDB's, and all named waypoints and intersections shown on en route and terminal area
charts, Standard Instrument Departures (SID's) and Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STAR's). For
Class A1 equipment, the navigation data base must also include all waypoints and intersections included
in published non-precision instrument approach (except localizer, LDA, and SDF) procedures.
Instrument approaches must be conducted using a current data base. User entry or modification of
navigation data base data shall not be possible. (This does not preclude the storage of "user defined
data" within the equipment.) Additional data base coding, storage, and approach waypoint presentation
requirements as specified in TSO-C129 must be provided. Navigation data bases shall meet the standards specified in sections 3, 4, and 5 of RTCA/DO-200, "Preparation, Verification and Distribution
of User Selectable Navigation Data Bases" and sections 2 through 7 of RTCA/DO-201, "User
Recommendations for Aeronautical Information Services."
[/ QUOTE ]
Here is the link if anyone is interested in reading more about GPS, it is actually good reading by advisory circular standards.
AC-20-138
The thing about this, and as usual with the FAA, is that it doesn't say anything about dates or expiration. All it says is..
[ QUOTE ]
The GPS equipment shall incorporate an appropriately
updatable navigation data base (in the WGS-84 or NAD-83 coordinate datum) containing at least the
following location information in terms of latitude and longitude with a resolution of 0.01 minute or
better for the area(s) in which IFR operations are to be conducted: all airports, VOR's (and
VORTAC's), NDB's, and all named waypoints and intersections shown on en route and terminal area
charts, Standard Instrument Departures (SID's) and Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STAR's).
[/ QUOTE ]
This still leaves some amount of confusion in my head about what constitutes a GPS being current for IFR. Oh well, maybe someone else in this forum will be able to digest this information for a good solid answer!
ZP