FSX Default Navaids Update

[Hangar32]

It's been close to a decade since FSX was released. At the risk of being classified as a MOTO, things have changed - especially in the Navaid world. I was looking for an easy (hopefully) way to update the default FSX Navaid database.

While searching the forums on this subject I learned that one can change a specific Navaids - change a frequency or even make one "disappear". However I was looking for a complete update, the kind of thing that Navgraph does for various FMS aircraft.

My searches dug up this post from 2010:

Flight Simulator does not have one default Navaid database - where your addon FMS does have one Navaid database.

Navaids in Flight Simulator are integrated into the entire FS world. Some are in separate navaid files. Some, like ILS and terminal NDB/ VOR are part of the individual airport scenery. Some are regional.

You would have to update literally hundreds of files, and all the additional scenery data within those file - airport objects, runways, taxiways, parking, off airport scenery objects, roads, utilities, etc.

Also, FS is not designed to remove any default Navaids - every.

Other posts I've seen basically say the same thing - realistically, it cannot be done

Here is the rub. Using FSX flight planner to plan an IFR flight using high altitude airways is very efficient but will likely break down when plugging the route into an FMS that has the latest Navgraph, - most often a VOR, Fix or airway no longer in the use - 10 year old data that is not in current the Navraph database. "Substituting" updated data ends up with ATC yelling at you for being "off course".

There are various "work arounds" but no real solution that I could find - i.e. update FSX to 2015. Am I missing something?

 

[scruffyduck]

This is an ongoing issue. There is a product out there that will replace the old NVX files with new ones. We can't recommend using it because it changes/replaces stock files and there are known side effects including messed up approaches. Some people have used it successfully. There is another thread somewhere here on that solution

Some third party flight planners will use navigraph data and if you are using an aircraft with an FMC that can use up to date data then you might be able to ignore the old default stuff - won't work for GA aircraft of course.

 

[vololiberista]

The only programme I know is "Facility Editor" for FS9 which works well and without any side effects.
http://library.avsim.net/search.php...editor&CatID=root&Sort=Name&ScanMode=0&Page=1
You could perhaps contact the author.

 

[Hangar32]

Thanks folks. I'll take a look at both. In general, your comments jibe with the various posts on the issue, which were several years old. So, thanks for confirming that's is an ongoing issue (and I didn't "miss the memo")

Regarding:

if you are using an aircraft with an FMC that can use up to date data then you might be able to ignore the old default stuff.

That is much like what I describe as pseudo-IFR in my QuickPlan Power Users Guide (an iBook I wrote/published about FS Widgets' QuickPan app - just facts, not a plug for either product) Essentially just make a VFR flight that looks like an IFR flight - SID, Airways - add STAR, Approach when you first receive the destination's ATIS. Once the Tower says "Bye, Bye", tune up an APP, DEP or center ATC and request flight following.

It sort of sounds like IFR ATC. However, if the destination airfield is below VFR mins - Landing Permission Denied! Still VFR flight following doesn't yell at you when off course or at the wrong altitude…and it still gives traffic calls.

Alternatively, we could petition ICAO to put things back the way they where in 2006…

Again, thanks - I'll look into the solutions proposed.

 

[bina]

As said above, changing stock files is not recommended. Although possible... Check this: http://aero.sors.fr


Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk

 

[n4gix]

The chief problem is that there is no "complete" solution. Even using Herve Sor's package will not address the issue of the "physical airport facilities" no longer matching up with the newer navdata...

...which at worst can have one being directed to 'land' at a non-existent or no-longer-aligned runway.

Considering that this is not a loggable simulator anyway, I've chosen to keep everything 'frozen in time' so that these types of problems simply do not occur.

Hopefully, one day L-M will completely replace the navdata and airport facilities with an integrated, coherent and updatable database. Until such time however, this will remain a fractured system.

 

[scruffyduck]

Actually I agree with Bill. I leave mine alone and it does not reduce my pleasure in flying since I can still fly under IFR and also navigate properly. However it is all personal choice and some folks do want realism and up to date.