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Emi

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Hello,

i've got a question about the flightcomputers of the "big" aircrafts (and the tiny if tehy have one of cause):

are we able to fly to Andras Field with the Wilcobusses (for example)? is the ICAO code of the airport known by the many add-on aircrafts out there?

so, if i wanna fly to Andras Field with my PMDG J4100, can i insert the code of Andras Field in the FMC then, and the aircraft is going to know where i want to fly?

and will your airport be included in navigationdatabaseupdates from other developers like Navigraph?

(sorry if this has been answered befor, but i couldn't find anything about that in the forum :unsure:)

regards

Emi

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  • Deputy Sheriffs

Hello,

i've got a question about the flightcomputers of the "big" aircrafts (and the tiny if tehy have one of cause):

are we able to fly to Andras Field with the Wilcobusses (for example)? is the ICAO code of the airport known by the many add-on aircrafts out there?

so, if i wanna fly to Andras Field with my PMDG J4100, can i insert the code of Andras Field in the FMC then, and the aircraft is going to know where i want to fly?

and will your airport be included in navigationdatabaseupdates from other developers like Navigraph?

(sorry if this has been answered befor, but i couldn't find anything about that in the forum :unsure:)

regards

Emi

Emi, to answer your questions:

1. depends on the database the FMC/FMS is using: if it uses the internal FSX database it should work. You can simply check it if you use an aircraft with a Garmin on board. If the aircraft uses an external database like Navigraph, definitely no because...

2. Navigraph gets its data from a provider that only delivers data for airports requested by commercial customers/airlines.

Otto

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and will your airport be included in navigationdatabaseupdates from other developers like Navigraph?

Hi,

Depends on the format the given database is using.

For instance PMDG's FMS is using a text based data, so it is very easy to enter new text for the airport, including sid-stars if we ever make them up.

I myself for instance use Project Magenta which has a mixed format, some things are editable as text, some are not.

I have already done that for PM, the airport is there, runways are there, etc. and the only problem is with the ND display data, as it is not possible to get a visual representation on the ND, because it is a compressed binary format.

Anyway, all text-based FMS packages can be updated and most packages are in that format.

Andras

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  • Deputy Sheriffs

...

Anyway, all text-based FMS packages can be updated and most packages are in that format.

Sure, but do you think it's a good idea to manually edit the files you got from Navigraph and doing this every time you get a new cycle?

Just thinking about upcoming support issues :o

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Sure, but do you think it's a good idea to manually edit the files you got from Navigraph and doing this every time you get a new cycle?

Just thinking about upcoming support issues :o

Why not?

Usually it is nothing more than adding a single line to a text-file. All average users can do it in a second.

There are FMS packages though, like Project Magenta, which has a separate 'userdata' file, which doesn't get and need not to be updated, only when the user has the need for that and it is red every time just like the Navigraph given cycle files.

Andras

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  • Deputy Sheriffs

Why not?

Usually it is nothing more than adding a single line to a text-file. All average users can do it in a second.

Andras

I know what you mean, but don't expect too much from the "average" user. I've seen what can happen, when the Eaglesoft guys asked the users to manually change the dll.xml, which was nothing more then a copy and paste of some lines within a text-file. :rolleyes:

I myself would like to see Andras Field within the FMC of my CitationX, but since Jet operation will be restricted and most of the hangars in the Airpark are too small for it, I will only come to Andras Filed with my Porter or Bonanza ;)

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I know what you mean, but don't expect too much from the "average" user.

I myself would like to see Andras Field within the FMC of my CitationX, but since Jet operation will be restricted and most of the hangars in the Airpark are too small for it, I will only come to Andras Filed with my Porter or Bonanza ;)

Well, I always try to look up highly at the average user.:D

Anyway, dll.xml is an xml file, so as such is very confusing and very complicated...

For a PMDG airport entry just a line needed like this: EAFS 47.649382 10.760205

If someone is unable to do it, he would certainly be unable to program his FMS as well.

BTW, Personally I would be rather disappointed if the board restricted jet operations, because I do fly there all the time in my B737 cockpit...

Andras

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Why not?

Usually it is nothing more than adding a single line to a text-file. All average users can do it in a second.

Andras

can i make that with the normal windows texteditor, or must i do that with a special program?

(I'm just asking because i have destroyed my logbook when saving the file with the texteditor. so i don't wanna risk anything when editing anything in fsx again^^)

regards

Emi

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can i make that with the normal windows texteditor, or must i do that with a special program?

(I'm just asking because i have destroyed my logbook when saving the file with the texteditor. so i don't wanna risk anything when editing anything in fsx again^^)

Emi,

Well, it needs nothings else but a text editor but also needs the FSX SDK and I would say 'minimal' skills in scenery design.

Andras

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  • Deputy Sheriffs

Hi Andras,

I also had a deeper look into this and how to edit these data from Navigraph and for the moment I'm waiting for an answer from Navigraph.

What I found out so far, based on the data I have for FSC, Eaglesoft's CitationX, PMDG and Flight1's Cessna Mustang:

- FSC: filefomat not editable

- CitationX: based on a MS Access database, not easy but should be possible to edit

- PMDG: plain txt file

- Cessna Mustang: plain txt file, same for Flight1's Cheyenne/Fokker/Super 80 Professional

I have some Ideas what needs/could be done, but due to some copyright concerns, I refrain from posting anything here for the moment. Posting an edited Navigraph file would be a violation of copyrights and I definitely wont't do that!

Otto

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I have some Ideas what needs/could be done, but due to some copyright concerns, I refrain from posting anything here for the moment. Posting an edited Navigraph file would be a violation of copyrights and I definitely wont't do that!

Otto,

I think in this case you don't need to 'edit' the original file, but should just make public those lines that need to be added.

Let others edit their own files if they wish so.

BTW, if I'm not mistaken - editing a pure text file is NOT a copyright violation at all, if you try to re-sell it it becomes one.

Andras

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  • Deputy Sheriffs

Just got an answer from Navigraph:

We are unable to give support on how to add to or amend our data files.

Depending on the addon aircraft and the type of files used it may be possible to add your airport.

For advice on how to please search the aircraft developers forum and ask there, as someone may have done this before, for airports such as VHHX.

And this is how Flight1 answers this question:

Then the answer is no we do not support a published format directly for the Mustang.

and Eaglesoft:

We will not help. The significant risk of you seriously breaking the aircraft's functionality precludes any chance of us helping.

If you want fictional stuff... you really shouldn't have purchased a simulation of a real aircraft that uses real navigation data.

Since I'm pretty certain you're going to do this... keep in mind it eliminates support regarding anything to do with the FMS and nav data

Otto

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Guest Hodge001

Hi

As I have just purchased Andras Field and have the PMDG J4100, I also wanted the FMC to be able to list the field so I thought I would have a go at adding Andras to the PMDG navdata, now I have yet to figure out adding the runways (no idea yet on that one) and the terminal procedures (this one I do have some idea about), but to be able to list the field you need to first of all backup your airports.dat file from the following folder (just in case things go pear shaped),

.../Microsoft Games/FSX/PMDG/NavData

now you can open the airports.dat file using notepad or similar, and find the following entry..

LFQW 47.638611 6.204167

Then add below that entry the following..

EAFS 47.648486 10.754299

So you should end up with the entries looking like this..

LFQW 47.638611 6.204167

EAFS 47.648486 10.754299

06MN 47.651945 -92.416667

Then save the file and the next time you go for a spin Andras Field will be available from the PMDG J4100’s FMC.

I hope it helps.

Jim Hodkinson

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Hi

As I have just purchased Andras Field and have the PMDG J4100, I also wanted the FMC to be able to list the field so I thought I would have a go at adding Andras to the PMDG navdata, now I have yet to figure out adding the runways (no idea yet on that one) and the terminal procedures (this one I do have some idea about), but to be able to list the field you need to first of all backup your airports.dat file from the following folder (just in case things go pear shaped),

.../Microsoft Games/FSX/PMDG/NavData

now you can open the airports.dat file using notepad or similar, and find the following entry..

LFQW 47.638611 6.204167

Then add below that entry the following..

EAFS 47.648486 10.754299

So you should end up with the entries looking like this..

LFQW 47.638611 6.204167

EAFS 47.648486 10.754299

06MN 47.651945 -92.416667

Then save the file and the next time you go for a spin Andras Field will be available from the PMDG J4100's FMC.

I hope it helps.

Jim Hodkinson

Hi Jim

This is terrific news. Thank you very much for that heads up. I hope you figure out the rest :goodluck_s:- and let us know!

but for now, thanks! This kind of stuff is just what we need here. :grouprespect_s:

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  • Deputy Sheriffs

Also worked on this. Attached a file with the necessary changes for PMDG navdata, so that not only the airport becoms visible, but also the navaids and ILS.

But be aware you do this on your own risk, you won't get any support and every time you install a new cycle from Navigraph, the changes will be overwritten!!!

Currently I'm working on the necessary data for the Navigraph files that support Flight1's Mustang/Cheyenne/Fokker/Super 80 Professional.

See post #19

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The thing is also, for those who do not want to mess around with data files, is that it is not uncommon in the real world to fly an FMC equipped aircraft to an airfield not in the database. Airlines don't have every airport in the databases they buy. Just the ones that are most useful to them, to keep down costs of purchase.

What you can do is plot a route from your start airfield to the VOR nearest Andras in the FMC and for the destination airport just use the nearest airport in your database. It doesn't matter as this is just to complete data entry in the FMC. Once you fly to the VOR simply transfer over to manual navigation, following the appropriate radial the correct distance to reach the airport. So really you are just stringing a route from the start airport to the nearest VOR and then doing some simple navigation along a radial yourself to find the field. Alternatively, just fly the whole route VOR to VOR yourself and just use the FMC for the minimum performance calculations. It really is no big deal. The FMC is just an aid and not a replacement for navigation. I had the same situation in the real world some years ago with a 737 going to a Greek Island that we did not have in the FMC. We just let the FMC get us as close as we could and then took over once reaching the final VOR on the route and thence transitioning to the published approach. No worries at all.

If you want to be really fancy you can just create from the cockpit custom waypoints in the FMC to the airfield with stepdown altitudes from the VOR. All you need to do is create VOR/distance/radial custom waypoints when entering the flight plan. If you know Andras is X miles from ABC VOR on the xxx radial it is pretty simple with many FMC to type a custom waypoint into the FMC scratchpad.

I am not knocking Otto and everyone who is doing hard work on working with navdata, just pointing out that there is an alternative and all is not lost in using the FMC if you are uncomfortable modifying files or that becomes problematic.

all the best

JaneRachel

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  • Deputy Sheriffs

Thanks JaneRachel for clarifying this and forcing us to use good old nav aids and do some work on the left seat. ;)

There is only one problem: If you make a flighplan like mentioned, some FMCs require to close the flighplan with a valid Airport. So for example Eaglesoft's CitationX. Bad thing in this case: the data are not stored in flat files but in MS-Access format and so it's quite tricky to change this.

BTW you name sounds for me female, but your Avatar tells me you are male :unsure:

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Thanks JaneRachel for clarifying this and forcing us to use good old nav aids and do some work on the left seat. ;)

There is only one problem: If you make a flighplan like mentioned, some FMCs require to close the flighplan with a valid Airport. So for example Eaglesoft's CitationX. Bad thing in this case: the data are not stored in flat files but in MS-Access format and so it's quite tricky to change this.

BTW you name sounds for me female, but your Avatar tells me you are male :unsure:

Hi Otto,

Yep you are right about some FMC requiring the flightplan to be closed with a valid airport. As I mentioned in the post, just simply use the nearest alternative valid airport in the database. It does not matter, as you will be diverting away from the FMC guidance at the final VOR anyway :) It is just there as a dummy placeholder to allow the FMC to properly file the flight plan. So just add the nearest valid airport even though you will never fly to it, taking manual control before the final leg. You can still then use FMC LNAV for most of the journey. This is exactly how it has been done in the real world when this problem is encountered. Obviously, you will have to be aware that your final fuel calculation is to the dummy airport rather than Andras Field, but if the dummy airport is further away, no problem!

JaneRachel

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  • Deputy Sheriffs

OK, for those who want to have the EAFS and its navaids available in their FMC, I put together some changes for the Navigraph files:

This file shows you the changes necessary for the Navigraph data supporting Flight1's Mustang/Cheyenne/Fokker/Super 80 Professional.

This file shows you the changes necessary for the Navigraph data supporting PMDG

Currently I could test it only with the Mustang and had no problems.

ATTENTION!!!

Be aware that all changes are made upon you on risk (backup is essential ;)), and the changes will be overwritten everytime you update the actual cycle!

Any ideas and questions are welcome!

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  • 5 months later...

Hi

Sorry to go up this subject but I have 2 questions.

1) What are the coordinates of the ILS RW09 to insert into the AIRAC files?

2) At the end of this topic in the document "Addendum Andras PMDG.TXT Field" where do you insert into wpNavAPT.txt the file information (in the beginning, the end or after LFQW)?

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Hi

Sorry to go up this subject but I have 2 questions.

1) What are the coordinates of the ILS RW09 to insert into the AIRAC files?

Don't have them to hand but will dig them out. Edited: Rwy 09 = 47.6477 10.7500 Rwy 27 = 47.6477 10.7735 the VOR is 47.6512 10.7739 and NDB is 47.6477 10.7420

2) At the end of this topic in the document "Addendum Andras PMDG.TXT Field" where do you insert into wpNavAPT.txt the file information (in the beginning, the end or after LFQW)?

Every entry is or should be in AlphaNumeric order, therefore, EAFS should be slotted in where appropriate.

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