Navigation Database FAQ

[fsaerodata]

What are the benefits of using fsAerodata?
FSX or Prepar3D flight simulation platforms include an outdated navigation database dated from 2005, with a complex and custom format that makes the updates a challenging task, specially for approaches.
fsAerodata includes technologies that automate the conversion of the aeronautical source data released every 28 days, to a format compatible with FSX and Prepar3D. Additional to Navaids, the solution updates all approaches, departures and arrival procedures worldwide.
Default navaids are updated (disabled or its frequencies updated). 3rd party addons are not modified.
Please note that this product has not been developed or tested for use on a network installation.

How often is the navigation data updated?
Data is updated on every AIRAC cycle; every 28 days, a new set of fsAerodata is ready for download and installation on flightsim.
How accurate is the navigation data included?
It's based on Navigraph source data derived from Jeppesen, which reflects the latest and real aeronautical information.

Do I need a subscription to Navigraph?
Yes, an active subscription to Navigraph is needed for the active cycle, together with a subscription to fsAerodata; user subscription is verified before latest cycle is unlocked and downloaded. Once your subscription is ended, you can back up and use the cycles downloaded without any restriction or time limitation.

How is the update of the Aeronautical data on the Flight Sim. Is it safe?
On the first install, the tool performs a backup of the original flightsim navigation data. Airways and enroute navaids are disabled and for the new files, fsAerodata installs new scenery entries in flightsim. Navaids like VORs and NDBs, not in use anymore, are set to a "disabled" status. fsAerodata files are located on a separate folder.

Is it possible to restore to original configuration?
On the main tool, a feature is available, to restore the flightsim to the original navigation data,

Are ILS Navaids updated?
All ILS data (magvar, frequency, glideslope, DME) are updated. New ILS stations that were missing on sotck trainer are also added. Notice this applies to default runways only. Updates include also 3rd party addons stations, as long as fsAerodata is set with higher priority on scenery list.

What purchase options are available?
The purchase includes a subscription service (3-month or 1-year) and a tool for the download and installation of each AIRAC cycle on flightsim.

How can be simulated SIDs and STAR procedures on the GPS units?
fsAerodata implements aprox. 65,000 SIDs and STARs procedures that can be simulated using a new feature available on Prepar3D GPS units. Feature is available with the 'PROC' (Procedures) button.
To enable this feature on any aircraft GPS, the user has to edit the aircraft panel configuration file, replacing the gps type from default version 'fs9gps.cab' to 'p3dgps.cab'.

What Navaids are updated?
Instrument Approaches, SIDs Departures, STAR Arrivals worldwide. Airways, Enroute VORs, NDBs, Waypoints, Terminal Navaids, Magnetic variation, TACANs, Runway designators or heading, ILS frequencies, Navaids frequencies. Obsolete navaids disabled.

Is compatible Air Traffic Control(ATC) system with updated database?
Updated approaches are selectable for landing when VFR conditions are met; otherwise, only ILS are available. ATC will vector to final approach fix (IAF) or missed approach. AI traffic will benefit with the increased number of final approaches, though it's behavior remains limited by the internal engine.

Is it possible to simulate realistics flightplans?
Having an up-to-date navdatabase, realistic worldwide flightplans can be generated and imported from any of 3rd party tools and be successfully executed, since flight plan and sim database both will match.

Are TACAN simulated?
fsAerodata provides aprox. 370 TACAN worldwide for military operations, which were not included on default FSX/P3D.
TACAN/VORTAC facilities are implemented on P3D. A VORTAC will simulate two elements: a VOR/DME and a TACAN for military operations.
On FSX, TACAN is not simulated and will not be displayed either on map or GPS; VORTAC is implemented simply as a VOR/DME.

Is fsAerodata compatible with other addons?
- VoxATC, Aivlasoft EFB: no problems reported by users with latest AIRAC cycles.
- Little Navmap flight planning and moving map tool is fully supported; airspace, approaches, SIDs, STARs and navaids are displayed correctly.
- FS Commander limitations: fsAerodata is not compatible; airport entries are duplicated on search window ( our product adds an airport layer with approaches that replaces obsolete data, following FSX/P3D SDK standard; FSC reads this layer as a new airport, hence the duplicates shown). FSC does not read fsAerodata entries.
- Plan-G: SIDs and STARs procedures reported as errors when Plan-G builds database; they are not listed or displayed on map. Duplicated entries when showing airport information.
- 3rd party airports: fsAerodata does not modify or disable any data due to licensing restrictions. Following data is updated: comm freqs, approaches, ILS and ILS/DME data, enroute navdata. External content not updated: runway headings, terminal NDBs and terminal waypoints. Obsolete navdata from external content will show up on navigation map or GPS; it's a visual effect, but the product cannot disable them.

License terms
fsAerodata is licensed for leisure, hobbyist and personal training use. Product is not licensed for professional training or commercial purposes.