FSX & P3D NAVAIDS UPDATE WITH INSTALLER

Installer Version 7.20

Flying the simulator with a high degree of realism requires that the navigation data are up-to-
date. The provided world package is based on the latest available aeronautical information; it
includes a collection of modified BGL files that will update VORs and NDBs, affecting
instrument readings as well as map and GPS displays. A dedicated installer is provided so
as to select the regions to be updated, move the necessary files to their FSX/P3D locations,
backup the original files and restore them if needed. ILS data, runway changes,
approach lighting, PAPIs and intersections are also corrected in some regions (by now, the
Europe area and part of Russia). In other regions only VORs and NDBs are corrected
although a few NDBs (those contained in airport APX*.BGL files) may remain uncorrected.

1 – METHODS

All changes were performed by decompiling, correcting and recompiling stock BGL files that
contain the navaid data. In the Europe region, ILS, runway data, approach lighting systems
and PAPIs are also updated by correcting the corresponding APX*.BGL files.

2 – PACKAGE CONTENT

After decompressing the FSXP3D_WorldNavaids package (.zip) in the folder of your choice,
check that the following files have been extracted:

A) In the root directory

FSXP3DNavaids_Installer.exe: the program that will automate the install/uninstall process,
FSXP3DNavaidsUpdate.pdf: this file,
World_Regions.jpg: an image file detailing the geographical delimitation of the selectable
regions.

B) FSXP3DFiles subfolder: this folder contains all the new BGL files, as well as a text file
indicating the current AIRAC cycle and an internal list the program makes use of.

C) EuropeAltFiles subfolder: this folder contains another set of airport BGL files for the
Europe region that will be used instead if the corresponding program option is selected. See
Chapter 4 for a description of the differences between the “normal” set and this modified one.

3 – INSTALL, UNINSTALL and PROGRAM OPTIONS

The FSXP3DNavaids_Installer.exe program automatically checks the available simulator

versions (a choice will be proposed if several are detected), then installs or uninstalls the
necessary BGL files for it. When installing, only more recent BGL files than the current ones
are replaced in the regions that have been selected. All default sim files are saved with a
[.raxini] (FSX) or [.p3dini] (P3D) extension. These backup files are necessary for
uninstalling the package. So, DO NOT delete them.

The FSXP3DNavaids_Installer executable is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7

and Windows 8/8.1. For Vista and above, a pop up warning message will be displayed if you
didn’t disable the Program Compatibility Assistant feature. In such a case, just select “This
program installed correctly”.

Note that update will not be possible if FSX/P3D is installed in a protected folder (e.g.
Program Files (x86)) unless user account has administrative rights (administrator account or
“run as administrator” option and UAC is fully disabled (Vista & Windows 7; for Windows 8
see here) or modify/write allow permissions have been properly set for the FSX/P3D
directory and its folders (see here).
3.1 - Installer Options (check boxes)
- Update of the default magnetic variation BGL file will be done if the corresponding check
box is selected (will be grayed if you already updated it to latest version),
- You may wish to discard all airport file updates by selecting the “Do not update airport files”
option; in such a case, be aware that ILS, runway changes, approach lighting, PAPI and fix
data will not be updated in the covered regions,
- In case you choose to update airport files (default), the “Use alternate airport files” option
will select for the Europe region, another set of files (see Chapter 4 for differences between
these normal and alternate sets).
3.2 - Navaids display
According to the currently selected regions, you will be able to look at updated navaids data
as defined in the provided updated files by clicking the [Navaids] button. Enter the navaid
identifier and use the left/right arrows as appropriate in case there are duplicates identifiers.

3.3 – Missing BGL files

Some 3rd party add-ons may deactivate or replace some stock FS BGL files. In such a case,
the installer will not be able to update them. In such a situation, a warning will be issued and
the [Missing] button will display a list of the affected files
3.4 – Conflicts
It may happen that 3rd party add-ons or “AFCAD/ADE” BGL files - that are installed in the
Addon Scenery folder or any other custom folder - have a higher priority than the modified
sim files containing new navaid definitions. In such a case, they will conflict with the present
update and the new navaids in the stock sim files will be inactive. If such conflicts are
detected, a list of affected navaids will be displayed by clicking the [Conflicts] button.

4 – LIMITATIONS and ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Replacing BGL files within the simulator cannot be done if the simulator is active. The
installation program will look at it and warn you accordingly.
The program automatically detects FSX/P3D installation directories. Sometimes, this process
may fail. In such a case, it is recommended you repair the Windows registry data. A registry
repair tool is available on the Flight1 software site.
The update will replace “stock” BGL files. Therefore, any additional scenery will have the
same priority as it had before by reference to the default scenery files.

For the Europe region an alternative set of airport BGL files is proposed. Its main advantage
is that “fixes” will also be properly updated for the corresponding region giving a very clean
and up to date GPS and map displays and you will not need to install any additional BGL file
for updating those intersections. However, the following limitations will apply: all GPS
approaches will be deactivated as well as airway representation (anyway, note that most of
them are outdated). Navaid and other updates will be identical to those implemented in the
normal set.

5 – KNOWN PROBLEMS

Replacement of stock navaids BGL files has known side effects on generated flight plans,
map display and possibly AI traffic.
Due to the fact the simulator also uses BGLs that contain airway definitions (not updated by
this project) and that some airport BGL files may still contain invalid references to
nonexistent VORs or NDBs, flight planning usually fails and may result in crashing the
simulator. Loading a sim-generated saved PLN file may have similar effects as well as
switching to map view in some areas. GPS display is not affected.
Even if default flight planning is often impossible after updating navigational aids, you must
be aware that many airways, navaids and intersections have changed (FSX and P3D
information date back several years) and that default flight planning is anyway unreliable.
Indeed, most serious simmers are more searching for an up-to-date definition of navigation
aids so as to use conventional instruments and/or GPS information from current AIPs; they
also perform flight planning either from charts or using 3rd party tools that already include up-
to-date aeronautical information. They do not use the integrated flight planner and seldom
make use of map viewing. Loading PLN files that have been generated by any other mean
than the simulator itself is not a problem as far you do not intend to view or edit it. Such users
will not have any problem with the provided package.
For those who still wish to use the integrated flight planner editor and/or map screen or
encounter problems when loading a flight plan, avoiding simulator crash can usually be
achieved by deactivating airway depiction and intersections on the flight planner and map
screens.

1 – Before loading a flight plan, disable the drawing of Victor and Jet airways in the Edit
menu (the V and J buttons should now be red in FSX or disabled in P3D; the below flight
plan and map pictures refer to FSX settings; P3D settings are similar). In some areas you will
also have to deactivate the drawing of intersections (the triangle),
2 – Also deactivate airways drawing (and possibly intersections) in the Map view

If you cannot open the flight planner and/or map screens because of a crash, you will have to
modify the following lines of the FSX.cfg (FSX) or UISettings.xml (P3D) file before
launching the simulator:
FSX P3D
In the [MAPVIEW_MAP] section In all sections
SHOW_VICTOR=0 <VictorAirway>false</VictorAirway>
SHOW_JET=0 <JetAirway>false</JetAirway>
SHOW_INTERSECTIONS=0 <AirwayIntersection>false</AirwayIntersection>
In the [FlightPlanMap] section
SHOW_VICTOR=0
SHOW_JET=0
SHOW_INTERSECTIONS=0

3 – If you are still unable to load an already existing flight plan without crashing the simulator,
first locate your aircraft in another area, load your flight plan and then relocate your aircraft at
the intended departing airport.

6 – HOW TO CHECK FOR A POSSIBLE NAVAID ANOMALY

If you think that, after applying the Navaids Update, some data are erroneous or not properly
corrected, please first carry out the following checks:
1 – In the World / Scenery Library menu, first disable all third party sceneries as well as
the Addon Scenery area. Click on the OK button and relaunch the simulator,

2 – Then check again the “dysfunctional” navaid.

Know that most problems come from installed 3rd party add-on sceneries whose
priority is higher than default sceneries. Also be aware that a few NDBs may not be
corrected by the present update (those that are contained in untouched airport BGL files).

3 – Il there is still a problem, please download my debugger to check the navaid and provide
me a screen shot of the search results.
Please feel free to email me in case you detect an error so as I correct it as soon as possible.

7 – PROGRAM “FAILURES”

In case the program is unable to install or uninstall some of the provided BGL files for
whatever reason, a message will warn you and a Navaids_Installer.log file will be created in
the application directory. In such a case, close the program without performing any further
action and provide me the following information: Operating system, version of the simulator
and install folder, installer program version, user privileges (standard user or administrator),
User Account Control settings (for Vista and above) and attach to your message the
Navaids_Installer log file.

8 – COPYRIGHT and REDISTRIBUTION

1 – Usage and distribution

This package and the accompanying installer software are released as donationware. As so,
permission is granted to distribute it unchanged on any free media and on any mailbox or
network that does not have a per-file download charge. If you want to include parts of it to
your own program, package or on your web site, please ask me.

2 – Limitation of warranty
This software and package are provided "as-is" without any express or implied warranty. In
no event shall the author be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary
or consequential damages (including but not limited to loss of data or profits) arising from the
use of this software even if advised of the possibility of such damage.

Hervé Sors
31-Dec-2014
Documentation version 7.20
hsors@hotmail.com
http://www.aero.sors.fr