The MD11 that I am using still has the original database from 2008. I would like to update this using NAVIGRAPH & NAVData-Service. Their website indicates this is a self-extracting file. What does that mean? It it a Zip file or exe file? Does it automatically go to the correct folders. Should the new data be merged with the old or completely repace it? They indicate that the old file should be backed up. Is that in the NavData and sidstars folders under Microsoft Flight Simulator/PMDG? Will this download also take care of the PMDG 747-400X amd the 747-8X?Thank youMichael Cubine

Hi Michael, The self-extracting file acts like a .exe where there is nothing normally for you to do. You can verify the install path but having installed FSX several times in various directories have never needed to and the intaller finds the correct path every time. It will overwrite other files that have the same name, so in other words updated files will overwrite, thus being updated. I have never had to use my backup and normally just keep a past cycle or two on hand just in case but again, have never had to use them. Navigraph updates/files are installed into the "FS(X)\PMDG\NavData" folder.This covers ALL PMDG aircraft so you only need install it once, unless you also have FS9 installed. In that case you would install it once for each, selecting your FS version each time.

If you get this what are you actually buying and does it update the sids and stars to what is active now in the real world?The reason I ask is because out of all the stars at Airnav for KORD only two of them are available on the PMDG FSX MD11. My data base is the original data base that came with the MD11 when I bought it in January of this year. Also if I wanted to buy the Navigraph update is this a link to what I actually want to buy?http://www.navigraph.com/www/fmsdata.aspRegards,Rod Storer

only two of them are available on the PMDG FSX MD11

Really, which two? Most of us got all the KORD STARs, odd. The FMS data at navigraph is what you want.The original navdata that came with the MD11 is navigraph data, just happens to be at least one cycle old at the time of release. That is why it is odd that you are missing procedures (There are a couple of new stars added at KORD a cycle or two ago, of course those won't be included in the original distribution that predated the new arrivals).

The stars that are not included with the FSX PMDG MD11 for KORD are Benky One, BULLZ One, PAINT One WATSN One and WYNDE One.Rod Storer

Exactly, those are the RNAV STARs added to KORD not long ago, and much after the PMDG MD11 was introduced. In fact, since the MD11 was introduced, KORD has a new runway.

Dan PrunierI think the navigation database is working now. Once I had backed up Navdata and sidstar I clicked on the exe file to install it. One of the message boxes showed the path as C:\Programs Files(X86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator. I thought this is never going to do. It has to end up in the PMDG folder. So I clicked on browse, PMDG, navdat and let it rip. I then tried a flight from KDEN to KORD because I knew that would use a BULLZ ONE star. As soon as the CDU came up it had the 2008 data listed on the first screen. Well maybe the first screen is screwed up. I entered the rest of the flight plan up to JVL, clicked on it, clicked on star and no BULLZ ONE star. That was the end of that flight. I went to Windows Explorer to check out the folders, file, and what was in the files. It was such a mess I can't begin to describe it. All the old data was still there. Three new folders had been created under navdata. PMDG, and two back up folders, plus the two folders with the new data. I got rid of the old data, deleted the PMDG folder that was created, moved the new data to where is should have been. This flight from Denver to Chicago I was able to use BULLZ ONE star. I still was not happy. So I put it back like it was at 3:00 am this morning. All new folders deleted. Old data back in the navdata and sidstar folders. I then ran the exe file and did not change the path. The new data is in navdata and sidstar and the old data is in the 2 backup folders. I should have followed you direction to begin with. I am doing a KORD-KTPA flight right now. Be interesting to see how it turns out. If you don't here from me everything went okay.ThanksMichael Cubine

I notice that the navigraph installer always backs up last cycle and it hasn't yet over written a new file. Nice things to know.