Some approaches in PMDG's navaid database are wrong. How can I edit them?Thanks,Teo Halfen

The approaches are contained in the airport's text file in PMDGSIDSTARS. It's not PMDG's database by the way, they're made by a company called Navigraph that produces navdata for all the major addons.

I know the navdata is made by Navigraph and that all text files are in PMDGSIDSTARS file. I just didn't understand how can I put new waypoints and make new approaches.Thanks,Teo Halfen

Edited January 6, 201214 yr by Lemond23

There is a lot more that I could say than in 1 sitting, but here is the basic gist of the thing. Within your particular airport's SIDSTAR file, there are a few sections. The first are the FIXES, RNWS, then SIDS, STARS, and APPROACHES.== FIXES ==The fixes entry contains the list of fixes that pertain to any terminal procedure for the airport. Each fix name is then followed by either LATLON, and then a set of coordinates, or COLOCATED, where it is then followed by another fix, a heading, and a distance. For example, because I don't think any NAVIGRAPH points are colocated by default, this is one that I had put in for my LAX file,

FIX AVOLS COLOCATED SXC 084 9

== RNWS ==(Runways) A list of all available runways for use at the airport. Unless you are changing the runways and/or anything related to them, I won't elaborate further.== SIDS / STARS ==**While editing the SIDS, STARS, or APPROACHES, I recommend turning word wrap off in your text editor.Start the first line of a SID or STAR off with a name. Follow that with the segment of the route that does not change by runways or transitions, it's the same for everyone (Remember to add FIX before every entry). Using example DANDD5 at Denver, that would be everything from PRAGG to DVV. If there are any altitude or speed restrictions use them as appropriate.== SID ==For a departure, the following lines are runways to use. So you would start each line off with a runway to use (or if multiple runways use the same procedure, just append them to the line, "RNW 34L RNW 26 RNW 25 RNW 35R...". Follow the runways with a procedure to follow. The entry ends on the fix before the first fix that was on the first line, it will automatically flow from this line to the first line and follow that to the end. Repeat for the appropriate number of runways.The next section are the transition routes. Begin the line with TRANSITION and what the fix is called. Continue the line with instructions to follow for the transition.== STAR ==For an arrival, the next lines are transitions from the start. Begin the line with TRANSITION and what the fix is called. Continue the line with instructions to follow for the transition. Since you specified you wanted an approach, I will elaborate a little here. Lets look at the CANUK9 STAR for KATL (which is outdated, but that is what my NAVDATA is).STAR CANUK9 FIX SINCA FIX CANUK FIX HUSKY FIX ZAMASTRANSITION AMG FIX AMG FIX DBN FIX RIPPITRANSITION CRG FIX CRG FIX RDNEK FIX CHESN FIX BAXLY FIX DBN FIX RIPPITRANSITION DBN FIX DBN FIX RIPPITRANSITION IRQ FIX IRQ FIX BEYLOTRANSITION VQQ FIX VQQ FIX CHESN FIX BAXLY FIX DBN FIX RIPPISo it starts out by identifying itself as a STAR, the name of which is CANUK9. The rest of line 1 are the instructions that everyone fly's after coming together and before branching out. The next lines are the transitions, followed by the name of the transition, and the instructions to fly before joining the first line.== Approaches ==Adding approaches is a more complicated matter in itself, if you would like the instructions for that let me know and i'll write that up. Let me know if you have any other questions as well.

it would seem that one can purchase updates to the Navigraph Database, specifically for the PMDG products.seehttp://www.navigraph...www/fmsdata.aspIf it is importamt for you, to have your PMDG FMC be up to date with the Real World "current" Charts, then this would seem to be the less stressfull way of doing so. Otherwise, you are going to spend all your potentail FS flying time, manually editing the Database !!Anyone already doing this for the 737NGX -- is it a simple and painless process ??

Edited January 6, 201214 yr by FSMP

To the OP's point, though...if the Navigraph AIRAC that came with the NGX has wrong info, it's likely that those errors still exist in the latest AIRAC. I just flew ATL-MIA and one of the STAR restrictions was completely missing...and I have the latest AIRAC. I think you can notify Navigraph if you find mistakes. I believe that Navigraph reacts to changes when they post a new AIRAC cycle--they don't check existing procedures unless someone points out an error.

yos233, thanks for your answer and explanation. There are some "Arc DME"" approaches that are not correct in Navigraph database. Frequently, these Navigraph approaches make strange "horizontal loops". It's very tiring to put such approaches in the FMC every time, making 5 degrees leaps... I think PMDG's FMC does't allows arc DME, so I wanted to program them in PMDG's nav database, making 5 degrees leaps there. Is there a tutorial about it somewhere?jturie, I'll try to notify Navigraph about these errors.Thanks,Teo Halfen

Edited January 7, 201214 yr by Lemond23

Okay, an arc approach. That would require a bit of repetition, because there is no arc function. If you will, have a look at the ILS 26R approach at Pueblo (KPUB) (because it is the only one I remember right now). It is an arcing approach. If you would have a look at the SIDSTAR file for Pueblo as well, you can see in the fixes portion it includes many fixes that form a COLOCATED (explained in my above post) ring around the Pueblo VOR. So hypothetically, if you wanted to form a ring around a fix (lets use PUB this time), you would add the individual points to the FIXES list, and then string them together in an approach.EXAMPLE:FIXESFIX PUB01 COLOCATED PUB 333 10FIX PUB02 COLOCATED PUB 338 10FIX PUB03 COLOCATED PUB 343 10... CONTINUING IN 5 DEGREE INCREMENTS ...FIX PUB13 COLOCATED PUB 063 10FIX PUB14 COLOCATED PUB 065 10ENDFIXESThen add the approach:APPROACH 26R FIX PUB01 FIX PUB02 .... FIX PUB 13 FIX PUB14And there you have it. A DME arc approach, with each fix spaced out by 5 degrees.

yos233, thanks, you've explained perfectly. I'll try it!Teo Halfen

Actually, for just a few dollars you can purchase credits from Navigraph where you can get up to date data all nicely packaged in a self installer. The other good part is that Navigraph does not charge per application PMDG, LDS, FSBUILD etc. but rather per update, meaning for the price of one update for any app they provide data for.Most probably already know this, but thought i would let the less informed know anyway.Regards,