I'll only say Navigraph did a master move by purchasing Simbrief. While I'm glad Aviaplanner appeared (finally someone to keep Navigraph in check), I'd like to see how do they intend to compete with Simbrief, and its integration with both Navigraph and almost all FS addons.

I'm sure the export from simbrief and import into Aviaplanner  will work a treat, and at that cost it could well be a swap. always the demo version to try first.

Certainly worth taking a look, especially when their AIRAC cycles come out.

 

They do mention AIRAC cycle  integration with most aircraft and well known developers.

I will say having a Navigraph subscription, the FMS Data Manager for P3D is a great utility. Its really easy to update all aircraft with a couple of clicks. I hope AviaPlanner make it that simple.

 

Looks like a great / much more affordable alternative to me, if they even include the Planner !

For me NAvdata updates are a must though. If I'm going to move away from Navigraph, and I have been seriously considering it because it's just too expensive for me, thenI don't need the Navdata too... They say 2 months - I can wait 🙂

Edited July 10, 20241 yr by jcomm

1 hour ago, ErichB said:

Def not

I don't see why not, Simbrief has a public API that can be queried by anyone. If they lock that down then you essentially lock out of the EFBs and various applications (not owned by navigraph) that use Simbrief

9 minutes ago, Lucky38i said:

I don't see why not, Simbrief has a public API that can be queried by anyone. If they lock that down then you essentially lock out of the EFBs and various applications (not owned by navigraph) that use Simbrief

You need a key supplied by Navigraph to use that API. This is attained by a direct request to Navigraph where you must give details of why you need the key. It’s possible they could deny AviaPlanner a key. From their website:

“Prior to using the API, you must obtain an API key and paste it into your “simbrief.apiv1.php” file. Failure to do this will result in your flightplan requests being denied. API keys can be requested by contacting us. Please include information about your website and how you intend on using the API.“

 

Edited July 10, 20241 yr by boez

6 minutes ago, boez said:

You need a key supplied by Navigraph to use that API. This is attained by a direct request to Navigraph where you must give details of why you need the key. It’s possible they could deny AviaPlanner a key. From their website:

“Prior to using the API, you must obtain an API key and paste it into your “simbrief.apiv1.php” file. Failure to do this will result in your flightplan requests being denied. API keys can be requested by contacting us. Please include information about your website and how you intend on using the API.“

 

No, you require an API Key to utilise simbrief flight planning features, i.e their dispatch API (more details found here). However to retrieve an OFP is a simple API call through their fetcher API. https://developers.navigraph.com/docs/simbrief/fetching-ofp-data. I could be wrong but the Navigraph charts app (similiar to AviaPlanner) does not do Simbrief flight planning, only simbrief OFP retrieval, so there really isn't anything different going on here.

This fetcher API has remained since before navigraph purchased Simbrief, if this API was removed you'd have a lot of broken EFBs and apps while developer attempt to retrieve API keys.

Edited July 10, 20241 yr by Lucky38i
more details about API differences added

I wonder when Navigraph will make it possible to plan from the Navigraph Chart app. Everything is so integrated that it feels like an unnecessary step to use the website.

Flight Sim 2024 is going to have LIDO charts by default, won't have to pay extra.

Edited July 10, 20241 yr by Tuskin38

I genuily like navigraph and I am thankful that they have provided the flight sim community with charts but to me it's also not afforta/ble, I am not flying much anymore and it's always been a pain to renew the yearly subscription. Eventhough it's worth the price, since they continue improving everything and it's high quality I am glad about the competition, so a cheaper option for people like me who don't fly that often anymore make more sense.

1 hour ago, Twenty6 said:

People said that same thing about WordPerfect and Lotus 123, among others.

Wonder what the established automakers thought when they first heard about the upstart Tesla electric vehicles?

They are probably laughing now, Teslas are sitting on lots, unsold.  

I also like Navigraph but it is quite expensive. I guess I‘ll wait for MSFS 2024 and then decide which of the three options is best for me.

My guess, when this comes out, Navigraph will lower their prices dramatically. 

Navigraph has provided a high quality service for a long time so I am not going to jump ship just to save a few dollars a month. That said, I would greatly prefer LIDO to JEP so if Aviaplanner can provide this and the FMS data and have ultra-high reliable service then it is an interesting proposal.  But for now, especially with MSFS2024 and its included flight planner developed by WT and using LIDO not far away, I am going to just stay with the status quo for now and see how it all plays out. This seems to be an area in flight sim that is rapidly developing.

12 minutes ago, Bobsk8 said:

They are probably laughing now, Teslas are sitting on lots, unsold.  

Not to try and steer the converstion but.. the Tesla Model Y was one of the top 5 most vehicles sold in the US last year and the best selling vehicle in western europe in 2023. Not all car manufacturers practice JIT, not really unheard of to have cars sitting in lots waiting for delivery.