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FS9 NAVAIDS UPDATE WITH INSTALLER
Installer Version 7.10
Flying the simulator with a high degree of realism requires that the navigation data are up-todate. The provided world package is based on the latest 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 FS9 locations, backup the
original files and restore them if needed. ILS data, runway changes, approach lighting,
PAPI and intersections are also corrected in the Western Europe area (Eurw). In other
regions, only VORs and NDBs are corrected although a few NDBs (those contained in airport
AP*.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 Western Europe area, ILS, runway data, approach lighting
systems and PAPIs are also updated by correcting the corresponding AP*.BGL files.
2 – PACKAGE CONTENT
After decompressing the FS9_World_Navaids package (.zip) in the folder of your choice,
check that the following files have been extracted:
A) In the root directory
FS9Navaids_Installer.exe: the program that will automate the install/uninstall process,
FS9NavaidsUpdate.pdf: this file.
B) FS9Files 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,
B) EurwAltFiles subfolder: this folder contains another set of BGL files for the Western
Europe region that will be used instead if this 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 FS9Navaids_Installer.exe program automatically installs
BGL files. When installing, only more recent BGL files than the
the regions that have been selected. All default FS9 files
extension. These backup files are necessary for uninstalling
delete them.
or uninstalls the necessary
current ones are replaced in
are saved with a [.ra9ini]
the package. So, DO NOT
The FS9Navaids_Installer executable is a VB6 program that 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 FS9 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 FS9 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),
- “Use alternate airport files” option will select for the Western Europe region, another set of
files for airport updates (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” 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 FS9 is active. The installation
program will look at that and warn you accordingly.
The program automatically detects the FS9 installation directory. 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 Western Europe region an alternative set of airport BGL files is provided. Its main
advantage is that “fixes” will also be properly updated for the corresponding region giving
very clean and up to date GPS and map displays; also you will not need to install any
additional BGL file for updating intersections. However, the following limitations will apply: all
GPS approaches will be deactivated as well as airway representation (anyway, note that
most if not all 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 FS9 also uses BGLs that contain airway definitions (not updated by this
project) and that some 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 FSgenerated 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 since the release of
FS9 (FS9 information dates back more than 10 years..) and that default flight planning is
anyway unreliable.
Indeed, most serious simmers are more searching for an up-to-date definition of aeronautical
data so as to use conventional radio navigation 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 FS 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 FS 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 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 FS9.cfg file before launching the simulator:
In the [MAPVIEW_MAP] section
SHOW_VICTOR=0
SHOW_JET=0
SHOW_INTERSECTIONS=0
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 FS9 Settings / Scenery Library, 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 - except for the Western
Europe area- 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 FS9 navaid and
provide me a screen shot of the search results.
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, FS9 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 freeware. 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 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
16-Oct-2014
Documentation version 7.10
hsors@hotmail.com
http://www.aero.sors.fr