Why is there no Navigraph support yet?

Quote from FlyWorld

Jet-Pack (IPACS) Have you and the other developers made any decisions regarding Navigraph support in Aerofly for the airac update? Remembering that this is the most viable solution to resolve the problem of outdated navigation data. Furthermore, the users themselves will pay for this support and not the developers as I explained in previous posts.

I'm not on Navigraph Pro but if this feature were hypothetically implemented, would my account work with the sim?

Quote from Jet-Pack (IPACS)

But does that work offline and does that allow us to redistribute their data in a way that allows us full control over memory usage? And does that work for all users out of the box? I.e. does it work on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Steam Deck and perhaps future platforms we want to offer?

Will Global eventually be able to selectively work entirely offline?

Quote from Thekingbuji333

I'm not on Navigraph Pro but if this feature were hypothetically implemented, would my account work with the sim?

Will Global eventually be able to selectively work entirely offline?

It would work normally as long as you have an active subscription and the simulator is supported by Navigraph. I explained how it works in previous posts using the example of X-Plane mobile.

Quote from Thekingbuji333

I'm not on Navigraph Pro but if this feature were hypothetically implemented, would my account work with the sim?

Will Global eventually be able to selectively work entirely offline?

I suggest you watch the video I posted here in this topic in which a Navigraph developer shows how this support for airac updates works in X-Plane mobile.

As we all know, Aerofly FS Global, the latest version of the Aerofly FS series, still uses old navigation data. With the global map open to players. The problem of outdated navigation data is becoming more and more serious.

I know that updating navigation data from time to time is impossible for IPACS and Aerofly FS, it will consume a lot of time and manpower. But not updating for so many years is really not a good idea.

In Aerofly FS Global, old navigation data would steer the aircraft in the wrong direction. Some new or renovated airports even don’t have data. Could imagine the autopilot of an airplane landing an airplane on a taxiway next to a runway? These problems are not limited to a few airports. This results in many airports around the world having to use inaccurate waypoints that we have positioned ourselves. Or we can only approach the airport visually.

This is disastrous in the pursuit of realistic flight simulation.

There is no doubt that this problem needs to be solved urgently. Here are two solutions:

1. Change the transmission form of navigation data to streaming media. After the navigation data is updated, not all navigation data will change in all areas. So you only need to push new data where there is data update.

2. Expose applicable navigation data handling methods to player developers. If we need the latest data, we can always update it. This can also reduce your workload.

If you can, take action by all means.

Jet-Pack (IPACS)  admin

Dear Jet-Pack (IPACS)

Please, add a way to import external file flight plan like .pln to the navigation menu.

If you can afford for Navigraph for example, you could import the genrated flight plans (SID/STAR included). I know it works with a very-non-user-friendly method.

Thanks.

Quote from Jet-Pack (IPACS)

Our goal is to offer a working solution out of the box for all customers on all platforms. We do not aim to offer a labor intensive solution for only very few customers like manually updating the database. This would increase our own workload more than just finding a newer database and would require constant support over years. And it's not an alternative solution if it does not work on all platforms and for all users. Manually editing files is not allowed on iOS for example and it is tedious on Android. That rules out like 80% of all customers already. We also want to remain independent of third party services. When something breaks we want to have access to fix it immediately.

Most of the worlds airports and most waypoints are still represented accurately by the navigation database we currently use. Of course there are some changes in the real world that our database does not yet capture. Even if a procedure changes this does not mean you can't fly the old one realistically. Only airports with new runways are somewhat of an issue because no data exists for these new runways.

But even in a newer database some runways e.g. at military airports might not have the correct coordinates and can be off by 50 or 100m. We also had many major airports at which the coordinates of the runways and ILSes did not line up perfectly with the aerial images and our manually created runways. So we had to write an algorithm that dynamically moves navigation runways and ILSes to the right location to allow for autoland on the centerline. New databases may have the same exact issue or even more than we currently have.

Updating the navigation database is also no simple task. The entire navigation database would be too large to be loaded into RAM on mobile so all navigation data first needs to be processed and sorted into small tiles. These tiles can be loaded efficiently in the background when needed and can also be streamed via network. This is one of the key optimizations in getting Aerofly to run on mobile and at such high frame rates. If we were to iterate through all tens of thousands of airports and through all runways at each airport to draw them to the navigation displays in the cockpit it would significantly impact performance. The tools to create these tiles only work on Windows. So for all customers that are on mobile, Mac OS or Linux this would mean they have to purchase a Windows PC to run these tools. And then you also need to find and download the navigation database file from somewhere which is the same issue we are currently facing anyway so it just adds more work for us to support it and users then have exact same issue that we already have which is finding an affordable source for a new navigation database.

I understand that it is the huge workload that is why I propose that we process the navigation data ourselves in order to pursue precise operations. Accurate simulation is the essence of true simulated flight.

You can choose to renew once a year or every two years. But more than three years is really not a good option.

As for what you said "Most of the worlds airports and most waypoints are still represented accurately by the navigation database we currently use.". I know they really don't have any problems with the airports that Aerofly FS 2023 and previous versions already have. But other airports around the world have a lot going wrong. Precisely because other airports around the world are generated using AI using relatively new geographical data, while the navigation data is old, there will inevitably be differences between the new and the old. That is if you update the navigation data to the same time as the data generated for other airports around the world. Maybe it won't cause so many mistakes now. And other AI-generated airports around the world have a number of serious errors. For example, Naha Airport has only one runway, and the civilian part of New Chitose Airport has overlapping data, etc. I gave feedback before but it was not dealt with. This directly leads to a poor global data experience.

Streaming is a great idea and using it wisely will make Aerofly FS even better. For us players, the reason for choosing Aerofly FS Global is that Real Flight Simulator does not have the advanced flight dynamics and realistic physics simulation that you have. Aerofly FS Global was chosen because "infinite flight" doesn't have the realistic scenery that you guys have. Aerofly FS Global was chosen because the 3D cockpit of "X-palne Mobile" is inferior to the highly detailed 3D cockpit you have. But what Aerofly FS needs to improve most now is the basics. No matter how modern an aircraft is, it will have big problems without excellent navigation data. The same is true for Aerofly FS 4. You can put new content on Aerofly FS 4 for testing as before, and then gradually optimize it until the phone can run it perfectly.

For new features. I am looking forward. All in all, I wish Aerofly FS will gets better.

Quote from Jet-Pack (IPACS)

Our goal is to offer a working solution out of the box for all customers on all platforms. We do not aim to offer a labor intensive solution for only very few customers like manually updating the database. This would increase our own workload more than just finding a newer database and would require constant support over years. And it's not an alternative solution if it does not work on all platforms and for all users. Manually editing files is not allowed on iOS for example and it is tedious on Android. That rules out like 80% of all customers already. We also want to remain independent of third party services. When something breaks we want to have access to fix it immediately.

Most of the worlds airports and most waypoints are still represented accurately by the navigation database we currently use. Of course there are some changes in the real world that our database does not yet capture. Even if a procedure changes this does not mean you can't fly the old one realistically. Only airports with new runways are somewhat of an issue because no data exists for these new runways.

But even in a newer database some runways e.g. at military airports might not have the correct coordinates and can be off by 50 or 100m. We also had many major airports at which the coordinates of the runways and ILSes did not line up perfectly with the aerial images and our manually created runways. So we had to write an algorithm that dynamically moves navigation runways and ILSes to the right location to allow for autoland on the centerline. New databases may have the same exact issue or even more than we currently have.

Updating the navigation database is also no simple task. The entire navigation database would be too large to be loaded into RAM on mobile so all navigation data first needs to be processed and sorted into small tiles. These tiles can be loaded efficiently in the background when needed and can also be streamed via network. This is one of the key optimizations in getting Aerofly to run on mobile and at such high frame rates. If we were to iterate through all tens of thousands of airports and through all runways at each airport to draw them to the navigation displays in the cockpit it would significantly impact performance. The tools to create these tiles only work on Windows. So for all customers that are on mobile, Mac OS or Linux this would mean they have to purchase a Windows PC to run these tools. And then you also need to find and download the navigation database file from somewhere which is the same issue we are currently facing anyway so it just adds more work for us to support it and users then have exact same issue that we already have which is finding an affordable source for a new navigation database.

I understand your side, but at some point you will have to resolve this, well, a good option is to add support for navigraph.

Quote from Jet-Pack (IPACS)

I think you still don't quite understand. We need to do the process anyway. So why should we add additional work for us to enable you to work do the same but with extra hurdles? Renewing the database is only possible if it is affordable and accessible.

Well, I don't know if it's financially viable for you or not, but it's extremely necessary for us users, Aerofly is perfect in everything, but in terms of navigation data it's very backward, I don't think it's cool at all that I can't use charts for that most of its information is up to date and the simulator is out of date, not being able to carry out some procedures, etc.

Quote from Jet-Pack (IPACS)

I think you still don't quite understand. We need to do the process anyway. So why should we add additional work for us to enable you to work do the same but with extra hurdles? Renewing the database is only possible if it is affordable and accessible.

You will do the work. That's the best. Because you have been putting off dealing with the navigation data issue until now. As before, basic functions are worth paying more attention to than more flashy aircraft.

Quote from FlyOverAsia

As we all know, Aerofly FS Global, the latest version of the Aerofly FS series, still uses old navigation data. With the global map open to players. The problem of outdated navigation data is becoming more and more serious.

I know that updating navigation data from time to time is impossible for IPACS and Aerofly FS, it will consume a lot of time and manpower. But not updating for so many years is really not a good idea.

In Aerofly FS Global, old navigation data would steer the aircraft in the wrong direction. Some new or renovated airports even don’t have data. Could imagine the autopilot of an airplane landing an airplane on a taxiway next to a runway? These problems are not limited to a few airports. This results in many airports around the world having to use inaccurate waypoints that we have positioned ourselves. Or we can only approach the airport visually.

This is disastrous in the pursuit of realistic flight simulation.

There is no doubt that this problem needs to be solved urgently. Here are two solutions:

1. Change the transmission form of navigation data to streaming media. After the navigation data is updated, not all navigation data will change in all areas. So you only need to push new data where there is data update.

2. Expose applicable navigation data handling methods to player developers. If we need the latest data, we can always update it. This can also reduce your workload.

If you can, take action by all means.

Jet-Pack (IPACS)  admin

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I suggested Navigraph support for airac update but no developer took my suggestion seriously. It seems that they really don't want to bring this support to update navigation data and thus make our lives easier. Again Navigraph support is paid for by the users themselves and not by the developers. I cited the example of X-Plane mobile as a basis for Aerofly developers to understand how Navigraph works. I requested a response from the moderator here on the forum but was promptly ignored. This is extremely irritating.🤨

Quote from Jet-Pack (IPACS)

That's not what I said.

We still need to find a navigation database that we can purchase that doesn't cost us millions and raises the app price by 100$...
The rest of the process is somewhat easy, we already did all that with our current database so the process is already known.

I see. Where did you get your navigation data before? Because Aerofly FS now has real navigation data from previous versions.

Please read these posts I made here which contain valuable information on how to definitively resolve the Aerofly's outdated airac problem. You will understand in a simple and practical way how Navigraph support works. FlyOverAsia

Quote from FlyOverAsia

I see. Where did you get your navigation data before? Because Aerofly FS now has real navigation data from previous versions.

Currently using the navigation database of "NavTech" company

Quote from FlyWorld

Please read these posts I made here which contain valuable information on how to definitively resolve the Aerofly's outdated airac problem. You will understand in a simple and practical way how Navigraph support works. FlyOverAsia

okay, thank you.

Quote from FlyWorld

I suggested Navigraph support for airac update but no developer took my suggestion seriously. It seems that they really don't want to bring this support to update navigation data and thus make our lives easier. Again Navigraph support is paid for by the users themselves and not by the developers. I cited the example of X-Plane mobile as a basis for Aerofly developers to understand how Navigraph works. I requested a response from the moderator here on the forum but was promptly ignored. This is extremely irritating.🤨

I completely agree with you, a navigraph support would really be great, everyone pays their subscription to have an updated navigraph and everyone would be happy, because seriously, the outdated airac is very annoying

Quote from aviation2023 BR

I completely agree with you, a navigraph support would really be great, everyone pays their subscription to have an updated navigraph and everyone would be happy, because seriously, the outdated airac is very annoying

This airac update is the responsibility of Navigraph from the moment the user purchases a subscription, whether monthly or annual. It is the most practical and viable solution to solve this outdated airac problem on Aerofly.