PilotEdge Forums

RyanK wrote:I'm pretty sure the default GPS doesn't update either.

^^this is not entirely true. It's quite possible to update the X-Plane GPS navigation database. A service such as Aerosoft Navdata or Navigraph. As a sim user you don't need "up to the minute" updated charts. A one time upgrade is very reasonable. Note, they don't make it easy to find out how much the one time GPS update costs. The last time I updated my sim the cost was around $5. So it's not a big expense.

Note, that when a one time update is purchased, you can also update FSX and PMDG as well as any other available packages. Same cost for all of the different sim packages as you are buying the "cycle" update.

http://www.navigraph.com
http://www.x-plane.com/?article=x-plane ... ease-notes

RNCTX wrote:Are the controllers capable of looking after me if I request an older one that's in the X-Plane database(s)?

If flying in the real world would you expect the ATC controller to know what's the difference between your GPS version and the current? It seems to me that the pilot is responsible for determine what the correct plate looks like. It's not that hard to review the up to date charts using Skyvector (free) and compare to the flight path charted on the GPS. If different then way points "can be" entered manually. Granted that's not practical in the air but it can be done if planed for on the ground.

Another way around this is to file everything slant Alpha (/A) and then use the GPS for "situational awareness".

FWIIW, I have a full set of the digital terminal procedure (d-TPP) that comes from the real world FFA's data base. A ""on time" DVD is $12. For that you get every approach/departure/SID/STAR/Airport diagram for the entire US all on one DVD. The one I'm using now is dated 05/29/14 (cycle 1406) and I have run across only a couple of out dated plates (think runway 20 at John Wayne for an example). BUT it's quite possible to down load the updated plate and replace the file if you are computer savvy.

I find running the Digital Terminal Procedures from the PC is much faster than the online versions. For a modern PC, they really don't take up much HD disk space (3.46GB). What I generally do is update my d-TPP every couple of years or if I encounter an update on a route that I use. This keeps the over all cost is very small.

http://www.mypilotstore.com/mypilotstore/sep/2544

If interested in trying the d-TPP for yourself I maybe able to help. PM if interested.

wmburns wrote:
If flying in the real world would you expect the ATC controller to know what's the difference between your GPS version and the current? It seems to me that the pilot is responsible for determine what the correct plate looks like. It's not that hard to review the up to date charts using Skyvector (free) and compare to the flight path charted on the GPS. If different then way points "can be" entered manually. Granted that not practical in the air but it can be done if planed for on the ground.

Well, waypoints can change, particularly with GPS plates (since they don't have a reason to exist outside of that GPS plate). I'm new to sims so that's why I'm asking questions . If in reality I file /G, that controller will give me a GPS/RNAV approach without a second thought and expect me to be able to fly it. If the controller expects me to go one way and my old plate tells me to go another, "clear for the approach" is gonna set that whole chain of problems in motion.

Are the controllers capable of looking after me if I request an older one that's in the X-Plane database(s)?

Generally no, we don't keep old approaches to reference.

Peter Grey wrote:

Are the controllers capable of looking after me if I request an older one that's in the X-Plane database(s)?

Generally no, we don't keep old approaches to reference.

Ok that answers my questions, thanks for the reply.