Navigation data for aviation, which includes information such as waypoints, airways, airport data, and procedures, is crucial for flight planning and execution. In the real world, aviation navigation data is updated every 28 days, in alignment with the internationally recognized schedule by AIRAC. Jeppesen is a company that is one of the leading suppliers of aviation navigation data.
Enthusiast flight simulation software allow for updating the simulator navigation database so that it stays in alignment with actual real-world data, current charts, and instrument procedures.
Navigraph is a company that provides a subscription service for navigation database updates for flight simulation software. Additionally, this company offers an iPad application, “Charts”, that allows world-wide access to current Jeppesen charts. Also, the company has recently acquired a web-based flight planning tool, called “Sim Brief”, that allows for realistic flight planning. This tool incorporates real-time existing weather to generate a realistic IFR flight plan and dispatch release, including takeoff and landing performance calculations.
Navigraph FMS Data Manager
This application can be installed on the secondary computer as it can interface with all the simulator computers via the Ethernet network . FMS Data Manager needs to be run at least every 28 days. When run, it will check the currently installed navigation databases and update them if a new version is available. In this simulator, navigation databases are stored in ProSim737 System and with the real-world weather application called ActiveSky.
Navigraph SimLink
This application is installed on the primary simulator computer. This application interfaces with Prepar3D to obtain the current position and altitude of the aircraft in real time. This data is continuously uploaded to the Navigraph server. When the Navigraph iPad application called “Charts” is running and the user is logged in, the aircraft’s real-time position can be seen as a symbol that is superimposed on the charts or the approach plate. This is analogous as to how real-world aircraft navigation charting applications, such as ForeFlight, operate in real life using GPS data. SimLink can be configured to automatically run in the background whenever the computer is started.
