Owais Crawford
Microsoft's Flight Simulator X (FSX) is a popular flight simulation game that includes over 26,000 airports worldwide. However, as the game has not been updated since 2007, some airport information, such as runway names and numbers, radio frequencies, and airport names, may be outdated. This can be frustrating for players who want an accurate and immersive flight simulation experience. Fortunately, there are several ways to update airports in FSX, including using programs like ADE to edit airport information or installing add-on scenery. Additionally, players can use online tools and databases, such as Fly Away Simulation's World Airports Database, to look up airport information before flying to or from them in the game.
Characteristics and Values Table for Updating Airports in FSX
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Airports | Over 26,000 |
| Airport Updates | Worldwide updates available (except for Europe) |
| Add-on Airports | Available through freeware or payware |
| Airport Codes | Use IDENT code (e.g. "KLAX" for Los Angeles International) or IATA code (e.g. "LHR" for London Heathrow) |
| Airport Name Changes | Change under Airport properties>Airport Name |
| Airport Altitude | Ensure consistent altitude across all elements (runway, flatten, starts) |
| Airport Editing Tools | ADE (Airport Design Editor) |
| Airport Selection | Activate the airport in the scenery library |
| Airport Information | Fly Away Simulation provides info on over 46,000 airports worldwide |
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What You'll Learn
Editing airport codes and names
To edit airport codes and names in FSX, you can use a program called Airport Design Editor (ADE). ADE allows you to edit airport information, including updating airport codes and names, without altering the original stock scenery files. It follows the rules set by Microsoft, enabling designers to make enhancements and updates to airports while adhering to the Flight Simulator guidelines.
To use ADE effectively, you may need to download the Software Development Kit (SDK) as well. The Prepar3D's v1.4 SDK package, for example, contains the necessary programs for ADE to function properly. Once you have ADE and the required SDK, you can open a stock airport, make your desired changes, and save it as an Add-On with higher priority than the original airport's scenery file.
It is important to note that ADE does not update the runway numbers or names by itself. For that, you may need to consider freeware or payware scenery that overwrites the default airport with an updated version. Additionally, ensure that you are running FSX as an administrator to allow for the rebuilding of cfg files, which may be necessary for new airports to appear in the 'Select airport' panel.
When changing airport names, it is recommended to place the modified file in the "scenery/world/scenery" folder for FSX to recognize the change. This ensures that the new airport name is reflected correctly in the simulation.
By following these steps and utilizing ADE, you can successfully edit airport codes and names in FSX while adhering to Microsoft's guidelines and maintaining the integrity of the original scenery files.
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Updating runway names
Using ADE (Airport Development Editor)
The Airport Development Editor (ADE) is a popular tool for editing airports in FSX. It allows users to edit various aspects of an airport, including runway names and numbers. To update runway names using ADE, follow these steps:
- Download and install ADE if you don't already have it.
- Open ADE and load the airport file (.bgl) for the specific airport you want to edit.
- Navigate to the "Runways" tab and locate the runway you want to update.
- Edit the runway name and any other relevant information.
- Save the changes and compile the updated airport file.
- Place the updated file in the "scenery/world/scenery" folder for FSX to recognize the changes.
Using Add-on Scenery
Another option for updating runway names is to use add-on scenery. This involves downloading and installing a custom scenery package for a specific airport, which may include updated runway names and other improvements. There are both freeware and payware options available. However, it's important to note that not all add-on sceneries may have the most up-to-date information.
Regional Updates
FSX regional updates are available for regions outside of Europe, which correct runway identifiers, markers, and embedded NDBs. These updates also include lighting and PAPIs corrections for the US. By installing the relevant regional update, you can ensure that runway names and other airport data are current. However, it's important to back up your original files before installing any updates.
Checking Nav Aids with AFCAD
Before flying to an add-on airport, it's a good idea to check the Nav Aids using an AFCAD program. This will help ensure that you have the correct runway numbers and ILS frequencies, as add-on airports may not always be up to date.
It's worth noting that FSX is a snapshot from the mid-2000s, and the default game has not been updated since 2007. Therefore, manual updates or the use of additional tools may be necessary to ensure accurate runway names and other airport data.
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Using ADE to edit airports
The Airport Design Editor (ADE) by Jon Masterson is a design tool that can be used to create airports or change existing ones in FSX. The current production version of ADE is 1.78, released on December 24, 2019, and there is also a development version (1.79) that supports the newly released P3D v5.
To edit an airport using ADE, first open the stock airport in the program and delete everything. You can then make changes via the Raw Data View tool, which is available with the ProKey. This tool allows you to edit the ICAO property and other project file details, but it's important to note that there is no undo function, so mistakes cannot be easily rectified.
Once you've made your changes, be sure to save the file in the scenery/world/scenery folder so that FSX will recognize the update. For example, if you're changing the name of an airport, the name change must be made in this folder for FSX to honor the alteration.
It's also worth noting that ADE updates will only apply to base FSX airports, not add-on airports, unless they use the base FSX Nav Aids. So, it's always a good idea to quickly check the Nav Aids using an AFCAD program before flying to an add-on airport to ensure that you have the correct ILS freq and other up-to-date information.
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Adding a new airport
To add a new airport in FSX, you can download an add-on scenery or update the scenery yourself through a program called ADE (Airport Development Environment). ADE is a free program that allows you to edit and create airports in FSX.
- Download and install ADE if you don't already have it.
- Launch ADE and open the "File" menu.
- Select "New Airport" from the options.
- Enter the airport name, location, and other relevant information. Make sure to give it an ID that is not already in the simulator.
- Set the coordinates of the airport and the reference altitude. You can use Google Maps or another mapping tool to get the coordinates of the desired location.
- Configure the runways, taxiways, and other airport features according to your preferences or real-world data.
- Save the airport file. Make sure it is saved in the "addon scenery" folder within the FSX installation directory.
- Activate the airport in the FSX scenery library.
- Launch FSX and verify that the new airport appears in the "Select Airport" panel.
It is important to note that creating and adding a new airport using ADE may require some time and experimentation to get everything right. Additionally, make sure to back up any files before making changes, so you can restore them if needed.
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Using the World Airports Database
The Fly Away Simulation World Airports Database is a useful tool for looking up airports before you fly to or from them in your flight simulation package, such as FSX. You can use the search box to find an airport using its name, IATA code, or IDENT code. For example, you can enter "London Heathrow" or its code "LHR" to find the Heathrow airport. The tool displays a lot of useful information about the airport, including a real-life satellite view.
The database is currently in Beta Testing, and you can report any problems or feature requests to help improve it. Signing up for PRO gives you faster, unrestricted access to thousands of downloads, including aircraft, scenery, and more.
Additionally, FSXmap.com is another useful tool that shows airports, navaids, and waypoints in Microsoft Flight Simulator, including data about runways. You can click on an airport to bring up its runway map and additional data. Hovering over an airport displays important information, and you can also use the filter window to narrow down your search. Signing in allows you to set preferences, give comments to airports, and plot your aircraft live on the map.
To update airport names in FSX, you may need to make changes in the "scenery/world/scenery" folder. For example, changing the airport name under "Airport properties>Airport Name" may not be enough, and you need to update the name in the aforementioned folder for FSX to honour the change.
If you are looking to update specific airports in FSX, such as the John Wayne Airport, you can consider using a program called ADE (Airport Design Editor) to update the scenery yourself or look for add-on scenery.
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Frequently asked questions
You can update airports in FSX by using a program called ADE (Airport Development Editor). You can also use the Fly Away Simulation World Airports Database to look up information on over 46,000 airports worldwide.
You can add a new airport to FSX by downloading an add-on scenery and installing it in the addon scenery folder. You then need to activate the airport in the scenery library.
To change airport codes and names in FSX, you need to go to Airport Properties > Airport Name and make the desired changes. The name change has to be in the scenery/world/scenery folder for FSX to recognize it.
