With both Aerosoft and PMDG, their custom nav data formats were designed to work hand-in-hand with their custom FMS implementations. That is something that predates XBox (and MSFS itself) by many years for both companies.
Re-writing the entire FMS to work with the generic MSFS database format would takes months, if not years of work.
In PMDG’s case, they are going to soon introduce a completely revamped database format for all their products that closely mirrors the ARINC-424 specification used in real FMS systems.
The default NavBlue data in MSFS is “adequate” for default aircraft, but it is missing a lot of important data found in custom databases provided by Jeppesen (Navigraph) or Lufthansa (Aerosoft NavDataPro).
In real life the way it typically works is that the STAR (arrival) is included in the flight plan, but the approach is not specified in the flight plan. Usually, a controller will assign the approach when the aircraft is nearing the approach phase. This allows for flexibility based on factors like weather conditions, traffic, and airport operations.
When I was flying the A320 and using in-game ATC, I’d simply refrain from selecting an approach during the flight plan initialization. The controller would assign one to me at the appropriate time and I’d select and activate it.
Since the PMDG 737 doesn’t work with the sim’s flight planning and ATC, I’ve been flying with ATC disabled. Instead of getting it from ATC, I check the METAR and ATIS using SimBrief and assign myself an approach when it’s appropriate.
Navigraph is amazing. They have improved the interface so much recently (this year). Apps on mobile and or run in browser too. More and more integration into aircraft etc. I couldn’t live without it. I learned so much about flightplans, sid, stars etc. It’s all there visually in game. It would be great if they could bring their in game panel to xbox too. (but who knows with system resources)
One tip I got from another long time use (I forget who it was) is to use the DAL (Delta Airline Format) under “OFP Layout” in simbrief which formats the flightplan like Delta, the reason being most of the info you need (say for filling out the FMS in the 737) for a flight is all close to the top of the flightplan in one place.
Keep in mid there is still a progression open there. You still own all your purchases if you did move to PC and your peripherals would all still work. I made the move at the tail end of 2021 (from series X) and I’m still using my LG TV with the PC.
I think the biggest hassle these days making the switch other than sinking money into a PC is the install process. Just so many WU’s + re-downloads of purchases would be involved. Fine if you have good broadband I guess, but not everyone does. I really don’t ever relish the prospect of having to re-install all my sim software and add ons.
It does if you can import the simbrief flightplan into the world map first. (which I do regularly on PC). This is the other main xbox limitation with no filesystem access. Why didn’t they ever find a way to export simbrief flightplans to user’s cloud storage or something by now just for this purpose?
The CRJ is the same so FP->world map import for ATC and FP->FMS for navigation.
Here’s the post about it. It was @SkyVagrant4490 (a major thank you to him for this info) that put this thread together way back. All of you should read it for hints/tips on setting up the 737 FMS. (I had to do an epic forum search to find it). It was a very useful post to me when the 737 came out last year. A must read for all new 737 pilots
Great very useful couple more bits covered I did not know correct procedure.
Regarding ils if I want to a standard ils approach do I just tune one side of pedestal nav and course on autopilot panel? I keep losing the attitude diamond I believe I coming in at the correct attitude 2700,3000ft
For ILS yes manually tuned to one (pilot) side only for ILS approach with AP1.
However 737 also has autoland feature (has anyone tried it yet?). In order for autoland to work you need ILS frequ tuned on both NAV freqs (pilot and co-pilot side) both course selectors to runway course APP engaged (close in say <10miles) and both AP switches (pilot/copilot) turned on.
The approach charts available in Navigraph do show you target alt / FAF (maltese cross). The FMC should also have the correct altitude constraints/tragets in it so VNAV should get you down to correct altitude for final irrespective of what ATC tells you. (they are often late in this sim!).
Assuming you are entering it manually then I would definitely be checking that it is. If you put it in via entering a SID/STAR/arrival pulled from the FMC itslef then the target alts should be fine. Just pull up the STAR chart in Navigraph and check for the blue labelled “above/below/precisely at” FL alt constraints are to see. Also shows speed constraints in purple.
This is exactly what I do with the default a320 and ATC assigning approach.
I understand ATC would not work with 737, but I believe it does it you add the flight plan into world map as well as inputting it in the 737. Not sure if ATC would assign an approach though if I left that blank (set to automatic in world map).
Been thinking about the ATC thing on XBox and 737 and the only way minus a simbrief export/import to world map feature (which doesn’t exist for xbox) is to use the approach of -
Use simbrief to get your flightplan and perf data, fuel, loads etc
Use world map to choose the same departure runway SID, destination, STAR and approach (or leave automatic)
Manually enter the flightplan of either #1 or #2 into the FMS as your flightplan.
You should get ATC and have something resembling a close proximity of what is intended if you have full simbrief flightplan import, but now with ATC. It’s a workaround.
