Runways.txt / Runway identifiers are greyed out

[aivlasoft]

Purpose of the file

Due to the fact that navigation data is 'up-to-date'(if you are using the latest AIRAC cycle) but FSX data is some years old, it might happen that the runway identifiers between navigation data and simulator data do not correlate. There are several reasons for this such as new runways in real world, no longer used runways in real world, or simply because the runway identifier has been changed due to shifting of the earths magnetic field.

 

Where to find the file

Depending on the operating system on your computer, the 'Runways.txt' file can be located on the DataProvider computer as follows:

 

Windows VISTA, Windows 7

C:\Users\[user Name]\Documents\AivlaSoft\EFB\UserData

 

Windows XP

C:\Documents and Settings\[user Name]\My Documents\AivlaSoft\EFB\UserData

 

Content of the file

The runways.txt file contains information about the correct assigning of FSX runway identifiers and navigation data runway identifiers.

 

The data format is as follows:

Column 1: ICAO 4-letter code of the affected airport

Column 2: FSX runway identifier

Column 3: Navigation data runway identifier

 

Warning messages

Whenever you experience the following exception message on the screen of the DisplayUnit, you must pay attention to the DataProviders window. There you can see the details of the assignment problem at the requested airport.

runway_assignment_warning_DataProvider.png[/attachment]

 

Request for Airport [KTPA] from '127.0.0.1' received.

Navdata runway ident 01L at airport KTPA could not be assigned to FSX runway.

Navdata runway ident 01R at airport KTPA could not be assigned to FSX runway.

Navdata runway ident 28 at airport KTPA could not be assigned to FSX runway.

Navdata runway ident 10 at airport KTPA could not be assigned to FSX runway.

Navdata runway ident 19L at airport KTPA could not be assigned to FSX runway.

Navdata runway ident 19R at airport KTPA could not be assigned to FSX runway.

Available FSX runways at this airport are as follows: 18R, 36L, 18L, 36R, 09, 27

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What to do now?

 

Step 1:

For each FSX runway (see the line "Available FSX runways ...") you have to add a line to the runways.txt file:

 

KTPA 18R

KTPA 36L

KTPA 18L

KTPA 36R

KTPA 09

KTPA 27

 

Step 2:

Then you have to determine which runway identifier of the navigation data must be assigned to each of the FSX runways:

 

KTPA 18R 19R

KTPA 36L 01L

KTPA 18L 19L

KTPA 36R 01R

KTPA 09 10

KTPA 27 28

 

Step 3:

Save the file.

 

Step 4:

Go to the DisplayUnit's settings dialog, tab "Miscellaneous" and press the button "Reset airport data cache".

 

Step 5:

Reload the airport by pressing "Airports", then "Last selected ..."

 

 

 

 

Note:

1) Sometimes, especially if new runways have been built at the real world airport, it is required to get some more information about the airport to figure out the correct assignment. The internet is a good source for such information. If you have navigation data for a new real world runway but this runway is not available in FSX you don't have to add a line.

 

2) If a runway in real world has been closed but is still available in FSX, you will no longer find navigation data for such a runway. In such a situation use the word "nil" for the third column, e.g.: ABCD 22L nil

 

3) If you experience a runway assignment exception message, it is important to always define ALL runways from an airport, regardless whether they have changed or not!

 

4) The content of the runways.txt has priority over the current BGL file content. Whenever EFB finds some lines for a certain airport in this file, these lines will be considered as the runway assignments which have to be used. If the assignments are not properly defined, or if these lines are not (no longer) needed due to new scenery data or new/changed navigation data, it can cause problems too. In other words, if you have the latest scenery of a certain airport installed and you have installed the latest AIRAC cylce and you find some lines of this airport in the runways.txt file, then these lines most probably can be removed.