NZFF

My "update" went smoothly ... but, as with previous patches, it appears some things get fixed while other (previously working) things get broken [sigh].

My typical test-bed departure/arrival airport is Auckland, NZ (NZAA) and I'm surprised to see all my ILS approaches have disappeared. I don't use the rolling cache and I've tried with and with out all Community add-ons - and after numerous sim and PC restarts. NZWN seems to be OK.

Anyone else losing any approaches?

Is there any way I can force a Navdata refresh/reload?

Adam.

Believe it or not, this is just the sim nav data update keeping in line with the real NZAA during runway works replacing concrete slabs around the threshold of runway 05R. It's annoying for us in the real world too, but there's an AIP supplement (page 32) out for it between 05 Nov 2020 to 30 Dec 2020. Whilst the reduced landing/take off distance is effective, the ILS is unavailable in both directions.



A new RNAV-T approach has been published as of 5th November tailored to the displaced threshold. It is available in the sim- although someone needs to update the NZAA scenery with new markings 1235m down the strip for it to make visual sense! You might also notice all the STAR's into Auckland that went via RD NDB (Miranda) have changed as RD was decommissioned and replaced by GPS waypoint MERAS.

Edit: Out of interest, just went for a test fly. You can still tune and fly the ILS as normal- you just can't preselect it from the FS world map flight planning screen.

Yes, as Andy said that is actually correct at the moment! Incidentally I was very, very confused doing the vol updates this month, when I had to take out all of the ILS plates and not replace them I was sure I was missing something.

ardypilot wrote:Edit: Out of interest, just went for a test fly. You can still tune and fly the ILS as normal- you just can't preselect it from the FS world map flight planning screen.

Thanks, Andy, for all that tremendous info. It looks like MSFS is actually doing the correct thing in this case!!

Yes - I can tune the ILS as per usual, but the current (dev) build of the FBW A320 isn't recognising it. That may be a work-in-progress bug though. I'll try some other airliners ;-)

Adam.

now that is bringing a new meaning to "up to date"in the flight sim world

The ILSs should be back again for the 31 Dec airac nav cycle.
The works will take approx 6 weeks, however, for safety they have allowed for 2 airac cycles, which covers 8 weeks. Even if the works finish early the ILS's will remain off until the airac changeover.
The reasoning is that by aligning it with airac cycles then only the approaches available for use at that time will appear as selectable approaches in the CDU or MCDU. This can only be done with a new cycle.

Makes sense to me too ... and that's good news, many thanks!