MSFS-Makerwys compared to SimConnect FacilityRequestData

[roarkr]

I do have issues when reading the correct heading of runways with MakeRwys 5.13.

 

Example: KSEA runway 16L,16C and 16R

 

Headings of runways when reading from Runways.csv( the other Runway formats have the same issue) 

KSEA	161	47.46379	-122.308	433	161	11890	110.3
KSEA	162	47.46383	-122.318	415	161	8493	110.75
KSEA	163	47.46381	-122.311	430	161	9418	111.7

MagVar for KSEA is 16, so it is 177 compared to 180 via SimConnect.

When I read the heading via MSFS's SimConnect FacilityRequest i get 180

 

I am not saying that MakeRwys gives faulty data, but why do I get different results.

 

When I use the data from MakeRwys in my app, my airplane is not alighed correctly with the runway heading, but with a offset of 3 degrees.

When I use the data from SimConnect in my app, the airplane is correcly align with the runway heading in MSFS.

 

It is not only KSEA, I just used it as an example.

 

This issue was not there before. Could it be something in the latest MakeRwys version?

[Pete Dowson]

19 hours ago, roarkr said:

This issue was not there before.

Before what?

MakeRwys just reads what it says in the BGLs. That's never been changed. Maybe the MagVar at the time of the scenery build was 3 degrees different to now. Is MSFS using updated data but not applying this to the sceneries?

Please note that MakeRwys is no longer being maintained. The source is now open to developers -- John will give you the details if you need them.

Pete

 

[John Dowson]

8 minutes ago, Pete Dowson said:

The source is now open to developers -- John will give you the details if you need them.

Details are currently on the Download Links -> Useful additional programs page, and will also soon be on www.fsuipc.com (once I have gotten around to updating this page):

Quote

 

Note that MakeRunways is now closed for further development, as Peter Dowson, the original author of this product, has now retired. However, you can download the source and update for your own needs. The source code for this utility is available on GitHub at the following location: https://github.com/jldowson/MakeRunways/. If you would like to take over development and support of this product, please PM me (John Dowson).

 

John

[roarkr]

I believe "Is MSFS using updated data but not applying this to the sceneries?" could be the cause of this problem.

If that is the case then MakeRwys can't be used to get the correct airport info by reading the BGLs.

 

Anyway, thanks for your reply.

 

Data from Little NavMap also give different Heading values for airport runways than those found using MakeRwys. They are the same as found with SimConnect.

Conclusion: MakeRwws data is not correct. and time to skip it.

 

[John Dowson]

Could it be the magvar (bgl) data? See https://www.aero.sors.fr/navaids.html : (from Dr P3D)

Quote

 

Updated Magnetic variation data for FS9 FSX-P3D-MSFS Magnetic variation data calculated by FS9 date back to 1988 and have significantly changed (several degrees in some parts of the world). Those used by FSX, P3Dv1-4 and MSFS are identical and date back to 2009. P3DV5 uses more recent data (around 2018-2019). You can download the latest MAGDEC file from here:- https://www.aero.sors.fr/navaids.html

But 3 degrees seems a big magvar change....Let me know if you update/try this and get better results....

John

[Pete Dowson]

On 1/19/2023 at 12:50 PM, roarkr said:

I believe "Is MSFS using updated data but not applying this to the sceneries?" could be the cause of this problem.

The runway data provided in the runway files (Runways.csv, R5.bin and Runways.xml) does include the MagVar stated in the airport data file. If you have later MagVar figures you could use those, but the TRUE heading is still correct using the Mag Heading AND the MagVar supplied in the Makerwys data. TRUE headings don't change.

I expect newer add-on airports will already have more up to data MagVars included.

Makerwys is designed to extract and provide data from the airport files in BGLs. I'm sorry if this is not what you want.

Pete

 

 

[Pete Dowson]

15 hours ago, John Dowson said:

But 3 degrees seems a big magvar change.

It changes more rapidly in some parts of the world than others, and 2009 is 14 years ago! I believe it can get into double figures during such a period in NW America. 

Pete