This is a small Python script which can be used for an automatic extension of the default 18/30 miles of ILS systems in X-Plane.
The default range to receive an ILS signal in X-Plane 11 is 18 miles for GS and LOC and 30 miles for the identifier. This is not too realistic, as even if the aviation authority defines the ILS range to be 18 miles, it can be received much further away. Furthermore, virtual controllers might give you vectors beyond this range and it is not always easy to fly the final track accordingly. Thats why I created such as a script to extend the ranges. Localizer only approaches are untouched at the moment!
Tested with Python 3.9.2. May work with other Python versions as well.
- Just copy the two files into any folder
- Update the path to your earth_nav.dat in
tunerconfig.py(UsuallyC:\X-Plane 11\Custom Data\earth_nav.dator similar)
python tuner.py
You can define your own rules how the tuner script behaves.
Update the tunerconfig.py accordingly.
Airport config will overwrite Region config.
As I have to start several tools to have my full setup, I created a batch file to open several applications. Within this startup process, I included the script, to update the earth_nav.dat everytime. So e.g. if you update your navdata with Navigraph, the script will take the latest file and modifies it so that you do not need to remind yourself to run the tuner. So even after getting the newest AIRAC, the script will perform the tuning and update the ranges.
You are running the script by your own risk! Yes, it will update your earth_nav.dat file when configured correctly! Do a backup upfront! Be sure to not publish the modified files as Navigraph has the copyright.