75. Files

Note that file locations can be overridden using command line options. See Command Line Options for more information.

File paths will differ if using one of the portable scripts (Portable Execution).

Tip

You can open all file locations from the main menu Tools -> Files and Directories.

75.1. Backups

Little Navmap creates a copy of the most important files on startup and keeps up to three additional backup files: ..._backup.sqlite to ..._backup.sqlite.2, for example. You can copy these files back to the original if you did something wrong.

This applies to the files for Userpoints, Logbook and Trails.

Furthermore, Little Navmap creates backups of important files when starting an updated version to avoid accidental data loss. These files end with ..._update-backup.1 to ..._update-backup.3.

75.2. Logs

Log files of Little Navmap are stored in the directories:

Windows: C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Local\Temp\abarthel-little_navmap.log
Linux: /tmp/abarthel-little_navmap.log
macOS: /var/folders/RANDOMIZED_DIRECTORY_NAME/abarthel-little_navmap.log Use the command below on the macOS terminal to find the log file and open it in Text Edit. Save the file to another place from where you can attach it to an email.
```
open -a TextEdit $(find /private/var/folders/ -name abarthel-little_navmap.log 2>/dev/null)
```

The Little Navmap keeps up to two log files and rotates these if the file size of 10 MB is exceeded. So you may find up to two log files abarthel-little_navmap.log and abarthel-little_navmap.log.1.

Send the log file abarthel-little_navmap.log if you like to report an error. All two are needed in some cases but sending the first is often sufficient.

Note

Please compress log and other files before sending them by email.

75.3. Trails

Aircraft trails are stored in separate files:

little_navmap.track: The main user aircraft trail shown on the map. Binary file. This trail can be exported
as a GPX using Export Flight Plan as GPX in the menu File.
little_navmap.logbooktrack and little_navmap_profile.track are temporary files for saving trails.

75.4. Configuration

The files use the Windows-INI style that has groups in square brackets and key=value lines. See here for more information about this type of configuration files.

All configuration files for my programs are stored in these directories:

Windows: C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Roaming\ABarthel
macOS: /Users/YOURUSERNAME/.config/ABarthel
Linux: $HOME/.config/ABarthel
little_navmap.ini: INI style configuration file. Text file. Can be opened with Open Configuration File.
little_navmap.history: The map position history. This is a binary file which cannot be opened in text editors.
little_navmap.lnmpln: Temporary flight plan file in LNMPLN format. This is used to reload changed flight plans without manual save.

Three more configuration files are created for customization of colors and styles:

little_navmap_fusionstyle.ini: INI style configuration file for customizing the GUI colors of the style Fusion.
little_navmap_nightstyle.ini: As above but for the style Night.
little_navmap_mapstyle.ini: INI style configuration file. Text file. Used for customization of the map display.

See Customizing General for more information.

Note

Note that Little Navmap might reset these files when being updated, but only after creating backup files. This is usually mentioned in the change log.

75.5. Disk Cache

The disk cache that is used to store all the downloaded online map tile images can be found here:

Windows: C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Local\.marble\data\maps\earth
macOS: /Users/YOURUSERNAME/.local/share/marble/maps/earth
Linux: $HOME/.local/share/marble/maps/earth

The cache directory earth contains one folder for each installed map theme.

You can delete the cache manually to save space if Little Navmap is not running.

Cache size can be changed on page Map Display in options.

75.6. Databases

Databases are stored in the directories:

Windows: C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Roaming\ABarthel\little_navmap_db
macOS: /Users/YOURUSERNAME/.config/ABarthel/little_navmap_db
Linux: $HOME/.config/ABarthel/little_navmap_db

All these databases are SQLite files which can be viewed with e.g. DB Browser for SQLite if you’re interested in relational databases.

The directory can be opened with Show Database Files.

Warning

Do not modify, move, rename or delete databases while Little Navmap is running.

Do not let the Navigraph FMS Database Manager update databases while Little Navmap is running. Little Navmap might crash, the update might fail or remain incomplete.

75.6.1. Scenery Library

The number of files depends on which simulators you have installed and which scenery libraries you have loaded.

The files are:

little_navmap_.sqlite: An empty dummy database. Can be ignored.
little_navmap_fsx.sqlite: Flight Simulator X
little_navmap_fsxse.sqlite: Flight Simulator - Steam Edition
little_navmap_p3dv4.sqlite: Prepar3D v4
little_navmap_p3dv5.sqlite: Prepar3D v5
little_navmap_p3dv6.sqlite: Prepar3D v6
little_navmap_msfs.sqlite: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
little_navmap_xp11.sqlite: X-Plane 11
little_navmap_xp12.sqlite: X-Plane 12
little_navmap_navigraph.sqlite: Navigraph navdatabase. Can be either the included database or an update installed by the Navigraph FMS Data Manager.

75.6.2. Userpoints

The file little_navmap_userdata.sqlite contains the user defined waypoints.

Little Navmap creates a copy on startup and keeps up to three additional backup files: little_navmap_userdata_backup.sqlite to little_navmap_userdata_backup.sqlite.2. You can copy these files back to the original database little_navmap_userdata.sqlite if you did something wrong.

Tip

Open this folder in your file manager using Show Database Files select the userpoint database and hit Ctrl+C (copy file) and Ctrl+V (paste file). This will add a copy of the database which will be named little_navmap_userdata (1).sqlite or similar.

This is the fastest way to create a backup.

You can apply the same to the Logbook files.

75.6.3. User Airspaces

The file little_navmap_userairspace.sqlite contains the user defined airspaces read by using Load User Airspaces.

It is backed up in the same way as the userpoints.

75.6.4. Logbook

The file little_navmap_logbook.sqlite is used to store logbook entries.

Little Navmap creates copies on startup and keeps up to two additional backup files for the user defined waypoints as described above.

75.6.5. Other Database Files

Additional files like

little_navmap_compiling.sqlite,
little_navmap_compiling.sqlite-journal,
little_navmap_temp.sqlite,
little_navmap_temp.sqlite-journal,
little_navmap_onlinedata.sqlite or
little_navmap_onlinedata.sqlite-journal

are used by temporary processes like the database compilation or online network data. These can be ignored.

75.7. Little Navmap Flight Plan File Format

LNMPLN files are flight plan files using the format specific to Little Navmap. They are in XML text format and can only be interpreted by Little Navmap. You can use any text editor to modify or look at the files.

See XML (Wikipedia) for more information about this file type.

The XML schema for validation can be found here: lnmpln.xsd.

Order of elements does not matter. Missing elements will be logged as warning except optional ones.

Flight Plan File Example. Documentation included as XML comments:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<LittleNavmap xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
              xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="https://www.littlenavmap.org/schema/lnmpln.xsd">
  <Flightplan>

    <!-- Coordinates are always latitude and longitude in decimal/signed notation -->
    <!-- Altitude in feet. -->

    <!-- ====== Header with metadata ====== -->
    <Header>
      <FlightplanType>IFR</FlightplanType>                 <!-- IFR or VFR as set in user interface -->
      <CruisingAlt>30000</CruisingAlt>                     <!-- feet -->
      <CruisingAltF>30000.0000</CruisingAltF>              <!-- Feet. Optional floating point altitude avoid
                                                                rounding issues when using metric values -->
      <CreationDate>2020-09-11T18:05:15+02</CreationDate>  <!-- Local time with timezone offset -->
      <FileVersion>1.0</FileVersion>                       <!-- File format version -->
      <ProgramName>Little Navmap</ProgramName>
      <ProgramVersion>2.6.0.beta</ProgramVersion>          <!-- Little Navmap version used for saving -->
      <Documentation>https://www.littlenavmap.org/lnmpln.html</Documentation>
      <Description>Flight plan remarks</Description>       <!-- Remarks as entered in user interface tab Remarks. -->
    </Header>
    <SimData>MSFS</SimData>                    <!-- Use simulator and AIRAC if available -->
    <NavData Cycle="2008">NAVIGRAPH</NavData>  <!-- Use navdata and AIRAC -->

    <!-- ====== Used aircraft performance ====== -->
    <AircraftPerformance>
      <FilePath>Normal Climb and Descent all Equal.lnmperf</FilePath>
      <Type>BE51</Type>
      <Name>Normal Climb and Descent</Name>
    </AircraftPerformance>

    <!-- ====== Departure parking position ====== -->
    <Departure>
      <Pos Lon="-120.538055" Lat="46.569828" Alt="1069.00"/>
      <Start>PARKING 1</Start>    <!-- Name of position -->
      <Type>Parking</Type>        <!-- Type of position.
                                       None, Airport, Runway, Parking or Helipad. -->
      <Heading>5.1</Heading>      <!-- True heading of the position -->
    </Departure>

    <!-- ====== Departure and arrival procedures ====== -->
    <Procedures>
      <!-- SID and STAR are resolved by name and runway when loading -->
      <SID>
        <Name>WENAS7</Name>             <!-- SID name. Only five character SIDs. -->
        <Runway>09</Runway>             <!-- SID departure runway if applicable. -->
        <Transition>PERTT</Transition>  <!-- Transition name if used -->
      </SID>
      <!-- Alternative to SID. Selected runway for departure plus length of runway extension line. -->
      <SID>
      <Name>KYKM9</Name>
        <Runway>9</Runway>
        <Type>CUSTOMDEPART</Type>
        <CustomDistance>3.00</CustomDistance>
      </SID> -->
      <STAR>
        <Name>PIGLU4</Name>             <!-- STAR name. Only five character SIDs. -->
        <Runway>16</Runway>             <!-- STAR arrival runway if applicable. -->
        <Transition>YDC</Transition>    <!-- Transition name if used -->
      </STAR>
      <!-- Approaches are resolved by either ARINC or the combination of Name, Runway, Type and Suffix -->
      <Approach>
        <Name>TATVI</Name>                   <!-- Optional approach name. Name of approach fix.
                                                  ARINC is required if this is not given. -->
        <ARINC>I16-Z</ARINC>                 <!-- ARINC name of the approach.
                                                  Type, runway and optional suffix. -->
        <Runway>16</Runway>                  <!-- Optional approach runway.
                                                  Not given for circle-to-land approaches. -->
        <Type>ILS</Type>                     <!-- Optional approach type -->
        <Suffix>Z</Suffix>                   <!-- Optional approach suffix -->
        <Transition>HUMEK</Transition>       <!-- Transition name if used -->
        <TransitionType>F</TransitionType>   <!-- Optional Transition type if available. -->
      </Approach>
      <!-- Alternative to approach. Selected runway for approach plus length of runway extension line,
           altitude at start of final and offset angle.
      <Approach>
        <Name>CYLW34</Name>
        <Runway>34</Runway>
        <Type>CUSTOM</Type>
        <CustomDistance>3.00</CustomDistance>
        <CustomAltitude>1000.00</CustomAltitude>
        <CustomOffsetAngle>0.00</CustomOffsetAngle>
      </Approach> -->
      </Procedures>

    <!-- ====== Alternate airports ====== -->
    <Alternates>
      <Alternate>
        <Name>Penticton</Name>                                 <!-- Optional name -->
        <Ident>CYYF</Ident>                                    <!-- Required ident -->
        <Type>AIRPORT</Type>                                   <!-- Optional type -->
        <Pos Lon="-119.602287" Lat="49.462452" Alt="1122.00"/> <!-- Optional position.
                                                                    Helps to resolve the correct airport. -->
      </Alternate>
      <Alternate>
        <Name>Grand Forks</Name>
        <Ident>CZGF</Ident>
        <Type>AIRPORT</Type>
        <Pos Lon="-118.430496" Lat="49.015633" Alt="1393.00"/>
      </Alternate>
    </Alternates>

    <!-- ====== En-route waypoints including departure and destination ====== -->
    <!-- The elements Ident, Type and Pos are required to resolve the waypoint in the database.
         Region is optional and used for resolving if given.
         Procedure waypoints are never included. -->
    <Waypoints>

      <!-- ====== Departure airport. Other waypoint types are allowed for flight plan snippets. ====== -->
      <Waypoint>
        <Name>Yakima Air Terminal/Mcallister</Name>
        <Ident>KYKM</Ident>
        <Type>AIRPORT</Type>
        <Pos Lon="-120.543999" Lat="46.568199" Alt="1069.00"/>
      </Waypoint>

      <!-- ====== User defined waypoint ====== -->
      <Waypoint>
        <Name>User defined point</Name>
        <Ident>USERPT</Ident>
        <Region>K1</Region>
        <Type>USER</Type>
        <Pos Lon="-120.848000" Lat="47.676601" Alt="24960.89"/>
        <Description>User waypoint remarks</Description>       <!-- Remarks as entered in user interface -->
      </Waypoint>

      <!-- ====== Direct to waypoint ====== -->
      <Waypoint>
        <Ident>DIABO</Ident>
        <Region>K1</Region>
        <Type>WAYPOINT</Type>
        <Pos Lon="-120.937080" Lat="48.833759" Alt="30000.00"/>
      </Waypoint>

      <!-- ====== Airway waypoints ====== -->
      <Waypoint>
        <Ident>IWACK</Ident>
        <Region>K1</Region>
        <Airway>J503</Airway>  <!-- Airway leading towards this waypoint -->
        <Type>WAYPOINT</Type>
        <Pos Lon="-120.837067" Lat="48.932140" Alt="30000.00"/>
        <Description>Waypoint remarks</Description>
      </Waypoint>
      <Waypoint>
        <Ident>CFKNF</Ident>
        <Region>K1</Region>
        <Airway>J503</Airway>
        <Type>WAYPOINT</Type>
        <Pos Lon="-120.767761" Lat="49.000000" Alt="30000.00"/>
      </Waypoint>

      <!-- ====== Destination airport.
                  Other waypoint types are allowed for flight plan snippets. ====== -->
      <Waypoint>
        <Name>Kelowna</Name>
        <Ident>CYLW</Ident>
        <Type>AIRPORT</Type>
        <Pos Lon="-119.377998" Lat="49.957199" Alt="1461.00"/>
      </Waypoint>
    </Waypoints>
  </Flightplan>
</LittleNavmap>

75.8. Aircraft Performance File Format

LNMPERF files are files containing aircraft performance files using the format specific to Little Navmap. They are in XML text format and can only be interpreted by Little Navmap.

See XML (Wikipedia) for more information about this type of configuration files.

The XML schema for validation can be found here: lnmperf.xsd.

Order of elements does not matter. Missing elements will be logged as warning except optional ones.

Aircraft Performance File Example. Documentation included as XML comments:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<LittleNavmap xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
              xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="https://www.littlenavmap.org/schema/lnmperf.xsd">
  <AircraftPerf>

     <!-- ====== Header with metadata ====== -->
    <Header>
      <CreationDate>2020-11-16T22:43:35</CreationDate>
      <FileVersion>1.0</FileVersion>
      <ProgramName>Little Navmap</ProgramName>
      <ProgramVersion>2.6.4.beta</ProgramVersion>
      <Documentation>https://www.littlenavmap.org/lnmperf.html</Documentation>
    </Header>

     <!-- ====== Options ====== -->
    <Options>
      <Name>Epic E1000 G1000 Edition</Name>  <!-- Aircraft name - free text -->
      <AircraftType>EPIC</AircraftType>      <!-- Aircraft ICAO type which is matched to simulator aircraft ICAO type -->
      <Description>Climb: 80% torque, 1600 RPM, 160 KIAS, max ITT 760°
Cruise: FL260-FL280, 1400 RPM, adjust torque to 55 GPH fuel flow, max ITT 760°
Descent: Idle, 250 KIAS

https://www.littlenavmap.org</Description>  <!-- Remarks as entered in user interface tab Remarks. -->
      <FuelAsVolume>0</FuelAsVolume>        <!-- 0: Used fuel unit is lbs. 1: Used fuel unit is gal. -->
      <JetFuel>1</JetFuel>                  <!-- Indicator for fuel type needed when switching between
                                                 units in user interface.
                                                 Also checked for simulator aircraft. -->
    </Options>

    <!-- ====== Performance data. All values are either lbs or gallons depending on FuelAsVolume.
                Speed is always TAS. Vertical speed is always ft/min. Fuel flow measure in unit per hour. ====== -->
    <Perf>
      <ContingencyFuelPercent>5.0</ContingencyFuelPercent>
      <ExtraFuelLbsGal>0.000</ExtraFuelLbsGal>
      <MinRunwayLengthFt>1600.000</MinRunwayLengthFt>
      <ReserveFuelLbsGal>500.000</ReserveFuelLbsGal>
      <RunwayType>SOFT</RunwayType>                    <!-- Either HARD (hard only), SOFT (hard and soft),
                                                            WATER (water only) or WATERLAND (equals to either WATER or SOFT) for amphib -->
      <TaxiFuelLbsGal>20.000</TaxiFuelLbsGal>
      <UsableFuelLbsGal>1900.000</UsableFuelLbsGal>
      <Alternate>
        <FuelFlowLbsGalPerHour>361.000</FuelFlowLbsGalPerHour>
        <SpeedKtsTAS>302.000</SpeedKtsTAS>
      </Alternate>
      <Climb>
        <FuelFlowLbsGalPerHour>464.807</FuelFlowLbsGalPerHour>
        <SpeedKtsTAS>185.220</SpeedKtsTAS>
        <VertSpeedFtPerMin>2479.589</VertSpeedFtPerMin>
      </Climb>
      <Cruise>
        <FuelFlowLbsGalPerHour>361.000</FuelFlowLbsGalPerHour>
        <SpeedKtsTAS>302.000</SpeedKtsTAS>
      </Cruise>
      <Descent>
        <FuelFlowLbsGalPerHour>222.000</FuelFlowLbsGalPerHour>
        <SpeedKtsTAS>201.000</SpeedKtsTAS>
        <VertSpeedFtPerMin>2000.000</VertSpeedFtPerMin>
      </Descent>
    </Perf>
  </AircraftPerf>
</LittleNavmap>