SUPPORT CENTER

ForeFlight Mobile allows you to import your own collection of user waypoints into the app using a CSV or KML file.  CSV is a simple comma-separated format which can be exported from Excel or Google Sheets. KML is an XML-based format that can be easily created from programs like Google Earth.  

STEP 1.  Create a CSV or KML data file (not KMZ)

You will need to create a CSV or KML file.  For CSV files, use Excel or Google Sheets and organize the file with 4 columns where you will need to place the waypoint name, description, latitude, and longitude. The CSV file must be organized as follows:

Here is an example of how waypoint entries could look like in your spreadsheet:

Waypoint Names: In either a CSV or KML data file, waypoint names must:

Waypoint Description:  You can add a description of the User Waypoint to help you recall the user for the waypoint.  If you do not want to provide a description, you must use [""] in the description column.

Latitude and Longitude:  You will need to format your Latitude and Longitude (Lat/Long) values in the decimal-degree format (e.g., 34.7 or -81.457, where "negative" longitude values represent the western hemisphere). No other Lat/Long formats are supported for bulk importing.  

Elevation:  Enter waypoint elevation information in feet with no other symbols. Entering user waypoint elevation results in more accurate flight planning results and allows Profile View to display climbs and descents from user waypoints. 

Naming Your CSV or KML File:  User Waypoint CSV files must be named
"user_waypoints.csv" with all lower case letters and no spaces.  

We recommend you also name a KML file "user_waypoints.kml", but any filename ending .kml is supported, provided it contains only user waypoints.

• For CSV file:  user_waypoints.csv

• For KML file:  user_waypoints.kml

Sample CSV or KML File: Sample CSV and KML files are available at the bottom of this article.

STEP 2. Import your user waypoints into ForeFlight.

ForeFlight allows you to import your own collection of user waypoints into the app in several ways:

Option 1. Importing using a Content Pack, in the "navdata" folder (KML or CSV). 

Option 2. Importing from AirDrop (Works with KML files only)

Option 3. Importing from email (Works with KML files only)

Option 4. Importing using Finder or iTunes (Works with KML and CSV)

Note: if you import a waypoint with the same name as an existing waypoint, it will be used to overwrite the existing waypoint.

Option 1. Importing User Waypoints via a Content Pack (KML and CSV)

Step 1. Add the User Waypoint file to the "navdata" folder in a Content Pack.

Step 2. Import the Content Pack into ForeFlight Mobile via AirDrop, Email, hyperlink, linked Cloud Documents drive, or iTunes/Finder.

Option 2. Importing User Waypoints via AirDrop (KML only)

Step 1. Enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on both your Mac and iPad or iPhone.

Step 2. Drag a KML file from your computer's Finder into the AirDrop folder and drop it onto the device that you wish to transfer it to.

Step 3. A popup on the receiving device will ask what app you want to send the imported file to. Tap FOREFLIGHT.

Step 4. Confirm that you want to import the file contents as user waypoints. The new waypoints will then be added to the User Waypoints page in MORE > USER CONTENT.

Option 3. Importing User Waypoints via Email (KML only)

Step 1. Attach your user waypoints KML file to an email and send it to whatever recipient(s) you want to have the file (which may be your own email address).

Step 2. Open the email in the Apple Mail app

Step 3. Tap-hold on the attachment with the name of the file you want to import. 

Step 4. After the share option appears, swipe through the apps in the middle until you reach ForeFlight and tap COPY TO FOREFLIGHT.

Step 5. ForeFlight will open and the app will ask whether you want to import the file as a User Map Layers file or as a User Waypoints file. Make your selection.  

Option 4 a. Importing User Waypoints via finder (macOS Catalina 10.15 or later) 

Step 1: plug your iPad or iPhone into your computer via the Apple USB cable. 

Step 2: Open Finder. To do this if needed, you can search for Finder by clicking on the desktop background on your Mac and then pressing the spacebar and typing in "Finder". 

Step 3: Click on your iPad or iPhone in the Finder sidebar under "Locations". NOTE: If your iPad or iPhone do not appear, open Finder Preferences: Sidebar, and click the box "CDs, DVDs, and iOS Devices". (A popup may appear where you can choose to "Trust this iPad" on your Mac and on the iPad you will need to choose "Trust this Computer".)

Step 4: Click on Files. NOTE: If your iPad or iPhone do not appear, open Finder Preferences: Sidebar, and click the box "CDs, DVDs, and iOS Devices". 

Step 5: Drag & drop the User Waypoints file onto the ForeFlight icon. You can do this by dragging and dropping the user waypoint file onto the desktop and dragging it from there into the ForeFlight icon in Finder.  Or you can open a separate Finder window and drag the file from there.  

Step 6: If needed, click on the "Sync" button in the lower-right corner.

Step 7: Launch ForeFlight. After the copying has completed, launch ForeFlight on your iPad or iPhone, then tap More > Custom Content > User Waypoints. ForeFlight will detect the newly added file and ask whether you want to import it as a User Map Layers file or as a User Waypoints file. After choosing one or the other ForeFlight will add the file to the proper list in More > User Content.

Option 4 b. Importing User Waypoints via iTunes (KML and CSV)

Step 1. Plug your iPad or iPhone into your computer via the Apple USB cord.

Step 2. Start iTunes on your computer.

Step 3. Inside iTunes, click on the icon for your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch. You will find the device icons at the top of the iTunes screen. Make sure you click on the device that you want to copy files to.

 Image 1.  Click on iPad, iPhone, or iPad Touch icon.

NOTE:  If you don't see your device name listed, make sure it is plugged in properly. Try disconnecting the USB cable from both your device and the computer, and then plug it in again.

Step 4. Inside the window for your device, click on the 'File Sharing' button on the left. 

Step 5. Click on 'FOREFLIGHT'. 

Image 2.  Click on FILE SHARING and Tap on FOREFLIGHT.

 Step 6. On the right, you will see a listing of 'ForeFlight Documents'. If this is the first time you've added procedures to the app, this listing will be empty. Drag your "user_waypoints" file and drop it onto the 'ForeFlight Documents' table. 

 Image 3.  Drag your "user_waypoints" file onto the "ForeFlight Documents" table.

Step 7. Press the SYNC button in the lower right corner of iTunes.

Step 8. Launch ForeFlight on your iPad or iPhone.

Step 9. Go to the User Waypoints view inside the app (MORE > USER CONTENT > USER WAYPOINTS on the iPad, and MENU > USER CONTENT > USER WAYPOINTS on the iPhone). You will be prompted to imported the new data. 

Note: In iTunes, the imported file is renamed with "processed" in the name and will still be accessible via the iTunes file sharing view. It can then be deleted as needed. 

SAMPLE FILES:

CSV Example (111 bytes)

user_waypoints.kml (3.0 KB)