User waypoints can be imported into ForeFlight Mobile by creating a properly formatted CSV file and then importing the file.
Creating a CSV File of User Waypoints
To create a CSV, use Excel or Google Sheets and organize the file with the following five columns :
WAYPOINT_NAME | Waypoint description | Latitude | Longitude | Elevation |
Once the column headers are established, fill in the waypoint information row by row. The waypoint name, latitude, and longitude are required items. If no text is entered, use ["] in the description column for non-required items.
Here is an example of user waypoint entries in a spreadsheet:
WAYPOINT_NAME | Waypoint description | Latitude | Longitude | Elevation |
MY_HOUSE | My house | 38.1 | -79.2 | 321 |
PROPERTY_ALPHA | The first house to observe | 40.588 | -80.1295 | 775 |
ANOTHER | "" | 39.22 | -81.966 | 413 |
Formatting Text
Waypoint Names: Waypoint names must:
- Be at least three characters long, including at least one letter.
- For example, "12A" is acceptable, but "123" is not.
- Be in all capital letters.
- For example, "THE_CABIN" is acceptable, but "The_Cabin" is not.
- Have no spaces between words. Instead, Use a "_" or "-" between words.
- For example, "THE_CABIN" or "THE-CABIN" is acceptable, but "THE CABIN" is not.
Waypoint Description:
Add an optional description of the User Waypoint. Use [""] in the description column if none is provided.
Latitude and Longitude:
Format latitude and longitude values in a numeric decimal-degree format (i.e., 34.7 or -81.457, where "negative" longitude indicates W). No other coordinate formats are supported.
Elevation:
Enter waypoint elevation information in feet with no 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 the CSV File
User Waypoint CSV files must be named:
user_waypoints.csv
The name must be in all lowercase letters and have no spaces.
Here is an example of a properly formatted User Waypoint CSV Sample File
IMPORTANT: Importing a waypoint with the same name as an existing waypoint will overwrite the existing waypoint.
Importing a CSV File into ForeFlight Mobile
CSV files can be imported into ForeFlight Mobile using Finder on a Mac, iTunes on a PC, or via a Content Pack.
OPTION 1. Importing User Waypoints via Finder on a Mac
STEP 1: Connect the iPad or iPhone to the computer via a USB cable.
STEP 2: Open Finder.
STEP 3: Click on the iPad or iPhone in the Finder sidebar under "Locations."
NOTE: If the iPad or iPhone does not appear, with Finder open, select Finder > Settings and check the box "CDs, DVDs, and iOS Devices." Choose Trust this iPad on the Mac. Choose Trust this Computer on the iPad or iPhone.
STEP 4: Click on Files.
STEP 5: Drag and drop the file onto the ForeFlight icon.
STEP 6: If necessary, click the Sync button in the lower-right corner. Wait for the copying to complete.
STEP 7: Launch ForeFlight Mobile on the iPad or iPhone.
STEP 8: Go to More > Custom Content > User Waypoints. ForeFlight will detect the newly added file and ask whether to import it as a User Map Layers file or as a User Waypoints file.
STEP 9: Select to import as either a User Map Layers file or as a User Waypoints file. ForeFlight will add the file to the proper list in More > User Content.
OPTION 2. Importing User Waypoints via iTunes on a Windows PC
STEP 1: Plug the iPad or iPhone into the computer via the Apple USB cord.
STEP 2: Start iTunes on the computer or wait for it to start automatically.
STEP 3: Inside iTunes, click on the iPad or iPhone icon. The connected device icon is near the top left of the iTunes screen.
STEP 4: Click on the File Sharing listing on the left of the device window. iTunes should then show all of the apps installed on the device.
STEP 5: Scroll through the apps and click on ForeFlight. A table called ForeFlight Documents will appear on the right.
STEP 6: Drag the user content files and drop them onto the ForeFlight Documents table. While the files are copied to the device, a brief 'Sync in Progress' message will be displayed on the device.
STEP 7: Open ForeFlight Mobile.
OPTION 3. Importing User Waypoints via a Content Pack
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 Finder.
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