Custom user map layers can be created and imported into ForeFlight Mobile using KML or KMZ Files. KML and KMZ are common file types used to display geographic information. Programs that allow the building and exporting of custom map shapes must be used to create custom map layers. Google's My Maps program is popular with users.
NOTE: KML/KMZ Files must be smaller than 200MB to appear in ForeFlight version 11.0. All older versions are restricted to less than 4MB.
ForeFlight's User Map Layers feature supports specific data types (See Google's KML Reference page) available in KML or KMZ files. They are contained primarily in the Geometry, StyleSelector, and SubStyle groupings (using the organization defined on the reference page). Below is the complete list of data types that ForeFlight supports.
- Point
- LineString
- LinearRing
- Polygon
- MultiGeometry
- Style
- StyleMap (only the "normal" style is supported)
- LineStyle
- PolyStyle
- IconStyle
- gx:LabelVisibility (only Google extension namespace currently supported)
If a file is imported into ForeFlight Mobile that includes elements not listed above, ForeFlight will ignore the unsupported elements.
Sample Files
The following files are examples of the flexibility of User Map Layers. The contents of each file can be viewed by opening them in a text editor or in ForeFlight Mobile.
- UserMapShapesSample.kml (65 KB) - Demonstrates the supported icon styles and examples of lines, polygons, and circles.
- US_Crude_Oil_Pipelines.kml (134 KB) - Basic map showing the network of crude oil pipelines in the US.
- US_HGL_Pipelines.kml (71 KB) - Basic map showing the network of HGL pipelines in the US.
- Texas_Counties.kml (1.5 MB) - Shows all county borders in Texas.
- Alaskan_Coast.kml (3 MB) - Detailed map outlining the state of Alaska. As with other large KML files, there will be a delay of up to a few seconds between tapping on the layer and it appearing on the map as the app works to render the file.
Last Updated: