Seattle Avionics

[Palmer180]

Is SA out of business? Don’t answer email, ph number doesn’t work, haven’t released new data to replace what expires today. Have others have been able to download the new data starting 8/7/25 using data manager, and the problem is my end?

 

[Bob Y]

Haven’t checked this morning, but I had the same issue last night. Maybe still recovering from Air Venture?

 

[Palmer180]

Haven’t checked this morning, but I had the same issue last night. Maybe still recovering from Air Venture?

I’d expect the updates to be automated…

 

[GatorsR1]

SA merged with (was bought out by) APG. As a matter of fact, I renewed my subscription at the vendor booth while at AirVenture (Oshkosh). Reckon I better try Data Manager to see if it works (it's update time).

 

[Palmer180]

Is SA out of business? Don’t answer email, ph number doesn’t work, haven’t released new data to replace what expires today. Have others have been able to download the new data starting 8/7/25 using data manager, and the problem is my end?

In their defense I called an old number. Left msg on the new one.

 

[Marc_J._Zeitlin]

I emailed them yesterday. They responded and said that they're running late but that the update would be available later yesterday, which obviously it wasn't. So they either lied or were mistaken, but in any case they're still there and hopefully will have the update later today. You can always download the Dynon update from the Dynon page, but the charts/etc. are apparently late.

SA's Data Manager sucks, but there really isn't another worthwhile game in town.

 

[boblid]

Just checked 1047 hrs Pacific Time. No updates available.

 

[lavallejd]

Well Marc, you were able to get through to someone. Today I've only talked on the APG chat, with zero success. Call phone numbers for both Seattle and APG with zero response. So I guess we wait

 

[Marc_J._Zeitlin]

I sent another email this morning to the same person (Scott Hebert), with no response. Thankfully, it looks to be VFR from CA to Syracuse, NY from Friday to Sunday, so the charts will be less critical, but that's just me. I wrote:

"It is now 24 hours since you sent this message. No notification was sent and no update is available as of 9:18 AM PDT on 8/6/2025 (today). When do you expect to have the update available to fulfill your contractual obligations to your customer?"​

Garmin had no trouble updating their database for the Garmin GPS175 on time, so we know it's not an "FAA can't supply the info" problem - the issue is clearly with SA. This:

Enshittification - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

comes to mind...

 

[airguy]

Not the first time this has happened, and I'm sure it won't be the last. I am envisioning a computer server running in a closet of an abandoned flop house, maintained by a starving college student who occasionally goes on a weeklong bender and forgets he is supposed to have a job to do.

 

[lavallejd]

All,
Just got off the phone with Matt at APG support. It was their goof up and not ours. Expect new dBase to reflect at 0000Z (3 more hours).
Matt also asked everyone to verify your ChartData manager is version 6.6.0.2.
Good luck, everyone.

 

[kurtfly]

still no database downloads available at this time (7:16 PM Texas)

Kurt

 

[kurtfly]

If you Google Seattle Avionics troubles you get this back.

 

[Palmer180]

AIRMATE – Préparation et suivi de vols

 

[kurtfly]

I still do not have the cycle that starts today. However, there is hope they did not go out of business.
Got this email this morning from Seattle:



Hello Kurt, and thank you for contacting us.

The new cycle (2508) of ChartData is being released now, in phases, by avionics/app type. I do not know the order of release. We apologize for the delay due to a technical problem.

Best Regards,

Matt
-
Matt Key

Seattle Avionics Support Team

 

[bspatz]

It would be very helpful (and easy) for SA to make an announcement of the delay/status/ETA. Something on their blog at seattleavionics.com/blog/ or their email list would reassure their customers and reduce customer support inquiries so they can focus on restoring service. Blue Skies!

 

[lavallejd]

In the 5 years of using Seattle Avionics, this is only the second glitch I've experienced, first one of this magnitude.
Good news is they were able to meet the cycle date deadline. All is good and I am happy today.
The last glitch was a software revision that didn't get installed (on my part).
So here is hoping for another 5 years of glitch free service.

 

[Palmer180]

They did not meet the cycle date deadline. Previous expired 10 hours before I was able to update mine.

 

[andresmith76]

As of this morning, I can verify Seattle Avionics has updated the Chart Data. So much for AI . . .

"Shall we play a game???"

 

[Rhino]

AIRMATE – Préparation et suivi de vols

That has problems and drawbacks too, though probably not as many problems as SA. There are other threads about it here.