Hi all

Looking to pick some FMS expert brains here please!

How do Airlines implement AIRAC/NOTAM changes affecting new ATS Routes/SIDs/STARs? It has been said that an airliner cannot switch from the dormant FMS database to the active database in-flight should the airframe be in the air at 00:00 UTC at an AIRAC date.

How do Airlines do it then? The notion that (in the year 2012) a FMS cannot automatically switch to the dormant database while in flight is almost unbelievable.

If this is indeed the case, how do Airlines get around this? Do airports or ANSPs around the world allow carriers a grace period for updating FMS' with new STARs etc?

How long does a typical AIRAC update take on the average airframe?

Thanks - all help will be most appreciated!