Hi AV61,
No the updates are not automatic and have to be inserted manually. You can do this by clicking on an unknown aircraft and if its in the d/b its details will be downloaded. if they are not they can be added manually through database explorer.
To do this click file, database explorer, top line of pop up box, selct table change to aircraft, then click Show All then Add Record, abox will be open type in the hex, then click on the next box, click edit cell and type in the registration and so on along the line. When finished click anywhere on the grid to save. When complete you can come out of database explorer.
Another way but not very good is click My log on the line above the map, then Tools, and Populate and OK and if you have picked up an unknown which is now in the d/b it should populate d/b explorer.
Hope this helps
Have you downloaded and installed the latest Navdata update from the sticky list at the top of the page?
Alan