Introduction to Custom Flight Plans in AeroSimulations

Creating custom flight plans for freeware aircraft in AeroSimulations opens up a world of realism and personalization. While default flight plans get you from A to B, a custom plan allows you to fly real-world routes, practice instrument procedures, explore scenery, and simulate challenging weather conditions. Freeware aircraft often lack the pre-loaded airline route networks or complex FMS databases found in payware add-ons, making manual flight plan creation a valuable skill. This guide covers everything from basic file structure to advanced techniques like SIDs, STARs, and fuel optimization, ensuring you can fly any route with confidence.

Whether you are using Microsoft Flight Simulator, X‑Plane, or another platform, the principles remain similar. AeroSimulations freeware aircraft are designed to work with standard flight plan formats (commonly .fpl, .txt, or platform-specific XML), and this guide will focus on the most universal methods. By the end you will be able to create, edit, and troubleshoot flight plans for any freeware aircraft, enhancing your simulation experience without spending a dime on add-ons.

What is a Flight Plan in AeroSimulations?

A flight plan is a digital file that tells your aircraft’s navigation system where to go. It contains a sequence of waypoints (defined by latitude/longitude, ICAO airport codes, or navaids) along with altitudes, speeds, and optional procedure codes. In freeware AeroSimulations aircraft, the flight plan may be read by the default GPS, a 3D cockpit FMS, or an external plugin. Understanding the structure helps you adapt plans for different aircraft.

Most flight plans include:

  • Departure Airport (ICAO code, e.g., KJFK)
  • Arrival Airport (ICAO code, e.g., KLAX)
  • Waypoints (navaids, fixes, or user-defined coordinates)
  • Altitude constraints (cruise altitude and step climbs)
  • Speed constraints (optional, for realism)

Some freeware aircraft support additional fields like SID (Standard Instrument Departure), STAR (Standard Terminal Arrival Route), and Airways. We will cover those later.

Prerequisites for Creating Custom Flight Plans

Before diving in, make sure you have:

  • A text editor – Notepad++ (Windows), BBEdit (Mac), or Visual Studio Code work well. Avoid plain Notepad for large files.
  • Basic navigation knowledge – Understanding of waypoints, bearings, and altitude is helpful.
  • Freeware aircraft installed – Ensure the aircraft supports manual flight plan entry (most do).
  • Optional tools – Little Navmap (free, open-source flight planner) or SimBrief (online dispatch tool) can generate complex routes automatically.
  • Real-world charts – Use resources like SkyVector or Navigraph for accurate airways and procedures.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Basic Flight Plan

1. Locate Your AeroSimulations Flight Plan Directory

Flight plans are usually stored in the simulator’s “Documents” folder or a subdirectory inside the aircraft’s panel folder. Common locations:

  • MSFS: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\MISSIONS\Custom or …\FlightPlans\
  • X‑Plane: X-Plane 11/Output/FMS plans/ or Output/FlightPlans/
  • Prepar3D/FSX: Documents\Flight Simulator Files\

If your freeware aircraft uses a custom folder (e.g., inside the aircraft’s …/nav/ or …/FMSCoordinates/), check the manual. When in doubt, create a new flight plan via the simulator’s built-in interface and note where it saves.

2. Open Your Text Editor and Define Basic Info

Start a new file. The first line typically contains the departure and arrival ICAO codes, sometimes with a route type. For example, in X‑Plane format:

3 version 1
KJFK KLAX

For MSFS or generic .txt plans, you might write:

DEP: KJFK
ARR: KLAX

Check if your aircraft expects a specific header. Look at existing flight plans in the directory to replicate the structure.

3. Add Waypoints

Waypoints are the heart of your route. Each waypoint can be:

  • Airport – Use ICAO code (e.g., KJFK).
  • Navaid – VOR, NDB, or fix name (e.g., DIXIE VOR, “DIXIE”). Ensure it’s in the simulator’s database.
  • Lat/Lon Coordinates – Useful for custom waypoints. Format: N40°38'25.2" W073°46'41.1" or decimal: 40.6403 -73.7781.
  • Airway – Some formats allow you to specify a vector between two waypoints along an airway (e.g., “J6” for Jet airway 6).

Example waypoint list for a KJFK→KLAX route using navaids:

  • DIXIE (VOR)
  • COATE (fix)
  • J80 (airway) to FNT (VOR)
  • … (many cross‑country waypoints)
  • DAG (VOR)
  • LAX (VOR)

Each line in the file usually represents a waypoint. For example, in X‑Plane format:

KJFK
DIXIE
COATE
FNT
…

4. Specify Altitudes and Speeds

Many freeware FMS allow altitude constraints per waypoint. Formats vary. In a generic FMS plan, you might write:

KJFK 0 0
DIXIE 30000 250
COATE 35000 280
…

The numbers are altitude (feet) and speed (knots IAS) at that waypoint. Not all aircraft support speed constraints; check the manual. For aircraft without FMS, the flight plan may only be used for the GPS, and altitude is set manually. In that case, omit altitude and speed.

5. Save with the Correct Extension

Freeware aircraft often expect certain file extensions:

  • .fpl – common for many freeware add-ons
  • .txt – sometimes accepted by default GPS units
  • .xml – for some MSFS or X‑Plane plugins

Name the file descriptively, e.g., KJFK_KLAX_001.fpl. Save it in the flight plans directory you located in step 1.

6. Load and Validate the Flight Plan in Your Simulator

Launch AeroSimulations with your freeware aircraft. Open the FMS (if equipped) or the default GPS. Look for a “Load Flight Plan” option. Select your file. Verify that all waypoints appear correctly, and the total distance and estimated time are reasonable. If waypoints are missing, the database might not contain them; use coordinates instead. Test with a short flight (e.g., a 100‑mile cross‑country) before tackling a long‑haul route.

Advanced Flight Plan Techniques for Freeware Aircraft

Incorporating SIDs and STARs

SIDs and STARs are published procedures that help departures and arrivals align with airway structures. Many freeware aircraft can read SID/STAR codes if the navigation database includes them. To use them, you need an up‑to‑date nav database (like the free Navigraph FMS Data Manager trial). In your flight plan file, insert the procedure name after the departure airport and before the first en‑route waypoint. Example for KJFK – expect a runway‑specific SID like “JFK5 MERIT” (runway 13L):

KJFK
JFK5 MERIT
MERIT
…

Similarly, a STAR (e.g., “SADDE6” into KLAX) goes before the arrival airport:

…
SADDE6
KLAX

If the aircraft doesn’t support procedure codes, you can manually insert the waypoints listed on the chart from SkyVector. That way you still fly the published route.

Using Airways for Long Distance Routes

Airways are the highways of the sky. Instead of listing every single fix, you can specify the airway between two VORs. For example, from FNT (Flint, Michigan) to JOT (Joliet, Illinois) via Jet airway J91. In some flight plan formats you can write:

FNT J91 JOT

Check if your freeware aircraft’s FMS supports airway syntax. If not, use Little Navmap to “flight plan along airways” – it will automatically expand the airway into individual fixes. Then copy those fixes into your manual file.

Fuel and Altitude Optimization

Custom flight plans let you plan step climbs for fuel efficiency. Real airlines climb gradually as weight decreases. In your plan, split the cruise portion into segments at different altitudes. Example for a 2,500‑nm flight:

  • KJFK → DIXIE: FL300
  • DIXIE → FNT: FL340
  • FNT → DAG: FL360
  • DAG → KLAX: FL380

Use SimBrief or Little Navmap’s built‑in fuel planning to calculate required fuel. Enter the final fuel load in your aircraft’s payload/fuel screen. Freeware aircraft often have simplified fuel systems, but estimating reserves (45 minutes of holding) keeps it realistic.

Common Pitfalls and Troubleshooting

  • Waypoint not found – The navaid or fix is not in the default database. Use lat/lon coordinates instead. You can find coordinates on SkyVector.
  • Flight plan not loading – Incorrect file extension or format. Examine an existing default flight plan with a text editor to see the exact format the aircraft expects.
  • Altitude constraints ignored – The aircraft’s FMS may not support altitude in the flight plan file. Set altitudes manually via the autopilot altitude knob.
  • Procedures (SID/STAR) not recognized – Update your nav database. Free alternatives include the Navigraph FMS Data Manager trial or the user‑generated FSFans Database.

To streamline your workflow, use these free or low‑cost tools:

  • Little Navmap – A full‑featured flight planner and moving map. It can generate flight plans in many formats (including user‑definable). Export to .fpl or .xml.
  • SimBrief – An online dispatch tool used by real pilots. Enter your route, and it creates a detailed flight plan with fuel, winds, and suggested altitudes. Export as plain text to adapt for your freeware aircraft.
  • Navigraph Charts – Subscription‑based but offers the most accurate worldwide charts and nav data. Many freeware aircraft use the default nav database; updating with Navigraph ensures SIDs/STARs work.
  • SkyVector – Free online charts for US airspace. Great for finding fixes and airways.
  • VATGlasses – A free tool to visualize airspace structure, helpful for understanding traffic flows if you fly on VATSIM.

Example Full Flight Plan: KJFK to KLAX

Below is a complete example using only navaids and fixes (no SIDs/STARs) that should work with most freeware FMS. The route follows a typical east‑west jet route.

KJFK
DIXIE VOR
COATE
FNT VOR
J91 JOT VOR
J91 OVR
J91 IRK VOR
J91 LBF VOR
J91 CYS VOR
J91 OCS VOR
J91 DVC VOR
J91 BCE VOR
J91 DAG VOR
LAX VOR
KLAX

Set cruise altitude between FL340 and FL380. This route uses airway J91 from FNT to DAG (you would need to expand J91 into individual fixes if your aircraft does not support airway syntax – Little Navmap can do that for you). For the manual file, you can list each fix along J91 as above.

Tips for Freeware Aircraft Specificities

  • Check the manual – Many freeware aircraft include a PDF that explains the FMS or GPS operation. Look for a “Flight Plan” section.
  • Test with the default GPS – If the aircraft’s custom FMS is buggy, load the flight plan into the simulator’s default GPS (e.g., G1000 or GNS530) to verify the route. Then copy the waypoints into the custom FMS manually or via the flight plan file if supported.
  • Use a universal format – Some freeware developers follow the “XP11 FMS” format (extension .fms) or the “FSX/Prepar3D” format (.pln). Convert using Little Navmap’s export tool if needed.
  • Keep it simple initially – Start with a short VFR route (e.g., KSEA KPDX) using only airport codes and a few visual landmarks. Once comfortable, move to IFR cross‑country.

Conclusion

Creating custom flight plans for freeware AeroSimulations aircraft is not only possible but rewarding. It transforms your virtual flying from simple point‑to‑point hops into realistic, procedure‑based navigation. With the tools and steps outlined above, you can build routes that match real‑world airline operations, explore complex airspace, and enhance your overall simulation experience. Start with basic waypoints, experiment with altitudes, and gradually incorporate SIDs, STARs, and airways. The more you practice, the more natural it becomes. For further reading, explore the Avsim forums and the MSFS SDK documentation if you want to dive into file format specifications. Happy flying!