Custom flight plans are the backbone of effective flight simulation training. In Aerofly FS, the ability to create and fly your own routes transforms a generic simulation session into a purposeful, scenario-driven exercise. Whether you are a student pilot preparing for a cross-country checkride or a seasoned aviator practicing instrument approaches, tailoring your flight path to match real-world procedures builds muscle memory and decision-making skills. This article walks you through every step of building custom flight plans, from understanding the built-in planner to using advanced techniques that mirror actual aviation workflows.

Understanding the Flight Planning Features in Aerofly FS

Aerofly FS includes a fully integrated flight planner that allows you to construct detailed routes using a clickable map interface. Unlike some simulators that require external tools for complex waypoint entry, Aerofly FS keeps the planning process inside the cockpit environment. You can set departure and arrival airports, insert intermediate waypoints, adjust altitude constraints, and define speed limits for each leg. The planner also supports direct-to routes, procedure loading (SIDs, STARs, approaches), and the ability to save and reload plans.

The key components of the Aerofly FS flight planner are:

  • Map display: Shows terrain, airports, VORs, NDBs, and airway intersections. You can zoom and pan to place waypoints with precision.
  • Waypoint library: Includes all default navigation aids plus user-added fixes. You can search by identifier or name.
  • Altitude/speed editor: Each waypoint can have a target altitude and indicated airspeed. The simulator will automatically create vertical and speed schedules between waypoints.
  • Route preview: Before saving, you can see the total distance, estimated time en route, and fuel burn based on your selected aircraft.

Familiarizing yourself with these elements is essential before moving to the creation process. Open the flight planner from the main menu or while paused in-flight, and explore the map to understand how waypoints snap to airways and how altitude constraints are visualized.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Custom Flight Plans

The following steps will help you build a complete flight plan from scratch. For best results, have a sectional chart or an electronic flight bag (EFB) open alongside Aerofly FS to reference real-world waypoints and airways.

Step 1: Open the Flight Planner

From the main menu, select "Flight Planner" or use the keyboard shortcut (default is F8) while in the cockpit. The planner window opens on top of the map, showing your current location if you were already in flight. If you are at the main menu, choose an aircraft and departure airport first, then open the planner.

Step 2: Select Departure and Arrival Points

Use the search bar to enter the ICAO codes for your departure and arrival airports. The planner supports all default airports. If you want to start from a runway-specific position, select the runway after choosing the airport. For arrival, you can also set a specific runway or an Initial Approach Fix (IAF).

Step 3: Add Intermediate Waypoints

Click on the map at any location to add a waypoint. A list of nearby navigation aids or user-defined fixes will appear. You can also type the name of a VOR (e.g., "FIX" or "LAX") in the waypoint window. To create a route that follows an airway, hold the Ctrl key while clicking consecutive points along the airway; the planner will automatically snap to published intersections.

For realistic training, use waypoints that match actual flight routes. For example, a typical flight from KLAX to KSFO might include waypoints like DARTS, AVE, and SXC. You can find these on free chart sources such as SkyVector or FAA Aeronautical Products.

Step 4: Set Altitudes and Speeds

After placing waypoints, click on each waypoint in the route list to open its properties. Enter a target altitude (e.g., 21000 for cruising at FL210) and a target airspeed in knots. You can also set a vertical speed constraint for climb or descent segments. For training, simulate ATC clearances: assign altitudes that mimic step-climbs or published crossing restrictions.

Step 5: Save and Name Your Flight Plan

Click the "Save" button and give your route a descriptive name, such as "KLAX-KSFO_SID_STAR" or "ILS_Practice_Rwy27L." The plan is stored locally and can be loaded from the same planner menu. You can also export the plan as a .FPL file for sharing with other Aerofly FS users on forums like Aerofly's official community.

Step 6: Load and Fly Your Plan

Return to the aircraft selection screen or go back to the cockpit. In the flight setup menu, choose "Load Flight Plan" and pick your saved route. The GPS or MFD will display the magenta line along your planned track. Engage the autopilot (if desired) to follow the lateral and vertical profile automatically.

Advanced Planning Techniques for Realistic Training

Once you master basic creation, incorporate these advanced strategies to elevate your training sessions.

Using Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs) and Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs)

Although Aerofly FS does not automatically load SID/STAR procedures in the planner, you can manually replicate them using waypoints from the published charts. For example, the "DAGGS6" departure from KLAX contains waypoints like VNY, PMD, and DAGGS. Add these in order and assign altitude constraints as shown on the chart. This teaches you how to read and fly procedures—a critical skill for instrument rating candidates.

Incorporating ILS Approaches

To practice precision approaches, include the final approach fix (e.g., I-MAH for ILS 25L at KMAH) as your last waypoint before the runway. Set the altitude to the glideslope intercept altitude (usually 2000-3000 ft AGL) and speed to approach speed. When you fly the plan, intercept the localizer and glideslope manually or with the autopilot.

Creating Emergency Scenarios

Use the flight plan as a scaffold for emergencies. For instance, plan a normal route but manually trigger an engine failure at a specific waypoint. You can also design a plan that includes a diversion to an alternate airport by adding a second leg from the failure point. Practice declaring mayday, navigating to the alternate, and executing a non-precision approach.

Fuel Planning and Weight & Balance

Aerofly FS does not simulate fuel burn as deeply as some add-on aircraft, but you can still estimate fuel usage based on cruise speed and distance. Use external tools like SimBrief to generate a complete flight plan with fuel, payload, and alternate requirements, then transfer the waypoints to Aerofly FS. This bridges the gap between simulation and real-world flight planning.

Tips for Realistic Flight Training

Creating a flight plan is only half the battle. To maximize realism, adjust the environment and your own procedures.

Use Real-World Routes

Base your plans on actual airline or general aviation routes. Services like FlightAware show historical tracks, or you can use published high-altitude airway charts. Flying a route that real pilots fly—such as the Golden Triangle (LAX-SFO-JFK) or a VFR corridor like the Hudson River Exclusion—builds situational awareness for future cross-country flights.

Adjust Weather Conditions

Aerofly FS offers a comprehensive weather engine. Set winds aloft to match the direction and speed of your planned route. Use real METARs and TAFs from your departure and destination airports—available on Aviation Weather Center—to configure wind, visibility, and cloud layers. Practicing in low visibility and turbulence prepares you for challenging real-world conditions.

Simulate ATC Communications

While Aerofly FS does not include a native ATC, you can self-monitor by recording your clearances. Read back altitude assignments, heading changes, and approach clearances aloud. This habit reinforces radio phraseology and backs up your planned route.

Practice at Different Times of Day

Change the simulation time to dawn, dusk, or night. Dusk is particularly challenging due to glare and reduced depth perception. Night VFR training is valuable for pilots transitioning to instrument flying.

Use Checklist Flows with Your Plan

Print out your flight plan and attach it to a kneeboard reference. For each waypoint, run a flow: verify altitude, check fuel, confirm navigation source. This simulates the cross-checking process used in real cockpits.

Add a Second Pilot (Multiplayer)

Aerofly FS supports multiplayer. Invite a friend to act as a pilot monitoring. They can read the flight plan waypoints while you fly, or vice versa. This adds crew resource management (CRM) practice.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced sim users fall into traps when building plans. Watch for these pitfalls:

  • Ignoring altitude constraints: A plan without altitudes forces the autopilot to default to hold mode. Always set at least a cruise altitude for the en route segment.
  • Using non-existent waypoints: Aerofly FS uses a specific database. Verify that your waypoints are in the simulator's database by searching them before adding. If not, use latitude/longitude coordinates as custom fixes.
  • Overcomplicating the route: For training, a simple three-waypoint plan (departure, en route fix, arrival) is more effective than a 20-waypoint procedure. Complexity adds workload but may distract from the skill you are practicing.
  • Forgetting to save: Always save your plan before closing the planner. The simulator does not autosave unsaved plans.

Conclusion

Custom flight plans transform Aerofly FS from a casual sim into a dedicated training tool. By learning the planner's features, following a systematic creation process, and applying real-world techniques such as SIDs, STARs, and weather configuration, you can replicate the precision required for actual flight. Start with simple routes and gradually increase complexity as you gain confidence. The skills you build in the virtual cockpit will transfer directly to your logbook. Open the planner today and design the flight that challenges your next milestone.