Understanding the Foundations of Custom Scenic Routes

Creating custom scenic routes in flight simulation games transforms routine flights into immersive journeys. Whether you fly in Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, or DCS World, designing your own paths lets you discover landmarks, practice navigation, and tailor experiences to your skill level. This guide walks you through the entire process—from choosing a region to saving and sharing your route—so you can fly with purpose and enjoy the best views the digital skies offer.

Before you begin, it helps to understand the core components: waypoints, terrain awareness, route planning tools, and aircraft performance. Mastering these elements ensures your routes are both scenic and safe. For a deeper dive into flight planning basics, check out the FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge—though aimed at real pilots, its principles apply directly to sims.

Step 1: Choose Your Flight Area

Selecting the right region is the most creative part of route building. Start by asking: What kind of scenery moves you? Coastal cliffs, mountain ranges, urban skylines, or historical landmarks? Most sims include detailed global terrain, but third-party add-ons can enhance specific areas.

Where to Find Inspiration

  • Real-world flight paths: Sites like SkyVector show actual airspace and waypoints you can replicate.
  • National parks and preserves: Maps from the National Park Service help you locate points of interest.
  • Online communities: Forums like the Flight Simulator Forums often share popular scenic routes.

Once you pick a region, open the sim’s in-game map or a tool like Little Navmap (free, open source) to zoom in and mark potential waypoints. Focus on geographic features—lakes, rivers, valleys, mountain peaks—that will look stunning from the air.

Consider Your Aircraft’s Capabilities

A light GA plane like a Cessna 172 has a shorter range and lower cruising altitude than a jet. For scenic routes, slower aircraft are often better because they give you more time to appreciate the landscape. Match your route length to your aircraft’s endurance, and always account for fuel reserves. If you’re flying a high-speed fighter, keep the route short and use high pass speeds over landmarks.

Step 2: Plan Your Route with Waypoints

With your area chosen, it’s time to plot waypoints. A waypoint is a specific location defined by coordinates (latitude/longitude) or a VOR/NDB station. In modern sims, you can often place waypoints by clicking directly on the map.

Structuring a Scenic Route

  1. Departure point: Choose an airport or airstrip near the start of the scenic area.
  2. Initial climb: Plan a climb to a safe altitude (usually 2000–5000 feet AGL) that clears terrain by at least 1000 feet.
  3. Key waypoints: Place them at intervals that keep the aircraft over interesting terrain. For example, over a waterfall, along a ridge, and around a historic building.
  4. Turning points: Use gentle turns (no more than 30 degrees of bank) to keep the ride smooth and maximize views.
  5. Final approach: End at an airport or a scenic landing strip. If you just want a tour, you can end the route at a waypoint and then pause or return.

Tools for Precision Planning

  • Little Navmap: An open-source moving map that integrates with MSFS, X-Plane, and Prepar3D. It allows detailed route creation, elevation profiles, and airspace checks.
  • In-game flight planner: Each sim has its own planner. MSFS’s World Map is intuitive but limited in waypoint density. X-Plane’s built-in planner lets you import custom data.
  • Google Earth: Export KML files from Google Earth to visualize terrain in 3D, then import them into your sim using tools like FS2020 KML to FlightPlan.

Altitude Strategies for Scenic Views

Altitude dramatically affects what you see. Low altitude (500-1500 feet AGL) offers intimate views of terrain but requires careful terrain clearance. Medium altitude (3000-5000 feet AGL) is a sweet spot for most landmarks—close enough to see details but high enough to stay safe. High altitude (8000+ feet) gives you panorama views but loses ground detail. Mix altitudes on long routes: climb for grand views, descend for close-ups over specific points.

Step 3: Integrate Real-World Navigation Skills

Using real navigation techniques not only makes your route more authentic but also sharpens your flying skills. Consider including a VOR radial crossing, a DME arc, or a visual checkpoint sequence. For example, “Fly heading 270 until you see the lake, then turn to intercept the 095° radial from the Big Bear VOR.” This adds a layer of immersion that passive following of GPS can’t match.

Understanding Airspace and Restrictions

Even in flight sims, respecting controlled airspace, special use airspace (restricted, prohibited, MOAs), and temporary flight restrictions is good practice. Many sims model real-world airspace boundaries. Use VFR or IFR rules as you prefer, but always check the map for potential conflicts. You can disable traffic and ATC in the sim, but adhering to airspace rules makes the experience more realistic and avoids confusion when flying with real players online.

Step 4: Build and Save Your Route

With your waypoints plotted, it’s time to transfer them into a format your sim can use. Most sims support .pln (MSFS), .fms (X-Plane), or .flp (Prepar3D) files. Here’s a general workflow:

  1. Export your waypoints from Little Navmap or the in-game planner.
  2. Name the file clearly (e.g., “Grand_Canyon_Tour.pln”).
  3. Save it to the appropriate folder:
    • MSFS: `%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\FlightPlans`
    • X-Plane: `X-Plane 12\Output\flightplans`
    • Prepar3D: `%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Prepar3D v5 Files`
  4. Open the sim, load the flight plan, and verify waypoints appear on the map.

Testing Before the Real Flight

Do a dry run using the sim’s replay or by flying the route at double speed. Check that:

  • No waypoints are missed or out of order.
  • Altitude changes are smooth and within aircraft limits.
  • Terrain clearance is adequate along the entire path.
  • The flight time matches your expectations (and fuel load).

If you find a waypoint that requires a sudden climb over a mountain, adjust its position or altitude. You can also add intermediate points to break up long legs.

Step 5: Enhance the Scenic Experience

Creating a route is only half the fun; maximizing the visual experience is the other half. Use these techniques to make each flight memorable:

Time of Day and Weather

Sunrise and sunset cast long shadows that emphasize terrain contours. Overcast days mute colors but can create a moody atmosphere. Use the sim’s weather engine to set clear skies, high clouds, or even seasonal effects like snow. For coastal routes, try a morning flight with clear skies and a light wind—perfect for smooth flying and sharp reflections on water.

Camera and View Controls

Most sims offer external views, drone cameras, and instrument panel views. During your scenic flight, pause occasionally and switch to free camera to capture screenshots or simply admire the view. In MSFS, the drone camera (keyboard shortcut `Insert`) lets you detach from the aircraft and fly around freely. Use it to frame your aircraft against a landmark for stunning photos.

Add-On Scenery and Mods

Improve your landscapes with free or paid add-ons:

  • OrbX: High-quality handcrafted regions like the Pacific Northwest or New Zealand.
  • MSFS Marketplace: Official world updates that enhance specific countries.
  • Forums and files: Sites like flightsim.to offer thousands of user-made sceneries.

Step 6: Share and Iterate Your Routes

The flight simulation community thrives on shared experiences. Once you’ve perfected a scenic route, share it with others.

How to Share

  • Export the flight plan file and upload it to a file sharing service or a forum like the FS Elite Forums.
  • Write a brief description including aircraft recommendations, estimated flight time, and highlight landmarks.
  • Include a screenshot or a short video to entice others.

You can also form virtual tour groups. Many online VATSIM events include scenic fly-ins. Prepare your route in advance and invite fellow pilots to join you.

Continuous Improvement

Weather, time of day, and aircraft can change how a route feels. Refly old routes in different seasons or at night to see them anew. Use the sim’s replay feature to review your flight path and adjust waypoints for better flow. Over time, you’ll develop an intuition for what makes a route truly special.

Advanced Techniques: Dynamic Scenery and Live Weather

For pilots who crave unpredictability, integrate live weather feeds. MSFS and X-Plane can pull real-world weather, which may create unexpected clouds, winds, or precipitation along your route. This tests your adaptability and makes each flight unique. Similarly, dynamic scenery (moving ships, animals, traffic) can turn a static route into a living environment. Enable these in sim settings where available.

Using Waypoint Actions

Some flight planners let you assign actions to waypoints—like setting an altitude or speed change, or triggering a radio call. In X-Plane’s FMS, you can program a “fixed” waypoint with a crossing altitude. Use these to automate climbs or descents over specific terrain so you focus on sightseeing.

Conclusion: Fly Your Own Path

Custom scenic routes breathe new life into flight simulation. They replace aimless wandering with purposeful exploration and skill development. By carefully choosing your area, planning precise waypoints, testing your route, and then sharing it, you contribute to a community of virtual aviators who value both flight and artistry. Install a map tool, pick a landmark you’ve always wanted to fly over, and start building. The skies are yours to design.