Cessna 172 GPS and LittleNavMap Example Flight in X-Plane 11.5

Summary

This video tutorial showcases programming a flight plan using Little Navmap and flying it in the Cessna 172 within X-Plane 11.5. The host guides viewers through connecting Little Navmap to X-Plane, creating a flight plan, saving it, and importing it into the aircraft's GPS system. The tutorial includes a demonstration flight, highlighting the use of autopilot and navigation features, and concludes with a landing at Zell am See Airport, providing a comprehensive guide for flight simulation enthusiasts.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video demonstrates using the Cessna 172 in X-Plane 11.5 with Vulcan Graphics drivers.
• 📍 The tutorial includes programming a flight plan in Little Navmap and transferring it to the Cessna 172.
• 🛫 The aircraft is spawned at Saint Johann Tyrol in Austria, with a planned flight to Zell am See (ZLMC).
• 🔗 It's important to connect Little Navmap to the correct simulator via the Tools menu for accurate flight plan synchronization.
• 📈 The video shows how to add waypoints to the flight plan and adjust altitude to avoid obstacles, such as hills.
• 🗂 After creating the flight plan, it's saved to the X-Plane FMS in a specific directory, which is crucial for later steps.
• 🔄 A key feature is the ability to load flight plans directly into the aircraft's GPS system from the saved files.
• ✈️ The video covers the process of starting the aircraft, including power-up and engine run-up, before the flight.
• 🎮 The GPS system in X-Plane is linked to the autopilot, which is used to follow the programmed flight plan.
• 🛬 The tutorial concludes with a demonstration of flying the planned route, using the autopilot in various modes, and landing at the destination airport.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is demonstrating how to use the stock Cessna 172 in X-Plane 11.5, focusing on programming a flight plan in Little Navmap and executing a flight using the flight plan.

Why was there a request to show programming a flight plan in Little Navmap?

The request was made to demonstrate how to program a flight plan in Little Navmap, pull it into the Cessna 172, and conduct a flight to showcase the process in a methodical manner.

What are the key steps involved in programming a flight plan in Little Navmap as described in the script?

The key steps include setting the departure and destination airports, adding waypoints, adjusting altitude to avoid obstacles, saving the flight plan to X-Plane FMS, and ensuring the correct simulator connection.

Why is it important to use a topo map setting in a mountainous area in Little Navmap?

Using a topo map setting in a mountainous area is important because it provides a clear view of the terrain contours and the heights of the peaks, which is crucial for safe navigation and planning flight paths that avoid obstacles.

How does the script suggest loading a flight plan into the Cessna 172's GPS system in X-Plane?

The script suggests loading a flight plan into the Cessna 172's GPS system by saving the plan to the X-Plane FMS, then accessing the flight plans directory within X-Plane and selecting the saved plan to load it into the GPS.

What is the purpose of the autopilot in the Cessna 172 during the flight as described in the script?

The autopilot in the Cessna 172 is used to automatically follow the programmed flight plan, maintaining the correct heading, altitude, and navigating through the waypoints without manual input from the pilot.

How does the script describe the process of taking off and initial climb in the Cessna 172?

The script describes the process of taking off by aligning the aircraft with the runway, setting the throttle, and using the nose wheel steering. After lift-off, the initial climb involves setting the flaps, managing the throttle, and trimming the aircraft to maintain a steady climb.

What is the significance of the 'alt t' keyboard command in X-Plane as mentioned in the script?

The 'alt t' keyboard command in X-Plane is used to accelerate the simulation's time, allowing the aircraft to cover ground more quickly without affecting other simulation aspects, which is useful for testing or covering long distances rapidly.

How does the script detail the approach and landing process in the Cessna 172?

The script details the approach and landing process by disabling the autopilot, manually controlling the aircraft, adjusting flaps for deceleration and lift, and using the parking brake and engine settings to come to a stop on the runway.

What is the final step described in the script after landing the Cessna 172?

The final step after landing is to taxi back to the parking area, turn off all the lights, lean the engine out, and turn off the master switches, completing the flight simulation.