Microsoft Flight Simulator | XBOX | Flight Planning Made Easy || Getting Started Guide

In this, the second GETTING STARTED video we take a look at the basics of flight planning and cover off what you need to know to get yourself up in the air and flying to your next destination. Focused on the Xbox version of Microsoft Flight Simulation, but applies to the PC version as well.
REFERENCED LINKS
Getting Started - finding your way around MSFS: • Microsoft Flight Simul...
MSFS Xbox Flight Controllers: • XBOX FLIGHT CONTROLLER...
Thrustmaster Hotas One Config Guide: • MSFS | XBOX Series X &...
TIME STAMPS
00:00 Introduction
01:00 World Map
08:22 VFR
16:14 IFR
20:00 Manual Flight Plan
24:16 Final Comment
SIMHANGER Channel Link: / simhangerflightsimulation
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✈ Would you like to support the Simhanger Channel? Well you could buy me a coffee here :) www.buymeacoffee.com/SIMHANGER
Looking for help with MSFS, then check out my HOW TO GUIDES, link to playlist here: • MSFS HOW TO GUIDE
MSFS on Xbox playlist can be found here: • MSFS on XBOX
Thanks for watching!

[@SimHangerFS]

See my follow up video on Flight Planning here kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHbbaaCIoM2qntU

[@ChristyKrohne]

You know what will be amazing: Having a Career mode. You as a young boy going to Flying School. After getting your Pilot License(PPL), Then your CPL starts your career eg. with very small Courier Company(s) racking up flying hours. You then work your way up in big Airliners flying planes like the Airbus 747 and A380. That will give you purpose and imagine the lifespan of the game.

[@SimHangerFS]

In this video I take a look at the basics for flight planning in MSFS, applicable to both Xbox and PC versions. If anybody is interested in a more advanced tutorial on SID's and STAR's etc. let me know. Thanks for watching.

[@patrickunderwood5662]

Yours are the friendliest, most straightforward, most accessible tutorial videos I’ve found. They’ve helped tremendously. Thanks! (Although I don’t quite understand why MS has made it necessary for a whole army of youtubers and third-party developers to be required to make sense of the thing.) Speaking of which, one thing I’d love to see, is instructions for FSUICP converted from “on the spectrum” mumbo-jumbo into regular English that non-programmers can understand. You could be that guy!

[@boston19801]

You are the best teacher ever, we should have people like you in every field

[@glenndefrancesch3557]

Hi Mark, great tutorial. Very interested in learning more about SID's and STAR's. Keep up the great work. 👍

[@keithk9472]

Thank you for this video. I never realised I could set a flight plan with different way points in msfs. I'm playing on the pc version. It's good to know I am able to do the planning on this. Thank you.

[@alastairneill4229]

Thank goodness you're out there simplifying all matters MSFS! Thank you, you have been a great help! As for SID's and STARS.....it's a "Yes Please" from me!

[@aerofart]

Superb videos, Mark. You’ve explained and described with grace and eloquence what I haven’t managed to find in weeks of searching. I just discovered your channel and intend to enjoy watching every one of your shows! Well done, bravo and thank you! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@billyaz933]

Hello Mark. Great tutorial and a special thank you for doing this on the Xbox. I'll be checking out your followup video next.

[@hakky1337]

Love your videos man, very informational. I definitely learned a couple of things i didnt know about in this, now i cant wait to try them out, thank you for this and keep up the great work.

[@danielbooker3508]

Excellent tutorial!!!! I fly on PC and your tutorials have helped me immensely. And YES to SID’s and STAR’s lessons please. Keep em coming!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@smnbee75]

I've just started playing this game, thanks for these guides, subbed

[@FintanMoloney]

Great tutorial and easy to follow. Learned a lot and excited to try getting some flight plans going. Will add a lot to the overall game experience !

[@weircottage]

Brilliant as always. Can’t wait to find an Xbox X then revisit these tutorials. Then join one of your planned get togethers. Certainly one of the very best sources of practical instruction available. Thanks.

[@zenair250]

Excellent very informative as usual. Looking forward to the next one.

[@patrickunderwood5662]

And, yes! SIDs and STARs. In fact, a whole graduated series of GA IFR would be wonderful.

[@TheMack]

Really enjoy your videos. The presentation is top notch and it's so easy to follow. Thank you for sharing!

[@i-robbie8114]

Thanks for this, I’m enjoying your videos. I would be interested in SIDS and Stars to incorporate them in my planning. I often do the IFR planning, along with an ILS approach, but haven’t considered SIDS and Stars, so look forward to that. Thanks.

[@shantanumathur1059]

Mark love each and every of your tutorials. Keep up the good work.

[@caskraker]

Very good quality tutorial! Love to see some more on SIDs and STARs too. You have helped me a lot in selecting a Series S for my return to FS after 15 years off the grid. Greatly appreciated!

[@SimHangerFS]

Welcome back to flight sim 😀👍

[@xjay1234]

Wonderful tutorial! My Series S is arriving today. So helpful. I can't wait to plan and save my flight plans!

[@JoseLNazario]

Great video. You provide very good tutorials and how to videos. Keep up the great work, very appreciated!

[@hfkwong109]

This is one of the BEST tutorial and it solves a lot of my questions. Thank you so much.

[@oxomoclimbing]

Great stuff....thank you very uch for your time. Really appreciate your videos and the way you explain. o7

[@stewartsamson835]

Excellent, easily understood explanation, thanks very much. I would love to hear more about SIDS and STARS 👍

[@navyguyrb]

Many thanks! Covered a lot i didn’t know using xbox S!

[@sebastienlevels5693]

Great overview! Looking forward to the next one!

[@themtoniraniremaxbroker2447]

I have Learned More from You Sir than I can Count!! Many thanks from Canada!! Super!!

[@RobinMorris-FollowMeChaps]

Thanks Mark, yet another BRILLIANT vid, very clear and concise. I'm really enjoying my flying now and will build up the courage to join a hosted flight once I get my joystick - gotta wait for next month's birthday

[@SimHangerFS]

Hi Robin, thanks for the great feedback. You will be very welcome to join our fly-in event…it’s very relaxed and we are here to help. 👍

[@RobinMorris-FollowMeChaps]

@@SimHangerFS great feedback follows great videos 😁

[@peterbassey9668]

SIDs and STARs next please Mark. I’ve so enjoyed this one, I can hardly wait. I have just taken to flight planning on the PC version and it’s been amazing but it’s been hair-tussling for me with regard to SIDs and STARs. I’ve found myself spending longer getting that worked out than the duration of some flights! Crazy, eh?!

[@dirkcornelisashleytaljaard6673]

thank you this helped greatly much appreciated. great tutorial

[@Pindi44]

Wonderful tutorial, informative and very well presented, thank you.

[@lordscorch1128]

Wonderful video, thank you. I learned so much.

[@NormanHolden]

Great tutorial as usual -- would very interested in a "step-by-step" on SIDs and STARS - thank you

[@mahmoodnshah]

Awsome, kindly keep on keep on posting videos.

[@beauthompson5338]

Hi Mark great video I like to learn how to do an ILS approach as part of the flight plan

[@diybeyond3dbus127]

I don't have XBOX (yet), but this really is a great tutorial, and works on PC as well. Thank you, I love it :)

[@CarlandCrez]

Thanks for great video, I use pc have had sim for a while but didn't know I could change or add way points on the plan in sim, I'd been using little navmap for that. Would like to see more on stars etc

[@265petsar]

Hi Mark another great video as usual. Would like you to go into the Sids and Stars in as simpler form as possible, you are the best when it comes to helping others with MFS, and we appreciate all the hard work you put in them to help people like me. I am disabled and in constant pain which makes it difficult to read and maintain information, however your videos have helped me so much in the past year, thank you Mark.

[@manuelc.3286]

You are the Best so far....superb explanations...

[@mattm.1274]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@xburk550]

Great info! Thank you!

[@stephenchristopher9243]

Hugely helpful many thanks

[@markusz1956]

Thanks for the great video! 👍

[@yungdro247]

Thank you for making this video

[@thebmorephotography]

Great video definitely would love to see more on IFR and setting up ILS etc fairly straightforward to setup but wondering what to do in cockpit to “make it work” Thanks

[@hakky1337]

i second this haha

[@canberroo2509]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@jhrober357]

I'm very late to this party and new to MSFS on Xbox. A "former" licensed pilot (Commercial w/Instrument) ... MSFS 2020 has recaptured my interest. I think your videos are outstanding. Concise overviews done at a good pace for easy understanding. Bravo!

[@SimHangerFS]

Thank you 😀

[@streetphone4619]

Nice video. Liked and Subbed. Cheers!

[@J3DPrints]

Great video for us newbies thanks

[@zoro07able]

great for beginner like me - very well explained - thanks.any project on flying VOR and NDB's?

[@MykeyMix]

Awesome Sir,clear and precise and not rushed 🙂👍🏼Sids and stars would be great!

[@SimHangerFS]

SID’s & SYAR’s here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJTOf4SfatmrY80

[@dublinairportplanes]

For someone who is experienced in setting waypoints and adding SIDS and STARS this video was actually good revision. It would bs nice to manually add alt to the different waypoints for VNAV instead of using the FMC or MCDU. The way infinite flight do it is good. so for example FL160 at xxx and 3000 feet for xxx etc

[@greekdude1280]

thank you SimHanger

[@cs.ko.1610]

I could listen to your voice for ever, it's so relaxing :)

[@SimHangerFS]

🤗

[@TMerica199]

I love this guy. It’s like David Attenborough took up flight simming

[@SimHangerFS]

🤣

[@debrahmrmrs8957]

Hi Mark Great video can you do a video setting up radio buttons for atc plz

[@nextlaunch1]

Great video, really like the way you explain things 😄 now only to find a series x…

[@boston19801]

You are The David Attenborough of flight simulation

[@davidduncan5982]

Great video and very helpful. Is there a way to delete flight plans once they are saved?

[@keithk9472]

I'd love to see a tutorial on Sids & Stars too. Thanks.

[@mindartis4081]

Great vid thanks

[@davybloggs1564]

GREAT video mark - VERY helpful and informative. I've been using FS2020 from the beginning (once it would actually install!!), but have never created a flight plan. Thanks for posting this, and all your other tutorials.

[@DeanArnold1066]

Great video and yes SIDS & STARS sounds good. What mouse and keyboard do you use for Xbox. I have a few issues with the simulator especially with the A320. Everytime I’m flying in the A320 default on Xbox the plane suddenly turns off course banking left or right. This happens when on autopilot ruining my experience and when your into a 3 hour flight it’s annoying. Heading bug doesn’t work with the autopilot not following it. ATC giving me wrong headings when requesting next way points. ATC requesting me to climb when my altitude is set. MCDU distance to destination does not count the miles down Airport weather and ATIS does not represent real weather. Crash to desk tops Altitude knob flicks from 10000 ft to 30000 ft with one click for example Overall it’s a great simulator and still in its infancy stage with Xbox. I really hope they fix the above bugs especially when the A320 turns for now reason. My wish list: FBW A320 comes to Xbox Real life liveries for A320 Xbox U.K. airports come to marketplace Xbox 737 for Xbox PMDG All the above bugs fixed Replay function Ability to have arrival and departure airport codes on multiplayer name tags ATC fixes and a more realistic voice Thanks for reading

[@SimHangerFS]

Hi, I use a cheap Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse, cost me about £20 for the set. Agree with you on the A320….too many bugs and many of them from a year ago on release.

[@steveross2786]

As I'm new to flight sims these videos are perfect for a newbie keep up the excellent work one question is there a site with flight plans you can add and enjoy . Thanks

[@SimHangerFS]

Check out Vatsim and Navigraph web sites for more chart details

[@MrFlabberjabber]

Thank you. Very informative I look forward to the SIDS and STARS as a retired Air Traffic Controller I like the procedural side of flying. Does MSFS automatically select the into wind runway and associated approach? I only have 22 hrs on it and most of that has been VFR. Just starting to find my way around, one last question do you need. To manually tune ILS frequencies and VORs? Thanks again.

[@SimHangerFS]

Hi David, yes it will usually place you on the correct runway….but occasionally it gets it wrong. You do need to manually set your instruments, unless you have nav assistance and pilot assistance to on….then it will do it for you…..most of the time. 👍

[@bluboy349]

Hi Mark, been watching your flight planing videos. so well explained and so helpful. Can you tell me how to change km to nm on my screen.Not sure how iv'e ended up with km's. Thanks so much.

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

I just wanted to say thank you, I applied the lessons taught in this video on the PC version and flew an IFR flight in an ICON A5 from Frederick MD to Philadelphia with some chosen waypoints in between. I had no idea how to do that before and was using Sim Brief for Flight plans. My question is this, since the flight planning software is so easy to use, why do people still use Sim Brief, Little Nav Map, Etc?

[@SimHangerFS]

Programs such as SimBrief and LNM provide so much more information and reference data. They are just a step up.

[@wolfe1970]

How would you go about setting up a flight plan using nav points like if i where to use the Cessna 152 without the Garmin screen ?

[@RubinGnoni]

Hi Mark. I'm a huge fan of your videos. I have a question and I'm sure you will help me. I can't figure how to use the Range knob in the G1000. I see many people zooming map in the PFD screen and I can't figure it out how you guys do it, so I will greatly asppreciate iof you teach me how to do it. By the way, I was watching and enjoying your live streaming a couple of days ago but I unfortunately I didn't have a pass to join the event. Happy flights!

[@SimHangerFS]

Check out this video. It should help kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4m0nGyqe9R-itk If using the mouse use the mouse wheel.

[@user-hm7nt8kg3y]

Gread video theng you. I would like to ask a question about a problem I have with the flight plan. (I use the Xbox series / s) while I have selected departure and destination does not allow me to add add points or points of interest to the flight plan. Why is this happening?

[@chrisquader3637]

Thanks!

[@SimHangerFS]

Hey Chris, thank you for supporting the channel. 👍🎉

[@hvacmike1175]

What yoke and rudder combination works on Xbox X series? I fly a Cessna 172 and want to match the controls to real life as much as possible

[@mikecoffee100]

Was wondering if I can modify planes in the Xbox Version for example there are private folks or perhaps call it third party have mods to make flight dynamics better like there are a few mods for the TBM 930. and hopefully turn off the down arrow on top of the screen as well.

[@andrew194854]

Hi Mark, thank you again for a great video, One question, is there anyway of getting rid of the white boxes when you make a flight plan? they sometimes block the info you want to look at. Thank you.

[@SimHangerFS]

Yes they get in the way, you can only zoom in more to get past them unfortunately.

[@russellharris5072]

mystery solved,thanks Mark................................

[@LWJCarroll]

Thanks that is very interesting and informative…. Laurie NZ.

[@zonnetjeschijnt]

The G1000 nav unit looks a bit different compared to other units, eg cessna 172??

[@ellonysman]

SirSir Mark, question re:mfs ifr flight plan...can you use the mfs2020 game ifr planning while glying on vatsim and taking their instructions? Or, can you change alt/vectors/ils etc by your own desire or change of plans? 😮❤

[@aguacatito5824]

Hey great video but for some reason i don't get the departure and approach tabs even though im choosing the IFR tab. please help.

[@ukaszbukowski3778]

Thank You for the tutorial. Is it possible to add own VFR points to the flight plan? For example by giving geographical coordinates? I know the scenery is pretty good and we should be able to fly without gps, but for initial flights and flight plan created for example in Sky Demon it would be nice to have the route in GPS also.

[@SimHangerFS]

Hi, I am not sure, but I think you can search via gps co-ord and then click on the map to create a custom waypoint.

[@donaldcraig4491]

Can the new inbuilt a320 neo get the flight plan from the flight planner in msfs on the xbox series x

[@alexdavies8612]

How do you set multiple destinations or add a destination after you have landed

[@paulscurfield]

Thanks for a very informative video. When I set a flight plan it does not allow for final alignment to the arrival runway. Am I missing something?

[@SimHangerFS]

Correct, it will only do so if using IFR and an ILS approach. If you do input these or there isn’t one available then the plan assumes you would be ‘’vectored’’ in by ATC for final line up.

[@zoro07able]

thanks for this -great help for beginner like me - I try to use a mouse for "in cockpit" (xbox x)knob setting but does not function -any secret ? someone suggested to get rid of the block and put it on legacy but this line does not pop up in the general options like he describes (version related?)

[@SimHangerFS]

Not clear on what your asking. Look under general options…assistance….cockpit interaction.

[@zoro07able]

thanks for answering this- I did check in cockpit interactions - here is the issue apparently : in xbox program there is nothing on how to use the mouse for "in cockpit" actions - I learned that the program running on PC has an option for this mouse action - if so I am stuck thus?

[@SimHangerFS]

@@zoro07able check if you can change your mouse profile in controls options menu. This may help.

[@zoro07able]

@@SimHangerFS confirmed : on xbox x we have "block" and no "legacy" for cockpit interaction - this is only in PC program .Hope the MS crew does tackle this issue asap -cheers

[@benmartin4120]

Hi, how did you zoom into the garmin GPS and change the map range, did you have to use your keyboard, as I can’t seem to find a way to do that with only Xbox controller, Any help would be appreciated thanks

[@SimHangerFS]

Hi, I used the mouse. Can be done with the controller, key bindings to see if mapped in controls section.

[@rafaeljacquez2318]

How do I set a flight plan that goes from A to D but also lands enroute at airports B and C?

[@trevorbarber7172]

hello their, i just wanted too ask you if you know how too uncheck countries in the world that you dont go too in msfs2020,you could do this in fsx in the settings but i dont know how in msfs2020........thank you....

[@SimHangerFS]

You can’t, but you can opt not to install world updates, leaving places you don’t visit at default.

[@teamnoble9715]

Mark. It's likely been asked before. But.. which keyboard and mouse do you use please? My XboxX sits a good way from me and ideally I need wireless. But buyibg cheap is a minefield.

[@SimHangerFS]

I use an inexpensive M330 Logitech mouse and one of their keyboards, purchased as a bundle for about £20-25. Both wireless.

[@teamnoble9715]

@@SimHangerFS appreciate that thank you

[@SleepingFiber]

Hi Mark, adding waypoints into the World map after establishing departure and arrival airports is not possible in my PC version. What am I doing wrong? Also when saving the route I get the Windows File Explorer screen and not the MSFS screen to name the file. Can you help me out?

[@SimHangerFS]

Hi Ben, not come across this issue….very odd. I honestly don’t know why. File save direct to windows is nothing to worry about and normal.

[@jherc135]

Great video. How can I delete a flight plan/file, ref the dialogue box at 24:02. Thank you kindly for any advice you can provide. Cheers, John

[@SimHangerFS]

It now provides a menu option to delete.

[@johneckels3810]

@@SimHangerFS thanks much, that was right in front of me. As my father used to say, son if that would’ve been a snake it would have bit you.😎😎😎

[@SimHangerFS]

@@johneckels3810 🤣

[@RC94332]

What button do I push to zoom into the gps?! Thanks

[@steveross2786]

Sorry for this random question but I'm a complete novice today WU6 is out when I go into the sim will it automatically download to the xbox

[@SimHangerFS]

It will prompt you to update. 👍

[@steveross2786]

@@SimHangerFS Thanks keep up the excellent work

[@johnalexwallwall]

I watched your entire video, thank you. How do you delete a flight plan?

[@SimHangerFS]

Ahhh…this comment….sorry missed this….I am not sure you can. Will check tomorrow

[@johnalexwallwall]

@@SimHangerFS thank you buddy

[@DemonSouls21]

@@SimHangerFS It is a big problem! There is an exit?

[@SimHangerFS]

@@johnalexwallwall hi, I can not find a way to delete created flight plans on Xbox 😩

[@Aj-vg7fp]

Thank you very informative..do you know why my multiplayer option it disabled, I didn’t subscript to any of Xbox x services though

[@SimHangerFS]

Check in your general settings…you have multiplayer disabled?

[@Aj-vg7fp]

@@SimHangerFS Its on but still showing in Red Multilayer disabled, it also says your current xbox settings prevent you from playing online multiplayer, there is an option with multiplayer settings when hit it its taking me to chose a plan either the pass ultimate or xbox live gold, so i was wondering so i have to subscribe to any of the plans to play online with multiplayers?

[@SimHangerFS]

@@Aj-vg7fp hi, I have done some research online, it appears you do need an Xbox live gold sub. Didn’t know that….learn something new everyday

[@bbdeagle]

@@Aj-vg7fp Yes, you have to buy XBox Live Gold to use the online features (Multiplayer, Voice Chat etc.) of the Xbox. Or if interessted in Game Pass the Ultimate subscription has the Live Gold included.

[@mariocardoso8]

Hi. Do you (or anybody) knows how to import a PNL flight Plan from another user, into my XBOX X? I tryed to use a pen drive with the file.PNL but I Don't know how to upload it. Many Thanks

[@SimHangerFS]

You can’t at this time unfortunately.

[@alimatook8962]

Hi can i install boeing 737-800 in to xbox virgin ?

[@jamie123b]

Think mine is broken. When making IFR plan I can’t add any more points as 'add' button comes up but is unclickable. And it chose some crazy entry into Manchester airport and I couldn’t edit it. Also there were ground vehicles on the runway for takeoff, and upon landing there was a plane already on the runway (and I received clearance to land). So annoying

[@SimHangerFS]

This is a sim bug. If you can’t add a point. Go back to main screen, then back to world map and it will work.

[@jamie123b]

@@SimHangerFS doesn’t help sadly. It’s mainly when I select ILS for the approach it draws a purple line extending from the airport outward by 10 miles and then back to the airport for the landing. I flew it as no way to change, It had me fly over Manchester airport itself at 3000ft then I flew along runway heading 10 miles, did a 180 and then back to land. I really wish I could edit that purple line. It does it with other airports too, always takes me to waypoint directly over the airport at 3000ft. Any help please!

[@SimHangerFS]

@@jamie123b you can change the selected STAR, make sure your on IFR, from the drop down box, labelled approach.

[@jamie123b]

@@SimHangerFS when I select ILS approach from the drop down on the right, no matter what approach I select on the drop down to the left, the purple line always goes through the navaid point, which for Bristol and Manchester for example are directly over the airport. If I select the navaid node then 'remove' appears, but it does not remove when I click it. I basically cannot fly to these airports

[@daneav8]

Hello, Xbox X user here, and for some reason I cannot add any points between the Departure and Arrival locations. For example, I can see and click on a POI, the menu comes up, and I select ADD...but nothing happens. Is this a bug?

[@SimHangerFS]

Yes, exit to Home Screen and back to world menu. This helps sometimes.

[@cjjohnson8567]

How don't have that option on series x, how do you?

[@cjjohnson8567]

Figured it out. Appreciate the content & the details🤝🏾