Autopilot: flight planning

Introduction

This page explains the flight planning features in FlightAssistant.

A properly configured flight plan allows the autopilot to perform a fully automated flight. It is critical to enter all data accurately to ensure optimal performance.

A flight plan consists of three sections:

1. Departure
2. Enroute
3. Arrival

To access the flight plan, open the FlightAssistant Setup Screen (default key: Numpad Enter) and select the section you want to view.

Departure

The Departure section controls the takeoff and initial climb.
Here you must enter:

• Departure coordinates
• Elevation** (field elevation)
• Desired takeoff thrust

When you are within 20 blocks of the departure coordinates, the autopilot switches the flight phase to TAKEOFF (visible on the Status Display).

Enroute

The Enroute section covers the climb to cruise, cruise, and descent to approach. It is presented as an indexed table of waypoints.

It’s recommended to hover over the legend text to learn the symbols used in the table.

For each waypoint, you must enter:

• Coordinates
• Target altitude
• Target speed (required if using the F/PLAN thrust mode)

The mod automatically calculates the distance and estimated time based on average ground speed.

To skip or go back to a waypoint, hover over the desired new target and press the DIRECT-TO button.

Arrival

The Arrival section controls the approach and landing. It works similarly to Departure and includes:

• Arrival coordinates
• Elevation
• Landing thrust

The elevation value is used to calculate the glide slope for landing.
If the elevation is incorrect, the alert F/PLAN ARRIVAL ELEV DISAGREE may appear. In that case, you must continue visually or go around and correct the elevation before reattempting the approach.

Minimums

The Minimums field governs the "MINIMUM" callout and adjusts the sensitivity of the BELOW G/S alert.

• ABS — Absolute.
  Example: With minimums set to 103, the “MINIMUM” callout triggers at Y = 103 exactly.

• REL — Relative to ground.
  Example: With minimums set to 13 (REL), the callout triggers 13 blocks above the ground below the aircraft.

Go-Around Altitude

This altitude determines autopilot behavior during a go-around (triggered by setting thrust to TOGA, 100%).
After TOGA is applied, the autopilot will climb until reaching the go-around altitude, then switch the active waypoint to the Approach Re-Entry Waypoint.

Approach Re-Entry Waypoint Index

This specifies which waypoint becomes active after reaching the Go-Around Altitude.
If the index does not refer to a valid waypoint, no change occurs.