FSFlyingSchool 2024 adds an intelligent, talking instructor to any flight, anywhere, in any powered airplane in X-Plane 11 and 12
Get your flying assisted and graded in over 70 areas with full logged results and reports of achievements and problems.
PS: If you already own FSFlyingSchool 2023, you are entitled to a 50% discount for the new 2024 version. The discount code can be found in your original FSFlyingSchool 2023 invoice at the store.
Windows only
What's New in FSFlyingSchool 2024
NEW! Voice Command Pack PRO Included
- The Voice Command Pack PRO will make your whole experience more realistic and fun by giving you an entire set of voice commands designed to get lots of valuable new information from your instructor, and control your interaction with FSFlyingSchool for X-Plane without using the keyboard.
- The FSFlyingSchool for X-Plane Voice Command Pack PRO adds a whole new level of realism, atmosphere and fun to your flights with FSFlyingSchool for X-Plane.
- With the addition of the FSFlyingSchool Voice Command Pack PRO, your instructors will be listening as well as talking!
NEW! Instructors Mr Jackson and Miss Blunt Included
- FSFlyingSchool pilots are used to Mr Smith being the chief instructor who knows all about the detail pack aircraft and the special features added in recent years, such as the Taxiway Tutor Pack.
- Now Mr Smith has two more chief instructors as colleagues!
- Pilots can now choose to use Mr Jackson or Miss Blunt instead – and they know every aspect of FSFlyingSchool just like Mr Smith.
- In addition, their comments and instructions are not the same as Mr Smith, so pilots will have a different experience when flying with them.
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Recent FSFlyingSchool Additions
Cessna 172 PRO Pack Included
Pilots have been enjoying the extra level of instruction that comes with the Cessna 172 Detail Pack included with FSFlyingSchool for many years.
Good news!
The pack has been greatly expanded with the inclusion in FSFlyingSchool 2024 of the new Cessna 172 PRO Pack.
Look at these new features:
* Interactive shutdown sequence where instructor calls off and monitors each step and waits for the correct sequence to be followed.
* Instructor reads drill if engine fire occurs in flight.
* Instructor reads drill if engine fire occurs on ground.
* Advice on maximum altitude.
* Monitoring of use of pitot heat and advice on its use.
* Advice on short field take off procedure at short fields.
And more!
Upgraded Career Analyzer
FSFlyingSchool pilots have relied on the powerful information shown in the Career Analyzer to show them which areas of airmanship they need to work on.
It just got better!
Now with improved data table display and search tool the Career Analyzer allows the pilot to examine all flights ever flown with FSFlyingSchool, to look for patterns in landing scores, flight scores, duration and so much more.
In which aircraft are you scoring your best? Having you flown many flights in an airliner? What’s your longest distance flown in a Cessna 152? Which airport is your favourite? Now you can find out!
Flaps added to Flight Graphing Feature
Pilots continue to ask us for more data on their flights and approaches to landing.
We have added the flap setting so you’ll know if you are raising and lowering flaps correctly during your flights!
Flight data graphing!
Pilots have been asking us for more data on their flights and especially on their approaches to landing.
The best pilots are always ready to learn - and that's where this exciting new feature shines!
Key flight data is now graphed and included with the FSFlyingSchool.
Google flight maps displayed so you can concentrate on areas you may need to improve to get on track for those perfect flights and approaches.
Use your mouse to hover over the map or graph to see the relevant position, altitude, KIAS, AGL and vertical speed!
This powerful combination of map and graph means you will get the answers you need.
"What was my airspeed over the threshold?"
"Did I maintain an optimal rate of descent?"
...and much more.
FSFlyingSchool has got you covered!
Automatic Aircraft Data Detection
In answer to the most requested feature of FSFlyingSchool pilots all over the world, FSFlyingSchool now automatically reads X-Plane aircraft data, estimates any additional needed values and uses these values in your flights with FSFlyingSchool!
This means completely automatic support for aircraft.
If you want to adjust the values the instructor is using, you can!
How does it work?
Get into your plane.
Press Connect in FSFlyingSchool.
Go flying!
Some published aircraft may offer data to FSFlyingSchool which does not correctly match the aircraft, such as a flap position or a stall speed.
These can be adjusted to the correct value by the pilot in a matter of seconds at the new section of the FSFlyingSchool Aircraft screen. No need to edit files.
Flying any powered airplane you want has never been easier!
Taxiway Tutor Pack
With FSFlyingSchool you will experience a whole new, detailed level of taxiway instruction at airports with named taxiways!
It has been said that the hardest part of some flights is taxiing to and from the runway! Now your chief instructor Mr Smith can help.
'Taxiway Tutor' will quickly have you taxiing safely and with confidence at the busiest airports!
Your instructor calls off taxiways, runways, holding positions, markings and more as you move around the airport.
In addition, your instructor gives tutorial advice on taxiways, runways, markings, lights, holding positions, and more.
Included Detail Packs:
These provide an extra level of detailed instruction
- Robin DR401 CDI 155 (Aerobask) Detail Pack
- Douglas DC-3 Detail Pack
- Cherokee 140 Detail Pack
- Beechcraft Baron 58 Detail Pack
Next Level Pack!
There's always room to learn and to improve and your chief instructor Mr Smith is ready with a new level of instruction for FSFlyingSchool pilots.
Pilots are used to this sort of level only with FSFlyingSchool Detail Pack planes; not any more!
Now he'll grab extra information from X-Plane to give you the details you need to fly like a PRO.
Features include: Useful loads, weight considerations, stall speeds, flap speeds, gear speeds, appropriate use of throttle, aborting take off and landing, maximum speed... and more!
Autopilot Tutor
Optional Interactive Autopilot advice.
If you want to hear it, turn on the 'Monitor Autopilot' option at the Pilots Screen of FSFlyingSchool. You'll hear your instructor describing the autopilot and giving instruction and advice on it, including:
--- Autothrottle
--- Speed hold
--- Speed Selection
--- Heading Hold
--- Heading Selection
--- Altitude Hold
--- Altitude Selection
--- Vertical Speed Selection
--- Autopilot Master
--- NAV Hold
Autopilot areas where Mr Smith will help
--- Autopilot speed selected too high - above vNE (never exceed speed) for aircraft
--- Advice on having descended to within 1,000 feet of target altitude
--- When autothrottle is on - you can now set a speed to hold
--- Approach hold can only hold approach if speed is appropriate
--- Autopilot speed selected is below landing configuration stall speed - you need to increase it
--- Altitude selected is under 500 feet above destination runway - caution
--- Advice on having climbed within 1,000 feet of target altitude
--- Be sure autopilot altitude value is at or below service ceiling
--- If vertical speed selected is rapid descent - it can be uncomfortable and lead to flying too fast
--- Altitude selected is under 500 feet above surface currently beneath aircraft - caution
--- Autopilot speed selected too high - must be below 250 KIAS below 10,000 feet MSL
--- Autopilot is on so it will control the aircraft - you need to monitor and control the autopilot
--- Altitude selected is very near the elevation of destination runway - caution
--- If vertical speed selected is rapid climb - it can lead to a stall - watch airspeed
--- Autopilot speed selected is below stall speed - caution
--- If vertical speed is very low it can waste fuel and may conflict with ATC requirements
--- Autopilot disengaged - you control the aircraft
--- Descent to altitude selected would make contact with surface currently beneath aircraft - caution
--- Autopilot speed selected is below flaps up stall speed - you will need flaps
--- Advice on having reached target altitude
...and so much more!
Autopilot tutorial advice is optional
If you want to hear this general advice, turn on the 'Autopilot Tips' option at the Settings Screen of FSFlyingSchool. Chief instructor Mr Smith will give you general instruction on the autopilot unit and more when you are flying during quieter periods. In order to avoid these tips sounding repetitive, they are chosen randomly so you won't keep hearing the same advice each flight.
Get ready to learn - here are some of the areas Mr Smith will explain to you
--- Intersecting the ILS glideslope from below
--- How to slow down to a target speed
--- Disengaging autopilot (or not) before landing
--- Speed management required to keep on glideslope
--- Importance of correcting drifting heading indicator
--- Wasted turns through poor use of heading bug
--- Immediate firm control of aircraft after autopilot is disengaged
--- Disengaging autopilot if flight path is not right
...and a lot more!
Navigator Pack
Get ready to become an expert at understanding and following flight plans - your chief instructor Mr Smith can help in X-Plane with the Navigator Pack!
There's more - The Navigator Pack also contains the new Taxiway Tips feature! See below for details.
It's time to share your flight plans with your instructor!
We all know that a flight is so much more interesting, realistic and challenging when a flight plan is filed and now it's time to load your flight plan into FSFlyingSchool as part of your pre-flight preparation. Your chief instructor Mr Smith will help you master flying flight plans correctly in X-Plane.
- Chief instructor Mr Smith is ready to help with the Navigator Pack
He's the one with navigation expertise, ready to give helpful tips, updates, instrument readings, monitor your flight plan navigation skills and so much more!
- Flight Plan Files
The Navigator Pack reads the standard format FMS flight plan files popular with X-Plane pilots. This is the format used by X-Plane GPSs and many other flight planners.
- Interactive Flight Plan Advice is optional
If you want to hear it, turn on the 'Flight Plan Advice' option at the Pilots Screen of FSFlyingSchool. You'll hear your instructor describing the flight plan and giving instruction and advice on it.
- Real Airport Data
The new Real Airport Data button at the Flight Plan Page will open a browser containing detailed real world information about your destination airport with links to lots of useful resources from the splendid SkyVector website for all airports and also the excellent AirNav website for U.S. airports.
- Flight plan areas where Mr Smith will help:
--- Flight plan distance remaining
--- Flight plan time remaining
--- Waypoint radio frequency
--- Course to a VOR
--- Waypoint distance
--- Course to an NDB
--- Time to waypoint
--- Fuel to destination
--- Descent rate to destination
--- Gross weight
--- Visibility and wind
--- NAV1 current NAVAID
--- Ground speed
--- Above ground level
...and a lot more!
- VORs - NDBs - Fixes - Waypoints
Master VOR and NDB navigation by asking chief instructor Mr Smith to give automatic advice on tuning and using these NAVAIDs at flight plan waypoints.
Get help navigating waypoints in a flight plan by having your chief instructor Mr Smith announce them before you reach them. He'll tell you what they are and advise you on the turn you'll need to make when you get there.
You'll become an expert in flying flight plans correctly by having chief instructor Mr Smith advise you along each leg of the plan with information updated in real time as you fly your flight plan.
- Mr Smith is ready with Taxiway Tips
As your chief instructor, he's the one who explains signs, markings, lights and more!
- Taxiway and runway tutorial advice is optional
If you want to hear this advice, turn on the 'Taxiway Tips' option at the Settings Screen of FSFlyingSchool.
- Get ready to learn - here are some of the taxiway and runway subjects
Mr Smith will explain to you:
--- Runway holding positions
--- ILS critical area boundaries
--- Blue taxiway lighting
--- Chevrons on a surface aligned with the end of a runway
--- Red runway lighting
--- Green taxiway lighting
--- Location signs
--- Runway starter extensions
--- Destination signs
--- Yellow runway lighting
--- Direction signs
--- Boundaries between movement and non-movement areas
...and a lot more!
- All Taxiway Tips tutorial advice is in taxi mode and at airports with modern taxiways
You'll get tutorial advice on taxiways, runways, markings, lights and more when you are at an airport with modern taxiways.
Our pilots explained to us that they don't want to get this advice when they are bush flying or at a tiny grass strip airport!
Furthermore, Mr Smith knows pilots want advice on taxiing when they are taxiing, so you will get this when your flight mode is 'taxiing' and not in any other flight mode.
In order to avoid these tips sounding repetitive, they are chosen randomly so you won't keep hearing the same advice as you start each flight.
Enhanced Instructor Awareness version 2
We have once again made several incremental improvements to FSFlyingSchool, including new areas requiring the pilot's attention. Mr Smith, the chief instructor, is looking at each pilot's performance in
even greater detail. Here are some of the enhancements:
- Mr Smith has always advised that your flight controls be checked before flights. In addition, he will now expect you to specifically check the free and correct function of your elevator, ailerons and rudder.
- Your instructor will advise you that if your aircraft has been stored for a long time you need to check for damage or obstructions caused by insects and birds.
- In cold weather, Mr Smith will remind you that frost on the wings can prevent the aircraft from becoming airborne.
- Shortly after entering cruise mode, you'll hear comments from Mr Smith on your success or failure in checking your elevator, ailerons and rudder before take off. Let's develop good habits.
- If you're in the kind of aircraft that has a 'run-up' procedure, Mr Smith will point that out and expect it to be done before take off. You'll be hearing from him later if you don't.
- Mr Smith will remind you to fully extend and retract your flaps before take off to check their correct function. You'll hear his feedback on this so let's get it done.
- You'll be reminded, when climbing on warm days, that steep climbs can lead to overheating - so be careful out there.
- Familiar with displaced thresholds? Mr Smith will remind you to land beyond any red lights preceding the runway.
- Even without lights you'll be told to land beyond the displaced threshold. Mr Smith can see it - can you?
- You'll get timely advice about taxiway edge lighting (blue), runway edge and centre line lights (white), red lights marking the far end of the runway and green lights across the runway indicating its start.
...and more!
Weather Tutor
Get ready to learn about temperature, wet runways, dew point and much more - including interactive crosswind instruction!
Look at the features 'Weather Tutor Pack' adds:
Weather plays a key part in aviation and a thorough knowledge of weather and its effects is an essential part of every pilot's studies. Now your chief instructor Mr Smith can help in X-Plane.
Mr Smith is the man for Weather Tutor
As your chief instructor, he's the one who explains temperature, elevation, dew point, precipitation, crosswind techniques and more!
Interactive weather advice is optional
If you want to hear it, turn on the 'Monitor Weather' option at the Pilots Screen of FSFlyingSchool. You'll hear your instructor describing the current weather and giving instruction and advice on it.
Interactive crosswind advice is optional
If you want to hear it, turn on the 'Monitor Crosswinds' option at the Pilots Screen of FSFlyingSchool. You'll hear crosswind take off and landing instruction right when you need it!
Weather and crosswind tutorial advice is optional
If you want to hear this advice, turn on the 'Weather Tips' option at the Settings Screen of FSFlyingSchool. Chief instructor Mr Smith will give you general instruction on weather and more when you are flying during quieter
periods. In order to avoid these tips sounding repetitive, they are chosen randomly so you won't keep hearing the same advice each flight. A great way to learn - and all while cruising along!
Get ready to learn - here are some of the areas Mr Smith will explain to you:
(Note that in addition to weather, the Weather Tutor covers several bonus subjects that are not strictly weather but still essential to safe flight.)
- Effects of temperature-dew point spread
- Considerations when flying in low light
- Considerations when flying in low visibility
- Considerations when flying in the presence of clouds
- Considerations when flying in low temperatures
- Crosswind landing technique
- Crosswind take-off technique
- Crosswind take-off roll aileron use
- Crosswind landing roll aileron use
- Take-off from a high elevation
- Landing at a high elevation
- Take-off at a high temperature
- Landing at a high temperature
- Take-off from a wet grass runway
- Take-off from a dry grass runway
- Landing at a wet grass runway
- Landing at a dry grass runway
- Landing at a wet paved runway
...and a lot more!
PRO Pack
A powerful collection of add-on features for FSFlyingSchool including interactive VOR navigation instruction!
Interactive Help with VOR Navigation
- Instructor monitors VOR instruments in aircraft.
- Instructor offers detailed advice and tips on how to navigate with VORs.
- Learn about: TO/FROM/OFF flag, Omni Bearing Selector (OBS), Course Deviation Indicator (CDI).
- Get information as you fly, change settings and as the instruments react to your flight path.
- Instructor describes at length the aspects of different elements of VOR navigation as you fly along.
- If you approach and cross a VOR station, the instructor describes what to expect instruments to do.
- You'll soon be a VOR navigation PRO!
Instructor is watching even closer:
- Instructor watches for parking brake set at correct times.
- Advice when coming in too fast for a landing to slow down or go-around.
- Instructor requires throttles to be operated smoothly.
- Advice to slow to a taxi speed soon after landing to clear for next arrival.
- Advice to accelerate promptly when taking off so as not to waste runway.
- Reminders to get going if on runway for excessive time for take off.
- Warning if not heading into wind when on final approach.
- Advice for steering problems on take-off run.
- Reminder to use flaps if appropriate for take off.
- Reminder to disengage autopilot while on the ground.
- Advice not to run throttles high while on ground with parking brake set.
...and more!
Fires, failures, and bird strikes are now integrated into FSFlyingSchool (read more here)
Announce Nearest Airport
Pilots Screen Sound Setup
Instructor optionally automatically announces nearest airport within an approximately 35 NM radius, giving its distance and bearing.
A great way to get familiar with an area.
Taxiing in wind advice
Pilots Screen Sound Setup
Correct use of ailerons and elevator while taxiing in a light aircraft on a windy day is a challenge in itself.
Check this box if you want your FSFlyingSchool instructor to evaluate your performance in this important area.
I have yoke pressure
Pilots Screen Control Setup
If you have a yoke with pressure feedback, such as those with a spring inside, then you will want to turn on this checkbox. When on, this control causes your FSFlyingSchool instructor to remind you to use your trimmers correctly.
You may wish to do this even if you do not have yoke pressure feedback, though the effect will be more difficult to control.
I use a rudder controller
Pilots Screen Control Setup
If you have rudder pedals or a rudder control on your joystick, you will want to turn on this checkbox. When on, this control causes your FSFlyingSchool instructor to remind you to use your rudder appropriately to keep your turns coordinated.
You may wish to do this even if you do not have a rudder controller, though the effect will be more difficult to control.
Departure and Destination Airports added to Flight Mapping Feature
Flight maps submitted with FSFlyingSchool 2024 will show the departure and destination airports.
Instant Help
- Spoken help on aircraft instruments, switches and controls when they are used during flights.
- Instant spoken help you can use immediately while flying in X-Plane.
- Adds a whole new level of fun and learning to your flights with X-Plane.
- You hear and see help and tips for controls, instruments and switches immediately in flight!
- Help when you use COM radios, NAV radios, autopilot functions like heading hold, speed hold...
- Help when you use altitude hold, spoilers, autobrakes, gear, lights, pitot heat and so much more.
- Use some help up there in the Simulated Skies? Get familiar with those switches, dials, buttons etc.
- Listen and learn as a friendly instructor explains the role of the device you operated.
- Help is given immediately, in real time, with optional text captions so you can read the advice too.
- Once you operate a device, you won't hear the explanation again for a while - avoids repetition.
- Optionally turn off the voice completely and use the text captions for reference during your flights.
- Alternatively, you can turn off the captions and just listen to the voice of the instructor.
- Configure the FSFlyingSchool Instant Help option the way you want it!
Interactive Aviation Help
- During flights, instructor shares detailed aviation knowledge with you.
- Subjects include cockpit instruments, controls, techniques and much more.
- With chief instructor Mr Smith's help you will soon be familiar with:
- Flaps
- Mixture
- PAPI
- VORs
- Turn technique
- VASI
- Stall recovery
- Autopilot speed hold
- Autopilot heading hold
- Autopilot altitude hold
- Autothrottle
- Transponder use and codes
- Crossfeeds
- Speedbrake
- Fuel pumps
- Carburetor heat
- Spoilers
- Anti-ice
- Decision height ...and dozens more aviation subjects.
- Includes optional text captions so you can read the advice too.
- A great way to learn - and all while cruising along!
Key Features of FSFlyingSchool for X-Plane:
* Team of 5 talking Flight Instructors
* Google Flight Mapping. View a map of your flight route and even share with friends! (new)
* Scoring system rates all phases of flight: taxi, take off, cruise, approach, landing & more
* Fly anywhere in the world with an instructor
* Easy to use! Land anywhere you like and your instructors will know which runway you have chosen. Just get lined up with a runway ahead of you when you descend in landing mode. The instructor will look ahead, figure which runway you are heading for and announce where you are going to land. Easy!
* Instructor knows which runway you are taking off from. Instructor will comment and give advice on the runway you have selected.
* Instructor knows which runway you are landing at. Even without ILS, and will give advice on how to land.
* No need to land on a fixed point on the runway. Any reasonable landing on a runway will get a reasonable score.
* Spoken Teaching Tips. Option so that FSFlyingSchool will speak a series of helpful tips when you fly. Tips are always in the same voice and are clearly different from a normal 'instructor' voice. These tips are like training wheels on a bicycle and are telling you how to use FSFlyingSchool and X-Plane itself. Once you have got the basics of these operations down, you may wish to turn these basic tips off.
* Friendly scoring system. Rewards all flights which were basically safe - higher scores require plenty of skill. If you can walk away from your landing - you will get a score. If you crash - you will not!
* Numerical data added to log book. Shows details of flight performance, such as landing speed, distance from threshold, approach accuracy and more.
* Unique Career Analyzer graphs over 70 areas of airmanship
* Pilot Briefing Tool analyzes all flights to find patterns of performance which need improvement
* Option to monitor correct use of aircraft lights
* Instructors give additional warnings before mistakes are made
* Instructors have many helpful and entertaining phrases
* Option to monitor correct use of aircraft engines
* Instructor reports distance from DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) navigation aid
* Multiple instructors with different personalities, genders and nationalities
* Link to real world airport data on web
* Instructor reports runway length, altitude and surface type when on approach
* Log Book statistics are totalled for easy review
* Flight scores tracked in detail in your own FSFlyingSchool logbook
* FSFlyingSchool website hosts top scores tables
* Detailed scoring of your performance - not a simple summary
* Instant tests of your airmanship - just ask the instructor
Popular Supported Aircraft
FSFlyingSchool automatically supports most powered airplanes.
The following aircraft have all been added individually to FSFlyingSchool and several are supported at an additional detailed level:
Beechcraft Baron 58 (Carenado) (Detailed treatment!)
Beechcraft Baron 58 (Supplied with X-Plane 11) (Detailed treatment!)
Beechcraft Bonanza F33A (Carenado)
Beechcraft King Air B200 (works with plane called 'KingAirB200_2.acf')
Beechcraft King Air B200 (Carenado for X-Plane 11)
Beechcraft King Air C90B (Carenado for X-Plane)
Beechcraft King Air C90 (Carenado for X-Plane 11)
Beechcraft King Air C90B (Supplied with X-Plane 11)
Boeing 737-800 (EADT)
Boeing 737-800 (ZIBO)
Boeing 747-400 (Supplied with X-Plane 11)
Boeing 777 Worldliner (VMAX)
Boeing 777-200 (Supplied with X-Plane)
Boeing 787 Dreamliner (VMAX)
Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 (FlyJSim)
Cessna 152 II (Carenado with Nhadrian upgrade)
Cessna 152 II (Carenado)
Cessna 172 (AirfoilLabs) (Detailed treatment!)
Cessna 172 (Carenado) (Detailed treatment!)
Cessna 172 (Supplied with X-Plane 11) (Detailed treatment!)
Cessna 172 (REP for Laminar) (Detailed treatment!)
Cessna 208B Caravan (Carenado) (Detailed treatment!)
Cessna 337 Skymaster (Carenado)
Cessna 340 II (Carenado)
Cessna CT210 Centurion II (Carenado)
Cirrus C4 'The Jet' (Supplied with X-Plane)
Cirrus SF50 (Supplied with X-Plane 11)
Cirrus SR20 (vFlyteAir)
Columbia 400 (Supplied with X-Plane 11)
Diamond DA40-180 Diamond Star test airplane kindly donated by Shade Tree Micro Aviation
Douglas DC-3 (vSkyLabs and others) (Detailed treatment!)
Eclipse 550 NG (Aerobask)
Epic E1000 Skyview (Aerobask)
Lisa Airplanes Akoya (Aerobask) (land based operations only)
Lockheed C-130 Hercules (Supplied with X-Plane 11)
Lockheed L-1011 TriStar test airplane kindly donated by Wilson Aircraft
McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender (Supplied with X-Plane 11)
McDonnell Douglas MD 82 (Supplied with X-Plane 11)
Mooney M20J (Carenado)
Piaggio P180 Avanti Ferrari (Supplied with X-Plane)
Piper PA-28 Archer II (Carenado)
Piper PA-28 Arrow 200 (vFlyteAir)
Piper PA-28 Cherokee 140 (vFlyteAir) (Detailed treatment!)
Piper PA-32 Saratoga (Carenado)
Piper PA-34 Seneca II (Carenado)
Robin DR401 CDI 155 (Aerobask) (Detailed treatment!)
Velocity V-Twin (Aerobask)
...and the list is growing.