New user: unusual usage requirement

[terrypin]

I'm a novice using FSX mainly in Slew mode.

I've made GPS tracks from walks/hikes or road tours. I want to get such a file into FSX, either directly from say a GPX file, or by re-entering the main waypoints. And have FSX then follow the track automatically. So that I can take screenshots of various types along the way.

I posted that requirement in the AVSIM and Horizon forums. In the latter I had a cryptic but promising lead: "I use this," which took me to the TA Software site. After registering I now have Plan-G installed, which potentially looks great. But I'm floundering at the first hurdle.  :?

For a start I entered a waypoint (my home), with an abitrary 'Identifier' TP0001, but I don't see how to make it the start point of a flight plan. I cannot find a Help menu but in the FAQ I read this from Tim Arnott:

"Flight plans in FSX MUST start AND end at an airport. If yourflight plan starts from an airstrip or other user waypoint or navaid, or ends at a navaid or user waypoint, FS will not be able to open it. In order to open the plan within FS, you will need to extend it to start and end at a 'proper' airport."

So is what I want impossible with Plan-G after all please?

I don't mind starting my 'flight' from a nearby airport such as Redhill or Gatwick and then adding my track waypoints. If that is possible, could someone help get me started please? Note that as an FSX novice no doing any real flying, I've never made a 'flight plan' before. I'm hoping I can do it now in Plan-G then fire up FSX and slew it!

P.S: Although logged in, why do I still have to go through the 3-stage Verification process?

--
Terry Pinnell, East Grinstead, UK
Quad Core Q9450 2.66 GHz, 4 GB under XP Pro. 512 MB nVIDIA GeoForce 8800GT.

[tim arnot]

The requirement for flight plans to start and end at an airport is an FS requirement. You can create a flight plan in Plan-G that starts and ends pretty much anywhere, but you won't be able to load it into FS. There's absolutely nothing I can do about that.

Plan-G will still insist that you start from an airport. (ie it will only offer the option to start the plan if you right click on an airport). But if you don't intend to import the plan into FS, then once you have a couple of points in your plan, you can just delete the original start point.

[terrypin]

Thanks.

Is there any Help that steps users through how to do the basic stuff please? I've managed to create a plan in Plan-G (starting and finishing at Gatwick) but how do I save it so that I can later load it in FSX?

Any answer to my question about verification?

Edit: I'm close but not quite there! I have a flight plan saved from Plan-G, loaded in FSX. First in my usual AirCreation Trike and later in a Cessna C172SP I clicked Fly Now. But what's next? How do I get into automatic flight mode (autopilot)? Or even get the plane to go directly to each waypoint on request?

Or is that indeed impossible and I've totally misunderstood the capabilities of FSX, Plan-G or both?

--
Terry Pinnell, East Grinstead, UK
Quad Core Q9450 2.66 GHz, 4 GB under XP Pro. 512 MB nVIDIA GeoForce 8800GT.

[tim arnot]

See the manual, Page 8 for saving flight plans, and section 7 (p30 onwards) for creating them.

Plan-G is a flight planner. It will not fly the plan for you. You would need to load the flight plan in FS and engage the autopilot in GPS NAV mode in whatever aircraft you are using for that to happen.

[terrypin]

Thanks Tim, understood. I'd ingenuously assumed that I could in effect perform a one-click 'autopilot' operaration in FSX and it would then fly the route I'd loaded.

Looks like my next step is to learn how to use GPS Nav! Is there a list anywhere of which planes actually have GPS Nav?

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

[tim arnot]

I think all the default planes do, except for the cub and microlight. Other than that it's a matter of checking the have both an autopilot and a Nav/GPS switch.