---
title: "Simulator airplane tracking"
id: "3216"
type: "page"
slug: "airplane-tracking-moving-map"
published_at: "2024-07-10T14:01:20+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-07-25T16:13:50+00:00"
url: "https://www.xpflightplanner.com/help/manual/airplane-tracking-moving-map/"
markdown_url: "https://www.xpflightplanner.com/help/manual/airplane-tracking-moving-map.md"
excerpt: "Activate airplane tracking If X-Plane is being operated on the same computer, merely click on the toolbar button to initiate airplane tracking from the simulator. If X-Plane runs on a remote computer, before activating the connection, you will need to..."
---

# Simulator airplane tracking

## Activate airplane tracking

If X-Plane is being operated on the same computer, merely click on the  toolbar button to initiate airplane tracking from the simulator. If X-Plane runs on a remote computer, before activating the connection, you will need to set the remote computer IP address in the preferences (see [this page of the manual](https://www.xpflightplanner.com/help/manual/preferences-and-settings/)
).

When the connection is activated, an airplane will appear in the center of the map with a beacon animation (heartbeat each time XPFlightPlanner receives data from the simulator). By hovering the mouse over the airplane symbol, the appearing tooltip will show:

- Airplane true heading
- Position in GPS coordinates
- Current altitude
- Airspeeds: IAS (Indicated Air Speed), TAS (True Air Speed) and GS (Ground Speed)
- Vertical speed (in ft/min)
- Actual fuel on board

## Moving maps

After connection, the moving map is automatically activated. The map is constantly centered on the airplane position. You can disable moving map in the context menu by  right-clicking on the airplane beacon or from the “Map” menu.

## Additional X-Plane settings

In the X-Plane settings, in the “Network” tab, you must “Accept incoming connections.” As illustrated in the screenshot below,

If X-Plane is running on a different computer than XPFlightPlanner, it is necessary to access the “Data Output” tab and select the option to send data to a “Networked computer” and provide the IP address of the computer running XPFlightPlanner. This will enable X-Plane to accept incoming network traffic from XPFlightPlanner.

## Troubleshooting

If XPFlightplanner is not connecting to X-Plane, please check:

- It is imperative that the IP settings are properly configured:
  - In XPFlightPlanner preferences: set the IP of the X-Plane computer.
  - In X-Plane “Data output” settings: set the IP of the XPFlightPlanner computer.

- Check that there is no firewall blocking the incoming UDP traffic on port 49000.
- Checking the UPnP setting may resolve issues in certain home network configurations.