Installation instructions

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Requirements

XPFlightPlanner can be installed on Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS, it requires either:

  • Microsoft Windows (10+) on an Intel 64 bit computer
  • or Apple macOS (11+) on an Apple Silicon (M1, M2) or Intel Mac (Universal Binary)

Installer files can be  downloaded from our download page.

Installation on Windows

To install XPFlightPlanner on Microsoft Windows, simply follow these steps:

  1. Download the msi installer
  2. Execute the installer and follow instructions
  3. Launch XPFlightPlanner from the  Start menu
Windows MSI installer

By default XPFlightPlanner is installed in C:\Program Files\XPFlightPlanner.

Installation on Mac

To install XPFlightPlanner on Apple macOS, simply follow these steps:

  1. Download the image file (dmg)
  2. Open the image file and copy XPFlightPlanner to /Applications folder
  3. Eject the disk image and launch XPFlightPlanner by double clicking on it
macOS installation image disk

Upon the initial launch of XPFlightPlanner on macOS, users may encounter a security prompt indicating that the application is downloaded from the Internet and originates from an unidentified developer. To bypass this step and proceed with the installation seamlessly, you can refer to the comprehensive guide provided in the official Apple documentation:

Activate with your serial number

To register your license and activate XPFlightPlanner, follow these simple steps:

  1. Go to the “Help” menu and click on “Register your license”
  2. In the registration dialog, enter your unique serial number
    • You can find this serial number in the order email that was automatically sent to you upon purchase
    • To ensure accuracy and avoid any typing errors, it is recommended to use the copy and paste method
  3. Once you have entered the serial number, click on the “Activate” button
XPFlightPlanner license
License activation dialog

If you didn’t receive your serial number, please check your email inbox and spam folder. The email is sent automatically after the purchase is completed.

By default, you can activate XPFlightPlanner on up to 5 computers that you own. If you need more activation slots for your personal use, please contact us.

Once the activation is complete, XPFlightPlanner will remove the limitation of 5 waypoints, allowing you to fully experience the full capabilities of the software.

Select the navigation database

With XPFlightPlanner, you have the flexibility to use the standard navigation data provided by X-Plane or custom navigation data from Navigraph.

Use X-Plane database

To use XPFlightPlanner, you’ll need access to X-Plane’s world navigation database. You have two options for the database source:

  • Either download the database from the internet (which is stored on GitHub servers)
  • Or import the navigation database from your local X-Plane installation

Upon first launch, the “Navigation database” dialog will appear, allowing you to choose between the two options. You can also access this dialog at any time by selecting “Select navigation database” from the “Edit” menu.

XPFlightPlanner navigation database
Dialog for select the navigation database
  • If you choose to download the database from the internet, select the “Use database from server” option and click the “Download” button. The download process can take up to a minute, depending on your network speed and the server’s conditions. Once the database has been successfully downloaded, it will be stored on your computer in an optimized binary format. XPFlightPlanner will use this same database each time it is started, unless you update and download a new version.
  • Alternatively, you can choose to import the database from your X-Plane installation by selecting “Use X-Plane database” and then clicking “Import from X-Plane.” This process may take up to 1 or 2 minutes, depending on the speed of your computer. After complete, the binary optimized database will be loaded every time you start XPFlightPlanner.

In order to ensure that XPFlightPlanner is using the most up-to-date navigation database, you’ll need to either download or import the database again whenever the X-Plane data cycle is updated.

Note: X-Plane distributes its database under the GPL license. In our GitHub repository which is also made available to the public under the GPL license, you will find the source code for the command line tool that converts the X-Plane database into the binary optimized format used by XPFlightPlanner and the corresponding binary file

Use Navigraph database

By subscribing to Navigraph, you can import their AIRAC cycles directly into XPFlightPlanner, ensuring that your flight plans are based on the most up-to-date and accurate data. This allows for precise and realistic navigation, giving you an enhanced flight planning experience.

To use a custom navigation database in XPFlightPlanner, simply select the option “Use custom data” in the “Navigation database” dialog, and then load the data by clicking the “Import from X-Plane” button. This will import the custom database into XPFlightPlanner’s binary optimized format. Please note that you will need to re-import the custom database each time the data cycle is updated.

To load a custom navigation database, ensure that the custom data is located in the <X-Plane>/Custom Data directory and contains the following files:

  • earth_awy.dat
  • earth_fix.dat
  • earth_nav.dat
  • CIFP directory

Uninstall

Windows

To uninstall XPFlightPlanner on Windows using the standard method, follow these simple steps:

  • First, navigate to the “Control Panel” from the Windows Start menu. Once in the Control Panel, locate the “Programs” or “Programs and Features” option.
  • Click on it to open the list of installed programs on your computer. Look for XPFlightPlanner in the list and select it.
  • Then, click on the “Uninstall” or “Remove” button that appears. Follow any prompts or instructions that may appear during the uninstallation process.

Once completed, XPFlightPlanner will be successfully uninstalled from your Windows system.

macOS

To uninstall XPFlightPlanner on a Mac, follow these steps:

  • First, open the Finder by clicking on the Finder icon in the Dock. In the Finder menu, click on “Applications” to access the list of installed applications.
  • Locate XPFlightPlanner in the list of applications and drag it to the Trash icon in the Dock. Alternatively, you can right-click on XPFlightPlanner and select “Move to Trash” from the context menu.
  • Once you’ve moved XPFlightPlanner to the Trash, right-click on the Trash icon and choose “Empty Trash” to permanently delete the application from your Mac.

Please note that this action cannot be undone, so make sure you have no further need for XPFlightPlanner before emptying the Trash.