Master X-Plane so you can become a better, safer pilot.
Our 2-day live course, you will get hands-on practice with setting up, optimizing, and using X-Plane for pilot training and proficiency.
Course Details
It’s a unique opportunity for you to learn X-Plane in a live, online classroom setting—with an expert Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). You can ask all your questions and learn from the interactions with other students.
Each class has a strict maximum of 7 students. The instructor will give turns to each student to share their screen with the class and practice using various X-Plane features.
It also includes a free 30-minute 1-on-1 lesson with any of our Certified Flight Instructors to get extra personalized support, as well as a quick reference sheet to help you practice the various topics from the class.
Our team of instructors has thousands of hours of remote teaching experience helping pilots like you to use their home simulators to become better pilots. We are experts in the various tools, add-ons, tips, and tricks that will let you get the most out of your sim experience. Come join us, and we’ll be excited to share our insight and experience with you!
Note: This course is focused on the operation of the simulator, not techniques for actually flying the aircraft. We offer 1:1 coaching for both real-world pilots and sim enthusiasts if you want to receive remote flight instruction.
Our next available course will be taught by CFI Mike Catalfamo with the following schedule:
- Class 1: April 29, 2023 (Saturday) from 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time (1430-1700 UTC)
- Class 2: April 30, 2023 (Sunday) from 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time (1430-1700 UTC)
Each class is conducted in small-group format (max 7 per class) to ensure high-quality personal attention.
Classes will consist of tutorial, practical exercises which you can complete alongside the instructor, and ample opportunities to ask questions.
You can utilize the free 1-on-1 coaching session at any point when you would like to receive extra support or practice.
Software used: Each class will be conducted using Zoom as the primary method of communication and screen share.
A stable internet connection and a computer microphone are required. Webcam is not required.
You must have the latest version of X-Plane 12 installed.
This class will be taught by one or more members of our remote flight instructor team and/or additional guest instructors holding flight/ground instructor certificates.
They are flight simulation experts who will help you understand absorb the knowledge to master the features of your sim software.
- Class 1:
- Getting Started: Learn how to load the simulator, calibrate your flight controls, and set up a flight
- Hardware options: An overview of the various hardware choices available to help improve your simulation experience
- Configuring X-Plane: Understand the menus, keyboard shortcuts, and profiles
- Rendering Options: Understand frame rate and the factors that affect it
- Setting up flight: Selecting an aircraft, special starts, weather configuration and add-ons, date/time, and other configuration options
- Cockpit Interaction: Learn the various methods of interacting with common controls in the cockpit (knobs, clickable regions, zooming, radio tuning, etc.)
- View Controls: Learn how to use the view menu, keyboard shortcuts, your joystick/yoke, and add-ons to quickly look around the aircraft or outside of it
- Class 2:
- Training tools: X-Plane includes numerous tools which allow you to efficiently practice and debrief various aspects of your flights. You will learn about all of them here.
- VR: An introduction to what Virtual Reality (VR) can bring to your simulation experience and some of the pros/cons
- ATC: Learn how to use the built-in ATC feature (and understand some of its limitations). Also includes an intro to third party tools such as PilotEdge and VATSIM.
- Misc: Various features such as AI, logbooks, Plane Maker, crash detection, etc.
- EFB integration: How to use your simulator with an EFB (like Foreflight) so that your aircraft location shows on the EFB map
- Installing add-ons: Practice installing several add-ons (including aircraft, scenery, and utilities)
- From here: Suggested practice techniques and resources for maximizing the educational value and enjoyment from your simulator
Courses
Your instructor will give each student the opportunity to share their screen via Zoom as much as possible during the class. To do this, we generally alternate who is sharing their screen every 15-20 minutes during the class. Or if you’re having trouble with a topic, we will try to have you share your screen as soon as possible. However, you are not required to share your screen if you do not want to.
There may be a few items to check/configure before the class (such as setting your simulator to Windowed mode, doing a Zoom test call, etc.). We will send you a briefing packet before the class starts to help you prepare. Note that you do not need to use a webcam to participate.
Yes, we specialize in offering this type of remote instruction. On our instructor page, you can find an instructor to book on an hourly basis.
No. There are some minor differences in the user interface between X-Plane 11 and 12, but either one can be used during the course without issues.
The power of live instruction
“This course was well done and covered useful topics needed to be comfortable with the software and flight controls. Everything I needed was covered. I feel well prepared as a beginner sim pilot.”
“Couldn’t be better. Excellent materials. I liked the attention to generalization versus getting lost in details.”
Flight Sim Coach is proudly featured by:
Time until the next course starts:
X-Plane Small Group Class
- Strict max of 7 per class
- 5 hours of live instruction
- Includes an additional free 30 minute 1:1 lesson with any Flight Sim Coach instructor
- Taught by experienced certified flight instructors
- Quick reference sheet
- Recordings of the class (available for 6 months)
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