How To Add Co Route To Flight Factor 757: Complete FMS Navigation Guide
Loading a company route into the Flight Factor 757 Flight Management System requires preparing your flight plan file in the correct corporate format and placing it into the designated X-Plane plugin directory structure. Mastering this workflow eliminates manual waypoint entry errors, decreases pre-flight setup time, and ensures seamless lateral and vertical navigation integration with the aircraft custom avionics.
Pre-Flight Flight Factor 757 FMS Preparation
Executing a smooth flight simulation session in the Flight Factor 757-200 or 757-300 begins with verifying your software environment and route architecture. Because this simulation models the Collins or Universal UNS-1 style architecture depending on your avionics pack, file handling relies on strict directory paths and standard text formats compatible with real-world navigation databases.
- Essential Gear and Tools: A legally purchased copy of the Flight Factor 757, an active AIRAC cycle matching both your simulator and your flight planning software (such as SimBrief), and a text editor like Notepad++ for file verification.
- Mandatory Prerequisite Knowledge: Familiarity with the X-Plane directory tree, basic understanding of ICAO flight plan naming conventions, and working knowledge of the Boeing-style Control Display Unit (CDU) interface.
- Estimated Setup and Execution Duration: Approximately 5 to 10 minutes for route export, file placement, and FMS initialization.
Step-by-Step Flight Factor 757 Co Route Loading Workflow
Step 1: Export and Format Your Flight Plan File
Generate your flight plan using your preferred flight planning utility, ensuring you export the route in the native X-Plane or format compatible with Flight Factor aircraft. The file must be saved with a specific file extension, typically ending in .fms for standard X-Plane routing or a text-based format depending on your specific version configuration. Navigate to your flight planning tool export options and select the standard X-Plane format.
Pro-Tip: Always verify that the AIRAC cycle loaded in your flight planning software matches the current AIRAC cycle active in your X-Plane Custom Data folder to prevent missing waypoint errors during flight plan execution.
Step 2: Locate and Populate the Custom FMS Plans Directory
Once your flight plan file is generated and saved to your computer, you must manually move it into the designated folder structure within your X-Plane installation directory. Open your main X-Plane directory, navigate to the Output folder, locate the FMS plans folder, and paste your saved route file directly into this directory. If the FMS plans folder does not exist, you can create it manually, ensuring the capitalization matches standard system paths.
Warning: Placing the company route file inside the aircraft folder instead of the main X-Plane Output FMS plans directory will cause the CDU to return a not found error when attempting to load the route string.
Step 3: Power Up the Aircraft and Initialize the CDU
Launch X-Plane, load the Flight Factor 757 on the ramp or runway, and establish electrical power using either Ground Power Units or the Auxiliary Power Unit to bring the avionics bus online. Access the Captain or First Officer CDU screen, clear any initial alignment messages on the INIT REF index, and ensure your Position Initialization is complete by entering your current gate or IRS coordinates.
Step 4: Input the Company Route into the RTE Page
Navigate to the Route page by pressing the RTE hard key on the CDU bezel. Locate the prompt labeled CO ROUTE on the left-hand side of the screen, corresponding to line select key 1 left. Type the exact file name of your flight plan (excluding the file extension) into the scratchpad using your keyboard or the on-screen CDU keypad, then press the line select key adjacent to CO ROUTE to inject the route into the active flight plan memory.
Step 5: Execute and Verify the Flight Plan Waypoints
Review the loaded route by pressing the STEP soft key or scrolling through the flight plan pages using the NEXT PAGE key on the CDU. Verify that all waypoints, airways, and terminal transition procedures match your intended operational flight plan. Once verified, press the illuminated EXEC execution key to lock the company route into the active navigation computer and arm the LNAV system.
Boeing 777v2, 757-200-300, 767-200-300, 767-400ER от FlightFactor ...
Flight Factor 757 Navigation Data Specifications
| Parameter | Standard Requirement | Operational Tolerance | Failure Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| File Extension | .fms (X-Plane native) | Exact match required | Route file invisible to CDU |
| Directory Path | X-Plane / Output / FMS plans | Strict folder nesting | File not found error |
| AIRAC Cycle | Synchronized across all tools | Zero cycle variance | Discontinuous waypoints |
| Route Naming | ICAO-ICAO format (e.g., KJFKEGLL) | Maximum character limits apply | Syntax rejection |
Troubleshooting Flight Factor 757 Company Route Errors
- Root Cause: The CDU displays a NOT IN DATA BASE error upon entering the company route name into the CO ROUTE field.
- Actionable Fix: Verify that the flight plan file is saved inside the main X-Plane Output FMS plans folder and not nested inside a subfolder. Ensure the name typed into the scratchpad does not include the file extension.
- Root Cause: Missing or broken waypoints appear as route discontinuities on the LEGS page after loading.
- Actionable Fix: Update both your flight planning tool navigation database and your X-Plane custom data directory to the exact same AIRAC cycle to ensure waypoint naming consistency.
- Root Cause: The flight plan loads partially, truncating arrival procedures or standard terminal arrival routes.
- Actionable Fix: Manually select your origin runway, standard instrument departure, arrival transition, and destination runway directly through the CDU DEP ARR pages after loading the core enroute file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I place company route files for the Flight Factor 757?
You must place your exported flight plan files directly inside the main X-Plane directory under Output, followed by FMS plans. Placing files anywhere else will prevent the Flight Factor avionics from reading the route database.
Why does the Flight Factor 757 say route not found when I enter the co route?
This error typically occurs because the file is placed in the wrong directory, the file extension is incorrect, or there is a spelling mismatch between the name typed into the scratchpad and the actual file name saved on your hard drive.
Can I use SimBrief flight plans directly in the Flight Factor 757?
Yes, you can download the X-Plane format flight plan from SimBrief and drop it into the Output FMS plans folder. Alternatively, you can use integrated Electronic Flight Bag plugins if configured within your simulator environment.
Do I need a specific AIRAC cycle for company routes to work?
While basic waypoints may load without matching cycles, using mismatched navigation databases between your flight planner and X-Plane will cause severe route discontinuities, missing waypoints, and approach loading errors.
Optimize Your Flight Simulation Procedures Today
Elevate your virtual airline operations and master complex Boeing automation by integrating standardized company route workflows into every Flight Factor 757 flight. Explore our advanced avionics guides to refine your operational efficiency in X-Plane.
