How To Add Co Route To Flight Factor 757
Entering a company route (co route) into the Flight Factor 757 Control Display Unit (CDU) allows pilots to load pre-planned flight plans instantly without manual waypoint entry. This procedure requires a correctly formatted flight plan file placed in the designated X-Plane navigation directories and involves initializing the Flight Management System (FMS) via the RTE and CO RTE pages.
Flight Factor 757 Pre-Flight and Navigation Database Requirements
Loading a company route efficiently in the Flight Factor 757-200 or 757-300 relies heavily on proper data structure and environment preparation. Because the aircraft runs on complex custom systems that simulate the real Boeing 757 avionics suite, navigation data must be synchronized between your flight planning tool and your simulator directory.
- Essential Gear and Tools: A legally purchased copy of the Flight Factor 757 for X-Plane 11 or X-Plane 12, an active Navigraph or Aerosoft AIRAC cycle update matching the simulator, and a flight planning utility capable of exporting files in the X-Plane FMS format (such as SimBrief or Little Navmap).
- Mandatory Prerequisite Standards: The generated route file must be saved with the exact four-letter origin and destination airport codes (e.g., KJFKEGLL01.fms) and placed directly into the correct simulator folder path, typically Output, FMS plans, or the custom plugin folder depending on whether you utilize the default X-Plane format or the AviTab/SimBrief integration.
- Estimated Budget and Duration Benchmarks: The procedure is entirely software-based, requiring zero financial outlay if using free native export tools, and takes approximately two to three minutes to execute during standard cockpit preparation flows.
Step-by-Step Flight Factor 757 Company Route Loading Procedure
Step 1: Initialize the Flight Management Computer and Position Initialization
Turn on the aircraft electrical power using external power or the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). Once the Captain and First Officer displays illuminate, access the CDU (FMC) and navigate to the IDENT page to verify that your navigation database AIRAC cycle is current and active. Proceed to the POS INIT page by pressing the corresponding line select keys, then copy the reference airport coordinates into the scratchpad and input them into the IRS position line to align the Inertial Reference System.
Pro-Tip: Always verify that your active AIRAC cycle matches between your flight planning software and the Flight Factor navigation database to prevent route discontinuities caused by outdated waypoint identifiers.
Step 2: Access the Route and Company Route Pages
On the CDU keypad, press the RTE (Route) hard key. This brings up the standard route entry page where you can manually enter origin and destination airports. To load a saved company route, look at the bottom right corner of the screen for the prompt indicating CO RTE. Press the corresponding line select key adjacent to CO RTE to transition to the company route selection menu.
Step 3: Input and Activate the Company Route File
Type the exact identifier of your saved route into the CDU scratchpad. For example, if your route file is named KJFKEGLL01.fms, type KJFKEGLL01 or the specific route naming convention generated by your flight planner. Line-select this entry into the CO RTE field. The FMS will read the file and populate all route waypoints. Review the generated route for continuity errors, then press the flashing ACTIVATE line select key and execute (EXEC) the changes to lock the flight plan into the active navigation system.
Step 4: Verify Route Discontinuities and Performance Initialization
After execution, step through the flight plan pages using the STEP soft key on the navigation display (ND) or the CDU PREV/NEXT PAGE keys to check for missing legs or route discontinuities. Clear any route discontinuities by selecting the waypoint after the break and moving it up to bridge the gap. Finally, proceed to the PERF INIT page to enter zero fuel weight (ZFW), reserve fuel, cost index, and cruising altitude to complete the basic FMS programming.
Warning: Failing to clear route discontinuities before takeoff will cause the Autopilot and Flight Director to drop out of LNAV mode upon reaching the broken leg, leading to unexpected aircraft heading deviations.
Boeing 777v2, 757-200-300, 767-200-300, 767-400ER от FlightFactor ...
Flight Factor 757 Navigation Data and File Format Comparison
| Parameter | Default X-Plane FMS Format | SimBrief Direct Integration | Custom Corporate FMS Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| File Extension | .fms | .json or native plugin stream | .txt or custom proprietary format |
| Storage Directory | Output/FMS plans | Plugin specific directory (e.g., AviTab) | Aircraft root folder plugin data |
| Naming Convention | ORIGDESTXX.fms (e.g., EGLLLFPG01.fms) | Automatically generated via plugin | Determined by user configuration |
| Editing Capability | Editable via standard text editor | Cloud-synced, non-editable locally | Varies by third-party developer |
Troubleshooting Flight Factor 757 Route Loading Errors
Route Not Found Error on the CO RTE Page
- Root Cause: The flight plan file is either missing from the designated X-Plane FMS plans directory, or the filename exceeds character limits or uses invalid extensions.
- Actionable Fix: Open your X-Plane root directory, navigate to the Output/FMS plans folder, and ensure your exported route file matches the exact naming rules and has the correct .fms extension without hidden secondary extensions.
Waypoint Not Found or Database Mismatch Warnings
- Root Cause: A specific airway or waypoint in the company route does not exist in your current simulator AIRAC database due to an expired cycle.
- Actionable Fix: Update your simulator navigation database via Navigraph or Aerosoft to match the exact AIRAC cycle used when generating the flight plan in your routing software.
Missing Altitude or Speed Restrictions After Loading
- Root Cause: The third-party export tool strips restriction data when converting flight plans into basic FMS formats.
- Actionable Fix: Manually enter departure and arrival procedures (SID/STAR) along with speed and altitude constraints on the LEGS page of the CDU after loading the base co route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Flight Factor 757 reject my saved company route?
The Flight Factor 757 requires route files to be placed in the precise X-Plane FMS plans directory and formatted correctly. If the file extension is incorrect or the origin and destination codes do not match the internal syntax, the CDU will display an entry error message.
Can I use SimBrief flight plans directly in the Flight Factor 757?
Yes, you can download the X-Plane FMS flight plan format directly from SimBrief and drop it into your simulator FMS plans folder. Many pilots also utilize the Electronic Flight Bag or tablet plugins integrated into the aircraft to fetch SimBrief plans automatically.
Do I need an active Navigraph subscription to use company routes?
While a subscription is not strictly mandatory, both your flight planning tool and the Flight Factor 757 navigation database must use the same AIRAC cycle. Mismatched cycles between the route file and the aircraft database will trigger waypoint mismatch errors during loading.
What should I do if my route contains discontinuities after loading?
Navigate to the LEGS page on the CDU and use the line select key to grab the waypoint immediately following the gap. Copy it over the dashed lines representing the discontinuity and press EXEC to join the route segments seamlessly.
Master your Flight Factor 757 virtual cockpit operations by implementing standardized pre-flight workflows and precise navigation data management for every journey.
