CoPilot for MS Flight Simulator


Software Getting Started with CoPilot

CoPilot Installation Steps

  1. Download gc_copilot.exe from our site gc_copilot.exe (2.6MB) to a temporary folder.
     
  2. Run gc_copilot.exe to start the installation to your hard drive.
     
  3. By default, CoPilot is installed to this folder: C:\Program Files\Abacus\CoPilot. If this is acceptable, simply click Next on the Choose Destination Location screen. To change the installation folder, click Browse... and either browse to choose a new path or type a new path in the box given and click OK.
     
  4. Keep clicking Next to complete the installation.
     
  5. On the last screen of the installation, please view the Readme file by placing a check in the "Yes, I want to view the Readme file" checkbox and clicking Finish.

You can also download the CoPilot User's Guide (PDF format) from our site gc_copilot.pdf (1.8MB). For easier reference, you can print the contents.

 

Using CoPilot

Running CoPilot involves three basic steps:

  1. Installing the CoPilot GPS,
  2. Using filesets to make a flight plan and
  3. Flying the flight plan in FS.


Installing the CoPilot GPS

  1. Once the installation closes, double-click the GPS Installer icon in the CoPilot Program Group or click Start | Programs | CoPilot | GPS Installer. This starts the installation for CoPilot's GPS
     
  2. Once the program starts, choose your version of FS and click Next
     
  3. The main program shows two lists:
    - The list on the left shows the aircraft in your FS that DO NOT have the CoPilot GPS
    - The list on the right shows the aircraft that DO have the CoPilot GPS
     
    To install the GPS, click an aircraft from the list on the left.
     
  4. After selected the desired plane, click the Install button located between the two windows.
     
  5. You'll see a confirmation window. Click OK and the aircraft is moved from the left side to the right. Afterwards, when you choose the plane in FS, the CoPilot GPS will be there ready to go.
     
    Note: Certain aircraft uses panels from other planes. If you install the GPS onto a plane that shares its panel, the plane will be moved from the left list to the right, but all other planes that use the panel will remain on the left side. The planes that use the same panel of a plane that has the GPS installed will also have the GPS installed.
      
  6. Click Done to close the GPS Installer.



Using CoPilot, Filesets and Flight Plans

  1. Once the GPS Installer closes, double-click the CoPilot icon in the newly created CoPilot program group or click Start | Programs | CoPilot | CoPilot to run the program.
      
  2. You will need to enter the ID and SN numbers to enter the program. Once these are entered and all setting for FS Version and path are set, click OK. Click Finish to start CoPilot.
     
  3. Typically FS requires you place the FS CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive when using Flight Sim. CoPilot may also need the Flight Sim CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive. Insert the FS CD-ROM (disk #2 for FS2002 or FS2002 ), click File | Open Scenery Files and click rebuild. Click OK on he pop-up message. This creates an accurate database for FS's Scenery that CoPilot uses.
     
  4. Once the database is created, select a fileset from the list on the left and click Open to load the navigation data and map.
     
  5. Click OK on the Map Projection window to open the map. Note that all regions except the US and Europe will open a blank map (no coastline or boundaries). Detailed maps can be downloaded and placed into CoPilot's \maps folder replacing the blank ones.
     
  6. Once the map is open, click Navigation | Quick Plan.
     
  7. On the left, locate and click the desired Departure airport.
     
  8. On the right, locate and click the Destination airport and click OK. This will create a flight plane that can be printed if you desire.

Flying the Flight Plan

  1. Once the flight plan is open, you'll need to start Flight Sim. DO NOT CLOSE CoPilot. Both FS and CoPilot must be running for the GPS to operate properly. You can minimize CoPilot by clicking the minus (-) button in the upper right corner. Now set up Flight Sim normally.
     
  2. Once Flight Sim is running, set your plane to the Departure airport you chose in CoPilot and choose a plane that has the GPS installed.
     
  3. Click SET on the GPS. Note: If a message appears asking you to close, maximize or restore FS, just close the window by clicking on the FS screen somewhere. This will open the Set Destination window.
     
  4. Click Flight plan from the Option box (top right).
     
  5. The first point listed is your Departure airport (point 000). Click point 001. This is the first waypoint of the flight plan and click OK.
     
  6. Now the CoPilot GPS is set for your first waypoint. Take off in your plane like normal. When you reach your desired altitude, click the AP button. This engages the Autopilot and lock on to your first waypoint. When you reach the waypoint, CoPilot automatically updates to the next waypoint on the list. These updates occur all the way to the last point of the flight plan - the Destination airport.
     
  7. When you reach the Destination airport, click the AP button on the GPS again to turn off the Autopilot. Now you can land the plane.