Package Inclusion:
The GFC500 or GFC700 will contain the following in the box:
- One RealSimGear GFC500 or GFC700 (depending on the device you purchased)
- One USB type A-B cable
- Four M3x8mm Self Tapping screws for plastics.
- One Quick Start Guide
Setting Up Your RealSimGear GFC500 or GFC700
To ease the setup and configuration of your device, RealSimGear has provided an easy to follow instructional video:
- 00:00 Introduction
- 00:12 Optional Accessories
- 01:50 Unboxing The GFC500
- 03:00 Unboxing The GFC700
- 03:56 PC Setup Introduction
- 05:38 Step 1 Physical Connections
- 06:13 Step 2 Install RSG Plugin
- 07:58 Step 3 Load X Plane & Test
- 09:50 Auto Pilot Demo
Changing the Autopilot type for aircraft in X-Plane
A common problem for using the GFC500 or GFC700 in X-Plane is that the functions of the RealSimGear GFC500/700 do not pass controls to the simulator. In X-Plane there are several different types of autopilots, each with their own characteristics.
If the aircraft you are flying is already equipped with a Garmin autopilot, these steps are not required. If the aircraft you are using has an STec 55, Bendix King KAP140, or other autopilot type you will need to configure the aircraft to use a Garmin autopilot.
We will do this using the PlaneMaker utility, included with every installation of X-Plane.
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On your computer, navigate to your main X-Plane installation folder.
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In the main folder, locate "PlaneMaker.exe" and run the application.
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With PlaneMaker open go to: File > Open
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Browse to the aircraft installation folder and locate the file that ends in .acf. (In our example we will edit the Cessna 172 Skyhawk with analog gauges in X-Plane 12)
For X-Plane 12:
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At the top menu of PlaneMaker go to: Expert -> Autopilot Configuration
You should see this page:
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Change the "specific autopilot" from STec 55 to GFC700.
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Next to "AP Heading" make sure the button next to "AHRS" is selected in green.
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Go to File -> Save
- Save the modified file to the same directory you opened it from. You will be asked to overwrite the existing file, choose yes to overwrite.
- With the save completed, exit PlaneMaker from File -> Quit.
For X-Plane 11:
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At the top menu of PlaneMaker go to: Standard -> Systems -> General 1
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Change the "Preconfigured Autopilot" from STec 55 to GFC700.
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Next to "AP Heading" make sure the button next to "AHRS" is selected in green.
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Go to File -> Save
- Save the modified file to the same directory you opened it from. You will be asked to overwrite the existing file, choose yes to overwrite.
- With the save completed, exit PlaneMaker from File -> Quit.
Warning: Do not change any other settings in PlaneMaker other than those called out in this guide. Doing so can render the aircraft unflyable.
With these changes made to the aircraft autopilot configuration, your GFC500 will now have full control of all the autopilot functions of the aircraft in X-Plane.