QUICK START GUIDE ...............................................................................................

2
REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................... 3
RENDERING OPTIONS .......................................................................................... 4
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS ........................................................................... 5
INSTALLATION ................................................................................................... 5
UPDATES ............................................................................................................ 7
PROBLEMS WITH INSTALLATION..................................................................... 8
SETTING UP X-PLANE, CONTROLLERS AND CAMERA ................................... 10
X-PLANE CUSTOM COMMANDS ..................................................................... 10
CONTROLLERS SETUP ................................................................................... 12
CAMERA SETTING ........................................................................................... 14
VIEW OPTIONS ................................................................................................. 16
FIRST STEPS ....................................................................................................... 18
HOW TO WALK AND MANIPULATE ................................................................. 18
DETAILED LIST OF ACTION ZONES .................................................................. 26
DETAILED GUIDE .................................................................................................... 35
MENU SYSTEM .................................................................................................... 35
QUICK START ................................................................................................... 35
CAMERA............................................................................................................ 35
WEIGHT AND FUEL .......................................................................................... 35
SETTINGS ......................................................................................................... 35
CONTROLLERS ................................................................................................ 35
CHECKLIST ....................................................................................................... 35
AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS .......................................................................................... 36

1│ C172 SP MANUAL Do not use for real flight training. http://www.airfoillabs.com/

 EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
BEFORE YOU TAKE IT TO THE SKIES.

Thank you for supporting our passion for realistic flight simulation. Please take few
minutes and check important information before you start your journey. This should
help you to enjoy the full spectrum of the features and functionality. Enjoy the realistic
immersive experience and don't forget to check updates as we are continually
developing new features for our 172.

Have a good flight!

2│ C172 SP MANUAL Do not use for real flight training. http://www.airfoillabs.com/

REQUIREMENTS
X-Plane 10.40+ 64bit Windows, Mac or Linux - 64bit version
Windows 7+ 64bit or Mac OSX 10.7 or higher; or Linux Ubuntu 14.04LTS or
compatible (older versions are not supported)
Microsoft C++ Redistributable 2013 64bit is required!
8Gb RAM, 2.5Ghz CPU
1Gb+ Dedicated VRAM Video Card (2GB VRAM Recommended)
790 MB Hard Drive Space
Internet connection

This aircraft features a highly detailed 3D model and greatly improved technology.
Please bear in mind that it will place greater demands on your PC hardware.

WINDOWS USERS

As the aircraft is using sophisticated DreamEngine sound technology it requires Open-

AL drivers to be installed on your computer in order to run on Windows. If you use
Windows Vista or higher it may come with your system by default, so discard this
advice. Also please check that your antivirus is not removing *.xpl files considering it
as malicious. This occurs very rarely.

For the best experience it is highly recommended to use a flight controller device
(Yoke, Joystick, Pedals ...).

3│ C172 SP MANUAL Do not use for real flight training. http://www.airfoillabs.com/

RENDERING OPTIONS
The aircraft looks best if you have at least these options selected:

With HDR rendering option selected and with texture resolution on very high, it looks
really wonderful but in case you don’t have a powerful machine it could have a hard hit
on FPS.

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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
INSTALLATION
Please follow these steps:

1. After purchasing, download the file from X-plane.org store.

2. Extract the .zip file and copy the folder to you desired folder:
For example: X-Plane 10/Aircraft/General Aviation/Airfoillabs C172SP 1.41
PLEASE DO NOT MOVE THE FILES FROM THE AIRCRAFT FOLDER

3. Open X-plane 64bit version.

4. In the recent release there are 3 versions of the aircraft so that you could
optimize your performance:

Airfoillabs_C172SP_high_res.acf
Airfoillabs_C172SP_medium_res.acf
Airfoillabs_C172SP_low_res.acf

Open the LOW RES aircraft (LOW RES is more safe for the activation, you
can use the version of your choice later).

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 5. When the aircraft is loaded for the first time the plugins are deactivated and
you hear a background noise. An activation window will appear. You have two
options how to activate our aircraft:
a. Activate automatically (easiest method, internet required).

1. Click Next.
2. Copy/Paste your Serial Number from X-plane.org store and click
Next.

3. When prompted reload the aircraft and enjoy!

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 b. Manual activation
1. Enter Serial Number from X-plane.org store.
2. The text in the window will change to „Your activation number is:
XXX...“
3. Copy or write down the activation number.
4. Use computer connected to the internet, go to web browser and go to
http://activate.1-sim.com/ address.

5. Enter your Serial Number and Activation Number to the respective

lines, click on ACTIVATE then follow the the instructions, download the
aircraft.key file and copy it to the main folder of our aircraft (.../Airfoillabs
C172SP 1.41/...)

UPDATES
Please follow these steps:

1. Completely remove the folder of our aircraft (.../Airfoillabs C172SP 1.41/...).

2. Download the new version from X-plane.org store where is always the most
recent file.
3. Proceed with installation and activation steps specified above in the
INSTALLATION paragraph.
4. In case you will exceed the number of activations, please send us your SN to
airfoillabs@gmail.com, we will add for you more activations manually.

7│ C172 SP MANUAL Do not use for real flight training. http://www.airfoillabs.com/

PROBLEMS WITH INSTALLATION

1. When you don’t see activation window pop-up (Windows).

The SASL plugin is very probably not running and if you look in Log.txt file in
your main X-plane directory you will probably see this line:
Error Code = 126 : The specified module could not be found.

This does not necessarily means that the plugin file is not there, but more
probably that it is missing a dependency. Open Windows Control Panel >
Programs and Features > View Installed Updates. You will see a long list of
updates. Look for Microsoft Visual C++ ...

Note ones marked x64 are the 64bit versions, and the ones marked x86 are
the 32bits ones.

The Error 126 is suggesting that you are missing:

Microsoft C++ redistributable 2010 64bit or
Microsoft C++ redistributable 2013 64 bit

8│ C172 SP MANUAL Do not use for real flight training. http://www.airfoillabs.com/

 Try to download them and install one at a time. If you still have a problem
please contact us at airfoillabs@gmail.com.

2. In case of extremely low framerate during activation.

Please make sure you follow these steps:

1. Make sure Plane Maker application is closed and launch X-plane 64bit.
2. Load default X-plane C172 and select a small airport.
3. Switch off other air traffic:
a. Aircraft > Aircraft & Situations > Other Aircraft Tab
b. Set number of aircraft to 1.
4. Lower the Rendering Options of X-plane to minimum values, but make sure
„compress textures to save VRAM” is selected.
5. Restart X-plane 64bit.
6. Load again the default X-plane C172.
7. Go to:
a. Environment > Weather > Set weather uniformly for the whole world
TAB
b. Set visibility to a very low value (10.0 sm).
8. Change the aircraft to Airfoillabs_C172SP_low_res. Make sure it is the LOW
RES version.
9. Continue with activation process as explained above.

9│ C172 SP MANUAL Do not use for real flight training. http://www.airfoillabs.com/

SETTING UP X-PLANE, CONTROLLERS
AND CAMERA
X-PLANE CUSTOM COMMANDS
The essential functions of the aircraft requires setting up very important
commands that makes the experience more comfortable.

We recommend this ergonomic setup:

Go to Settings > Joystick & Equipment > Keys TAB > assign these custom commands
and make sure you click here when assigning them:

In the following page is the list of the recommended assignments. The blue cells
represents assignments that are by default in X-plane if the user did not changed it.

10│ C172 SP MANUAL Do not use for real flight training. http://www.airfoillabs.com/
 KEYS COMMANDS FUNCTION
When G-EFFECTS used, while holding the SPACE key
SPACE 172/views/panel_steady you are able to steady the view for setting up
comfortably different knobs or buttons.
TAB 172/views/7_CHECKLIST Show/Hide Checklists.
ALT + A 172/menu/CHECKLIST_Pg_Dn Checklist PgDn.
ALT + Q 172/menu/CHECKLIST_Pg_Up Checklist PgUp.
ALT + ~ 172/menu/CLOSE_ALL Close all menu windows.
ALT + 1 172/menu/1_QUICK_START Show/Hide Quick Start menu.
ALT + 2 172/menu/2_CAMERA Show/Hide Camera menu.
ALT + 3 172/menu/3_WEIGHT_AND_FUEL Show/Hide Weight and Fuel menu.
ALT + 4 172/menu/4_SETTINGS Show/Hide Settings menu.
ALT + 5 172/menu/5_CONTROLLERS Show/Hide Controllers menu.
ALT + 6 172/menu/6_ENGINE Show/Hide Engine menu.
ALT + 7 172/menu/7_CHECKLIST Show/Hide Checklists.
ALT + 8 172/menu/8_FOOTER_PANEL Show/Hide Footer Panel.
G-EFFECTS - BASIC - Pilot view. (Use to reset to Pilot
NUM 0 view/quick_look_0
view.)
NUM . 172/views/NUM_dot_GO_OUT_IN Go out, go in. (Use to switch to exterior walk
Manipulation Mode and back)
NUM 1 view/quick_look_1 G-EFFECTS - BASIC / OFF - Instruments view.
NUM 2 view/quick_look_2 G-EFFECTS - BASIC / OFF - Radio panel view.
NUM 3 view/quick_look_3 G-EFFECTS - BASIC / OFF - Pedestal view.
G-EFFECTS - BASIC / OFF - Copilot / passenger 1
NUM 4 view/quick_look_4
view.
NUM 5 view/quick_look_5 G-EFFECTS - BASIC / OFF - Passenger 2 view.
NUM 6 view/quick_look_6 G-EFFECTS - BASIC / OFF - Passenger 3 view.
NUM 7 view/quick_look_7 G-EFFECTS - BASIC / OFF - Left rear view.
NUM 8 view/quick_look_8 G-EFFECTS - BASIC / OFF - Right rear view.
NUM 9 view/quick_look_9 G-EFFECTS - BASIC / OFF - Right side view.
ALT + NUM 0 172/views/0_pilot G-EFFECTS - ADVANCED / BASIC / OFF - Interior -
Pilot. (Use to reset to Pilot view.)
G-EFFECTS - ADVANCED / BASIC / OFF - Interior -
ALT + NUM 1 172/views/1_radio
Radio panel.
G-EFFECTS - ADVANCED / BASIC / OFF - Interior -
ALT + NUM 2 172/views/2_fuel
Pedestal.
ALT + NUM 3 172/views/3_copilot_pass_1 G-EFFECTS - ADVANCED / BASIC / OFF - Interior -
Copilot / Passenger 1.
G-EFFECTS - ADVANCED / BASIC / OFF - Interior -
ALT + NUM 4 172/views/4_pass_2
Passenger 2.
G-EFFECTS - ADVANCED / BASIC / OFF - Interior -
ALT + NUM 5 172/views/5_pass_3
Passenger 3.
G-EFFECTS - ADVANCED / BASIC / OFF - Exterior -
ALT + NUM 6 172/views/6_L_wing
Left wing.
G-EFFECTS - ADVANCED / BASIC / OFF - Exterior -
ALT + NUM 7 172/views/7_R_wing
Right wing.
G-EFFECTS - ADVANCED / BASIC / OFF - Exterior -
ALT + NUM 8 172/views/8_Tail
Tail.
G-EFFECTS - ADVANCED / BASIC / OFF - Exterior -
ALT + NUM 9 172/views/9_Front
Front.
HOME 172/views/walk_forw G-EFFECTS - ADVANCED - Outside walk forward.
END 172/views/walk_back G-EFFECTS - ADVANCED - Outside walk backward.
DELETE 172/views/walk_L G-EFFECTS - ADVANCED - Outside walk left.
PG DN 172/views/walk_R G-EFFECTS - ADVANCED - Outside walk right.

11│ C172 SP MANUAL Do not use for real flight training. http://www.airfoillabs.com/
CONTROLLERS SETUP

This is a very important setting that will influence your overall experience.

Go to our aircraft menu and click on CONTROLLERS:

YOKE MOVEMENT SWITCHES AUTOP.OFF

If you wish that when you move with the yoke it will switch off the autopilot, check this
option. In some cases, especially if your controller is older and jiggles little bit, it can
be disturbing. Therefore we recommend to leave this option unchecked or
experiment with it, if it suits you.

If you wish to assign a command to your controller or key to switch of the autopilot,
please don’t use the default command in X-plane (because of custom sophisticated
AP behavior) but instead use our custom command. Go to Settings > Joystick &
Equipment > Keys TAB >

and assign this custom command to your controller:

172/autopilot/ap_switch_off

12│ C172 SP MANUAL Do not use for real flight training. http://www.airfoillabs.com/
DISABLE RUDDER TRIM AND AILERON TRIM
The flight model that we designed is taking in consideration that the real aircraft has
no rudder nor ailerons trim. This option is available only because of special request
from some customers. If disabled (by default) it is possible to experience the behavior
we added to X-plane normal aerodynamic model to more correctly represent P-
Factor. Models that are designed only using Plane-Maker are not very stable and
there is either excessive P-factor or not sufficient amount.

I WANT TO USE X-PLANE AXIS SETTING

If you wish to use standard controller setup that is provided by X-plane please check
this option and set your joystick/yoke/pedals parameters here (example):

I WANT TO USE CUSTOM AXIS SETTING

This is a special system that we developed to simulate more realistically „forces“ that
are not there and sensibility of the real yoke and rudder pedals. You will find a
special chapter dedicated to all menu items on page XX.

If you select this option you are able to set SENSIBILTY and ARTIFICIAL FEEL
parameters for each axis. Use recommended settings or experiment with it. This will
also change some of the default X-plane joystick parameters, but don’t worry these

13│ C172 SP MANUAL Do not use for real flight training. http://www.airfoillabs.com/
are saved and restored after you close the aircraft or after you switch back to
standard X-plane axis setting.

CAMERA SETTING

Take a little time and set the camera setting. Open CAMERA menu window:

You will find a special chapter dedicated to all menu items on page XX.

Recommended quick setup:

1. If you wish to use external hardware or software (TrackIR, X-Camera,..) use

G-EFFECTS BASIC mode or G-EFFECTS OFF option.
2. If you have a high end PC experiment with G-EFFECTS ADVANCED mode –
this option enables the camera real motion and not only angle of view. This
mode is not compatible with external camera plugins or hardware.
3. G-EFFECTS GAIN slider – intensity of the camera movements. Set it to your
best subjective experience.
4. You can use DYNAMIC VIEW only in G-EFFECTS ADVANCED mode and it
enables you to automatically look around. According to some customers it is
not always suitable, therefore it is by default switched off. If you wish
experiment with this setting.
5. SIMULATED WALK – this is the system that simulates the external walk and
different actions outside of the aircraft. Leave it checked if you wish to use
outside walk – it is not always compatible with external camera plugins or
hardware.

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MULTI CHANNEL SETUP - MULTIPLE PCs

In this case please use the following setting:

1. Check G-EFFECTS OFF option on each visual.

2. Uncheck SIMULATED WALK option on each visual.
3. Please bear in mind that multi-channel setup does not permit outside walk
functionality.

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VIEW OPTIONS

After setting up custom commands according to information above, you are able to
set these views with NUM keys:

1. G-EFFECTS OFF or G-EFFECTS BASIC

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 2. ANY G-EFFECTS SETTING

ALT + NUM keys represents views available in the CAMERA menu. Please use
these especially if G-EFFECTS ADVANCED mode is selected.

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FIRST STEPS
HOW TO WALK AND MANIPULATE
Our aircraft is equipped with a complex camera system but don’t worry you can use it
very intuitively. Please make sure you have set the recommended custom commands
as explained above. This will make the experience much more immersive and easier.

Following this very simple guide you will be able to familiarize with basic movement
around the aircraft:

1. Click on the door handle to open the door.

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 2. Click on the displayed highlighted surface to get out of the aircraft.

3. Check the left bottom left corner and the message MANIPULATION MODE
ACTIVE – if this sign is ON you are able to walk and manipulate with different
parts of the aircraft. Standard X-plane external views does not permit the
walking or manipulation. Hint: To get outside in manipulation mode quickly
press ALT + NUM . (dot) – the command will toggle your position OUTSIDE /
INSIDE.

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 4. When you are located outside use the recommended keys:
Home – walk forward, Delete – walk left, Page Down – walk right, Delete –
walk left. With MOUSE RIGHT HOLD AND MOVE you can look around and
with MOUSE WHEEL you can zoom – this is intuitive as this is standard X-
plane behavior in the cockpit. MOUSE LEFT CLICK is used when interacting
with outside aircraft manipulation features similarly as inside 3D cockpit.

5. To get in the aircraft you can click on displayed red areas, but make sure you
are close enough to the door opening otherwise you will not get in.

20│ C172 SP MANUAL Do not use for real flight training. http://www.airfoillabs.com/
 6. To open or close the baggage door click on the baggage door.

7. To step up to fill manually the fuel tanks, make sure you are close enough to
the step on the fuselage and click on it.

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 8. When up click on the fuel cup to open it, or close it and use the menu slider
interface to fill the amount you wish.

9. To step down, look down and click again on the step on the fuselage. You will
not be able to step down if the fuel cup is not back in place.

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 10. To manually connect or disconnect the GPU click on the red highlighted area.

11. To view the engine click first on the top engine cowling area highlighted in
read. You will not be able to unmount the cowling if the GPU is connected or if
the oil cup door is open.

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 12. You have to put down always the top cowling as first and only after, the bottom
cowling. Click on the highlighted area.

13. To put back the engine cowling proceed in opposite order, put back first the
bottom part of engine cowling and only after the top part.

24│ C172 SP MANUAL Do not use for real flight training. http://www.airfoillabs.com/
 14. To manually tow the aircraft click on the front wheel strut. Make sure you are
close enough. You can then tow the aircraft by using your CONTROLLER
PITCH AND ROLL. Make sure the parking brake is off and all ropes and
chooks are detached otherwise the aircraft will not move. To finish the towing
click again on the front gear strut.

15. To check the oil click on the red highlighted oil door area.

25│ C172 SP MANUAL Do not use for real flight training. http://www.airfoillabs.com/
DETAILED LIST OF ACTION ZONES
The aircraft has a lot of features and functionalities that can be activated by clicking on
specific areas inside and outside. The following full screen pages will help you with the
quick orientation where is what. This chapter will not guide you to operate internal
aircraft instruments, just different actions not directly related to flight instruments.

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MENU SYSTEM
QUICK START
CAMERA
WEIGHT AND FUEL
SETTINGS
CONTROLLERS
CHECKLIST

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AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

36│ C172 SP MANUAL Do not use for real flight training. http://www.airfoillabs.com/