About...

The flight data recorder is designed to provide a simple method for gathering data via udp from X-Plane. It is possible to select which data channels, and which of the 8 data values available per channel - to record.

The data is currently output to a file in CSV format which can be read directly into Microsoft Excel for analysis or rapid graphing. Other formats (and features) will be added as requested.

Download

Download flight data recorder 6.20 (beta 1) by clicking here. (200KB)
(NOTE: This version designed for X-Plane 6.2x)
Please see the README.txt file for the latest notes.

Quick Start

ON THE MACHINE RUNNING X-PLANE

1. From the 'Settings' menu in X-Plane, select 'Internet Connections'.
2. Select the 'Data Receiver' option and enter the IP address of your data collection machine.
3. X-Plane can now be left running.

ON THE DATA COLLECTION MACHINE

1. Run the data recorder program.
2. Enter the IP address of the X-Plane machine in the 'Network, IP-Address' box and click the 'Set' button.
3. Use the 'Select Data Channels' button to select which data channels you wish to monitor.
4. Use the 'Refine Data Outputs' button to select which of the 8 values per channel you wish to record.
5. Having selected which data channels you wish to receive, click the 'Send DSEL' button which will request X-Plane send the selected data channels.
6. You should now see the 'LED' at the bottom left corner start to flash - indicating that data is being received.
7. Use the 'Select Output File' button to select a file into which the data should be written.
8. You may now use the 'Record' button to start collecting data from X-Plane.
9. Click the 'Stop' button to pause recording, and/or the 'Close Output File' button to close the output file.
10. The 'USEL All' button will send a request to X-Plane that it should no longer send any data at all. Remember to use the 'Send DSEL' button should you wish to start recording again!

Output

An example Excel graph showing pitch/time

Features and Bugs...

The flight recorder uses a Windows .ini file in which it stores things like screen position, IP addresses and data channel selections to that it can all be run again and again without having to reconfigure it each time.

There are some (known) rough edges here, and there is limited error checking so if your disk fills up with data, it'll fail. Do let me know about any problems or features you'd like to see. Each new release should see more polish and additional features.

Mail me at: roy@x-plane.info