Loading a .PLN vs .FLT

[jmdriskell 178]

Working out the kinks of MSFS.  PMDG DC-6 tutorial asks to load a *.PLN, dialog box only sees *.FLT. Before I installed the Workplace GNS 430/530, I think I remember that the dialog box saw the *.PLN files, now only *.FLT files are acceptable.  What am I missing?  I can create *.FLT files but why aren't *.PLN file acceptable.

Thanks,

Jim Driskell

[fppilot 4,360]

1 hour ago, jmdriskell said:

Working out the kinks of MSFS.  PMDG DC-6 tutorial asks to load a *.PLN, dialog box only sees *.FLT. Before I installed the Workplace GNS 430/530, I think I remember that the dialog box saw the *.PLN files, now only *.FLT files are acceptable.  What am I missing?  I can create *.FLT files but why aren't *.PLN file acceptable.

Thanks,

Jim Driskell

A .pln file is a flight plan file for a flight you are about to fly. It is usually created with an external flight planning program or flight planning web site.  A .flt plan is a file that has saved some of the elements of a flight you have underway, presumedly so you might later resume the flight.  However there are some significant issues with resuming a flight, such as restoring the position(s) of your flight controls, restarting some systems like GPS, re-engaging AP and AP settings, etc.  The two; .pln and .flt are intended for two significantly different scenarios.  If you have not created any .pln files then none will be displayed for selection.  They must exist for selection and must first be created.

Who is Workplace GNS?  Did you intend to write Working Title?

Edited May 29, 2023 by fppilot

[jmdriskell 178]

Yes, Working Title; couldn't remember the creator.  I've always used *.PLNs genreated by PFPX or FSCommander (which won't run without FSX installed).  I could import the plans into the FSX PMDG DC-6 w/o problems but now MSFS seems to want a *.FLT. 

Too many bells and whistles in MSFS that I slowly working thru.

Jim

[Alvega 2,124]

8 minutes ago, jmdriskell said:

Yes, Working Title; couldn't remember the creator.  I've always used *.PLNs genreated by PFPX or FSCommander (which won't run without FSX installed).  I could import the plans into the FSX PMDG DC-6 w/o problems but now MSFS seems to want a *.FLT. 

Too many bells and whistles in MSFS that I slowly working thru.

Jim

I recommend Little Navmap, it's the best you can get, and free.

https://albar965.github.io/littlenavmap.html

[Bobsk8 12,674]

All my flight plans in MSFS 2020 are .pln files and i have well over a  thousand of them. I get them from Simbrief. 

[Lorby_SI 2,038]

7 hours ago, jmdriskell said:

Working out the kinks of MSFS.  PMDG DC-6 tutorial asks to load a *.PLN, dialog box only sees *.FLT. Before I installed the Workplace GNS 430/530, I think I remember that the dialog box saw the *.PLN files, now only *.FLT files are acceptable.  What am I missing?  I can create *.FLT files but why aren't *.PLN file acceptable.

Thanks,

Jim Driskell

I think that depends on where you load them:

1. On the World Map you can load both FLT and PLN

2. In flight you can only load FLT (for whatever reason, seems weird TBH)

Edited May 29, 2023 by Lorby_SI

[jmdriskell 178]

Thanks for the help.  Got it figured out.  I was waiting too long before trying to load a plan.  Didn't see the "more" function at the bottom of the proper page.  Now it works as advertised.

Now on the the next function. 

Jim

[robb13 22]

On 5/29/2023 at 12:20 PM, Alvega said:

I recommend Little Navmap, it's the best you can get, and free.

I concur..  Very easy to make a flight plan and save to MSFS20 (check under the main File tab in LittleNavMap). When you start MSFS you will then see both flt and pln files as options.

[jmdriskell 178]

Thanks, I'll look into LittleNavMap.

Jim

[zachlog 18]

When starting a flight in World Map, I don't see an option/hot spot/button  to load a previously created .PLN file for my flight plan. Please let me know how to load a .PLN file for my flight plan.

[Alvega 2,124]

8 minutes ago, zachlog said:

When starting a flight in World Map, I don't see an option/hot spot/button  to load a previously created .PLN file for my flight plan. Please let me know how to load a .PLN file for my flight plan.

Check this: https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-save-and-re-load-flight-plans/464600

[zachlog 18]

1 hour ago, Alvega said:

Check this: https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-save-and-re-load-flight-plans/464600

Keeping a key item like a flight plan under SPACE MORE....who would have "thunk" it 😄

Thanks !