X-Plane 11 / 12

X-Plane 11 and 12 use the simulator’s built-in UDP dataref interface. No Bridge plugin is required. Start a flight with X-Plane’s normal UDP port 49000 available on the same computer, then check the SIM status in Bridge.

Use Settings → Session to select X-Plane explicitly when automatic detection would select another running simulator. Restart Bridge after changing this preference. macOS supports X-Plane; MSFS connections are available on Windows and Linux.

Waiting for a simulator

Bridge can start before the simulator. Leave it open, start MSFS or X-Plane and load a flight; detection continues while waiting. Finding a process is only a hint: the SIM status becomes connected after a valid simulator response. A closed simulator is normal and does not produce repeated idle timeout warnings.

If X-Plane does not connect

Open Support → Health checks and run X-Plane reachability. Check that a flight is loaded, X-Plane uses UDP port 49000, and local firewall rules allow the two applications to communicate. A reachability reply proves the probe received data; the live session also needs fresh, valid flight observations. Aircraft identity alone is not enough.

Autopilot Follow and native trim

For a supported linked control, AP Follow temporarily owns the required pitch or roll axis and sends physical control input back to X-Plane. X-Plane 12.2 and later also offers native trim support for compatible conventional controls. Ownership is per axis and released on disarm, disconnect or shutdown. Custom add-ons can use a different control system; a recognized aircraft name does not guarantee a writable integration.

Aircraft-specific limits

Native trim support does not apply to every aircraft, and custom autopilots need their own integration. Zibo uses its own autopilot observations; Bridge does not write Zibo-specific datarefs. Hydraulic-loss detection is not supported in X-Plane yet. Effects that need unavailable telemetry cannot reproduce the corresponding event.

Pause, loading and reconnect

Bridge checks the age and validity of the flight data in incoming UDP packets. A stream without fresh flight observations for roughly three seconds is treated as stale. Paused data can remain connected while dynamic forces are quiet. During loading or simulator exit, the status and force watchdog reflect the available stream. A later valid flight reconnects automatically.

Trim compensation

On X-Plane 12.2 and later, compatible conventional aircraft can use native trim compensation across supported FFB devices. Earlier X-Plane versions and custom control systems follow the available fallback path. Verify pressure relief and aircraft response in the aircraft you fly rather than assuming every add-on uses the standard trim model.