Tutorials & Guides

X-Plane on Linux

Run X-Plane 11/12 on Linux with motion platform support via network telemetry.

Warning

This setup is for advanced users only. It was tested with following distributions and might not work with other:

Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS x64
Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS x64

1 Introduction

In order to run X-Plane on Linux, you need a separate Windows PC to run ForceSeatPM and control the motion platform. In that configuration, our plug-in installed in X-Plane (on Linux) sends telemetry data to Windows PC. Both Linux host and Windows PC must be connected to the same network, preferably via LAN cable. Technically, WiFi will work, but if the network latency is too high, the platform's operation may feel "disconnected" from the aircraft's behavior.

2 Configuration

1. On Linux, create following directory:
X_PLANE_INSTALLATION_DIR/Resources/plugins/MotionSystems_XPlaneConnector/64

2. Copy (and rename) following file from Windows PC:
ForceSeatPM directory\connectors\MotionSystems_XPlane12Connector64_lin.xpl
Paste it to the following destination (and rename) on Linux host:
X_PLANE_INSTALLATION_DIR/Resources/plugins/MotionSystems_XPlaneConnector/64/lin.xpl

Information

The same source file (MotionSystems_XPlane12Connector64_lin.xpl) will work with both X-Plane 11 and 12.

3. Create a following text file on Linux. It must contain Windows PC's IPv4 address and port, separated by colon (:):
X_PLANE_INSTALLATION_DIR/Resources/plugins/MotionSystems_XPlaneConnector/address.cfg

Information

File content example:
10.1.1.1:4123

4. Activate X-Plane 11 over Net (or X-Plane 12 over Net) profile in ForceSeatPM. You can find it in Professional section (not Games).

5. To use a different port, navigate to X-Plane 11 over Net (or X-Plane 12 over Net) profile in ForceSeatPM, click Configure and enter the desired port. Do not forget to make necessary changes in address.cfg file on Linux host.

6. Start X-Plane simulation on Linux and confirm that the motion platform reacts to aircraft's movements.

3 Custom DataRefs

It is possible to use non default DataRefs for on-ground, ground-speed and engine RPM, if required. In order to enable it: create configuration file on Linux in the following location:
X_PLANE_INSTALLATION_DIR/Resources/plugins/MotionSystems_XPlaneConnector/custom_data_refs.cfg

File content example:

OnGround=sim/aircraft/gear/acf_gear_is_skidGroundSpeed=sim/cockpit/radios/adf1_dme_speed_ktsEngineRpm0=sim/aircraft/prop/acf_des_rpm_prp[0]

4 Troubleshooting

If X-Plane does not load MotionSystems XPlaneConnector, check X-Plane Log.txt file for errors. It is possible that some system libraries are missing and are causing unresolved references error.
If MotionSystems XPlaneConnector is loaded, but PC does not receive data, check connector logs in:
~/MotionSystems/Log
Make sure that your Windows Firewall does not block incoming traffic from your Linux machine.