Documentation

Everything you need to know about CATX Skies

Quick Start Guide

Get up and running with CATX Skies in under 5 minutes.

1

Download & Install

Download the latest version from the download page and run the installer.

CATX_Skies_Setup_v1.0.0.exe
2

Create Account

Register for a free account to save your flights and access cloud features.

Create Account
3

Configure Simulator

Select your simulator (MSFS or X-Plane) and configure the connection settings.

4

Start Flying!

Load a flight in your simulator and watch CATX Skies automatically track your journey.

Pro Tip: Enable auto-connect in settings to automatically connect when your simulator starts.

Installation

System Requirements

Operating System

Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)

Framework

.NET Framework 4.7.2 or later

Memory

4GB RAM minimum

Network

Internet connection required

Installation Steps

  1. Download the installer from the download page
  2. Run CATX_Skies_Setup_v1.0.0.exe
  3. Follow the installation wizard
  4. Launch CATX Skies from the Start Menu
  5. Login with your account credentials
Windows Defender: You may need to allow the app through Windows Defender SmartScreen on first run.

Microsoft Flight Simulator Setup

Configure CATX Skies to work with MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024.

Prerequisites

  • MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024 installed
  • MSFS fully updated to latest version
  • CATX Skies installed and running

Connection Setup

Step 1: Launch MSFS

Start Microsoft Flight Simulator and wait for it to fully load to the main menu.

Step 2: Load a Flight

Load any flight - SimConnect only activates once you're in the cockpit.

Main Menu → World Map → Select Aircraft → Fly

Step 3: Connect CATX Skies

CATX Skies will automatically detect and connect to MSFS if auto-connect is enabled.

Status indicator will turn green: Connected

No Configuration Needed: SimConnect is built into MSFS - no additional setup required!

Troubleshooting MSFS Connection

Connection Failed
  • Ensure MSFS is running and a flight is loaded
  • Try running CATX Skies as Administrator
  • Check Windows Firewall allows CATX Skies
  • Restart both MSFS and CATX Skies
Connected but No Data
  • Make sure the flight is not paused
  • Check aircraft is fully loaded
  • Try reloading the flight

X-Plane Setup

Configure CATX Skies to work with X-Plane 11 or X-Plane 12.

Important: X-Plane requires UDP configuration. This is mandatory for CATX Skies to receive flight data.

Enable UDP Output in X-Plane

X-Plane 12 Configuration

  1. Open X-Plane 12
  2. Click Settings (gear icon)
  3. Go to Data Output tab
  4. Find Network via UDP section
  5. Enable "Send network data output"
  6. Set IP Address: 127.0.0.1
  7. Set Port: 49000
  8. Click Done

X-Plane 11 Configuration

  1. Open X-Plane 11
  2. Click Settings menu
  3. Select Data Input & Output
  4. Click Network tab
  5. Enable "Send network data to external apps"
  6. Set IP: 127.0.0.1
  7. Set Port: 49000
  8. Close settings

Recommended Settings

Setting Value Description
IP Address 127.0.0.1 Localhost (same computer)
Port 49000 Default X-Plane UDP port
Update Rate 10 Hz 10 updates per second

Configure CATX Skies for X-Plane

  1. In CATX Skies, select X-Plane 11/12 from simulator dropdown
  2. Go to Account Settings
  3. Scroll to X-Plane Settings
  4. Verify settings match X-Plane configuration
  5. Click Save Settings

Verify Connection

X-Plane is running with a flight loaded
UDP output is enabled (IP: 127.0.0.1, Port: 49000)
CATX Skies shows "Connected" status (green)
Flight data updates in real-time
Firewall Note: Ensure Windows Firewall allows UDP traffic on ports 49000-49001.

Flight Tracking

Track your flights in real-time with the interactive map and live data displays.

Features

Live Map

Interactive Leaflet map with satellite imagery

Aircraft Position

Real-time aircraft marker with heading indicator

Flight Trail

Visual path of your flight with altitude colors

Live Data

Altitude, speed, heading, fuel, and more

Using the Map

Map Controls

  • Lock Toggle: Keep aircraft centered on map
  • Zoom Controls: +/- buttons to adjust zoom level
  • Airport Toggle: Show/hide airport markers
  • Panel Toggle: Collapse flight data panel

Flight Data Panel

The left panel displays real-time flight information:

  • Altitude: Current altitude MSL in feet
  • AGL: Height above ground level
  • Speed: Indicated airspeed in knots
  • Ground Speed: Actual ground speed
  • Heading: True heading in degrees
  • Vertical Speed: Rate of climb/descent in FPM
  • Position: Latitude and longitude
  • Fuel: Remaining fuel in pounds
  • Status: Aircraft state (taxiing, climbing, etc.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both MSFS and X-Plane?

Yes! Use the simulator selector dropdown to switch between MSFS and X-Plane. The app handles the transition automatically.

Do I need an internet connection?

Yes, for initial login and cloud features. Flight tracking works offline after login, but your flights won't sync until you're back online.

Does it work with FSX or Prepar3D?

Currently, only MSFS 2020/2024 and X-Plane 11/12 are supported.

Can I run X-Plane on a different computer?

Yes! Configure the X-Plane host IP in Account Settings → X-Plane Settings to connect to a remote X-Plane instance.

How do I share my flights?

Flight sharing features are coming soon! You'll be able to share flights with friends and the CATX community.

Where are my flights stored?

Flights are stored in the cloud and synced to your account. You can access them from any device by logging in.