Pre-Requisites

a.k.a Pre-Flight Checklist

Before we start flipping switches and soaring through the skies, let’s make sure you’ve got everything you need ready to go. Just like in real aviation, skipping your pre-flight checks is a fast track to a crash landing (metaphorically speaking, of course). Here’s what you’ll need on-board:

✈️ X-Plane Installed & Ready - https://www.x-plane.com/kb/digital-download-install/ Make sure X-Plane is installed, updated, and functioning properly. If it’s not, we’ll be grounded before we even taxi.

🛠 SPAD.neXt Installed (Latest Version) - https://docs.spadnext.com/getting-started/untitled Download and install the latest version of SPAD.neXt. Trust us—old versions are like using a paper map in an FMS world.

🧭 DataRef Tool Installed in X-Plane - https://docs.spadnext.com/simulations/x-plane/dataref-tool This one’s important. The DataRef Tool is like your black box for figuring out what’s going on under the hood in X-Plane. It helps you find and test the datarefs you’ll use to connect your hardware to in-sim functions. Without it, you're basically flying blind when it comes to custom configurations.

🖥 Supported Hardware - https://docs.spadnext.com/getting-started/supported-hardware Whether you’re using Logitech/Saitek panels, custom switches, or a Franken-rig you built in your garage, make sure your gear is connected and recognized by Windows.

🧰 Basic Understanding of SPAD.neXt Interface - https://docs.spadnext.com/guides-and-videos/new-user-series You don’t need to be a systems engineer, but knowing your way around the SPAD.neXt interface will help a lot. Don’t worry—we’ll keep it smooth and turbulence-free. Using the in app video guides will keep you heading on the right course.

📡 Network (Optional for Remote Panels/Devices) If you're running SPAD.neXt across multiple PCs or using remote panels, make sure your network setup is good to go. No one wants a cockpit that drops off the radar mid-flight. Once you’ve checked all this off, you're cleared to push back and start diving into the fun stuff!