Getting started

Install

The built package is committed to the repository. You only need the toolchains if you change the code.

Install the package#

  1. Clone or download the branch claude/737ng-xplane-msfs-convert-wel44p. The textures are about 700 MB.
  2. In MSFS 2024, turn on Developer Mode (Options → General → Developers) and install the SDK (Help → SDK installer).
  3. Tools → Project Editor → File → Open project → msfs2024\LevelUp737NG.xml.
  4. Select the package levelup-aircraft-737ng and press Build All. The first build converts about 85 large textures and takes a while.
  5. Copy or junction-link msfs2024\Packages\levelup-aircraft-737ng into the MSFS 2024 Community folder and restart the simulator.
  6. Select LevelUp 737-800 (CFM56-7B26).

Check that it loaded#

  • The console (Developer Mode → Tools → Console) shows LU737 systems: initialised.
  • L:LU737_WASM_BUILD shows the build number. It should be 75.
  • L:LU737_WASM_ALIVE is 1, and L:LU737_WASM_FRAME and L:LU737_WASM_TIME increase.

You read L:vars in Developer Mode → Tools → Behaviors → LocalVariables, or with any L:var tool.

If the build fails#

Problem What to do
The SDK rejects the 8192 px textures, or GPU memory is tight (all textures need about 2.5 GB) python3 tools/build_package.py --max-tex 4096
The modular SimObject layout (common/, presets/, liveries/) is rejected python3 tools/build_package.py --skip-models --legacy, then build msfs2024-legacy\LevelUp737NG.xml

First flight notes#

  • Cockpit controls are left-click and wheel only. See Cockpit controls.
  • IRS alignment takes real time by default (5 to 17 minutes by latitude). Set L:LU737_IRS_ALIGN_TIME to 1 for 60 seconds or 2 for instant. See Options.
  • Entering an airport in the CDU: the first time, Zibo's FMS shows NOT IN DATA BASE while the airport's procedures are fetched from MSFS. Enter it again a moment later.
  • Hardware throttle: by default, moving it overrides the autothrottle, which takes the levers back 2 seconds after you stop. Change this with L:LU737_THR_HW_MODE.
  • No sound yet. GPWS and TCAS alerts show on the PFD and ND only.

Build from source#

Requirements: Python 3.11+ with numpy and Pillow, clang 18 and lld 18 with wasm32 support, Node.js 20+.

python3 tools/build_package.py

This regenerates the configs, converts the models and textures (about 12 minutes the first time), writes the cockpit behaviours, builds the systems module and the display units.

wasm/build.sh test

wasm/build.sh install

The first runs the native unit tests. The second builds lu737_systems.wasm and copies it into the package. GitHub Actions does both on every push.

The full instructions, including the oracle and the decompiler, are in Build and install.