Little Navmap is the best free flight planner for flight simulation. See why it wins, how to set it up and how to fix route export problems.
For general flight simulation, Little Navmap is the best free flight planner for most users. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, supports Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, Prepar3D and FSX, plans IFR and VFR routes, exports simulator-ready files, and provides moving-map, elevation, fuel and aircraft-performance tools without a subscription.
Why is Little Navmap the best free option?
Little Navmap combines detailed route planning with tools that usually require several separate applications. It is open-source, works with multiple simulators and can read installed scenery databases, including many add-on airports where the scenery format permits.
- IFR planning: Build routes using airways, waypoints, departure and arrival procedures, approach transitions and altitude restrictions.
- VFR planning: Inspect terrain, airspace, airport facilities, range rings and the route elevation profile.
- Simulator integration: Follow the aircraft on a moving map through the appropriate simulator connection.
- Route export: Save plans in formats intended for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, X-Plane, FSX, Prepar3D and supported aircraft systems.
- Performance planning: Use aircraft profiles to estimate fuel, endurance, climb and descent, provided the profile and loading assumptions are accurate.
It is not approved for real-world navigation, and its procedure data may differ from an aircraft's flight-management system if they use different AIRAC cycles. For a broader comparison with built-in and specialist planning options, see our side-by-side guide to simulator flight-planning tools.
Which type of free flight planner should you choose?
| Planner type | Choose it when | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|
| Little Navmap | You want the best all-round IFR and VFR planner, detailed maps, route export and simulator tracking | Requires initial scenery and navigation-data setup; it cannot be installed directly on a console |
| Simulator's built-in planner | You want a quick direct or GPS flight, especially on Xbox or PlayStation 5 | Less control over route validation, terrain, aircraft performance and export |
| Free airline dispatch planner | Your priority is an airline-style operational flight plan and fuel briefing | Usually internet-dependent and less useful for VFR or installed-scenery analysis |
A specialist dispatch planner can produce a more airline-like briefing, but Little Navmap remains our choice when one free application must handle route design, maps, performance estimates and several simulator families.
How do you set up Little Navmap for a simulator?
The reliable setup is to scan the correct simulator scenery, align the navigation data and export in the exact format expected by the simulator or aircraft. Our Little Navmap setup and route-export walkthrough covers the controls in more detail.
- Select the simulator database. Choose the installed Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, Prepar3D or FSX scenery library and let Little Navmap scan it. Rescan after adding or removing major airport scenery.
- Check the navigation-data source. Use the same AIRAC cycle as the aircraft whenever possible. A mismatch is the usual reason a waypoint, runway procedure or airway appears in one system but not the other.
- Load an aircraft profile. Confirm cruise speed, fuel flow, climb and descent performance. A generic profile will create generic fuel figures.
- Build the route. Set departure, destination, cruise altitude and routing type, then inspect the suggested airway path rather than accepting it blindly.
- Add procedures carefully. Check runway direction, altitude restrictions and transitions. Weather or air traffic control may require a different procedure when the flight is flown.
- Save and export separately. Keep the editable Little Navmap plan, then export a copy in the format required by the target simulator or aircraft.
- Connect the moving map if required. Microsoft simulators use their simulator connection, while X-Plane requires the supplied connector or plugin. Networked installations also need the remote connector and firewall permission.
Why does an exported flight plan not match the aircraft?
An exported route often changes because the planner, simulator and aircraft are interpreting procedures from different databases. Export transfers route information; it does not guarantee identical flight-management-system programming.
- Missing waypoint or procedure: Check for an AIRAC mismatch and confirm that the scenery database has been loaded.
- Duplicated or looping SID and STAR legs: Do not import a complete procedure and then select the same procedure again in the aircraft. Let either the exported plan or the FMS manage those legs.
- Plan absent from the simulator: Recheck the export format and destination folder, then use the simulator's load-flight-plan control. Saving a file does not always load it automatically.
- Airport layout is outdated: Rescan the scenery library after installing airport add-ons. Some protected scenery may still expose less information than an unencrypted airport package.
- No aircraft on the moving map: Confirm that the simulator is running, the correct connector is active and local firewall rules are not blocking it.
- Fuel estimate is unrealistic: Correct the aircraft profile, payload, reserve and cruise assumptions. Planner estimates are only as good as those inputs.
Is the built-in simulator flight planner good enough?
A built-in planner is sufficient for casual flights, simple GPS routes and console use. On Xbox and PlayStation 5, it is usually the practical choice because Little Navmap is a desktop application, although a separate computer can still be used as a planning reference.
Use Little Navmap when terrain clearance, airway selection, installed scenery, detailed procedures or repeatable route exports matter. For advanced aircraft, we generally prefer building and checking the route in Little Navmap, then entering or importing it using the method supported by that aircraft.