Jsbsim Tutorial May 2026

<flight_control name="C172 FCS"> <channel name="Pitch"> <summer name="Pitch Sum"> <input>fcs/elevator-cmd-norm</input> <!-- From joystick --> <input>fcs/pitch-trim-cmd-norm</input> <!-- Trim --> <clipto> -1 1 </clipto> </summer> <pure_gain name="Elevator Gain" gain="1.0"> <input>fcs/pitch-sum</input> <output>fcs/elevator-pos-rad</output> </pure_gain> </channel> </flight_control> The output fcs/elevator-pos-rad is then fed into the aerodynamic table for Cm (pitch moment). You don't just launch the aircraft; you launch a script . A script is an XML file that sets initial conditions and defines maneuvers.

Run it:

<?xml version="1.0"?> <runscript> <use aircraft="c172" initialization="reset"/> <run start="0" end="60" dt="0.01"> <property value="20.0"> simulation/sim-time-sec </property> <!-- Start at 20 sec --> <property value="140.0"> velocities/vc-kts </property> <!-- 140 knots --> <property value="0.1"> fcs/elevator-cmd-norm </property> <!-- Pull back slightly --> <!-- Define a landing at 40 seconds --> <event name="Flaps Down" time="40"> <set value="1.0"> fcs/flaps-cmd-norm </set> </event> </run> </runscript> jsbsim tutorial

In c172.xml , find the <flight_control> section: Run it: &lt;

Open a terminal and run:

JSBSim --script=scripts/c1721.xml You will see a cascade of text output: unit conversions, aerodynamic coefficients, and finally, time-step data every 0.01 seconds. You just ran a simulation. The aircraft took off, climbed, and flew a pattern. You didn't see it, but you simulated it. To control it manually via keyboard/joystick in real-time: You didn't see it, but you simulated it

Create my_first_flight.xml :