The VSL 510X-VLJ is built around a fully integrated avionics and instrumentation architecture centered on the LR X1000 flight deck. This advanced suite manages nearly all flight operations, while independent standby and manual systems ensure essential flight control and system functionality remain available under any condition.
'Production' aircraft - equipped with an authentic 3-MFD ‘Mustang Avionics’ layout/configuration (working within the default environment with various simplifications yet providing authentic and functional experience).
PRODUCTION CONFIGURATION:
X1000 INTEGRATED FLIGHT DECK OVERVIEW
The LR X1000 system in the VSL 510X-VLJ serves as the aircraft’s operational core, handling nearly every aspect of communication, navigation, flight guidance, and system monitoring. Its three high-resolution displays; two Primary Flight Displays (PFDs) and one central Multi-Function Display (MFD) form the pilot’s primary interface with the aircraft.
Both PFDs present real-time flight instrumentation, while the larger MFD integrates navigation data, moving map, terrain and obstacle awareness, weather, traffic alerts, and detailed engine and airframe readouts. Supporting modules continuously feed the system with data from air data, attitude and heading sensors, radios, transponder, weather radar, and FADEC-linked engine sensors.
The X1000 not only processes and displays this information but also drives the automatic flight control and flight management systems, issuing alerts for any abnormal or emergency conditions.
Despite the X1000’s comprehensive monitoring, actual control of most aircraft systems remains through traditional cockpit switches, mechanical controls, or via commands routed to the independent FADECs, ensuring full operational authority and redundancy.
AVIONICS-RELATED DEVELOPMENT NOTICES
- The VSL 510X features a simplified yet functional realization of the real-world Citation Mustang digital engine monitoring and alerting system in the LR X1000 MFD.
- The VSL 510X features the LR GCU 479 FMS Keyboard while the 3d virtual cockpit is modeled with the GCU 476 Keyboard. The GCU 476 and the 479 are slightly different (keys are scattered a bit different), and the 479 has full control over NAV/COM management while the 476 by design - doesn't. However, since the 510 Mustang COM/NAV control are in anyways managed via the G1000 PFD's...this section in the pop-out is redundant (you don't need to use it).
- Soft-Keys selection via the GCU 479 Keyboard is not integrated yet in the VSL 510X. To go through the menus - use the embedded soft-keys which are located on the MFD Bezel.
POP-OUT SCREENS
In the default X-Plane G1000 system, the pop-out feature supports the pilot PFD, MFD, copilot PFD, and GCU keyboards. However, the MFD pop-out shows only the default Laminar G1000 display, and it does not include the VSKYLABS 510X customized engine or CAS pages.
The pop-out GCU keyboard is the standard Garmin GCU 479 layout, while the 3D virtual cockpit in the VSKYLABS aircraft uses the GCU 476 layout, which functions the same but omits the left/right soft-key selectors. In X-Plane’s G1000 system, those soft-key functions are operated through the FMS knobs instead.
For enhanced flexibility, VSKYLABS recommends using third-party utilities such as the XTextureExtractor plugin (https://forums.x-plane.org/files/file/42612-xtextureextractor/) to create custom MFD pop-outs that include all custom displays.
DISCLAIMERS:
- The following Images showing suggested layouts are provided for reference only.
- VSKYLABS is not affiliated with, nor responsible for, these third-party plugins or their developers.
- The VSKYLABS VSL 510X-VLJ product does not include any 3rd party pop-out plugins.
- In-house VSKYLABS pop-out plugin may be available in the future.
AFCS CONTROLS
A ‘GFC 700 type’ AFCS is mainly controlled through the ‘GMC 710 AFCS Control Unit-type’ architecture. The AFCS Control Unit includes the following controls:
*Note: All of the following modes are modeled and integrated into the VSL 510X simulation. Since the LR X1000 is not an official replica of the Garmin G1000, various differences may be noticeable. However - these falls within reasonable margins of accurate simulation.
- HDG Key - Engages or disengages Heading Select mode, directing the aircraft to follow the heading set with the HDG knob.
- APR Key - Activates or cancels Approach mode for precision or non-precision approaches, coupling the autopilot/FD to the approach signal.
- NAV Key - Engages or disengages Navigation mode, allowing the aircraft to track the selected navigation source.
- FD Key - Turns the Flight Director on or off in default pitch and roll modes. Disabled when the autopilot is engaged.
- XFR Key - Transfers autopilot control between pilot and copilot flight directors, also switching the active air data computer, transponder source, and altitude alert reference. Defaults to pilot side on power-up.
NOTE: In the current version, the XFR (Flight Director transfer) button does not switch control to the copilot side. Current out-of-the-box X-Plane’s G1000 implementation uses a single shared FD/AP channel (GFC 700 logic), so there is no independent copilot flight director to transfer control to. - ALT Key - Engages or disengages Altitude Hold mode to maintain the current altitude.
- VS Key - Activates or deactivates Vertical Speed mode, allowing manual control of climb or descent rate.
- FLC Key - Toggles Flight Level Change mode on or off to control climb or descent based on a selected airspeed or Mach reference.
- CRS2 Knob - Adjusts the copilot’s course setting on PFD2 in VOR1, VOR2, or OBS/SUSP modes; pressing the knob centers the CDI. Provides navigation reference for the copilot’s flight director during NAV and APR operations.
- SPD Key - Switches the FLC mode reference between Indicated Airspeed (IAS) and Mach number.
- NOSE UP/DN Wheel - Commands pitch adjustments or modifies the reference for Pitch, Vertical Speed, and Flight Level Change modes.
- VNV Key - Engages or disengages Vertical Navigation mode for following programmed vertical profiles.
- ALT SEL Knob - Sets the Selected Altitude for altitude alerting and for capture/hold operation in the AFCS.
- YD Key - Engages or disengages the Yaw Damper to improve directional stability and comfort.
- AP Key - Engages or disengages the Autopilot, coupling it with the active flight director modes.
- BANK Key - Selects or cancels Low Bank mode to limit bank angle during turns.
- CRS1 Knob - Adjusts the pilot’s course setting on PFD1 in VOR1, VOR2, or OBS/SUSP modes; pressing centers the CDI. Provides navigation reference for the pilot’s flight director in NAV and APR modes.
- BC Key - Engages or disengages Back Course mode for localizer back-course approaches.
- HDG Knob - Sets the target heading on the HSI. When Heading Select mode is active, this heading becomes the flight director’s command reference.
GA SWITCHES
Each throttle lever features a recessed Go-Around (GA) push-button that instantly configures the flight guidance system for takeoff or missed-approach operations. When pressed, the system automatically:
- Disconnects the autopilot, allowing immediate manual control, while the yaw damper remains active.
- Activates the flight director, commanding an initial pitch-up attitude for climb. On the ground: sets 10° nose-up for takeoff guidance. In flight: commands 8° nose-up for an optimal go-around profile.
- Any manual pitch input through the CWS or UP/DN thumb-wheel cancels GA guidance and returns the flight director to its standard pitch-and-roll control modes.
In short, pressing the GA switch gives the pilot an immediate, stabilized climb command and cleanly transitions the aircraft into a go-around or takeoff flight path without delay.
WEATHER RADAR
X-Plane 12.3.0+ introduces a fully simulated, real-time weather radar that models precipitation returns, attenuation, and beam geometry for realistic in-cockpit weather awareness.
Key Features:
- Manual and automatic tilt control (±15°) for scanning weather at various altitudes.
- Multiple scan modes — Auto, On-Path, All, and Single-Elevation.
- Accurate radar physics including liquid water detection, beam spread, ground-clutter suppression, and predictive wind-shear alerts.
- Integrated display support for default aircraft (e.g., B737, A330).
- Developer API and datarefs for custom avionics integration.
Operational Use:
Pilots can adjust tilt and gain to analyze convective weather, select scan modes suited to phase of flight, use WX/WX+T/TURB/MAP/TEST modes for situational awareness, and receive automatic alerts when hazardous returns or wind shear are detected, bringing the radar system closer than ever to real-world functionality.
CONTROL YOKE SWITCHES
Each control yoke houses three key switches that allow the pilot to directly manage or override the Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS), ensuring immediate transition to manual control when needed:
- DOWN/UP Trim Switches: Adjust pitch trim and automatically disconnect the autopilot when operated, handing full pitch control back to the pilot.
- AP TRIM DISC Switch: Provides an instant, hard disconnect of both the autopilot and yaw damper, guaranteeing immediate manual control authority.
- CWS (Control Wheel Steering) Switch: Temporarily suspends autopilot control while synchronizing the flight director command bars to the aircraft’s current attitude. In pitch or roll hold modes, pressing CWS aligns the flight director to the existing pitch and bank. Upon release, the flight director reestablishes new reference targets based on the active vertical and lateral modes.
In operation, these switches provide quick, intuitive control, allowing the pilot to trim, override, or reset flight director guidance seamlessly without disrupting flight stability.
AVIONICS POWER SWITCHES
BATTERY SWITCH
- BATT: Powers Both PFDs, MFD, GIAs, GEAs.
- EMER: PFD1, GIA1, GEA1 (partially modeled as for v1.0).
AVIONICS POWER SWITCH
- ON: Powers the Avionics bus.
STANDBY FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS SWITCH
- STBY INST: Provides DC power (from a backup battery) to the standby flight instruments on the upper center block in the instrument panel.
*NOTE: In v1.0+ the STBY INST switch actively powers the STBY Artificial Horizon instrument. - BATT-TEST: Testing the condition of the backup battery (currently not modeled in v1.0).