Main applications

Quick start

Windows

Install Python from main website or from Microsoft Store:

• Microsoft Store App
• Alternative - Python.org

Mac

• Official Python.org
• Or use the XCode version
• Or use Homebrew

Installation

Config

• Copy abflug.json.example → abflug.json
• Set api_key and optionally server (default: https://abflug.cloud)

Launcher (easiest)

• On Windows: double click on launcher.pyw
• On Mac: Open a terminal in this folder (abflug_vX.Y.Z_variant). Run:
  python3 launcher.py
• At first launch, please click "Check prerequisites" that will verify if all the modules are installed correctly.
• Pick Abflug Client or Rewinger from the GUI.

Or run apps directly

• Abflug Client: python abflug_gui.py
• Rewinger: python rewinger.py

Launcher

This allows to get set up and verify that all the components are available to connect to Abflug.Cloud:

Going top to bottom:

• Abflug Client – Allows you to share your position with other players
• Rewinger – Allows you to view the other players
• Check prerequisites – Verifies that the necessary modules are installed correctly.
  • Required python modules: requests, tkintermapview
• Check for updates – Checks online if there's a new version and downloads it in the downloads folder using your default browser.

Abflug Client

Server Configuration

Here you need to put your API key from the website. Alternatively, you can edit abflug.json.example to be called abflug.json and add the API Key in the configuration file. The system will take the API key from the file and autopopulate it.

Simulator Data Source

These are the settings necessary to connect to your Flight sim.

Currently supported methods – choose one:

• FSWidgets Protocol
• UDP Protocol (PC / Mac Only)

In Aerofly you need to select one of them – enabling both will cause issues on priorities on the data source.

Once you have decided which connection method, you need to set up the Simulator Data source:

• Autodetect simulator IP will attempt to find the sim by itself.
• You can select either the UDP or the FSwidgets Protocol.
• Simulator IP (free text):
  • If Autodetect is used, it will show the IP address of the sim.
  • If Autodetect is NOT used, you need to put the Local IP address of the Simulator machine (e.g. your smartphone Local IP address).

How it looks successfully connected:

ATC mode - Fixed Position (optional)

This is a special mode that allows you to be an observer (e.g. a Tower). You can't send your flight position if this mode is selected.

Once you toggle it, the Simulator Data Source will be locked:

You can then add the Latitude and Longitude to broadcast your position on the network.

Squawk Code (optional)

Here you can set a squawk code as instructed by your ATC.

You need to write your squawk code and press "Apply" so it will be taken over:

Discord Webhooks (optional)

Here you can add a webhook to Discord. The Client will detect takeoff and landing, and send this information to a webhook.

Flightplan

Here you can fill out your flightplan.

• Departure Airport (4-letter code) *
• Arrival Airport (4-letter code) *
• Free text for your Airplane Model (e.g. A320)
• Free text for your Airplane Livery (e.g. Alitalia)
• Callsign *
• Cruise Altitude
• Flight plan copied from SimBrief

Minimum required fields indicated with *

Press "Save" to confirm your flightplan.

If you decide to use ATC Mode:

• Departure and Arrival Airports must be the same
• Aircraft Model must contain the Airport you're managing (e.g. EDDF)
• Airline must contain your role (e.g. Ground)
• Callsign must be ATC_
• Flight plan route is free to be used for frequencies and information.

Press "Save" to confirm your flightplan.

Connection button

Once you scrolled all the way down, you see the connection button.

Please press it. It will send all the information to the Abflug Network and manage the connection to the sim. If successful, you should see the button change to:

If you scroll up, you will see the two green dots for Server and Sim status:

Rewinger

Rewinger is the application that allows you to see the other planes as if you were on FlightRadar24.

The Application at first opening looks like this:

As per the client, you need to add your API key and the connection to your sim (same rules apply as per the Abflug Client):

To see the information from the other players (or your own) you click on the airplane. On the right side a list of information will appear.

Example with ATC online:

To deselect an airplane, you just press the key "ESC".

Target Settings

Version 2.4 introduced tools to help ATC players. You can now click on an airplane and "set" a target of Speed, heading, V/S or altitude.

Once a target is set, you will see next to the Airplane info a symbol and asterisks:

• Ⓣ = all values on target
• Ⓣ* = deviation from at least one target, but none major
• Ⓣ** = deviation from at least one target, at least one major
• Ⓣ*** = deviation from at least one target, of which one major

Left side - Map, Follow, Filter

• "Follow" toggle: recenters the map on your airplane
• "Filter" toggle: if too many airplanes spawn on your same position, filters them out
• Map: drop down list to select different maps
• Disconnected / connected: indicates the server status

ATC - Observer mode

To play as ATC or just observe, you need to be sure no Sim data is coming towards Rewinger. To make sure, you can select the "non active" communication method.

Once this is set, you need to set your observer place with an approximate Lat and Lon.

If successful, you will see an orange confirmation message: "Connected (Observer mode)":

FAQ

Windows: "Downloaded from internet"

Scripts run from a downloaded zip are often blocked. To avoid that:

Unblock before extracting:

Right‑click the downloaded zip → Properties → check Unblock → OK, then extract.

FSWidget / Aerofly Mobile

• Use FSWidget TCP when the simulator runs on another device (e.g. phone).
• Use Autodetect in both Abflug Client and Rewinger to find the simulator IP.

Rewinger shows only "Aircraft"

Sometimes some stale data messes up with the detection, especially if you changed location from one airport to the other via the location setting in Aerofly.

Workaround:

• Disconnect Abflug and Rewinger
• In game, spawn correctly where you need to be
• Close then reopen Aerofly
• Reconnect Abflug and Rewinger

Abflug cannot find the Simulator (dot remains grey for Sim Data Source) error 10061

This issue happens when the phone refuses to allow Abflug Client to request data (Connection refused, error 10061).

Workaround:

• Close Aerofly and restart your phone
• Start Aerofly
• Try to reconnect with Abflug Client