FG-MCP Server
 |
Work in progress This article or section will be worked on in the upcoming hours or days. See history for the latest developments. |
 | |
| Developed by | Michat |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 22.02.2026 |
| Latest release | (rolling releases) |
| Written in | MD to Python 3.10+ |
| OS | Windows, GNU/Linux, MacOS |
| Development status | Active |
| Type | MCP Server |
| License | GNU General Public License v2 |
General Description
The FlightGear MCP Server is an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that provides remote control capabilities for the FlightGear flight simulator through a standardized interface.
It allows external applications (such as opencode, or any MCP-compatible client) to interact with FlightGear via HTTP properties.
Main Features
- Reading flight data (position, velocity, attitude) - Aircraft surface controls (throttle, ailerons, elevator, rudder) - Autopilot management - Radio and navigation equipment control - Lighting system management - Camera and view controls - Helicopter-specific controls (MI-6PS) - Multiplayer chat - Environment/time controls
Requirements
- Python 3.10+ - FlightGear with HTTP server enabled - An MCP-compatible client (opencode, Windsurf, Claude Desktop, etc.)
Installation
1. Clone or download the repository 2. Create virtual environment:
python -m venv venv source venv/bin/activate
3. Install dependencies:
pip install -e .
Flightgear Configuration
Start FlightGear with HTTP server enabled:
fgfs --http=8080
Or add to launcher settings:
--http=8080
Available tools
Reading Flight Data
get_position() - Latitude, longitude, altitude get_velocity() - Ground speed, airspeed, vertical speed get_attitude() - Pitch, roll, heading get_engine() - Throttle, thrust get_rotor() - Helicopter rotor status get_flight_data() - All combined data
Surface Controls
set_throttle(value) - Engine throttle (0.0 - 1.0) set_aileron(value) - Ailerons (-1.0 - 1.0) set_elevator(value) - Elevator (-1.0 - 1.0) set_rudder(value) - Rudder (-1.0 - 1.0)
Autopilot
get_autopilot() - Autopilot status set_autopilot(engage) - Engage/disengage autopilot set_heading_bug(value) - Heading (0-360 degrees) set_altitude_target(value) - Target altitude (feet) set_autopilot_altitude(mode) - Altitude mode (e.g., "altitude-hold") set_target_altitude(value) - Alternative target altitude
get_radios() - All frequencies set_com1(freq) - COM1 frequency (MHz) set_com2(freq) - COM2 frequency (MHz) set_nav1(freq) - NAV1 frequency (MHz) set_transponder(code) - Transponder code (4 digits)
Lighting
get_lights() - Light system status set_landing_light(on) - Landing light on/off
Camera and Views
get_views() - Current view information set_view(view) - Change camera view get_zoom() - Current field of view set_zoom(value) - Set field of view (20-120) view_reset() - Reset view to center view_look(direction, degrees) - Look around view_overhead() - Look at overhead panel view_console() - Look at console view_left_window() - Look at left window view_right_window() - Look at right window view_behind() - Look behind
Available views: pilot, copilot, engineer, navigator, left, right,
tower, chase, flyby
MI-6PS Helicopter
start_engine() - Start engines stop_engine() - Stop engines set_throttle_mi6(value) - Engine throttle (0.0 - 1.0) set_collective(value) - Collective pitch (-1.0 to 1.0) toggle_rotor_brake(on) - Rotor brake on/off toggle_cargo_door() - Toggle cargo door
Brakes
release_parking_brake() - Release parking brake set_parking_brake(value)- Set brake (0=released, 1=applied)
Multiplayer
set_chat(message) - Send chat message
Utilities
send_key(key) - Send key to FlightGear
Tested keys: v, x, X, s, S, r, R, l, L, f, F, e, E, d, D, a, w,
F1, F10, Escape
Properties used
The server interacts with FlightGear's property tree via HTTP.
Views
/sim/current-view/view-number /sim/current-view/field-of-view /sim/current-view/pitch-offset-deg /sim/current-view/heading-offset-deg
Controls
/controls/engine/throttle /controls/flight/aileron /controls/flight/elevator /controls/flight/rudder /controls/gear/brake-parking
Position
/position/latitude-deg /position/longitude-deg /position/altitude-ft
Autopilot
/autopilot/locks/heading /autopilot/locks/altitude /autopilot/settings/heading-bug-deg /autopilot/settings/altitude-ft
Radio
/instrumentation/comm[0]/frequencies/selected-mhz /instrumentation/nav[0]/frequencies/selected-mhz /instrumentation/transponder/id-code
Helicopter
/controls/engines/engine/cutoff /controls/engines/engine/magnetos /controls/engines/engine/starter /rotors/main/rpm /rotors/main/blade-pitch-deg
Architecture
The server consists of two main files:
- flightgear.py: Contains the FlightGearClient class that handles HTTP
communication with FlightGear
- server.py: Defines MCP tools using the FastMCP framework
Communication is via stdio with the MCP client, while FlightGear communication uses the HTTP JSON API.
Know limitations
send_key() requires the FlightGear window to be focused
- Nasal execution via telnet requires proper configuration - Some properties may vary between aircraft
Usage examples
Get all flight data
get_flight_data()
Set up approach
set_com1(118.7) set_nav1(109.5) set_transponder("4500") set_altitude_target(3000)
Helicopter control
start_engine() set_throttle_mi6(0.5) set_collective(0.3)
Camera control
set_view("tower") set_zoom(40)
Version
v0.1.0 - Initial version with basic functions v0.1.1 - Parking brake control, multiplayer chat, day/night environment
control, extended autopilot properties
License
This project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v2. See the LICENSE file for details..