SSC-Tracker Help

Introduction

Welcome to the SSC-Tracker help page. Here you'll find all the information you need to get started with SSC-Tracker.

SSC-Tracker.org is a community and hobby project created by flight simulation enthusiasts. The service is free to use, but I cannot guarantee the permanent functionality of these services. In the event of misuse, ssc-tracker.org reserves the right to restrict or completely discontinue the services.

SSC-Tracker is an add-on for tracking multiplayer group flights with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024. You download the SSC-Tracker client via this link, connect it to MSFS, and it transmits your aircraft data to ssc-tracker.org using your ID. Any member of your group can see your aircraft on a map together with your flight data.

To display the aircraft on a map, tools other than the SSC-Tracker Map can also be used, such as Little Navmap or the B21 Task Planner. SSC-Tracker supports both its own format and the Whazzup data format v1.

SSC-Tracker works with all aircraft types but is optimized and includes specific features for glider task flights. It also has deep integration and compatibility with the B21 Task Planner.

Credits: The idea for SSC-Tracker is based on the virtualflight.online tool by Jonathan Beckett, but has been completely rewritten. Much of the work is also based on B21's Soaring Task Engine and tools, with support from the SSC and MSFS Sim Gliding Community.

Quick Start

Get up and running quickly with these simple steps.

Quick Start
  1. Download SSC-Tracker and extract it to a folder.
  2. Run SSC-Tracker.exe, confirm the security notice for the app and allow port 55055 through the firewall — SSC-Tracker will not work otherwise.
    Enter the following details:
    • Pilot Name: Your name or nickname.
    • Pilot ID: A short, unique ID within your flight group (no special characters or spaces).
    • Group: A short, unique ID for your flight group — you will only see aircraft from this group (no special characters or spaces).
  3. SSC-Tracker automatically connects to MSFS and transmits your flight to the server (blinks green). If no flight simulator is running, SSC-Tracker operates in viewer mode, displaying the currently configured group without transmitting your flight data (blinks yellow).
  4. Open SSC-Tracker.org in a browser to view the aircraft of your flight group.

Moving Maps & Setup

Connection Options

SSC-Tracker has a built-in web server with various options for retrieving flight data for the tools of your choice. All connection options in various formats can be found on the setup page of the SSC-Tracker app.

For reference or copy-and-paste:

Setup page

www.ssc-tracker.org Map

When you open www.ssc-tracker.org on your local PC, it automatically connects to the running SSC-Tracker app on the same PC.

If you want to display the map on a second PC or tablet, open a browser there and go to http://[IP SIM PC]:55055/map.

Open www.ssc-tracker.org and enter your group name to display the flight group.

Map menu

(Scale UI +/−, dock left or top, show/hide aircraft data)

Click the gear icon to show/hide available data fields.

Little Nav Map

Little Nav Map

LNM supports the Whazzup v1 format, and SSC-Tracker provides it at localhost:55055 or from the LAN via the IP address of the PC running the SSC-Tracker app.

SSC-Tracker also writes a Whazzup file that LNM supports if there are connection issues via HTTP. Simply copy the URL or path of your choice from the SSC-Tracker setup page.

Note: LNM does not support the /json formats.

B21 Task Planner

Using SSC-Tracker with the B21 Task Planner.

Click on Settings and enter your Pilot ID and the URL of SSC-Tracker.org.

B21 Task Planner settings

All further options can be found in the help section of the B21 Task Planner.

SSC-Tracker App

The SSC-Tracker App is the heart of the system. It establishes the connection to MSFS via SimConnect, transmits flight data to the server, and runs the local web server on port 55055.

Main Window

Main window

1 Status & Navigation

2 Tabs

3 Pilot Data

4 Current Task / Flightplan / Weather / Info

5 Reset Task progress / reload Task from server

6 Load .PLN / .IGC Flightplan or Logger record

7 Details

Shows the loaded task with all waypoints and distances.

Setup Page

On the setup page you will find:

Settings page

Sleep Mode

SSC-Tracker automatically switches to sleep mode when no browser or tool is accessing the local web server. In sleep mode, no data is fetched from the server to conserve server resources. Sleep mode ends automatically as soon as the web server is accessed again.

SSC-Tracker Map

The SSC-Tracker Map is the integrated map display and can be accessed in a browser at http://localhost:55055/map or on the SSC-Tracker website.

Map menu

Panel Controls

The floating panel in the top left contains the following controls (left to right):

SymbolFunction
A+Enlarge user interface
A−Shrink user interface
Dock panel to the left; second click for docked or transparent mode
Dock panel to the top
Float panel freely
👁Show/hide aircraft data table
*Center on own aircraft (toggle)
Track-up mode on/off (map rotates with heading)
NAMEShow/hide labels
Show/hide flight track
Show/hide elevation profile (only visible when a task is loaded)
SSCShow/hide group/task info
Open settings

Via the dropdown in the top right of the panel you can switch the map layer:

Aircraft Table

The table shows all pilots in the group with the configured data values. Clicking on a pilot centers the map on their aircraft. Use the gear icon to show or hide individual values.

Settings

Click the gear icon to open the settings. Here you can configure basic settings such as units.

Preflight Map

Preflight map

The Preflight Map is an advanced planning map accessible at http://www.ssc-tracker.org/preflight.html. It uses a 3D-capable map view for flight preparation with a terrain model.

Features

Sidebar

The right sidebar shows:

SSC-Tracker MiniFC

The SSC-Tracker Mini Flight Computer (MiniFC) is a compact display instrument for MSFS. It shows flight and task information for gliders that do not have their own LX navigation computer in the virtual cockpit.

The MiniFC is a work in progress.

The MiniFC can be accessed in a browser at http://localhost:55055/minifc.

Display Fields

FieldDescription
MCMacCready value [m/s] – calculated optimal speed-to-fly
SpeedRecommended speed-to-fly (IAS) [kn]
VarioVariometer – climb/sink rate [m/s]
WindWind direction and speed
TaskNext waypoint, distance, task speed

Operation

MSFS In-Game Panel

When the SSC-Tracker FC Panel is installed (see MSFS Ingame SSC-Tracker-FC), the MiniFC is displayed directly in the MSFS cockpit on a panel. It is loaded internally via an iFrame on port 55055/minifc.

Lag / Update Rate

The MiniFC updates data approximately every 1 second from the local web server. A minimal lag of under 1 second is inherent to the system.

Elevation

SSC-Tracker includes a built-in elevation data service that uses SRTM tiles (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, 30 m resolution). The tiles are automatically downloaded and cached locally.

How It Works

  1. When a task is loaded and "Elevation Auto-Load" is active, SSC-Tracker automatically downloads the required SRTM tiles for the route area.
  2. After downloading, the elevation profile along the route is calculated.
  3. The profile is then available for the map and the Preflight.

Note on first start: On the first load of a task the SRTM tiles need to be downloaded. Depending on your internet connection this may take a few seconds to a few minutes. From the second load onwards, the cached tiles are used immediately.

Elevation Profile in the Map

In the SSC-Tracker Map the elevation profile can be toggled via the ⛰ symbol. It shows:

Elevation Profile in Preflight

In Preflight the elevation profile is shown in a dedicated view below the map. In addition to the task route, the user route can also be displayed there with its elevation profile.

Managing the Cache

Downloaded SRTM tiles are stored in the DEM subfolder of the task folder. Each tile covers one degree of latitude × one degree of longitude and is approximately 25 MB uncompressed. With many different regions flown, the cache can grow noticeably.

The tiles can be deleted at any time without risk — SSC-Tracker will automatically re-download them on the next task start.

Open the cache folder: On the SSC-Tracker App setup page, click the label "Tile cache: X MB". This opens the DEM folder directly in Windows Explorer, where individual or all .hgt and .hgt.gz files can be manually deleted.

Status Query

The current status of the elevation data service can be queried at http://localhost:55055/elevation/status.

Task Flightplan

SSC-Tracker has a function for distributing task/flight plan data (.pln) and/or weather presets (.wpr) for each group. When a task is available for the group, it is automatically downloaded and saved in the app's task folder.

Task Flightplan

Tasksetter

For this function the task setter must first create a group with a secret (8). Click this symbol: plus

Upload .pln (9) and optionally .wpr (10) files, along with a short info/URL (11) with symbol (5) for your group.

All options and instructions for creating B21 task files can be found in the help section of the B21 Task Planner.

Task setters can reset task progress (7) or delete the task for the group on the upload page (6).

Pilots

Click the reload icon if you want to force a task download. Otherwise SSC-Tracker automatically checks every minute for new shared group flight plans/task data and downloads them to the app folder. If you enable "Copy task files" on the setup page, .wpr and .pln files will also be copied to the MSFS default folders for weather presets and flight plans.

Click Map to open the map with the flight plan, or click "Task Planner" to open the current task in the B21 Task Planner instead.

If no group task is available, SSC-Tracker attempts to load the .pln from MSFS. Alternatively you can manually upload a .pln for a single flight into SSC-Tracker.

SSC-Tracker automatically tracks task progress for the entire group and displays it on ssc-tracker.org like a live scoreboard. Task progress is only available on the ssc-tracker.org map.

If you need to reset your task progress after a restart, click the reset button to reset your task progress as well.

Ghost Flights

The Ghost feature lets you replay a glider flight recorded by the NB21 Logger from an IGC log file as an AI aircraft in MSFS. The ghost flies the recorded route as a second aircraft in the simulator — ideal for comparing your own performance or practising a familiar route.

What is an IGC File?

IGC is the standard format for GPS flight recordings from physical flight loggers (e.g. LX Nav, Flarm, Zander). The file contains second-by-second GPS positions, altitudes, and optionally task/waypoint information.

Loading a Ghost

  1. In the SSC-Tracker App, click the button for manually loading a .pln — the file dialog opens.
  2. Instead of a .pln file, select an .igc file.
  3. SSC-Tracker loads the IGC log, extracts the task, and displays a new Ghost tab in the main window.
  4. The Ghost tab shows the information about the recording:
FieldDescription
LoggerType and firmware of the flight logger
GliderGlider type and class
Callsign / NameCompetition registration and pilot name
Start timeStart time of the flight (UTC)
End timeEnd time of the flight (UTC)
TrackpointsNumber of GPS points in the recording
Task timeTask time from start to finish
Speed avg.Average task speed
Flown/tsk dis.Distance flown (total / task)

Activating the Ghost

  1. Start MSFS and fly your own aircraft normally to the task start point.
  2. In the Ghost tab, click "Show Ghost".
  3. Select the aircraft model for the ghost from the dropdown list (shows installed MSFS aircraft).
  4. The ghost appears as an AI aircraft in the simulator and begins playing back the recorded flight when you cross the start line.

Note: MSFS must be connected and your own aircraft must be positioned at the start before the ghost is activated.

Time Offset (Diff Time)

The Diff Time field lets you set the time offset between your flight and the ghost:

The maximum value corresponds to the total task time of the loaded IGC log.

Ghost on the Map

When the ghost is active, it appears in the SSC-Tracker Map as an additional aircraft with its own symbol. This lets you compare your current flight directly with the recorded route.

Deactivating the Ghost

In the Ghost tab, disable "Show Ghost" — the AI aircraft is removed from the simulator.

Ghost HUD on the Map

When a ghost is active and the "It's a Race!" setting is enabled, the SSC-Tracker Map automatically shows a small Ghost HUD and a virtual route. It displays the ghost pilot's name along with the current time offset and allows fine-tuning directly during the flight — without switching back to the app:

ButtonFunction
< 5sShift ghost 5 seconds backwards (ghost flies earlier in the task)
= syncAutomatically synchronise ghost to your current task time
5s >Shift ghost 5 seconds forwards (ghost flies later in the task)

The HUD is freely positionable and scalable.

Chase Mode – "It's a race!"

Chase Mode HUD

Chase Mode is a graphical radar HUD in the SSC-Tracker Map that enables direct comparison with another pilot — whether with a ghost or a real group member in live multiplayer. It shows in real time where the target aircraft is relative to you.

Activating

Enable Chase Mode in the Settings of the SSC-Tracker Map: turn on the "It's a race!" switch.

The Chase HUD appears on the map and automatically selects the nearest or most relevant fellow pilot as the target. Clicking on a pilot in the aircraft table allows manual target selection. Clicking the same pilot again cancels the manual selection.

Chase HUD Display

The Chase HUD consists of two parts:

1. Radar Panel (centred HUD window)

The HUD shows the target aircraft as a glider graphic on a crosshair:

2. Task Progress Strip (narrow bar at the edge)

A vertical strip shows the entire task as a line with waypoint markers:

This makes it immediately clear who is further ahead on the route.

Chase Mode with Ghost

Chase Mode also works with an active ghost flight. The ghost aircraft is treated like a normal pilot and automatically appears as the chase target as soon as "It's a race!" is enabled. This lets you compare your flight in real time with the recorded performance of the original.

MSFS Ingame SSC-Tracker Panel

The SSC-Tracker App includes the SSC-Tracker-Panel.zip. If you want to display the ssc-tracker.org map in-game, install the panel via the SSC-Tracker App setup page into your MSFS Community folder and restart MSFS.

The panel loads the SSC-Tracker Map (localhost:55055/map) directly in the MSFS cockpit and shows all group members on the map. All map functions (scaling, data table, etc.) are also available in the panel.

Installation

  1. On the SSC-Tracker App setup page, click "Install Panel".
  2. Restart MSFS.
  3. In the cockpit, activate the SSC-Tracker Panel from the panel bar menu.
MSFS panel bar

Note on Coherent GT

The panel uses Coherent GT as the browser engine (MSFS-internal). There are limitations compared to a normal browser — particularly with certain CSS effects.

MSFS Ingame SSC-Tracker-FC

Mini FC

The SSC-Tracker Mini Flight Computer (FC) is a separate in-game panel for gliders without their own LX navigation computer in the virtual cockpit.

Installation

Same as the SSC-Tracker Panel: install via the setup page into the MSFS Community folder and restart MSFS. The FC panel is a standalone panel independent of the map panel.

Display Fields

The MiniFC shows the following values in the cockpit:

Operation in the Cockpit

Specification / API

Understanding the Data Format and API

To retrieve data from a third-party app or website, you need a running SSC-Tracker App. SSC-Tracker acts as a proxy to ensure the ssc-tracker.org server is not overloaded.

You can access tracker data via the default port 55055 on localhost. From another device on the local network, access is possible via http://[IP SIM PC]:55055 — for this SSC-Tracker must be run as Administrator.

All endpoints respond via HTTP (HTTPS is currently not implemented). CORS headers are set so that web pages can access them directly.

All Endpoints Overview

GET Endpoints

PathDescription
/Whazzup v1 format (for Little Navmap)
/jsonLive aircraft data for all pilots in JSON format
/activetaskActive task as parsed JSON structure
/activetaskplnActive task as MSFS PLN XML
/mapSSC-Tracker Map (browser)
/minifcMini Flight Computer (browser)
/getsettingsPanel settings as JSON
/elevation/statusStatus of the elevation data service
/elevation/taskElevation profile of the active task
/elevation/pointElevation of a single point
/elevation/userrouteElevation profile of the saved user route
/elevation/lineElevation profile between two points
/elevation/areaElevation grid for an area
/userroute/loadLoad saved user route

POST Endpoints

PathDescription
/settaskSet task locally
/setsettingsSave panel settings
/elevation/userrouteCalculate elevation profile for submitted route data
/userroute/saveSave user route
/actionExecute action (e.g. reset task)

Retrieve Live Aircraft Data

GET http://localhost:55055/json

Returns all aircraft data for all pilots in the group. Values are updated every second. TSK values are only available when a task/flight plan is loaded.

Fields:

GN:              Group name
TASK:            Current task name
WEATHER:         Weather preset name
ID:              Own pilot ID
ITEMS:           List of all pilots
  GN:            Pilot's group name
  ID:            Pilot ID
  NAME:          Pilot name
  AC:            Aircraft name
  MODEL:         Aircraft model
  TH:            True heading [°]
  LON:           Longitude [decimal]
  LAT:           Latitude [decimal]
  IAS:           Indicated airspeed [kn]
  TAS:           True airspeed [kn]
  GS:            Ground speed [kn]
  LV:            Last landing speed [kn]
  VS:            Vertical speed [ft/min]
  WD:            Wind direction [°]
  WV:            Wind speed [kn]
  MSL:           Altitude MSL [ft]
  AGL:           Altitude AGL [ft]
  TSK_TIME:      Task time since start line [s]
  TSK_AVG:       Average speed direct distance [kn]
  TSK_AVG_PATH:  Average speed flown path [kn]
  TSK_NEXT:      Name of next waypoint
  TSK_DIS:       Remaining distance to finish line [nm]
  TSK_DIS_PATH:  Flown path distance [nm]
  TSK_DIS_ALL:   Total flown task distance [nm]
  TSK_DIS_WP:    Distance to next waypoint [nm]
  TSK_ONGROUND:  1 = on ground during task
  TSK_SLEWT:     1 = slew mode during task
  TSK_ENG:       1 = engine on during task (glider)
  DIS:           Distance from own aircraft [nm]
  FLAPS:         Flap setting
  TW:            Total weight [lbs]
  VER:           App and MSFS version

Example:

{
    "GN": "ssc2",
    "TASK": "Bolzano Dolomiti SE",
    "WEATHER": "SSC2 08 Clear Sky SE 15kt",
    "ID": "FELTE",
    "ITEMS": [{
        "GN": "ssc2",
        "ID": "FELTE",
        "NAME": "Felte",
        "AC": "AS-33me",
        "MODEL": "AS-33me",
        "TH": 0.8,
        "LON": 11.531,
        "LAT": 46.462,
        "IAS": 85.0,
        "TAS": 90.0,
        "GS": 88.0,
        "VS": -1.2,
        "WD": 270.0,
        "WV": 12.5,
        "MSL": 6200.0,
        "AGL": 4800.0,
        "TSK_TIME": 1823.0,
        "TSK_AVG": 72.4,
        "TSK_NEXT": "TP1",
        "TSK_DIS": 45.2,
        "TSK_DIS_WP": 12.8,
        "TSK_ONGROUND": 0,
        "TSK_SLEWT": 0,
        "TSK_ENG": 0,
        "FLAPS": "1",
        "TW": 1208.0,
        "VER": "0.8.0.0|MSFS2020"
    }]
}

Retrieve Whazzup Format (Little Navmap)

GET http://localhost:55055/

Returns aircraft data in Whazzup v1 format, supported by Little Navmap and other tools.

Retrieve Active Flight Plan

GET http://localhost:55055/activetaskpln

Returns the active flight plan in MSFS PLN XML format when a task is loaded.

Retrieve Active Task as JSON

GET http://localhost:55055/activetask

Returns the parsed task in JSON format. The data contains all waypoints with coordinates, sector types, and task progress.

{
    "Name": "Bolzano Dolomiti Airport",
    "GN": "ssc2",
    "DepartureID": "LIPB",
    "Distance": 173906.57,
    "IsEmpty": false,
    "IsStarted": false,
    "IsFinished": false,
    "IsAATTask": false,
    "StartWPIndex": 1,
    "FinishWPIndex": 4,
    "NextWPIndex": 1,
    "Waypoints": [...]
}

Elevation Data Endpoints

Elevation Status

GET http://localhost:55055/elevation/status

{
    "ready": true,
    "status": "Elevation ready (2 tiles, 1847 profile points)",
    "tiles": 2,
    "profilePoints": 1847,
    "cacheSizeMB": 25.4
}

Elevation Profile of the Active Task

GET http://localhost:55055/elevation/task

Returns the pre-calculated elevation profile of the active task.

{
    "totalDistance": 184500.0,
    "points": [
        { "latitude": 46.46, "longitude": 11.53, "elevation": 260.0, "distance": 0.0 },
        ...
    ],
    "waypoints": [
        { "name": "LIPB", "distance": 0.0, "elevation": 260.0, "isStart": false, "isFinish": false },
        { "name": "Start", "distance": 1200.0, "elevation": 265.0, "isStart": true, "isFinish": false },
        ...
    ]
}

Elevation of a Single Point

GET http://localhost:55055/elevation/point?lat=46.46&lon=11.53

{ "lat": 46.46, "lon": 11.53, "elevation": 260.0 }

Returns null for elevation if no data is available (e.g. ocean).

Elevation Profile of a Line

GET http://localhost:55055/elevation/line?lat1=46.46&lon1=11.53&lat2=47.12&lon2=12.10&resolution=100

Parameters:

Returns the same JSON format as /elevation/task.

Elevation Profile of the User Route (saved)

GET http://localhost:55055/elevation/userroute?resolution=100

Returns the elevation profile of the saved user route (userroute.json).

Calculate Elevation Profile from Route Data (live)

POST http://localhost:55055/elevation/userroute?resolution=100

Body (JSON):

{
    "waypoints": [
        { "latitude": 46.46, "longitude": 11.53, "name": "Start", "isStart": true, "isFinish": false },
        { "latitude": 47.12, "longitude": 12.10, "name": "Finish", "isStart": false, "isFinish": true }
    ]
}

Calculates the elevation profile directly from the submitted coordinates without file I/O. Useful for live calculations during route planning.

Elevation Grid for an Area

GET http://localhost:55055/elevation/area?south=46.0&north=47.0&west=11.0&east=12.0&resolution=200

Returns an elevation grid for the specified bounding box area (for 3D rendering).

{
    "rows": 50,
    "cols": 55,
    "resolution": 200,
    "bounds": { "south": 46.0, "north": 47.0, "west": 11.0, "east": 12.0 },
    "data": [[260.0, 261.0, ...], ...]
}

User Route

Load User Route

GET http://localhost:55055/userroute/load

Returns the saved user route for the active task ({} if none exists).

Save User Route

POST http://localhost:55055/userroute/save

Body (JSON):

{
    "waypoints": [
        { "latitude": 46.46, "longitude": 11.53, "name": "WP1", "isStart": true, "isFinish": false },
        ...
    ],
    "totalDistance": 184500.0
}

Response: {"status":"ok"} or {"status":"error","message":"..."}.

Set Local Task (without group upload)

POST http://localhost:55055/settask

Sets a task locally in the SSC-Tracker App without uploading it to the server.

Required fields: CMD, TASK, TASKDATA

{
    "CMD": "SET",
    "GN": "[GROUP NAME, optional]",
    "TASK": "[TASK NAME]",
    "TASKDATA": "[.PLN XML CONTENT]",
    "TASKINFO": "[URL or info text, optional]",
    "WEATHER": "[WEATHER PRESET NAME, optional]",
    "WEATHERDATA": "[.WPR XML CONTENT, optional]"
}