Unboxing to First Flight: Quick Start Guide for CS 737X MCP & EFIS

Your CS 737X panels have arrived. Let's get you flying in 30 minutes or less.

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What's in the Box

Before we begin, verify your package contents.

CS 737X MCP Package

• CS 737X MCP panel (1x)
• USB-C to USB-A cable (1x)
• Quick start card (1x)
• Microfiber cleaning cloth (1x)

CS 737X EFIS Package

• CS 737X EFIS panel (1x) — Note: Captain and First Officer sold separately
• USB-C to USB-A cable (1x)
• Quick start card (1x)

Optional Desktop Stand Package

• Desktop stand frame (1x)
• Mounting brackets (2x)
• Allen key set (1x)
• Assembly instructions (1x)

Missing something? Contact support@cockpit-simulator.com with your order number.

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Quick Start Checklist

Use this checklist to track your progress:

□ Step 1: Physical inspection
□ Step 2: Connect to PC
□ Step 3: Verify Windows recognition
□ Step 4: Launch MSFS 2024
□ Step 5: Load PMDG 737
□ Step 6: Enable hardware mode
□ Step 7: Test all controls
□ Step 8: First flight!

Estimated time: 20-30 minutes

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Step 1: Physical Inspection

Before connecting, inspect your panels.

Check for Shipping Damage

• Examine panel faces for scratches
• Verify all knobs are secure
• Check USB port for damage
• Ensure backlight diffusers are intact

Familiarize Yourself with the Layout

MCP Panel (left to right):

Control	Function
Course 1	VOR 1 course setting
IAS/MACH	Speed selection
Heading	Heading bug
Altitude	Target altitude
V/S Wheel	Vertical speed
Course 2	VOR 2 course setting

Mode Buttons:

• F/D — Flight Director
• A/T ARM — Autothrottle arm
• N1/SPEED — Speed mode toggle
• LNAV/VNAV — Lateral/vertical navigation
• HDG SEL — Heading select
• ALT HLD — Altitude hold
• APP — Approach mode
• CMD A/B — Autopilot command

EFIS Panel:

Control	Function
Baro knob	Barometric pressure setting
Mins knob	Minimums selection
Range selector	ND range (5-640 nm)
Mode selector	APP/VOR/MAP/PLN
VOR/ADF switches	Navigation source
Display switches	WXR/STA/WPT/ARPT/DATA/POS/TERR

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Step 2: Connect to Your PC

Basic Connection

1. Locate a USB port on your PC

   • USB 2.0 or 3.0 both work

Multi-Panel Setup

When connecting MCP + EFIS (or multiple panels):

Option A: Direct connection

• Connect each panel to a separate USB port
• Best for reliability

Option B: USB hub

• Use a powered USB 3.0 hub
• Connect hub to PC, panels to hub
• Recommended for 3+ panels

Important: Allow each panel to fully initialize (lights on, stable) before connecting the next one.

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Step 3: Verify Windows Recognition

Check Device Manager

1. Press Win + X, select Device Manager
2. Expand Human Interface Devices
3. Look for new entries (typically "HID-compliant device" or "CS 737X MCP")

Expected result: One new HID device per panel connected.

Troubleshooting Recognition Issues

Panel not appearing:

• Try a different USB port
• Try a different cable
• Restart your PC
• Check for Windows Update pending

Panel appears with warning icon:

• Right-click → Update driver
• Select "Search automatically"
• If issue persists, uninstall and reconnect

USB Power Settings (Important!)

Prevent Windows from turning off your panels:

1. Open Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Power Options

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Step 4: Launch MSFS 2024

Pre-Flight Setup

1. Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
2. Wait for main menu to fully load
3. Navigate to Options → Controls

Verify Panel Detection

1. In the Controls menu, look at the device list (left side)
2. Your panels should appear as separate devices
3. If not visible, click Rescan Devices

Note: You don't need to configure anything in the MSFS Controls menu for PMDG aircraft. The PMDG 737 handles hardware directly.

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Step 5: Load PMDG 737

Select Your Aircraft

1. Go to World Map → Aircraft Selection
2. Choose PMDG 737-800 (or your preferred variant)
3. Select any departure airport and parking position
4. Click Fly

Wait for Full Load

The PMDG 737 takes 30-60 seconds to fully initialize:

• Wait for cockpit to render completely
• Wait for CDU to show "IDENT" page
• Panel lights should be functional

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Step 6: Enable Hardware Mode

Access PMDG Settings

1. Click the EFB (Electronic Flight Bag) on the side console
2. Navigate to Settings → Aircraft → Hardware

Or use keyboard shortcut (if configured):

• Default: Check PMDG documentation

Enable MCP Hardware

In the Hardware settings panel:

1. Find MCP Hardware section
2. Set External MCP to ON
3. Panel should sync immediately

Verification: Turn the heading knob on your physical MCP. The virtual MCP heading value should change in sync.

Enable EFIS Hardware

1. Find EFIS Hardware section
2. Set External EFIS (Captain) to ON
3. If using FO EFIS, enable that as well

Verification: Change the range selector on your physical EFIS. The ND range should change.

Save Settings

1. Click Save or Apply in the PMDG settings
2. These settings persist across flights

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Step 7: Test All Controls

Before your first flight, verify every control works.

MCP Test Sequence

Action	Expected Result
Rotate IAS knob CW	Speed increases
Rotate IAS knob CCW	Speed decreases
Push IAS knob	Toggles IAS/MACH mode
Rotate HDG knob	Heading bug moves
Push HDG knob	Syncs to current heading
Rotate ALT knob	Altitude changes
Roll V/S wheel up	V/S increases
Roll V/S wheel down	V/S decreases
Press A/T ARM	Autothrottle arms
Press CMD A	Autopilot engages
Press LNAV	LNAV mode engages
Press VNAV	VNAV mode engages
Press HDG SEL	Heading select mode
Press ALT HLD	Altitude hold engages
Press APP	Approach mode arms

EFIS Test Sequence

Action	Expected Result
Rotate Baro knob	Altimeter setting changes
Push Baro knob	Toggles STD/QNH
Rotate Mins knob	Minimums value changes
Push Mins knob	Toggles RADIO/BARO mins
Rotate Range selector	ND range changes
Rotate Mode selector	ND mode changes
Press CTR	Centers map on aircraft
Press TFC	Toggles traffic display
Toggle WXR	Weather radar on/off
Toggle TERR	Terrain display on/off

Troubleshooting Failed Tests

Control not responding:

1. Verify hardware mode is enabled
2. Check PMDG is fully loaded (not paused)
3. Try toggling hardware mode off and on
4. Restart the flight if needed

Wrong control mapped:

1. Check you're using the latest PMDG version
2. Verify panel firmware is current
3. Re-enable hardware mode

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Step 8: Your First Flight

You're ready! Here's a simple test flight.

Suggested Route

Departure: KSFO (San Francisco)
Arrival: KLAX (Los Angeles)
Route: Direct (or use SimBrief)
Flight time: ~1 hour

Pre-Flight Checklist (Using Your Hardware)

□ Set departure altitude on MCP (e.g., 5000)
□ Set departure heading on MCP
□ Verify EFIS baro setting
□ Set EFIS mins for departure
□ Confirm EFIS range (10-20 nm for departure)
□ EFIS mode to MAP

Takeoff and Climb

Cruise

1. Set cruise altitude on MCP (e.g., FL350)
2. EFIS range to 80-160 nm for cruise
3. Monitor progress on ND

Approach

Post-Flight

Congratulations! You've completed your first flight with hardware panels.

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Configuration Profiles

Saving Your Setup

PMDG saves hardware settings per aircraft variant. If you fly multiple 737 types:

1. Configure hardware for each variant
2. Save each aircraft state
3. Settings persist independently

Backup Recommendation

Export your PMDG settings periodically:

• Location: %APPDATA%\PMDG\PMDG 737\
• Copy the entire folder for backup

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Advanced Tips

Backlight Adjustment

The CS 737X panels have adjustable backlighting:

1. Use the panel's built-in brightness control (if equipped)
2. Or adjust via configuration software
3. Match ambient room lighting for best visibility

Knob Sensitivity

If knobs feel too sensitive or too slow:

1. Download CS Configuration Tool from our website
2. Connect panel via USB
3. Adjust encoder sensitivity
4. Save to panel memory

Firmware Updates

Check for firmware updates periodically:

1. Visit cockpit-simulator.com/support
2. Download latest firmware
3. Run update tool with panel connected
4. Follow on-screen instructions

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Quick Reference Card

Print this for your cockpit!

MCP Quick Reference

SPEED CONTROL
├── Knob CW/CCW = Adjust speed
├── Push = Toggle IAS/MACH
└── N1/SPEED button = Toggle mode

HEADING CONTROL
├── Knob CW/CCW = Adjust heading
├── Push = Sync to current
└── HDG SEL button = Engage mode

ALTITUDE CONTROL
├── Knob CW/CCW = Adjust altitude
├── ALT HLD button = Hold current
└── ALT INTV button = Intervene

VERTICAL SPEED
├── Wheel up = Increase V/S
├── Wheel down = Decrease V/S
└── V/S button = Engage V/S mode

AUTOPILOT
├── CMD A = Engage AP (Captain)
├── CMD B = Engage AP (F/O)
├── CWS A/B = Control wheel steering
└── Disengage bar = Disconnect AP

EFIS Quick Reference

BARO SETTING
├── Knob CW/CCW = Adjust pressure
└── Push = Toggle STD/QNH

MINIMUMS
├── Knob CW/CCW = Adjust mins
└── Push = Toggle RADIO/BARO

ND RANGE
└── Selector = 5/10/20/40/80/160/320/640

ND MODE
└── Selector = APP/VOR/MAP/PLN

DISPLAY OPTIONS
├── CTR = Center map on aircraft
├── TFC = Traffic display
├── WXR = Weather radar
├── STA = Stations
├── WPT = Waypoints
├── ARPT = Airports
├── DATA = Data display
└── TERR = Terrain

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Troubleshooting Quick Fixes

Problem	Solution
Panel not lighting up	Try different USB port, check cable
Not detected in Windows	Disable USB suspend, restart PC
Not working in PMDG	Enable hardware mode in settings
Controls reversed	Check encoder direction in config tool
Intermittent response	Use powered USB hub
Backlight flickering	Check USB power, use powered hub
Settings not saving	Run MSFS as administrator

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Getting Help

Resources

• User Manual: cockpit-simulator.com/manuals/737x
• Configuration Tool: cockpit-simulator.com/downloads
• Video Tutorials: youtube.com/@cockpitsimulator
• Community Forum: forum.cockpit-simulator.com

Support Channels

• Email: support@cockpit-simulator.com
• Discord: discord.gg/cockpitsim
• Response Time: Within 24 hours (business days)

Warranty

Your CS 737X panels include:

• 2-year manufacturer warranty
• Coverage for manufacturing defects
• Free firmware updates
• Technical support access

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What's Next?

Now that you're flying, consider:

Expand Your Cockpit

• Add CS 737X CDU — Full FMC control
• Add CS 737X TQ — Motorized throttle quadrant
• Upgrade to desktop stand — Professional mounting

Deepen Your Skills

• Building a Realistic 737 Home Cockpit
• MSFS 2024 Hardware Setup Guide
• Flight School Training with Hardware

Join the Community

• Share your setup on our Discord
• Follow us for product updates
• Submit your cockpit photos for our gallery

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Welcome to the Cockpit Simulator family. Happy flying!

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Last updated: December 2024

Related articles:

• Building a Realistic 737 Home Cockpit
• MSFS 2024 Hardware Setup Guide
• X-Plane 12 vs MSFS 2024: Hardware Comparison