##Overview A MobiFlight custom firmware device for ESP32 that implements a Garmin G5-style glass cockpit Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) for MSFS 2020 or 2024. This device provides a high-fidelity, physical glass cockpit display using an ESP32-S3 microcontroller with a 4-inch LCD display. This is a completely stand alone device that only requires MobiFlight to interface with MSFS. The display and logic is completely contained on the ESP32-S3, rather than as a pop-out window on a separate monitor.
This code supports both HSI and PFD in a single code base. Select the type of display as a custom MF device.
##Updates ~~UPDATE Nov 2025: You may now select the device from the menu. There is only one custom device type (CCs CC_G5). It will remember which device type it is when selected from the menu, or use the MF Message "Device Type" to control it from your MF config. NOTE: The message IDs have now changed to support the single device/dual mode setup. Your old .mcc files will not work. There is a new Community file set in the Community folder and new sample MF .mcc files in the MF folder. Use G5 ROOT CONFIG.mcc for a single device or G5 AIO.mcc for duals. The create_dual_g5_config.bat can be used to duplicate the G5 ROOT CONFIG.mcc for dual device. However you will need to update with the SN of your devices. ~~~
UPDATE FEB 2026: Want an Airbus ISIS display instead of a G5? Check out this repo: https://ccrawford.github.io/CC_ISIS/
UPDATE FEB 2026: While the ability to switch from the device iteself was pretty cool, it required a really complex and fiddly MF setup. The feature is still there, but I recommend just using the Custom Device (PFD or HSI) that you want.
UPDATE FEB 2026: I have completely updated the display layout to more closely match the real-world G5.
UPDATE MAR 2026: There is now a web installer here: https://ccrawford.github.io/CC_G5/web-installer/
Have one of the 480x480 w/ built in ESP32-S3s and want to try it out? This is the fast and easy way.
- Obtain hardware (Guition 4" 480x480 screen w/ built-in ESP32-S3 from the usual places)
- Flash using the installer https://ccrawford.github.io/CC_G5/web-installer/
- Copy the Community folder in this zip: https://github.com/ccrawford/CC_G5/blob/main/_dist/CC_G5_0.0.1.zip to your MF Community Directory
- Use this MFProj as a starting point in MF: https://github.com/ccrawford/CC_G5/blob/main/MF/G5%20ROOT%20DUAL.mfproj
- YOU MAY NEED TO FIX A MF Setting if your device doesn't show up in the list:
NOTE: If after installing the firmware your device is not recognized by MF (looks like this:)
Do this:
Find this file: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\MobiFlight\MobiFlight Connector\Boards\arduino_mega.board.json
On line 14, change this line:
"DtrEnable": true,
to
"DtrEnable": false,
That will fix it. HOWEVER, you have to update that line whenever MF updates itself. I have a issue raised with the MF maintainers.
Both displays get around 16fps. I initially thought this was unacceptably slow, but in reality it's fine. Smoothing of input values and sub-pixel rendering allows smooth, realistic movement of dials and tapes.
This project is pushing the bounds of the memory on the ESP32-S3. While the device has ample PSRAM, using it is much slower than main memory and the fps drops quickly.
PFD (top) HSI (bottom) as the C172 intercepts the Localizer on an ILS approach.
More photos and video below!
- Attitude Indicator: Real-time pitch and bank display with artificial horizon
- Flight Director: FD command bars showing autopilot guidance
- Airspeed Indicator: Tape-style airspeed display with V-speed markers (Vr, Vx, Vy, Vg, Vno, Vne)
- Altitude Indicator: Tape-style altitude display with autopilot target bug
- Vertical Speed Indicator: Real-time VSI
- Slip/Skid Indicator: Turn coordination ball with turn rate indicator
- CDI (Course Deviation Indicator): Horizontal and vertical deviation bars
- Glide Slope Indicator: ILS/GPS approach guidance
- Autopilot Status: Visual indication of active and armed autopilot modes and parameters
- V-Speed Configuration: Customizable V-speeds via on-screen settings menu
- On Screen Message Indicator Identifies if connection to MF is lost
- **Encoder click knob adjusts baro by default or click to enter menu and adjust other parameters
- TO DO
Target AP VS bug on VS scale.Target AP speed for FLC on speed tapeImprove blinking of AP and Altitude on status changeDone.Add battery status and logicDone.Add startup/shutdown sequencesDone.Add "Out of range" chevrons that point to horizon in unusual attitudesDone. Also fixed inverted flight displaysSwap between HSI and PFD at runtimeDone.
- Compass Rose: 360° rotating compass with true heading display
- Heading Bug: User-adjustable heading target with indicator
- Course Deviation Indicator: Full CDI with to/from indicator
- Glide Slope Display: Vertical approach guidance
- Bearing Pointers: Dual bearing pointers supporting:
- GPS waypoint bearing
- VOR1/VOR2 radials
- ADF bearing
- Configurable via internal menu system or MF
- Navigation Source Display: GPS/NAV1/NAV2 indicators with color coding
- Ground Speed & Track: Current groundspeed and GPS track
- Distance to Waypoint: Nautical miles to next GPS waypoint
- Wind Display: Wind speed and direction arrow
- Approach Indicators: ILS/LOC/GPS approach type display
- OBS Mode: Manual course selection support
- TO DO
Add battery status/logicDone, but it's kind of irritating.- Add startup/shutdown sequences
- On-Screen Interactive Menu: Rotary encoder navigation
- Adjustable Parameters:
- Heading bug
- Course/OBS selector
- Bearing pointer 1 & 2 sources
- V-speed settings (Vs0, Vs1, Vr, Vx, Vy, Vg, Vfe, Vno, Vne)
- HSI or MFD display
- Virtual MobiFlight Encoders and Buttons
- Allows dynamic use of the rotary encoder without messy state management in MF
- Multi-Layer Sprites: Complex overlays for no-flicker refresh
- Smooth Animations: Low-pass filtering for heading and deviation displays
Established on the Localizer
RNAV approach
PFD Menu
HSI menu
-
I recommend an all-in-one module, not components Get one that looks like this:
Common search terms: '4848s040' or 'esp32 s3 4inch' or 'esp32 480x480'. They should be about $25-30 shipped to the US.
This is all you need if you just want a simple display. If you want to add physical controls or individual components, read on.
-
ESP32-S3 DevKitC-1 with PSRAM (4MB or 8MB recommended)
-
4-inch LCD Display (480x480 or compatible resolution)
- Guition ESP32-S3 4827S043C (recommended--built in ESP32-S3 with clean wiring)
- Waveshare 4" 480x480 w/ it's ESP32-S3 LCD Driver works, but you'll need to recompile the source with that flat
- Search AliExpress for "guition 480x480". Should be around $25 US.
- Alternative: Standard 4-inch SPI LCD with proper pin configuration, but you'll need to fiddle with the source code
-
RP2040 Microcontroller (Raspberry Pi Pico or similar) - for rotary encoder interface
- See this repository for more information https://github.com/ccrawford/CC_G5_Slave
- This can be skipped if you are using the Guition screen and don't need the power button
- LED and power button are operational
but startup/shutown logic and battery are not implemented
-
Rotary Encoder with push button. Whatever EC11 variant you have will work.
-
Ring-lit push button I'm using a 9mm ring-lit white led momentary push button.
The LCD connection depends on your display module. For the Guition screen, SPI and control pins are
pre-configured in 4inchLCDConfig_Guition.h and 4inchLCDConfig.h
- Guition Screen Configuration This is more fully described in the https://github.com/ccrawford/CC_G5_Slave repo
- SDA: GPIO1
- SCL: GPIO2
- INT: GPIO40 (interrupt from RP2040)
- GND
- Standard Configuration:
- SDA: GPIO15
- SCL: GPIO7
- INT: GPIO16 (interrupt from RP2040)
- GND
- RP2040 code is at https://github.com/ccrawford/CC_G5_Slave
- Pins are in that code.
- Rotary encoder, and LED+Button connects to RP2040
- RP2040 acts as I2C slave at address
0x08 - Sends 3-byte protocol: encoder delta, encoder button, extra button
- Receives LED status indication code.
- 5V USB power sufficient for most configurations. USE A POWERED USB HUB.
- LCD backlight may require up to 300mA at full brightness
- VSCode with PlatformIO extension
- Git (for cloning repository)
- Python 3.x (for build scripts)
- MobiFlight Connector v10.x or later
- Custom community device configuration (see Installation)
Display Configuration
- CC_G5/4inchLCDConfig_Guition.h - Guition screen settings
- CC_G5/4inchLCDConfig.h - Standard LCD settings
- CC_G5/G5Common.h - Common definitions and settings structure
Build Configuration
- platformio.ini - Core MobiFlight configuration
- CC_G5/CC_G5_platformio.ini - CC_G5 specific environment
- get_version.py - Version management script
- copy_fw_files.py - Distribution package creation
Helper Scripts (in Scripts directory)
- deploy.py to copy the board and device files to your MF Community directory
- various .png -> .h helper scripts to create sprite bitmap header files
Project Structure
CC_G5/ ├── CC_G5/ # Main device code │ ├── CC_G5.h/cpp # HSI implementation │ ├── CC_G5_PFD.h/cpp # PFD implementation │ ├── MFCustomDevice.h/cpp # MobiFlight integration │ ├── G5Common.h # Shared definitions and menu system │ ├── CCi2c.h/cpp # I2C encoder interface │ ├── Community/ # MobiFlight connector files │ │ ├── boards/ # Board definitions │ │ └── devices/ # Device message definitions │ ├── Images/ # Font and bitmap resources │ └── Sprites/ # 16-bit color sprite images ├── platformio.ini # Build configuration └── _build/ # Generated firmware and packages
Adding New Features
- Modify device classes in CC_G5/CC_G5.cpp or CC_G5_PFD.cpp
- Add message handlers in set() method
- Update corresponding .device.json with new message definitions
- Test with PlatformIO
- Generate distribution package
Links
- GitHub Repository: https://github.com/ccrawford/CC_G5
- MobiFlight: https://www.mobiflight.com