Skip to content

Follow the Greens

Follow the Greens (FtG) is a taxiway guidance system based on the real-world A-SMGCS (Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System). The plugin activates green taxiway centerline lights ahead of the aircraft and signals hold positions with red lights — just like the system already in use at airports such as London Heathrow, Dubai, Munich, and Seoul.

Background

  • Developer: Pierre Mareschal (devleaks)
  • Repository: github.com/devleaks/followthegreens (open source, MIT license)
  • Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux (cross-platform via Python)
  • Compatibility: X-Plane 12 (Release 2), X-Plane 11 + 12 (Release 1, critical fixes only)

The plugin is actively developed. Release 2 ("Follow the Greens 4D") adds speed management — an A-SMGCS Level 4 feature.

Features

  • Green taxiway lights: Illuminate progressively ahead of the aircraft showing the taxi route
  • Red stop bars: Signal holds at intersections and holding points
  • 4D speed management: The "rabbit" light (pulsating light sequence) automatically adjusts speed and run length — fast and far means accelerate, slow and short means slow down
  • Routing algorithm: Considers taxiway widths, one-way restrictions, and network constraints
  • Taxiway display: ShowTaxiways mode to highlight the entire taxiway network
  • Runway lighting: Runway light intensity adjustable
  • Command bindings: Actions (OK, Cancel, Clearance, Speed, Bookmark, NewGreens) can be bound to keys or buttons
  • SkunkCrafts Updater: Automatic updates are supported

Value in Flight Simulation

The yellow ground arrows in X-Plane show the general taxi direction but offer no dynamic guidance. Follow the Greens adds progressive lighting and speed recommendations — particularly helpful at unfamiliar airports with complex taxiway layouts.

Installation

Prerequisite: XPPython3 (version 4.5 or above). XPPython3 includes its own Python interpreter — a separate Python installation is not required.

Download: GitHub Releases

Copy the files PI_FollowTheGreens.py, PI_SetRunwayLightIntensity.py, and the followthegreens/ folder to Resources/plugins/PythonPlugins/. After reloading Python scripts, a "Follow the greens..." entry appears in the Plugin menu.

Since FtG is a pure Python plugin, no native binaries are needed. There are no known Linux-specific issues.

Requirement: Taxiway network

FtG requires a defined taxiway network at the airport. Default airports in X-Plane meet this requirement. The plugin will not work with custom sceneries that lack a taxiway network.

Sources