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Before you begin the contribution process, you need to set up your environment. This page covers prerequisites, enabling developer mode, and navigating the Contribution Dashboard.
PrerequisitesBefore starting, ensure you have the following:
  1. BARS Account
  2. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or 2024

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Enable Developer Mode

Developer mode is required to create and edit scenery polygons within the simulator. Open Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or 2024 and navigate to the developer mode setting:
Go to Options > General Options > Developers and toggle Developer Mode to ON.
Go to Settings > General > Advanced Options, and toggle Developer Mode on.

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Spawn at Your Airport

Spawn at the desired airport you want to contribute. You can contribute to any airport that has lighting data set by its division. Even if an airport already has an existing contribution, you can re-contribute to it - for example, to fix a lighting position or add extra remove areas. Download the existing scenery contribution’s XML through the Contribution Dashboard to use as a starting point.

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Contribution Dashboard

The Contribution Dashboard is your central hub for the entire contribution process. From here, you can start a new contribution, test uploads, track submission status, and view your contribution history. To begin a new contribution, click Contribute New Airport, then enter the ICAO code of your desired airport. You will be taken to the first stage of the contribution flow, the interactive airport map.
If your airport does not have lighting data set by the division, or the division has disabled contributions for that airport, you will not be able to proceed. Airport lighting data from divisions is required before any contribution can be made. This ensures no misplaced or inaccurate lighting exists, giving divisions full control over airport lighting. An orange warning will display if you are unable to contribute.

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Create a Scenery Project

Once developer mode is enabled and you have spawned at your airport, you need to create a scenery project in the simulator to begin mapping polygons.
Detailed instructions for creating a new scenery project in developer mode, including project naming and folder setup, will be added in a future update. If you are re-contributing to an existing airport, you will also need to import the downloaded XML into your project — guidance for this will be included.

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Next Steps

With your environment set up and the Contribution Dashboard open, you’re ready to start mapping.

Mapping Polygons

Learn how to use the airport map, BARS IDs, and create scenery polygons.