The

Installation Guide
for V3.55 and newer
!!! XP12 Version !!!
Last Update - 25 January 2023

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 1

With special thanks to
Lubos (Zibo), Tim (Twkster), Jorge (JD), Ollie (Audiobird), Jan, Jiri, Saso & Alex
Uncle John. McTrying and Paul as well as all the Zibo Pilots and Skymatix VA members
My Zibo mod livery creators - Pine65, WalkGeo, Bravo737

Index
The basic installation principle ------------------------------------------------- P 03
Official, Zibo Mod Download sources ---------------------------------------- P 04
Basic prerequisites for a proper installation of the Zibo B738 files --- P 05
Very important information ------------------------------------------------------ P 05
How to perform a new installation of the B738x --------------------------- P 06
How to upgrade the mod with a newly released fix file ------------------ P 07
How to do a fresh installation of the Zibo mod if you had it before --- P 08
How to configure your XP12 for the best result with the Zibo mod --- P 14
Configuration of the controllers and commands —------------------------ P 14
How to configure the Zibo mod EFB before your first flight ------------- P 16
Performance Data ----------------------------------------------------------------- P 25
Basic 3rd party plugins to complete the Zibo mod —--------------------- P 31

My private hangar
Please visit my Google Drive folder. It contains very useful information and downloads that
will greatly enhance your experience, FREE of charge!!!.
https://bit.ly/339Q3XR

Connect with me
You may connect with me via the following links.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Skymatix1
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/skymattix (dormant at this time)
Facebook (Skymatix): https://www.facebook.com/Skymatix &
Facebook (Group):https://www.facebook.com/groups/zibopilots
Discord: https://discord.gg/ps6gKTJ

Donations
You may use the following link to make a voluntary donation, to say thank you, for the work
that I do in the flight sim community by following this link.
https://www.paypal.me/skymatix

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 2

1. The basic installation principle of the Zibo B738 Mod is this

Full Zibo Base + Latest Fix = Complete latest Zibo

1. Download the latest “full base” version of the mod that is in the Google drive.
- It will be more than 1.1GB in size!
2. Download the latest fix file that is in the Google drive.
- It is only a few megabytes in size. The highest numeric value, at the end the
filename is the clue as to which one is the latest and then you can also check
the file date so there is no reason to get confused.
You only need the latest one!
3. Extract the B737-800x folder in to the XP12 > Aircraft folder
4. Extract the fix file’s contents into the B737-800x folder and overwrite the old files
when asked (MAC users will need to merge!) and then go fly!

As the mod evolved, (and still does daily!) so did the prerequisites to install and run the mod
correctly. As you will see, there is way more to the story than meets the eye.

Best regards,
Skymatix

Very Important- Until further notice

If your Zibo mod does not load correctly, XP freezes or Crash to Desktop during the
load process. Please use the C172 to start your flight FIRST. Once at the gate you
can change to the Zibo mod.
~
Please understand that if this was a Zibo code error Zibo would have fixed it
already. Logic dictates that if it was everyone would have this problem and we all
know it is not so, at this time.
~
We do not currently have control over this and cannot fix it from our side
Either Laminar Research or NVidia or both of the companies, need to fix whatever it
is that is causing this issue

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 3

Official, Zibo Mod Forum Details

The Official Zibo mod forum -

ZIBO B738-800 modified - X-Plane.Org Forum
Zibo’s page within the forum
https://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?/forums/topic/138974-b737-800x-zibo-mod-info-installat
ion-download-links/
My Page on the Zibo forum
Zibo Install Guide & Training Checklist - ZIBO B738-800 modified - X-Plane.Org Forum
(x-plane.org)

Official, Zibo Mod Download Links

Instant updates will be available in the Google drives and via torrent.
Weekly updates will be available via x-plane.to (when necessary)

Zibo’s Google drive ->

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-tdl3VvPeOOYm12Wm80V04wdDQ?resourcekey=0
-60kqsHFGKCyHZh1AE37LIw
If you have trouble accessing the Google drive then;
a) Make sure that you are logged into your own Google Account!
b) Check in your browser settings in security and privacy if you have enabled blocking
third party cookies if it is enabled this prevents you from downloading Zibo.
Deactivate the option to block third-party cookies and download it.
Later if you want, you may enable “block third-party cookies” again but remember to
disable it to download! [Thank you MC_Douglas for the tip]
My Google Drive ->
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RHz4PQqWNGGpVG9GaHr84kuGs8LM2xyK
Torrent Files ->
https://tinyurl.com/cc53xrzt
This is the current RSS Feed URL for the torrents->
https://skymatixva.com/tfiles/feed.xml
X-plane.to ->
https://x-plane.to/file/309/zibo-mod-b737-800x

~~~
Corrupt downloads or unzipped files

From personal experience, I highly recommend using Google Chrome or the new
Edge, with or without Internet Download Manager to download the Zibo zip files
and then to use 7-Zip (https://www.7-zip.org/) to unzip them.

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 4

2. Basic prerequisites for a proper installation of the Zibo B738 files

2.1) A legal copy of X Plane 12 or newer ONLY !

- It needs to be a legal copy as you will need to update it periodically and you
cannot do it with a pirated version of XP12.

2.2) You need to download the latest FULL version of the Zibo mod and if there is an
update / fix file, you will need that as well.
- We are currently on version 3.55 for X plane 12
- The full version file is currently called: B737-800X_XP12_early_access.zip
- The first update / fix file is called: B738X_XP12_EA_1_1.zip and the next
update / fix is B738X_XP12_EA_1_2.zip or at least has a higher numerical
number at the end. Please check the dates if the number of the version is
confusing to you. You only need the latest fix!

2.3) If you are on MS-Windows, you WILL NEED Microsoft Visual C++
Redistributable 2015, 2017, 2019 & 2022 (64-bit). Get it here:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2977003/the-latest-supported-visual-c-down
loads

3. Very important information

.DO NOT - DO NOT - DO NOT - DO NOT - DO NOT.
1. Use the default Laminar Research B738 during the installation!
2. Mix, modify or enhance any Zibo versions! V3.54 is NOT compatible with v3.55
3. Do not ignore errors reported on the Zibo tablet please do what it says or post it on
the forum to request help with it.

.You have to & You MUST.

In order to truly enjoy the Zibo mod as it was designed to be, YOU have to take responsibility
for the following tasks;

YOU have to:

a) Deselect the “Disable Down Wind ILS” on XP12’s General Settings page there
must be no tick in the box!
b) Do the controller calibration of your X Plane 12 and the Zibo mod properly
c) Switch XP12 failures OFF. YOU can create failures in the Zibo Tablet or by not
following proper Boeing procedures!
d) Exclude XP12 and any related folder or program from your Anti-Virus “real time”
scanning system
e) Check and remove if necessary, that the Zibo mod is not in your XP12 AI list.

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 5

4. How to perform a new installation of the B738x
1. Extract the B737-800X folder from the B737-800X_XP12_early_access.zip into the
XP12, Aircraft folder.

2. The contents of the B737-800x folder (see below) will be a complete Zibo Mod as
made by Zibo himself.

3. If any fix files are available then extract the latest available fix
(B738X_XP12_EA_X_X.zip) file into the B737-800x folder and overwrite the old files
when prompted (MAC users will have to merge them as required. See the
supplemental MAC install guide)
4. Afterwards. you will have to start XP12 and select the Zibo mod, then start a flight to
allow it to build the supporting nav database files required to complete the
installation.

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 6

 5. All that remains now is to configure the Zibo mod, via the EFB, as described later in
this document BUT for all practical intents and purposes the installation itself is
complete and the mod is healthy and in good working order and ready to fly, as is.

5. How to upgrade the mod with a newly released fix file

1. Start by checking your version of the Zibo mod
Click on the question mark on the top right hand corner of the Zibo EFB and take
note of the version number. Make sure that you download the correct update and that
it is for the version of the Zibo mod that you have. NEVER mix versions with each
other and do not downgrade accidentally be careful!
2. The first update / fix is called B738X_XP12_EA_1_1.zip and should be used if you
are already on V3.55 or newer only. If there is a newer file PLEASE get that one
and skip B738X_XP12_EA_1_1.zip and all the fixes in between as you only need
the latest fix!
3. As you had an existing Zibo version and only patched / upgraded it you do not need
to run XP12 or Start a flight with it to complete the upgrade, you are done 100% right
now. The mod is updated and ready to use immediately.
4. If the new release is a FULL version then you have to delete the existing Zibo
version that you have and replace it with a fresh, new installation of the latest full
version. You cannot mix versions and can therefore not copy your new full version
into an existing older version’s folder.
5. Special Instructions regarding placards in liveries!
This version introduces “Placards”. They are stickers that can be switched on or off.
They are entirely optional but if you want to use them you need to rename OR
remove the following file from your desired livery’s, object folder;
“738cockpit_placards.dds”

This is conditionally
true if you have this
file present !!!

I renamed mine with an x at the

end as can be seen here. This
way I can restore it if I want to.

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 7

6. How to do a fresh, new installation of the Zibo mod if you had it
before and want to start over.
1. First you need to understand where the files are and what they do otherwise this
complete reinstall will never be completed properly.
2. The first number of important files are in the Zibo folder;

Important files to backup:

a) Liveries folder. This is important if you have any custom liveries installed or if you
are using custom settings for the default Zibo liveries
b) b738_prefs.txt / b738_4k_prefs.txt, only backup if you are using the default XP12
camera system with predefined views and you will cry if you lose it, otherwise skip
this step.
c) b738_vrconfig.txt / b738_4k_vrconfig.txt, only backup these files if you use VR
and have modified it otherwise skip these files.
d) Clist.txt, only backup this file if you use XChecklist and are using a newer or
modified version than the default one.
e) X-Camera_b738.csv / X-Camera_b738_4k.csv, only backup this file if you have
them, this is your xCamera presets.
f) X-RAAS.cfg & ND_Overlays.cfg, only backup this file if you have them.
g) X-KeyPad_b738 and X-Keys, only backup this file if you have them.
h) Realview.cfg, only backup this file if you have it, this is your Realview presets

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 8

 3. Additional Files to backup then delete in the XP12\Output\preferences folder :
a) The b738x.cfg contains the shared Zibo tablet settings
b) The b738x_hw.cfg contains the shared hardware settings from the Zibo tablet
c) The b738x_state.dat contains the switches state

4. Additional Files to backup then delete in the XP12\Output\situations folder:

a) The B738X_00.dat + The B738X_00.sit files from number 00 to number 08
They contains the saved flight situations

Important notes about these save flight situation files;

Zibo recommends that you do not use OLD versions of the saved flights in a newer
version of the Zibo mod and that you make new files with every new Zibo version.
There are instances where these old files might work and instances where it simply
will not work until you make new ones.

Secondly, at this time, the Autosave will only work if the Zibo mod detects a crash of
the Zibo code & if it was enabled in the EFB in the first place. In other words if XP12
did not close down correctly.

Once you have the backup of the important files you can delete your Zibo mod folder.
Then go back to page 6 and point number 4 and start over

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 9

7. How to configure your XP12 for the best result with the Zibo mod
1. First you need to set your X Plane settings as mentioned, in General Settings;
a) Disable downwind ILSes must not be ticked
b) The other two options are optional as you prefer them.
My preference is shown

c) Set Warn about missing scenery as shown to avoid the sim closing down in the flight
because it finds missing scenery
d) Set the anonymous data collection setting if you want to help us see how many users
use the Zibo mod. It is optional but appreciated.

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 10

2. Now you need to set your controller profile
I highly recommend making a new and specific controller profile for your Zibo based
aircraft

This way you can set all the settings and calibrations for Zibo specific without
influencing any other aircraft’s settings.

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 11

3. Now you need to calibrate your controller
a) You need to calibrate all of the controller(s) that you will be using, in the new profile.
This is my Alpha Yoke as example

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 12

b) Now you can set your Control Sensitivity. As in XP12, I personally prefer the feeling
of a heavy aircraft and therefore recommend that you set your sliders all the way to
the right.
(Note the slider on the right of the screen, there are more settings sliders below the
ones shown)

Once this part is completed

You can move on to the Tablet in the Zibo cockpit

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 13

8. Configuration of the controllers and commands
The Zibo Mod needs proper controller configuration before your first flight.
The biggest trick to see the Zibo Datarefs is to have the Zibo mod loaded at a gate
somewhere before you begin. Also make sure that the controller profile, that you made
above, is active as you want to work inside of it and not set another profile by mistake.

I use the Honeycomb Alpha and Bravo as well as the Thrustmaster T-Rudder.
I have screenshots of my settings in my “Private Hangar” on Google Drive and you can
find it here: https://bit.ly/3TaWCS3

1) The following list includes the basic commands that I use; They are Case sensitive
X Plane Command Action
Press #1 Disconnects the Auto throttle,
Left A/T disengage Press # 2 Cancels the warning light
Pitch trim up Trim Nose Up
Pitch trim down Trim Nose Down
Left TO/GA Engages the Captain's TO/GA button
Press # 1 drops the AP Disengage bar,
AP Disconnect Press # 2 Cancels the alarm
Command A Engages Command A
AUTOBRAKE RTO Sets autobrake as indicated
AUTOBRAKE OFF Sets autobrake as indicated
AUTOBRAKE 1 Sets autobrake as indicated
AUTOBRAKE 2 Sets autobrake as indicated
AUTOBRAKE 3 Sets autobrake as indicated
Battery up Battery Off
Battery down Battery On
No Smoking Switch Up No Smoking Switch Off
No Smoking Switch Down No Smoking Switch On
Seat Belt Switch Up Seat Belt Switch Up
Seat Belt Switch Down Seat Belt Switch Down
Beacon lights off Beacon lights off
Beacon lights on Beacon lights on
Landing lights off Landing lights off
Landing lights on Landing lights on
Taxi Light Brightness Off Taxi Light Off
Taxi Light Brightness ON Taxi Light ON
Position Light Switch Strobe Strobes On

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 14

Position Light Switch Steady Nav Light On
Wing Light Switch Off Wing Light Off
Wing Light Switch On Wing Light On

2) To get the Honeycomb Bravo working you will need the Honeycomb Configurator
from the supplier here: https://flyhoneycomb.com/pages/drivers You need to read the
installation instructions and then install it.
Once it is installed you can import the Zibo mod json file that you get here:
https://bit.ly/3RMU3V5 (I have no idea who made this as I received via the grapevine)
I am by no means an expert and can recall having to delete duplicate assignments so
I will leave it in your hands how you customize your Bravo, yourself.

IMPORTANT - Do not map your Zibo Speed brake and Flaps levers in X Plane itself.
Set them up in the Zibo EFB, in the hardware calibration page for best performance.

As a final point on this topic, I do not use Response Curves at all, at this time.

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 15

9. Now to configure the Zibo mod EFB before your first flight
The Zibo Mod needs proper EFB configuration before your first flight. This is done via
the Zibo Tablet, also known as the EFB (The Electronic Flight Bag). The tablet is the
heart of the mod.

It is important to understand that the Zibo mod is configurable to represent multiple

versions of the B738 and your choices in the EFB will determine the model variant that
you will get at the end of the day.

For a detailed explanation and guidance on the settings, their meaning and resulting
actions I highly recommend reading (especially if you are serious about flying this aircraft)
the EFB guide that Richard made for the mod. His page and the download link for the
guide can be found here; https://bit.ly/3EuHMle

My “get going quickly settings” follows BUT for my complete EFB settings, screenshot
library please follow this link:https://bit.ly/3yvkDeF

1. First you need to orientate yourself and learn to navigate the EFB;
a) To get to the settings page you need to click the button on the right side of the
screen, shown in the green block.

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 16

 b) This will take you to the next page where you will find the settings button

c) After pressing the settings button you will see the Systems and Autoflight
buttons which are important at this time.

The settings in RED are considered as required. You can always change them later when
you have lots more experience and know what you are doing
The settings in GREEN are highly recommended as I use them

😂
The settings in YELLOW are directly related to either a software or hardware add-on. If you
do not have it, don’t use it & if you don’t know what it is then you definitely don’t have it

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 17

d) Now let us begin the setup with the Aspirated TAT Probe. Unless you want to
enter your own TAT please enable it.
Next you may choose if you want to use the normal NAV Radios or the Multi
Mode Receiver (MMR). The MMR will currently allow you to use ILS, GLS &
VOR entries. LPV is currently disable so no WAAS or EGNOS approaches
can not be flown now.

e) In the Autoflight section, the following settings are the average settings for
most flight simmers so please copy them all, as presented here.

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 18

f) The important settings here will help you get more realism as well as help you
get rid of noise on your controller’s pods. As joysticks and axis levers get
older they start getting noise that will be misinterpreted by the Zibo mod and
by increasing the “Noise Lock” value you will filter more of this noise and
allow the aircraft to react better to your input. Start low and go as high as you
must. The “Throttle Lock” should prevent your A/T disengaging at the wrong
time.

g) Please make sure that “External Payload” = OFF unless you have a specific
3rd party application that will load the payload and fuel into the zibo mod for
you.

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 19

h) “Tire Blown Advanced” is not a useful feature and might get you stuck and
unable to move the aircraft. Please turn it off
AP (Auto Pilot) Yoke Neutral Tolerance must be set to simply if you are a new
pilot and you can set it to real when you are well practiced engaging the
autopilot. “Simply” will give you more margin for AP activations where “real”
will not allow you to engage autopilot unless you fly the aircraft correctly.
Autosave is currently not working as expected and until further notice please
keep it set to OFF
All other settings can be set as you require them to be.

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 20

i) “Hardware Throttle on EICAS” will help you see where your actual hardware
throttles are in relation to the N1 and will help you match them to each other
Please enable “Show FPS/Error Number”. In the event that you get an error in
the FMC it will show an error number on the EFB that you can report to Zibo
on the forum. It will help us a lot if we can get the number as Zibo can isolate
the problem area much faster.
If you are a new pilot, please use the “Flight Director Helper” in conjunction
with the “AP Yoke Tolerance” settings above. It will make the Flight Director
blink yellow to show you which direction you need to go to enable the
autopilot.

j) Unless you always use Autoland, please use “Baro” for minimums

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 21

 k) For single pilot operation please sync your settings as shown.
This setting is dependent on your seat, where you sit (Cpt sits on the left OR
FO sits on the right) you have to obviously change this setting to suit your
requirements.

l) As mentioned above, please configure your Speedbrake and Flaps levers in

the EFB as shown below. All you need to do is to click on the area where you
now see 30 & 25 (my number, yours might differ)
Once the pop-up shows, on screen simply move the lever.

*** If you have noise on your joke or joystick you will see it as a number next to each axis
above. You can increase the numbers on the far right of the screen, next to each axis until
the number rests at zero as shown ***

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 22

2. Secondly, you need to install the current NAV Data
This is an optional but you will never experience the full B738 as it is meant to be
without the proper navigational data.
a) I use Navigraph as it is also integrated into the AviTab plugin used in the Zibo
EFB to give the relevant data in the aircraft.
b) Make double sure that you have XP12 selected in the download manager and
that the path is correct. The Nav Data must be installed into
X-Plane 12\Custom Data

3. Lastly, you need to save your EFB Settings

Please click on “Home” on the tablet then select “Save & Load Configuration” and
then click on “Quick Save All Configs”

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 23

This takes care of the basic installation and calibration of the
Zibo Mod
- as it should be -

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 24

10. Performance Data
Showing the 160 Seater model and how I synchronized it with the other programs
The Zibo mod also supports other seating configurations. Use the same airframe data and
ONLY change the number of seats in Simbrief, STKP or PFPX. The Zibo mod will adjust the
CG accordingly, dynamically!

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 25

*** Please note that the seating configuration is changeable and will not change the design
parameters of the weights. The CG will move automatically but once you set the weights
correctly you may change the seat numbers to suit your airline configuration as you please.

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 26

10.2) In the Zibo Tablet
PLEASE NOTE Simbrief and Zibo rounding sometimes differ and then you need to
compensate by using either 440Kg or 450Kg! To get the same ZFW as on your OFP

In kilograms (kg)

And this is in pounds (lbs)

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 27

10.3) TOPCAT Aircraft Configuration
I created the 160 seater with mixed class as well as the 189 seater versions for TopCat and
the profiles and template information can be found in my Private hangar or by following this
link, here - https://bit.ly/3kuBEhC

10.4) PFPX Configuration

I created the 160 seater with mixed class but you can just change the number of PAX as the
airframe will not change. The profiles and template information can be found in my Private
hangar or by following this link, here - https://bit.ly/3s2YSQ3

10.5) Simbrief Configuration - The SELCAL code is fictitious, for show only.

SimBrief Airframes for The Zibo mod & LU Aircraft

1) Zibo mod / LU 800 (189 seats) -
https://www.simbrief.com/system/dispatch.php?sharefleet=7206_1585829860
2) LU 600 -
https://www.simbrief.com/system/dispatch.php?sharefleet=7206_1642254440030
3) LU 700 -
https://www.simbrief.com/system/dispatch.php?sharefleet=7206_1641735397427
4) LU 900 -
https://www.simbrief.com/system/dispatch.php?sharefleet=7206_1626263148244

SimToolKit Pro Details

5) SimToolKit Pro https://simtoolkitpro.co.uk/
6) The install and configuration tutorial for the STKP and the Zibo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKLpWKsASt8&t=744s

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 28

Simbrief Template

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 29

 Operational Tips

A/T Engaged Lock Throttle as well as Throttle Noise Lock will prevent your hardware
throttle from interfering with the Zibo code.

Sound Bank errors, remove any B738 aircraft form XP12’s AI panel fixes the problem If
you have then start XP12 to clear the error

Navigational Data errors can also sometimes be resolved by deleting the B738X_apt.dat,
B738X_gate.dat & B738X_rnw.dat from the Zibo mod folder.
If the problem persists PLEASE also delete the user_nav.dat file from the XP12, Custom
Data folder and simply restart the Zibo mod. It will rebuild the databases. Then follow the
prompt on the Zibo Tablet

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 30

11. Basic 3rd party plugins to complete the Zibo mod
These are 3rd party plugins. We are not responsible for their support

AviTab
http://bit.ly/3H3BJne

Terrain radar
http://bit.ly/3DcG2eL

© Nico du Bruyn (Skymatix) 31