-
Analog Control Setup
-
Trouble Shooting
-
FMS Keyboard Shortcuts
-
FMS Menus
-
R/C Basic
About the most important issue for FMS operation is the Analog Control setup, the connection to your transmitter.
If you have the Parallel Interface (Windows 95/98/ME), see the immediate section below. If you have the PIC Serial Interface (Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP) or the USB Interface, then skip down below.
Parallel Port Interface (Windows 95/98/ME only)
To find out your LPT port setting, right-mouse click on [My Computer] and select Properties (or System from the Control Panel); then choose the Device Manager Tab. Make sure the view is set for [View devices by type] as in the case below. Click on the [+] symbol on Ports (COM & LPT) to expand, the select Printer Port (LPT1) or the LPT of your choice if there are more than one. Then Click on Properties below to open the Printer Port (LPT1) Properties dialog - select the Resources Tab; this should indicate your I/O Range and Interrupt values.
Start FMS, select Controls - Analog Control from the FMS menu:
There are two parallel "drivers" to choose from, select the 32-bit version first, and then click on the Resources. This should be LPT1. For the rare case that you have more than one parallel port on your PC, you may need to choose the corresponding port where you plugged in the interface cable (LPT2, LPT3).
If you have problems with your setup, you can try the 16-bit version. Please note that the selection for Resources involves an I/O-range and Interrupt values. If you are not sure what your port is set to see below for finding out your LPT port setting.
You can now skip to Mapping & Calibration.
PIC-Serial Interface (Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP)
From your system Control Panel, double click on System and you will see the System Properties dialog below, select the Hardware tab and click on Device Manager
Expand the Ports(COM & LPT) by clicking on the + sign which would expand to show your installed ports. Right Mouse click on the port you've plugged in the interface - COM1 in this case - and choose Properties. This would open the COM1 port Properties, make sure you have the selection as below. [9600 - 8 - None - 1 - Xon/Xoff] for the port settings.
Start FMS, Select Controls - Analog Control from the FMS menu:
Please note that the Serial PIC and USB interfaces are compatible to Windows 2000/XP support from us. Select Serial-PIC-Interface from the Interface listing. Then click on Resources and choose the port that you have connected the interface, this should either be COM1 or COM2 depending on which com port is available on your PC. Also make sure the 9600 Baud... Protocol is selected.
You can now skip to Mapping & Calibration.
USB Interface - Windows 98/ME/2000/XP Only
From your system Control Panel, double click on System and you will see the System Properties dialog below, select the Hardware tab and click on Device Manager
Expand the Ports(COM & LPT) by clicking on the + sign which would expand to show your installed ports. Right Mouse click on the port you've plugged in the interface - USB Serial Port COM3 in this case - and choose Properties. This would open the USB Serial Port COM3 Properties, make sure you have the selection as below. [9600 - 8 - None - 1 - Xon/Xoff] for the port settings.
Start FMS, select Controls - Analog Control from the FMS menu:
The USB Driver Installation will install additional COM ports to your system accessible by FMS's Serial PIC interface. Select Serial-PIC-Interface from the Interface listing. Then click on Resources and choose the port that you have connected the interface, this should be COM3 (higher) depending on which com port was installed during the USB Driver Installation. Also make sure the 9600 Baud... Protocol is selected.
You can now skip to Mapping & Calibration
Gameport Interface (Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP)
Start FMS, select Controls - Analog Control from the FMS menu:
If the Gameport was installed and calibrated (see here), just select [Joystick interface] under Interface. Click on [Resources] to see the joystick meters. You can check to see if FMS can receive signals from the interface by moving the sticks on the transmitter.
You can now skip to Mapping & Calibration
You can now proceed with Mapping and Calibration. This is where you can select the corresponding mapping of the transmitter's channel to the appropriate action (Rudder, Elevator, etc).
 |
|
 |
Channel meters responding to input |
The top four mappings: Rudder, Elevator, Aileron, Throttle are for winged aircrafts. See Stick Configuration below.
The bottom four: Tail, Nick, Roll, Pitch are for helicopters. See Stick Configuration for Helicopters below.
-
Proceed with calibration by clicking on Calibrate, follow the procedure on screen and move both sticks to all four corners of motion (maximum travel) several times. If none of the Channel meters are moving, please see Trouble Shooting below.
-
Then click Next, position both sticks at mid-travel. Some sticks may be spring loaded for the middle position, some may not (such as the throttle stick).
-
Click Finish
You will need to verify the channel mapping by moving the appropriate stick action, such as elevator (typically right stick up-down), and see which channels' meter is corresponding - change the Channel number in the Mapping if necessary. See Stick Configuration below for your choice. The following is for the popular Mode 2:
|
Mode 2 Channel Mapping |
||
 |
 |
Left Stick
↕ : Throttle & Pitch Move the left stick up-down; note which channel bargraph/meter moves. Then type that channel number next to Throttle AND Pitch. |
 |
|
Left Stick ↔
: Rudder & Tail Move the left stick right-left; note which channel bargraph/meter moves. Then type that channel number next to Rudder AND Tail. |
 |
|
Right Stick
↕ : Elevator & Nick Move the right stick up-down; note which channel bargraph/meter moves. Then type that channel number next to Elevator AND Nick. |
 |
|
Right
Stick ↔ : Ailerons &
Roll Move the right stick right-left; note which channel bargraph/meter moves. Then type that channel number next to Aileron AND Roll. |
You may have to repeat the Mapping and Calibration procedure after some trail and error, especially the direction of control (Invert-Inv may be necessary for swapping rudder left-right for instance).
Note: Exp is for
exponential travel/response of the control:
Parallel Port Connection/Communication
When you cannot establish communication with the parallel port, most often the issue will be the parallel port setup. Here are some suggestions:
- Try the 16-bit version of the driver, please note the [Resources] dialog now requires the I/O range and Interrupt value. Below are the most common setting.
- Change the BIOS setting of the Parallel Port (printer). You may need to refer to your PC hardware manual on how to enter the BIOS setting. Typical access for the BIOS setting is pressing the [DEL key] or [F1 key] during the PC power on cycle. Locate the entry of "Integrated Peripherals" or "I/O Devices Configuration", you will find the selection for changing the Parallel Port. You can have up to 4 types:
- Output only
- SPP or Bi-Directional
- EPP
- ECP
Select a different type than the present type, save the new settings and restart Windows. Windows will usually report a new device is found and will reconfigure itself. Some trials and errors may be required here to find the port setting that would work. Try ECP first, then EPP, then SPP/Bi-directional.
There are reported issues with PCI soundcards that you may need to disable "SB Emulation" (soundblaster emulation).
Another report of Creative SoundBlaster conflict that can be resolved with "Allow LPT Interrupt Sharing" deactivated. Please see this page here. (It's in German, but pretty much self explanatory).
Note: You will need to go into the "Device Manager" in the Systems Properties similar to the above case of finding out LPT port setting.
Serial Port Connection/Communication
-
Since the com ports may not be labeled, try another com port value, such as COM2. Make sure your port setting is [9600 - 8 - None - 1 - Xon/Xoff].
-
If you have a palm device, such as a Palm-Pilot, you will need to turn off the "HotSynch" applet, as HotSynch will block communications.
-
At times, the default Windows installation of the COM port driver may be faulty. Start the Device Manager, expand Ports, and remove (uninstall) the Communications Port (COMx) device. After rebooting, windows should automatically recognize the hardware and reinstall the driver.
-
On rare occasions, a conflict can only be solved by changing the COM port value. This can usually be done by changing the BIOS. Look for "integrated" devices in the BIOS listing and change the Serial port assignment to a different COM value.
-
Check this section for USB Driver Installation.
-
Please note on the newer "C" chipset, run HidComInst.exe program in the \USBc folder of the CD to install the second stage of the driver (also download the "C" driver here).
-
On some (fast) computer, plug-n-play may be too fast for the USB circuitry to "warmed up" in time to response; and an "unknown device" will be reported. Simply unplug and replug after a few seconds, preferable to a different USB port. Keep the plug squarely position against the USB connector during insertion, and plug in slowly (like plugging a device into an electrical outlet) not a fast jab.
-
It's been reported that some older bios may have sporadic timing issue with plug-n-play devices. Open the Device Manager and plug in the USB cable, look at the [Ports] listing to see if a [USB Serial Port (COM3)] item is added after you plugged in the cable. You may have to re-insert the USB cable a few times until the [USB Serial Port] is registered.
-
If you are still getting an "unknown device" when connecting the USB cable, check your bios settings for: "Enable Legacy USB device" and enable it.
-
For Windows XP, open the [Device Manager] and expand the [Univesal Serial Bus Controllers] item. For EACH [USB Root Hub] items, right-click and choose properties, select the [Power Management] tab and UNCHECK [Allow the computer to turn off...]
-
If you have a palm device, such as a Palm-Pilot, you will need to turn off the "HotSynch" applet, as HotSynch will block communications.
- If your transmitter is capable of both PCM and PPM (FM), switch to PPM mode. FMS requires PPM mode for operation.
- Unless you are using the power edition cables, make sure your transmitter's batteries are charged, and Turn On your transmitter for FMS operation. JR transmitter will turn itself on when the trainer plug is inserted (you still need the charged batteries!)
- The Parallel Port version will work with Windows 95/98/ME only.
- You may need to turn off servo reversing on your transmitter for proper operation.
- You may need to turn off mixing on your transmitter for proper operation
- If you have the USB version, plug in the USB cable first before starting FMS.
- If you have a programmable shift transmitter (such as the Hitec Eclipse or the Airtronics RD8000), make sure the shift selection is appropriate for your type of cable (-shift for Hitec, +shift for Airtronics)
Flying with keyboard.
Key Airplane (Heli) Action ← Rudder (Tail) Left → Rudder (Tail) Right ↑ Elevator (Nick) Push ↓ Elevator (Nick) Pull V Full Throttle (Pitch Up) H Zero Throttle (Pitch Down) G Increase (Pitch) Throttle B Decrease (Pitch) Throttle J Aileron (Roll) Left K Aileron (Roll) Right
Key Action I Flight initialize (start at runway) F2 Load Model Dialogbox W Winch launch R Hand launch A Display (speed, height @ upper left corner) C Chase Plane Mode + Zoom in to the plane - Zoom out Z Automatic zoom mode P Pause U Model Uncrashable F12 Hide/show menu (handy in full screen mode)
The numbers are accessible from both the keyboard and numeric keypad area (with num-lock on). If you would like to have a wider angle of view, to include more of the runway and sky (for landing approaches), use the number 2 and 8 keys to move away from the plane in conjunction with the - and + keys (zoom in/out) to find the best perspective.
Key Action 8 ↑Move toward the plane 2 ↓Move away from the plane 6 →Move to the right of the plane 4 ←Move to the left of the plane 9 Move upwards (taller pilot) 3 Move downwards (smaller pilot)
It is recommended to go through all the menus while trying to get familiar with various settings of FMS
- Graphics Card: Show listing of installed graphics card. On most systems there's only one graphics card: The primary.
- Exit: Quit program
- Load [F2]
: Open the model selection dialogbox. Select the model of your choice
and click [Open]. If the model has preview bitmap available, the preview
will show in the preview box. Note, the Additional models are installed
under the [\Additional] folders
- Reload [Ctrl+M]: Reload the the present model. Handy if you are tweaking parameters (such as using ParDes).
- Load [F3]: Open the
Landscape Selection dialogbox. Select the landscape of your choice and
click [Open]. If the landscape has a preview bitmap available, the preview
will show in the preview box.
- Reload [Ctrl+M]: Reload the the present Landscape. Handy if you are changing sky bitmaps using SkyPick.
- Zoom In [+]: Perspective control, similar to a telephoto lens zoom in.
- Zoom Out [-]: Perspective control, similar to a wide-angle lens zoom out. Note: zooming out is handy for seeing more of the sky and runway at the same time during landing approaches.
- AutoZoom [Z]: Toggle on/off the Autozoom feature. With autozoom ON, the perspective is automatically adjusted to keep the plane at a fixed (perspective) distance.
- AutoZoom Options: Change the distance range for the autozoom feature, also the reaction speed of autozoom.
- Chase Camera [C]: Toggle on/off Chase Plane view feature; view from behind the model, following the model through the flight.
- Speed, Altitude, and vario [A]: Toggle the display of these parameters at the upper left corner of the screen (vario is the change rate in altitude - climbing or diving)
- Frames per second: Toggle the display the number of frames per sec at the upper right corner. This will indicate the performance of your graphics card.
Effect of Zoom for perspective control (using + and -)
wide angle: see more sky and runway simultaneously normal telephoto
- Initialize [I]: Restart the simulation session, with the plane at the initial position on the runway.
- Pause [P]: Pause (freeze) the session. Hit P again to continue.
- Winch Launch [W]: Launch plane with winch. Usually used for gliders.
- Hand Launch [R]: Hand launch plane.
- Thermal Options: Environment controls for Updraft and Bubbles. Most applicable to gliders
- Model Uncrashable [U]: When ON, the model will always make a successful landing.
- Auto Initialization: Toggle the automatic restart the simulation session upon crashing.
Turn Sound ON-OFF and Volume control
Selecting from a Window view and various Full Screen resolution. Note: depending on your graphics card 3D performance, higher resolution will reduce significantly your frame rate.
Toggle the 3D Fog and Textures features, and selecting between 16-bit and 32-bit color depth.
- Keyboard: display the keyboard shortcuts for plane/heli control
- Analog Control: Mapping and Calibration, see section above.
Language selection, if you're reading this it should be in English.
About: Display the credit screen. Please go through the list and visit the various authors and contributors web-site to show them support.
Stick Configuration for Fixed Wing Aircrafts
There are three stick configurations; known as Mode 1, Mode 2, and Mode 3. By far the most popular is Mode 2:
Mode I
The rudder and elevator being controlled by the left stick while the right stick controls the throttle and ailerons.Mode 2 - Most Popular
The ailerons and elevator being controlled by the right stick while the left stick controls the rudder and throttle.Mode 3
The rudder and elevator being controlled by the right stick while the left stick controls the ailerons and throttle.
Stick Configuration for Helicopters
The Helicopter version of "Mode 2" is the recommended stick configuration if you don't have a preference; using FMS terminologies:
The tail control will "rotate" the craft on the main rotor axis; simulating the control of the tail rotor
The pitch control will raise the craft or lower the craft in the direction of the main rotor axis; simulating the main rotor pitch angle. The pitch angle could be "positive" to lift the craft "up" and "negative" to push the craft "down". Note: when you are upside down, negative pitch will enable inverted flight.
The nick control will tilt the craft nose up or down (similar to the effect of elevator for fixed wing)
The roll control will tilt the craft cabin left or right (perpendicular direction of nick)
