Basic FSX FAQ

[an-225]

OK guys here it is... my big FAQ for FSX!

Now keep in mind that this is a flight sim and I'm not going to be taking you through every single little thing like VOR, ILS etc.

Content:
1. General FAQ.
2. The Aviation Language.
3. Actual Flight.
3.1: Takeoff.
3.2: Flight.
3.3: Landing.
4. Payware

1. General FAQ:

How did you get that fighter jet/whatever? My sim doesn't have it... Planes are available for download on the internet.

How do you do get _____ to work? There is probably something on it in the control settings for the sim.

How do I get ATC to work? The ~ key.

How do I get service when I park? Make sure you are at a parking space with baggage trucks, pushback trucks etc. Press SHIFT+E then quickly press 2 to open the cargo doors.

How do I get the jetway? Make sure you have parked next to one. Press CTRL+J.

Why don't I have the Maule/Goose? It only comes with the Deluxe version.

How do I fire the guns on my plane? Simple answer you can't. Go find a combat sim.

Is there online compatibility? Yes.

How do I fold my wings? Go into your control settings. Look for the wing fold command and assign a key to it. Note that not all aircraft have folding wings.

How do I extend my tailhook? See folding wings, only this time look for tailhook.

Where do I put my new plane? C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\SimObjects\Airplanes.

Do aircraft have preset altitude limits? No.

How do I do mid-air refuelling? Simple answer you can't until an add-on comes out to let you do it.

What is FSUIPC? FSUIPC is a program that lets external programs function in FS. eg: Mid air refuelling. Impossible to code it into the sim (unless MS does it). So FSUIPC lets an external program do it.

Arghh! There is a loud clicking and a sign down the bottom saying OVERSPEED! What do I do?!?!? You slow down.

Is there ________ plane available for FSX?? Do a search. If nothing comes up probably not. Remember the fact that no real add-ons are out for FSX yet because its still new.

2. The Aviation Language:

Flaps: Small "tabs" that extend from an aircraft wing to provide lift/drag.

Jetway: System used for boarding a plane at most major airports. Think, a gangway for a ship but it extends and docks with the aircraft door.

VASI/PAPI: System of red and white lights used for telling the pilot if he is too high or low. Think red over red you'll soon conk your head. (Too low) Red over white you'll be alright. (Perfect) White over white you'll soon fly out of sight.

ILS: Instrument Landing System. Used in bad weather to guide the pilot in for a landing. A system of needles on the VOR gauge to tell the pilot if he is off centre (in relation to the runway) or if he is to high/low.

VOR: Essentially the same as ILS, except it is not always used in bad weather. Tells you where you are in relation to the VOR station you have tuned in on your nav radio.

GPWS: Ground Proximity Warning System. Gives warnings to the pilot like: "Too low terrain." "Sinkrate." "Pull up"

TCAS: Traffic Collision Avoidance System. Gives warning to the pilot if he/she is in close proximity to another plane and tells them to climb/descend.

Fox 2: Military term for Infrared missile launch IE: Aim-9 Sidewinder.

Fox 3: Military term for Active Radar Guided missile launch IE: Aim-120 AMRAAM.

Fox 1: Semiactive radar guided missile IE: Aim-7 Sparrow.

Hot: Fast landing speed IE: 180 knots in a 737.

WIG: Wing In Ground effect vehicle.

IFR: Instrument Flight Rules, in which a plane is under direct control from ATC IE: recieving heading/altitude vectors.

ATC: Air Traffic Control.

VFR: Visual Flight Rules, a state in which it is possible to navigate via landmarks.

Hub: An airport which serves as a base for an airline. EG: FedEx out of Dallas Fortworth Intl. I think...

STOL: Short Take Off & Landing.

VTOL: Vertical Take Off & Landing.

CTOL: Conventional Take Off & Landing.

JATO: Jet Assisted Take Off unit.

RATO: Rocket Assisted Take Off unit.

A: Alpha

B: Bravo

C: Charlie

D: Delta

E: Echo

F: Foxtrot

G: Golf

H: Hotel

I - India

J: Juliet

K: Kilo

L: Lima

M: Mike

N: November

O: Oscar

P: Papa

Q: Quebec

R: Romeo

S: Sierra

T: Tango

U: Uniform

V: Victor

W: Whiskey

X: X-ray

Y: Yankee

Z: Zulu

MS: Microsoft.

M$: The cash cow that is Microsoft.

Cold & Dark: An airplane which has not started any of its engines, electrical systems etc.

[an-225]

3. Actual Flight:

3.1: Takeoffs:

For this tutorial flight you're going to take a Cessna 172SP. (livery is up to you

[Ronnie_G]

Add Dreamfleet to your Payware list. No GA collection is complete without their Baron and Bonanza.

[an-225]

Mods do you want to sticky this? So that we can stop this place from being flooded with "jetway" questions and the like?  ;)