Prepairing your flight simulator for aerobatics

Ok, here is how I prepare my flight simulator for aerobatic flights:

Step 1: Copy the FS9.cfg (or FS2002.cfg or FSX.cfg)

Purpose: We can switch between normal and aerobatic settings. Change to the right CFG file before starting the sim.

Rename the normal FS9.CFG to FS9.STANDARD and the copy to FS9.CFG since we want to configure our sim for aerobatic.

Step 2: Copy the right BGL file for the aerobatic box into the AddonScenery folder

Purpose: We install the aerobatic box scenery into the flight simulator

In every competition there should be an aerobatic box. This specific file normally can be downloaded here or at the web page of the competition. By moving the files into the AddOn Folder we don't need to add a new scenery entry because this directory is the default scenery in the sim.

Step 3: Open the flight simulator and set your airplane to the airstrip

Purpose: We have now the environment that we can use to position the aircraft for flying a sequence. However, before flying we will set some options for the sim.

Step 4: Menu: Aircraft - Fuel and Payload

Purpose: Setting the fuel and payload to the right values allows us to have similar responses for every new flight we start. Also some planes need the correct setting to spin.

Step 5: Menu: Aircraft - Realism Settings

Purpose: Setting the right realism settings enables us do some maneuvers that we couldn't do otherwise.

Flight model

For starting primary and sportsman sequences you can turn of P-Factor, Torque and Gyro effects so you don't need to compensate for these effects with the rudder. This will make Spins a bit more of a problem, however.

If you want to step up, I strongly recommend setting the levels to realistic. Snap rolls, spins and some other things can only be done with those features turned up.

Flight controls

Turn auto rudder off! You cannot fly aerobatics with auto rudder on because you have to make independent rudder movements.

Step 6: Menu: World - Weather

Purpose: Getting rid of the stupid wind, we have enough trouble without it.

Set the theme to Clear skies and move the rate of change to none.

Step 7: Menu: Options - Controls - Sensitivities

Purpose: You need direct response to your inputs from stick (yoke) and pedals.

On the Joystick page move the "Null zones" all to the left. (Simple or advanced)

For the sensitivities you need more experience with your chosen aircraft. You will see from trial and error if you need to change something here.

Step 8: Menu: Options - Settings - Display

Purpose: Frame rate, frame rate, frame rate

You will need to play around on this screen. The purpose is to get maximum frame rate AND been able to have enough orientation points. You will fly with at minimum two additional windows open.

Especially on the weather tab you want to have simple clouds, 10% 3-D clouds and very close distance. Also play on the hardware tab and the scenery tab.

Step 9: Menu: Options - Settings - Sound

Purpose: Frame rate, frame rate, frame rate

We don't need high quality sound, change it to "low".

Step 10: Menu: Options - Settings - Traffic

Purpose: Frame rate, frame rate, frame rate

Turn off all AI Traffic.

Step 11: Menu: Views - Full Screen

Purpose: Frame rate, frame rate, frame rate

On my PC the windowed mode gives more frames - turn of the full screen mode

Step 12: Menu: Views - New View

Purpose: Setup your flight environment.

My personal main view is the virtual cockpit since I can see more on the outside. I put the zoom factor to 0.50.

In addition I have tree views: One virtual cockpit view to the left, one to the right and one top-down view. To fix the view to left and right I select the window, press 4 or 6 on the numpad and in addition the "Num" key. The view will be locked to that position.

I use another trick with these windows. The bottom of the left and right views indicate a horizontal line if I make a positive level flight. The bottom of the top down window marks the same horizon in a negative level flight.

Step 13: Move your aircraft to a starting position right in front of the aerobatic box

Purpose: Setup your aircraft that you can start immediately

Use the 'a' key to turn on the slew mode. Move your aircraft to a position well before your box. (You may need to speed up as you enter the box, so a bit of additional height on top of the box height is not the wrong decision.)

Now came the most important point:

SAVE YOUR FLIGHT!

Go to Flights - Save Flights... and save it.

You probably wants to setup a flight from every of the four possible directions flying into the box, as you don't know what the unknown compulsory programs will require.

Step 14: Start recording a video

Purpose: We try to fly the first sequence and want to record it so that we can send it later to the judges - if it's good enough.

Select Options - Flight Video from the menu.

Choose the record interval of 1/4 second or shorter. 1 second is not good because the judges wouldn't see your stops in a roll in four times.

Press the "Record New Clip" button. 

Step 15: Fly your program

Step 16: End your video

Purpose: We stop and save the flight video.

Hit the ESC key and a Save Video screen appears.

Enter a good title and a description. Then hit OK.

Step 17: Find the video

Purpose: We need to send the video to the judges

To find the video look into the folder:

C:\Documents and Settings\[user name]\My Documents\Flight Simulator Files

or in FS2002: (Where ever the sim is installed)

E:\FS2002\flights\myflts

The name of the file is the given video clip title plus the extension '.FSR'

(e.g.: No1 - 1UC - Michael Garbers.FSR)

This file you need to send to the judges.