Simviation Forum - Newbie questions...

Jul 11^th, 2004 at 1:12am

testrider123 Offline
1st Lieutenant
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

Posts: 2

Hi all,

I just bought FS2004 and I was surprised that there is no manual that I could find beside the small and thin useless booklet with a few key assignments on the back cover. I guess I"m used to the 300+ page manual that came with Flight Unlimited II and Falcon 4. I couldn't even find all the key assignments.

- Did I miss something or that's it? Is there a manual somewhere that I could find? (I did searched on Microsoft's suport site and couldn't find any)

- When I read the instructions from within FS2004, the window only centered in a small size on my monitor. Is there a way to make the FS2004 "news" windows full size?

I would appreciate any pointers/help.
Thank you very much in advance.

-Mike-

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Reply #1 - Jul 11^th, 2004 at 1:29am

Eskimo Offline
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-- I'm just flying low.
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Even though the manual is small and doesn't give much information, the game is pretty easy to learn how to use anyway. If you need key assignments, press ALT in game then go to Options - Controls - Assignments. And all the key assignments will be there.

I hope this has been of some help and welcome to SimV. Wink

Aviation Downunder - Now Open

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Reply #2 - Jul 11^th, 2004 at 5:02am

JRoc Offline
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The Learning Center contains almost all the info you need.

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Reply #3 - Jul 11^th, 2004 at 10:06am

Stormtropper Ex Member
Blueballed...!

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Well, we can just thank our Microsoft friends for finding out not printing the manual is another way to save money...................for them Angry

BURN'EM AT THE STAKE

Jeff

Arizona State University&&Viva la party!

&&&&&&&&

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Reply #4 - Jul 11^th, 2004 at 10:19am

eno Offline
Colonel
Why you shouldn't light
your farts!!
Derbyshire UK

Posts: 7802

This is the way with most software these days.. Not only is it a money saving device, but legislation (from Europe) on the amount of packaging that software was wrapped in gave them another excuse not to include manuals.
Personally large manuals just get in the way ... and 9 times out of 10 when you need to find something in them you cant.

Have a good look in the utilities and misc software sections on here ... theres plenty of people who have recorded in small format all the key assignments of FS9/2002 .. either will do as they are more or less the same. Also there are plenty of peeps in this forum who will help with problems.

cheers
eno

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Reply #5 - Jul 11^th, 2004 at 10:52am

wji Offline
Colonel

Posts: 1644

"Newbie Question", indeed
"Did I miss something or that's it? "
YES. It's called the Learning Center {LC} and it's the most-comprehensive training and learning aid (complete with WM videos ever included in MSFS (or any other software for that matter)

The FS9 LC can be found in the FS9 folder under FSWebs folder (and can be accessed with FS9 running). The "Learning the GPS" section is 42 pages alone and

MUST BE PRINTED OUT

if one is at all serious about wanting to know how to use it.

As previously noted, most of us have had FS9 for over a year now.

bill

PhotoShop 7 user

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Reply #6 - Jul 11^th, 2004 at 2:41pm

testrider123 Offline
1st Lieutenant
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

Posts: 2

Thank you all for your help and I appreciate it.

As to not include a printed manual, I understand that as most software don't but at least they have a printable pdf comprehensive manual on CD, not FS2004. I have a copy of Microprose's Falcon 4 that came with a 300+ page of hard cover binder that includes everything from radar operations, tactics, flight control and everything in between. It even came with printed charts, maps, keyboard assignment chart etc...so I guess I was surprised that MS just skipped everything.

Thanks to Eno I found a 3-page key map and I thought at least that's what MS should include in the

Thanks to the ponter of Bill, I found FSWeb folder so I was able to read them in a full screen instead of a small window while running FS2004. Even though it's pretty good but I still couldn't find what I want:

- How do I learn to fly the 747? Is there something I can read about the instruments specifically applied to 747 in FS2004?

- How do most of you fly in FS2004? Do you use your mouse to click the instruments or do you map all the keys to your throttle/stick/yoke?

- The scenary/cockpit that came installed with the CD didn't impress me as far as resolution and I was flying at 1600x1200. The scenary seems to be far from real or photorealistic and the cockpit panel didn't look better than "Fly Unlimited" either. Is this normal or is there any adjustment I can make?

- What do you all recommend as "must have" add-ons on top of my fresh install of FS2004?

- My system is a newly built AMD XP Barton 2800+ overclocked to 3200+, 1 GB of PC3200 dual-channel ram, FX5200 card. I selected 1600x1200, set frame rate to 30 fps and everything else as is. I was getting only from 11 to 21 fps. Is this what I expect? It seems low for my system? but again I don't know what FS2004 takes...

Thank you again!

-Mike-

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Reply #7 - Jul 12^th, 2004 at 2:42am

Hagar Offline
Colonel
My Spitfire Girl
Costa Geriatrica

Posts: 33159

To access the Learning Center when FS9 is not running find lc01.htm in the FS9\Uires folder. Create a shortcut to this file & paste it to your desktop if you wish. This is the Learning Center start menu. There are 3 options on tabs named Key Topics, Site Map & Index. From the Index option you can narrow down the search by letter. I used this method to find Key Commands/Complete list of. This gives a full list of all key commands that can be printed out if you wish. While this is not perfect there's a lot more information in there than most people realise.* For example, testrider asked this: - How do I learn to fly the 747? Is there something I can read about the instruments specifically applied to 747 in FS2004?

Copied from the Jets section in the Learning Center.
Quote:

The Simplified Way: Just Go For It

There are two ways to fly jets in Flight Simulator: the realistic way, and the simplified way. If you want to learn to fly jets realistically, read the next section, then take the ATP training in Flying Lessons. But if you just want to take a jet up and see what it's all about, here's all you need to know to get started.

To fly a jet the simplified way

Line up on the centerline of a long runway.
Extend the flaps down two or three notches: Press F3.
Release the brakes: Press PERIOD.
Apply full power: Move your joystick's throttle control or press F4.
At 150 to 160 knots, pitch up smoothly to 20 degrees nose up.
Raise the landing gear: Press G.
At 1,000 feet AGL, pitch down to 10 degrees nose up, and reduce power with your your joystick's throttle control or by pressing F2.
Retract the flaps: Press F6.
Climb to cruising altitude.
Power back to idle to initiate the descent.
Approximately 15 miles from the airport, reduce your speed to 180 knots by adding some flaps (press F7) and using the spoilers if necessary: Press / (FORWARD SLASH).
As you begin the approach at approximately 2,000 feet AGL, make sure the spoilers are down, start reducing speed to 150 knots, lower the landing gear, and add the rest of the flaps: Press G and F7.
Arm the spoilers and set the autobrakes: Press SHIFT+/ (FORWARD SLASH), and click the autobrake knob to the desired setting.
Maintain 140 to 160 knots during the approach (the more fuel, the faster), and a 500 fpm descent rate. Keep the runway numbers in the center of the windscreen.
As you cross the runway threshold at 50 feet, reduce power to idle, and flare slowly: Press F1.
As the main wheels touch first, slowly let the nose come down. The spoilers will deploy and the autobrakes will start slowing the aircraft.
Engage the thrust reversers: Press F2.
At 60 knots, disengage the thrust reversers: Press F1.
Taxi to parking.

*PS. The information is probably there somewhere. Finding it might be a different matter. Wink

Founder & Sole Member - Grumpy's Over the Hill Club for Veteran Virtual Aviators
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Need help? Try Grumpy's Lair

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Reply #8 - Jul 12^th, 2004 at 4:28am

Politically Incorrect Offline
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Williamsport, PA

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Another great way to learn how to use FS9 is:
The Sybex "Official Strategies & Secrets" book for A Century of Flight.
I found a copy at a computer store for about $20, might be cheaper now. But you can find it at most book stores and online.
It gives information on all default aircraft,how to fly them as well as a bunch of other tips and tricks.
For the money it is a great investment and will help you get started!

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Reply #9 - Jul 12^th, 2004 at 4:41am

eno Offline
Colonel
Why you shouldn't light
your farts!!
Derbyshire UK

Posts: 7802

QUOTE...- The scenary/cockpit that came installed with the CD didn't impress me as far as resolution and I was flying at 1600x1200. The scenary seems to be far from real or photorealistic and the cockpit panel didn't look better than "Fly Unlimited" either. Is this normal or is there any adjustment I can make?

I think that the optimal resolution for FS is 1024x768 as 17in CRT monitors are the most widely used (Someone will probably prove me wrong).
Have you made any ajustments to the display settings yet or are you still running FS with the default settings? As for cockpit displays the default aircraft cockpits are adequate but if you want anything more complicated then Addons are a must. Theres plenty of freeware ones on this site check em out and enjoy.

cheers
eno

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Reply #10 - Jul 12^th, 2004 at 9:26am

flyflyflyaway Offline
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Fly Like an Eagle...

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yes definately try the learning center, it is very helpful and should have almost everything you need. Also try expirimenting yourself... good luck and welcome to SimV Grin

Asus A8V Deluxe&&AMD Athlon 64 3500+&&2 80 GB HD'S&&nVidia GeForce 5500OC &&FS2004&&&&

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Reply #11 - Jul 12^th, 2004 at 12:54pm

jordonj Offline
Colonel
Loose my license...WHAT
license?!
Michigan

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Posts: 5601

To get better performance on your machine, try getting FSAutostart and the no CD patch. You still may have to tweak the weather settings just a bit. Which plane you fly makes a difference as well.

My first flight in a 172 on August 20, 2004&&&&&&Doing the right thing is more important than doing the thing right. (P. Drucker) &&&&When all think alike, then no one is thinking. (Walter Lippmann)&&&&Boredom's the problem. And how do you beat Boredom? Adventure!!!&&&&Tyler: You-You'll remember my position, won't you?&&&&Rosie: Sure! Stop by for a drink sometime!&&&&Tyler: Wait! Wait! What is my position?&&&&Rosie: Ehhhh...beats the hell outta me! I just hope I can find my way back home!

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