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FTS

SimAVIO
SimAVIO
Installation and Procedures Manual

Installation and Procedures Manual

8/13/2012

SimAVIO Installation and Procedures Manual 8/13/2012

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction: ........................................................................................................... 5

Limitations: ............................................................................................................. 5

Network Configuration Options .............................................................................. 6

Overview of Menu Options ..................................................................................... 8

Installation and Registration of SimAVIO: ............................................................... 9

Installation of the X-Plane Plugin: ......................................................................... 10

Installation Process for a Windows PC ................................................................................................................................................ 11

Installation process for a Mac OS ........................................................................................................................................................ 12

Connecting SimAVIO with X-Plane:........................................................................ 15

Instructions for running SimAVIO and X-Plane together on the same computer: ...................................................................... 15

Instructions for running SimAVIO and X-Plane on separate computers: ..................................................................................... 15

Loading an aircraft instrument or panel: ............................................................... 16

Loading an instrument or panel of instruments manually ............................................................................................................ 16

Loading an instrument or panel of instruments by double clicking on any .FTS file ................................................................... 16

Loading an instrument or panel of instruments using X-Plane ..................................................................................................... 16

Interfacing with the SimAVIO instruments ............................................................ 17

Using a mouse .................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

Using a keyboard or joystick............................................................................................................................................................. 18

Using X-Plane’s Joystick and Equipment Page ................................................................................................................................. 18

Using SimAVIO Hot Keys Assignment............................................................................................................................................... 19

Using emulated avionics hardware .................................................................................................................................................. 19

Simavio menu system ........................................................................................... 21

File ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Edit ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Hot Keys ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 22

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Layout .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 22

preferences ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 23

View .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25

Bezels ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 25

GPS Bezels ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 25

Knob Rendering................................................................................................................................................................................ 25

Masked View .................................................................................................................................................................................... 26

Statistics ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 26

Sound .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 26

Help ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27

Configuring the 3D Settings on your graphics card................................................. 28

Upgrading SimAVIO............................................................................................... 30

Upgrading Navdata ............................................................................................... 30

Moving your license to a new computer................................................................ 31

Instrument and flood lighting ................................................................................ 31

AvSimMap II: Navigation Map ............................................................................... 32

Avidyne Entegra .................................................................................................... 32

Monitor configurations for the Avidyne Entegra. .................................................. 33

FTS1000................................................................................................................. 33
Monitor Configurations for the FTS1000 ................................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

autopilot configuration in Plane-maker .............................................................................................................................................. 34

FTS430 .................................................................................................................. 35

Failures ................................................................................................................. 36

Setting up a three monitor, two computer simulator ............................................ 37

Displaying the IOS on Second Monitor on the Same Video Card ........................................................................................................ 37

Hide the X-Plane cockpit and gauges .................................................................................................................................................. 37

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Configure your display settings ........................................................................................................................................................... 38

Defaul to Full Screen view ................................................................................................................................................................... 38

Troubleshooting .................................................................................................... 39
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 39

Common problems .............................................................................................................................................................................. 40

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INTRODUCTION:

No one likes to read manuals, so let us make this QUICK so you can get started using our software. Forget about Section 1 of this
document. You can come back to it later if you have trouble, and need to learn more about SimAVIO. Jump directly to SECTION 2 for
instructions on installing our software, and SECTION 3 for installing the X-Plane plugin. The installation wizard is verbose however the
instructions in each step are important. Rapidly clicking NEXT, NEXT, NEXT, NEXT may cause problems later. SECTION 4 will help you
load the panels. Look in the PANELS folder for the two free aircraft panels.

Just REMEMBER:

1. Run the SimAVIO installer

2. Locate the FTS / X-Plane installer in the new folder created by SimAVIO.

3. Run the FTS / X-Plane Interface installer on the computer where X-Plane is located.

4. Confirm that the interface plugin was copied to the Plugins folder of X-Plane.

5. Start both programs (X-Plane and SimAVIO), and they will communicate automatically without any configuration.

LIMITATIONS:

SimAVIO is simulator avionics software and hardware developed and produced by FlyThisSim (FTS) designed to be supplied
with FAA approved simulators.

SimAVIO is a stand-alone Windows based software program that communicates with X-Plane through the User Datagram
Protocol (UDP) interface. Data is transmitted and received at approximately 30 times per second, providing instantaneous response
between SimAVIO and X-Plane.

The software has the capability of loading any of the avionics files produced by FTS, including the Avidyne Entegra
PFD/MFD, AvSimMap II, FTS430/FTS530/FTS1000, and digitally rendered analogue gauges. SimAVIO is compatible with X-Plane
version 9.55 or greater. The recommended hardware for running SimAVIO is a Windows XP, Vista or 7 based computer with a
Windows Experience Index base score of at LEAST 4. To learn more about this Index base score, and to determine if your computer
meets the score minima, go to Start >> Control Panel >> Performance Information and Tools on your Windows based computer. A
higher base score generally means that your computer will perform better and faster than a computer with a lower base score.

System requirements:

• Operating system to run SimAVIO: Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7

• Operating system to run X-Plane on a separate computer: Mac OS X or Windows

• Memory: 2GB of RAM

• Processor: Dual Core CPU (preferred when running X-Plane and SimAVIO on the same computer.) A Pentium processor will
not work.

• A dedicated graphics card supporting Accelerated OpenGL 2.0 on both monitor ports

• Ethernet card or wireless adapter.

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• A connection to a local network. A connection to the internet is not mandatory.

• Required hard drive storage: 150MB

The initial step in the set-up of SimAVIO is the installation and registration of the software. Next, we discuss the network
link between SimAVIO and X-Plane. Finally, we discuss the installation and configuration of the optional FTS hardware bezels and
Garmin GNS.

NETWORK CONFIGURATION OPTIONS

There are three basic configurations when using SimAVIO. See Table 1: Network Configuration Options. SimAVIO can run on the
same computer as X-Plane (Option A), or on a separate dedicated computer. (Options B and C)

Table 1: Network Configuration Options

Option A: SimAVIO and X-Plane on the same computer using

Windows OS.

Router

X-Plane SimAvio

Computer A: Windows

In this configuration, you need a dual core processor, and 2GB of

memory. Connect a router to the computer and make sure your network
adapter is enabled. Alternately, you can use the virtual Microsoft
Loopback adapter. See the procedure described in section below
“Connecting SimAVIO with X-Plane” to install the loopback adapter.

Option B: SimAVIO and X-Plane on different computers networked

together with a wired or wireless router. (wired is recommended)

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Router

X-Plane SimAVIO

Computer A: Computer B:
Windows or
Windows
Macintosh

Option C: SimAVIO and X-Plane on different computers networked

together WITHOUT a router and using a Cross-Over Cable

Crossover Cable

X-Plane SimAVIO

Computer A: Computer B:
Windows or
Windows
Macintosh

In this configuration, you need to FIX the IP address of each

machine. See this procedure for connecting two computers with a
crossover cable . http://www.home-network-help.com/crossover.html
After visiting this link, follow the procedure for manually assigning an IP
address.

SimAVIO can reside on the same computer as X-Plane or on a separate machine. Running on a separate machine distributes the
computer processing load, and also allows you to extend the number of monitors available for your simulator. Finally, it allows you to
run only a single copy of X-Plane, and still display our cockpit instrumentation separate from your outside visual.

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OVERVIEW OF MENU OPTIONS

When SimAVIO first loads, a splash screen will appear as shown in Figure 1. The performance indicator needle will indicate whether
your computer hardware can perform adequately enough to run SimAVIO instruments. If your computer performance metric is in the
red, we do not recommend using it with SimAVIO. A performance metric in the yellow may be adequate for running simple analog
panel layouts our stand-alone instruments. Only a computer with a computer metric in the green should be used to load the
technically advanced glass panels like the Avidyne Entegra/FTS430 or the FTS1000 integrated flight deck.

Below the performance metric is the interface test results. “Interface Test Not Run” will display when you are not connected to X-
Plane. “Interface Test Pasted OK” will display when the 20 second test is completed successfully. “Interface Test Failed!” will display
when a connection to X-Plane was attempted and was not completed successfully. See the troubleshooting section at the end of this
manual if your test has failed.

Below the performance meter is information related to the license type that you installed. SimAVIO has four levels of licenses:

1) SimAVIO Retail License

2) SimAVIO Commercial License
3) Instrument Builder Retail License
4) Instrument Builder Commercial License

SimAVIO license allows the user to load and reposition pre-build instruments from .fts files. Instrument Builder also allows the user
to create new instruments using AC3D modeling software, and to open existing FTS instruments to modify them. Please visit
http://www.flythissim.com/professional.aspx for details.

The small text at the very bottom of the splash screen should be crisp and clear to read. If the text seems pixilated or blocky, it is an
indication that your anti-aliasing is set at 2x. Review the section Configuring the 3D Settings on your graphics card for details on
how to adjust your anti-aliasing settings.

Figure 1: SimAVIO splash screen

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INSTALLATION AND REGISTRATION OF SIMAVIO:

A step-by-step installation procedure is not included in this operations manual. In addition to reading this manual, we
recommend that you watch the installation video tutorial. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbXMNWbOXMo

1. Follow the link in the email or web-browser, and save the installation files to your local computer.

2. Close all other programs before running the installation file.

3. Enable your LAN Ethernet adapter. It must be enabled for SimAVIO to detect the physical address (MAC address) during the
registration and license process. Wireless and other types of network adapters are not supported. See the troubleshooting
guide for instructions on enabling your LAN adapter, or visit this link.. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-
vista/Enable-or-disable-a-network-adapter

4. Double click the installation file to start the installation process. SimAVIO will save files to three locations on your computer.
The location depends on the Windows OS version you have installed.

a. For Windows 7 and Vista:

i. C:\Program Files\SimAVIO (or Program Files x86/SimAVIO for 64 bit machines: the main executable and
critical supporting files

ii. C:\ProgramData\SimAVIO\Library: sounds, udpdata.txt, keys.xml and additional critical supporting files.
This folder is only visible by selecting Organize
Folder and Search Options
View
Show hidden files,
folders and drives or see this procedure online: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Show-
hidden-files

iii. C:\Users\Public\Pubic Documents\SimAVIO: saved flight plans, manuals, nav data updates, panels, Interface
plugin, and the FTSerrorlog.txt file.

Do not move the location of these files after the installation is complete. SimAVIO will
periodically update the contents of the files. User files must remain “Public” to prevent write
permission violations.

b. For Windows XP:

i. C:\Program Files\SimAVIO: same as above

ii. C:\Users\Shared\ProgramData\SimAVIO\Library: same as above

iii. C:\Users\Shared\Shared Docs\SimAVIO: same as above

** Alternately, Windows XP may use the path C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application
Data\SimAVIO

5. After the installation is complete, click START, then click the SimAvio.exe icon to launch the program.

6. Click HELP
LICENSE (See Figure 2)

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Figure 2: License Form

7. To obtain a license, copy and paste into an email to [email protected] the FTS derived product serial number**. (See
Figure 2 ) An FTS staff will email you back a License Key. Type or paste this key into the window labeled
“Enter_License_Key_Here”, and click the “Install License” button.

8. SimAVIO runs on a time based license that will run out in 5 days. This is to provide functionality while you complete the
licensing process. It is advised to start the licensing process as soon as possible.

9. NOTE: If it is necessary to move the software to a new computer, a new License key is needed using the FTS derived product
serial number of the new computer. Follow the procedure to remove the license from the old computer, then contact FTS
staff to provide you with the new key on the new computer.

** Note: Your FTS product serial number (unlock code) is identified based on your computer’s hardware. If you remove or change
hardware components, your license will also be removed! Contact support to reactivate your license if this happens.

INSTALLATION OF THE X-PLANE PLUGIN:

The FTS X-Plane Interface is for X-Pane Version 9.55 and higher. Figure 3 below is a screen shot of the files in your Public
Documents folder of SimAVIO after they were installed on your computer (Win7 and Vista is shown below). There are two X-
Plane compatible versions of the FTS Interface plugin: 1) Windows OS and 2) Mac OS.

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Figure 3: List of files in your root directory after installation is complete

INSTALLATION PROCESS ON A REMOTE WINDOWS PC

If you are running X-Plane and SimAVIO on the same machine, you most likely elected to run the X-Plane interface setup at the tail
end of the SimAVIO installation. (See Figure 4: Election to install the X-Plane Interface plugin) If so, you can ignore these next
steps. If you are running X-Plane on a separate Windows PC, (or you elected NOT to run the setup at the end of the SimAVIO
installation) then follow the steps below.

Figure 4: Election to install the X-Plane Interface plugin

1. Locate the file X-Plane_Interface_setup.exe. For Windows Vista and 7, this location is Users
Public
Public Documents

SimAVIO
Plugins
Windows. (See Figure 3.) You may easily jump to this folder if you agreed to include the shortcut
in the Windows START menu during the installation process of SimAVIO. Go to START
ALL Programs
SimAVIO

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SimAVIO Folder. Move the step-up exe file to your remote PC via a USB drive, or by transferring it across your
file sharing network. Launch this installer on your remote PC (the one where X-Plane resides).

2. The installation will ask you to browse to the ROOT directory where X-Plane is installed. Figure 5 is an example installation
after correctly browsing to the ROOT X-Plane directory. The installer will place the SimAVIO Interface plugin in the
Resources/plugins subfolder of your current installed copy of X-Plane. The name of the plugin is FTSInterface.xpl. The
installer also places the text file udpdata.txt in the plugins folder and Keys FlyThisSim.txt in your preferences folder. Do not
run this installer unless X-Plane is first installed on this machine.

Figure 5: Selecting the destination location for the plugin installer

3. Verify that the FTS plugin installed correctly by starting X-Plane, and look for FTS in the Plugins pull down menu.

INSTALLATION PROCESS FOR A REMOTE MAC

1) Install SimAVIO on your Windows PC.

2) Do not follow the instructions for installing the FTS Interface plugin on your Windows PC, because you will be using a Mac
instead.

3) Browse to the following location on your Windows PC:

If Windows 7 or Vista:

C:\Users\Public\Pubic Documents\SimAVIO\Plugins\Mac

If Windows XP

C:\Users\Shared\Shared Docs\SimAVIO\Plugins\Mac

** Alternately, Windows XP may use the path

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\SimAVIO\Plugins\Mac

4) Copy the files FTSPlugin.xpl and udpdata.txt and paste them to your Mac computer's folder X-Plane/Resources/Plugins
folder.

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5) Copy the files Keys X-Plane.prf and Keys FlyThisSim.txt (located in this folder) and paste it to your Mac
computer's folder X-Plane/Output/preferences folder.

INSTALLATION OF YOUR ADD-ON PANELS AND X-PLANE AIRCRAFT MODELS:

Now that SimAVIO and your FTS Interface are installed, the next step is to install your SimAVIO add-on products. The order of
installation is not critical, so you may decide to install the add-on panels BEFORE SimAVIO is installed. This installer will add your
FTS files, (i.e. Cessna_FTS1000.fts) layout files (i.e. Cessna_182-T_FTS1000.lfts), and X-Plane aircraft (Cessna_182-T.acf : if
included with your product). The installer is a file with the name xxx_xxx_Aircraft_and Panels_xxx.exe where xxx defines the
product name. The installation process is simplest for Windows O.S. and when SimAVIO and X-Plane reside on the same
computer. Both procedures will be described below:

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

Launch the installer on your Windows PC where SimAVIO is (or will be) installed. (See Figure 6)

Figure 6: Panels and X-Plane Aircraft Installation wizard

The installer will now ask you where your copy of X-Plane is installed so that the X-Plane acf and supporting sounds/textures will
be placed correctly in the X-Plane/Aircraft folder. (See Figure 7) If X-Plane is on a remote machine, then just browse to a
temporary folder where you can find it later. You can either move the files to the other machine, or just delete the temporary
folder and run this installer again on the X-Plane machine. (Windows only). A manual transfer will be required if X-Plane is
running on Mac OS.

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Figure 7: Browsing to the location where X-Plane is installed for the aircraft models (acf files)

If you are running X-Plane on a remote machine, after the first installer has completed, use a thumb drive to move the exe
installer to the X-Plane machine, and launch the installer again. Alternately, for Mac OS users, copy the Aircraft folder at your
temporary location to your thumb drive, and manually place the FTS Aircraft folder at the location X-Plane/Aircraft.

At the end of the installation process, you will have three locations where files are stored that you need to know about: (See
Figure 8)

Figure 8: After the Installation is complete: A summary

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CONNECTING SIMAVIO WITH X-PLANE:

The Basics: When the FTS plugin is installed correctly in X-Plane, it will begin broadcasting data over the network. For simplicity, and if
computer performance is acceptable, it is first recommend to run SimAVIO and X-Plane on the same computer. If you have positive
results in this configuration, then you can run SimAVIO on a separate computer.

ADDING A VIRTUAL NETWORK ADAPTER WHEN RUNNING SIMAVIO AND X-PLANE ON THE SAME
COMPUTER

Before attempting to connect to X-Plane, be certain you have a valid IP address. You will not have an IP address if you are not
connected to a wired or wireless router. If you are using an isolated single computer with no router, you have the option of installing
a “virtual” network adapter. To install the Microsoft Loopback Adapter:

1) Click START then type “Device Manager” in the search field.

2) Click DEVICE MANAGER under the results for the Control Panel.
3) Click ACTION, then ADD LEGACY HARDWARE.
4) Click NEXT, then INSTALL THE HARDWARE THAT I MANUALLY SELECT FROM A LIST (ADVANCED), then NEXT.
5) Select NETWORK ADAPTER, from the list, then click NEXT.
6) In the “Manufacturer” column, select MICROSOFT.
7) In the “Network Adapter” column, select MICROSOFT LOOPBACK ADAPTER, then click NEXT, NEXT, FINISH to confirm and finish.

Figure 9: Statistics page with an alternating green and black flashing box showing successful connection of X-Plane and SimAVIO.

Instructions for running SimAVIO and X-Plane together on the same computer:

1. Launch SimAVIO and X-Plane. The launch order is not important.

2. Open the SimAVIO Statistics page to check for connectivity between X-Plane and SimAVIO. To open the page, click VIEW

STATISTICS. Figure 9 is a screen shot of the Statistics page. A flashing GREEN box (see figure to right) is displayed with
positive connectivity. A RED box indicates SimAVIO is NOT receiving any data from the FTS plugin located in X-Plane. If the
interface test fails, please visit the troubleshooting section. (Additional information about the Statistics Page will be discussed
in the VIEW section of this manual.)

Instructions for running SimAVIO and X-Plane on separate computers:

It is recommended that the end user have a basic knowledge on how to manually configure several computers together on a private
network.

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1. Turn off your firewall or set up SimAVIO as an exception in your firewall. See the troubleshooting section for a
procedure on how to turn off your firewall, or create an exception or visit this link for more information.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc875811.aspx

2. Establish positive connectivity between the two computers by “pinging” from one to the other. The computers may be
networked through a router (wired preferred over wireless), or without a router using a cross-over cable. If the computer
running SimAVIO has more than one Ethernet adapter, you may use any of them for the network connection. For more
information on connecting two computers with a crossover cable, see this link.. http://www.home-network-
help.com/crossover.html After visiting this link, follow the procedure for manually assigning an IP address.

3. Install SimAVIO on one machine and the X-Plane plugin on the second machine.

4. Follow Steps 1-5 “Instructions for running SimAVIO and X-Plane on the same computer”

LOADING AN AIRCRAFT INSTRUMENT OR PANEL:

SimAVIO comes pre-loaded with two instrument panels. To add new instruments or panels, purchase them at the FlyThisSim Web
Store.

You are now ready to run SimAVIO again. There are three ways of loading an instrument or panel of instruments in SimAVIO. The
first method is using the SimAVIO menus or short-cut key commands (the manual method). The second method is to double click on
the FTS file before SimAVIO is launched. The third is by allowing X-Plane to “auto-load” the instrument panel when you open a new
aircraft in X-Plane. The fourth method is to simply drag the panel file from Windows Explorer, and drop it onto the SimAVIO
window.

Loading an instrument or panel of instruments manually

This method of loading panels is ideal when you do not have X-Plane running yet, or you want to over-ride the panel that auto-loads
with the associated X-Plane aircraft.

1. In SimAVIO, select File
Open File. Alternately, you may press Control-o on your keyboard.

2. Browse to the Panels folder located under the SimAVIO folder. This is where you decided to install SimAVIO during the
installation process.

3. A folder will appear with a list of files with the extension .fts. Double click the name of the panel or instrument that you wish
to load.

Loading an instrument or panel of instruments by double clicking on any .FTS file

1. Confirm that SimAVIO is not running. If it is all ready running, then Control – o (above) is the preferred method for opening
another panel.

2. Browse to your Panels folder in the SimAVIO folder and double click any .FTS file.

Loading an instrument or panel of instruments using X-Plane

This is a seamless method of loading instruments without having to interact with SimAVIO. The aircraft instruments that load
depend on the X-Plane aircraft that is loaded. From SimAVIO, select Edit
Auto Load Assignment. You will see the Auto Load
Assignment Tool as shown in Figure 5.

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Figure 10: Auto Load Assignment Tool

1. Inside X-Plane, click Aircraft -> Open Aircraft. Browse to X-Plane aircraft. Select the aircraft .acf file that you matched up
to the FTS Instrument Panel file in the Auto Load Assignment Tool. If there is no corresponding SimAVIO file, then SimAVIO
will generate an error in the FTSerrorlog.txt file, and no panel will load in SimAVIO.

INTERFACING WITH THE SIMAVIO INSTRUMENTS

There are three primary methods of manipulating the instruments in SimAVIO: 1) Using your mouse 2) Using a keyboard or joystick
and 3) Using emulated or customized avionics hardware

Using a mouse or your finger

You may use a mouse to click on the knobs or buttons in the aircraft cockpit. There are two methods of twisting a knob using your
mouse:

1. Click once, or click and hold, Figure 6: This option is great when you need to move the knob a small amount for fine tuning. Click
on the counterclockwise grey arrow adjacent to the knob to rotate the knob in the counterclockwise direction. The opposite is
true while clicking the clockwise arrow.

Figure 11: Click once or click and hold Figure 12: Click and Drag

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2. Click and Drag, Figure 7: This option allows you to quickly twist the knob. Click on either the clockwise or
counterclockwise grey arrow adjacent to the knob. While holding down the left mouse button, sweep your pointer in an outward
spiral in either the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. Sweeping the pointer in a clockwise direction will rotate the knob in
the clockwise direction. The opposite is true while spiraling your mouse pointer in the other direction. The knob will rotate in the
direction of your pointer sweep, NOT on the starting point where you first clicked… i.e. you may arbitrarily click on either side of
the knob to begin your pointer sweep.

Using a keyboard or joystick

You may assign any FTS button or knob using X-Plane’s Joystick and Equipment page (See Figure 8) or with Hot Keys using SimAVIO’s
hot key assignment dialog window.

USING X-PLANE’S JOYSTICK AND EQUIPMENT PAGE

X-Plane must be the active window for the keyboard or joystick button to respond. If you click inside the SimAVIO window, (or
on any other window), then the X-Plane button will not function.

Figure 13: X-Plane’s Joystick and Equipment page

For buttons and knobs that are not supported in X-Plane, we have provided custom keys. If you chose NOT to allow the SimAVIO
installer to overwrite your keys preferences file, then you will need to manually merge Keys X-Plane.prf with Keys FlyThisSim.txt.
Simply open both documents in a text editor, copy Keys FlyThisSim.txt and paste into Keys X-Plane.prf. You will find 200 additional

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SimAVIO commands in your Joystick and Equipment Page. X-Plane must be the active window for the keyboard and
joystick commands to function. For general information on keyboard shorts in X-plane, visit http://wiki.x-
plane.com/Chapter_4:_Flight.

USING SIMAVIO HOT KEYS ASSIGNMENT

SimAVIO must be the active window for the keyboard or joystick button to respond. Open the Hot Keys window by
selecting Edit
Hot Keys. If instruments are loaded that do not have actuators, then the Hot Keys selector will be disabled (greyed
out). Figure 9 shows the list of buttons that are available for the FTS430. To assign a key to an instrument actuator, select the row
associated with the button you wish to assign, at the “No Key” location. The field will highlight. Type any key (or SHIFT + any key, ALT
+ any key, or CTRL + any key) on your keyboard. Your custom key assignments will be auto-saved and available the next time you load
the panel. If you wish to edit the saved key assignments, file filename is keys.xml and can be located in the same folder as the .FTS
panel file or .LFTS panel file.

Figure 14: Assigning Hot Keys for a Panel

Using emulated hardware

FTS has partnered with Precision Flight Controls, Emuteq and VR Insight for hardware solutions that are compatible with
your avionics software.

Tested Hardware that requires no special configuration or button assignments (plug and play)

• PFC1000 (only available with a complete turnkey FAA approved simulator)

• PFC430
• Emuteq GarSim 530
• VR Insight V1000 Pit or V1000 Pit Pro

All USB Human Interface Devices (HID) devices (such as the Leo Bodnar joystick controller) will register in the Hardware Connections
window. The procedure for assigning buttons to your own HID device is shown in the section titled “ASSIGNING FTS INSTRUMENT

ACTUATORS TO CUSTOM USB HID HARDWARE DEVICES.”

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Most hardware (such as avionics stacks from Elite, Saitek, PFC, etc.) that are compatible with X-Plane will also be
compatible with SimAVIO. These hardware devices should communicate through X-Plane using the hardware manufacturer’s plugin.
A few exceptions to this general rule include autopilot buttons and GPS controls (other than those listed above)

CHECKING THE STATUS OF CONNECTED HARDWARE

Under View
Hardware Connections, you can check the status of connected hardware (Figure 15).

Figure 15: Hardware Connections settings

Only USB HID devices connected to the SimAVIO computer will display in the Hardware Connections list. Figure 15 shows that a
Thrustmaster T16000 joystick is connected, and the user has just pressed button 13 on the joystick base. If the hardware device
supports control of multiple GPS devices (such as the Emuteq Garsim with twin FTS430’s combo displayed on a single screen), then
Swapping will be TRUE. Press the squelch knob on the GPS control hardware to swap active control from GPS1 to GPS2. The
Equipment Value is displayed as you press buttons or twist knobs on the hardware device. This will determine if the hardware
device is communicating with SimAVIO. If the FTS Value shows “Not Assigned”, follow the procedure in the following section to
assign a value to it.

ASSIGNING FTS INSTRUMENT ACTUATORS TO CUSTOM USB HID HARDWARE DEVICES

The FTS Value can be assigned in the document keys.xml found in the ProgramData/SimAVIO/Library folder. (do not confuse this
keys.xml with the different keys.xml found in Public Documents/SimAVIO discussed earlier) Use any text or XML editor (such as
Notepad ++) to add a new node with your custom HID hardware. Scan keys.xml to identify the GPS or avionics instrument to which
you wish to assign your own buttons and knobs. Copy the xml code for this instrument and paste it to the end of keys.xml. In the
SimAVIO Hardware Connections window, copy the Equipment Value displayed in the Hardware Connections window, and paste this
into the hardware_code attribute in the new section of keys.xml that you created. If a value for the attribute is all ready assigned,
you can replace it with your desired value. The example Equipment Value in Figure 16: example custom button from document
keys.xml below has hardware_code “BU0836X Interface:30” for the Leo Bodnar joystick controller model BU0836X.

Figure 16: example custom button from document keys.xml

When your USB HID device sends code “BU0836X Interface:30” to SimAVIO, SimAVIO will match that code to the internal FTS value
assigned to that button. In the XML example below, fts_code “DCB04” ALWAYS assigned to the flight plan button on the FTS430.
The flight plan page will display on the FTS430 when button 30 is triggered on the Leo Bodnar device. Complete this process by
creating a new entity for each button that you wish to assign.

After saving the modified keys.xml in the same folder location, restart SimAVIO to verify the newly assigned value will be displayed
in the FTS Value column. Complete the test by loading the FTS instrument of interest and testing correct response to the button
press.

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SIMAVIO MENU SYSTEM

The top level menu bar in SimAVIO consists of the following:

• File: Open and Save panels

• Edit: Modify and create new panels, set up panel auto-loading, assign keystrokes to buttons, and set up preferences.
• View: toggle bezels and knobs, toggle mask view and show statistics page

File

The FILE menu in SimAVIO is where you can load panels and reload the panel that was previously loaded. Save File is greyed out
because this feature is only available for Instrument Builder. Save File allows the user to Save to .fts format, a panel loaded from an .ac
file. (more information in the Instrument Builder documentation). After you have edited the layout, (Edit
Layout, See EDIT section),
you can save your changes by selecting Save Layout. In addition to Exiting SimAVIO from the File menu, you may also type the
shortcut keys ALT – F4.

Figure 17: File Menu

Edit

The EDIT menu has the following options: (Figure 18: Edit menu)

• Auto Load Assignment : See the section Loading an Aircraft Instrument or Panel
• Hot Keys: See the section Interfacing with SimAVIO Instruments
• Layout: Allows you to modify a panel layout or create a new panel from a selection of instruments
• Preferences: User customization when SimAVIO first launches, preferences while in Mask Mode and preferences
for bezels and knobs.

Figure 18: Edit menu

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HOT KEYS

There are two ways of assigning keystrokes to hardware buttons:

1. Use Hot Keys when SimAVIO is the active window

2. Use X-Plane Joystick and Equipment Page

Both methods are described in the section Interfacing with SimAVIO Instruments.

LAYOUT

The LAYOUT menu allows customization of the instruments on a panel. After the user has modified the panel from the default FTS
panel provided with your installation, the new layout can be saved and loaded later. In addition to this documentation, we
recommend watching this video tutorial on editing your layout and preferences. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TBw3En1naI

Instrument Selection and Visibility

Tick the box beside the instruments to toggle them on or off from view. Alternatively, the user can select the instrument text to
highlight the instrument on the panel layout. At this point, the user can reposition and resize the instrument of interest. As an
alternative to using your mouse for repositioning and resizing, the user may use the controls to center or scale an instrument. Some
helpful tips for positioning or selecting instruments (or groups of instruments) while in the layout editor:

o Control + mouse click: Adds an instrument to a group of other instruments that are all ready selected
o Shift + mouse drag: Draws a box around instruments to select them as a group.
o Shift + up arrow: Increase the size of the instrument slightly
o Shift + down arrow: Decrease the size of the instrument slightly
o Up arrow: Nudge the instrument UP on the panel slightly
o Down arrow: Nudge the instrument DOWN on the panel slightly
o Left arrow: Nudge the instrument LEFT on the panel slightly
o Right arrow: Nudge the instrument RIGHT on the panel slightly

Window Location:

Window Location allows the user to position the bounds of the borderless SimAVIO window Control – M is toggled. SimAVIO will
detect and allow positioning of many monitors that are plugged into a single machine. The Windows Location Controls allow the
user to determine which monitors will be used for SimAVIO, and for those given displays, how much of the their real estate will be
allocated when “full screen” is toggled.

Panel Location:

As long as you don’t resize the SimAVIO instruments, they will be calibrated to the panel dimensions. The panel location and size
are in units of Inches or Meters. You may wish to set your panel dimensions to your actual aircraft panel size. Fit Visible will adjust
your panel size so that all instruments currently selected will be included on the panel.

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Figure 19: Layout editor

PREFERENCES

User defined preferences are divided into three categories: Start Up, Masked Mode and Graphic Bezel Displays. (See Error!
Reference source not found.) Our video tutorial is an additional reference describing the preferences menu.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TBw3En1naI

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Figure 20: Preferences

1. Start UP: These preferences relate to SimAVIO’s behavior when the application is initially launched.
a. Auto load Panel when Sim Changes Aircraft: SimAVIO will attempt to load the associated FTS panel with a new X-
Plane aircraft is loaded. If you set up the Auto load configuration (Figure 10: Auto Load Assignment Tool), then
check this tick-box.
b. Inhibit Keyboard Input for GPS: If you are assigning keystrokes to FMS inner and outer knobs, this will conflict with
your ability to type the waypoint ICAO using your computer’s keyboard. Select this box if you are using Hot Keys
to assign keystrokes to the FMS knob. Doing so however will inhibit your ability to type the ICAO with your
keyboard. It will also inhibit the virtual keyboard that displays automatically when you are entering an ICAO.
2. Masked Mode: These preferences relate to SimAVIO’s behavior when the panel is in Masked Mode.
a. Disable Menu in Masked Mode: When Masked Mode is active, the menu bar at the top of the window will auto-
hide, and will unhide when your mouse pointer hovers over the top of the window. Check this tick-box if you want
to disable this feature, and prevent your mouse pointer from unhiding the menu bar.
b. Disable Mouse-Over-Control Indication: If you don’t like the translucent boxes and arrows that depict the touch-
sensitive areas for buttons and knobs, check this box so that the indications are ONLY shown when your mouse
passes over them. Normally, the indications are ALWAYS visible.
c. Back Project in Masked Mode: This option is only used in RARE cases when you wish to project the instruments
from behind frosted glass.
d. Start Up in Masked Screen Mode: Masked Screen Mode is used for BATD panels where the area of the glair shield
is transparent to allow the X-Plane visual window to show from below the SimAVIO window. Error! Reference
source not found., Configuration A is an example of a BATD panel where Mask Mode is turned ON. With this
preference tick-box selected, the panel will start in Masked Mode (BATD panels only).
3. Graphic Bezel Displays
a. Override GUI settings when loading Layout Files: The GUI settings are the menu options described in Figure 21:
View Menu, to define the visibility of the bezels and knobs. These user-defined GUI settings can be over-ridden by
the default settings of the panel layout, when the panel is loaded.
4. Spiral Touch
a. Disable Spiral Touch: Disables Spiral Touch for twisting knobs. User will have to click once or click and hold for
incremental increase or decrease of the control.
b. Hide Spiral Touch Display:
5. Adjust Visual System Horizon

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a. Functions only while connected to the visual system (X-Plane). For BATD panels, you may wish to
shift the outside visual horizon up or down to get a better view of the terrain and runway above the glare shield of
the aircraft.
6. Enable all “Do not Show Again” messages. You may have checked a box on a warning message window electing to never
see the warning messages again. If you want to RE-ENABLE those warning messages, press this button to reset them to
VISIBLE.

View

In the VIEW menu, you can toggle various parts of the panel on or off. The VIEW menu includes options for toggling the digitally
rendered bezels and knobs. This menu also includes the toggle for Masked View, and finally, this menu will open a Statistics window
that shows performance and connection information.

BEZELS

When you uncheck the BEZELS, you will remove all of the frames/molding/bezels around the individual analog gauges.

GPS BEZELS

When you uncheck GPS BEZELS, you will remove the molding, buttons and knobs around the GPS instruments like the FTS1000 and
the FTS430. Users may wish to turn off bezels if they are using a hardware overlays like emulated knobs and buttons that look and
feel like the real avionics.

KNOB RENDERING

Also in the VIEW menu, you can uncheck the KNOB RENDERING. KNOB RENDERING includes the knobs on the analog instruments.
For example, you may wish to hide the knobs for the Course select or Heading Bug on the HSI, while still showing the bezels. This
configuration is ideal when the cockpit builder has emulated hardware for knobs, however they still wish to see the digitally
rendered bezels when they do not have their own hardware bezels.

Figure 21: View Menu

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Figure 22: Normal View No knobs No knobs and bezels

MASKED VIEW

Masked View is used for BATD panels only. When the user selects Masked View, the panel will snap to the pre-defined window size
that was specified in EDIT
LAYOUT, and also trim the area above the glare shield to transparent.

STATISTICS

The Statistics window (Figure 41: Statistics window) provides performance information recorded while SimAVIO is running. It also
provides the IP address for the computer where X-Plane is running, when SimAVIO has successfully connected to X-Plane. Statistics is
used for troubleshooting and diagnostics. FTS support may ask for a screen shot of this window after you have loaded the
troublesome panel.

Sound

Most simulator sounds, (such as engine, wind, rain, or ground contact) are provided by X-Plane. For sounds that X-Plane
does not support, SimAVIO produces them. Turn on or off the SimAVIO sounds by selecting Sounds
Volume Mixer The volume
mixer allows the user to adjust the three sound categories:

Warnings Aural alerts from the FTS1000, FTS430, Avidyne, Aspen, STEC55X or other instrument inside the cockpit
Environment Boost pump and other environment sounds not supported in X-Plane
Control Click Idea for use with touch screens, you will hear a “click” sound when a button or knob is actuated.

Figure 23: Sound Mixer includes Aux, Environment and Warnings

To turn on or off the X-Plane sounds, select Settings
Sounds
ALL Sounds

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Help

The HELP menu in SimAVIO provides information concerning the licensing, operation and diagnostics. (See Figure 24)

Figure 24: Help Options

An explanation for each is provided below:

1) ABOUT: Displays the Software version, License number and unlock information. Figure 25 below is what you would see if the
software is unlocked.

Figure 25: About SimAVIO

2) LICENSE: Access this window when you are ready to begin the unlock process (after you install). See Figure 2 in the previous
section Installation and Registration of SimAVIO:
3) OPEN LOG: If you are having difficulty with SimAVIO, we ask that you please email a copy of the file FTSErrorlog.txt to
[email protected] OPEN LOG will launch your default text editor and automatically open FTSErrorlog.txt. Copy and paste
this text into an email message addressed to us.
4) BUILT IN TEST: In some rare cases, we may ask you to read or write a variable to SimAVIO. Type the FTS variable into the
“Variable Name” field. A list of variables and their description is listed in the text document udpdata.txt. If you wish to READ the
value of the variable, do not check the “Write” tick-box. If you wish to WRITE a value to the variable, check the “Write” tick-box
and enter the numeric value in the “Value(Numeric)” field. To display the IP addresses and connectivity information, click the
“Show”.

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Figure 26: Build in Test, Test Dialog window

5) SHOW HELP: Launches your default PFD viewer and opens the SimAVIO Operations manual.
6) WEB SUPPORT: Launches your default browser and opens the SimAVIO support page. Here, you will find articles, support videos,
links to our forums and troubleshooting tips.

CONFIGURING THE 3D SETTINGS ON YOUR GRAPHICS CARD

Below we describe the procedure for setting the Anti-Alias (AA) to 4X in your graphics card driver software. Setting the AA to 4X is
critical so that text is clear to read, and does not look blocky. First we describe the procedure for NVIDIA graphics. Next, we provide
the procedure for ATI graphics.

NVIDIA GRAPHICS

1. Right click anywhere on the desktop with the SimAVIO computer. Select NVIDIA control panel. Click to open 3D Settings >>
Manage 3D settings.

2. Click to open the Program Settings tab, then click Add. Browse to locate the executable file SimAVIO.exe, then select OK.

3. Look for SimAVIO.exe in the Select a program to override pull-down window, and click to highlight SimAVIO.exe.

4. Change the setting Antialiasing Mode to Override any application setting.

5. Change the setting Antialiasing – Setting to 4x.

6. Click Display >> Change Resolution. Increase the resolution to the highest possible setting that the graphics card will allow.

7. Click Apply to save these changes.

8. Close and restart SimAVIO for the changes to take effect in SimAVIO.

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Figure 27: Configuring the 3D settings with Nvidia graphics card

ATI RADEON GRAPHICS

Open Catalyst Control Center by right clicking on your desktop, then select “AMD Engine Control Center” or “Catalyst Control
Center” from the dropdown menu. After the Control Center has finished loading:

1. Click Gaming
2. Click 3D Application Settings
3. Within the Anti-Aliasing group, Un-check “Use Application Setting”
4. Move the slider to the 4X setting.
5. Apply these settings to save them

Note: Setting an AA greater than 4X will have no visual improvement, and will only slow your
computer and hog unnecessary computer resources.

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Figure 28: Configuring your 3D settings with ATI cards

For additional information on graphics card settings, visit the X-Plane wiki. http://wiki.x-plane.com

UPGRADING SIMAVIO

FTS is constantly improving the software, as we find bugs and enhance the functionality. We recently changed the method for
upgrading SimAVIO and your panels. These upgrades are now available for FREE for the life of SimAVIO version 2.x.x. The latest
version of SimAVIO installer includes the FlyThisSim Updater utility. The utility will check to make sure you have the latest software.
Just click the “Download and Save” or “Download and Install” links to begin the upgrade process.

Figure 29: FTS Version Check Utility

IMPORTANT: Always upgrade your FTS Interface when you upgrade SimAVIO. A new installer will be wrapped in with SimAVIO. The
file name is X-Plane_v9_Interface_setup.exe and is located at Users
Public
Public Documents
SimAVIO
Plugins
Windows
(or Mac)

UPGRADING NAVDATA

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Updates to the Nav Data are available on a 28 day cycle. Purchase updates from the FTS online store. Navigation and map updates
are not integrated into the FTS Updater utility described in the section above. To receive these updates for your ILS data 12 month
subscription http://www.flythissim.com/FMS_data.aspx , return to the email with the download link that was provided to you when
you first purchased. These links are updated with the latest navigation files. If you lost your email, send a request to
[email protected] for a replacement link. DO NOT USE THE FASTSPRING LINKS TO UPGRADE SIMAVIO AND YOUR PANELS.
THIS IS ONLY FOR YOUR NAV UPDATES.

MOVING YOUR LICENSE TO A NEW COMPUTER

Your license of SimAVIO is tied to a single computer. If you wish to permanently move SimAVIO to a new computer, follow this
procedure. If you plan to use SimAVIO periodically on two different computers, then you must buy purchase a second license.

1. Install SimAVIO on the new computer

2. Note the Product Serial Number that SimAVIO provides
3. On the old computer, and with SimAVIO running, click HELP
LICENSE (see Figure 11)
4. Click the “Remove License” button.
5. Note the Transfer Code that SimAVIO provides after the license removal is complete
6. Send both codes to [email protected] : 1) the Product Serial Number from the new computer and 2) the Transfer Code
from the old computer.

Figure 30: License Form to transfer a license

INSTRUMENT AND FLOOD LIGHTING

This latest release of SimAVIO supports instrument and panel lighting. While your aircraft is flying at night, back-light text labels and
gauge lights allow for good visibility for avionics operation. Some FTS panels include instrument light rheostats and panel light
rheostats to adjust the brightness. Instrument and panel brightness can also be adjusted through X-Plane. Instrument and panel light
properties can modified in X-Plane Plane-Maker Viewpoint >> Int Lights.

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AVSIMMAP II: NAVIGATION MAP

Figure 31 provides a tutorial on how to operate the AvSimMap II moving map display.

Figure 31: Operation of the AvSimMap II moving map display.

AVIDYNE ENTEGRA
The Avidyne Entegra simulation from FTS includes the following • Annunciator lights
instruments: • Compass

• PFD simulating the Avidyne Entegra Release 7 The Avidyne Entegra from FTS simulates the following 10
• MFD simulating the Avidyne Entegra Release 7 aircraft:
• FTS430 simulating the Garmin GNS430 (details in
Section 11) • Cirrus SR20
• Audio selection panel simulating the Garmin GMA 340 • Cirrus SR22
• Autopilot simulating the STEC 55X featuring glide slope • Cirrus SR22 Turbo
capture and GPSS. • Piper Warrior
• Transponder simulating the Garmin GTX 327 • Piper Arrow
• Standby Gauges: airspeed (specific for each aircraft), • Piper Archer
artificial horizon and altimeter • Piper Seminole
• Flap indicator • Piper Saratoga or 6X
• Trim indicators • Piper Saratoga Turbo or 6X Turbo
• Power switches • Piper Seneca

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Aircraft specific features include airspeed tape color markings, initial fuel, and engine gauges. The Cirrus SR22 also
includes aircraft specific checklists.

MONITOR CONFIGURATIONS FOR THE AVIDYNE ENTEGRA.

The Cirrus and Piper Avidyne panels comes with a panel with the word “compact” in the filename. For example:
Cirrus_SR20_compact_Avidyne.fts This panel is recommend for the simulator configuration shown in Figure 32. In this
configuration, SimAVIO instruments are on a dedicated display. X-Plane runs on a second computer with two displays: one display
for the outside visual, and one display for the Instructors Operating Station (I.O.S). Using two computers allows a second person to
independently operate the I.O.S., while the pilot/student can operate the SimAVIO panel with a touch-screen monitor or his own
dedicated mouse. See the section below on Setting up a Three Monitor, Two computer configuration.

Figure 32: A Three monitor, Two computer simulator

For a “Do-It-Yourself” guide on building a simulator like the one pictured above, please visit www.flythissim.com to download the
whitepaper.

FTS1000
The FTS1000 simulates many of the features available on the • GFC-700 digital autopilot with a direct interface to X-
Garmin G1000. Plane’s autopilot
• HSI with NAV1, NAV2, and GPS (available rev2)
• Artificial horizon in 2D
• Reversionary mode
• Airport facility data like runway length, surface type,
• Nearest airports, intersections, VORs, NDBs
frequencies, facility name, and runway lights
• Waypoint Information pages for airports, approaches,
• Nav and Com tuning
departures, arrives, intersections, VORs and NDB’s

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• Aircraft specific engine gauges, colored speed tape, o Flight Planning list with
Vspeed flags, Lean display, and aircraft system insert and delete functionality.
information on 14 different aircraft models. o Direct To from Waypoint pages
• Vspeed, Flight level change, Altitude preselect, and o Direct To from Nearest Pages
Baro minimum (MDA) o Direct To from Flight Plan list
• Failures (EFIS power, Main computer, COMs, NAV, GPS, o Approach Loading, including WAAS
Transponder, Air data computer, AHRS, and Engine approaches
Data) o Activate an approach
• Reversionary Mode o Vectors to Final
• Auto frequency tuning from the Nearest and Waypoint o Activate a leg in the flight plan
pages of MFD o Remove approach or delete the flight plan
• Map features: (for US only) All airspace, topography, • OBS mode
roads, lakes, rivers, obstacles, airport symbols, VOR's, • Suspend and un-suspend auto-sequencing
intersections, state and international boundaries • Holds, DME arcs, and Procedure Turns
• Map inset on the PFD • Checklists on select aircraft
• Waypoint Information Pages: Includes SIDS and STARS!
• DME
• Transponder The FTS1000 simulates the following 14 aircraft:
• Bearing needles for NAV1 and NAV2 (RMI)
• Declutter softkey • Cessna 182T
• Radio Morse ID • Cessna 172S
• Wind Vector Indicator • Cessna 172R
• Regular navigation updates available every 28 days • Cessna 206H
using VALIDATED data from the FAA (requires • Cessna T182
subscription) • Cessna T206
• Brightness control for MFD and PFD • Cessna 350
• Alerts and Warnings messaging • Cessna 400
• Sink rate and Ground proximity warnings • Beech Baron
• Outer, Middle and Inner Marker annunciations • Beech Bonanza
• Navigation range ring • Diamond DA40
• Diamond DA42

Flight Management System (FMS)

Aircraft specific features include airspeed tape color markings, initial fuel, engine gauges, system information and lean information.

AUTOPILOT CONFIGURATION IN PLANE-MAKER

Check in Plane Maker to make sure the autopilot is configured correctly for the type of aircraft you are flying. You can reach this
screen by going to Standard
Systems
General

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Figure 33: X-Plane autopilot configuration

Use the table below to determine the correct configuration settings in X-Plane depending on the FTS aircraft panel that is loaded.

Table 2: Autopilot configuration settings

Autopilot configuration in Plane-Maker

auto-load altitude altitude

AP Heading, into pre-select when preselect is
Equipment Fitted Altitude, Attitude ALT mode engaged always armed
FTS1000 AHRS x x
STEC 55X without
altitude/VS pre-select and
analog gauges electric gyro
STEC 55X with altitude/VS
pre-select and analog gauges electric gyro x
STEC 55X with Avidyne AHRS x

Altitude/VS pre-selector: STEC 55X:

Figure 34: Altitude/VS pre-selector Figure 35: STEC 55X

FTS430

The FTS430 feature list includes:

• Airport facility data like runway length, surface type, frequencies, facility name, and runway lights
• Nav and Com tuning
• Nearest airports, intersections, VORs, and NDBs
• Waypoint Information pages for airports, approaches, departures, arrives, intersections, VORs and NDB’s
• Auto frequency tuning from the Nearest and Waypoint pages of MFD
• Map features: (for US only) All airspace, topography, roads, lakes, rivers, obstacles, airport symbols, VOR's, intersections, state
and international boundaries
• Waypoint Information Pages: Includes SIDS and STARS!
• Declutter softkey

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• Radio Morse ID
• Regular navigation updates available every 28 days using VALIDATED data from the FAA (requires subscription)

REV2 features included with the free upgrade are identical to those on the FTS1000 including a WAAS GPS and Flight
Management System (FMS).

FAILURES

Failures are executed from within the X-Plane Instructor’s Console. They can also be accessed through the X-Plane menu Aircraft >>
Equipment Failures>>G1000. Refer to X-Plane documentation for general information on how to execute equipment failures.
http://wiki.x-plane.com/Chapter_5:_X-Plane_Menus#Equipment_Failures SimAVIO supports equipment failures on most all
instruments that we provide, both analog, digital and glass. Some specific failures for the FTS1000 and Avidyne are shown in Figure 36.

Figure 36: Failures for the FTS1000 and Avidyne PFD/MFD

The G1000 failures tab in X-Plane is used to fail the systems on both the Avidyne and G1000. As of this writing, X-Plane does not
support an Avidyne failures tab. The systems are identical for both the G1000 and Avidyne. Only the failure names differ between the
two.

The “Inoperative” failures in RED in the X-Plane figure above are the failures that SimAVIO supports. The result of those failures is
depicted to the right and below. Those failures that may require further explanation are listed below.

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• GIA1: Main Computer Failure: fails all subsystems listed below

• AHRS: Artificial Horizon Failure
• Air Data Computer: Failure of the airspeed, altitude, vertical speed and outside air temperature (OAT)
• GEA system: Engine Computer Failure

Power failures of either display are also supported; however they are NOT triggered from the G1000 tab. Instead, select Aircraft
>> Equipment Failures>>Equipment 1

• EFIS PFD Failure of the FTS1000: Cuts power to the pilot side PFD and switches the co-pilot side MFD into reversionary
mode.
• EFIS PFD Failure of the Avidyne: Cuts Power to the pilot side PFD. There is no reversionary mode feature on the Avidyne
Entegra, so the pilot must rely on the standby analogue instruments.

• EFIS MFD Failure of the FTS1000: Cuts power to the co-pilot side MFD and switches the pilot side PFD into reversionary
mode.
• EFIS MFD Failure of the Avidyne: Cuts power to the co-pilot side MFD. No backup systems are provided for an MFD failure.

SETTING UP A THREE MONITOR, TWO COMPUTER SIMULATOR

This configuration is ideal when an instructor and a student are operating the simulator together. An example of a three monitor,
two computer simulator is shown in Figure 32 . A two computer simulator allows the X-Plane sounds and SimAVIO sounds to be
played simultaneously. This section shows the X-Plane and Windows menus that must be modified:

1) Displaying the IOS on a second monitor

2) Hiding the X-Plane Cockpit and Gauges
3) Configuring your display settings
4) Default to Full Screen view.

DISPLAYING THE IOS ON SECOND MONITOR ON THE SAME VIDEO CARD

An Instructor’s Operating Station (IOS)

may be run from the same computer as
the sim when using a dual output video
card. To enable this, check the box next to
draw IOS on second monitor, highlighted

below. See Figure 37.

Figure 37: Display the IOS and visual on two windows
The video card must first be configured to
output to both screens in the operating system. Checking this box will cause a second X-Plane window

HIDE THE X-PLANE COCKPIT AND GAUGES

Select the box “default to Full Screen

no-HUD view”. See Figure 38.
Checking this box will hide the X-Plane
2D cockpit and instruments. The
SimAVIO cockpit will be used instead.

This selection box can found in the SPECIAL

VIEWING CONTROLS section (shown in the Figure 38: Remove the X-Plane panel

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screenshot below) of the Rendering Options window.

CONFIGURE YOUR DISPLAY SETTINGS

This step is important if you want X-Plane to start-up automatically in full screen mode with the IOS and Visual on the correct
monitors. (See section DEFAULT TO FULL SCREEN VIEW) As the earlier graphic depicted, you want your IOS display on the laptop,
and the attached external monitor (to your laptop) on the TOP monitor above the SimAVIO cockpit gauges. To access the display
settings:

• Windows 7: Start
Control Panel
Adjust Screen Resolution

• Windows XP and Vista: Start
Appearance and Themes
Change the Screen Resolution

Figure 39 shows the menu items to change your screen resolution and other settings. To begin the configuration, click the
“Identify” button. Most laptop computers can only display one external monitor. The laptop display should be #1, and the external
display (Visual) should be #2.

There are 4 important points to remember when

configuring your displays:

1) “Extend these displays” must be

selected for “Multiple Displays”. You must do this
first before any other display settings can be
changed.
2) Both displays must be configured
with the same resolution. To change the screen
resolution, click on the display first, then select the
resolution from the drop-down menu. You may
have to downgrade the resolution on one of your
Figure 39: Changing the appearance of your displays displays to match the resolutions.
3) Your IOS display (#1 shown
below) must be your “main display”
4) Your X-Plane visual must be positioned adjacent and to the RIGHT of the IOS display. This may seem confusing or
illogical, to position the monitors differently in the display settings as compared to the physical positions on your
desk.

DEFAUL TO FULL SCREEN VIEW

X-Plane will default to full screen mode for

both the visual and the IOS when this box is
checked on the Rendering Options page.
(See Figure 40) Only check this box after
you have configured your display settings,
selected the “IOS on second monitor” and
selected “default to full screen no-HUD
Figure 40: Default to full screen view view”.

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TROUBLESHOOTING

INTRODUCTION

The most common problem with SimAVIO is networking issues with X-Plane. Please read the following troubleshooting tips. Contact
[email protected] and include the following important information:

1. What exactly is not working?

2. What is your operating system?

3. What version of X-Plane and SimAVIO are you running?

4. Your CPU type, speed, memory and specialty graphics card (if installed). If running Vista or 7, include your Performance Index
for CPU, graphics, and memory. See #10 below for an easy way to send this information to FTS.

5. If you are having a connection problem:

a. What and how many network adapters are you using?

b. Have you confirmed basic connectivity between the two machines using the “ping” method?

c. Is SimAVIO running on the same computer as X-Plane or on a different computer?

d. What is the IP address shown on the SimAVIO statistics page. Click VIEW
STATISTICS

e. Have you confirmed that the FTS Interface plugin is installed correctly? If correct, then answer question g.

f. What are the IP addresses listed in FTS/X-Plane plugin. Go to X-Plane > Plugins > FTS to view this address.

6. Email the file log.txt located in the root directory of X-Plane. This contains the log and error messages saved for the FTS
Interface plugin.

7. Email the file FTSErrorlog.txt. Generate this file by opening the SimAVIO panel that is causing problems, and going to HELP

OPEN LOG while in SimAVIO. This file contains the log and error messages saved while SimAVIO starts, and each time a panel
is loaded.

8. Email the installation setup log files located in the Win Vista or 7 folder C:\Users\Public\Pubic
Documents\SimAVIO\InstallationLogs . For Windows XP, the location will be C:\Users\Shared\Shared
Docs\SimAVIO\InstallationLogs

9. Generate a file that contains your hardware specification. This will allow us to assess your hardware performance and drivers
to make sure they are adequate for SimAVIO. On the computer that you use to run SimAVIO, go to: START » RUN, then type
in DXDIAG. Click “Save all information” and email to support.

10. If your O.S. is Win 7 and you are experiencing a crash, use the Problem Steps Recorder.

http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/using-problem-steps-recorder-psr-windows-7/ Send the results file to

[email protected]

11. If you suspect that you are having performance problems with your computer, email and image of the SimAVIO Statistics Page
after opening the SimAVIO panel that is causing problems. You can display the Statistics Page by going to View
Statistics.
Save this window to your clipboard by holding down ALT key and pressing the Print Screen key. Paste the image from your
clipboard into an email as an attachment.

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Figure 41: Statistics window

COMMON PROBLEMS

When I start SimAVIO for the first time, I do not see a FTS derived serial number at the top of the
window. How do I email you to request an unlock code if I don’t see any serial number?

Possible Culprit: You do not have an Ethernet network adapter installed on your computer, or you do not have one enabled.
Wireless adapter cards may not be detected by SimAVIO.

Solution: You need to have an Ethernet adapter installed on your computer and you must have it enabled. To enable your adapter,
go to the Network and Sharing Center
Change adapter settings. Right click on your Local Area Connection icon and select Enable
from the dropdown menu.

The instrument needles are not moving while flying X-Plane

SimAVIO is not communicating with X-Plane. Confirm if there is a communication problem by clicking the Information button and
watching for a steady green flashing box. If the box is intermittently flashing green, or the box is red, then you have a communication
problem.

1. Possible Culprit: A pop-up message window in X-Plane has paused the simulator. When X-Plane is paused, the data will
stop transmitting to SimAVIO. X-Plane will auto-pause for other activities like: loading a new aircraft, loading a new
location, or accessing any of the pull-down menus in X-Plane.

Solution: Confirm the pop-up message window in X-Plane to resume your flight. Alternately, cancel any menu windows in X-
Plane to resume your flight.

2. Possible Culprit: The X-Plane Interface is not properly installed in X-Plane.

Solution: Verify that the following files are located in the plugins folder of X-Plane: udpdata.txt FTSInterface.xpl

3. Possible Culprit: You installed the upgrade to SimAVIO but forgot to also upgrade the FTS Interface as well.

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Solution: Whenever you upgrade SimAVIO, IT IS ABOLUTELY NECESSARY TO ALSO UPDATE THE FTS INTERFACE
PLUGIN. Install the plugin that was included with the SimAVIO upgrade. You will find the installer (or Mac Plugin files) in the root
directory of SimAVIO after you have completed the installation of SimAVIO. Follow the procedures to update the FTS Interface.

4. Possible Culprit: Windows Firewall is blocking SimAVIO.

Solution: Turn off the Windows Firewall, or create an exception to the Firewall by adding SimAVIO to the exceptions list.
When SimAVIO starts for the first time, Windows may display a security alert such as the one in Error! Reference source not found..
Click “Unblock” and Windows will automatically add SimAVIO to the exceptions list. If you never received this Security Alert, then
you must manually add SimAVIO as an exception. To change the firewall settings, select Start >> Control Panel >> Classic View >>
Windows Firewall >> Change Settings.

Figure 42: Allowing SimAVIO through your firewall

5. Possible Culprit: The file udpdata.txt in the X-Plane plugins folder is corrupt or is different than the udpdata.txt located in
the Library folder of SimAVIO. A mismatch in upddata.txt between SimAVIO and X-Plane is common after a SimAVIO
upgrade. REMEMBER TO ALWAYS UPGRADE THE FTS INTERFACE PLUGIN WHEN YOU UPGRADE SIMAVIO.

Solution: Install the new FTS Interface plugin that was wrapped together with your SimAVIO installer or upgrade. You will find
the new FTS Interface plugin in the directory > Public Documents/SimAVIO/Plugins. The file name is X-
Plane_v9_Interface_setup.exe.

6. Possible Culprit: The FTS Interface plugin did not install correctly. You may see the symptoms where FTS is not one of the
plugins loaded in X-Plane. You ran the installer X-Plane_v9_Interface_setup.exe on the computer where X-Plane resides,
and have also confirmed that FTSInterface.xpl and udpdata.txt are properly placed in the X-Plane system folder
resources/plugins. Even so, X-Plane does not load the FTS interface.

Solution: Towards the end of your X-Plane Interface installation, the C++ 2008 libraries should have installed. If the installation was
interrupted or canceled, then you must install them now. Install the C++ libraries by visiting the following link to download the
installer:

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http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9b2da534-3e03-4391-8a4d-074b9f2bc1bf It is also
possible that Windows User Account control (UAC) has blocked the C++ runtime libraries from installing. For example, you may see
the following error message during the latter stages of the FTS Interface installation: (See Figure 43: instalcruntime.exe error
message, code 740)

Figure 43: instalcruntime.exe error message, code 740

If you see this error message, then you must run the installation processes again as “Administrator”. To install as administrator,
simply right click on the exe file, then select “Run as Administrator”.

The interface test on the splash screen failed

Possible Culprit: See Possible Culprit 5 above.

Solution: See Solution 5 above.

The instrument needles are jumping erratically

Possible Culprit: Multiple FTS plugins are installed. This problem occurs when X-Plane is running on more than one computer on the
same network, and the FTS Interface plugin is also installed on those same computers. Data is received in SimAVIO by multiple
sources, resulting in this erratic behavior of the instruments.

Solution: Remove the FTS Interface plugin from one of the two X-Plane computers. Alternately, you can turn off the network
adapter to one of the two computers.

Component 'mswinsck.ocx or none of its dependencies not correctly registered: a file is missing or
invalid

Solution:

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1. Using your mouse, click on the "Start" button and then click on "Run".

2. According to your Operating System, type the following command to register this library file:

Windows XP or Vista:
regsvr32 \windows\system32\MSWINSCK.OCX

3. You should see a message saying "DllRegisterServer ... succeeded"

If you are getting an error telling you that the file is missing, then you are not typing the command in correctly. You will need to
type it in *exactly* as as shown above for your operating system.

* Please note that there is a SPACE after "regsvr32" and before the rest of the command.

SimAVIO window disappears. I can only see the SimAVIO icon in the task bar.

Possible Culprit: SimAVIO saves away the window position in a registry file. This file may have become corrupt. This sometimes
occurs when you add or remove monitors to your computer while SimAVIO is running.

Solution: Hold down the SHIFT key the next time you start SimAVIO. This will clear the corrupt windows settings and accept the
default position from Windows.

SimAVIO crashes when it is closed or when you drag the window from one monitor to the other. OR
the moving maps are black and show no details.

Possible Culprit: Your video display driver needs updating.

Solution: Visit the website of your computer manufacturer or video display hardware and download/install the updated drivers.
The X-Plane Wiki has detailed procedures for updating your graphics card drivers.

http://wiki.x-plane.com/Appendix_I:_Updating_the_Computer's_Graphics_Drivers_in_Windows

Some of the digital displays and AvSimMap are black. The AvSimMap does not show any map.

Possible Culprit: The avionics bus power is OFF.

Solution: SimAVIO may not be connected to X-Plane. The default power is set to OFF when SimAVIO starts. As soon as a connection
is made with X-Plane, SimAVIO avionics will power up assuming the power is ON in X-Plane. Turn on the main bus and avionics bus
in X-Plane if necessary.

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You receive the following error message when starting SimAVIO: (See Figure 44: Change the Regions
and Language settings to English)

Figure 44: Change the Regions and Language settings to English

You may also see the error message: Error in modGPSComVars: XMLtoFPLNavData.

Possible Culprit: Your operating system OS is a language other than English.

Solution: Change your operating system OS format to English. A procedure is described here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-
US/windows-vista/Change-the-display-of-dates-times-currency-and-measurements

SimAVIO instrument needles are not smooth moving. Sometimes, they stutter.

Possible Culprit: You are trying to communicate over a wireless network that has speed or memory constraints.

Solution: We have achieved FAR greater success with communications over a wired network as compared to a wireless network.
WHEN CONNECTING TWO COMPUTERS, DISABLE YOUR WIRELESS ADAPTER AND USE A CROSSOVER CABLE, OR A WIRED ROUTER.
WHEN USING A SINGLE COMPUTER, DISABLE YOUR WIRELESS ADAPTER AND CONNECT YOUR COMPUTER TO A WIRED ROUTER.

Some of the GPS and ILS procedures are missing from your database.

Possible Culprit: NA.

Solution: We obtain our procedures from the FAA, AeroNav Services. Unfortunately, they do not include every instrument
procedure, both RNAV and ILS. (we don’t know why) Before you report this as a bug to SimAVIO, check this document
http://www.flythissim.com/docs/Not_in_NFD.xls for a list of the procedures that were NOT included in the latest National Flight
Database (NFD). There are many radio based approach procedures (ILS and VOR) that are not included. This is because they
recently started adding them to the database and are still 1 year away from completion. Each new nav data update from FTS will
include more and more of these approaches.

CreateProcess failed; code 740, The requested operation requires elevation

Possible Culprit: Windows has blocked the installation process.

Solution: To install SimAVIO, you must do so while logged in as administrator on your computer. To correctly install SimAVIO, follow
these steps:

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1) Check if you are logged into your computer as an administrator. Follow this link for more details:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/How-do-I-log-on-as-an-administrator
2) RIGHT click on the executable installation file. From the drop-down sub context menu, select “RUN AS ADMINSTRATOR”.

I want to run SimAVIO on X-Plane on one machine, and I am not connected to a wired or wireless
router. What are my options?

Possible Culprit: Windows has blocked the installation process.

Solution: At the introduction of Windows Vista, Microsoft added something called network media detection. If no internet cable, or
wireless device is connected to your computer, then the network system shuts down. This stops the 127.0.0.1 loop back from
working. This is why we advise you to connect to a router, or be connected to something that gives you an IP Address. Most users
are connected to the internet continuously, so we don't come across this problem frequently. Microsoft provide an easy solution
that can be found at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/239924 or search for 'network media detection' in Google.

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