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--- manual:beginners [2018/03/05 14:46] – jf
+++ manual:beginners [2022/07/07 09:59] – jh
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Getting Started ======
-===== Purchasing and Installing Aerofly FS 2 =====
+===== Welcome to Aerofly FS! =====
-Aerofly FS 2 is currently a Steam game and can be purchased on the [[http://store.steampowered.com/app/434030/Aerofly_FS_2_Flight_Simulator/|Aerofly FS 2 Store Page]]. You will need to install the free [[http://store.steampowered.com/about/|Steam Client]] prior to installing and running Aerofly FS 2.
+Fasten your seat belts, let's jump right into your new Flight Simulator.
-**Note** Aerofly FS 2 can also be purchased on DVD through the [[https://www.aerosoft.com/en/fsxp3d/simulators/2209/aerofly-fs-2|Aerosoft Shop]]. This version is different from the Steam version and may not have all DLC and updates available.
-{{:wiki:steam_buy.jpg?400|}}
+===== Main Menu =====
-Once you download and install the Aerofly FS 2 core game, it is highly advised to download and install the free "Aerofly FS 2-High Resolution Texture Pack for Southwestern USA". This free Download Content (DLC) adds high resolution photoscenery to your simulator. **Note** - Additional DLC can also be added to improve your flying experience.
+Upon entering Aerofly FS 2, you will be greeted by the main menu screen. From this main menu you can easily start a flight, change the aircraft, start position, weather or settings or use begin flight training with the flight school or create complex route with our graphical navigation menu.
-Download additional DLC content by following these simple steps:
+{{:wiki:main_menu.jpg|}}
+\\
+\\
+{{ :wiki:buttonstart.jpg?150|}}
+Clicking on the Start button continues you in the scenario that you were in the last time you exited Aerofly FS 2. You will continue where you left off.
+\\
+\\
+{{ :wiki:buttonfs.jpg?150|}}
+Flight School allows you to progress through a series of training courses where you will be evaluated based on how well you did. Each training scenario will unlock as you progress. If you are new to flying, Flight School will get you started with the basics of flying.
+\\
+\\
+{{ :wiki:buttonaircraft.jpg?150|}} Here is where you select the aircraft that you want to fly.
+\\
+\\
+{{ :wiki:buttonlocation.jpg?150|}} Choose your airport and take to the sky.
+\\
+\\
+{{ :wiki:buttonnav.jpg?150|}} From here you can easily set up your flight plan. Take off from your home airport and fly to the destination of your choice.
+\\
+{{ :wiki:buttonconditions.jpg?150|}} Easily choose your time of day, wind conditions, cloud coverage, and visibility for your flight.
+\\
+\\
+{{:wiki:buttonsettings.jpg?150|}} Access to controller setup, graphics options, etc.
+\\
+{{:wiki:buttonabout.jpg?150|}} Version number, infos about the developers
+\\
+{{:wiki:buttonexit.jpg?150| }} Closes the simulator.
-  * Start your Steam client
+===== Setting Up Aerofly FS For The First Time =====
-  * Open “Library” / “Games” and click on Aerofly FS 2
-  * Choose the DLC you wish to buy
-  * Add your DLC to the cart and check out
-  * The download starts immediately after payment receipt
-  * You can check the download progress under “Updates”
+When you have a common hardware device connected to your computer Aerofly FS should have already configured your joystick for you as labeled on the packaging of your device. So usually you should be all set and can already jump into the flight simulator by pressing the start button on the main menu.
-{{:wiki:steam_dlc.jpg?600|}}
+{{:wiki:buttonstart.jpg?150| }}
-**Note** - You will need **147 Gb** available hard drive space if you plan on installing **all** available DLC at this time.
+Press the start button to start the flight. Check that your flight controls to make sure they work correctly. You can hold down the left mouse button and move the mouse to look around. Per default the key '5' puts you into an external view, key '1' brings you back into the cockpit.
-===== Launching Aerofly FS 2 =====
+If you are not happy with the assignments press the 'Esc' key or the white back arrow in the top left corner of the screen. To get back to the main menu.
-When launching Aerofly FS 2 from Steam you have three options.
+{{:wiki:buttonsettings.jpg?150| }}
-{{:wiki:fs_launch.jpg?450|}}
+To change the controller assignments press the main menu "settings" button. And select the controller setup after that. We describe how to change the controller assignments over here in the [[manual:controller|Controler Setup]] page.
-     * Play Aerofly FS 2 Flight Simulator - This option will launch Aerofly FS 2 in normal 2D mode. **Note** - If you chose to create a desktop shortcut when installing Aerofly FS 2, you can also use the shortcut to launch in this mode.
-     * Launch Aerofly FS 2 VR (Oculus) in Oculus VR Mode - This option will launch Aerofly FS 2 in the Oculus Rift run engine. This is the optimal mode for users with the Oculus Rift VR headset.
-     * Launch Aerofly FS 2 VR (SteamVR) in Steam VR Mode - This mode will launch Aerofly FS 2 in Steam VR Mode for users with the HTC Vive VR headset. **Note** - Oculus Rift users can also use this mode however Oculus VR Mode is optimum.
-===== Beta Channel =====
-At times, updates will be presented to you through the beta channel. This option allows for the community to "test out" the latest update to provide valuable feedback to the developers, while separating those that do not want to participate. You can always opt out of beta in the same way. **Note** - Many times both beta and regular channels are at the same version.
-{{ :wiki:fs2_manual_en_031.jpg?300|}}
+===== Create a Quick Free Flight =====
+Setting up quick flight is very straight forward with Aerofly FS 2.
-  * Start your Steam client.
+   * Switch your aircraft with the aircraft menu
-  * Open “Library” / “Games” and right click\\ on Aerofly FS 2.
+   * Select your start position (on ground or in air) if you want to start somewhere else
-  * Open “properties” to see the window\\ shown on the right
+   * Change your flight conditions to your liking
-  * Select the tab “Betas” and select for the beta status
+   * Press Start to fly
-  * After that you will see [Beta] next to the game title.
-===== Triple Monitor Support =====
+You can always exit the flight by pressing the escape key or (if visible) click the back arrow in the flight information bar at the top. In VR you hold down the home button for two seconds to get back to the main menu.
-{{:wiki:3mon.jpg?200|}}
-Properly setting up your computer and Aerofly FS 2 if you intend to use 3 monitors is important for Aerofly to look right and perform well.
+==== Choose your Aircraft ====
-If you have 3 monitors connected, and you are using a NVIDIA graphic card, the first thing you should do is enable the NVIDIA Surround mode in the NVIDIA control panel. This way Aerofly FS 2 will recognize all 3 monitors as a single monitor and allow to properly switch to fullscreen mode. So if you have 3 monitors with a resolution of 1920x1080, you will see a new fullscreen mode in Aerofly FS 2 with a resolution of 5760x1080, after activating NVIDIA Surround.
+From the main menu open the aircraft menu with the button labeled "aircraft".
-If you want more fine grained control of what each monitor displays, you need to manually edit the Aerofly FS 2 configuration file called 'main.mcf'. main.mcf is located in the folder 'Documents/Aerofly FS 2/'. You can open it with a simple text editor like notepad.
+{{:wiki:buttonaircraft.jpg?150|}}
-Look for the lines:
+Choose your aircraft by cycling left and right. You can use your mouse-wheel for this or swipe left/right on your touch screen or press the arrow keys. Once the aircraft that you would like to fly is centered, you can choose the aircraft repaint/livery by pressing the arrows above the aircraft, next to the repaint name.
-  * <[list_tmsettings_separate_3d_view][separate_3d_view_list][]
+Once you are happy with your selection press the back arrow in the top left corner of the screen.
-  * >
-Aerofly FS 2 allows you to render a complete view of the simulator to separate parts of the window. So in case of a 3 monitor setup, we want each monitor to receive its own view. If all monitors have the same resolution, insert the following lines between the above two lines:
+{{ :wiki:aircraft.jpg |}}
+==== Choose your Weather Conditions ====
-  * <[tmsettings_separate_3d_view][element][0]
+From the main menu press the "conditions" button and then select what conditions you want to change.
-  *   <[float64][x][0]>
-  *   <[float64][y][0]>
-  *   <[float64][w][0.333333]>
-  *   <[float64][h][1]>
-  *   <[float64][field_of_view_factor][1]>
-  *   <[float64][z_axis_offset_in_degree][-90]>
-  *   <[float64][is_main][0]>
-  * >
-  * <[tmsettings_separate_3d_view][element][1]
-  *   <[float64][x][0.333333]>
-  *   <[float64][y][0]>
-  *   <[float64][w][0.333333]>
-  *   <[float64][h][1]>
-  *   <[float64][field_of_view_factor][1]>
-  *   <[float64][z_axis_offset_in_degree][0]>
-  * >
-  * <[tmsettings_separate_3d_view][element][2]
-  *   <[float64][x][0.666666]>
-  *   <[float64][y][0]>
-  *   <[float64][w][0.333333]>
-  *   <[float64][h][1]>
-  *   <[float64][field_of_view_factor][1]>
-  *   <[float64][z_axis_offset_in_degree][90]>
-  * >
+{{:wiki:buttonconditions.jpg?150|}}
-Each field show be self explanatory. However here is a small overview:
+You have full control over your time, wind, cloud coverage, and turbulence by navigating through the three easy to use options. Make your selections and simply back out of this menu.
-   * The x and y fields specify the position of your sub window.
+The time of day can also be change mid-flight by holding down the key 't' or 'shift+t'.
-   * The w and h fields tell Aerofly the width and height of the sub window. In our case 0.33333 is 1/3 of the whole window.
-   * Using the field_of_view_factor, you can assign slightly different field of views for each sub window. Some users like to have a slightly wider view on the left and right monitors.
-   * Finally the z_axis_offset_in_degree tells Aerofly by how much each view is rotated compared to the default view. For this example the left and right monitors are looking 90 degrees to the left and right.
+{{ :wiki:conditions.jpg |}}
+More on the conditions option can be found in our [[manual:conditions|conditions]] page.
+==== Choose a Location ====
+From the main menu screen click the "location" button to change your current location in the world.
-===== Main Menu =====
+{{:wiki:buttonlocation.jpg?150|}}
-Upon entering Aerofly FS 2, the main menu is the first screen that you will see. From the main menu you can easily navigate through everything needed to get off the ground.
+You will see a map with nearby airports. You can __zoom in and out with the mouse wheel__ or by using two fingers on the touch screen. In Virtual Reality you can use your VR hand controllers and pretend like the menu in front of you is a touch screen. Touch the menu screen with both hand controllers at the same time and move them apart of closer to each other to zoom in and out.
-{{:wiki:main_menu.jpg?700|}}
+You can __drag the map by holding down the left mouse button__ and moving the mouse or by simply touching the map and moving the finger (or VR hand controller).
+__Simply click on an airport to see available starting positions__ at that airport (e.g. on the runway or in the final approach) or click on the map to select a start position in the air. The slider on the right controls your current altitude. Click the arrow in the top left to get back to the main menu.
+Whenever you click on an airport and then select the runway as a start location your aircraft will be teleported there and will be set up __ready for departure__. Flaps will be set, all systems are up and running and all you need to do is advance throttle for takeoff and pull up at the right time.
-==== Setting Up Aerofly FS 2 For The First Time ====
+Similarly you can select the __approach__ for each runway from the location menu by clicking the icon on the approach end of the runway. The aircraft will be __ready for landing__, gear down, flaps full, trimmed out, throttle set correctly for finally approach, lights on, all systems prepared for landing. All you need to do is fly it down to the runway and touch down.
-Prior to playing Aerofly FS 2 for the first time you should first familiarize yourself with what each function does by reading through this manual.  Below you will find a description of what each button does on your main menu screen.
+You can also __start in the air__ with gear and flaps retracted and the aircraft trimmed out for cruise flight. Just click on a location on the map that is not an airport and then use the slider on the right to select the desired altitude.
+{{ :wiki:location.jpg |}}
-{{:wiki:buttonstart.jpg?150|}}
+==== Create an Optional Flight Plan ====
-Clicking on the Start button continues you in the scenario that you were in the last time you exited Aerofly FS 2. You will continue where you left off.
+If you want to fly from one airport to another it is a good idea to create a flight plan using the navigation menu. This way the advanced systems on board your aircraft like the autopilot of flight management can correctly compute the flight. With a flight plan set up you can also use the [[https://www.aerofly.com/tutorials/copilot/|copilot]] to fly the entire flight for you or assist you on the way.
-{{:wiki:buttonfs.jpg?150|}}
-Flight School allows you to progress through a series of training courses where you will be evaluated based on how well you did. Each training scenario will unlock as you progress. If you are new to flying, Flight School will get you started with the basics of flying.
-{{:wiki:buttonaircraft.jpg?150|}}
-Here is where you select the aircraft that you want to fly.
-{{:wiki:buttonlocation.jpg?150|}}
-Choose your airport and take to the sky.
+Click the "navigation" button on the main menu to see this menu.
 {{:wiki:buttonnav.jpg?150|}}
-From here you can easily set up your flight plan. Take off from your home airport and fly to the destination of your choice.
+In this navigation menu you see a map of the nearby airports and VOR stations. When you are already positioned on your desired departure airport you just have to click on the airport that you want to land at and then select a runway for landing. When you are already in the air you create a flight to that airport that way as well.
-{{:wiki:buttonconditions.jpg?150|}}
+Once you have selected your destination you can optionally also change your origin. Simply click on your desired origin airport and select a runway for departure.
-Easily choose your time of day, wind conditions, cloud coverage, and visibility for your flight.
-{{:wiki:buttonsettings.jpg?150|}}
+{{ :wiki:navigation.jpg |}}
-When you load Aerofly FS 2 for the first time this is the first place that you should go to set up your configurations based on your computer hardware.
+==== Fly ====
-{{:wiki:buttonabout.jpg?150|}}
+Back in the main menu press the start button to begin the flight
-Want to know the current version that you are on or the team behind your Aerofly FS 2 experience?
-{{:wiki:buttonexit.jpg?150|}}
-This shuts down Aerofly FS 2. You don't really want to do that now, do you?
-==== Quick Flight Checklist for Beginners ====
-Setting up a flight from one airport to another is quick and easy with Aerofly FS 2. Once you familiarize yourself with each individual function described in detail within this manual, use this quick flight checklist to take to the sky.
-=== Choose your Aircraft: ===
-Choose your aircraft by cycling left and right. Once the aircraft that you would like to fly is centered, you can choose the theme/color of the aircraft and press select. Once the aircraft is selected the screen will go back to the main menu.
-{{:wiki:aircraft.jpg?500|}}
-=== Choose your Weather Conditions: ===
-You have full control over your time, wind, cloud coverage, and turbulence by navigating through the three easy to use options. Make your selections and simply back out of this menu. **Note** - More detail about weather conditions can be found in this manual.
-{{:wiki:conditions.jpg?500|}}
-=== Choose your Departure Airport: ===
-Use the location page to choose your starting point. If you only want to fly around without following a flight plan this is the only page that you need to visit. **Note** - Further detail regarding the location and navigation pages can be found in this manual.
-{{:wiki:location.jpg?500|}}
-=== Choose your Flight Plan ===
-This is the second step if you wish to fly from one area to another using a flight plan. A flight plan will present a true path for you to follow, and will also enable GPS and autopilot path finding functions. **Note** -  Further detail regarding the location and navigation pages can be found in this manual.
+{{:wiki:buttonstart.jpg?150|}}
+===== Assistance in Flight =====
-{{:wiki:navigation.jpg?500|}}
+In the simulation you have the option to display a flight information at the top of the screen, a moving map and other helpful overlays for additional information and navigation.
-**Once all settings are configured to your liking, from the main menu press start to begin your flight**
+Check out our wiki page for the [[manual:beginners3|flight guides]] for more information.
+{{ :wiki:af2_manual_en_815.png?600 |}}