Trouble getting a Slow Stick .par to work - Just looking for help

[Valid8r]

I'm new to the FMS application and for that matter to flying, but I've got the FMS Version 2.0 Beta 7 successfully running and connected to my transmitter so I'm quite pleased. However, I've downloaded my plane (Slow Stick) and can't get it to work. I extracted the files, then used the Load command by pointing to the .par file. I see the plane on FMS, but controls do not work whereas they work for every other plane included with the application.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Jon

[ggunners]

Valid8r,

You've probably got a version 8 .par file there. You may want to run with version 2 alpha 8.3. It'll support both version 7 and version 8 models and .par files.

Copy your current FMS directory to another location. Uninstall version 7. Install version 8. You can now run either version 7 or version 8 but all models and scenary must be in the \Program Files\FMS directory.

-- ggunners

[Valid8r]

Thanks gguners - I had hoped you would reply as I believe you created the .par file for this plane.

I'll give it a try now.

Jon

[FreeFlier]

...do not intend to hijack or divert this thread but ggunners has provided some information that I've been looking for, and I hope he'll see this and reply. Ggunners -Gary- you wrote about copying the FMS directory to another location. Do ypu mean the entire "models and scenery" folders - mine are in My Documents, on C-drive now, and I desperately want to preserve and use them with V8.3?; or does "FMS directory" mean something else? And, if the former above is correct, how exactly are those models and scenery folders used with V8.3,i.e, are "saved" folders copied or moved into the V8.3 models and scenery folders - assuming that the new program downloads with the same type of folders as V7 did, or are they used from wherever they were copied to (on C drive)? Please excuse the detailed questions but this kind of information is needed by those of us who operate on the fringe of the computer simulation world. Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Stew

[ggunners]

FreeFlier,

The default directory for beta 7 was where ever you wanted it. The default for alpha 8 is \Program Files\FMS.

My original FMS beta 7 directory was \FMS for all code and supporting files and directories. I copied the entire directory to \FMS7 to preserve the executables. Then I uninstalled version 7 to clear the Windows registry. FMS 7 will not run now as the registry is clear.

You then install alpha 8.3 and both versions will run but the registry will default to the alpha 8.3 settings. I then copied all my version 7 models to a sub-directory under \Program Files\FMS\Models\V7 and copied my landscape files to \Program Files\FMS\Landscape

There is no reason to worry about losing models or landscapes as the uninstall ignores them and leaves them where they are. I just like to be careful and I do go back and compare between beta 7 and alpha 8 on occasion.

Now that alpha 8.3 supports both v7 and v8 .par files, there is little need to bounce back and forth between versions. However the v7 flight model in v8 is just a bit different from v7 to allow for wind. I do think the v8 model is vastly superior to v7 and hope more people will create unique v8 .par files.

If you point version 8.3 to \Your Documents it will record that information in the registry and look there for models next time you load FMS.

-- ggunners

[FreeFlier]

Thanks so much ggunners, you've answered all the questions and I think I can finally feel safe in downloading and installing V8.3.
Stew

[Valid8r]

Back again GGunner - I did get the Slow Stick to work in the new version - thanks. But now I have a related problem.

I am new to the hobby and am only flying using 3 channels (no ailerons). I therefore am assigning the ailerons to channel 5 which I do not use to 'null' them out to try to simulate flying my slow stick. But when I do this with the Slow Stick .par file, I never seem to get any rudder actions and can't turn the plane. Am I just being stupid? Can you help?

Thanks.

Jon

[ggunners]

Valid8r,

The FKStick8 model's .par file is set-up for 3 channel transmitters. Rudder is mapped to the aileron channel. Almost everyone connects their actual models this way to keep the airplane turning function on the same stick. So we setup an R/E/T plane and an A/E/T plane the same on a 3 channel or 4 channel radio. Only when we actually have all 4 channels (A/R/E/T) do we put everything in its place.

If you want rudder to be on the rudder channel, edit the .par file and change the rudder and steerable wheel channels (KANAL) from 3 to 1.

Some folks are purists and prefer the rudder to be the rudder irregardless of function on a 4 channel radio. I steer on my right stick, with left stick helping in turns and cross wind landings.

There's really no choice but to remap rudder to aileron on a 3 channel mode 2 radio.

Hope this helps!

-- ggunners

[Valid8r]

Thanks again for your help GGunner. I apologize for asking such simple questions, but now it makes sense to me.

It's funny though some of the FMS planes do have the rudder active on channel 3 as I have been able to control some of them. Must be the different personal choices of the .par file developer.

Jon