One of our R/C club members recently requested my assistance with some computer issues. Resolving the problems required using his system rescue disc to reinstall the O/S. (Vista) When everything was restored to its original system configuration, I reloaded his Aerofly Professional Deluxe and the True Scale Add-on pack.

The sim started up without a hitch, but when he attempted to fly, it appeared that the controller he's using (the Game Commander) was set up as aircraft mode 1. (not surprising, as this is German software...) I stumbled around in the configuration utility and figured out how to reassign the radio channels so that he could fly using mode 2 stick assignments, and he was then able to fly airplanes.

A week or so later, he called me and said that he has a similar situation when he's trying to fly the helicopter models. I didn't think it would be too difficult to figure this out, and went over to try to help. I was wrong. Not being a helicopter pilot, I don't know what channels need to be assigned to the sticks. To make matters worse, he wasn't able to tell me what channel/stick should be assigned to the rotor, etc., despite the fact that he (supposedly) installed the program initially and had no problems with either airplanes or helicopters. I'm sure it's a simple procedure to reassign things, but I just don't know what goes where.

I'm hoping a seasoned Aerofly heli pilot can step in here and clear the fog from my eyes. Perhaps a couple of screen shots showing the Game Commander channels and what functions they're assigned to, would be helpful. I will be more than happy to supply any information that might be required in order for someone to help me solve this conundrum!

Thanks for your consideration.

Hi cbrillow, first of all, since you have done a reinstallation, please make sure you have installed the latest patch 1.11.7.21 which you can find here http://www.aerofly.com/downloads.html

When you go to "controls", in the "aircraft control settings" page, make sure that the dot for the new usb interface/GC corresponds to "aircraft 1"

Then go to "properties". You should be in the basic channel asignment page (If you are new to AFPD I would suggest that you use the basic channel assignment. When you are more experienced, you could use the advanced chanel assigment). Move your controller sticks and you should see the bars at the bottom moving. Assign one channel at a time e.g. start with your elevator stick, move it and see which bar moves. Then place the dot at the position corresponding to elevator function. Do the same thing for rudder, aileron, throttle, etc. Then do a calibration (place all channel trims to the center). Then fly your model. If you find that there are any function that are reversed, then go back to the controls page and tick the reverse box. You must do a calibration again.

Thank you for your prompt response. I'll copy the patch to a USB stick and load it the next time I visit.

With respect to the rest of your suggestions, I'm afraid they're not all that helpful. As I mentioned, we have already gone through the stick assignments and calibrations necessary to fly basic airplane models, so I'm familiar with the steps that you've elaborated. Where we're stuck is making the assignments for helicopter models, as I have absolutely no idea what the function or component of a 'copter each stick is intended to control.

I'm very surprised and a bit puzzled that it doesn't appear that AFPD installs a default configuration that allows first-time pilots to fly simple models "out-of-the-box." As I suggested in the first post, maybe it does, but it's Mode 1 because it's European?

Should it be necessary to select a different controller configuration for flying a basic airplane vs a basic helicopter? My only flight sim experience is with a competing product, in which it's possible to switch back and forth at will, without having to take such a step.

Again, thank you for your assistance.

The game commanders sold in the US are set to mode 2, but you can easily convert it between mode 1 and mode 2 by making some mechanical adjustments inside the controller. If you need the instructions, let me know.

If you fly your airplane in the same mode as helis, then your game controller is already in the correct mode as you have already set it up for airplanes without problems. The heli control functions in the basic or advanced setup menu are as follows:

For throttle/collective pitch, use the throttle/collective pitch function
For fore/aft cyclic, use the elevator/cyclic pitch function
For left/right cyclic, use the aileron/roll function
For tail rotor, use the rudder/tailrotor function

Just assign the controller channels to the functions, calibrate and you're set to go. You can create many configurations with your controller and save them under different names. For instance you could have one config for planes and another for helis, or you could use the same config for both.

Thank you for the clarification. We'll give this a try when I can make it over to his house.

An update: I've been unable to do any further experimentation until today. Here's what we tried, and the results:

1) Uninstalled the program, cleaned registry to remove any stray entries that may have been orphaned.

2) Re-installed AFPD to drive E, adhering to the recommendations for Windows Vista, that AFPD not be installed to the default path on drive C.

3) Installed the patch file that you specified earlier in the thread.

Result?

The rudder is on the right stick where the ailerons should be, and the ailerons are on the left stick, where the rudder should be. Elevator & throttle are ok.

I don't understand why it's not coming up in Mode 2. Please advise.

There's nothing wrong with your AFPD or GC. You have to assign the sticks to the proper channels. Please read through section 10 of your manual