This simulator program is free on the Internet and you can download hundreds of airplanes, helicopyters, multi-engine, jets, biplanes, Extra, Cap 232, Super Cub, etc. You have to make a simple cable. I used Category 5 computer 6 foot cable, a DB-25 connector for the parallel port and a Din 6-pin for my Futaba 8UAP. Stuff to make the cable is about $10 or so. WELL worth the trouble to make the cable. With any experience at all, you can make this cable in a few minutes time. The name of the program is FLYING MODEL SIMULATOR. I can use 8 channels, my trims, exponential, etc. Not sure if this one has been covered, but I find it very helpful and wish I had downloaded it a long time ago! :-)

Unless this is a different FMS from the one most of us use it will in fact only use 4 channels from the Tx to control the model though it may show you all of them when you're calibrating. Other than that you're right it is excellent value for money .

Steve

Have it working fine under Windows 2000, but NOT yet on XP Professional. Does anyone know which interface works under XP. Tried the compatibility boxes, did not work, have a 32-bit card but the VXD did not work and get me to the calibrate I found under Windows 2000. Putting it on another machine running XP. Anyone got it up and running on XP, and if so, how did you do it? Got a Dell Precision 650 workstation running XP on the other computer. Windows 2000 working fine, but not the XP yet. Thanks for any suggestions.

Any of the interface types that work on Win2000 should also work on XP. What type are you using and what are the symptoms ?

Steve

Steve,
I thought so too, that this would work under Windows 2000, and used the compatibility box with Windows 2000. I have to choose between parallel/serial 32-bit and parallel/serial 16-bit interface. When I choose 16-bit, it gives an error message something like illegal or improper integer, will not accept the 16-bit interface. When I choose the 32-bit VDX, it is okay, but I still do NOT see the CALIBRATE screen as a choice on the screen, the button for it does not light up, it is not a valid choice when I select 32-bit parallel/serial, and because I have a parallel end (DB-25), I cannot choose serial. So the bottom line is I never see Calibrate and cannot use my Futaba radio. This same cable DOES work on another computer at my son-in-law's home under Windows 2000 with the same Futaba 8 UAP Tx. I did notice that my parallel port does NOT use an interrupt, it was configured NEVER to use an interrupt. I set it to use a valid interrupt, rebooted, but the program still would not run properly and take me to the calibration page. It is not very satisfying to use the keyboard to fly airplanes. :-) It is out of the question to go over and steal my son-in-law's computer late at night so I can run the program on this computer! Advice would be appreciated. After CPM, DOS, Windows 3.1, NT 4.0 and Windows 2000, XP still does not work with what I need all the time. Wish Bill Gates would concentrate on ONE operating system that works and that we do not all have to go around beta testing operating systems for him and his company. hahaha

Are you sure that the other computer is running Win2000 and not 98 or ME ? I've never heard of anyone managing to get the simple parallel port i/f working correctly on either XP or Win2000. AFAIK they have exactly the same problems. I certainly couldn't get it working on my Win2000 machine, had to build a PIC serial interface instead.

Sorry not to be able to help.

Steve

Will try another interface. Just did not want to reinvent the wheel all over again. I am pretty sure that machine had Windows 2000, will check, it could be 98 or ME. Got everything else working fine on this fairly new Del 650 Dimension workstation, but sure would like to have the simulator on it here.

I have FMS running on XP Pro. I have used both an old Dave Brown controller and a RealFlight controller, both of which are game port devices. They work great. Keep an eye on the swap shop and you can usually pick these up for around $25.

Dave

does anyone have a recomendation for me here, lemme explain the situation, im 16 which equals no money, but I got into this hobby with a christmas present, and I don't really wanna crash my plane, or look like a fool, so I was looking to get some sim time in. I don't have 200 some bucks for Real-Flight, so FMS is looking good, but I have a JRF400EX radio, which I beleive is the cheapest radio at my hobbyshop, but anyways, it doesn't have any 5 or 6 pin jacks, it does have a jack thats just labled "Trainer Cord Jack" I can probably get the parts, but I don't think that I will be able to come up with a wire to connect it on my own, and I don't know if it will be able to send the info and stuff needed by the comp. any advice?(ps I don't have much money at all)

I guess you have a computer. What operating system does it use ? Then we can probably point you at a site with instructions to build an interface cable.

Unfortunately I don't know of anyone who is giving them away .

Steve

windows 98 and XP(paritioned) I usually just use 98, its less buggy and stuff, but anyways, I wasn't trying to find one for free, I just wanted some way to solve the problem without spending afew hundred bucks, a site with cable instructions would be good thanks...

Win 98 is easy. There are many you can use but JR transmitters are a bit fussy. I'd recommend the serial port version as on http://www.customelectronics.co.uk/fmscrktj.htm

Some people have got an even simpler parallel port interface working with JR but I never managed it.

If you want to use it with XP you'll need a more complex version that uses a PIC microcontroller. You've already got the diagrams for that, they come with FMS, look in Doc/Interface.

HTH - Steve

ok, ill just use 98, I don't like to use xp for anything, its frustrating, but thanks, ill see what I can do, it might take me some time to get it built, but ill try to update you and stuff when I get it done(probably asking questions aboutwere I messed up) and again, thanks steve

Can any one point me in the right direction for interface plans that work on win 2000.......or somewhere i can buy one cheap?

So what do you guys think of FMS vs another prog like Ikarus Aerofly Pro? I've used FMS before, but not Aerofly, which I hear is more "realistic" in options and such. What you guys think?

-Brian

Dhooks, have a look on my web. There are several circuits for interfaces available, including FMS serial PIC and joystick interfaces. See also the links to ready-made interfaces.

Fuel, I am running Win XP Home edition, using my 8UAPS and a cable a friend made for me. It works fine, but I couldn't get EXP nor D/R work at all... Am I missing something at "setup level"?
Thanx