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Wiki - Controller

Controller choices, Calibration and Configuration for best experience

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Controller

Controller Choice    USB Interface    Wireless Control    Controller FS-i6S    Controllers Screen    Controller Calibration    Controller Configuration    Keys    Mouse with TX

Aircraft

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Scenarios

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Menus

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Functions

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Views

Viewports    Secondary Viewport    Map Viewport    VLOS View    Camera View    Chase View    Free View

Plugins

Plugins    FrSky Telemetry

Licenses

USB & Licenses    How to Enter an Activation Key    How to Redeem a Voucher    USB Serial Number & License Information

Advanced

Custom Logo    Uninstall    Uninstall Graphic Driver    Install Graphic Driver

Solutions

Diagnostics Screen    USB is working?    USB not detected?    Remote Controller signal not detected?    Control Problems?    Devices and Printers    Windows 10    Program Crash    Invisible Mouse    Broken USB    Repairing USB not detected

Wiki / Controller / Controller Choice

Controller Choice

Explore here all the different Controller options compatible with AeroSIM-RC

(Since version 6.0, AeroSIM-RC supports any joystick device, with the USB interface working as a license dongle)

If you do not have any Controller

We recommend the AeroSIM RC pack with controller. This pack has everything you need to start your training, including a Transmitter and the corresponding Receiver to allow wireless operation. The simulation is controlled wirelessly without any cable between the Transmitter and the computer.

AeroSIM RC with FS-i6S wireless connection


If you have a RC Transmitter with Trainer Port

A wide variety of RC transmitters are available from RC shops. Most manufacturers (FrSky, Futaba, FlySky, Graupner, Spektrum, Hitec, JR, Walkera, MULTIPLEX, RadioLink, etc.) provide a Trainer Port (also called DSC socket, or PPM output) in their transmitters which output a PPM signal that contains the position of the sticks. This PPM signal is processed by the AeroSIM RC USB interface, which presents the transmitter as a USB joystick to the computer.

Jack

If the connector of the Trainer Port in your transmitter is a female 3.5mm mono jack, then the jack in the AeroSIM RC USB can be connected directly.


Using an Adapter

If the Trainer Port connector in your transmitter is not a female 3.5mm mono jack, then an adapter is required.
We provide adapters for most popular brands: Futaba, Hitec, Graupner, Multiplex, FlySky, WFly, RadioLink.

The RC Transmitter outputs a PPM signal through its Trainer Port, an Adapter has the connector required by the transmitter trainer port and has a female jack to which the AeroSIM RC USB interface jack is connected.


If you have a Receiver with PPM output

Some RC Receivers can output the PPM signal that contains the positions of the controls. In this case, the simulation can be controlled wirelessly without any cable between the Transmitter and the computer.
Examples of wireless connection using different receivers


If your Transmitter has Joystick Mode

Some RC Transmitters have a USB port that can be set in Joystick Mode (RadioMaster, BETAFPV, Taranis, etc.)
In this case, the AeroSIM RC USB interface is used only as a license dongle.


If you have a USB Simulator Controller

Some RC manufacturers like Dynam or FlySky sell inexpensive USB RC Flight Simulator Controllers, for simulator use only, which look like a conventional RC Transmitter.


If you have an InterLink DX Simulator Controller

Spektrum InterLink DX Simulator Controller can also be used with AeroSIM-RC


If you have any Joystick

Any joystick can be used in AeroSIM RC, for example PS4 and XBox controllers.
However, we strongly recommend to use a proper RC controller since most joysticks do not have the quality required for good training.


If you have a DJI controller

DJI controllers only work with DJI systems. However the old Phantom 2 Controller (models NDJ6 and NPVT581) is compatible since it has a PPM output at the back. It requires an adapter available from us.


Help!

Please contact us if you need help.
Wiki / Controller / USB Interface

USB Interface

AeroSIM-RC is supplied with a USB interface.

The USB interface has two functions:

Flavours

The AeroSIM-RC USB Interface is available in two flavours:

Wired USB interface supplied with AeroSIM-RC Wireless USB interface supplied with AeroSIM-RC

USB interface for wired operation.
Connects a Remote Controller to the computer.

USB interface for wireless operation.
Connects a PPM Receiver to the computer.

Optional adapters are available for RC transmitters which require a different connector.

Red LED inside the USB case

The red LED inside the USB case provides the following information:

Red LED Meaning
ON Normal operation. The USB interface is receiving a signal from the Remote Controller.
OFF

The USB interface is NOT receiving any signal.

For example, when the Remote Controller is:

  • Not powered on.
  • Not connected.
  • Not outputting any signal.
  • Not configured correctly.
Flashes 4 times The USB interface has just powered up (when plugged in a USB port).
More information
Flashing The USB interface is in a special mode for entering license codes.
Please, follow the instructions on the screen to exit this mode.
Wiki / Controller / Wireless Control

Wireless Control

AeroSIM-RC can be controlled without any wires between the RC Transmitter and the computer.

Your RC Transmitter is already a wireless controller, so why not use it wirelessly with the simulator?

A receiver with PPM output is required. SBus receivers require a SBus to PPM converter.

Examples

Wireless simulator control using a PPM receiver FlySky FS-A8S

Example of wireless operation using a PPM receiver FlySky FS-A8S.


Wireless simulator control using a PPM receiver FlySky FS-iA6B

Example of wireless operation using a PPM receiver FlySky FS-iA6B.


Wireless simulator control using a Graupner PPM receiver

Example of wireless operation using a Graupner PPM receiver.


Wireless simulator control using a FrSky compatible D8 receiver with PPM output

Example of wireless operation using a FrSky compatible D8 receiver with PPM output.

SBus Receiver

If the receiver has SBus output, you can use a SBus to PPM converter.

Wireless simulator operation with a Phantom 2 DJI Receiver

Example of wireless operation using a spare DJI Phantom 2 receiver,
which has a SBus output that is converted to PPM

Wiki / Controller / Controller FS-i6S

Controller FS-i6S

AeroSIM-RC is available as a pack with the Remote Controller FS-i6S.

Pack

Configuration

See the step by step configuration instructions for FS-i6S.

Manual

Find more information about the FS-i6S controller in the manual.

Downloads
FS-i6S Manual - English
FS-i6S Manual - French
Wiki / Controller / Controllers Screen

Controllers Screen

Controllers
In the Controllers screen you can:

Controllers

Wiki / Controller / Controller Calibration

Controller Calibration

The simulator needs to learn the end position and center position of each stick in your Controller.

The Calibration process consists in moving each control (joysticks, switches and knobs), while the simulator learns their center and end position values.

You can tell that the calibration is wrong if the motor does not start, or if the aircraft drifts during flight.

How to Start the Calibration process

The Calibration process is started from the Controllers menu.

Controllers

Click on the "Calibration" button of the Controller you want to Calibrate:

Controllers

Calibration Step 1: Learn end positions

Move the controls to their extreme positions (full left, full right, full up and full down), and all switches, and pots to their end positions.

For fun, there are some ducks on each control. Shoot them by moving the controls to their end positions.

Click "Done" to continue to step 2.

Controller Calibration (Step 1: Learn end positions)

Calibration Step 2 - Learn center positions

Please, let the sticks return to the center by means of their auto centering springs, leave any 3-position switch in its middle position, and move any potentiometer with center detent to its center.

If the throttle stick in your controller has no auto centering spring, then leave the throttle stick at the bottom position.

Click "Done" to continue to step 3.

Calibration moving controls to end positions

Calibration Step 3 - Verification

Calibration is complete. Let's test it.

The number in each channel graph is the calibrated value (between -100 and 100).

If the calibration is successful, the number should reach -100 and 100, and stop exactly at 0 anytime the control is centered.

In this screen you can move the controls and watch the calibrated result.


After a successful calibration, all controls should read 0 when centered:


After a successful calibration, all controls at one end position should read 100:


After a successful calibration, all controls at the other one end position should read -100:


If the Calibration test fails (come channel not reaching 100 and -100, or not centering at 0), you can either click on "Repeat Calibration" or try the "Advanced Calibration".

Advanced Calibration

In the Advanced Calibration screen you can set the calibration values manually.

The advanced calibration is useful if you want to fine-tune a calibration, if a particular channel is noisy and does not calibrate well, or if it has a deadband you want to eliminate.

Center

The check box "Center" should be ticked in autocentering controls (e.g. spring loaded sticks), controls with a center detent (e.g. potentiometers with center detent), or 3-position switches.

In the image below, channel 3 represents a throttle stick which has no centering spring, as used in airplanes.

Deadband

Good quality controls provide highly repeatable readings, always giving the same value at their central position. However, some joysticks and some specific controls (e.g. potentiometers with detent) may show poor repeatability at their central position.

The deadband is the range of possible landing values when a control is at its center position.

In this example, channel 5 represents a potentiometer with detent used for camera zoom. The deadband is defined as the interval [121, 141]. Any value in this interval will be considered to be at the exact center. If this control were used without deadband, the camera zoom could slowly drift because of poor center repeatability.

Calibration moving controls to end positions

Wiki / Controller / Controller Configuration

Controller Configuration

In the Configuration screen, the aircraft functions (roll, pitch, landing gear, flight mode, camera pan/tilt, etc.) are assigned to a specific Control (stick, switch, knob) on the Controller.

How to Enter the Controller Configuration screen

The Configuration screen is entered from the Controllers menu.

Controllers

Click on the "Configuration" button of the Controller you want to Configure:

Controllers

Function Groups

The aircraft Functions are grouped in sections. Click on the triangle to expand/contract each section.

Here you can also change the Configuration name.

Control Configuration

Primary Controls

The Primary Controls are the two sticks on the controller.
Primary Controls

Flight and Control Modes

Each aircraft has different flight modes and control modes available.
Flight Modes

Camera and Gimbal Control

Each aircraft in AeroSIM-RC is equipped with one or more onboard cameras and gimbals with specific stabilization and control options, which can be configured per aircraft.
Camera Controls

Aircraft Systems


Aircraft Systems

Simulation Control

The simulation can be conveniently restarted from the controller.
Simulation Contol

Plugin Control

Plugins are written by users with programming skills. Plugins in AeroSIM-RC can simulate an OSD, or an autopilot, or provide a virtual aircraft sensor and telemetry data to some Hardware In the Loop for testing and development.
Plug-in
Wiki / Controller / Keys

Keys

Most aircraft functions in the simulator can be operated from the keyboard and mouse.
The key assigned to each function is displayed when hovering the mouse over it.

Redefine Keys

All functions in AeroSIM-RC can be activated from the computer keyboard. For example, to restore the aircraft to the initial position on the runway, press Space.

The key assignments can be changed from Main Menu / Controls / Define Keys

Key assignment panel

Wiki / Controller / Mouse with TX

Mouse with TX

Mouse emulated with the Remote Controller

You can operate all simulator functions from your Remote Controller. No mouse, no keyboard needed.

Select a Remote Controller channel to activate the Mouse Control at the channel configuration screen.

This is the cursor displayed when the mouse emulation is activated:

This Cursor is shown when mouse is controlled by the Remote Controller sticks

Wiki - Controller

Controller choices, Calibration and Configuration for best experience

Start

Welcome    Download    Updates    Install    Graphics Driver    Starting AeroSIM-RC    Minimum Requirements    Safety    Mac    Help

Quick Start Guide

Purpose    Download    Install    Remote Controller set-up    First Run    Operational Readiness Test    Multirotor Training Program    Fixed-Wing Training Program    Further Training

Training

Pilot Name    Pilot Manager    Logbook    Certificate    Training Programs    Multirotor    Aircraft    Helicopter

Controller

Controller Choice    USB Interface    Wireless Control    Controller FS-i6S    Controllers Screen    Controller Calibration    Controller Configuration    Keys    Mouse with TX

Aircraft

Aircraft List    Select Aircraft    Aircraft Initial Position    Airplane Tuning    Start / Stop    Enhancement    Hand-Launch    Fuel and Battery    Aircraft Editor

Scenarios

Scenarios    User Generated Scenarios    Sharing Scenarios    How to Create Scenario

Menus

Top Menu Bar    Bottom Menu Bar

Functions

Instrument Panel    OSD    Warning Panel    Wind    Day/Night    Record and Replay Flights    Game Mode    Sun Blindness    Birds    Settings

Views

Viewports    Secondary Viewport    Map Viewport    VLOS View    Camera View    Chase View    Free View

Plugins

Plugins    FrSky Telemetry

Licenses

USB & Licenses    How to Enter an Activation Key    How to Redeem a Voucher    USB Serial Number & License Information

Advanced

Custom Logo    Uninstall    Uninstall Graphic Driver    Install Graphic Driver

Solutions

Diagnostics Screen    USB is working?    USB not detected?    Remote Controller signal not detected?    Control Problems?    Devices and Printers    Windows 10    Program Crash    Invisible Mouse    Broken USB    Repairing USB not detected