Manual Copyright © 1998-2015 IPACS IKARUS Breslauer Str. 46 b D-78166 Donaueschingen Germany E-Mail: info@ikarus.net: www.ikarus.
Register 1. Introduction................................................................................................................................. 4 2. System requirements................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Computers running Microsoft Windows..............................................................................4 2.2 3. 4. 5. 6. Apple Mac computer..............................................................
13. Menu „Controller“.................................................................................................................... 19 13.1 Set up engine controller for helicopter............................................................................22 13.2 Set up engine controller for glider (engine)....................................................................22 14. Seecond-player mode.......................................................................................................
20.3 Save and delete changed models..................................................................................36 20.4 Load changed models....................................................................................................37 20.5 Example: Edit aircraft.....................................................................................................37 20.6 Example: Edit a helicopter.............................................................................................
2.2 Apple Mac computer Minimum system requirements • • • • • Mac OS Version 10.11 or newer Intel based AppleMac 4 GB of RAM 8 GB free hard-drive space 3D graphics card with 1 GB dedicated VRAM Recommended system requirements • Mac OS 10.13 ( Mavericks ) oder aktueller • 8 GB of RAM • 3D graphics card by AMD or NVIDIA with 2 GB dedicated VRAM • USB Joystick or USB GameCommander What is OpenGL? aerofly RC8 uses the programming interface OpenGL, Version 2.1 upwards to display the 3D graphics.
Activation: Please enter your product key at this screen and then click on "Activate now" finally. Offline activation: If the aerofly PC should not be connected to the internet please also enter the product key and click on "Activate now". At next an offline dialog will be visible. Please follow the instructions to complete the activation via a different PC with internet connection. 6. Basic settings Launching the aerofly RC8 via the desktop icon you´ll see the home screen at first.
EasySetup step 2 Here you can set all channels to zero (center position) and then click “ Next“. EasySetup step 3 aerofly RC8 works with transmitters of different brands. Because the different manufacturers have not committed to a standard, aerofly RC8 has no way to automatically recognize which channel of your particular device transmits the signals of the gimbal sticks. Therefore this assignment is performed now with minimal effort. Please follow the 4 stick movements according to the indicating arrows.
6.2 Flying via mouse and keyboard If at first you do not have a control device at hand, you may fly initially only with a mouse and keyboard on the aerofly RC8 simulator. To do so, first activate mouse control in the "Controller" menu by clicking on the circle in front of „Mouse“ If you left click once with the mouse in the scenery, the control mode will be activated. This is indicated by a small crosshair in the center of the image. The crosshair serves as a guide for the neutral position.
Transmitter reliability: If you want to stress yourself you can downgrade the reliability. Language: If you chose a different language you can use this selection to change the language without a new installtion. Units: In aerofly RC8 you can use instruments for height or speed. Here you can change the unit system. 6.5 Settings / View settings Auto zoom: If the Auto Zoom is activated, the field of vision of the viewer adapts automatically to the distance at which the aircraft is flying.
6.8 Settings / Virtual Reality These settings are only visible after launching the aerofly RC8 in VR mode (using the second desktop icon). You have to install and calibrate your VR headset on the PC before! Scale factor and Render scale factor: These values controls the appearance in the headset. Please ever start with the default settings. Model enlargement: This value enlarges the models in larger distances. This zoom is not active in your closer range.
7.1 Scaling models: Launch the aerofly RC8 and click on "Start" at the blue home screen. Running the aerofly please open „Model“ and „Load model“ in the program menu again. With the aerofly RC8 this revolutionary innovation is introduced to the aerofly simulator line. The scaling feature allows you to change all models in the range between 50% and 200% of their original size.
9. Quick launch menu Use the right mouse button for quick access to the most frequently used functions: Click any part of the screen with the right mouse button whilst no other window is open. The ring-shaped quick launch menu appears. Select the desired function in the usual manner using the left mouse button. Sub menus The options „Information Window“, „Instruments“ and „Camera mode“ are sub-divided into four sections, each of which controls a different function.
10.1 Variometer This instrument that is vital to the glider indicates energy-compensated climb and descent rates in the round vario scale. The following parameters are also displayed as text: • Vz: The absolute climb/descent rate • ASL: Altitude above sea level (NN) • AGL: Altitude above ground • dH: Difference in height to last starting point • Time: Flight time since the last start With gliders that are equipped accordingly (e.g.
10.4 Console The bottom left section of the aerofly RC8 window or full screen is reserved for console outputs. This „Window“ is always visible and cannot be deleted. It contains not only information on the currently chosen camera mode but also on the next steps. Pay attention to these outputs during training and contests. 10.5 Developer-Infos If you see something like a source code at the top or bottom of the screen, then you have accidentally pressed „CTRL+F1“ or „CTRL+F2“.
11. Various camera modes aerofly RC8 offers 4 different camera modes for observing the models. Activate these camera modes using the keys “1” to “4” or optionally via the menu „View“. Note: In the photo sceneries only the camera mode „Fixed View Mode“ is available. 11.1 Setting the Zoom In all camera modes, you can minimize and maximize the field of vision of the camera using the keys 'Z' and 'Shift+Z'. Key 'Shift+Z' minimizes your field of vision, i.e.
11.5 Model camera (Key 3) In this mode, the camera is located at a freely settable position round the model and moves together with the center of gravity of the model. This mode is highly suitable for viewing the model in flight. The camera does not completely turn with the model on its longitudinal and transverse axis. Starting and landing is somewhat tricky in this mode. This camera is only usable in 4D sceneries. • Arrow key left/ right: To rotate around the model.
Camera delay: The parameter camera delay was actually introduced to compensate the influence of the small field of vision on the monitor and to introduce a greater degree of dynamism than it would have in reality with a wide field of vision. Camera delay ensures that the camera does not instantaneously follow the accelerations of the model so that changes in the altitude of the model can be recognized sooner. This is extremely important for landings and the smooth performance of aerobatics.
13. Menu „Controller“ All settings that are associated with your controller are summarized in this menu. Scan for new controllers Choose this menu item if you wish to connect a new controller for yourself or for a second player. After scanning, controllers are displayed in the menu and can be selected as required. See following point. Assign controllers In the menu under 'Controller Player 1' and 'Controller Player 2' you can directly assign a controller to a player.
The aerofly RC8 offers the totally free set up of all functions in „Assign Controls (Advanced)“: Select mode (1): At the top left you can once again select a transmitter mode for both aircraft’s and helicopters. Select the mode first that best meets your requirements and then assign your individual channels. Channel display (2): Here, up to 12 channels are displayed which ever your transmitter / game commander offers. Move a stick to display the assigned channel.
Assignment (6): The selected channel is displayed once again as a text. This column is only significant if you want to assign a function to the keyboard or a button. For this purpose, select either 'Keyboard' or 'Button'. A few functions, e.g. 'Helicopter Engine' also has an 'Automatic' function. Choose this to automatically control (internal mixer) the engine. See 13.1.
Dual-Rate (11): Using Dual-Rate you may switch between two different Expo and Rate settings during flight. Note: Most modern computer transmitters already offer the Dual-Rate functionality internally. If you want, you can use your own transmitter for setting up Dual-Rate. If you are however using a GameCommander or if you don't want to set up your own transmitter, you may use aerofly RC8 to simulate Dual-Rate.
Key '6 ':Retract/extend retractable propeller you´ll find the function of the retractable propeller further down in the list underneath 'Special functions'. Manual setup for glider ('Advanced channel setups'): Pilots with a transmitter that has sufficient free switches, will prefer the following setup, that can be selected manually in the window 'Advanced channel setups': The auxiliary engine control is assigned to a free switch or knob of the transmitter (in this case channel 7).
15. Contests and flight training modes The flight training and contests that are available in a scenery and that are possible with the current model are displayed in the menu „Extras“. The remaining options are grayed-out (deactivated) with the corresponding remark. Select your desired training or desired contest to open the corresponding window where you´ll find further information and assistance. 15.1 Torque trainer Load an appropriate aircraft. Select the menu item „Torque Trainer“.
15.2 Hover trainer Upload a helicopter model. Then select the menu item "Hover Trainer". Click the Start button or press the spacebar to bring the model into position and to activate the trainer. To avoid rotating the model the trainer revs up the engine slowly. Using the slider, you can determine how much trainer support you desire on the channels engine, pitch, roll, nick and tailrotor. „Manual“ means that you have full control over a channel. The initial position of the controller is „Trainer“.
15.5 Air race Load an appropriate model and a 4D scenery that has an air race. Select the menu item „Pylon Race“. A course comprising several air-gates will be setup and your model moved into a start position. you´ll now see an overview of the course. Click the check-box „Help“ to display or fadeout the course. Press „Start“ in the contest window or the space bar to start the race.
15.8 Glider Tow Load a glider model (e.g. Intention) and tow plane (e.g. Wilga) Note: If glider towing positions are not provided in a particular scenery, the models will remain at their current positions and will be connected to the tow rope should they be on the ground and positioned sufficiently close to one another. 15.9 Winch launch and helper For glider models, aerofly RC8 has two further innovations: The winch launch and the helper, who launches the model.
16. Adjust wind (F3) aerofly RC8 has a complex simulated wind model that is fully influenced by the underlying terrain (up-winds, downwinds, deflection, slipstreams and eddies on the leeward side) plus statistically fluctuating wind forces and directions, turbulence’s and a dynamic thermal simulation (emergence, growth, rise and dispersal of thermal hoses).
17. Simulation setup (F2) aerofly RC8 offers with its 4D sceneries the unique opportunity, to set the time of day and weather conditions completely free. Go with a few clicks from a sunny morning to a cloudy dusk with sunset and on to night and fog. In many scenarios, you can also activate special features such as an orientation grid, F3A-grid or the position display. 17.
17.3 Virtual grid The virtual grid serves as a guide grid. It's like a big, round tower with the pilot in the middle on the ground. The grid facilitates orientation in sceneries with little clouds and helps in maintaining a constant altitude 17.4 Aerobatic grid The F3A grid serves as a guide for aerobatics. It's like a big net, which is displayed behind the airfield. The horizontal lines are used to control the altitude, the vertical lines as a training assistance for vertical passages in aerobatics. 17.
17.7 Sound settings (F2) Open the simulation settings via the “F2” key or via "Simulation" / "Simulation Settings". Select the "Sound" tab. In the first line you can disable the sound. Via the other sliders you can mix the different sounds individually. Note: The variometer sound can only be heard if the variometer has been activated in the program main menu under "View" / "Show Variometer". 17.8 Background music The background music is „Off“ per default.
18. Record and play back flights With aerofly RC8 you can easily record and play back your flights. You can also provide other aerofly RC8 users with your recorded and stored flights. To record, select „Recording Window“ in the menu „Recording“ and the following window will appear with the following options: File name Enter a name for filing your recording. Description Enter the text to describe your recording. (optional) Rec Starts a new recording Play Plays back a recording.
19. Multiplayer mode With the aerofly RC8 multiplayer mode, you can fly simultaneously with up to 16 pilots on different PCs. The computers should ideally be interconnected via TCPIP and LAN cable. A connection via the Internet is also possible, however a DSL-2000 connection at least or a faster one is required. 19.1 Voice Chat support Starting with version 5.5 aerofly RC8 offers Voice Chat support during multiplayer sessions. This means you can talk to other pilots while also flying online.
19.3 Multiplayer-Info Window For a better overview of all connected pilots you can use the Multiplayer-Info window. By default this window opens up once you are connected to a session. This window shows you a list of all active players, their current model, distance, altitude as well as speed. The different entries are explained next: ● Player Name: This is the name of the player. Next to it is a small icon of the current model the user is flying.
19.5 Setting up a multiplayer session In order to set up your own multiplayer session, the aerofly RC server application must run on a PC. This can be realized either directly in the aerofly RC or (preferably) via the independent application „ aerofly RC Server“. Simply start the aerofly RC server by clicking „aeroflyrc multiplayer Server“ in the aerofly RC8 program group and a window appears that will remain open.
20. Model editor Modify a model and adapt it to your requirements. Note: Due to the numerous adjustment possibilities and parameters, it is extremely easy to over-adjust a model so that smooth flying is no longer possible. Should this occur, you can return to the default settings at all times ( see paragraph 20.4). 20.1 Open model editor Select the menu item „Edit Aircraft“ in the menu „Model“ and the following window appears: 20.
20.4 Load changed models Your changed and stored models appear in the dialog window (see Load aircraft) under „Available Configurations“. Select the configuration that you wish to load. 20.5 Example: Edit aircraft In this example, the weight, center of gravity, propeller, engine power and rudder deflections of the Edge 540T need changing. Load the Edge 540T (Standard) and select the menu item „Edit Model“ in the menu „Model“ to open the model editor: On the left side select„General Parameters“.
Before testing the settings, change the engine power: The power curve of the engine can be edited by shifting (1) the individual control points of the curve in the diagram using the mouse. Click a line between the control points and a new control point will appear automatically. If you just wish to change the maximum power, enter the desired value directly under “Power” (2), the control points of the power curve are then adapted automatically.
Select both “Left Wheel” and “Right Wheel” under “Aerodynamics” and set the rolling friction coefficient at 0.1 for each wheel. Click „Save As“ to save the model with the changed settings: Enter the configuration name and the description that will be displayed in the dialog window for these settings. Click „Save“ to save the settings and to return to simulation.
20.6 Example: Edit a helicopter In this example, the weight, pitch, control curves and the gyro sensitivity of Vision 90 are changed. Load the model Vision 90 and open the model editor. Select “General Parameters” and set the new values for the “Total Mass” and “Engine Power”.
Here you can set all the entire control paths that are available for the collective and cyclical pitch. These are maximum values, that can be reduced by the pitch curve settings depending on the flight phases. Select “Mix Helicopter “in the parameter list: With this parameter you can set the pitch and throttle curves for the three flight phases “ Normal”, “Idle Up” (Acrobatic) and “Autorotation”.
Summary Total mass Enter the desired total mass of your model. CG (Center of gravity) Airplanes: Set the position of the center of gravity – measured from the leading edge of the wing to the back. Helicopter: The values refer to the rotor axis. Enter positive values to move the center of gravity forward. Propeller Diameter Propeller diameter in inches Pitch Propeller pitch in inches Position The centre of the propeller.
Combustion engine Throttle curve In the case of a combustion engine, you can set up the throttle curve with the aid of a graph to meet your specific requirements (e.g. according to the data sheet of a real engine). The speed dependent power (RPM) is displayed. The torque curve is automatically generated as a consequence of the power curve. Click the control point in the graph and keep the left mouse button depressed to move it. Click on a free area of the curve to insert a new control point.
Servo Offset Sets zero offset Min/ Max Maximum negative/ positive deflection Expo Sensitivity round the neutral position. Expo > 0 improves the controllability of smaller deflections while maintaining the full extent of deflection. Speed The entire servo position is controlled in 1/ speed seconds . Speed 10 therefore means 0.1 second delay. Simply set up the servo with the aid of the curve and move the control points to the desired positions.
Joints (only Edit Level Experts) The individual parts are connected in the simulation by so-called spring-damper elements (Joints). You can set the stability and vibration damping of these connections under “Joints”. Normally, no changes are necessary unless you wish to soften e.g. the wing or the retractable gear characteristics. The following applies to all parameters: The higher the set values, the more rigid a joint becomes and the more it is dampened.
Fuselage aerodynamics Longitudinal drag Drag coefficient (cd-value) in direction of flight Lateral drag Drag coefficient for lateral (left/ right) air resistance Vertical drag Drag coefficient for air resistance from above or underneath Lateral lift Lift coefficient for lateral air resistance (e.g. knife-edge maneuver) Vertical lift Lift coefficient for air resistance from above or below Wheel RollingFrictionCoefficient Rolling friction coefficient on smooth surfaces.
Rotor head Swash plate rotation Virtual swash plate rotation Collective Maximum possible pitch travel, can be reduced by pitch curves in the helicopter mixer depending on the flight phases Cyclic Maximum cyclic pitch adjustment CyclicPaddle Cyclic pitch control by paddle (flybar) as a percentage CyclicDirect Cyclic pitch control by swash plate as a percentage Gyro Pirouette Speed Pirouette speed. A value of 10 is equivalent to approx. 600°/ second.
Helicopter mixer This is used to set the pitch and throttle curves for the three flight phases “Normal”, “Acrobatic”/ “Idle Up” and “Autorotation”. Please note that the throttle curve is only used when the channel “Helicopter Engine” is set at “Automatic”, otherwise the engine will be controlled by the throttle channel of your remote control (compare Paragraph 12.2 ).
21. Contact and Support If you have questions regarding aerofly RC8, please contact: IKARUS Breslauer Str. 46 b D-78166 Donaueschingen Germany Phone (International): +49 (0) 771 – 922 690 0 For updates, patches and new models, please visit our site Email: info@ikarus.net Internet: www.ikarus.net There you´ll also find a discussion forum, where you can contact other aerofly RC8 users.
