FlightSim.Com - How To's

Many questions keep coming up over and over again when discussing flight simulators. In an effort to make these answers easier to find out, FlightSim.Com presents a series of "How To's" covering common topics.

Contributions to this section are welcome! Please share your knowledge with others. For information on contributing to the How To... section, contact webmaster@flightsim.com.

How To...Where To, Mister?
A computer nerd way of coming up with new routes to fly.

How To...Build A Push Pull Throttle Quadrant
Build a simple Cessna style set of controls.

How To...Magnify Panel Instruments
Magnify your cockpit instruments for easy reading.

How To...Upgrade To FSX On A Budget
Build your own FSX setup for less than you might think.

How To...Pimp My 737 Panel
A brief tip on how to change the look of your minipanel.

How To...Install Enhancements In Microsoft Flight Simulator
A general tutorial on getting and installing flightsim add-ons.

How To...Use SBuilder
A walk-through on the basic techniques for designing scenery with SBuilder.

How To...Install FSX Aircraft Liveries
A basic tutorial on adding repaints to aircraft in FSX.

How To...Control Aircraft Pushback
The complete details on how the FS2004 aircraft pushback controls work.

How To...Reuse Another Person's Junk
One person's junk is another person's flightsim part.

How To...Install FSX Aircraft
A basic tutorial on adding downloaded aircraft to FSX.

How To...Build A Floor Mounted Joystick
A free video driver and a pair of red-blue glasses lets any sim work in 3D.

How To...Fly In 3D With Red-Blue Glasses
A free video driver and a pair of red-blue glasses lets any sim work in 3D.

How To...Add An Elevator Trim Wheel To Your CH Products Yoke
A removeable precision trim wheel makes a nice addition to your yoke.

How To...Land On Top Of The World - Topic Revisited
Some information about flying into high altitude airports.

How To...Make A Helicopter Joystick From A CH Yoke
Use a CH Yoke as the base for a realistic helicopter control system.

How To...Do Formation Flying
Use "Recorder" to fly in formation with AI aircraft.

How To...Be A Repainter
A multi-part series on how to repaint flightsim aircraft.

How To...Program The FMC
A basic introduction to the airliner Flight Management Computer.

How To...Build Rudder Pedals
A cheap joystick and some woodworking results in custom rudder pedals.

How To...Add Switches To MS Flight Simulator With A USB Interface
How to build your own avionics switches.

Get Real! Simulating An Authentic Flight Deck Experience
How to increase your realism with the proper avionics hardware.

Get Real! Controller Basics
How to increase your realism with the proper controller hardware.

How To Build A Digital Radio Altimeter For FS2004
Add a small but functional digital altimeter to your panels.

How To Stay Aligned With The Runway On Approach
Add a simple alignment bar to help with your visual approaches.

How To...FS Navigation 102: Continuing A Basic Introduction
More advanced navigation techniques explained.

How To...FS Navigation 101: A Very Basic Introduction
Basic navigation techniques using NDBs and VORs explained.

How To...Quick And Dirty AI Aircraft
Installing and testing flyable aircraft for AI use.

How To Fly The Boeing 737 - The Basics
Jetliner flying techniques from a real airline pilot.

How To Have Multiple FS2004 Installations
Use DOS batch files to enable different FS2004 installations.

How To Make Movies For The Cineplex
Background information and top ten tips for making movies for the FlightSim.Com Cineplex.

How To Fly The Curtiss Jenny
Understanding attitude flying is the key to controlling the Curtiss Jenny and in fact also to understanding flight in general.

How To Add New Gauges/Windows To Panels
No one-button install? No problem! You can install pushback and other gauges into your panels as shown here.

How To Fly Cross Country With VFR Scenery And Real-Life Charts
Photoreal scenery allows realistic navigation with the proper real world charts and techniques.

How To Finally Cope With Haunted Gauges
Finally fix some nagging problems with gauges that have persisted through several flightsim versions.

How To Stay Aligned With The Runway On Approach
Make a simple change to your panel to give an on-screen alignment aid.

How To Set A Revolutionary Joystick Configuration
Using the various joystick controls in a somewhat different manner makes flying easier.

How To Enlarge The On-Screen GPS
Simply mods to the config file make for easier reading GPS.

How To Build Cessna Type Rudder Pedals
Instructions for building rudder pedals suitable for light planes.

How To Install A Vistaliners 727 Panel
Instructions on adding a panel to the Vistaliners Boeing 727-200.

How To Build Your Own USB Joystick
For the ultimate joystick, build your own including the USB controller.

How To Fly An ILS--A Progressive Tutorial
A series of short, progressively more difficult, approaches teaches the basics of flying an ILS in a jetliner.

How To Build Flightsim Panel Switches
Use a Hagstrom keyboard emulator card to create your own custom switch panel.

How To Keep In Trim While Flightsimming
Learn to use trim properly and enjoy hands off flying without using the autopilot.

How To Build An Airliner Crew Seat
A construction tutorial on building a jetliner style crew seat.

How To Learn All Kinds Of New Stuff
The author suggests a tour around the world to really learn how your sim, add-on aircraft and utilities work.

How To Use The Fanda Dash 8 Panel With Other Dash 8 Aircraft
Learn some of the techniques for combining the panel and sounds from one popular aircraft with the visual model of another.

How To Improve The Boeing 737 Panel In FS2004
A number of suggestions on how to fix some minor bugs and add new improvements to the default panel.

How To Build The Cessna 172 Cockpit Simulator Project
Creating a realistic flying environment takes more than just software. Here is the story of an ever evolving cockpit project.

Secrets Of Great Screen Shots
Capturing screen shots and sharing them is a popular activity for flightsimmers. Here's some expert advice from one of the best on composing and taking shots.

How To Improve FS2004
A number of tips to fix the 747 EICAS, 737 warning lights, pink panels and more.

How To Build Your Own Modular Desktop Flight Controls
A lengthy description of building a complete set of flight controls as well as issues with FS2004 integration.

How To Use Bracketing To Make Instrument Flying Easier
One simple technique makes all aspects of an instrument flight easier.

How To Upgrade Your PC To A 3 GHz Screamer
A look at currently available hardware upgrades for do it yourselfers.

How To Fix The FS2004 Learjet Radio Stack
Some hex editing fixes the too dim digits on the Learjet radio stack.

How To Build A Cockpit Shell
Instructions for constructing a Boeing 737 airliner shell.

How To Create Flightsim Sound Sets
FS sound mysteries are not so mysterious once you know how it's done.

How To Install FS2004 Aircraft Textures
Learn how add additional textures to installed aircraft.

How To Install FS2004 Panels
Instructions on added FS2004 panels.

How To Find And Install FS2004 Aircraft
Learn how to find files in our library and then install them into FS2004.

How To Add Static Ground Crew Vehicles To AI Aircraft
Information for aircraft designers on including static ground vehicles around their parked aircraft.

How To Build Your Own Home Cockpit
You too can build your dream flightsim setup...a real home cockpit. Here's how.

How To Increase Reverse Thrust In FS2002
Having trouble getting jets to stop in time? Here's how to give them more stopping power.

How To Get Proflight To Work In FS2002
Proflight 2000 still provides better ATC than that built into FS2002. Though made for FS2000 it can be made to work in FS2002; here's how.

How To Fix The FS2002 Autopilot For Better ILS Approaches
The autopilot responds too slowing, making ILS approaches a challenge. Fortunately, there is a work-around as described here.

How To Create And Share Screen Shots
Capturing screen shots and sharing them in forums is a popular activity for flightsimmers. Here's how you can join in.

How To Upgrade Your PC
For less cost than you might think you can upgrade your current PC to a Pentium 4 screamer. Learn how in this article.

How To Modify Scenery With FSLandclass
The FSLandclass utility lets you add your own realistic textures to scenery. Here's how it's done.

How To Do Away With FS2002 Pinkmania
Do you hate that pink glow of FS2002 panels at night? With a few config changes you can make your panels any color you like.

How To Fix The GPS Display Bug In FS2002
The FS2002 GPS does not look right at night, but a few simple changes can fix that.

How To Capture And Edit Video
Use real video capture and computer editing tools to make gun camera footage and other in flight videos.

How To Combine AI Traffic, ATC And AFCAD
Bring small airports alive by adding active traffic and ATC.

How To Get A Simple And Free Glass Cockpit Layout
How to set up an advanced glass cockpit using freely available software.

How To Fly In Formation
A primer on formation flying.

How To Turn Your Corsair Tighter Than A Gnat's Eyelash
Another set of tips for flying the CFS2 Corsair.

How To Survive A Furball
Seven secrets of survival in the CFS2 Corsair, plus reverse tactics for flying the Zero.

How To Doctor Your PC For Better CFS2 Performance
You can tune up your PC to work better with CFS2 and other multiplary sims. Here's the information you need.

How To Create New Categories Of Flights With Custom Briefing Screens
Sharing your flights with others requires including proper briefings. Here's how it's done.

How To Compose A Screen Shot
Creating interesting, high quality screen shots requires many of the skills of a photographer plus some special flightsim skills. Here's how to do it.

How To Beef Up Your ATC Voice Selections
If you installed only the three voice set of ATC voices it's easy to switch to the ten voice set. Here's how.

How To Handle Engine Failures
Twin engine planes are only safer if the pilot knows how to handle engine failures. Here are some tips.

How To Fix Reverser Warning Lights In FS2002
An explanation for and a method of fixing one of the nagging little problems in FS2002.

How To Build Your Own Home Made Cockpit
Even with limited time and resources you can create a nice generic cockpit for light aircraft use.

How To Control The Controller In FS2002 ATC
Getting the ATC controller voice, and the pilot voice, to describe your aircraft the way you'd like it described can get a bit tricky. This article will help.

How To Interact With ATC
Want to get started doing ATC controlled flights on the MSN Zone? Here's the information you need.

How To Use Toggle Switches With Cockpit Keyboard Emulation
A method for creating toggle switches as part of a cockpit construction project.

How To Get The Japanese Ships In CFS2 to Work
Simple instructions on how to make the CFS2 ships into vehicles you can operate.

How To Convert Your Force Feedback Wheel
Simple instructions for turning a force feedback wheel and pedals into a yoke.

How To Use The FS2002 Instructor Module
A brief introduction into using an often overlooked feature of FS2002.

How To Use Different Landscape Textures
You can use different landscape texture sets for different countries with FsLandClass using the technique described here.

How To Create AI Traffic
Even beginners can create their own custom AI aircraft traffic around their favorite airports using these instructions.

How To Build DIY Cockpit Controls
With these instructions you can build your own complete cockpit hardware.

How To Convert FS2000 Planes To FS2002
Some changes in the aircraft.cfg text can add categorization features new to FS2002.

How To Adjust FS2002 Panels
With some adjustments you can get your panels just the way you want them.

How To Setup E-D Glasses And trackIR
Basic instructions for using the eDimensional 3D glasses with the trackIR position tracker.

How To Control The Aircraft
An introduction to basic aircraft controls that all pilots need to understand.

How To Make Four Engine Throttles
Complete instructions on how to build your own four engine throttles.

How To Fly Helicopters
Tips for flying helicopters, especially the FS2002 JetRanger 206.

How To Use Satellite Technology
Information on designing flightsim scenery using satellite images.

How To Understand The Inner Workings Of The GPS
A complete description of all features of the FS2002 default GPS.

How To Make VFR Easier
A few simple changes to the panel configuration file make VFR landings easier.

How To Make A Binder For Approach Plates
Make your own binder and create and print your own approach plates for it.

How To Build Quick And Easy Rudder Pedals
A basic joystick serves as the basis for home made rudder pedals.

How To Install FS2002 Panels
Complete details on finding, downloading, and using FS2002 panels.

How To Fly A VOR/DME Approach
Learn here how to fly a VOR/DME instrument approach with a DME arc entry.

How To Fly An NDB Approach
An NDB approach is one of the more challenging landing maneuvers for instrument pilots. Learn here how it's done.

How To Operate On Short Runways
An illustrated flight to the Caribbean demonstrates jetliner operations at smaller airports.

How To Adjust Joysticks For FS2002
Having two joysticks installed can cause problems; here's some useful information.

How To Install FS2002 Aircraft
Complete details on finding, downloading, and using FS2002 aircraft.

How To Build A Keyboard Emulator Gear Lever
Instructions on how to use an Ortek USB keyboard to build a custom landing gear lever.

How To Use An Ortek USB Keyboard For Cockpit Emulation
Many people take apart standard keyboards to use them in building custom cockpits. This article has all the keyboard layout codes for the Ortek USB keyboard.

How To Fly In The Mountains
Essential techniques for flightsim mountain flying.

How To Convert CFS2 Aircraft To FS2002
With only a few simple steps CFS2 owners can use their aircraft with FS2002 also.

How To Build Rudder Pedals With Toe Brakes
Complete instructions on how to build your own rudder pedals with toe brakes.

How To Understand How RAM Is Used
Upgrading your system by adding more RAM may be the easiest way to improve flightsim performance.

How To Make AI Planes Flyable In FS2002
Instructions on turning the included FS2002 AI aircraft into additional flyable planes.

How To Fly Dangerous Approaches: Kathmandu, Nepal
A tutorial for those who are ready for advanced instrument approaches.

How To Do A Spin On Your Flight Simulator
Given the right pilot techniques, it's possible to do spins using FS98. Here's how.

How To Use Gmax
This tutorial, supplied to us by Discreet, shows how to create a P-38 Lightning using Gmax.

How To Add CFS Scenery to CFS2
It's possible to add the default CFS scenery to CFS2 and thus be able to fly through both theatres using CFS2's improved scenery engine. Here's how.

How To Build Dual Throttles
If you want to fly twin engine planes you should have dual throttle controls; here's a way to make your own.

How To Build Rudder Pedals
Complete step-by-step instructions on how to build your own rudder pedals.

How To Maximize FS2002 Performance
There are many internal settings and external considerations that affect FS2002 performance; here's what you need to know to make the most of it.

How To Use Roger Wilco MK.Id2
Useful information on using the new version of Roger Wilco for multiplayer voice communication.

How To Use A Checklist
A checklist will really help you avoid forgetting things, especially when doing multiplayer online flying.

How To Fly Dangerous Approaches: Innsbruck, Austria
A tutorial for those who are ready for advanced instrument approaches.

How To Land A 747 At Aspen
Don't try this in real life, but here's how it could be done in flightsim.

How To Run FS2000 Scenery/Aircraft Under CFS2
Use the more advanced scenery engine in CFS2 to run all your FS2000 scenery and aircraft.

How To Fly A Holding Pattern
All the details on flying this basic instrument manuever.

How To Build Rudder Pedals
Complete step-by-step instructions on how to build your own rudder pedals.

How To Fly Dangerous Approaches: Tromso, Norway
A tutorial for those who are ready for advanced instrument approaches.

How To Build "MAC" For Your SideWinder Joystick
Build a custom flightsim chair with mounted controls suited for all types of flying, even helicopters.

How To Interact With ATC
Want to get started doing ATC controlled flights with SATCO? Here's the information you need.

How To Fly Dangerous Approaches: Aspen, Colorado
A tutorial for those who are ready for advanced instrument approaches.

How To Fly The Biggest Desk In The Office
How to build your own flightsim cockpit, using surplus parts and materials.

How To Save Hard Disk Space
Cleaning up your aircraft installations can save a significant amount of disk space. Here's how.

How To Fly Dangerous Approaches: Funchal, Madeira
A tutorial for those who are ready for advanced instrument approaches.

How To Use TACAN In FS2000
FS2000 actually includes TACAN military navaids. Here's how to make some use of them in civilian aircraft.

How To Use Approach Plates
A complete, multi-part course on reading approach plates and executing various types of instrument landings.

How To...Beat The Frame Rate Blues
Using the right add-ons, plus some settings changes, will let FS2000 run better even on slower computers.

How To...Fix The Previous Flight Problem
Does using "Previous Flight" as your FS2000 startup situation cause a crash? Here's another way to fix it.

How To...Swap Out The Wilco 767 For A Project OpenSky 767
If you don't like the visual model of an FS2000 aircraft it's possible to swap it for another. Here's how.

How To...Land At Amsterdam
Pilots using Squawkbox/Procontroller may have problems at Amsterdam because of the below sea level elevation. Here's the answer.

How To...Organize FSTraffic Aircraft
FSTraffic users end up with many extra aircraft. Here's a tip on organizing them.

How To...Fix The Previous Flight Problem
Does using "Previous Flight" as your FS2000 startup situation cause a crash? Here's why, and how to fix it.

How To...Do FSTraffic Tracks Right
For those who want FSTraffic tracks at airports to be exactly right, here's how to do it.

How To...Add GPS To Panels
Step by step instructions on adding the default FS2000 GPS or another GPS into panels.

How To...Avoid Scenery.cfg Problems
Learn how scenery configuration works in FS2000 to avoid problems add-on scenery can cause.

How To...Decrease FS2000 Start-Up Time
A couple of simple changes will get you flying faster when starting up FS2000.

How To...Reduce Stuttering In FS2000
A surprisingly simple change can reduce the pauses and stutters many people experience with FS2000.

How To...Make Your Own Rudder Pedals
With a bit of time and about $10 in parts you can make your own rudder pedals. Here's how.

How To...Further Improve Your FS2000 Graphics
By better organizing your Aircraft directory you can make FS2000 work less hard and thus improve your graphics frame rates.

How To...Modify The SideWinder Joystick
The original Microsoft SideWinder force feedback joystick can be improved with some modifications. Here's how.

How To...Do A Torque Roll
Combining the right plane and the right technique allows flightsim pilots to do advanced aerobatics.

How To...Solve Heat Related problems
Modern video cards run very hot and this can cause problems including lockups. Here are some solutions.

How To...Solve Lockup Issues
Here are additional suggestions that may help solve your lockup problems.

How To...Fly For A Virtual Airline
Thinking of joining a VA? Before you do, read this advice on what's involved and how to pick the right one for you.

How To...Solve Lockup Issues
Here is a suggestion for some simple settings changes that may help solve your lockup problems.

How To...Fly Using A Glass Cockpit
Modern glass cockpits offer many advantages over older style instruments, once you learn how to use them.

How To...Fix The Forward View In FS2000
The default forward view in FS2000 is not realistic. With a few changes to panels and config files it can be improved. Here's how.

How To...Create 3D Landing Gear Bays
Learn how to use Flight Simulator Design Studio (FSDS) to create animated landing gear bays and other simular parts.

How To...Find And Install FS2000 Scenery
In Part 4 in a series now learn how to add new scenery to FS2000.

How To...Improve FS2000 Frame Rates
FS2000 includes a variety of options and settings that can be used to improve your frame rates. Here's how.

How To...Design An Electrical Panel
Panel expert Dai Griffiths shows how to assemble the appropriate gauges into a working panel.

How To...Find And Install FS2000 Sounds
In Part 3 in a series on how to build you own aircraft learn how to find and install FS2000 sounds.

How To...Find And Install FS2000 Panels
In Part 2 in a series on how to build you own aircraft learn how to find and install FS2000 panels.

How To...Find And Install FS2000 Aircraft
In Part 1 in a series on how to build you own aircraft start by learning how to find and install FS2000 airplane files.

How To...Fly The X-31
Here are some tips for flying the thrust vectored X-31 jet and other exotic planes.

How To...Set Sounds In FS2000 For Maximum Realism
Want to make FS2000 sounds as good as possible? Here's how the experts do it.

How To...Fly At High Altitudes
Flying exotic aircraft at very high altitudes requires flying techniques that are different from what you may be used to. Here's what you need to know to do it right.

How To...Adapt Aviation Headsets To Computers
Would you like to use a standard aviation headset with your computer sound card? Here is a non-technical approach.

How To...Modify Outside View Parameters
Customizing the view settings in FS2000 panels is easier than you might think. Here's how.

How To...See Live Lightning And Weather Radar Online
Enhance your flightsim realism with real time weather information. Here's some good online sources.

How To...Adjust FS2000 Sensitivity Settings
FS2000 gives you many settings that determine the feel of your control devices. Here's how to get them right.

How To...Fly The Concorde
Flying a supersonic aircraft requires the right skills and techniques. Here's what you need to know.

How To...Land On The Top Of The World
Very high altitude airports offer challenges that a pilot must be ready for. Here's some advice for jetliner pilots.

How To...Eliminate Illegal Operations In FS2000
Plagued by "illegal operation" messages? Here is some helpful advice.

How To...Build A Flightsim Keyboard Interface
This article shows an innovative way of rebuilding a standard keyboard as a custom control device.

How To...Take Off & Land On A Carrier With A 737
You can't do this in the real world, but with practice you can with your sim.

How To...Get Back Your Wing Views
Edit your FS2000 aircraft to remove the virtual cockpit and restore outside views.

How To...Select Flightsim Hardware #2
A second guide on flightsim hardware choices, with an emphasis on video cards.

How To...Select Flightsim Hardware
Here is a guide to help you select the proper hardware to best use with your flightsim.

How To...Design Scenery With Airport & Scenery Designer
Want to design scenery? ASD from Abacus is one popular tool and here we have advice on getting started with it.

How To...Create And Use A Flight Plan
For realistic IFR flight a flight plan is required, and it's useful for VFR trips as well. Read this advice on how, why and when to use a flight plan.

How To...Create Your Own Virtual Airline
Thinking of starting a VA? Before you do, read this advice from someone who has already done it.

How To...Manage Your Own Virtual Airline
After you get your VA started, here are some tips for running it.

How To...Photograph Panels
Want to create photoreal panels? The first step is getting a quality photo of the panel. Here's how it's done.

How To...Use Roger Wilco
Add Internet voice communication to your multiplayer sessions. Here's how.

How To...Have Fun With Multiplayer
Many people have trouble getting started with FS98 multiplayer flying. Here's how to get started.

How To...Build A Flightsim Keyboard Interface
Intended for use with Kev's Cockpit, this article shows a way of interfacing a keyboard to a custom cockpit.

How To...Build An Electric Trim Device For The CH VPP
With a little modification the Virtual Pilot Pro yoke can have electric trim just like real airplanes have.

How To...Fly The Pattern At Hong Kong In A Boeing 737-400
Learn to properly control a common jet airliner while flying one of the most challenging airports in the world.

How To...Adapt Aviation Headsets To Computers
Would you like to use a standard aviation headset with your computer sound card? You can with this simple adapter.

How To...Fly The Boeing 737
Here is a quick start guide for beginning jet airliner pilots that covers everything you need to know including use of the autopilot and instrumentation.

How To...Fly The Kai Tak IGS Approach
Hong Kong's old Kai Tak had one of the most unusual approaches in the world, here's how to fly it.

How To...Build Kev's Cockpit
Build a complete flight sim cockpit with full controls, enhanced screen and vibrating chair.

How To...Do Creative And Fun Things With FS98
Use FS98 as an R/C sim, land on an aircraft carrier and find some scenic landmarks.

How To...Fly In Holland
Take a flying tour of Holland and learn Dutch flying procedures.

How Aircraft Fly and How To Control Them

How To...Fly The FS98 Bell 206B Helicopter

How To... Learn To Navigate

How To... Use PFC Cirrus Pedals with Microsoft Sims

How To... Get More From SCASM and APT

How To... Configure CH Products Virtual Pilot Pro Yoke

How To... Sort Scenery Directories in FS5

How To... Understand Flight Sim & Aviation Terms