Tu-154B Model controls
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Model controls
A joystick is highly recommended for model control. Besides general axes, such as elevator-ailerons-rudder-throttle, additional axis for interceptors can be used. Also it is possible to use several throttle axes for separate engines control. We recommend to use joystick with fixed positions for nominal and idle throttle.
Also, view-hat configured for looking around virtual cabin required for comfortable observation. It is advisable to use some key to center view quickly. Pitch trimming is used often and we recommend to use two buttons for it. Unlikely, rudder and roll trimmers are used rarely and there is no point assigning joystick buttons for these functions.
If you have free joystick buttons left, you can use it for separate braking. But if you want to use dedicated axis to control nose leg, you will have to change model's xml config.
You must bind weapon control to fire trigger on you joystick if it is not binded by default. A script 'controls.trigger(0)' should be assigned to fire button (usually, button 0). Why do we need it if we have no weapons? The matter is that script is replaces with autopilot control script on loading Tu-154. Yes, you can bind this script to any other button, but fire trigger is most convenient - you probably have brakes on it, which are used only on the ground, while autopilot is used only while flying. So, these functions will not interfere with each other. There is no other mean to switch autopilot off, so if you haven't binded mentioned scrip on joystick, you should assign any other keyboard key to it.
A wheel mouse is strongly recommended for model control. There are many controls, knobs ans switches that are controlled with mouse wheel. So, wheel makes controlling more comfortable. Usually, all mouse areas are highlighted with yellow boxes when you press Control+C, but if active area is a 3D object, then it will be highlighted with gray, which is easy to miss.
Model can be controlled only using virtual cabin, there are no 2D panels. Virtual cockpits often have problems with access to distant controls. That is why we made our best to provide easy access to controls and easy navigation through them in Tu-154. Most noticeable is powerful FG Views system which allows active virtual cockpit usage. I will use View term when referring to point of view.
There are five configured views of VC: captain's view, second pilot's view, navigator's view (to central console), overhead view, flight engineer's view. It is possible to use default shortcuts to change views (V, Shift+V, Ctrl+V) but it is not really convenient since you have to cycle through external views as well. That's why we assign additional keys to switch directly to required view. The keys are numeric 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 1 is captain's view, 2 - second pilot and so on. These keys were chosen because it usually control throttle steps while our model suppose to use soft throttle control.
In this manual all controls are labeled with numbers and first digit represents view number. So, if there is reference to switch number 406, you should look for this switch at view 4 (overhead view in this case).
Sim saves each view's state so it is important to have a key for neutral view position.
Besides five virtual cockpit views there is additional sub-view. What is it and what is it used for? Imagine you are landing a craft. You have to change view from instruments to the window and back quickly. It is not a big problem in real cabin. But in the simulator all objects a drawn on a flat screen. Usually, instruments are badly readable and changing FOV to zoom them decreases ground visibility.
Sub-views solve this problem. Sub-view is a set of fixed additional views, that can be activated with button "~" (tilda, the most left one in digits row in keyboard). After button is released, previous view is restored. Sub-view parameters (direction and FOV) can be changed in the usual way, but despite of ordinary views, sub-view status is not saved on change. Default sub-views are configured for:
- captain and second pilot - enlarged instruments panel view
- navigator - central instruments panel view
- overhead view - enlarged PU-11 panel view
- flight engineer - view to left part of instrumental panel
You can change default sub-views parameters in model's set-file to fit your wide screen.
Also, depending on selected view, some objects are hidden. In example, on navigator's view throttle control levers are hidden to let you see USHDB and USH.
