Microsoft Flight User Manual

FLIGHT MANUAL

Contents

HOW TO PLAY 1

Map Screen 1

Changing the Map View Playing Online Aircraft Icons

Icons 2 Using the Mouse 3

Flying in Mouse Mode

Camera Views 4 The Eyepoint 5 Turning Off the Heads-Up Display (HUD) 5 Heads-Up Display (HUD) 6 Points of Interest (POI) 7

Point of Interest Markers Point of Interest Arrows

Waypoints 7

Skip to Waypoint

Checkpoints 7

Loading Checkpoints

Walk Around Mode 8 Checklists 8

Using Checklists Running a Checklist Checklist Options Types of Checklists

Rewards 10

Awards Unlocks

Playing Ofine 10

Essential Keyboard Commands 11

Game Controls Aircraft Controls

FLIGHT CONDITIONS 12

Flight Conditions Screen 12

Weather Time of Day Season

Conditions in Free Flight Mode 12 Conditions in Multiplayer Mode 12

THE HANGAR 13

Choosing an Aircraft Painting Your Aircraft Managing Fuel Downloading New Aircraft

MISSION BASICS 14

Mission Screens 14

Mission Breakdown Pause Menu Mission Failed Menu

Mission Debrieng Screen

JOB BOARD 16

Jobs 16

Selecting your Aircraft Exploring Different Areas An Introduction to Cargo Runs

Challenges 17

CAREER 18

Pilot Prole 18

Statistics Pilot Portrait

Prole Roaming

Compare to Other Pilots 18

AEROCACHES 19

Finding and Acquiring Aerocaches 19

Finding Aerocaches Acquiring Aerocaches

Difculty Rating 20

Aerocache Hunts 20

FREE FLIGHT 21

Explore the Skies 21

Select an Aircraft Customize Flight Conditions Practice Landing Earn Awards

MULTIPLAYER 22

OPTIONS 25

Graphics 25

Vertical Sync Overall Graphics Settings Custom Settings

Gameplay 26

Flight Control Assistance Display Camera

Audio 26 Game Controls 26 Aircraft Controls 26

KEY TERMS 27

Tip: For additional information on steering your aircraft using alternate controls, such as a joystick or keyboard, view the Basic Controls guide located at https://www.microsoftight.com/ handbook.

Quick Match 22 Host a Session 22

Selecting a Session Type Locating Other Players on the Map

Stats 23 Target Friends 23 Locate Friends Online 23

Inviting Friends

Text Chat 24 Voice Chat 24

Speaking with Other Players

iii

How to Play

Map Screen

The Map screen is your rst stop on the path to exciting adventures, challenging missions, and multiplayer fun.

On the left side of the Map screen are the directional arrows, the zoom bar, and the Microsoft Flight Data Server icon.

Changing the Map View

Playing Online

The dot located below the directional arrows on the Map screen is the

Microsoft Flight Data Server icon. It indicates whether your computer

network is connected to the Microsoft Flight data server. If the icon is solid black, you are connected. If it is ashing yellow, you are playing ofine.

Aircraft Icons

If you click the Free Flight icon, an aircraft icon will appear on the map in the current location of your aircraft. Drag this icon to any location on the map, and then click Fly in the Free Flight menu to start ying from that spot.

Your aircraft ies in the direction your aircraft icon is pointing. To change your heading from the Map screen, rotate the ring around your aircraft icon.

If you see a gray aircraft icon on the map, it means another player has joined the game. To y near that player, drag your aircraft icon next to the gray icon, and then click Fly in the Free Flight menu.

Tip: Some areas may appear less detailed than others while

you are ying. To view higher resolution features such as trees,

buildings, and beyond the Big Island, additional downloadable content is required.

The directional arrows move the map one step in any cardinal direction.

You can also move the map by simply clicking on the map and

dragging.

The zoom bar is used to increase or decrease the magnication of the map. Click the Plus Sign (+) to zoom in and the Minus Sign (-) to zoom out. You can also rotate the mouse wheel to zoom in or out.

Icons

Missions are more structured adventures that teach you game play basics and help to advance

your career as a pilot.

Challenges are tasks that test your agility and

skill as pilot, from making a series of precise

landings to collecting rings in a maze of

obstacles.

Aerocache hunts send you out in search of

objects hidden on the ground and in the air.

Free Flight mode gives you the freedom to

explore the skies at your own pace. Drag your

aircraft to any location and let the adventure

begin.

The Legend gives you information about all of

the airports and runways on the map. You can

also use the Legend to identify other players

when ying in Multiplayer mode.

The Hangar is where you store and maintain

your aircraft. It is also where you download new planes, change paint schemes, and fuel up.

The Pilot Prole offers you a snapshot of your career as a pilot and your general progress

throughout the game.

Multiplayer mode allows you to y with up to 15 other people. Fly in group formations, share tips and tricks with other players, or chat with friends as you explore the skies.

Flight Conditions, such as weather, wind, and time of day, can make a big difference in your ight experience. Change the conditions to face a whole new set of ying challenges.

The Load Free Flight option allows you pick up right where you left off in a saved Free Flight

session.

The Main Menu enables you to change your

graphic and gameplay settings, connect to your

Games for Windows

– LIVE account, or go to

the Microsoft Flight website.

Using the Mouse

The mouse is a multifunctional tool that can be used to y your aircraft, look around the world, zoom in on objects, and manipulate the controls in the cockpit.

Tip: For additional information on steering your aircraft using alternate controls, such as a joystick or keyboard, view the Basic Controls guide located at

https://www.microsoftight.com/handbook.

Turning

Move the mouse left or right to bank the wings (turn your aircraft). Make small movements with the mouse when banking. Moving too abruptly in any direction may cause you to lose control of your aircraft.

Climbing and Descending

Move the mouse forward to climb and move the mouse back to

descend. If these default mouse controls feel reversed, you can invert the Y-axis so that you move the mouse back to climb and move the mouse forward to descend.

Flying in Mouse Mode

Use the mouse to control your aircraft as you turn, climb, and descend. The mouse also controls the throttle setting.

To pause Mouse mode, press the Spacebar.

To invert the Y-axis

1. Press Esc.

2. Click the Options button.

3. Click the Gameplay tab on the Options menu.

4. Select the Invert Mouse Pitch check box under Aircraft Controls.

5. Click the Accept button at the bottom of the screen.

6. Click Resume on the Pause menu to continue playing.

Adjusting the Throttle Setting

Rotate the mouse wheel to increase or decrease the throttle settings in

Mouse mode.

Zooming in on the Instrument Panel

While in Cockpit view (F9), you can zoom in on the instrument panel. This allows you to monitor changes in your aircraft’s heading, altitude, speed, fuel level, and oil pressure.

To practice zooming in on the fuel gauge

1. Press the Spacebar to pause Mouse mode.

When you y in Mouse mode, a cross hair appears in the center of the screen. It is controlled by the movement of the mouse, which in turn controls the aircraft.

Tip: Position the pointer in the very center of the cross hair to y

straight and level.

2. Rotate the wheel to zoom in.

3. Right-click and drag your view to the fuel gauge.

4. Check the fuel level.

5. Rotate the wheel to zoom out.

6. Press Backspace to recenter the view.

7. Press the Spacebar again to resume Mouse mode.

Moving the Cockpit Controls

Many of the controls, levers, and switches in the cockpit can be adjusted, moved forward and back, or switched on or off. This gives

you a feel for what pilots do in the real world as they perform tasks like

changing throttle settings, pitching up or down, or leaning the mixture.

To interact with the cockpit controls, switch the camera to Cockpit view, and then pause Mouse mode. The aircraft will continue to y while Mouse mode is paused.

To practice by manually reducing the throttle setting

1. Press F9 to switch to Cockpit view.

2. Press the Spacebar to pause Mouse mode.

Camera Views

Real-world pilots are skilled at switching between viewpoints during a ight. While they mostly focus on the horizon, they must also scan the cockpit instruments and look down at the world below.

There are ve different camera views, each one providing you with a different experience. Some views show your aircraft and the surrounding world in a cinematic shot, while other views can help you achieve greater control of your aircraft.

Chase View (F8)

Chase view shows your aircraft from behind, as if a trailing aircraft is lming your ight. This is a great view for overall control of the aircraft, but it does not show the cockpit. Use the Heads-Up Display to view your heading, altitude, speed, and fuel level. To use Chase view, press F8.

Cockpit View (F9)

Cockpit view closely simulates what pilots see in the real world, with the camera mounted in the cockpit. Cockpit view offers the most interactivity, allowing you to zoom in on instruments and move controls. To use Cockpit view, press F9.

Flyby View (F10)

Flyby view gives you the cinematic experience of watching your aircraft

y past a stationary camera set in the air. From this view, you can take in-ight screenshots. To use Flyby view, press F10.

3. Drag the throttle lever backward to reduce speed.

4. Press the Spacebar again to resume Mouse mode.

Tip: Before you pause Mouse mode, make sure your aircraft

is ying straight and level at a high enough elevation.

Free Look (F11)

Free Look is a panoramic view from the outside of the aircraft. This view

can give you perspective on the location of your aircraft relative to

geographic features, such as the ocean or mountain ranges. You don’t have to pause Mouse mode to use Free Look. Just right-click and drag to start looking around. To use Free Look, press F11.

The Eyepoint

The eyepoint is your position in the cockpit. Moving the eyepoint can give you a better view of the horizon, taxiway, or surrounding features,

much like adjusting your seat or leaning to either side would in the real

world.

Top-Down View (F12)

Top-Down view shows your aircraft from above, as if a camera is lming straight down. This view can help you get a better idea of your location relative to the world around you. Rotate the mouse wheel to zoom in or out on the terrain below. To use Top-Down view, press F12.

Remote Control (R)

Remote Control drops a camera when you press R, giving you a view of your aircraft from wherever you started Remote Control view. Make sure you keep your aircraft in sight in order to maintain control.

Tip: Switch to Top-Down view before a takeoff. This allows you

to see your aircraft in relation to the runway.

Adjusting your position in the cockpit is especially helpful while taxiing,

since it can give you a better view of the bends and turns on the

taxiway. If you can anticipate turns, you can avoid making dangerous mistakes like braking too hard, turning too tightly, or driving off the taxiway.

To move the eyepoint

1. Click the wheel button on your mouse.

2. Drag up, down, right, or left.

To reset your view, press Backspace.

Turning Off the Heads-Up Display (HUD)

If you are an advanced ier, or wish to challenge yourself, turn off the HUD and use the cockpit instruments to guide your ight. Go to the Options menu, select the Gameplay tab, and clear the Heads-Up Display check box.

If you change any of the settings, be sure to press the Accept button before you exit the Options menu.

Tip: The cockpit instruments are only visible in Cockpit view. If

you turn off the HUD, remember to set the camera to Cockpit view by pressing F9.

Heads-Up Display (HUD)

The Heads-Up Display, located at the top of the screen, is where you will nd information on your speed, throttle setting, heading, altitude, and fuel level.

SPEED

Indicates your aircraft’s speed in

nautical miles per hour, or knots.

WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION

Indicates the direction of the wind and its speed in nautical miles

per hour.

HEADING INDICATOR

Indicates which direction the aircraft is ying. Each

line on the heading indicator represents 5 degrees in

a given direction.

ALTIMETER

Displays your aircraft’s altitude in

feet above sea level.

THROTTLE SETTING

Shows the current position of the aircraft’s throttle, which can range from 0% (idle) to 100 % (full throttle).

FUEL GAUGE

Indicates the

aircraft’s fuel level.

Points of Interest (POI)

Waypoints

Missions and multiplayer sessions feature two directional cues called the

Point of Interest marker and the Point of Interest arrow.

Point of Interest Markers

There are four types of POI markers.

• Objective markers are yellow, diamond-shaped markers that help

you approximate a ight path to the mission objective.

• Aerocache markers are yellow, hexagon-shaped markers that

show you the location of an Aerocache. They are only visible once you y close enough to an Aerocache to activate its marker.

• Checklist markers are green markers that indicate instruments or

controls related to your current checklist task.

• Multiplayer markers are blue markers that show you where other

players are located. You can cycle through connected players using the [ and ] keys.

Point of Interest Arrows

POI arrows help guide you toward a POI marker. If you y off course, the arrow stays xed on the marker. Follow the arrow to continue on the path toward the mission objective.

Turning Off the POI Arrow

You cannot turn off the POI arrow during missions, but you can turn it off during Aerocache hunts or while playing in Multiplayer mode.

Some missions contain waypoints, or xed locations along the path to your nal destination. Waypoints are placed on the runway and in the air, usually near a Point of Interest marker.

Skip to Waypoint

The Skip to Waypoint function activates when a new leg of your mission

begins. When the Skip to Waypoint pop-up appears on your screen, you can press N to skip ahead to the next waypoint. If you want to skip tasks like taxiing to a runway, this is a great time-saving feature.

Tip: Keep an eye on the fuel tank. When you activate the Skip to Waypoint feature, your aircraft burns the amount of fuel it

would have taken to y to that waypoint normally. If your fuel

level is low, you may need to refuel as soon as you arrive at the next waypoint.

Checkpoints

All missions feature checkpoints. Checkpoints pop up when you complete a segment of a mission, marking your progress.

In early missions, checkpoints appear after you accomplish simple tasks, such as taxiing or taking off. As you progress, checkpoints appear before challenging tasks, such as landing or performing a tight turn. If you are unable to complete the task successfully or crash your aircraft, you can load the last checkpoint instead of restarting the entire mission.

To turn off the POI arrow

1. Go to the Main menu.

2. Click the Options button.

3. Select the Gameplay tab on the Options menu.

4. Select the check box next to Point of Interest under Display.

5. Click the Accept button to save your changes.

Loading Checkpoints

The Load Checkpoint button appears on the Pause menu and the

Mission Fail screen. Click the Load Checkpoint button to return your aircraft to the last checkpoint you reached in the mission.

Checkpoints cannot be saved. If you exit the mission, all checkpoints are cleared.

Walk Around Mode

Checklists

Walk Around mode allows you to explore at ground level. In this mode, you can move the mouse in any direction to look around you.

Walking to Aircraft

Some missions require you to walk to your aircraft and board before

takeoff. Press W to walk and press E to enter or exit the aircraft. You cannot enter or exit a moving aircraft.

Walking to Aerocaches

If an Aerocache is hidden on the ground, you may need to get out of the aircraft and walk to its location.

Tip: To sprint in any direction, hold down Shift while pressing W,

S, A, or D.

Pilots often review checklists before performing routine procedures to

ensure that they do not miss crucial steps during each stage of a ight. Checklists also contain information specic to each aircraft, including approach speeds, cruise speeds, and throttle settings.

Using Checklists

Open checklists by pressing Q. Checklist procedures are called out in the order of operation. Each procedure is associated with a cockpit

instrument or control that will stay lit until the task is completed.

There are three keys to success when using a checklist: changing the

camera view, manipulating the controls, and monitoring the cockpit instruments.

Changing the Camera View

Before you complete any of the checklist tasks, you must be able to see the cockpit instruments and controls. You will need to adjust the

view in most aircraft to see controls located below or to the side of the

instrument panel.

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