The Gravis MouseStick® & Flight Simulator Overview
Microsoft® Flight Simulator® is a real-time flight simulation program, suitable for pilots of all ages and levels of experience. Its extensive flight controls, instrumentations and flight characteristic provide a realistic simulation of various aircraft and flying conditions.
In their quest to produce the most realistic flight simulation possible the creators of Flight Simulator provided you with the most precise and realist flight controls systems possible. As a Flight Simulator pilot you have a choice between using your keyboard for for flight controls, using your mouse as a yoke or using a single or dual joysticks. At the time of Flight Simulator's release the Gravis MouseStick is the only joystick fully compatible with Flight Simulator and its full compliment of joystick control options. Advanced Gravis worked closely the authors of Flight Simulator and together we have provided joystick features and options never before available on the Macintosh.
The following information will explain several MouseStick / Flight Simulator items and show you how to take control of your favorite Flight Simulator aircraft with a Gravis MouseStick:
Before You Take Flight
Several custom MouseStick settings are provided for Flight Simulator. All of these are based on a common MouseStick Set handle and screen response settings but with different button commands. One of these MouseStick Sets must be downloaded to each MouseStick being used or Flight Simulator will not respond in a satisfactory manner. These settings are described in Chapter 3 "Extended Notes" and a quick reference sheet (Chapter 4) can be printed from this document.
Button Positions
Each MouseStick button can be assigned as Button 1, 2 or 3 by turning the Button Position Indicators on the left side of the MouseStick. The following information and all MouseStick Sets published by Advanced Gravis are based on the assumption that the base mounted button the furthest away from you (closest to the cable) is assigned as Button 1, the handle mounted Button is assigned as Button 2 and the button closest to you is assigned as Button 3.
The Correct MouseStick Version
To make full use of the Gravis MouseStick with Flight Simulator you must have the Gravis Utilities version 2.1.4 or greater and your MouseStick processor (GMPU) must have a ROM version 3.3 or greater. The version number of the Gravis Utilities “Set Maker” and “Gravis” cdev can be determined by selecting the file and choosing the Finder’s “Get Info” command. The GMPU ROM version is indicated in the Set Maker’s main screen.
MouseStick - Joystick or Mouse
Flight Simulator was written to make special use of the Gravis MouseStick. Flight Simulator recognizes the MouseStick as a special and specific “Joystick”. It will not function as a mouse while Flight Simulator is running as the active application. A Gravis SuperMouse™ or standard Apple mouse is required for accessing menus and other cursor control items within the program.
Auto Loading Your Flight Simulator Setting
The MouseStick’s “Gravis” cdev file will load a single MouseStick Set each time you start your Macintosh. If you are using only one MouseStick you may wish to designate your favorite MouseStick Set as the “Startup Set”. If you are using two MouseSticks, please refer to “Dual MouseStick Setup” for instructions on configuring two MouseSticks.
Single MouseStick
If you plan to fly with only one MouseStick, I suggest starting with the MouseStick Set titled “Flight Simulator - throttle”. This MouseStick Set has Buttons 1 and 3 set up to increase and decrease your throttle respectively. Button 2 will toggle your view between cockpit, tower, spot and tracking view modes. This is a basic setting for casual flight.
...When the Set is finished downloading, quit Set Maker.
...Open Flight Simulator.
...Select “Preferences...” from the “Edit” menu.
...Select “1 Joystick” from the “Joystick:” option.
...Click the “OK” button.
Control Check
As you move the stick handle left and right your aileron and rudder position indicators should respond. When the MouseStick handle is moved forward and back the elevator position indicator should track your movement. If your rudder position indicator is not responding, select “Auto Coordination” from the “Options” Menu.
To test the throttle buttons, press and hold Button 1 then repeat this with Button 3. Your throttle position indicator should climb while Button 1 is pressed and decrease while Button 3 held down. Pressing Button 2 should cause your view mode to change. If your buttons are not responding correctly check the positions of your “Button Position Selectors” on the left side of your MouseStick and adjust then if necessary.
Users with a single MouseStick can also download MouseStick Sets with the “Gravis” cdev.
Your favorite Flight Simulator setting can be designated as the “Startup Set”. The Gravis cdev will automatically downloaded the designated Set each time you start your computer.
Dual MouseSticks
With two Gravis MouseSticks you can control your ailerons, elevators, throttle and rudder or brakes with the two joysticks; one for ailerons and elevators, the other for throttle and rudder or brakes. In addition to the basic flight controls you can assign separate keyboard controls to each of the six MouseStick buttons.
For your first dual MouseStick flight I suggest the “Flight Simulator - trim/view” and “Flight Simulator - views” settings. “Flight Simulator - trim/view” provides elevator trim on Buttons 1 and 3 and toggles views modes between cockpit, tower, spot and track with Button 2. “Flight Simulator - views” changes your view direction. A single click of Button 1 provides a view angle of 45 degrees left, 90 degrees for a double click and 135 degrees on a triple click. Button 3 does the same to the right side of your aircraft. A single or triple click of Button 2 changes the view to 12 o’clock and a double click to 6 o’clock.
First Solo With Dual MouseSticks:
...Open the Set Maker application.
...Click the “Device” button (above the Set List on the right side).
...Press a button on one of your MouseSticks
and hold it down for a couple of seconds.
...Select the “Flight Simulator - trim/view” Set.
...Click the “Download” button.
...Click the “Device” button again.
...Press and hold a button on the second MouseSticks.
...Select the “Flight Simulator - views” Set.
...Click the “Download” button.
...Quit the Set Maker.
...Open Flight Simulator.
...Select “Preferences...” from the “Edit” menu.
...Select “2 Joysticks” from the “Joystick:” option.
...Click the “OK” button.
Control Check
Move each MouseStick handle while watching your control position indicators to determine which MouseStick is being recognized by Flight Simulator as Joystick 1 and Joystick 2. You may have to swap their positions on your desktop.
Give each button a single, double and triple click to verify their operation and to observe the response.
Information Addendum
The following MouseStick related items were late changes to Flight Simulator and may be overlooked by some users.
Noncentering Joystick
Flight Simlulator no longer requires a noncentering joystick for joystick #2. The Gravis MouseSticks can be used as both Joystick 1 and Joystick 2 with any level of handle tension. Both of these joysticks use the same basic MouseStick configuration settings so either stick can be used a #1 or #2.
Joystick Calibration
Calibration is a process of coordinating the program’s controls center to the joystick’s center; a requirement with analog joysticks. The MouseStick uses precise optical technology and Flight Simulator will self-calibrate with the MouseStick when the program starts if the MouseStick’s handle is centered. You can use the “Calibrate” button in the “Joystick...” control dialog or an alternate calibration key if the MouseStick’s centering requires adjustment. This can also be done at anytime by pressing the “J” key. Your control position indicators will center and calibrate with the joystick handle position.
Throttle Control, Joystick 2
The MouseStick handle can be pushed forward or pulled back to increase or decrease your throttle. It must first pass through a small null zone before the throttle control responds. Once the throttle is set to the desired position, allow the MouseStick handle to re-center—the throttle will remain at the indicated position.
Parking Brake, Joystick 2
A new Parking Brake feature has been added to Flight Simulator. The Parking Brake is only available from the second joystick when set for throttle and brake control. To activate the parking brake move the handle of Joystick 2 fully left and hold it there for a moment. When the handle is returned to center the brake will remain on. To deactivate the parking brake move the MouseStick handle to the right.
Button Repeat Rate
Up to 3 separate keystroke commands can be assigned to each MouseStick button. The rate at which the keystrokes are repeated can be set with the “Keyboard” cdev, an Apple Control Panel Device. The key repeat rate can be adjusted for faster or slower response to throttle, flap, elevators and similar Flight Simulator commands that are executed by MouseStick buttons.
