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Keys For Aircraft Lighting

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Guest rafvr

In addition to the Keys shewn in the Control Setup (All lIghts; Landing Lights; Strobe & Panel) Is it possible to operate the Beacon, Taxi & Nav lights from the keyboard or are they only available via the aircraft cockpit panel ??Many thanksGeorge

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In addition to the Keys shewn in the Control Setup (All lIghts; Landing Lights; Strobe & Panel) Is it possible to operate the Beacon, Taxi & Nav lights from the keyboard or are they only available via the aircraft cockpit panel ??Many thanksGeorge
It's not possible via the User Interface, but you can always hand edit the standard.xml file located in your "users" folder to add any possible key_event to a key stroke combination. The big problem of course is to make certain that you choose only UNUSED keyboard combinations!If you use Vista, you will find the standard.xml file here:M:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX\ControlsFor example, the following is the default entry for the landing lights:
		<Entry>			<Key>CTRL+L</Key>			<Down>LANDING_LIGHTS_TOGGLE</Down>		</Entry>

By searching the standard.xml file, I see that CTRL+SHIFT+F5 is not currently assigned to anything, so if I wanted to assign the "Beacon Lights" to those keys, I'd merely create a new entry like this:

		<Entry>			<Key>CTRL+SHIFT+F5</Key>			<Down>TOGGLE_BEACON_LIGHTS</Down>		</Entry>

In a similar manner you could add Taxi and Nav light control. The key_events for the various other lights are:TOGGLE_TAXI_LIGHTSTOGGLE_NAV_LIGHTSTOGGLE_CABIN_LIGHTSTOGGLE_WING_LIGHTSTOGGLE_RECOGNITION_LIGHTSTOGGLE_LOGO_LIGHTS


Fr. Bill    

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Guest rafvr

Many thanks for your help Fr Bill, I am not sure if I can manage it but I`m gonna have a tryRegardsGeorge

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I have tried and tried and I am unable to make this work. I go to the Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX\Controls standard.xml file and open it in notepad. I make a backup and save it as standard.xml.bak.txt. I then have entered a new entry into the standard.xml and saved it. Start FSX. That did not work. It did not show in the controls panel, or did it work with the Baron 58 I was using to test it. So I tried to use an entry that was already in the XML file and change the key stroke and TOGGLE_BEACON_LIGHTS. No Cigar. I know it can be done. Below is a copy of the Standard.xml file I have tried both BEACON_LIGHTS_TOGGLE and TOGGLE_BEACON_LIGHTS. Same result. Please help. <?xml version="1.0" encoding="Windows-1252"?><SimBase.Document Type="Controls" version="1,0" id="Standard"> <Descr>Controls Mapping File</Descr> <Filename>Standard.XML</Filename> <SimControls.Map> <Name>KEYBOARD_MAIN</Name> <Entry> <Key>SHIFT+F10</Key> <Down>KNEEBOARD_VIEW</Down> </Entry> <Entry> <Key>CTRL+SHIFT+]</Key> <Down>BEACON_LIGHTS_TOGGLE</Down> </Entry> <Entry> <Key>CTRL+S</Key> <Down>VIEW_PREVIOUS_TOGGLE</Down

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I've tried the method above and had no luck can you share how you got it to work? Thanks.

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Guest anthony31fs

BEST FREAKING TIP EVERThanks BillI've always been disappointed that Nav lights didn't have a key command so I've just added the necessary lines to my Standard.XML and it works a treat.For XP users you can find Standard.XML in HD:Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\FSX\ControlsOne thing to remember about Standard.XML is that if you delete your FSX.cfg to rebuild it then Standard.XML will also get rebuilt and any changes you have made will be lost. There are a lot of people about who will happily tell you that deleting FSX.cfg may solve problems you have FSX, what they forget to tell you (or they don't know) is that deleting FSX.cfg will also reset standard.xml to the default key combinations.Another point is that some addon aircraft may not use the standard key commands to control their lighting systems so these key commands will not work in those cases. I have had trouble with the Airbus X landing light not working properly with the standard key command.

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BEST FREAKING TIP EVERThanks BillI've always been disappointed that Nav lights didn't have a key command so I've just added the necessary lines to my Standard.XML and it works a treat.
You are most welcome, Ant! BTW, did you ever receive the image I sent you of the way the real Davtron clock is lighted?I'm still finding time to fly your lovely Tecnam Sierra from time to time. :(

Fr. Bill    

AOPA Member: 07141481 AARP Member: 3209010556


     Avsim Board of Directors | Avsim Forums Moderator

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Guest anthony31fs

Hi BillIf I did receive the pic of the Davtron then I've forgotten (I do have a habit of forgetting things) :)There's some pics of the Drifter I'm working on at my website if you want to have a look .So many triangles!!

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If I did receive the pic of the Davtron then I've forgotten (I do have a habit of forgetting things) :)There's some pics of the Drifter I'm working on at my website if you want to have a look .So many triangles!!
No problem. A google.com search on the keywords "Davtron lighting" will show all of the different versions/models of their clocks, and show how they are lighted! :( As far as I can determine, they've never manufactured a clock that wasn't lighted...The safety wire detail on the prop bolts is excellent! :(

Fr. Bill    

AOPA Member: 07141481 AARP Member: 3209010556


     Avsim Board of Directors | Avsim Forums Moderator

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I'd hate to be a buzzkill here but does anyone know how to apple the same assignments to FS9?? :(

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I'd hate to be a buzzkill here but does anyone know how to apple the same assignments to FS9?? :(
You can't. There's no provision in FS9 for custom keyboard assignments. Sorry!

Fr. Bill    

AOPA Member: 07141481 AARP Member: 3209010556


     Avsim Board of Directors | Avsim Forums Moderator

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I'd hate to be a buzzkill here but does anyone know how to apple the same assignments to FS9?? :(
You can't. There's no provision in FS9 for custom keyboard assignments. Sorry!
Sure you can.If you have FSUIPC (and you should have at least the free version) it is explained in the included documentation.List of FS2004 controls.pdf lists all commands available in FS9, any of which can be assigned to a keyboard command.The keyboard codes are listed starting on page 21 of FSUIPC for Advanced Users.pdfEdit your FS9.cfg [KEYBOARD_MAIN] section to include the additions you want, being careful to not mess up any existing key commands.regards,Joe

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