3D and 3D PRO Questions and Answers
Q: Why does AlphaTrainer use the X-Plane simulator?
A: X-Plane uses “blade element” technology to determine the movement of the plane. The aerodynamic forces are calculated on hundreds of small polygons all over the aircraft, and then the laws of physics are used for movement and rotation. This more accurately portrays flight in an unusual attitude--which is what AlphaTrainer stands for. X-Plane also allows the user to visualize how the plane will fly.
Q: Why do AlphaTrainer airplanes have such abrupt stall characteristics?
A: The AlphaTrainer airplanes are fictional, and are designed specifically to demonstrate stalls and spins.
Q: How do I stop X-Plane?
A: From the menu bar, select “Files/Quit”.
Q: Why do I see a 747?
A: X-Plane uses the United B747-400 as a default airplane. If the 747 appears, just change to one of the AT planes.
Q: What should I do if it is simulated dark or night time when I start X-Plane?
A: Select “Settings/Date & Time”. Then on the next window use the mouse to drag the slider controls to set the time and date. X-Plane represents these conditions quite realistically, including the effects of latitude.
Q: Is there any way to use more of the functions of X-Plane?
A: Yes. You may fly the United Boeing 747 (located in “Aircraft/Heavy Metal”) and you may download any number of airplane models from places like x-plane.org. The full version of X-Plane 763 is available at www.boostair.ch/articles.php?lng=en&pg=117. AlphaTrainer uses X-Plane with permission from its author, Austin Meyer, but does not act as an agent so therefore we will not get involved with X-Plane usage or issues. Direct specific questions on X-Plane to info@x-plane.com.
Q: Can AlphaTrainer be used with X-Plane 8?
A: Yes. In the first place, you do not need to purchase the X-Plane 7 “RUN
TIME ONLY” CD. The AlphaTrainer and AlphaTrainer PRO CDs contain
self-extracting files that install X-Plane 7.63.exe, the minimum necessary
X-Plane 7 auxiliary files, v7 scenery for either Florida or the whole U.S.,
the AlphaTrainer airplane models, and the AlphaTrainer plugin.
Use the following procedure to use AlphaTrainer with X-Plane 8:
1. Copy the AlphaTrainer airplane folders (AT, AT Sport, etc.) from
AlphaTrainer 3D \ Aircraft to X-Plane 8.xx \ Aircraft.
2. Copy a file AlphaTrainer 3D \ Resources \ Plugins \ AlphaTrainerWin.xpl to
X-Plane 8.xx \ Resources \ Plugins \ AlphaTrainerWin.xpl
3. Copy a folder AlphaTrainer 3D \ Resources \ Plugins \ AlphaTrainer to XPlane
8.xx \Resources \ Plugins \ AlphaTrainer
NOTE: For these instructions “Win” may be “Mac” or “Lin” depending upon the
operating system. Additionally, “X-Plane 8.xx” should be the name used for
the main X-Plane 8 folder.
Q: Is there any way to get numeric output other than that provided by AlphaTrainer?
A: Yes. From the menu bar, click on “Data Input and Output” at the top of the screen and check the right most box nest to the items you want.
Q: Can I use the keyboard to control the plane?
A: Yes. A complete list is located in the following folder: AlphaTrainer- 3D/Instructions/Keys/X-Plane.txt. Please note that using only the keys for flight will not give the full benefit of AT, as the aggressive movement of elevator is what normally causes a stall, and this is not clearly depicted when using just the keys. The following table lists some of the most used keys. The number keys are at the top of the keyboard not on the keypad. Note that all alphabetical keys are lower case (do not use the “Shift” key in conjunction with them). Also note that some keys are different in X-Plane 8xx.
Keyboard |
Action |
|---|---|
1 |
Flaps up one notch |
2 |
Flaps down one notch |
3 |
Carb heat off |
4 |
Carb heat on |
7 |
Aileron trim left |
8 |
Aileron trim right |
9 |
Rudder trim left |
0 |
Rudder trim right |
B |
Toggle brakes with 2/3 stopping effort. This is used under normal situations |
V |
Toggle brakes with maximum stopping effort |
G |
Toggle gear up or down |
[ |
Elevator trim down |
] |
Elevator trim up |
P |
Toggle pause on and off |
W |
Forward view showing panel |
S |
Slightly toggle view down or up |
Q |
Toggle view left in 45° increments |
E |
Toggle view right in 45° increments |
Z |
Toggle view to rear |
; |
Toggle view to transparent panel. Must be in "W" view |
t |
Tower view |
# or C |
Runway view |
A |
Chase view |
| |
Free-rotate view with no panel (Use "Shift" and "\" keys) |
\ |
Free-rotate view with panel |
@ |
Spot view |
+ or _ |
Full screen view without airplane or panel |
; |
Toggle view to semi-transparent panel |
= |
Zoom in |
- |
Zoom out |
/ |
View X-Plane flight model vectors |
, |
Toggle to replay mode. Changes in airplane or location are ignored |
O |
Toggle 3-D flight path. Shows flight path as a line in space. Press again to display a line dropped to the ground once per second. |
CTRL 1 |
Start engine |
CTRL U |
Retract gear |
CTRL D |
Extend gear |
CTRL . |
Take a screenshot. These are saved as SCREENSHOT_x.BMP in the AlphaTrainer-3D PRO folder. |
CTRL Q |
View left and up in 45° increments |
CTRL E |
View right and up in 45° increments |
CTRL W |
Low-enroute map view |
Q: Is there a way to save a flight or portion thereof and see it again?
A: Yes. Pressing the “,” key will place the program in the replay mode, where the user can view the last 16 minutes of flight. Note that X-Plane does not save enough data to properly replay the numeric data or the vectors, so these are automatically turned off during replay.
Q: I loaded AlphaTrainer 3D on my Windows 98 computer got this message: “A required.DLL. file. Dinput8.DLL was not found”. What should I do?
A: This is Direct X8 by Microsoft. It is now at version 9, but it is backward-compatible. The program is available from the following link: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx?url=/windows/directx/downloads/default.htm