Frequently Asked Questions


Based on users comments so far, these are the most common problems people are having problems with. I'll update this over time.

INSTALLATION

Q: The plane won't start on my Mac.
A: The Mac version isn't ready yet but should be done by the end of December. An announcement will be made when that is ready.

Q: The license file that was sent me doesn't work.
A: This is a weird one. On one system, the license file was found to have html code embedded in it. The file must be saved as a basic text file in something like notepad. Send me your serial number again and either enter it manually into the license file or enter it in your registration window. Make sure you close the window first before re-opening the plane! Closing the file saves the license file.

SETUP


Q: The fancy specular lighting does not show up on my system.
A: Go to the X-plane Rendering Options window and make sure that the option for per-pixel lighting is turned on.

Q: It's too much work to use all of the virtual cockpit functions. Is there another way I control all of the aircraft systems?
A: Yes! Push F12 to open the key command interface. You can use key commands in this menu to control almost all CF-104 systems. If you have a programmable joystick you can also program that to run any of the key commands.

Q: The F12 function key for the key command menu doesn't work. 
A: There are possible conflicts with other plugins that use hot keys. I will add a new menu to let you assign the functions that use hot keys to any other key. If you are desperate to use this, you can move other plugins out of your X-Plane/resources/plugins folder while you are flying the plane.

UPDATES / REPAINTS / NEW MISSIONS / SCENERY

Q: Where do I find a paint kit, updates, mission scenery, etc?
A: The paint kit with all of the necessary pdf files, and all free updates are or will be available from my web site at:
Classic Jet Simulations Web Site


OPERATION

Q: The landing gear doesn't work correctly. The gear doors won't close.
A: You must follow the setup procedures in the manual. The CF-104 Joystick and Axis setup menu has an option to assign the gear toggle to a function on your stick. I had to override the X-Plane landing gear system to provide extra functionality not supported by the sim, making this necessary. You can also use the "g" key to toggle the gear. You don't have to change any X-Plane joystick preferences. They will continue to work for other aircraft.

Q: The aileron trim doesn't work.
A: You must follow the setup procedures in the manual. The CF-104 Joystick and Axis setup menu has an option to assign the aileron trim to a function on your stick. I had to override the X-Plane trim system to provide extra functionality not supported by the sim, making this necessary. You don't have to change any X-Plane joystick preferences. They will continue to work for other aircraft.


Q: How do I open the canopy?
A: Push F12 to open the key command menu. Select the General Equipment option and then the toggle canopy open/close option. I'll fix the aircraft so that you can click on the canopy open lever to open the canopy.

Q: After I re-start the plane, a warning tone is playing.
A: This is a bug on my part. The plugin is not detecting that the plane is now on the ground and the gear lever is up. Just toggle the gear lever to down and the sound will go away. This is the gear warning tone.


FLYING ISSUES

Q: The plane becomes unstable at supersonic speeds at low altitudes.
A: This appears to be frame-rate related. If the frame rate is above 50 fps the problem does not appear. It also is not a problem at higher altitudes.

Q: When I start flying aggressively, the plane goes out of control an into a flat spin.
A: This ain't no F-16! You've probably encountered pitch-up. Watch your APC gauge. If it gets past a reading of 5 this indicates that your pitch rate is too high or you Angle-of-Attack is too high. Beyond this point, the plane will pitch-up and spin.

Q: My plane goes into a rapid roll when I'm landing.
A: See next question!

Q: What is BLC and Symmetric BLC?
A: BLC stands for Boundary Layer Control. The manual has more details on this but with flaps in landing configuration, air is ducted from the engine over the flaps to provide more lift at low speed. This would occur at engine RPMs of around 82%. Below that engine speed, the BLC would cut out and you'd lose a lot of lift. For this reason, engine rpms must be kept above 83% during landing. You will see an option in the Plugins-CF-104 Systems-Preferences window that let you select Symmetric BLC. In most aircraft BLC was un-symmetric such that it would come alive over one wing before the other. If you have it set to be un-symmetric, you will lose lift on one wing before the other as you reduce engine rpms below 83%. If you are close to stall speed, one wing will stall and you'll find yourself in a very rapid roll.