AOA Setup
Angle of Attack indexers are typically mounted on the left side of heads up displays.
Follow the simple steps below to attach your AOA indexer.
1. Peel the backing off one side of the included double-sided adhesive foam square.
2. Affix the foam square to the right side of the AOA indexer.
3. Remove the backing from the unused side of the double-sided adhesive foam square and affix to the left HUD bracket.
4. Proceed to the software configuration directions outlined below for DCS World and other supported simulators.
AOA Setup: DCS
Both the Naval and Air Force AOA indexers utilize Arduino Nano microcontrollers. Thanks to the freeware DCS-BIOS and Arduino IDE software, your AOA indexer can be configured for use with the DCS World F-16C, F/A-18C and F-14B.
Follow the 5 steps to install and configure DCS-BIOS as outlined in the Documentation (links below):
6. Download and install Arduino IDE. CLOSE DCS BIOS BEFORE PROCEEDING!
7. Download the Arduino AOA indexer file you plan to use. For the F-16C click the 'AOA-AF' button and for the F/A-18C or F-14B click 'AOA-Naval'. Unzip the downloaded file to your preferred location.
8. Open either Arduino file and click 'Select Board'. Choose your new COM# from Step 5. ('Unknown COM8' in the example below).
9. A new window will appear 'Select Other Board and Port'. On the left side, select 'Arduino Nano' under 'BOARDS' and your new COM# should be selected on the right side under 'PORTS'. Click 'OK'.
10. Press 'Ctrl + S' to save your changes.
11. Load the AOA script to your AOA indexer by clicking the 'Upload' (Right Arrow) button on the top left (Make sure DCS Bios is closed. If DCS-BIOS is running, it will prevent Arduino IDE from loading the AOA script).
12. Launch DCS-BIOS. You are now ready to fly in DCS World!
AOA Setup: P3D FSX FS9
For MSFS2020, Prepar3D, FSX & FS9, we recommend Air Manager by Sim Innovations (payware). Air Manager provides the communication link to your AOA indexer and will automatically recognize all of the simulators above.
1. Download, install and activate Air Manager by Sim Innovations. Refer to the User Manual for installation guidance and directions.
2. Download the AOA instrument files for Air Manager. Unzip the file to your preferred location.
3. Open your Device Manager, expand the 'Ports' line and plug in your AOA Indexer using the provided USB A - USB Mini B cable.
4. A new 'COM#' will appear under 'Ports (COM & LPT)'. Make a note of the new COM#.
5. Open Air Manager and from the 'Home' tab, click the 'Flash' icon on the top right of the ribbon menu.
6. The 'Select your board' menu will appear. Select 'Arduino Nano' from the list of board options and click 'Next'.
7. From the 'Board Settings' menu under 'Com port', select the newly found COM# from Step 4 (COM8 in the example below) and click 'Flash' at the bottom of the menu.
The 'Flashing board' window will display the status of Air Manager's firmware installation.
8. When complete, click 'Close' at the bottom of the window.
9. 'Arduino Nano (A)' will appear under 'Air Manager'. Click the 'Panel' icon above to add an instrument panel.
10. Click on 'Blank Panel' and click 'Add' at the bottom of the window.
11. When the window below appears, click 'Add' again at the bottom.
12. The new panel will appear below 'Air Manager'. Under 'General Settings', rename as desired. In this example we will rename it to 'T-45C' and import the T-45 AOA indexer. Check 'Start the panel automatically...' and 'Do not show panel' under Windows preferences.
13. With your new panel selected, click 'Air Manager' on the top left next to 'Help' and select 'Import' from the drop-down menu.
14. Point to the 'AM_AOAs_Grp1.siff' you downloaded and extracted in Step 2 and click 'Open'.
15. Check the box next to the aircraft's AOA indexer for the panel you created and click 'Import'.
16. Click the 'Instrument' icon to add an instrument to your T-45C panel.
17. Click on the newly imported T-45 AOA Indexer on the right side of the window and click 'Add'. If it's not visible in the list, simply restart Air Manager and start from Step 16.
18. Click the light bulb on your T-45C panel while flying to turn on and off your T-45's AOA indexer.
Happy Flying!
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