Above is a photo of the Avionics' Front Panel. Notice the Numbers assigned to each Switch and Push-button. These switch numbers will be used when we Program our Flight Simulator to recognize which button is pushed. The IGNITION Push Button Switch is assigned #2 (Position #1 is not used at this time). We'll get into programming the Flight Simulator in just a moment.

 With your computer running; Click on the 'START' Icon; then 'Control Panel', then 'Game Controllers'. With your Avionics Panel connected to the USB Port of the computer, you will see the window illustrated above. Click on 'Properties'.

Press the "Press to START" Button, note that the #2 RED Ball Lights. Now Flip the MASTER ALT/BAT Rocker Switch to its On then OFF Position. Note that the #3 RED Ball Flashes "ON' then goes 'OFF" in about 1/2 second. This is normal. Flip the MASTER ALT/BAT Rocker again. The #3 Ball flashes again. If you flip the AVIONICS MASTER, the #10 RED Ball will flash just like the ALT/BAT Rocker did.

Now press Buttons #'s 4 to 9 (one at a time) and note the corresponding RED Ball illuminates. This time the Ball lights for as long as you keep the button pressed. The AXIS window (X Axis/Y Axis) & the #1 RED Button will NOT Operate at this time.

Programming Your Flight Simulator

With the following instructions, it is assumed that you are already familiar with programming the 'SETTINGS' / 'ASSIGNMENT'   window in your version of MS Flight Simulator. If this operation is unfamiliar to you, you can go HERE (Installing the Brake Pedals on Your Flight Simulator) for an in-depth explanation to this procedure.

With your Flight Simulator running, Click on the 'SETTINGS' link then 'ASSIGN'. Highlight under 'Joystick Type' USB Joystick as seen below. We will now program the FS to acknowledge the switch settings of the Avionics Panel. To make things a bit easier, I will be going down the 'All Commands' (Event Category) in alphabetical order. When we reach the appropriate EVENT, I'll tell you which of the 10 buttons on the Avionics Panel to Press. OK? So lets Start.

Locate 'All Lights on/off' (see above) Assign Button #6 of the Avionics Panel to this Event. The REPEAT Bar is to be all the way to the LEFT.

Locate 'All Starters on/off' - Assign Button #2 to this Event. Button #2 is located on the "Press to START" Button. Press the Button then click OK. NOTE: The Repeat Bar is ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT. This IS IMPORTANT. Using your mouse, just drag the Repeat Bar to the Right. Then Click OK.

Now, Scroll down to 'Avionics master switch on/off' - Assign Button #10 to this Event. For the programming of the remaining switched, the Repeat Bar is to remain in its LEFT position.

Scroll down to 'Electric fuel pump on/off' - Assign Button #4 to this Event.

Scroll down to 'Landing Lights' - Assign this Event to Button #5.

Scroll Down to ' Master battery/Alternator switches on/off' - Assign this Event to Button #3.

Scroll Down to 'Pitot heat on/off' - Assign this Event to Button #9.

Scroll down to 'Panel lights on/off' - Assign this Event to Button #7.

Finally, Scroll Down to 'Strobe lights on/off' - Assign this Event to Button #8.

NOTE that pressing the NAV and Strobe, you will not be able to see any difference to the aircraft during daylight flights. Program FS Clock for a time of day after sunset, then press the NAV Lights Button. The Instrument Panel will light up. Strobe Lights can be seen if you switch to an outside view of your aircraft. You will notice wing and tail lights flashing.

One other thing to take notice of; Microsoft did not provide any means to control the TAXI Lights in FS2002. In order to turn on the Taxi lights, I programmed 'All lights on/off' using switch #6. This will turn on the Taxi lights but it will also turn on the Landing, NAV and Strobe lights as well. If this Assignment is not to your liking, it is an easy matter to re-program the #6 Button to some other setting; like Carb Heat.

Out of Sync Switches

Every so often, you might find that a switch on the Avionics Panel is not set as per the Instrument Panel on your Monitor (AKA Out of Sync). If you fine that the MASTER ALT/BAT and/or MASTER - AVIONICS switch is not in Sync with the Instrument Panel, just take your mouse and LEFT-Button CLICK on the Master Alt/Bat (and/or Avionics) on your monitor until BOTH switches match the Settings found on the Avionics Panel.

Using Your Cessna Avionics Panel

Once you have your Avionics Panel programmed via your Flight Simulator, it's now time to take it for a spin. Load your version of Microsoft's Flight Simulator. When Loaded and Running and Before you select the aircraft and flight, make sure the Avionics Panel's MASTER ALT/BAT is ON (#3 switch - See Above) MASTER AVIONICS Switch is ON (# 10 Switch). These are the Start-Up Settings of an un-modified Flight Simulator Program.

With your Cessna's Engine running (Check Tachometer - should be reading about 1200 RPM). Using your Mouse, click on and pull the FUEL Mix (Red Knob) All the way out. Within a second or two, the Engine Cuts-off. Now, with the Engine OFF  turn the MASTER ALT/BAT to its OFF Position  notice that ALL Electrical equipment turns off. Now, turn the AVIONICS MASTER Switch to OFF

To Restart the Engine, Flip the MASTER ALT/BAT to its ON Position. Your Panel's electrical systems comes to life; LED readouts light up, Meter Pointers move to their NORMAL Take-off Positions. To assist the Fuel in getting to the Engine, the FUEL Pump should be turned on at this time( #4 Switch). Press the FUEL PUMP Switch and notice that the Toggle switch displayed on your computer screen also flips UP at the same time. To turn OFF the FUEL PUMP, just press the #4 button again. Again, note that the Monitor's toggle switch also flips DOWN as the same time.

Using your CH Flight Yoke or Keyboard Mouse, set the Fuel Mixture to its FULL RICH setting (all the way in). Press the "Press to START" Button (#2 switch) and keep it pressed until the Engine is Running on its own. When running, remove your finger from the Button. If you wish, you can now flip the AVIONICS MASTER Switch to ON.