SlewAssist for FSX
SlewAssist permits mouse controlled movement of the aircraft during flight, in many different ways and combinations.
Although the software is called “SlewAssist”, it is important to note that its capabilities may be used when FSX is in Slew Mode, Pause Mode, or Regular Flight Mode.
Since “Slewing” was introduced as a feature in Flight Simulator many versions ago, the only way to actually slew the aircraft was via the provided hotkeys (fast and slow slewing). This method gives very little control of preciseness and does not easily cater for the exacting needs of today’s scenery designers and general flight simulation users.
FSWidgets are proud to release an industry first in features and functionality with SlewAssist. Please note it can only be used with FSX, it will not work with Flight Simulator versions prior to FSX.
Feature List:
- Mouse controlled movement of the aircraft in Slew Mode, Pause Mode or Regular Flight Mode.
- Modular design, so only the screens required need to be visible at any given time.
- All screens “Roll Up” to minimize screen space and enable maximum viewing outside the cockpit.
- Can be used with all aircraft without any configuration required.
- Can be used remotely on a network connected machine, either on a local LAN or on another computer half way across the world via the internet.
- Precise movement is possible based on units of measure including Millimeters, Centimeters, Meters, Kilometers, Inches, Feet, Yards, Decimiles, Decinmiles, Miles and Nautical Miles.
- Absolute movement of latitude, longitude, altitude, pitch, bank and heading.
- Relative movement of latitude, longitude, altitude, pitch, bank and heading.
- Ability to save movement values and settings for reuse later.
- Relative movement speed is completely adjustable.
- Optional transparent windows to further increase visibility.
- Display output containing important FSX state data to assist with movement.
- Menu driven via FSX when in “Local” mode.
- Configurable hotkeys for showing and hiding SlewAssist and associated screens.
Examples of Use
SlewAssist can be used for many things in many different ways. As you start using the software we are sure you will come up with lots of novel uses for it.
To kickstart things along, here are a few suggestions we thought of
- Scenery Designers and developers requiring fast and precise movement around the FSX world and environment. You could even use SlewAssist for
- accurate measurement of scenery. If you want to know what lat/lon location is 300 meters to the left of your current position it’’s easy. If you want to see
- what is 250 yards away at heading 286, it’’s easy. If you want millimeter accurate coordinates, it’’s easy.
- Stall recovery training. Position the aircraft at specific pitch, bank and roll angles, save that setting and then practice published recovery procedures.
- Assist with finding thermals for gliding and soaring. Easily slew around (particularly up) to increase glide time or to practice manouvers.
- Casual simmers simply wanting to explore an area of scenery quickly and easily.
- Anyone wanting mouse controlled slewing to replace the inbuilt FSX keyboard slew commands. Remember, SlewAssist works in FSX slew mode, pause mode and regular flight mode too.
- Anyone wanting the ability to slew from a remote machine, perhaps as flight instruction or training.
- Anyone needing to rapidly switch to a saved location and specific aircraft rotation parameters.
- Those who need to make an instant adjustment during flight, perhaps increase altitude by 500ft when final approach altitude is too low.
- Assist with taxiing, very simple to rotate on the spot or “move” directly to a runway if need be.
- Hands free “flying” of sorts. Using the relative slider controls (explained later) you can actually fly in a fashion. It’s not real flying mind you, but it does allow controlled, hands free aircraft movement in all directions and at any speed. Perhaps a good way to simply sit back and enjoy the scenery.
- Take the perfect screenshot by positioning your aircraft exactly where you want it.
