UPDATE: 4.37-U2
New Version - 4.37-U2 - Training Script 4.37-U2 Ramp Start
This 4.37-U2 Ramp Start script updates to the “latest” -U2 Ramp Start mission.
It changed from using the Pause & Freeze keyboard keys to using the Trigger button on the stick (listen closely for the Trigger prompts!), as well as updating the dialog and timing for the longer taxi and extra packages now.
Let me know how it works for you.

Thanks!

UPDATE: 4.37-U1
New Version - 4.37-U1 - Training Script 4.37-U1 Ramp Start
This 4.37-U1 Ramp Start script is new version, to allow the full interaction and operation of the switches, knobs, dials, etc., by you, the pilot!

You’ll still be voice-guided through the entire startup, taxi and takeoff process, (per the current 4.37-U1 Training manual), but this time, YOU will be ‘actively’ doing all of the steps (There are still a few volume, radio setting, SEC & visor steps that are still performed by the IP, but those are minimal).

I purposely didn’t mention the new checklist, since it sounds like they might be slightly modifying the training mission and integrating those changes into the next U2 version of the Training manual . When U2 arrives, maybe I can update a U2 version for the script, too.

---- Enjoy and share what you think with the community, to make it even better! ---------------------

As a part-time user of Falcon BMS, I’ve always wondered why I’ve never seen any training scripts in the forum or included with the Training Missions.

Now I know why the devs (or anyone else, for that matter) have not included any kind of training scripts with the training missions! This is VERY time consuming and tedious work. Linked below is nearly 1700 lines of fairly basic, linear, step-by-step instructions, with literally hundreds of ‘write, test, write again, test again, change timing, test again’ moments. (1-3 free time hours at a time, over about 2 months!)

I figured out how to write a training script by reading the Technical Manual (section 14), since I’ve always thought that a brand new BMS pilot could always use a little more help starting out! (Including me). And this would be simple, basic training, actually running inside BMS!

I created the manual script file for use with the first 4.37 training mission, “Mission 1: Ground Ops”, Ramp Start & Takeoff. It guides you through the whole training mission from cold and dark to takeoff and gear up. I followed the Training Manual as closely as possible, with very few variations. I also used the FREEZE and PAUSE keyboard commands frequently, to start and stop the training flow and timing. If you follow the instructions exactly, it keeps you in the right place, at the right time, so you take off exactly on-time.

I quickly discovered that the ‘SetFont’ function really doesn’t work that good (the text is too small to read and it really slows down the learning process), so I decided to record the instructions with voice commands instead of text, using the ‘Sound’ function.

I found the free, Any Text To Voice app in the Microsoft Store and used two standard voices (Microsoft Zira and Microsoft David) to convert my written text instructions to 179 voice .wav files. I put these .wav files in a new, separate folder (TR_BMS_01_GroundOPS_Voice - 25mb) - in my [C:\Falcon BMS 4.37\Data\Campaign] Campaign folder, so they would be accessible to the training script ‘Sound’ functions. Even though they sound a little artificial, they certainly get the message across, but more importantly, the voice files can be converted to ANY language or accent, simply by changing the stock, international Microsoft voices in the ‘Any Text’ app and re-recording the files to the new language! Multi-lingual BMS voice training, anyone? Prefer an instructor with a British accent? Want it in Spanish or French? This can be done.

I hope that sharing this script and the voice files will prompt others to give it a try (as long as you have a lot of patience!) During the process I discovered a few tips, testing methods and sample code sections that really helped out a lot. For example, I created a temporary screen grid to more closely identify the coordinate locations for screen items that I couldn’t use with the ‘HiLite3DButton’ function (drawing objects, circles and lines). And whenever you’re highlighting a button for the user, make sure you’re in 2D Cockpit Mode. Include a 1 second ‘Wait’ function before or after moving a view, etc.

Please feel free to modify, borrow, rearrange or copy any part of these files for your own personal use.
Or use it to learn the BMS scripting language yourself, to create even more Training missions to share!

If you have any tips to improve the script, please post them, but be aware that I’m nowhere close to having the technical knowledge of the devs or most of you out there.
Your honest and fair feedback may help me or somebody else out there with a future, sticky script problem.

Maybe someday this training script (or others) can eventually be included with the sim. Maybe you can create one too. Give it a try. You never know!

I hope it helps all of us to become better F-16 pilots!

Link to 18.8Mb .zip file - Training Script 4.37 - 01 Ramp Start.zip -(1st Edition)

Included in the .zip file are:

1. TR_BMS_01_GroundOPS.txt [training script - goes in Campaign folder (base Korea)] - 54kb

2. TR_BMS_01_GroundOPS_Voice folder [folder of .wav file instructions - 179 .wav files - goes in Campaign folder (base Korea)] - 25Mb
   Both go in the (base Korea) Campaign folder - C:\Falcon BMS 4.37\Data\Campaign

3. TR_BMS_01_GroundOPS Text File.pdf [26 pages - commented and printed listing of the complete training script - using Notepad++] - 451kb

4. Readme.pdf [1 page - Install instructions, basic UI settings, tips, etc.] - 646kb

@Noodle
I share your dilemma with the training documentation and checklist issue. (Everyone seems to have their own method of starting the jet; bare minimum to “as real as it gets”.) I created my own personal ‘Training Digest’ that consolidates and focuses most of what you probably ‘should do’ for the first three training missions.
Since I don’t have the opportunity to fly very often, I always forget something, so that’s why I created my own custom ‘Digest’ to follow on these first 3 missions, rather than the checklist.
Before anything, you must at least read the ‘official’ Training Missions all the way through, to understand what’s happening, but once you’ve done that, it’s a matter of practice until you have the mission ‘steps’ memorized.
My “Training Digest” is a Word document so I can easily adjust, tweak and change it when the ‘official’ Training Manual changes with each update.
Give it a look and see if it helps you too.

UPDATE for 4.37-U2!
Check the top of the thread again for the next “new and improved” 4.37-U2 BMS Ramp Start Training Script!
It’s updated to reflect the changes in the newer, U2 mission (more packages, longer taxi), and now uses the trigger button on the stick to pause and continue. (Listen carefully for the trigger prompts!) I also updated some of the dialog to clarify some things in the script.
Happy Training!
Enjoy!

NEW!
See the top of the thread for the “new and improved” 4.37-U1 BMS Ramp Start Training Script!

Now, YOU actively do the Ramp Start, including full user interaction, while the voice guidance from the IP tells you what to do next, without having to go back and forth to the Training manual!
It’s a great way to memorize and learn this process.

Enjoy!

@SoBad
The talent and generosity of this forum never ceases to amaze me!
Bravo, for a clear, simple and VERY helpful guide to get a campaign off the ground.

@SemlerPDX
I asked for volunteers on this training mission and Microsoft Zira and David were the only ones to raise their hands, so I don’t want to upset my new IP or crew chief after they’ve already done the work .

Maybe on future training missions, we can solicit other ‘IP’s’ or ‘crew chiefs’ with nicer voices, but for this first mission, I feel obligated to let them serve, for now!

@Micro_440th
I decided that the logical thing to do was also the simplest… to simply turn the Comm1 volume down or up (in the script), to speak to the ATC as necessary, so they wouldn’t disrupt the training session. (It’s working, so far.)

Regarding the backup UHF and Comm2, see page 14, section 5 and page 20 of the training Manual. Later in the mission, in the Arming Area, the user is directed to change to the Tower frequency using channel 3 of the comms ladder (page 32), so maybe that will have to be enough of an intro to the ladder, for only this first training mission. As we know all too well, at some point, the pilot still has to read the manuals to get a complete understanding of this sim, aircraft and their capabilities.

FYI, I’m also re-writing the script to require the pilot trainee to push the buttons, switches, toggles, etc. so they can actually “do it” for themselves and not just watch the Ramp Start. It’s a lot more work, but better, in the end, I think. (Thanks for the feedback @Todd1215 !) They’ll be hard-pressed to get to the takeoff on time (1:32 comes awfully quick so the Tower probably won’t be happy…), but at least they’ll be able to “learn it by doing it”.

@Arbitur
Looking forward to seeing more interest in the expansion of training scripting by others in the community. Best of luck with your “helper” program!

@jayb I’ve done that too, and it works great, but I’ve also adjusted the Precision setting in TIR to 125 instead of the default 100 and it has made a nice difference in the smoothness, so I don’t have to ‘pause’ the sim as often to read the kneeboards. For me, any precision setting above 200 slows TIR movement down too much. In combat or other flying situations, I keep TIR Precision off, but when doing routine ‘in-cockpit’ tasks, I’ll turn on Precision (F7) and it has made a nice difference.

@mack97
The differences between the two are pretty minor but right now, for learning purposes, I’d stick with the training manual. It fills in the extra info you need to fully understand what’s happening during the start up and uses the 3 sweep method of remembering all of the steps. Once you’re comfortable with the process, you’ll have the knee pad checklist to fall back on, in case you need a reminder.

@Aragorn
I’m going to tweak it some more, to see if there are any significant problems that pop up.

Sometimes the trickiest part is keeping it running smoothly and still doing what you expect it to do… but also with timing that ‘feels’ right! Not sure how long that will take, but I’ll give it a shot.

If there are no major issues, I’ll upload a newer version, ASAP.

@Noodle

@Noodle
I share your dilemma with the training documentation and checklist issue. (Everyone seems to have their own method of starting the jet; bare minimum to “as real as it gets”.) I created my own personal ‘Training Digest’ that consolidates and focuses most of what you probably ‘should do’ for the first three training missions.
Since I don’t have the opportunity to fly very often, I always forget something, so that’s why I created my own custom ‘Digest’ to follow on these first 3 missions, rather than the checklist.
Before anything, you must at least read the ‘official’ Training Missions all the way through, to understand what’s happening, but once you’ve done that, it’s a matter of practice until you have the mission ‘steps’ memorized.
My “Training Digest” is a Word document so I can easily adjust, tweak and change it when the ‘official’ Training Manual changes with each update.
Give it a look and see if it helps you too.

@airtex2019

I solved my ‘Cougar’ Autopilot problem.
The default, hard-coded BMS key files don’t allow programming of F9 (TIR Pause) to a button, so I was always stuck with using the keyboard when I wanted to “freeze” my view while in TIR (pressing buttons, setting dials, etc).
I originally programmed my Cougar in Foxy by adding the combo of S3(Pinky) and S4(Paddle), to toggle/pause TIR from my stick, because it wouldn’t work in the Launcher. For whatever reason, that doesn’t work now, so I was able to get around it by using ‘logical flags’ instead of direct button commands in Foxy.
I added this piece to my Cougar_DX.tmj file and everything works perfectly now, with no hiccups.
I just press Pinky and Paddle for 1/4 sec and my TIR view pause/freezes. Press them again and things are back to normal TIR mode again!

Rem ------------------------------------
Rem           Track IR 5 Pause
Rem ------------------------------------

DEF X1 DELAY(250) S3 AND S4
BTN X1 TIR_Pause 

@airtex2019
I think I found the problem…
my Paddle switch won’t take the command in Launcher Keymapping.
I recently added a TUSBA-R2 to my system and everything worked OK, prior to this change.
I’ve got some hardware checking to do.
I’ll let you know once I figure out the problem.
Thanks for the reply!

In TO 1F-16CM/AM-1 BMS manual, section 17.13.1, Autopilot Operation, (P. 115), it says, “The altitude reference may be changed by depressing the paddle switch, changing altitude, and releasing the paddle switch.”
This used to always work perfectly, but now when I hold the Paddle switch to change altitude (in ALT HOLD mode), when I release the Paddle switch, the AP takes me back to the original altitude set.
Did something change here, or am I doing something wrong?

@JohnnoNinja
Have you got the Windows Axes box checked? It’s easy to miss.
Here’s the CCP Axis Setup config on my Cougar stick, if this helps…
(My USB rudder is separate, so I don’t use those settings in CCP)

@jayb I’ve done that too, and it works great, but I’ve also adjusted the Precision setting in TIR to 125 instead of the default 100 and it has made a nice difference in the smoothness, so I don’t have to ‘pause’ the sim as often to read the kneeboards. For me, any precision setting above 200 slows TIR movement down too much. In combat or other flying situations, I keep TIR Precision off, but when doing routine ‘in-cockpit’ tasks, I’ll turn on Precision (F7) and it has made a nice difference.

@airtex2019
Thanks for the heads up!
I’ll play around with the TIR Precision settings instead, to see if I can get the motion/movement to “calm down” a bit, while I’m selecting things in the cockpit.

Is there a “limit or range” for these numbers?

I want to make it easier to mouse-click in the 3D cockpit with a 4K monitor and using TrackIR.
I would hope this might help.
Are there options/settings for set g_f3DPitButtonDetectFactor?
Is this a 0/1/2 or 0/100 type of thing, or are there are no options at all?