F-16 Block 50 Panel Package


SimScape is proud to present the new F-16 Block 50 panel for FS2004 and FSX. This panel includes: Fully functional F-16 Head-Up Display (HUD), the master piece of this panel Functional Integrated Control Panel (ICP) Functional Data Entry Display (DED) Advanced autopilot system Vector graphics Multi-Function Displays (MFD) Full integration with Eric Marciano's radar Moving map with terrain elevation Vocal alerting system Audio radio-altimeter for low-level flights Full set of standard gauges (ADI, HSI, ...)

For easier installation, this panel is packaged with an aircraft so that you get a self-sufficient product with an automatic installer.
The aircraft and the panel are freeware, the HUD and the radar are the only paying parts. Get more information about registration here.

Head-Up Display (HUD) Integration

The HUD included in this panel has been developed by SimScape. Because it is a complex part of the panel, it is described and documented on the F-16 HUD page. The HUD is a paying product. A time-limited version with a 15-day trial period has been integrated in the panel to let you try it before you decide if you want to buy it or not.
IMPORTANT: The HUD can be used in 2D panel view, in Virtual Cockpit view or in full-screen view. To display the HUD in full-screen mode, switch the panel off by pressing the W key.

HUD in 2D panel view

HUD in full-screen view

Radar Integration

For an optimal experience, this panel has been designed to integrate the radar developed by Eric Marciano. It is not integrated in the panel because it is a paying product that requires a licence key. If you already own this radar, it will auotmatically appear in the right MFD of the panel. If you do not have the radar yet, you can get more information on the Eric Marciano website here.

(Click to see the full-resolution image in a new window)

Keep in mind that the radar is linked with the Head-Up Display (HUD). This is why we recommend the joint usage of both systems. Refer to the F-16 HUD page for more information.

Virtual Cockpit

The integration of the panel parts in the virtual cockpit is not perfect. This is because we can not change the way the VC is designed in the aircraft provided in the package. Some VC textures are missing to let us integrate the left MFD and other parts, the HUD integration in the VC is not as good as in the 2D panel, but this is the best we could do in an existing aircraft. If we could contact the designer of the aircraft, we would be able to provide a better integration.

Panel Layout

The F-16 panel is composed of the left and right MFDs, the ICP, the DED, the radar (if installed), the HUD and some standard gauges. All these panel parts are shown in the image below and will be explained later.

MFD Operation

The left and right MFDs can be popped-up for optimal readability, and their brightness can be adjusted.

To pop a MFD, click in the central area of the MFD, when the mouse cursor become a hand.
To adjust the brightness, move the mouse cursor to the central area of the MFD and roll the mouse wheel.

Note: These features are active only when the PFD is displayed on the left MFD and the Systems are displayed on the right MFD, as shown on the image below.

(Click to see the full-resolution image in a new window)

Left MFD

The left multi-function display shows the primary flight display (PFD) or the moving map. Some of the buttons around the MFD screen can be used to trigger actions, such as switch between PFD and moving map, show/hide the terrain elevation or increase/decrease the map range. Each active button has a legend that explains its function.


Left MFD showing the Primary Flight DIsplay	Left MFD showing the moving map with terrain

Right MFD

The right MFD displays the system display (SD) of the radar, if installed. The SD shows all the most important information about the engine, the gear, the slats and flaps, the airbrake and the fuel quantities.
If the radar is installed, the buttons located on the right border on the MFD let you select the radar mode and range, according to their legend.


Right MFD showing System Display	Right MFD showing the radar screen (not provided with the panel)

Autopilot

The autopilot system is very easy to use. When you engage the auopilot, it takes all the current parameters (heading, altitude, airspeed) as targets and maintains them. This is very useful for mid-air refueling.

(Click to see the full-resolution image in a new window)

You can then change the autopilot parameters (target heading, altitude and airspeed) using the ICP and DED. Please read the ICP and DED section.

ICP and DED

The integrated control panel (ICP) and data entry display (DED) are designed to work together to let you control the NAV/COM frequencies and the autopilot.

The set of pushbutton on the upper part of the ICP selects the DED mode:

COM to set the COM1/COM2 frequencies. Press this button, press 1 or 2 on the ICP keyboard to select COM1 or COM2, then enter the frequency using the ICP keyboard and press ENTER to validate. No decimal point is necessary, press 11030 to set a frequency of 110.30.
NAV to set the NAV1/NAV2 frequencies. It works like the COM frequency setting.
A-A to display air-air target information (only if the radar is installed). Note that the information provided here is different from the target information displayed on the radar. This is because the airspeed is corrected depending on your aircraft altitude.

Some buttons of the ICP keyboard (framed in red) have a specific function, shown on the upper part of the button:

4 is used to set the autopilot altitude
5 is used to set the autopilot heading
0 is used to set the autopilot airspeed

Keep in mind that when the autopilot is engaged, the current altitude, heading and airspeed are acquired as target altitude, heading and airspeed.


DED in AP mode	DED in COM mode	DED in Air-Air mode

The switch framed in blue is the audio radio-altimeter switch. It is switched ON on this image.
The audio radio-altimeter has been invented by the SimScape team. It is designed for very low-level flights. It triggers at or below 100 feet above the ground and generates a tone that depends on the aircraft height. Using this system, you can be aware of your height while keeping your eyes on the outside view to make sure you do not hit the ground. It is very convenient for low-level flights.

The 2 rotating knobs framed in green on the image let you control the HUD:

SYM to adjust the HUD focus
BRT to adjust the HUD brightness

Vocal Alerts

A vocal alerting system has been integrated to provide alerts in case of a danger, such as terrain collision, low altitude or low fuel level.
When you hear "Warning", you should pull up the stick to avoid terrain collision. When you hear "Bingo Fuel", you should land quickly because the fuel quantity on board is critically low. Other vocal announcement let you know the gear status.

Download & Registration

Click on the links below to download the F-16 panel for FS2004 and FSX.

F-16 Block 50 Panel
for FS2004

F-16 Block 50 Panel
for FSX (SP1 or SP2)

This panel includes a time-limited version of the F-16 HUD. If you want to get a full version (unlimited), direct to the F-16 HUD page.

Note for FSX users:
A warning will appear for each gauge of the F-16 panel when you load the aircraft for the first time. This is because the gauges are not digitally signed. Do not worry about this and accept all the gauges.

Copyright information

Aircraft

For easier installation and to provide a self-sufficient product, the SimScape F-16 panel is packaged with a freeware F-16 aircraft. This aircraft is the beautiful and popular F-16 Viper created by Kirk Olsson. We had the authorization from the author to include his aircraft in our package, as soon as the aircraft remains freeware. All the SimScape team thanks Kirk Olsson for this.

Analog Gauges

All the gauges included in this panel were developed by SimScape developers. Some gauges are based on old freeware gauges developed for FS98 by Flightsim Developers. We at SimScape were unable to contact any member of this group to ask them their authorization. This is why these gauges must remain freeware, the SimScape has just ported them to the newer FS2004 format that makes them compatible with FS2004 and FSX.

Head-Up Display (HUD)

The F-16 HUD is the master piece of this panel. The HUD is not freeware, it is sold by SimScape on the F-16 HUD page. For demonstration purpose, a time-limited version of the HUD is included in this panel. You are not authorized to use this HUD in your panels without the written authorization of SimScape.
If you are interested in using this HUD for professional purpose, please contact SimScape here.