While flying the VEX AIR Drone in the VEX AIR Flight Simulator, many of the flight settings can be adjusted directly on the VEX AIR Drone Controller. This gives you practice with how to adjust settings in the virtual environment the same way you would when flying the drone in the air.
To learn more about using the VEX AIR Flight Simulator, read this article.
Flight Settings on the Controller
While flying, you can adjust the drone's Z Height Limit, the Steering Mode, and the Movement Mode from the controller.
Select the Drone Settings icon on the right side of the controller screen to open the menu. Any changes made will be applied immediately while you're flying in the simulator.
- Z Height Limit - Select the arrows to raise or lower the maximum height the drone can fly.
- Steering Mode - Use the dropdown to select standard or headless steering.
- Movement Mode - Use the dropdown to select Precision, Balanced, or Performance mode.
Select the button again to close the menu and return to the previous screen.
Controlling the Drone While Flying
Additional controls can be accessed on the controller screen while flying the drone in the flight simulator. Many of these controls include multiple ways to change or access the settings. Each of the options below will explain where those controls can be found: through the Default Fly Screen or through another menu option.
Controlling Modules
From the Default Fly Screen
While in flight, the touch buttons on the Default Fly Screen can be used to manipulate the module currently attached to the drone. (The module is selected in the simulator's Pre-Flight Checklist.) The numbers on the screen buttons correspond to the numbered buttons on the physical controller, which can also be used in the simulator.
- Motorized Hook Module - Select Hold Payload (or button 6) or Drop Payload (or button 5) to move the hook down or up.
- Magnet Module - Select Drop Payload (or button 6) to release held cargo.
From the Drone Status
Selecting the Drone Status icon on the right side of the controller screen opens a menu displaying real time status updates of the drone in the simulator. You can manipulate the module on the drone using the Hold or Drop buttons in the Module settings, as shown here.
- Motorized Hook Module - The Hold and Drop buttons move the hook down and up.
- Magnet Module - The Drop button releases held cargo.
Select the Drone Status icon again to close the menu and return to the previous screen.
Controlling the Display
Reticle
From the Default Fly Screen
Selecting the Reticle button on the Default Fly Screen (or pressing button 11 on the controller) will toggle the reticle on or off on the Down Camera view.
From Controller Settings
The Reticle can also be toggled on or off in the Controller Settings menu. Select the Controller Settings icon on the left side of the controller screen to open the menu, and toggle the Reticle setting in the menu.
Select the Controller Settings icon again to close the menu and return to the previous screen.
Telemetry/Instrument Display
From the Default Fly Screen
Selecting the Telemetry button on the Default Fly Screen (or pressing button 12 on the controller) will toggle the instrument data on or off on the bottom of the camera views. The instrument data shows real time values for heading, Z height, throttle percentage, and more.
Note: Instrument data is only shown on the Front and Down Camera views.
From the Controller Settings
The Instruments can also be toggled on or off in the Controller Settings menu. Select the Controller Settings icon on the left side of the controller screen to open the menu, and toggle the Instruments setting in the menu.
Note: Instrument data is only shown on the Front and Down Camera views.
Select the Controller Settings icon again to close the menu and return to the previous screen.
Additional Controls and Displays
Slow Fly
Selecting the Slow Fly button on the Default Fly Screen (or pressing button 8 on the controller) will toggle the Slow Fly feature on or off. Slow Fly makes the drone fly three times slower, and is useful for controlled practice. This can be changed at any time during flight.
Drone Dashboard
Selecting the Drone Dashboard icon on the right side of the controller screen will display real time data about the drone's position and movement during simulator flights.
Select the Drone Dashboard icon again to close the Dashboard, and return to the previous screen.
Controller Calibration
Selecting the Controller Calibration icon on the left side of the controller screen will open the calibration menu. Select the Calibrate Sticks button on the screen to begin the calibration process.
Calibrating the joysticks is a helpful troubleshooting tool if the controller is not performing as expected, or differently than it was during previous simulator flights.
Mission Logs
Selecting the Mission Logs icon on the left side of the controller screen will display mission log data about simulator flights, as it does for flights with the drone in the air.
Note: The Past Mission Data icon will only store data from drone flights in the air, not in the simulator.