Skalarki 2.0.0 Standalone Driver Owner’s Manual

June 12, 2024
SKALARKI

Skalarki Standalone Driver 2.0.0 Owner’s Manual

Thank you for your purchase! Please review the following prerequisites before using software.
Prerequisites
• .Net Core 6.0 Desktop Runtime or Higher (Installed with Installer).

Installation

Installation is easy. Install .exe that came with your purchase.
The license is perpetual, and you will receive lifetime updates at no charge.

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Enter your license and then press continue. If successful, it will bring you to the app automatically. This only needs to be completed once. We offer a 3-day free trial to new users.
Using this click on 3-day trial then hit continue when you have the key in the window. If you have lost your registration, contact sales@de- flight.com to have your key resent to you.

Getting Started

When first opening the program. The application will automatically minimize and go to the tray. Simply click on the icon to open the application. There is no setup required as the application will automatically begin working.

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Connectivity
The application will automatically connect and reconnect to Microsoft Flight Simulator.
You can always run this application in the background, and it will connect automatically.
Restarting the application at any point will reconnect to Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Main Menu

If you wish to close the application, press the red X button and it will prompt you to close the application. If you press the black minimize button it will simply minimize the application to the tray. Pressing setup will bring you to the setup menu.

When running the application, it will have 3 connection states (Not connected, connected, and connected/plane info). Connected means that it is connected to the simulator, but the plane is not loaded and/or plane is not ready to fly. When it shows connected and the plane information in RED you are ready to go!

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Setup Menu
There is no reason to change any settings as it will automatically be configured when you start the application. However, you have a few options you can adjust.

  • Calibration – Allows adjustments to the Throttles, Speed brake, and flaps.
  • Backlights – Allows power settings for the backlighting on the FCU, Overhead, and Pedestal. Also allows dimming of the LEDS/Displays
  • Planes – Provides status of what planes are installed/activated and provides command lists.
  • Panel – Shows what Skalarki panels are ready and connected. Provides installation and removal of drivers.
  • Debug – Simple window to show what is going on within the application.

Calibration page

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The calibration page allows you to calibrate the throttles, speed brake, trim wheel, and flaps levers. For most this will not need to be adjusted as they are calibrated for you. To calibrate, place the lever to the minimum level and press Min Set, then place the lever to the maximum state and press Max Set. The flaps work a little differently. Set the minimum (0) and then set the maximum (Full). Once done, the Set 1, Set 2, and Set 3 will be available to calibrate. The yellow line will be placed where you put the lever. Your calibration values are always saved unless you deactivate your license or uninstall the program.
You also have the option to adjust the Deadzone range from 0-10. They will essentially allow the lever to not send values +/- from the values set here.
You have the option to disable and enable the motor. This has no effect if your throttle does not have a motor.

Backlights Page
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The backlights page allows you to adjust when you want the backlights to turn off and on. Setting the value to “On” will always turn the backlights on. Off will do the opposite. Changing the setting to DC will turn on/off the backlights when the Battery is turned on and off on the plane. AC will do the same as DC but for the AC power of the plane. Typically, this is when the engines are on, or external power is on. You also have the option to turn the setting on to all of them by using the “all” row. This setting is persistent and will also be saved unless you deactivate your license or uninstall the application.

You have the option to change the brightness of the LEDS/Displays on all panels. Using Auto mode will change the brightness based on the plane’s output and/or if you own an OVHD panel from the ANN Lights switch. Please note this does not function for the Glare/MCDU as they are adjusted via the hardware themselves.

Planes Page

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The planes page shows what planes are activated. If the plane is activated, the activation button text will be shown in Green. If the plane is not activated, it will be shown in Red.
On the right side you will see “Command List” buttons. This allows you to see what is currently functional on the plane. Clicking on the button will bring up a .pdf. In the following example you can see that all but the Gear Arrow LED are programmed for this plane.

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Plane activations

The application comes preinstalled with the Flyby wire A32NX. To use additional planes, you must purchase them separately and install them separately. Each plane will come with an annual license. After the year has passed, you will need to purchase a new license to continue using that plane.
To activate your purchase. Press the RED activate button. This will bring up the plane activation window.
Please note this option is not available if you are in the cockpit of a plane.

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Once activated, you will be able to see how many days are left of the license. You can deactivate the license at any time by pressing the deactivate button. This will only deactivate the plane.

Custom Planes

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By default, you will be unable to use the Custom Plane option. You must purchase a separate license to use this feature. When activated you have the option to enable/disable the use of the custom plane listing and you have the option to use up to 10 profiles. The use of custom planes is explained in a separate manual. This option allows you to control any plane you wish and program it to your liking. Custom plane purchase comes with a perpetual license.
Please note this option is not available if you are in the cockpit of a plane.

Each custom plane must have its own file associated with it. These are found in the “Custom Planes” folder of the application. Again, if you have not purchased this add-on, you will not see this folder.
The custom plane must be in the format “CUSTOM1.csv”. Note that this is case sensitive.
For each profile change the number up to 10 (CUSTOM10.csv). Anytime a change is made to this file you will need to restart the flight.
By disabling this option, the custom file will never be read, and it will use the pre-defined plane files that we provide for you. If enabled, it will override the pre-loaded profiles and use your profile instead regardless of what plane is being flown.

Panels Window

The panels window shows a view of the currently connected and ready panels on your Skalarki hardware.

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You have the option to press “Re-Init” which will reset the panel and reconnect. This is useful if your panel locks up, is disconnected, or just will not communicate. The panels will always automatically connect on startup.
Checkmarks allow you to enable and disable specific panels for the MIP and the ECAM.
If you do not have these panels keep them unchecked (default) as they send massive amounts of signals when not physically connected.

Driver Installer

You have the option here to remove and re-install the De Flight drivers at any time.
This is useful if you plan to use Skalarki Profiler IO when not using our driver. When using Profiler IO you will need to remove our drivers and when using our driver, you will need to re-install them. Removing our drivers will automatically use the Skalarki
ProfilerIO drivers if you have them installed prior to using our application.

We also provide the driver files in the applications folder named “USB Drivers” if you wish to manually install them at any time.

Debug Window
The debug window shows you everything that is going on within the application.
Red Text – Indicates what is disconnected, an error, or user intervention required.
Blue Text – Indicates Recalling status.
Orange Text – Indicates initialization status.
Green Text – Indicates what is connected.
Black text – Indicates input/output signals from devices that are checked.

Auto-Scroll Checkmark – When checked (by default), will automatically scroll the list.
Rx/Tx – You have the option here to disable the output from and to the sim and Skalarki hardware.
Clear Button – Clears the window.

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About Menu (?)
This button will show you the registration information, allow you to check for updates, configure the automatic update timings, and reset the license information.

Updates
The application will automatically prompt you to update the software when opened. If you wish to turn this setting off, you can do so under the About Menu (?). You can also manually check for updates at any time.
Plane Updates
Periodically we will update our planes files as the plane makers change their commands.
Version 2.0.0 introduces a new feature that automatically will download the latest plane files when loading into the simulator. There will no longer be a need to update the entire software and/or add-on purchases.

Deactivation
If you wish to deactivate for any reason, you can do so in the About Menu (?). Doing so will also deactivate all planes and will delete all settings.
Connecting the driver
This driver is completely automated. At no time do you need to connect the driver to the simulator. It will pick up the plane you are flying in and match the commands to it on its own.

Changelogs (Updated 8-9-2023)

  • No longer needs ProfilerIO to function. The driver is completely Standalone as intended. ProfilerIO should be closed while using driver.
    o De Flight now provides separate USB Drivers. You will need to replace them via the installer to use the application.
    o We have provided an installer/uninstall for De Flight drivers via the application. Please note, that when using the De Flight drivers, ProfilerIO will no longer function and vice versa. Meaning you have the option to uninstall and install them.
    o We have also provided a folder with the USB driver in the application folder so you can manually install them as well.
    o Because of this we encourage all users to keep SA driver versions below 2.0 if you wish to not have to uninstall and reinstall every time you want to switch simulators.

  • All Plane Add-ons are installed by default. No longer need to install them separately. You will need to uninstall any add-on planes you installed before updating to 2.0.0.

  • All Updates are now installed including Plane Add-ons from the main program.

  • Main Window
    o Now shows the current plane that is running and installed.
    o Removed Skalarki as it is no longer needed.

  • Calibration Page
    o Added Trim Wheel to Calibration
    o Added Ability to disable Motor completely.
    o Added Dead zone adjustment for All Axis (0-10).
    o Added Values inside Bars to show the current value.

  • Backlights Page
    o Added LED/Display dimming option.
    o Added Auto/Manual Dimming option.
    o Auto (default) option uses the planes “Int Lights Ann” switch to dim and brighten dimmers. Manual will bypass this and allow full control of the dimming.
    o Please Note, dimming will not work for GLARE/MCDU due to limitations and the dimming is done via a knob in the back.

  • Planes Page
    o Removed “Installed” indication as now planes are automatically installed.
    o Added option to enable and disable Custom plane.

  • NEW PANELS PAGE
    o Shows which Skalarki panels are connected and ready.
    o Ability to re-initialize Panels that are not communicating for any reason individually.
    o Ability to disable (default) and enable WX panel on ECAM and disable CS/FO Lighting brightness panels on MIP.

  • Debug Page
    o More clear text to show what is happening in real time.
    o Shows what plane is loaded and running in RED.
    o Shows when Devices are disconnected and connected in RED.
    o Ability to just show Skalarki info and just show sim info.

  • Misc Improvements
    o The top of setup page moves the entire Setup menu in conjunction with the move button.
    o Recalling plane hardware is within 1-3 seconds of pressing “Ready To Fly” (Except Fenix).
    o Improved all LEDs/Displays turning off when app is closed, flight has ended, and/or Sim has closed.

  • Bug Fixes
    o Application has been re-written from the ground up. Most, if not all bugs have been fixed.
    o Fixed issue with lock ups during flight when using Fenix.
    o Fixed issue with Motor not correctly going to correct place during flight.
    o Fixed issue with Fenix values not correctly being displayed after long flights.
    o Fixed encoder speed and laggy responsiveness.
    o Fixed encoders sometimes do not go the correct direction.
    o Added additional padding to dead zones on Axis so they do not send multiple signals causing application to lock up.

  • Known Issues
    o The Skalarki ECAM is finicky. We notice during testing that sometimes it doesn’t like to communicate. The way to easily fix this is to “Re-Init” on the panels page and everything is fine.
    o During a couple test runs we noticed that the plane file is not loading properly. This is due to the Simconnect connection not getting the proper plane info. To fix this an easy restart of the SA application gets you back on track.
    o SEL LED on RMP sometimes does not update when planes power is turned on/off on FBWA32NX. This is since FBW does not support this feature and this driver fakes it.

Version 1.2.6

  • Fixed TQ Motor is not activating for some users.
  • Fixed Multiple hang ups while flying due to the Motor not working.
  • Fixed OVHD EXT Lights panel not seeing correct values.

Version 1.2.5

  • Fixed Fenix crashes when using ET on Clock midflight.
  • Fixed Fenix crashes when ET passes 1 hour.
  • Added further logging on Fenix crashes.
  • Added additional refreshing of Fenix values to avoid hang ups.

Version 1.2.4

  • Added ability to make custom plane files.

Version 1.2.3

  • Minor UI Fixes

Version 1.2.2

  • Fixed Autobrake panel not working.
  • Fixed Crashes and FPS Hits when flying with Fenix or starting the app after you have hit ready to fly with Fenix.
  • Fixed throttles not going to max reverse properly.

Version 1.2.1

  • Fixed Fenix displays are not updating for some people.

Version 1.2.0

  • Initial release

References

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

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Download This Manual (PDF format)

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