MV Challenges for Flight Simulator
IN CASE OF TROUBLE

FS2002 - General advice

In FS2002, each MV Challenge should be placed in its own separate subfolder within the FS2002\Flights folder. However, any video file (*.FSR file) should be placed in the FS2002\Myflts folder. For example, the MV Challenge Concorde BA001 should be placed in the "FS2002\Flights\Concorde BA001" subfolder (while any video files of *.FSR type would go in the FS2002\Myflts folder). Unzipping the package with path names enabled should do all this automatically.

FS2002/2004 - I can't communicate with ATC: why?

Make sure you have turned the avionics on.

FS2000 - General advice

Most problems arise from not placing the supplied files in the correct folder: the FS2000 flight files (*.FLT), weather files (*.WX), flight plan files (*.PLN), and video files (*.VID) should all be put in the FS2000 Pilots folder. Do NOT put them in the Adventures folder, since these Challenges are NOT Adventures. (Other files, like documentation and maps, can go anywhere you like.)

The Challenges assume that you start FS2000 in its default configuration. Make sure you have not used unusual settings. It is safest to start FS2000 with the default flight (Cessna at Meigs).

The MV Challenges generally assume basic familiarity with the use of FS2000.

You can find much advice about flying in FS2000 at the major flight simulation web sites.

FS2000 - The Challenge does not start: why?

Check that you are starting by loading an FS2000 flight, through menu Flight | Select flight (do not just load a flight plan or start a video). Also do not try to start an Adventure: an MV Challenge is not an Adventure.

Check that you have placed all files in the proper folder (see above).

Check that you have not used unusual settings in FS2000 (see above).

Certain add-ons may interfere with the normal functioning of some aspects of FS2000. I know of only one such add-on interfering with MV Challenges: two users reported that they could not load the MV Challenges when FSUIPC.DLL was in the modules folder (FS6IPC.DLL did not create this problem); the solution was to delete the FSUIPC.INI file in the Modules directory of FS2000, and to then restart FS2000.

FS2000 - The correct aircraft does not load: why?

If you use the Standard edition of FS2000 with an MV Challenge designed for FS2000 Pro, the correct aircraft is indeed not included in your FS2000. You may use any other aircraft, including an add-on, that suits the challenge (note that often the FS2000 GPS is required - check the documentation of the Challenge). You may always load a different aircraft: this is best done after loading a Challenge flight (for example, after it complains that it can not find the correct aircraft).

If you are using an add-on aircraft (not one of the FS2000 default aircraft), and it does not load through the Aircraft | Select aircraft menu, there may be a problem with its installation. First make sure it loads correctly BEFORE you start a Challenge flight (for example, after loading the default FS2000 flight with the Cessna at Meigs). If it does not load correctly then, it may not be connected to the correct panel or sounds (you will need to fix its files, or reinstall it). If it does load through the menu, but still fails to be loaded by the FS2000 flight for the Challenge, its name is probably not identical to what the Challenge assumes: check the Challenge documentation if a special name is required, and for instructions how to change it.

There is no reason that this should happen with a FS2000 default aircraft, as long as you have not modified it from the standard FS2000 set-up, and as long as your FS2000 has no unusual settings.

I can't find a recommended add-on file on the web: why?

Web sites occasionally (but rarely) change the name of add-on files, or remove certain add-on files after some time. To find them, you can search for the descriptive name of the aircraft or scenery or utility (rather than the file name), or you can search for the author(s) of the add-on, or you can search at another web site (sometimes the file name will be different from site to site). Go to our Links page for links to the major web sites that offer flight simulation downloads.

For specific cases, please go the information page of the relevant Challenge to see the most recent source of files. (I appreciate receiving news of any such changes of file availability, to update this site.)

FS2000 - A panel or window does not fit properly on the monitor screen: why?

This can happen with add-on panels designed for FS98. You can usually resize the panel or other window to fit the screen by dragging its edges with the mouse (some edges can't be moved that way, but it is normally possible to move a panel or window across the screen, again with the mouse, so as to drag another edge).

The aircraft does not land by itself: why?

Indeed: you are the pilot controlling the flight. The Challenge is for you to fly it safely to the destination.