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Jeppesen FS-200 Compatibility with Microsoft FSX by

William E. Barlow, M.S. FAA Certified Private Pilot,

Advanced Ground Instructor, and Instrument Ground Instructor http://www.aviationscience.net

February 19, 2009 The Jeppesen FS-100 and FS-200 are no longer supported by Jeppesen. That is to say, Jeppesen will answer no question about their successful Personal Computer Aviation Training Device (PCATD). Jeppesen stopped manufacturing the FS-200 about ten years ago. However, the FS-200AC is still recognized as a Level 1 (PCATD) training device by the FAA. The FS-100 and FS-200 will only run with the Jeppesen FlitePro software. The FlitePro software was written specifically for the FS-100 (Basic), FS-200, FS-200AC, and NT Systems Simulator. The FS-200 will only run with the FlitePro software by Jeppesen (See exception below). The FS-200 connects to a serial (COM) port (See Figure 1 on page 2 of 3). The protocol for sending bits of data to and from the serial (COM) port is different from the protocol for sending bits of data to and from the USB port. After some review of discussions on various Web sites, please note that the Jeppesen FS-200 flight simulator is only compatible with the FlitePro software and NOT Microsoft Flight Simulator X. Exception: There is a way to make the FS-200 compatible with Microsoft Flight Simulator X by using some electronic knowledge, wiring and soldiering skill and techniques (http://forums.flightsim.com/vbfs/showthread.php?p=1181611). Computers without a serial (COM) port usually have a USB port. I have been able to successfully use the FS-200 with FlitePro on a Dell Pentium IV Laptop running Windows XP using a USB/Serial DB-9 converter and the driver that ships with the converter and a 4-port USB hub. (http://www.startech.com/item/ICUSB232-USB-to-RS-232-Serial-DB9-Adapter.aspx or some other suitable brand). I have not been able to get the FS-200 with FlitePro to run properly with Windows XP SP3 or SP2 on my machine that has a DB-9 serial port. Someone else has reported to me that their FS-200 with FlitePro will not run properly on their Windows XP machine with a DB-9 serial port. The most stable configuration for the FS-200 and FlitePro is to use a machine that has Windows 98. I have found that there are some used Dell Pentium III machines around with one and two DB-9 Serial (COM) connectors that will run the FS-200 and FlitePro with great stability. The Windows 98 machine needs a CD-ROM drive. FlitePro 6.2 requires a CD in the CD-ROM tray in order to run properly without running in the Demo mode. I am a FAA Certified Private Pilot, Advanced Ground Instructor, and Instrument Ground Instructor and I have found that I can "fly" the Jeppesen FS-200 with FlitePro 6.2 and do all the instrument procedures that can be done in a real instrument equipped airplane. If you want an inexpensive FAA approved Level 1 PCATD, then the Jeppesen FS-200AC is the good route. There are Flight Training Devices with much better graphics and realism and better hardware available and FAA approved with reasonable prices. Such systems are: Elite (www.flyelite.com), Precision Flight Controls (www.flyit.com), ATC Flight Simulator (www.atcflightsim.com), and AST (www.ast-simulators.com). There are others, but these seem to be the most popular at the time of this writing. Many times there are Jeppesen flight simulators available for sale on Web sites such as, ebay.com and craigslist.com. Some of these flight simulators have no power supply. If you can soldier and understand a little electrical theory, you should be able to build a working power supply for the FS-200. I have successfully built power supplies using the following parts for each power supply: From www.iec.net or www.connectworld.net-> Item 1.Mini Din 3 Pin Male Plug and Item 2. 6 ft 24/4 Cond. Shielded Cable (Only 3 wires of the 4 are used). From finding by searching google.com -> 120VAC to 9VAC 100mA wall plug transformer. (See Figure 2 on page 3 of 3) Note: the “mdm” from MDM Systems is no longer available. The 2 prong wall connectors are cut and replaced with a 3 prong wall plug to the transformer with one end of the 18” 16 gage 3 conductor wire. The other end of the wire is soldiered to the transformer. Each of Two wires are soldiered to each of the wall transformer connectors that were cut. The third wire goes to the gound on one of the 3 pins of the Mini Din. (See Figure 2 on page 3 of 3) From a local hardware store -> Item 1. One 3 prong wall plug and Item 2. 18 inches of 16 gage 3 conductor wire.

Figure 1.

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Figure 2.

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