BMS Configuration and Setup
Contents
Learning objectives
- Install BMS and update to the latest version
- Configure your controllers
- Configure the most common settings
- Set up windowed mode, if necessary
Installing BMS
To install BMS you’ll need the original Falcon 4.0 install disk (not Allied Force) or iso of same, the BMS 4.32 Full Installer (875MB), and the BMS 4.32.7 patch (25MB).
Do not install Falcon from the disk. You only need it in the drive while BMS is installing.
Once you’ve gathered all the components do the following:
- Extract the “Falcon BMS 4.32 Setup” folder from the zip file (from now on referred to as the Setup folder).
- Run the Update 7 executable, install it to the setup folder.
- In the setup folder, find and run setup.exe.
- Follow the instructions in the installer.
After the installation is finished, don’t delete the setup folder, as you’ll need it to patch the game later. After installing BMS you will not need the Falcon 4.0 disk any more except for reinstalling the game.
Patching BMS
To update to a newer version of BMS, download the update and apply it in the same manner as the Update 7 executable above, then run setup.exe again. The game will automatically detect your install and patch the game to the downloaded version.
Configuring BMS
After installing the game, run the shortcut to the game and click Configuration in the launcher. In this window are options that cannot be changed in game, like advanced graphics options and avionics options. The settings are down to personal preference. VKing recommends Color MFD, EPAF Radar Cues, Gray scale AG Radar, and Smaller HSD/Bullseye Symbols.
In the game, click Logbook at the top of the screen. This will show your player profile. Change both name and callsign to your nickname and pick a pilot picture and/or squadron patch if you like.
Go to the Setup screen and check “Radio calls use bullseye”, then configure the rest the way you like.
Setting up controls
Buttons
Controls you absolutely need to know, and (as far as possible) should bind to your joystick:
| Function | Default (from BMS.key) |
|---|---|
| Trigger (Cannon) | "/" on english keyboards, "-" on most other european keyboards |
| Pickle (Fire missiles/bombs) | Space |
| TMS Up | Ctrl+Up arrow |
| TMS Down | Ctrl+Down arrow |
| DMS Down | Ctrl+Alt+Down arrow |
| Cursor slew | Arrow keys |
| Run countermeasure program | Z or X |
| Comm 1 and 2 transmit | Alt+1 and Alt+2 |
| Wheel brakes | K |
| Nose wheel steering | Shift+/ or Shift+- (same difference as Trigger) |
| Gear up/down | G |
| Speed brakes out/in | B |
| Dogfight mode enable/cancel | D and C |
| Antenna tilt down/up | F5 and F7. F6 centers. |
Binding to joystick can be done via profiling software, or via in-game/DirectX assignments. See this thread.
Axes
Beyond the normal pitch, roll, throttle, and rudder axes, if your joystick has extra wheels or sliders, it’s recommended to assign them to the Radar antenna elevation and Range knob under advanced control settings.
TrackIR
BMS supports TrackIR and other head tracking systems natively. Enable TrackIR for 3D cockpit and TrackIR vector in the advanced control settings.
