Controller Setup Tutorial
Updated: 7 days ago
In this tutorial, you will learn how to configure your controller for use with SIMNET, as well as how to use your smartphone or tablet as a virtual controller, or the keyboard.
Physical Controller Setup
Any drone controller, gamepad, or joystick that can be interfaced to the computer, and is properly detected by the Chrome browser (browser compatibility can be tested through www.gamepad-tester.com) can be used with SIMNET. Click here to see a list of recommended controllers.
Follow the instructions in the following video to configure your controller within SIMNET.
Virtual Controller
SIMNET also allows you to use your smartphone or tablet as a virtual controller. To launch the virtual controller, open the Controller menu (1), click Load, and then activate the virtual controller using the toggle button (2). Note that when the virtual controller is active, the aircraft will no longer respond to input from a physical controller or keyboard. Scan the QR code (3) with your phone or tablet’s camera, then open the link to launch the virtual controller.
When the virtual controller opens, rotate your smartphone or tablet to landscape mode, then click the maximize screen button (1). You can now control the aircraft using the two on-screen thumbsticks (2).
The controller background displays the FPV view from the aircraft’s camera. Use the Fixed/Stabilized toggle to switch between a fixed camera view and a stabilized camera view.
In Stabilized mode, use the Zoom and Tilt sliders to adjust the camera. You can also use the camera button at the bottom of the screen to take pictures.
Keyboard Controls
You can also use the keyboard to control the aircraft and stabilized camera, as follows.
I’ve had cases where the controller shows up correctly in the browser but one of the sticks or buttons still doesn’t behave properly. Testing the inputs separately before setting everything up in the simulator can make it easier to figure out where the problem is. I usually use a browser-based gamepad tester for that.
Clear and helpful guide. Verifying that the controller is detected by the browser first can save a lot of time during setup. Using a gamepad tester to confirm inputs before configuring SIMNET makes the whole process smoother. Also nice touch including keyboard controls as an option for beginners.