Welcome to ATP's On Top Version 8.0 Demo How-to Information file:

. You should first review the documentation: Minimum System Requirements:

NOTE: On Top V 8.0 requires DirectX V 8.1. If this version of DirectX is not installed, DirectX 8.1 needs to be installed before the user can take advantage of On Top's features. You can try these handy downloadable versions of DirectX:

Or you can obtain the absolutely very latest copy from Microsoft's website: http://www.microsoft.com/directx

If you aren't sure what version of DirectX you have, select the 'Start' button, then "Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information". Within this utility, select "Tools". If you have a recent copy of DirectX installed, you will see a 'DirectX Diagnostic Tool' shortcut. Select this. On the 'general' tab, near the bottom, your version of DirectX will be shown.

Download the On Top Demo:

Now download and install the actual demo file:

On Top demo

Preflighting the the On Top Demo:

You must have a yoke or joystick plugged in to your computer game or USB port for the demo to run.

1.To install the demo, left-click on the Windows START button. Left-click on RUN. In the RUN box, enter in the location of the demo file. Assuming you have saved it to your 'root' drive, which is most cases, is drive letter 'C', enter in C:\ontop8_demo.exe. Select OK in the run box. The installation routine will start. You have three installation options, which are briefly described on the 'Setup Type' window. For most users, select the default selection, 'Typical'. The other two routines are intended for advanced users, and involve running the program in higher graphic resolutions.

2.After installation, a new group will appear in your START menu called "ASA Interactive." Click Start, select ASA Interactive, and then the 'On Top Demo' shortcut to run the program. Or simply double-click the On Top Demo icon which has been placed on your desktop.

Calibrating Your Joystick or Yoke to Fly the On Top Demo:

The first time you run the On Top demo, you'll need to calibrate your yoke or joystick. Accurate and careful calibration will help to ensure On Top knows how to respond to your particular flight controls. The instructions for calibration are listed on the right side of the calibration screen.

  1. Click CAL from the bottom of the cockpit.
  2. Set HARDWARE by clicking yes/no to reflect your configuration.
    1. Click YES or NO to activate or de-activate the controller's throttle (you may choose between using your controller's throttle or the mouse)
    2. Options let you tell On Top whether you would like to use the buttons on your controller
  3. Set LIMITS by cycling your flight controls through all ranges of motion: full forward, full aft, full left, and full right. If your joystick or yoke is equipped with a throttle, move it full forward and full back. When the red dots change to green, you can proceed.
  4. BUTTONS allow you to assign some of the buttons on your joystick or yoke to perform cockpit tasks, such as adjusting pitch trim. Hold the control button on your joystick or yoke and then click on one of the functions listed in the BUTTONS menu.
  5. Setting RESPONSE either dampens or accentuates the sensitivity of your joystick or yoke to pitch and roll input. We suggest you first fly On Top with the response set as the program comes; only adjust this if you are unable to consistently hold pitch attitude or bank angles.
  6. Click SAVE SETTINGS and then ON TOP to return to the cockpit.

Flying the On Top Demo:

The demo includes all On Top features, with the only restriction being the airspace (includes a 75-mile radius around Helena, Montana). The control menu is on the bottom, center of the cockpit:

  1. Map: Takes you to the On Top Map screen, where you can review your flight.
  2. Setup: Takes you to main menu, where position, aircraft, failures, weather, and more are defined.
  3. Reset: Returns you to start of the flight session you just flew.
  4. Cal: Takes you to the Calibration screen.
  5. Info: Provides details on your version of On Top.
  6. Quit: Ends On Top, returns you to your operating system.
  7. Pause: Stops the flight simulation, allowing you to tune your nav/com or review the situation.

Once you select SETUP from the cockpit menu, you will be at the main menu where you can define the parameters for your flight:

  1. AIRCRAFT: Select one of 10 airplanes, and define the panel and weight configuration.
  2. COCKPIT: Define the exact parameters for your airplane to enter the simulation, including altitude, airspeed, gear up/down, RPM, radio frequencies, etc.
  3. POSITION: The demo is restricted to a 75-mile radius around Helena Montana, but you may click and drag the airplane to any place within this area to set yourself up for an approach.
  4. WEATHER: Define any of the 32 parameters for your flight, including winds, ceiling, visibilities, turbulence, forecast conditions, etc.
  5. FAILURES: Once you select ENABLE on the bottom of this screen, you may fail any individual instrument, an entire system, or set the failures random for the computer to decide. You may also select the timeframe for these failures to occur.
  6. LOAD/SAVE STARTUP: Once you've defined the flight exactly as you want it, you may save it (SAVE) so the program starts (LOAD) the flight simulation under these conditions without having to re-define all the parameters.
  7. LOAD/SAVE SETUP: Once you've defined a flight exactly as you want it, you may save it (SAVE) to a list you may select from (LOAD) with future On Top sessions.
  8. RESET SETUP: Returns your aircraft to the original location and conditions.
  9. SET: Activates the options you've just selected and returns you to the On Top cockpit. This is different from RESET SETUP in that SET also lets you make changes mid-flight without resetting or reloading the entire scenario. Changes made to any Setup screen affect the course of the flight currently being flown, but when you return to the cockpit you'll be in the same geographic position you entered the SETUP MENU from.
  10. CANCEL: Voids all changes you've made to the SETUP screens and returns you to your cockpit.
What does one of these installations look like? Here's two typical schematics:

Happy landings! Ordering: You can place your order by calling 800-567-3221. Or you can save by ordering directly from our on-line catalog listing (just return to the previous On Top catalog page)!