LK version 2.0 has a brand new simulation mode!

Choose SIM mode at startup, no GPS will be used and you shall enter the Flight Simulation.

In SIMULATOR mode only, Menu NAV 1/1 has a special button called SIM MENU, where you can change flight parameters.

SIM MENU is also available as a custom key, but remember that SIM MENU functionalities are active only in SIM mode of course, otherwise they will be disabled. However, on PC version this is not really a problem since you normally use only SIM mode, right?

SPEED
Changes the GROUND speed

Select Speed by clicking on the speed button. Now that function is active.

Using + and -  you change the speed..

For gliders, the Speed buttons will change speed by 5 kmh , or 5 knots, or 5 mh.
For paragliders, the Speed buttons will change speed by 1kmh, or 1 knot, or 1mh
depending on the speed unit you are using, of course.

ALT

The altitude button will change altitude by 50 meters, or 150 feet depending on your units.

Speed and altitudes cannot be lower than 0. They will be set to 0 when undergoing 0.
Initially, altitude is set to ground altitude, if available.

TURN
This is the turn rate, in degrees per second. 0 means no turning.

Negative values for turning left, positive values for turning right.
Steps are 5 degrees each.  Max turn is 45 degrees (left or right) per second.

CRUISING

While cruising, your glider will sink in the air according to its (estimated) airspeed.
For your information, flying at an airspeed below the minimum sink rate of your polar, will result in sinking much more than flying faster than MC0.
So while your cruise, you also sink and you will be loosing altitude.
The simulator will not allow altitudes to become negative . When you hit terrain while cruising, simulation STOPS!
Remember to adjust altitude while cruising, sometimes.

Also, while cruising, you may encounter a previous thermal. In that zone, you will sink and climb while crossing
the thermal.

THERMALLING

If you keep turning for a while, you will be entering the thermalling state.
A thermal is created nearby, and you have to center it.
Thermal has a diameter of about 450m. In the core, air is lifting 4 m/s.
(Of course, you will be also sinking in that air, so the maximum you can get in the core is a lift of
4-yoursinkrate m/s.)
The thermal is strong in the center, and gradually weaker at its border, where it is null.
Over its border, you will find a sink, stronger near the border of the thermal (2m/s) and
weaker until you exit the sink 150m far away.

To climb better, you need a good speed and also a perfect centering.
The thermal helper of LK8000 will NOT CHEAT, trying to guess the center of the thermal.
The thermal helper does NOT know where the thermal is placed by the simulator!

Remember that you cannot climb in the core, so the 4m/s lift is not achievable as an average, because you
will be circling externally. However, when you cross the center of the thermal you get that value (minus the sinkrate of your glider).

LEAVING THE THERMAL
When you exit thermalling mode, flying away straight, the simulator will remember the thermal position.
You can still fly to it using the multitarget L> (last thermal) selection.
If you start thermalling over 1000m away from last thermal, a new one will be created and the old one will be lost.


TERRAIN AND OBSTACLES
You cannot fly IN the terrain, unless you want to land of course.
Flying in the terrain (HAGL <= 0) will result the ground speed set to 0 and stop simulation.

LANDING
When below 20m over terrain at a minimum speed, your aircraft will reduce speed and stop for a landing.
This has no special meaning or effect, but you may try it for fun.