A few people have asked for a Linux version of FMS, including myself. Since nothing was happening, and I had recently deleted my Windows partition (first thing that goes when I need some space
), I decided to investigate the possibility to use my controller with serial cable in Linux with FlightGear.
Well, after developing a kernel module for the serial pic to allow Linux to see the R/C as a Joystick, I am now extremely happy to report that it works 100% with my NO-NAME brand helicopter and R/C (I think it is a colco release in SA under the name CYCLONE). The transmitter is connected using a serial cable that came with the package.
It runs at 19200 baud, and syncs using a single byte every seven bytes with the byte 255.
It's even more realistic than I ever imagined. Using the helicopter model that ships with FlightGear, I was able to set up all the controls to effectively mimic the real life effect as close as possible.
The driver is available as a source download from and was compiled and tested with FC3 with the latest update kernel (remember to install the kernel-devel packages for the module to compile), and FC5 with latest update, so it should theoretically work with everything in between. I know it won't work for any kernel below 2.6.12, as there was a change in the serio subsystem that will only work with later kernels.
Shoud anyone require assistance, feel free to drop me a mail or chat on ICQ.
Johan van den Berg