Things You Need
A Windows computer. Pretty much any modern gaming PC with a fast CPU will work; BMS is not a terribly demanding game.
A HOTAS. This guide assumes you have a quality HOTAS with plenty of buttons, not just a simple flight stick.
HOTAS Buyers Guide for Combat Flight simulation
Some type of head tracker so you don’t have to use the mouse to look around.
Some recommended options:
- TrackHat Sensor V2: Infrared camera based sensor. Author’s personal favorite - better tracking than IRLED trackers in their experience.
- DelanClip, GrassMonkey, TrackNP: Infrared LED based sensors. Good precision and relatively affordable.
- JBC Head Tracker, SmoothTrack: Smartphone apps. Basic, but very affordable if you already have a phone with face unlock. JBC has a free trial and is $2 to unlock the full version. SmoothTrack is $10 and has more features specific to Apple devices, such as using AirPods for tracking. Both the Apple and Android app stores have refund policies.
- OpenTrack Neuralnet: Standard webcam based sensor. Basic, but very affordable if you already have a webcam or can purchase one inexpensively.
I do not recommend:
- NaturalPoint TrackIR: Too expensive compared to competition. Fragile infrared light clip. Lower refresh rates than competition. Official software has not been updated in a long time, compared to OpenTrack receiving new quality of life features.
- Tobii eye trackers. The head tracking is too coarse and oversmoothed for flight simulation. A real-life friend who tried to use one for flight simulation described it as feeling drunk.
Alternatively, BMS has VR support. See my DCS VR headset guide for some good choices for flight simulation: VR Headset
Buy Falcon 4.0
Falcon BMS is a total conversion mod of Falcon 4.0. Per the BMS team’s agreement with Micropose, Falcon BMS requires Falcon 4.0 to be installed.
GOG.com
The best place to get Falcon 4.0 is from GOG as part of Falcon Collection. This version is DRM-free, meaning the installer can be saved offline and can be copied to any of your computers. It is the closest thing to actually owning a digital game. As a bonus, it also includes the first three Falcon games.
After buying Falcon Collection, Falcon 4.0 will be a download in the extras for Falcon 3.0 Gold.
Run the installer and install Falcon 4.0 anywhere. Run Falcon 4.0 once to make sure it creates the Windows Registry entries needed for Falcon BMS. It’s okay if the game doesn’t work as long as the EXE is run once.
Steam
You can buy and install Falcon 4.0 on Steam.
Launch the game once to make sure it creates the Windows Registry entries needed for Falcon BMS. It’s okay if the game doesn’t work as long as it is launched once.
Install Falcon BMS
Download the Falcon BMS downloader from https://www.falcon-bms.com.
Download the “BMS Downloader (web)” from the Downloads page.
Extract the EXE from the ZIP file and run it. Follow the instructions for the latest version of Falcon BMS. It will create a folder named BMS_Downloads, and inside it will be another EXE file. Run this EXE file to and follow the instructions to install Falcon BMS.
Setup
Create a Pilot
Launch Falcon BMS through Launcher.exe. The game resolution may be incorrect, but don’t worry for now. Click LOGBOOK and set your CALLSIGN and PILOT names, then click OK. Click EXIT.
Assign Axes
Open the Falcon BMS Alternative Launcher (Launcher\FalconBMS_Alternative_Launcher.exe).
Click AXISASSIGN and map the following Axes:
- Roll
- Pitch
- Throttle
- Yaw
If you have rudder pedals:
- Toe Brake
- Toe Brake Right
If you have a HOTAS with a cursor slew and/or rotary axes
- Cursor X
- Cursor Y
- Antenna Elevation
- Range Knob
Next Steps
Bind the controls for your favorite aircraft: