           ****************************************
           *              FALCON 3.0              *
           *         release version 3.0c         *
           *                2/14/91               *
           ****************************************

Here are the minimum system requirements to run Falcon 3.0:

-  IBM or compatible equipped with 80286, 80386 or 80486 microprocessor
-  1MB of total RAM
-  600K (614,400 bytes) of free memory.
-  MS-DOS 5.0 or later
-  A hard disk with 11MB of free space
-  VGA graphics card and VGA color monitor
-  One 1.2MB 5.25" or one 1.44MB 3.5" floppy disk drive

In addition, we recommend the following:

-  25MHz or faster 80386 or 80486 system
-  Mouse
-  Joystick
-  Ad Lib, Sound Blaster or Roland LAPC-1 or MT-32 sound card
-  4MB or more of total RAM.
-  620K (634,880 bytes) of free RAM
-  Expanded memory (EMS) manager installed in CONFIG.SYS
-  80x87 math coprocessor (required for the High Fidelity flight model)


OTHER USEFUL HINTS:
-------------------
-  Your system needs a minimum of 512K of EMS to hear sound effects.
   Systems with only 1MB of total RAM will need to upgrade to more memory
   in order to hear sounds.

-  If for some reason you want to reset your Falcon 3.0 system configuration,
   type "DEL FALCON3.DEF" in the Falcon 3.0 directory. This will
   delete the configuration and Falcon 3.0 will generate a brand-new one
   from scratch.

-  If you are unhappy with the frame rate of the game, try setting the
   clouds, the horizon or the 3-D terrain to off. Conversely, if you are
   dissatisfied with the game's graphics, you can turn on the clouds, horizon
   or the 3-D terrain.

-  For best results in Communications mode, first enter the simulation and
   set the scale to 8x. Then exit to the War Room and enter communications
   mode. Increasing the scale to 8x allows you to see your fellow pilots
   easier.

-  .VCR files created using the ACMI feature are not compatible between
   release version 3.0, 3.0a and 3.0c.

-  .VCR files created using the ACMI are intended to be viewed on the system
   they were recorded on.  They may not work between different machines,
   especially if the machines have different CPU speeds.

-  When playing FALCON 3.0 in head-to-head communications mode, be certain
   that all the players are running version 3.0c and not version 3.0 or 3.0a.

-  If the connection is broken in head-to-head mode, there is a possibility
   that squadron data will get corrupted.  For best results, create a brand
   new squadron when entering head-to-head mode.  This will provide the most
   reliable results in head-to-head mode as well as protect existing squadrons
   that are involved in a single player campaign.
	
-  If you are using QEMM and a Logitech mouse, you might be experiencing
   some problems with moving the pointer.  The pointer will move sluggishly
   and draw multiple images of itself on the screen.  If that is the case,
   this can be corrected by entering your CMOS setup and turning off the
   BIOS Shadow RAM.

-  FALCON 3.0 works with STACKER, but STACKER must be loaded into high
   memory.  If you are using EMM386 as your DOS 5.0 high memory manager,
   replace the DEVICE command that loads STACKER with DEVICEHIGH in your
   CONFIG.SYS file.  On the line that loads STACKER, simply add the four
   letters HIGH after the word DEVICE.  If you are using another memory
   manager, read their manual to learn how to load device drivers high.


A NOTE FOR THE CURIOUS
----------------------
The version following 3.0a of FALCON 3.0 is 3.0c.  Sphere, Inc. will not
release a version 3.0b of FALCON 3.0 because two unofficial versions
proclaiming themselves as "3.0b" were released by hackers.  To avoid
potential confusion, it was decided to name this version "3.0c".

=====================================================
Here is the list of the changes made in version 3.0c:

-  On the title screen, at the bottom right you will see "V 3.0C" indicating
   that you are running is version 3.0c.

-  There is now an option in Communications mode to enter modem commands 
   up to 60 characters directly.

-  Successful conditions in escort bomber missions has been changed from having
   the B-52s hit their primary target to ensuring that the B-52s reach their
   primary target.

-  You can now calibrate correctly for setups containing joystick,
   ThrustMaster WCS and MAXX pedals.

-  Mission debriefing is more coherent and better organized.

-  Clear All Weapons button in Red Flag now really clears all weapons.

-  Digitized radio messages on the Thunderboard and Sound Blaster now work
   correctly on fast machines such as 33MHz 486s and with a bus speed faster
   than 8MHz.

-  ACMI replays are more accurate.

-  GBU-15s in autopilot mode behave correctly now instead of behaving like 
   Mavericks.

-  The autopilot now realizes when it has gone winchester.

-  The autopilot's bombing accuracy has been improved.

-  Autopilot-controlled planes now jettision stores based on skill level.
   Also, bombers will not jettision stores under any circumstance.

-  All flight models now accelerate during dives.

-  In head-to-head mode, shutting off one player's radar will remove blips
   from the other player's Threat Warning Indicator.

-  Video pallette problems caused by bus speeds faster than 8MHz have been
   corrected.

-  The low fuel HUD readout has been moved.

-  The air-to-ground M16A1 pipper in strafing mode is now easier to use.

-  The bug where the IFF tone stayed on continously has been fixed.

-  Excessive weights during weapons loading are now checked for.

-  In head-to-head mode, new squadrons now connect more reliably.

-  Multiplayer network mode now works with more than two players.

-  In Communications campaign mode, the problem with the slave system not
   being able to catch up with the master in the briefing screens has been
   fixed.

-  Aborted missions no longer consume supplies.

-  Unused weapons at the end of a mission are now restored to your inventory.

-  The bug which gave certain systems erroneous "Player disconnected" messages
   when exiting to DOS has been fixed.

-  Sound configuration now allows Ad Lib for Sound and Music and PC speaker
   for Radio Messages simultaneously.

=====================================================
Here is the list of the changes made in version 3.0a:

-  The problem with the keyboard not responding on certain systems has
   been fixed.

-  A new, improved install program has been added.  The install program
   now works with a one floppy drive system without asking the user to insert
   a disk in drive B.

-  The joystick calibration has been rewritten.  Users of joysticks with a 
   throttle now have the option to turn off the joystick's throttle control
   and use the "+" and "-" keys instead.

-  All communications modes (direct connect, modems and Novell network) work
   more reliably.

-  Sounds should no longer turn off for no reason during the game.

-  ECM effectivness has been corrected.

-  Threat Warning Indicator reliablity has been corrected.

-  The IFF squawk works more reliably.

-  Improvements in bombing targets with artificial intelligence (autopilot
   mode) have been added.

-  Glare caused by the Sun now occurs at the appropiate climb and heading.

-  In the Red Flag training mission LESSON 4, the F-16 now faces the correct
   direction.

-  External fuel tanks added by the user are now loaded correctly.

-  Various graphic embellishments have been added.
-----------------------------------------------------

MANUAL CHANGES AND ADDITIONS

Section III: War Room
---------------------
Page 21: You don't need to enter the Squadron Ready Room to choose a pilot. 
You can simply select a squadron from the War Room and then select the COMMS 
monitor. This will allow you to select a pilot.

Page 22: You must calibrate your joystick from the menu bar. The Configuration 
area has no provisions for calibrating your joystick.

Section VI: Red Flag
--------------------
Page 103: For a Red Flag default load, you will receive 2 AIM-120 AMRAAMs and
2 AIM-9M Sidewinders.

Section IX: Configuration
-------------------------
Page 192: When you select "Joystick" from the Flight Control option, you will 
need to recalibrate your joystick from the menu bar inside the simulation.

Section XI: Aerodynamics and G Forces
-------------------------------------
Page 206: The F-16 has a thrust-to-weight ratio of approximately 0.97:1, not 
6.2:1.

Section XV: Reference
---------------------
Page 279: The MiG-27 is a Strike aircraft, not a Class A Fighter.

Release Notes & Communications Handbook
---------------------------------------
The ACMI feature is not available in Communications mode.

