Get the Client
The Flying Circus client is a patched build of the original 1999 game, pre-configured to connect to the AK arena server. Download it, unzip, set up your joystick, and fly.
1.6 MB · build 2026-07-03 · Windows · joystick required
Sign in to download
The client download is limited to registered pilots. It's free and takes a minute.
2 · Unzip — keep all files together
Unzip into one folder. Do not separate the files — the game needs all of them side by side:
circus_patched.exe— the game (run THIS one, notcircus.exe).ddraw.dll+ddraw.ini— graphics wrapper that lets the 1999 game run on modern Windows. Leave them in the folder.flyingc.dat— game data.squad.bmp— the logo shown in the ready room.
3 · Set up your joystick (required)
The game will not fly without a joystick or gamepad. On modern Windows, set it up in the legacy controller panel first:
- Plug in your joystick/gamepad.
- Press Win + R to open the Run box.
- Type
joy.cpland press Enter. - Select your controller → Properties → Test to confirm Windows sees the axes and buttons, and Settings → Calibrate if the stick drifts.
- If it's not listed, Windows doesn't see it yet — reconnect it or install its driver, then
re-open
joy.cpl.
Get this working before launching the game — circus reads the joystick at startup.
4 · Start & log in
- Run
circus_patched.exe. Choose Fly Online on the startup dialog. - Account:
type your callsign padded to 16 characters with underscores
(e.g.
Vaska___________). Log in on this site and this page shows your exact string.
The 1999 client only sends the password if the Account field is exactly 16 characters — the underscores are required. - Password: your website password. Pick your side (Allied or Central) and click Logon.
- On the Arena List, click Main Arena → OK.
- You land in the Ready Room. If a callsign screen appears, type anything — the server always uses your registered callsign.
- In the Ready Room, mouse-click the switches to pick your plane, fuel, and armament, then click Fly.
5 · In-game controls
The full keyboard, straight from the original 1999 SimGuild manual.
| Engine & flight | |
| Ignition / start the engine | I |
| Throttle up (power up) — for stick-only pilots | V |
| Throttle down (power down) — for stick-only pilots | B |
| Rudder left / center / right (joystick rudder overrides) | G / H / J |
| Fire machine guns (joystick trigger overrides) | Tab |
| Drop bombs (must be loaded) | Ctrl |
| Cockpit views | |
| 45° up & forward | ↑ |
| Rear, over the tail | ↓ |
| Over the left / right wing | ← / → |
| Straight up | End |
| 45° up & back | Home |
| External views | |
| Chase / Tracking / Fixed | 1 / 2 / 3 |
| Map & display | |
| Name tags on/off (planes within 1 mile) | N |
| Tactical map | T |
| Zoom map in / out | Z / X |
| Ground objects on/off (except hangars) | F2 |
| FPS counter | F |
| Text buffer — 4 or 16 lines | Space |
| Screenshot (max 10/session, saved in circus folder) | M |
| Radio & chat | |
| Radio channel — white text | F5 |
| Guard (friendly) radio — blue text | F6 |
| Broadcast to everyone — yellow text | F8 |
| Ready-room chat (or just start typing) | F7 |
| Command line (see below) | F9 |
| Send a message | Enter |
| Cancel a message / clear text | Esc |
| Ready room & game | |
| Fly — from the Ready Room | F3 |
| Quit to Ready Room (only works on the ground) | Q |
| Quit the game | F4 |
Stick-only pilots (no throttle axis): use
V / B to add and cut power and I to start the engine —
firing is on the joystick trigger. A joystick throttle, if you have one, overrides the
V/B keys.
6 · Command line (press F9, type, then Enter)
channel 5 | set your radio channel (1–65535) — only same-channel pilots hear your F5 radio |
fuel 50 | set fuel to 50% |
bomb 2 | load bombs (0, 2, or 4) |
rdo | radio channel on/off |
guard | guard radio on/off |
bcst | broadcast radio on/off |
com | show radio status |
anon | hide your callsign from enemies |
callsign | show your callsign to enemies |
shutup <callsign> | mute a player |
speak <callsign> | un-mute a player |
You can also set the radio channel from the Ready Room — turn Rdo on, click the Channel toggle, type a number, and press Enter.
Combat & fields — good to know
- Bombs damage hangars and aerodromes; they won't detonate on your own fields.
- An aerodrome at 50% or less operational can't be taken off from (name shows grey on the map).
- Friendly fire has consequences: 5 hits on a friendly = traitor warning; 10 = your own death.
- Don't land or taxi on water — it destroys your aircraft.