Here is a list of controls and some useful information for Firebird's Elite.

SPACE FLIGHT CONTROLS
---------------------
< - anticlockwise roll
> - clockwise roll
S - dive
X - climb

(You can also use the cursor keys or the joystick to move your spacecraft.)

SPACE - increase speed
/ - decrease speed
J - Torus jump drive
1 - front view
2 - rear view
3 - left view
4 - right view

SPACE COMBAT CONTROLS
---------------------
A - fire laser (you can also use the fire button on the joystick)
T - lock missile on target
M - fire missile
U - unlock missile
E - ECM
TAB - energy bomb
ESC - escape capsule
C - switch docking computer on/off

NAVIGATION CONTROLS
-------------------
H - hyperspace
G then H - galactic hyperspace
5 - show galactic chart
6 - show short range chart
D - show distance to system *
COPY - home cursor on current system *

(Use the cursor keys or the joystick to move the cursor on the galactic and
short range charts. You can only use the controls marked with a * when you are
viewing the galactic or short range charts.)

TRADING CONTROLS
----------------
1 - launch from station *
2 - buy cargo *
3 - sell cargo *
4 - buy equipment for ship *
7 - show data on current system
8 - show market prices
0 - show inventory
F - find planet *

(You can only use the controls marked with a * when you are docked at a space
station.)

Pressing 7 reveals a lot of useful information about planets, including its
government. They are: Corporate state; Democracy; Confederacy; Communist;
Dictatorship; Multi-government; Feudal; Anarchy. Corporate states are the safest
to visit, while anarchies are the most dangerous. The economy will affect the
market prices of the cargo you buy, and the technology level affects what
equipment you can buy for your spacecraft.

OTHER GAME CONTROLS
-------------------
DEL - pause game
CLR - restart game
@ - show disc menu (only when you are docked at a space station)
DEL then 1 - quit game

STATUS PANEL
------------
On the left of the status panel:

FS - front shield
AS - aft shield
FU - fuel level
CT - cabin temperature
LT - laser temperature
AL - altimeter (height above planet)

The missile counter is shown below the altimeter.

On the right of the status panel:

SP - speed
RL/DC - movement status
1/2/3/4 - energy banks

In the centre of the status panel:

Circle at top left - status (green = safe, yellow = possible danger, red =
 immediate danger, flashing red = critical danger)
Circle at top right - compass (shows the bearing of the planet or space station)

There is also a three-dimensional view of the area around you which shows the
location of ships and other objects. When you are near a space station, an S
will appear at the bottom right.

CHEATING
--------
It is very difficult to dock with a space station, but there is a way to avoid
doing it. Press DEL then 1 to quit the game, and press Y in response to the
"Load new commander?" question. Press 2 and enter your name to save your game,
then press 4 to exit the disc menu. Now press the SPACE bar, and you will now
be docked at the space station! If you obtain enough credits, you may also be
able to buy a docking computer which will automatically dock at a space station
for you.