Hi Peter,
I am only going by the little info I have gleened from people.
Basically I believe you can program an XML gauge that starts an effect, there is 1 on most mil aircraft for the afterburner effect, it starts it at a certain rpm setting/flight param.
The keys I mentioned are infact the key commands for the tail hook etc, I presume these are hard coded into FS, maybe more could be added I really am not sure. In which case maybe you could have key press F that releases the flares. as I say I don't know, I am trying to find this out.
Unfortunately the info is scetchy at best at the moment, I will have to look into it further. I will get back to you.
Regards
Pitt