GoFlight Adds To Its Fleet With continuing enthusiasm and innovation, the guys at GoFlight have made available two new products since my last review which covered the GF-166 Radio system. Having already produced a couple of radio modules, a landing gear/flaps/trim unit and function switches, an autopilot module was naturally the next step. Until recently I had been using one of my GF-45 units and GF-P8 to manage the auto pilot whilst flying. With the advent of the autopilot module I now have a dedicated unit which allows full control of the aircraft's autopilot, thus freeing up the two GF units that were originally employed for the task. GoFlight have also introduced the Flight Deck Console. This is a floor mounted unit which allows your GF modules to be at arms length beside you whilst flying. So lets see what I thought about these two new GF products.
Installation and Documentation
GF-MCP
As with all the GF
units, the MCP is no different with its method of connection. It's
a standard USB connection that will auto-configure when it is plugged
into your system. I found on my system I had to juggle the position
of the GF units around a little bit on my USB hubs to get them all
working simultaneously. I have two un-powered 4 port USB hubs
and with the GF units requiring different amounts of power I had to
distribute so as not to exceed the power limitations. When the unit
is first plugged into your PC,it will run a full diagnostics test
on itself. The windows will illuminate and sweep left to right indicating
the unit is working correctly.
The documentation supplied
with the unit is simple, concise and easy to follow for the installation
procedure. It is also available on the GoFlight website in Acrobat
PDF format. It explains how to plug the unit into your computer in
step by step detail. Using illustrations, it describes the configuration
of the unit within the software and a brief description of each of
the functions available to you.
Flight Deck Console
The FDC comes flat
packed and has to be assembled by yourself! Don't worry, its not like
those cabinets you can buy from your local DIY store! Believe me even
those of us who loathe "flat packs" will find this a complete
doddle to assemble. All the tools for construction are included in
the package. It took me about 10 minutes from opening the package
to having a fully assembled unit. I assure you it's almost impossible
to go wrong!
Again like the MCP,
the documentation comes with the package and is also available to
download. Using exploded diagrams, it takes you through each step
of the building process in precise detail.
The GF-MCP
The GF-MCP is a welcome
addition to the fleet of existing GF units. The quality and build
of the this new unit is fantastic. Following in tradition of previous
GF units the MCP is no exception. Those of you who already have some
of the GF products will know what I am referring to. Using rotary,
push button and a switch control you get complete functionality of
the aircraft. As the picture shows below, the various dials and buttons
are conveniently spaced out to avoid too much clutter. As you move
each of the controls you get a good solid feel and positive reaction.
The lighting on the unit also gives clear representation of the numerals
which are adjustable through the GF configuration software.
The Flight Deck Console
The FDC is again a
solid piece of engineering. By far the largest component in the GF
inventory, it is something that should be taken into consideration
if you intend to purchase. Its dimensions are 2ft long, 8 inches wide
and just over 2ft high at its maximum point. It is capable of holding
a variety of the GF modules. Depending on what you already have will
depend on the amount of units you can situate. It will take a maximum
of 14 of the single height units (P8,T8 or GF166).
Most users who
will contemplate buying this unit will already have a good selection
of GF modules and will find the ability to mix both single and double
height units extremely useful. On the side of the FDC is a small compartment
that allows storage of any maps/flight manuals. It can mount on either
side of the unit and allows easy access to the all-important paperwork
while flying.
A Fully Populated Flight Deck Console
Using the MCP with FS2002
Until I received the MCP, I was using
a GF45 and GF-P8 to control my autopilot. The addition of the MCP
has allowed me to free those two units from that task and let the
MCP take over. Like the picture above, I fly with the FDC on
my right hand side to allow easy access to the modules. Prior to flight
it is easy to dial in your required data ready for activation once
airborne.
With all that completed, it is time for take off. Once established
in your flight, the large switch (bottom right) can be engaged which
will turn on the autopilot. Having preset my parameters it was a case
of pressing the corresponding buttons on the MCP to activate the controls
I wanted automated. Whilst en route, making corrections is a case
of turning the relative dial to make the alteration. I tend to fly
GA aircraft more than the "Big Iron" so the IAS/MACH hold
is something that I don't use very often. I did test the functionality
using the default Boeing 777 (boy it's a handful if your not used to
it!) and it worked as "described on the tin" Also included
is a small toggle button to allow you to switch between IAS and Mach
settings.
On approach using ILS it brought the
aircraft onto the glide slope and localizer flawlessly. Having the
ability to flip the disengage switch allows you to very quickly take
manual control just before touchdown.
The Future
So what does Go-Flight
have in store for us in the coming months? Well it was planned
to have a Rudder Set available around this time, but it was
necessary to take the design back to the drawing board for some modifications.
I am sure we will be seeing them in the not-too-distant future.
A Throttle Unit is also in development. This unit is
designed to fit in the 90° corner of the FDC and is expected to be
a popular item once completed. Not happy with those two items?
The GF-P8 is also being upgraded to a new unit called the GF-RP48.
This is essentially a GF-P8 with the addition of four rotary knobs.
It will be useful for things like altimeter, OBS, TAS, Gyro and a
host of other commands. It will also support key mapping.
Had enough? Didn't think so! Last of all is the GF-46.
This is an updated version of the GF-45 which has proved extremely
popular. The new unit will be half the size and will incorporate two
push buttons as well as the standard two rotary knobs.
You can see that these guys are not sitting back for one second; their development
program is in full swing to bring us some really super additions.
I hope that I will have the privilege to continue in my GF review
series as these units are released.
Conclusion
Having had the privilege
to test and review all the GF products since their first appearance
on the flightsim market, the GF-MCP and Flight Deck Console keeps
to tradition with the very high quality of build, easy installation,
configuration and ease of use as found with the other GF modules.
With the MCP I think it goes without saying that to create a module
of this complexity takes some serious knowledge and dedication. Doyle
and his crew have yet again provided the world of flight simulation
with a masterpiece of engineering. I have been in possession of the
GF-MCP for over a month now, and it still amazes me every time I use
it. The functionality and freedom it gives you in terms of not having
to use key presses or mouse clicks. Like the previous GF reviews I
have written, I found that once you experience what is on offer, you
find it hard to fly without it! I have awarded the GF-MCP a
4½ Star Award, and it thoroughly deserves this very high rating.
Price
GF-MCP and Flight Deck
Console units retail at $295.95 and $179.95 respectively.
This includes software and a USB connecting cable. You can order the
GF-MCP and Flight Deck Console along with other GoFlight units from
the Avsim Store through the link below.
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