Hi everyone,I've been thinking about purchasing RC4 for quite a while but a few things worry me about handing over my hard earned cash.Although I like my simming to be fairly real, I am a big user of the default pink line to get me to the gate. I have read in here that RC4 does not have this feature and I will need to look at airport charts to get where I'm supposed to be. But then I read that RC5 will have this feature. So on this part my questions are :-1, are there any workarounds to get the pink line to the gate ?2, if not, where can I get accurate airport charts for free ?3, should I wait for RC5 or is it already out ?My second worry is that with the default ATC, a simple mouse click changes frequencies and squawk codes etc, does RC4 do this for you ?Finally, although I am not adverse to reading manuals, does RC4 allow you to "start simple" and work up to using all the features ? At present I start my sim, download a route from Vroute into FS Nav, convert this into FS9, follow the ATC instructions and arrive at my destination.Sorry if the questions seem a little daft but I have purchased so many add ons that once installed, expect you to have degree's in rocket science that I'm a little dubious these days. All the reports on RC4 seem awesome, but I usually find that these are written by people who know flying properley rather than just from a casual simmers point of view.Thanks in advance for any help given.

After you land open MS ATC windows and request progressive taxi ...Don't know about charts.. allthough I'm sure you can get them on the web.RC5 is in developmentOnce you fly with RC you will not want to go back to MS ATC.

1. I haven't yet achieved a pink line to the gate although Jim makes it sound simple. To use RC you have to turn MS's ATC volume to zero so I'm not sure quite how it can be made to work easily. The lack of pink line seems to be the biggest frustration to users, but I'm getting used to it.2. You don't need a full airport chart, just a map of the airport. I'm one of the lucky ones that bought FS Navigator before the developer pulled the plug on new registrations - if you have that you will have a perfectly decent map to work from. Maybe there are other utilities that do similar.3. RC5 is not out and no date has been given. We are given to understand that there is much work to do yet. Personally I wouldn't wait.4. RC4 can be configured to tune to frequencies automatically.5. As far as I know RC4 does not set the squawk automatically. I still forget occasionally but RC's ATC is very forgiving and will remind you when you contact Departure if it isn't tuned.6. RC4 has absolutely the most comprehensive and sensible manual I have ever seen. It makes a good read and I'm forever going back to it because it was too much to take in at once. All the answers are there. There are many tutorial flights to break you in gently.7. You can export your FP from FS Nav into FS's standard, which RC requires.I think, to be realistic, that some reports of "awsome" are a bit over the top. Many say the voices are far more realistic but they are still strung-together phrases and some voices will still sound disjointed and robotic. Others flow very well. You do get a better range of accents than with MS though.But I think you will be surprised as you go along with RC how different to MS's system the real world is (to which RC is pretty close). In particular it is very different with transition levels not fixed at 18000 as with MS and you get given sensible routes of approach. Beware, though, that if there isn't an approach controller for your destination airport, you are going to have to do a lot more self-navigation to get on the ILS, and even more if you need to visually find the runway. But you can always cheat and configure an approach controller in RC after importing the flight plan.It took me a long while to make my mind up, but I eventually took the plunge and have not regretted it. And there is always this unusually friendly and responsive forum to fall back on if you get stuck.Hoping this personal opinion helps,John

5. As far as I know RC4 does not set the squawk automatically. I still forget occasionally but RC's ATC is very forgiving and will remind you when you contact Departure if it isn't tuned.

Just a minor correction - the above is not true. If Otto (RC co-pilot) has the Comms, he will set the squawk code.

Hi John," To use RC you have to turn MS's ATC volume to zero" ...That's true but in FSX ATC is still running in the background (don't know about FS9). So you can contact ground and request progressive taxi. Of course, there will be no sound, you will have to watch the ATC window.Andreas

I can tell you that in PFE the co pilot can be set to handle all comms by himself and can even fly the plane himself. The co pilot will also direct you to and from your gate to the rwy (or you can add a gauge to your panel to point you in the right direction). There are at least 100 voices in PFE the great majority of which sound realistic with authentic regional accents.vololiberista

The co-pilot in RC if the aircraft uses default AP interfaces will fly the aircraft. If requested he can take over from departure through enroute turning it back over to you on final (or earlier if using RC's NOTAMS feature). The co-pilot also can handle comms. The user determines when comms are switched to the co-pilot (PNF) and back again. If the co-pilot is not handling comms RC if enabled will handle comm tuning for the pilot flying. I might be mistaken but I believe PFE provides a basic set of voices but then extra sets must be purchased. This may have been changed.RC4 does not provide progressive taxi guidance. RC5 as currently planned will provide a video display stating the taxi path for take-off and arrival but no "pink line". There also exist third party apps now that tend to do this including one freeware one. There is a thread in the FS4 forum here about "follow me" cars but there are also others that place a diagram pop-up on the screen with a path to your gate.RC was designed to require pilot activity for the process of acquiring data and navigating the airport and taking off. Once on departure the co-pilot can take over flying duties for the "boring" part until reaching descent about 40 nm out from the destination while the pilot must take over responsibility again adjusting navigation equipment appropriately. On long flights RC can pause the situation before descent so the user can take a break (handy for "pond crossings") provided the aircraft of choice status can be saved and recalled. Some aircraft models going outside of the FS SDK standards can not accomplish this nor can the RC co-pilot fly them. I am not aware of any comm problems on these.If RC automated all of the pilot flying operations where is the challenge and experience gained.One important thing. RC will not cancel its ATC control unless you cancel it. You may get some scolding and sarcastic comments but not automatic cancellation for pilot errors. There is an optional brief critique at the end of each flight. If you really perform an unsafe flight you'll enjoy a visit to the FAA or other authority safety officer for virtual suspension of your pilot's license (but only for this session). This gives weight to the seriousness of repeated errors and outright unsafe operations such as landing without clearance from tower.RC's audio is made up of recorded phrases from volunteers that get compiled as needed from combined scripts. The current version RC 4.3 uses a smoother combining process in response to user complaints. All voices in RC4 are supplied with the package. RC 4.3 did have one upgrade where additional voices were added (no charge to users). User adjustment of the separation of phrases is provided for clarity.The RC43 manual can be downloaded from:http://www.jdtllc.com/documentation.htmI suggest getting the separate tutorials if you don't wish to download the full manual. The feature chart will help describe RC's functions in a chart.

I can tell you that in PFE the co pilot can be set to handle all comms by himself and can even fly the plane himself. The co pilot will also direct you to and from your gate to the rwy (or you can add a gauge to your panel to point you in the right direction). There are at least 100 voices in PFE the great majority of which sound realistic with authentic regional accents.vololiberista

Thanks.This is a an excellent description of what makes RC4 such an outstanding program.Andreas

Hi,Get the program. You will not regret it!!! You can turn off the default ATC sounds from within FS. (Settings >Sound)Reading the manual is a definite with RC - your flights will be considerably more realistic than the default MS ATC (and you won't be vectored into mountains!!!)Regarding the progressive taxi, as one of the other posters mentioned, have a good airport map and you'll be fine. Your experience will be more rewarding. Remember, real-world pilots don't have a pink line to follow to the gate. :( From what I've read in this forum, RC5 is still in the works. Hope it helps!Cheers,Mike T.

Remember, real-world pilots don't have a pink line to follow to the gate. :( Mike T.

No but at many large international airports they have a system of coloured lights to guide aircrews to the gates. :rolleyes:Iain Smith

View Posthastings, on 13 November 2010 - 06:42 AM, said:Remember, real-world pilots don't have a pink line to follow to the gate. :smile:Mike T.No but at many large international airports they have a system of coloured lights to guide aircrews to the gates. :rolleyes:Iain Smith

Not pink but green!!! As at London Heathrow ATC have been telling pilots for as long as I can remember "Follow the greens" They use a system of activated taxiway lights thus directing a/c to and from the rwys. Which at LHR is already considerably easier than many airports!vololiberista

Not pink but green!!! As at London Heathrow ATC have been telling pilots for as long as I can remember "Follow the greens" They use a system of activated taxiway lights thus directing a/c to and from the rwys. Which at LHR is already considerably easier than many airports!vololiberista

I stand corrected. :( Thanks for the real-world info! Thus proves the old adage 'you learn something new every day'!Cheers,Mike T.

The way I looked at it clyde9971 was RC costs about 40 beer. And yes, you are going to have to spend close to that again for ver. 5. It is money well spent. Just don't drink 40 beer once and RC is paid for.JimCYWG

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