August 5, 201213 yr Basically I'm just trying to figure out of this program is worth purchasing or not. I've watched videos and I like what I see with the interactions but I'm mostly worried about setting it up for new aircraft that don't have cfg files like the Carenado C90 and a couple other planes that I plan on flying that FS2Crew doesn't support. Yes I know about Multi crew but honestly the learning curve and talking into my computer doesn't really interest me. And lastly, any other suggestions out there to simulate a co-pilot that actually does something?
August 5, 201213 yr I have been using Pro Flight Emulator (PFE) together with FDC Live Cockpit (FDC) for a number of years now and I can highly recommend them. PFE replaces the default ATC and includes many voice sets with different English accents, taxi guidance system both verbal and visual and many other improvements. FDC acts as a copilot, performing checklists ext. also has cabin crew announcements, again with different accents. You can buy them individualy or together. They have been tweaked to work together.
August 5, 201213 yr Author Yeah I have PFE and due to large amounts of rage I don't use it. How is FDC when it comes to using it for aircraft that don't have config files? That's my main worry is that it will be too complicated to configure for new aircraft.
August 5, 201213 yr Another thought might be to really investigate "Multi-Crew Experience." Perhaps they have what you need. I love the program (and have both) and MCE is my preferred choice... Just a thought... Incredible customization and product support... Once it is setup, a 20 minute investment, it works wonderfully.. Plus there is a free demo.... No slam on on FDC crew product at all.... Jeff NorthLink VA - Commerce & Community in Northern North America!
August 6, 201213 yr Yeah I have PFE and due to large amounts of rage I don't use it. Hello What issues are you having with PFE ?
August 6, 201213 yr I have used FDC Live Cockpit for a while now. I use it with Aerosofts Airbus X and the Twotter mainly. It depends what existing performance files are available for it unless you want to develop your own which i have done a couple of times but takes a bit of knowledge on the aircrafts settings etc. But when the settings are correct it does the job it says it does quite well. Certainly helps take the work load off the Captain. It can be customised quite a bit too to how you want it to function. Airport ambience and live ATC can be added with downloaded wav files. User interface looks quite dated now but alot can be adjusted to your liking. I recommend it. Good software. Kind Regards Simon.
August 6, 201213 yr Author Hello What issues are you having with PFE ? It seems every problem I always had, had something to do with frequencies. I lost track of how many times I'm handed off center and every time the frequency will be the same as the last. Many times the frequency I'm given is the frequency for something else so neither of them will work. Half the time the unicom frequency will be the same as a WX frequency. I've also been forgot about a few times after takeoff or arrival. After more reading I tried it again the other day after spending 20 or so minutes setting it up with SIDS and STARS and after writing down the departure frequency from clearance. Once I took off tower gave me a totally different frequency for departure, which of course didn't work and the one I was supposed to be using didn't work. I even looked at the generated sheet with all the frequencies. So I turned on RC4 and got to my destination without a problem.
August 6, 201213 yr I also support the advice, given above by Jeff, on trying (free of charge for a trial period) Multi Crew Experience, it will cover your ATC needs (including RC4 if you wish) as well as your copilot teaming up with you for - customized - checklists for each aircraft and a lot more (pushback and cabin crew interactions). I had PFC for many years but honestly when I discovered MCE, I took PFC off my HD...
August 6, 201213 yr Multi Crew Experience, it will cover your ATC needs How will MCE cover his ATC needs ?. it uses the Default ATC I had PFC for many years but honestly when I discovered MCE, I took PFC off my HD... What is PFC ?
August 6, 201213 yr Commercial Member There is a MCE support forum here on AVSIM, which has very good support from the Users as well as from the developers (FS++). MCE also interfaces with RC4 for complete voice control with ATC. Have a look at the MCE website also http://www.multicrewxp.com/ Hope this helps Clive Joy
August 7, 201213 yr Author Well like I stated in my original post I didn't want to futz around with MCE but maybe I should, just feel weird talking to my computer... How do you go about getting cfg's for planes to use in MCE? What if one doesn't exist? Does it tell you what to say or would I have to deal with a huge learning curve? How good is the speech recognition? And how exactly does it interact with RC4?
August 7, 201213 yr Well like I stated in my original post I didn't want to futz around with MCE but maybe I should, just feel weird talking to my computer... How do you go about getting cfg's for planes to use in MCE? What if one doesn't exist? Does it tell you what to say or would I have to deal with a huge learning curve? How good is the speech recognition? And how exactly does it interact with RC4? Take a look at the review for it here on Avsim. http://www.avsim.com/pages/0409/MultiCrewExp/MCExp.htm It is a very comprehensive and well written review by Alan Bradbury who I believe is still an active forum member. Even though it was written in 2009 and there have been several updates to MCE since then (including, as mentioned above, full integration with RC4) it will give you a very good idea of how well it works - which is, apparently, very very well. I personally will be trying the demo with the Airbus X tonight. With a fully functioning demo you can't go wrong when trying to decide if it's for you.
August 7, 201213 yr Well like I stated in my original post I didn't want to futz around with MCE but maybe I should, just feel weird talking to my computer... How do you go about getting cfg's for planes to use in MCE? What if one doesn't exist? Does it tell you what to say or would I have to deal with a huge learning curve? How good is the speech recognition? And how exactly does it interact with RC4? It doesnt feel weird, when you have used it a few times it actually feels weird when you don't have a virtual First Officer to talk to! I am not sure about the .cfg issue...you can either download the demo and give it a go or send the support team an email with the question, they get back to you very quickly. The best thing about MCE is that the learning curve is not that big...you dont have to learn a script....ie you are not limited to saying "flaps up" or the program wont work...you can think "human" and say Flaps up one notch, 'up on the flaps, take the flaps up, etc...up to you...it is very adaptive. Speech recognition is very good, you just run the App Wizard as soon as you install it, it does all the settings for you, you dont touch anything...then do some speech training and away you go! With RC4 it actually gives voice commands...so you can say "American 211 request taxy" and it will request taxy and get the reply for you....have a look in the MCE forums, there are some links to very good videos showing how it works. Take a look at the review for it here on Avsim. http://www.avsim.com...ewExp/MCExp.htm It is a very comprehensive and well written review by Alan Bradbury who I believe is still an active forum member. Even though it was written in 2009 and there have been several updates to MCE since then (including, as mentioned above, full integration with RC4) it will give you a very good idea of how well it works - which is, apparently, very very well. I personally will be trying the demo with the Airbus X tonight. With a fully functioning demo you can't go wrong when trying to decide if it's for you. The program should work with just about every aircraft to some degree....I use some basic functions with the SimCheck A300 at the moment, and I believe the FS++ team are gong to write a support module for it in the near future!!! If some things dont work on the Airbus-X, send an email to support and ask if it is planned for the near future. Will Reynolds Flight Sim Addict
August 11, 201213 yr Can I run FDC Live Cockpit and Radar Contact 4.3 at the same time? I strongly recommend Radar Contact 4.3 and FDC (a little less strongly). FDC seems to be a bit complicated to add own voice messages to passengers for example. But it is a bargain in that you can use it on ALL AIRCRAFT. I'm tempted by FSCREW but at an extra $25.00 per plane is expensive. I mean at some point I have to say to myself "I can't buy everything." It seems that FDC does more or less same thing as FScrew but not as well I'm sure. Opinions?
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