Hello,

Just started using MCE again to connect to PF3.

I have figured most issue out, but cannot receive takeoff clearance from tower. When I make the request I often have the change runway window pop up, and when I have the FO do it we just get taxi to the runway we are already sitting at.

What are the words I need to use that trigger hotkey 6 please? for takeoff clearance.

I have used ready for departure, ready to go, ready for takeoff, request departure, request takeoff, request clearance, and a few more. I am using P3Dv4 if this helps.

Thanks.

Hello,

 

ready to copy takeoff clearance or request takeoff clearance.

Best regards

Thank you

I will give those a try tomorrow and see how it goes.

Michael.

Hi Gerald,

 

FYI, PF3 had an update a couple of days ago and now the MCE copilot is not giving the proper frequencies when requested (i.e. ground, tower, clearance delivery). Here is one of the new changes in PF3 ver 3.17.0 that might be applicable to the problem.

"CHANGED the location where the PF3_Freqs.dat file is created. This used to be in a folder named PF3_Display which was created inside the main FS folder. However, since the PF3 Display utility no longer requires WideFS when running on a client machine this file is no longer accessed directly. Subsequently, we now create this file in the main PF3\Data folder."

 

Tony J

Hello Gerald,

MCE is no longer able to communicate with PF3 if I advise the FO to do so. I can hear the FO speaking but PF3 is not reacting. If I answer myself, PF3 is reacting correctly. This is with the latest v 3.7.8.

3 hours ago, delfin8896 said:

Hello Gerald,

MCE is no longer able to communicate with PF3 if I advise the FO to do so. I can hear the FO speaking but PF3 is not reacting. If I answer myself, PF3 is reacting correctly. This is with the latest v 3.7.8.

You need to enable the MCE-PF3 interfacing. It's done via the "PF3_MCE.ini" file present in PF3 installation folder.

Set "Active=1".

After that PF3 will generate a "Clearance.log" in its \Logs\ folder which MCE uses to give the FO awareness so he can know when a reply is due etc..

Although rare, some call-signs might confuse the FO.

For instance, when he gets aware a new ATC message has been logged, anything that starts with your call-sign will be listened and reacted to. Other messages are ignored.

Can't recall, there is an option in PF3 where the call-sign might be preceded with some prefix. Don't use that option.

I have already done so, but sometimes it works, sometimes not.GA Callsign is "Pilatus TLE", if that helps.

I have now gone into more detail and discovered that MCE sometimes does not pass the commands to PFE. The FSUIPC console window was open and I could see that sometimes these hotkey commands were simply not being registered by FSUIPC. In addition, the Caps Lock button for muting no longer works.

4 hours ago, delfin8896 said:

I have now gone into more detail and discovered that MCE sometimes does not pass the commands to PFE. The FSUIPC console window was open and I could see that sometimes these hotkey commands were simply not being registered by FSUIPC. In addition, the Caps Lock button for muting no longer works.

If MCE interface was edited recently, one can never rule out the possibility something having been been broken in the process.

It hasn't been touched for at least a year.

Since it's working when you transmit yourself, the same process is used to send the Hotkeys when the Fo transmits.

When it comes to Hotkeys, keep in mind, they only work when the flight simulator window has the keyboard focus.

If you installed a new add-on recently, make sure it's not periodically setting the focus on itself.

Edit: There is also the possibility some other addon that uses FSUIPC and relies on Hotkeys, has already registered those keys with FSUIPC making them unavailable for PF3.

 

Edited April 28, 20242 yr by FS++

On 4/28/2024 at 11:05 AM, delfin8896 said:

I have now gone into more detail and discovered that MCE sometimes does not pass the commands to PFE. The FSUIPC console window was open and I could see that sometimes these hotkey commands were simply not being registered by FSUIPC. In addition, the Caps Lock button for muting no longer works.

You may want to read this

 

Hi Gerald,

after a couple of months being absence from simming and now returning and check all my setups, i wonder about the actual state of play of MCE and PF3 and if there´s a need for latest updates of MCE for me. As you may know, PF3 will not being developed any further, because the Mastermind behind PF3 has already retired. He will issue some patches from time to time, maybe, but not on a regular basis. In Fact this isn´t a problem at all, as PF3 works already very well in it´s present state. He left us with a latest Version of PF3 3.22.26 which i have in use. 

He implemented some new features and hotkeys in the past couple of months, which are very helpfull, and i would like to know if you are aware about and cosidered them being used by MCE already. 

I´am on MCE Ultimate edition 3.0.8.1  an like to know if it makes sense for me for an update to the latest MCE if those folowing functions are implemented.

(from the Version History document of PF3)

Quote

ADDED a new hotkey. By default this is Control+Shift+S and allows you to request an early descent from ATC prior to reaching your TOD. Now there are a few conditions attached to this. If any of those are not met the hotkey simply won't work. The conditions are you must have reached your TOC and the altitude set in your flight plan for the waypoint AFTER the one you're currently heading towards MUST be less than that of the current waypoint. If those rules are met then there will be a 10% chance ATC will respond with 'Unable at this time', otherwise you will be instructed to descend. This hotkey is OFF by default. 

Quote

 CHANGED Hotkeys #5 and #6. These now allow you to request a specific altitude from ATC. Hotkey #5 used to be 'Request lower altitude due to turbulence' but now you will see a display, similar to when requesting a change of runway, which will show you each altitude below your current altitude in steps of 1000 and when you reach the one you want just use the C\S\Y hotkey to make the request. Similarly, Hotkey #6, which used to be 'Request higher altitude due to turbulence' now displays each altitude above your current altitude in steps of 1000'. Hotkeys H, L, H+n and L+n remain unchanged

Quote

CHANGED Hotkeys #3 and #4. These now simply request a lower or higher altitude respectively, whereas they used to request a change due to clouds. So you now have Hotkeys #5 and #6 to request specific altitudes and #3 and #4 to request ATC assigned altitude changes. This was a user request from Martin S and thanks to our very own Martin C who volunteered to do the editing to create the new vocabulary

Especially the Control+Shift+S key would be much appreciated, as i´am fly the Airbus A320 only.

EDIT: just forgot to mention í´am on Prepared 3d!

Best regards 

Bernd

Edited January 23, 20251 yr by BerndB

59 minutes ago, BerndB said:

Hi Gerald,

after a couple of months being absence from simming and now returning and check all my setups, i wonder about the actual state of play of MCE and PF3 and if there´s a need for latest updates of MCE for me. As you may know, PF3 will not being developed any further, because the Mastermind behind PF3 has already retired. He will issue some patches from time to time, maybe, but not on a regular basis. In Fact this isn´t a problem at all, as PF3 works already very well in it´s present state. He left us with a latest Version of PF3 3.22.26 which i have in use. 

He implemented some new features and hotkeys in the past couple of months, which are very helpfull, and i would like to know if you are aware about and cosidered them being used by MCE already. 

I´am on MCE Ultimate edition 3.0.8.1  an like to know if it makes sense for me for an update to the latest MCE if those folowing functions are implemented.

(from the Version History document of PF3)

Especially the Control+Shift+S key would be much appreciated, as i´am fly the Airbus A320 only.

EDIT: just forgot to mention í´am on Prepared 3d!

Best regards 

Bernd

If you're on P3D, I suggest you remain on the version you have.

The latest versions mostly add support for MSFS 2024, and recently released planes, like iFly737MAX in MSFS, FlyBywire A380, Inibuilds A330 and a few more.

MCE not aware of the new PF3 hotkeys. You could eventually use Voxkey to make a custom command that sends the key combo. Only difference, don't use PTT for those. Better than modifying the source code with the risk of breaking other things that worked for years.

48 minutes ago, FS++ said:

If you're on P3D, I suggest you remain on the version you have.

The latest versions mostly add support for MSFS 2024, and recently released planes, like iFly737MAX in MSFS, FlyBywire A380, Inibuilds A330 and a few more.

MCE not aware of the new PF3 hotkeys. You could eventually use Voxkey to make a custom command that sends the key combo. Only difference, don't use PTT for those. Better than modifying the source code with the risk of breaking other things that worked for years.

hm...honestly speaking, because the capability of MCE that FO can make a request for an "early descent" or "descent on pilots descrition" isn´t related to PF3 or P3d, in fact, but it´s common use in Airliner operation in the real world, it schould be usefull (if not even mendatory) for other ATC-Software aswell or even MSFS inbuild ATC and though for MCE.

Anyway, i will use Voxkey for the time beeing.

Regards

Bernd

Edited January 23, 20251 yr by BerndB

Hello there, since X Plane 12.4.1 my sim crashes due to PF32XP plugin.

 

I was wondering if we could get any patch to get it to work again?

On 3/30/2026 at 11:40 PM, Captain_Alex said:

Hello there, since X Plane 12.4.1 my sim crashes due to PF32XP plugin.

 

I was wondering if we could get any patch to get it to work again?

The issue with revised C-Plane version and the new estrictions is now unferstood. No worries, will be looked at next Monday. with a fix the same week.

Thanks for your patience.