I'm having the following issues using FDC Live Cockpit with FSX.1. Gets stuck in a engine start loop on 747-400 (none of the move forward checklist, bypass checklist, nor pause checklist works). Even when I exit "End Flight" the engine start loop continues.2. Clicking on connect from Flight Deck Companion minimizes FSX and then never maximizes FSX (it's supposed to start FSX)3. The A320 and the CJ700 are not supported (as in no templates)4. During approach flaps are extended, then retracted, then extended5. Crew can't respond to ATC6. Prompts in FDC that are hiddened behind other windows7. Horrible FDC interface, no clear direction of how to proceed8. Very poor documentation (no images explaining the interface)9. To/From distance calculations are wrong, appears to be looking at FSX entry of previous flight rather than current flight plan To/From (i.e. CYQX to CYHZ is not 2393 miles).10. Checklists don't match up to what can be selected for the FSX Aircraft.It would be nice to have a CoPilot for some of these Jets as it can get very busy for a single person during take-off/landing sequence, but FDC Live Cockpit seems to have completely missed the target -- CoPilot is supposed to help reduce my load not increase it.I know that FSX Aircraft can be checked for what they support/don't support via the aircraft files, so why isn't FDC looking at them so as to setup a meaningful checklist?Wonder if FS2CREW is any better?Rob.

Rob,Drop in on the FDC Forum here at AVSIM - Dave Marsh is always very willing to help sort out problems such as yours {there is already a thread about Airbus templates}.John R

Hi Rob,Firstly it would have been better to post in the FDC support forum as I don't normally visit this forum so could easily have missed this one.For the purpose of my replies I will assume you're using FDC version 3.5>I'm having the following issues using FDC Live Cockpit with>FSX.>>1. Gets stuck in a engine start loop on 747-400 (none of the>move forward checklist, bypass checklist, nor pause checklist>works). Even when I exit "End Flight" the engine start loop>continues.I assume this is the default 747, if so please send me the blackbox.log(s) from the main FDCLogs folder.When you say none of the move forward checklist, bypass checklist nor pause checklist works what exactly do you mean? If referring to Hotkeys do you have other addons using hotkeys? If so there could be a contention issue and you may need to reconfigure such hotkeys in either application. FDC does offer the facility to do so if required of course.>2. Clicking on connect from Flight Deck Companion minimizes>FSX and then never maximizes FSX (it's supposed to start FSX)Not here it doesn't! If running FDC on the same PC as FSX it will minimize itself but not FSX. Sorry, this is not an FDC issue.>3. The A320 and the CJ700 are not supported (as in no>templates)FDC comes complete with templates for the 727-200, 737-400, 737-600, 737-700, 737-800, 737-900, 747-200, 747-400, 767-200, 767-300, 777-300, A319, A320, A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, A340-300, ATR42-300 ATR42-500, ATR72-200, ATR72-500, BAE146, Baron58, Cessna 182S, Cessna 172SP, Cessna 182RG, Cessna 208 Amphib, Cessna 208B Grand, DC3, DHC-Beaver, Fokker 50, KA350, Katana 20-80, Katana 20-100, Lear45 and Mooney to name but a few but not the CJ700, sorry, but if you create one please ensure you share it.There are also various additional templates available in the AVSIM libary (FDC section) plus FDC offers its own performance file template editor to easily configure your own or indeed to adjust any of the supplied ones. Have you checked the downloads section?>4. During approach flaps are extended, then retracted, then>extendedPlease ensure you have FSX setup to display IAS and not TAS, as described in the manual. If using IAS then again I would have to see the blackbox log to see why this is happening as flaps would only be extended if your IAS dropped below the safe airspeed for your current configuration as defined in the performand file in use. During approach flaps are only extended due to the aircraft's weight/speed/altitude. Of course if you then start increasing speed and/or altitude FDC may well assume you're on a missed approach and call for flaps to be retracted to prevent undue stress on your aircraft. If you're having problems flying a correct approach you can adjust FDC's performance files to be a little more lenient.>5. Crew can't respond to ATCCorrect and as designed. Such features are not mentioned in any of the advertising material I've seen. To the best of my knowledge there are no addons that actually interact with the FS ATC.>6. Prompts in FDC that are hiddened behind other windowsWhich prompts would these be? FDC displays optional messages either to the default FS message window of the addon ADVDisplay. If running FDC on a client PC using WideFS you can have additional information displayed there too but that would be of no use nor is it intended for those running FDC on the same PC as FS.>7. Horrible FDC interface, no clear direction of how to>proceedObviously you are entitled to your opinion as to the look and feel of the interface but you really are the first to complain of such.>8. Very poor documentation (no images explaining the>interfaceThis remark I strongly disagree with. FDC's documentation comes in many forms, most of which has been written by a professional technical documentation author. Have you actually read any of the material provided? FDC offers a 255 page PDF user guide plus you can use F1 from anywhere within the program to display even more help (the later comprising more information and fully updated with all the latest features).In addition to this if you're unsure of any option, button or control, simply right-click for context sensitive popup help explaining exactly what each one does. Finally, if you purchased the CD version of FDC Live Cockpit from Aerosoft you will get a printed manual... a cutdown version it's true... but a printed one all the same.I'm sorry if you feel the lack of pictures is unhelpful. >9. To/From distance calculations are wrong, appears to be>looking at FSX entry of previous flight rather than current>flight plan To/From (i.e. CYQX to CYHZ is not 2393 miles).Again, if you can provide a blackbox log for this flight I will check it out. Please remember though that FDC does not check your flightplan but simply uses your current position (at startup) with the destination ICAO you enter from the main menu. Should you change your starting location (after this first calculation has been made) without hitting the refresh button, the calculation will indeed be incorrect. All this is also explained in the documentation.>10. Checklists don't match up to what can be selected for the>FSX Aircraft.Instead of just throwing such statements at me could you please be a little more specific. We have never stated the checklists provided are 100% accurate and a lot of generic terms have been included to allow users to generate their own specific checklists by using FDC's built in checklist editor. This is how FDC is able to be used with so many different aircraft. Check out our support forum to see what other users have achieved in this area. Also check out the download section at AVSIM to see checklists created by other users. You can actually create a checklist for use with almost any aircraft if you want to take the time to do so.>It would be nice to have a CoPilot for some of these Jets as>it can get very busy for a single person during>take-off/landing sequence, but FDC Live Cockpit seems to have>completely missed the target -- CoPilot is supposed to help>reduce my load not increase it.Actually I believe you may have missed the target by not availing yourself of the information available with regard to using FDC. It certainly does provide a fully conversant co-pilot to do eactly what you suggest we've missed!I am more than happy to take criticism (both constructive and otherwise) of our product and am also more than happy to work with anyone who may be experiencing problems. As I said earlier, please pay a visit to our support forum, ask whatever questions you want and I, other memebers of the team or other users will be more than happy to help where we can. I will take on board any suggestions for improvement and although do not make promises to include them in forthcoming updates I will always consider them thoroughly.FDC was originally released almost five years ago now and is still going strong, albeit a much, much different and improved product from the original release. No one ever said it was an easy product to use but please give it another try and do read the documentation... I think you will be pleased with the end results.CheersDave March

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JohnI searched for posts on FDC and noticed they were moved to FSX forum, since I have the FDC for FSX I figured this was the correct place to post. Sorry for the mistake.Rob.

Dave,Thank you for the detailed response. Should I send the BlackBox.log to you directly?Yes, version 3.5 for FSX.1. Using the shortcut keys i.e. Shift-Esc, Ctrl-Spacebar, etc. -- I believe these are supposed to move the checklist along or bypass. In my case, I was never able to turn off the ES (Engine Start) sequence. Yes, Default 747-400 in FSX.I have MyTrafficX installed for FSX.I do have FS9 installed on the same PC and it seems to have picked up the FS9 add-on Aircraft but doesn't list all the FSX aircraft.2. When I click on "Connect" in FDC it does minimize FSX? Since FDC is the trigger, I'm not sure I understand how this isn't an FDC issue? On page 17 of the manual:"If the connection is successful, the FDC Live Cockpit! main window will automatically be minimized and flight simulator will be brought to the front" -- this isn't happening, FSX is not brought to the front.3. Oops, sorry, I should have said "A321" as that is what comes in FSX. FDC doesn't support this natively -- I would need to create a template for it. I have not checked the downloads section, I will. I expected A321 CJ700 to be part of FDC since it is being sold as an FSX and FS9 product. 4. Never us TAS, always use IAS. I think you are correct, buy minor changes in speed are cause too frequent changes in flaps -- perhaps this is a problem with FSX real time weather as I've noticed it will send my IAS up or down as much as 50 (even on approach). Perhaps a duration of IAS change needs to be taken into consideration in FDC so it isn't constantly change flaps for short turbulance bursts. Did I miss a duration setting for flaps so they dont' keep changing them?5.Ok.6. FDC Save/Replace prompt is displayed behind the FSX window, it should be top most window.7. - 10. looks like we'll just have to disagree.Thank you for the tips and suggestions.I did purchase FS2Crew for the default 747-400, it appears to work very well for the 747-400 only and has a much more modern interface and very clear PDF. FDC does provide more "options" for the end user, but FS2Crew just seems to work well right out of the box but is limited to 747-400 (or the 172 if you purchase that version).But maybe you're correct, perhaps my perception of what would help me fly a multi-engine jet is not the same as what FDC is intended to do -- I wanted something to reduce my work load -- unfortunately for me, FDC didn't do that as I was constantly correcting for crew mistakes and trying to land at the same time.Rob.