FS2Crew: FBW A32NX and Pushback Express Friends,

The Weekend Update is coming a bit early... but there's a reason for that!

We just updated Pushback Express and FS2Crew for the FBW A32NX again.

The file is on our server.

No need to uninstall first.

Download link:

https://downloads.fs2crew.com/fs2crew_downloads/public_betas/fs2crew_msfs_public_betas.zip

All FS2Crew FBW A32NX users and Pushback Express users should use the public beta.  It's pretty solid.

Remember you need to own a legal version of FS2Crew for the FBW A32NX or PBE to update to the latest public beta version.


CHANGE LOG:

PUSHBACK EXPRESS:

1. In the last version, we added a "Marshaller" model users could toggle on/off to use as a "flag" to judge their distance to the taxiway line while using DISTANCE pushback mode.

The marshaller represented the spot where the aircraft would start the turn to the final heading.  This was really helpful for users using DISTANCE pushback mode because now they could judge the distance to the taxiway line visually rather than trying to eye-ball it, which was rather tough.

However, in this new updated public beta version released today, we added an extra option that allows users to enter a manual offset for the pushback turn point.  (We also carried this functionality over into the stand-alone EXE as well for people who don't use the Command Center).

STEP 1:

[DISTANCE MODE ONLY]

Toggle the Marshaller model on via the PBE panel and place the Marshaller model on the taxiway line using the arrow buttons.

STEP 2:
Guesstimate the distance required to turn during pushack from the turn point to the final heading, and you can enter that value as the OFFSET. 

STEP 3:
Start the pushback.  You should get a reasonably accurate pushback to the taxiway line assuming your OFFSET value is reasonably accurate.

Note that finding the correct offset will take some trial and error on your part.

But once you know the OFFSET distance your your aircraft, then you can get good pushback simply by putting the Marshaller flag on the taxiway line and starting the pushback.

Note that this is NOT a perfect system, but it's the best anyone can do for probably a very long time because airport scenery data in MSFS marketplace airports is encrypted, meaning we can't read data out of them.

Moreover, there's a host of other related issues with encrypted aircraft data that 3rd party programs need, but which 3rd party simply cannot read in order to make magical pushback turns to the taxiway line. 

There's actually a lot of very complex math involved, math we need to be able to read out of the aircraft.

Points to remember about using the OFFSET function:

1. The offset value is saved in your user settings.
2. Only one value can be saved.  There are no multiple aircraft profiles (yet).


FS2CREW: FBW A32NX EDITION:

1. A really weird bug associated with the BRAKE FAN and saying "CHECKED" was identified and fixed.

PUSHBACK EXPRESS and FS2Crew: FBW A32NX:

1. Admin rights message boxed forced to the front (top) of the screen.

2. Other minor edits, such as a potential re-drawing issue some users experienced when minimizing and re-opening the panel.


SCREESHOT SHOWING HOW "OFFETS" WORK IN 'DISTANCE MODE' IN PUSHBACK EXPRESS.

PLACE THE MARSHALLER ICON ON THE TAXI WAY LINE, THEN ENTER AN OFFSET VALUE FOR YOUR AIRCRAFT.  THE OFFSET IS USED TO CALCULATE WHEN THE AIRCAFT SHOULD START TURNING.  ASSUMING YOUR OFFSET IS ACCURATE, THE TUG SHOULD GET YOU REASONABLY CLOSE TO THE TAXIWAY LINE.

FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR 'OFFSET' VALUES HERE FOR VARIOUS AIRCRAFT.  EACH AIRCRAFT WILL HAVE ITS OWN VALUE.

 

 

And one more thing...

If you own FS2Crew for the iFly 737NG P3D (P3D version), send me a support ticket via: www.fs2crew.com

We need a few more users to give the new P3D V5 version a final spin!
 

Edited November 19, 20214 yr by byork

Thank you for this update Bryan! 🙂 

Thank you! 🙂

Hi Bryan, how is it looking with the turn radius computation? I was experimenting using Mapping and Distance Tools (acscdg.com) to figure out the correct taxiway heading (final turn heading) and found out the ff:

Facing LEFT = taxiway heading minus 3 degrees

Facing RIGHT = taxiway heading plus 3 degrees

Is there a way to have sort of an arrow on the ground in front of the marshaller to see exactly where the nose of the plane will be pointing?

Thank you for all the work you put in this program. 👍

Edited November 23, 20214 yr by Pulsepowered

16 hours ago, Pulsepowered said:

Hi Bryan, how is it looking with the turn radius computation? I was experimenting using Mapping and Distance Tools (acscdg.com) to figure out the correct taxiway heading (final turn heading) and found out the ff:

Facing LEFT = taxiway heading minus 3 degrees

Facing RIGHT = taxiway heading plus 3 degrees

Is there a way to have sort of an arrow on the ground in front of the marshaller to see exactly where the nose of the plane will be pointing?

Thank you for all the work you put in this program. 👍

The big problem is that 3rd party scenery from the Marketplace is encrypted.   We can't read scenery data.

So we're experimenting with alternate methods.  Our current version is not bad where users manually enter an offset then place the marshaller on the taxiway line.

That should give you a reasonable accurate push to the taxiway line without have to manually steer the tug.

However, getting the plane to turn accurately by itself requires a lot of data without requiring the users to make any selections.  It sounds simple to outside observers, but it's not 🙂
 

Edited November 24, 20214 yr by byork

17 hours ago, Pulsepowered said:

Hi Bryan, how is it looking with the turn radius computation? I was experimenting using Mapping and Distance Tools (acscdg.com) to figure out the correct taxiway heading (final turn heading) and found out the ff:

Facing LEFT = taxiway heading minus 3 degrees

Facing RIGHT = taxiway heading plus 3 degrees

Is there a way to have sort of an arrow on the ground in front of the marshaller to see exactly where the nose of the plane will be pointing?

Thank you for all the work you put in this program. 👍

Hi,

Currently the last PBE's BETA version places the marshaller according to the distance you enter in the textbox, also, it makes the marshaller face the FINAL direction or heading the plane will be. We are using the default marshaller because we currently don't have a model to be used yet with it, but once we have our custom model, we will use it and then show an arrow for a best view. Currently the best thing you can do now is use the MSFS's "drone camera" to move the external camera where our marshaller is, and see where he's facing, We know it's not the best way, but its a temporal way to see where your plane will be facing after the tug's final turn. We for sure explore the way for draw a path on screen, but we aren't there yet, :).

Manuel

No Mic anymore..

Thank you, York, for a new update. VR-Support…amazing 🤩 ! Now, just have to wait, until Asobo will fix all the VR-issues with the toolbar since the last Sim-Update 7 🙈 (ok, another story).

But I have one problem, after I installed the fs2crew_msfs_public_beta.zip:

After installation my microphone does not work anymore. Before all been good, no probs. But after the installation, like you explained so well, I see in windows(settings) that the mic is not working (and of cause not in your program too). Any idea ? I did not maked any other changes on my pc. 

Any help would be wonderful. If not..I need to wait for other fixes (because I tried already all in windows). Or how I can install the version before the last update ? (Just to try if it will working again)

best regards and many thx 🙏

Charly

Hi Charly,

In the Info Center there a Log.  Please check it.

I suspect you may not have activated voice control mode after installing the latest update.

Remember when you install an FS2Crew update, your saved settings are lost... so you'd be back in Button Control in code because it's the default mode.

Clear as mud?