PF3 & MSFS 2020

[flyblueskies 143]

I'm curious, for anyone using PF3 along with MSFS 2020 to replace ATC, how are you actually using it?

1. Let PF3 automatically handle all communications between the controller and First Office (just like MSFS 2020 AI first officer).

2. You use the hotkeys to answer ATC.

3. Use another program, such as Multi Crew Ultimate as either the first officer (he answers ATC just as MSFS 2020 AI first officer) OR you speak directly to ATC using the push to talk buttons.

I prefer not to use option 2 (hotkeys) as it is just not realistic for me...

[Bobsk8 12,873]

I have the two most often used hotkeys, call to ATC and acknowledge assigned to my joystick Then all I need is  two more hotkeys for calling tower to land, and calling tower for takeoff clearance. You can get one of the programs that communicate to PF3 via voice, but that is too much hassle for me. 

[flyblueskies 143]

Thanks Bob! That's a good idea!

 I appreciate the information!

Edited February 4, 2022 by flyblueskies

[Bobsk8 12,873]

5 minutes ago, flyblueskies said:

Thanks Bob! That's a good idea!

 I appreciate the information!

There is a hot key that brings up all the hotkey commands in PF3, but frankly I never use it. I just remember the 6 most often used hotkeys, and that is all  you really need for 99% of your flights. 

Edited February 4, 2022 by Bobsk8

[Mace 1,963]

17 minutes ago, Bobsk8 said:

I have the two most often used hotkeys, call to ATC and acknowledge assigned to my joystick Then all I need is  two more hotkeys for calling tower to land, and calling tower for takeoff clearance. You can get one of the programs that communicate to PF3 via voice, but that is too much hassle for me. 

Can you set one yoke button as PTT (push-to-talk) using PF3?

[Bobsk8 12,873]

9 minutes ago, Mace said:

Can you set one yoke button as PTT (push-to-talk) using PF3?

I have one set to call ATC and one set to acknowledge what they tell me. 

 

If you want voice control, this works with PF3.     http://www.multicrewxp.com/

Edited February 4, 2022 by Bobsk8

[Romeo_Tango 143]

Curious; Does PF3 work for VFR?

[RALF9636 1,999]

13 hours ago, flyblueskies said:

I'm curious, for anyone using PF3 along with MSFS 2020 to replace ATC, how are you actually using it?

1. Let PF3 automatically handle all communications between the controller and First Office (just like MSFS 2020 AI first officer).

2. You use the hotkeys to answer ATC.

3. Use another program, such as Multi Crew Ultimate as either the first officer (he answers ATC just as MSFS 2020 AI first officer) OR you speak directly to ATC using the push to talk buttons.

I prefer not to use option 2 (hotkeys) as it is just not realistic for me...

Actually I use all these options depending on the type / stage of flight and the mood I'm in.

When flying the FBW A320 I use Multi Crew Experience to interact with PF3. During the flight I switch between talking to ATC myself (mostly on the ground) and having my FO do it (mostly during cruise).

When flying GA sometimes I use VoiceAttack to talk to PF3 by voice (I'm not using MCE when flying solo GA, and VoiceAttack gives total freedom on which phrases you want to use - other than MCE).

Sometimes I use the hotkeys. I have a StreamDeck page setup for all the PF3 hotkeys with descriptions of what they do, so I don't have to memorize them. 

I also often change the VCP setting of PF3 during the flight (mostly between 1 and 2).

After all I love the flexibility of PF3.

 

11 hours ago, Romeo_Tango said:

Curious; Does PF3 work for VFR?

Basically it does. Some features I would like to have are missing though, for example enroute airspace transitions and control zones.

 

 

Edited February 5, 2022 by RALF9636

[flyblueskies 143]

11 minutes ago, RALF9636 said:

Actually I use all these options depending on the type / stage of flight and the mood I'm in.

Thank you RALF!

That's a very good way to handle the different situations!

[Bill A 68]

Downloaded the demo today..but its telling me it cant connect to MSFS2020. I did start the sim before running PF3 also. Any advice and since its a demo, I created a simbreif flight under 200miles and saved it as a MSFS 2020 format and loaded it into PF3.

[flyblueskies 143]

2 hours ago, Bill A said:

its telling me it cant connect to MSFS2020

You also need to use FSUIPC and connect to MSFS 2020 before connecting PF3 to MSFS.

So...

1. Start FSUIPC (for MSFS 2020). I start mine manually, but it can be automatically connected to MSFS 2020.

2. Within FSUIPC, connect FSUIPC to MSFS 2020.

3. Connect PF3 to MSFS 2020.

PF3 should work after this.

[Bill A 68]

Ok, I thought I was under the impression that FSUIPC was no longer needed. Is there still a free version of it? 

[Bobsk8 12,873]

5 minutes ago, Bill A said:

Ok, I thought I was under the impression that FSUIPC was no longer needed. Is there still a free version of it? 

http://www.fsuipc.com/

[johnbla 31]

On 2/5/2022 at 11:30 PM, RALF9636 said:

Sometimes I use the hotkeys. I have a StreamDeck page setup for all the PF3 hotkeys with descriptions of what they do, so I don't have to memorize them. 

 

Hi Ralph

I am starting to do the same with my Stream Deck. What commands have you set up on your SD? Many thanks in advance.

 

John

[Bill A 68]

Read the manual but how do you get the menu to choose who to contact on the radio and what to reply?  I'm busy pressing hot keys but don't know what they do.