HenkA

Hoi Vincent,FSX or FS9?Henk

Hi everyone.The ones who, like me, are the lucky owner of the VRInsight MCP-Combo panel, will have noticed, that the MCP-Combo doesn't work together with the PMDG744X/8i Voice Commander. The reason for that is that the panel installer for the MCP-Combo, after running it for the PMDG744X writes a PMDG_747-400_Kbd.ini file into the Microsoft Flightsimulator X\PMDG directory. This file contains the keyboard commands, used by the MCP-Combo to activate it's buttons, rotary knobs, and switches. FS2Crew's PMDG744X/8i Voice Commander does exactly the same, and makes a back-up file from the MCP-Combo keybd.ini file. The keybd.ini file, generated by the Voice Commander contains keyboard commands, which are fully different from the MCP-Combo keyboard commands. In fact, this means, you can use either the MCP-Combo, or the Voice Commander, and only one of the two can do it's job. So far so bad.There circulate a couple of dat-files that claims to be the solution for the problem. Sorry to say guys, but it's a fairy-tale. Better forget about those files and put them into the recycle.bin.After a lot of informing and experimenting, I was finally able, to write a PMDG_747-400_Kbd.ini file, which will give you really full access to the Voice Commander, and at the same time, you can use all of the important possibilities of the MCP-Combo. So far so good.In the meantime, I absolved a number of short test-flights, which were succesfully. At this moment, I'm writing a doc-file, which explains what and how to do, and gives an explanation, which buttons, rotary knobs and switches work in the MCP-Combo.After I've finished this doc-file, I will upload the whole stuff at Flightsim.com and Avsim.com.Kind regards,Henk

Bryan,Just posted it into the PMDG forum.Henk

Hello everyoneFlying the 747, together with the FS2Crew Voice Commander is a real new experience. However, from the FS2Crew forum, I noticed that many members did have problems to make a complete flight, especially to start from a cold and dark position and power up, and go through the Preflight events of the Voice Commander, myself included.That's why I wrote a doc-file (Word format), which guides you through this (self explaining pictures and tasks). If combined with the FS2Crew 747 Operations Manual, you will sure be able to fly the 747 from cold and dark at the departure airport to shutting down at the arrival airport, together with the FSCrew Voice Commander. I use this guide, during all my flights, and find it a real help.If people are interested, they can download the file+explanation from Flightsim.com and/or Avsim.com.In Flightsim.com, you have to go to the Search Library Section. In the text field, simply type Altena. The first hit is the file, you need.In Avsim.com, you can search for Flightguide in the FSX-Miscellaneous section.Hope you like it.Henk Altena

Hi guys,You can download the file now from Avsim.com or Flightsim.com.For both web-sitesyou need to be registered.In Flightsim.com, you have to go to the Search Library Section. In the text field, simply type Altena. The first hit is the file, you need.In Avsim.com, you can search for Flightguide in the FSX-Miscellaneous section.I hope, you will like the stuff.Btw, I let it print-out at a Printshop and let them make a professional booklet out of it (with such a plastic spiral). Then you can use it as a hand-out, during your flights.Have fun,Henk

Hi Lenny,As a matter of fact, for a year or so, I did make a video of the 747 on a short flight from ELLX (Luxembourg) to EHAM (Schiphol amsterdam), and I made a DVD from it. This was a video at a good resolution, and therefore too big to upload.I don't like you tube films, because of the bad quality and resolution.So, I don't think of making something like that now.Henk

Hi Dario,Still no answer. Hope you're not sleeping. :( Henk

Hi Lenny,Not necessary to write in bold. Also with 68 years of age, I still can read LOLThe stuff was uploaded today at flightsim.com and avsim.com. It takes a (short) file, before it is downloadable. Then I wil report in this thread how you can find it.Thanks anyway for the feed-back.Kind regards,Henk

Hi,Work on the hand-out has finished and tested out. This week-end, I will upload the file at AVSIM and Flightsim.After these websites have made the file "downloadable", I will report back, how you can find it.Regards,Henk

Hi Dario,Up until now, I only used my MCP-Combo with the LevelD767, and that was OK. Since I'm a real newbie with the MCP, I would like to ask you something.I recently installed the voice commander for the PMDG 747, and I really like it. I always fly the 8i version, and I really would like to fly the aircraft with the MCP-Combo.So, I downloaded your dat-file and placed it into the SerialFP2/Keymap directory. Then, I did run the panel installer and installed the MCP-Combo for the PMDG744X.Then I started FSX, and choosed the 747-8i.Then I did run SerialFP, and loaded the module.So far, so good.But I'm not able to do anything with the MCP-Combo: speed-, heading-, and altitude-knobs for instance won't function at all. Did not even try theother buttons on the panel.What am I doing wrong??? Could you give me advice about this?Help is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.Kind regards,Henk

Hello everyone,I red a couple of posts from forum members, having possibly some problems with the pre-flight events, starting from "cold and dark".I almost finished to write a doc-file (Word format), which guides you through this (self explaining pictures and tasks). If combined with the Operations Manual, you will sure be able to fly the 747 from cold and dark at the departure airport to shutting down at the arrival airport. I use this guide, during all my flights, and find it a real help.If people are interested, I can upload the guide.Kind regards.Henk AltenaBryan, you did another beautiful job again with this 747 Voice Commander. Thanks a lot for it. :(

Sorry, I was not clear enough. On my Saitek flight yoke, there is this button, which let me scroll up/down and left/right in the Virtula cockpit and also during spot plane.But indeed, you did understand it right though,talking about the hat switch. Hope, my quesions can be answered.Henk

Hello everyone,Most FSX aircraft have at least a VC-captain's view and a VC- first officier's view. What I noticed (also with the PMDG MD-11) is that the VC-captain's view is always very "nervous", when scrolling through the cockpit with my POV hat; while the VC- first officier's view is much better to control with the POV.A wonderful exception of this behaviour is the PMDG B747-8i. In this aircraft, the VC- captain's view scrolls also very smooth, using the POV.My first question is: How did PMDG manage this for the 747-8i? My second question is (of course): Can I change something in the panel.cfg myself, to achieve in other aircraft, this smooth scrolling as it is in the 747-8i?Very interested in an answer.Kind regards.Henk Altena

Hello Kimmo,Thanks for the fast answer. You are right, I believe now. Did not try it out however. Despite the fact that I red the manual, also during flight, I did not connect the phrase 'center in command' with the autopilot on. But what you say is logical anyway. Thanks again.Kind regards,Henk

Hi Bryan,I finished a couple of flights with the 767 and the Voice Commander succesfully. A couple of phrases are not recognised by the Voice recognition, for instance 'RVSM check I have zero difference', but I have to practise that better.There is however one phrase, the voice commander also does not understand, and that is 'autopilot on'. After asking for setting VNAV and LNAV, I ask the FO to put the autopilot on. He responds by disengaging the disengage bar (switches the bar down). The green bar displays autopilot off.If I only say 'ON' then the green bar shows indeed 'ON'. So the word on is recognized, as it is with the 737 default and the 737PIC.Am I doing something wrong, or is the command not in the Voice Commander? No problem to switch on the AP myself by the way.Kind regards,Henk

Thanks trisager and Bryan for the quick response. Perhaps another forum member has an answer on the first question.Kind regards,Henk

Hello Bryan,First of all: thanks so very much for the release of the Voice Commander for the 767. It's really great, impressive and challenging. I have,, for now, two questions.1) General question: I always have problems to have a push-back truck and luggage vans available. After changing the settings for airport vehicles a couple of times, they can be suddenly there. Which settings must I have to show them permamently?2) Where can I find the Bank Limit Selector? I looked into the LevelD's manual, but could not find it. I know that this is not your concern, but still I hope you can help me though.Kind regards,Henk

Thanks Bryan.Henk

Hello Brian and other forum members,After having finished a couple of flights with Wilco 737PIC (did not fly the bird for quite a long time), I bought and installed the Voice Commander for this AC.It's a great pleasure for me to fly the AC together with the Voice Commander. Great!!!!Two questions remain:1) Can I set Stabilizer Trim with the737PIC; if yes: How??2) Bryan, perhaps you remember the fact, that I was not abled to let the Voice Commander understand the phrase 'Cleared'. Now I noticed that, if I say: 'Cleared for Takeoff' , and 'Cleared for Landing' , the green bar displays the word 'cleared' in both cases, and the FO carries out his tasks. Did you already update the Voice Commander for this? If not, I guess it's not necessary to do so.I just finished a flow-sheet for the 737PIC Voice Commander. If there are simmers interested in the stuff, please let me know. Then I wil upload it at Avsim.com.Regards (and waiting for the next Voice Commander,....perhaps also the Wilco Airbus in future). :( Henk

Hi again,I noticed following:After the FO and the PF both has finished their Preflight tasks, then it's a good idea to step FF in the Configuration Panel, until it's Zero. At that time, all doors will be closed automatically.Regards, Henk

Hi Jack,I seem to have also problems with the doors. Could you give me some more info about this gauge, you downloaded?Thanks in advance.Henk

Hello,Just finished and tested a flow chart for FS2Crew Voice commander for the default FSX 737-800.It tells the PF, what to do and goes through all checlists, at every stage of the flight. Every cycle in the Main Panel's display is written on a separate page. I know, there was a forum member, who already made a good flowchart. However, for me newbie, it was too much comprised. Perhaps there are simmers, who are interested in this flow too. I t can be downloaded from AVSIM.com. Search for the file: FS2Crew2010_default737X.zipRegards, Henk

Hello Bryan,Thanks for the feedback.I've just finished my flow chart for the FSX default 737. It's in Word format.Could you tell me, how I can send it to you for a final check (language and other improvements)? I guess, you know my email address.Have a nice weekend.Henk

Thanks Bryan. No problem to do some work myself :( Now, I also know, in which stage I have to switch the levers, to make it more realistic.Regards, Henk

Hi Bryan,Thanks for the answer. Sorry, but you understood me wrong. I was not talking about the Engine Start Switches in the overhead panel. They are properly controlled by the FO. I ment the Master Starter Switches. The are in the throttle panel, under the throttle levers. They are needed to fire up the engines. As far as I noticed: they are not controlled by the FO. How to handle those switches?