MDChase

Good Evening Gents, I have come with an interesting query and was wondering if anyone could help. I received my Naval Aviator Wings last week as Coast Guard Aviator #4452 and I am off to Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point to fly the HC-130H. I have been a lifetime simmer and contribute most of my success to such an early start in Aviation even if it was just on the computer (my parents couldn't afford flight lessons). Currently I am working on building myself a C-130 home trainer and my first task is working on the CDNU(FMS type unit). I am creating an HTML5 user interface (so I can use my ipad) and a C# Backbone to interact with the interface and the sim. My current question is how I take a variable from the C# program and use it in an XML gauge. For instance, I am calculating my own Lateral Deviation for the RNAV routes created in the CDNU and I am curious how I can take that variable and use it in an XML gauge file. If this is not possible I will write all the gauges outside of the sim, but I was curious if I could do it. So far I've loaded in the airac nav database and can build flight plans so if anybody is interested in the program I would be more than willing to send them a copy. Thanks! -LTJG Matthew Chase Coast Guard Aviator #4452

Exactly! For example, our MFD doesn't even include engine monitoring because we use the legacy gauges, it's pretty interesting, I have pictures if anyone is interested, shot 6 approaches on the ProLine 21 yesterday, great system.

You'd be surprised I currently fly the T-44C which is a C90A retrofitted with the Proline21 Avionics and Collins FMS, and it is pretty plug and play, we still use the steam engine gauges with it and only have two PFDS and 1 FMS and added TACAN capability, its very flexible -Matt

Gents, I had my first flights in the T-44C this week (C90A retrofitted with Proline 21) and figured I would not how well Carenado has portrayed this aircraft. We are all always in the pursuit of "As Real as it Gets" so I thought I would let you guys know that I actually use the Carenado C90 to practice my single-engine and instrument work. It flys very well and acts as well as you could ask for an aircraft limited by the FSX engine. That being said just flying the T-44 in general has been awesome, easy to fly and easy to land, and much more comfortable than the aircraft I just flew (T-6B). If anyone has any questions or scenarios about the aircraft please send me a message and I'll try to give an answer or find out, I just want to be able to give back to this great community in some way. -Matt

I just finished a systems course on the C90, T-44 and in our aircraft everything is powered by DC except the Torquemeters in which case are powered by the inverters and are thus AC and come from an AC power source. -Mat

Going to be spending the next week or so in a C90 Sim (T-44) so I thought you guys would like to take a look! I fly the Carenado at home for practice. -Matthew Chase

Beautiful, I'm over in VT-31 right now

Thanks for the replies gents! If I was to do this in C# via simconnect my only question is what would I use to create the platform (ND) to display the Airac Data, I guess this is where I'm stumped, I know how to parse and read the data for the most part, and I know I'll need to use GeoCalcs to search the nearest waypoints if I want to display them, I'm just not sure how to start the ND display.

Gents, I have decided I am going to tackle the Proline 21 Avionics by myself, the only obstacle I am finding at this point is building the FMS. I know its going to be a complicated process, however I am only really focused on the Lateral Navigation abilities, could someone steer me in the right direction as how to work with the AIRAC NavData. Do you use the default GPS map with nothing displayed and then overlay the intersections? Any help or a point in the right direction would be greatly appreciated, thank you! -Matt Chase

Good Evening Gents, My name is Matthew Chase I am posting here in search of a Rockwell Collins Proline21 avionics set for FSX. I can't seem to find it anywhere and I am currently building my sim to practice for my next phase of flight training. I will be flying the T-44C and just need the ProLine Avionics to replicate the product. I tought myself how to make XML avionics and I would do that in this case but I need to include an FMS with it and probably don't have the time to learn the programming for it. (I am also a C# programmer so I could do it if someone could steer me in the right direction on how to start an FMS and ND). Thank you for your help! -Matt

Some people who follow the forum may know I'm a Student Naval Aviator, however I have been using PMDG products for close to 7 years (a third of life haha) so I always like to share experiences of how it has effected my flying career because like all of you I am always in pursuit of having it as real as it gets and truly Robert and his team deserve praise for getting us a step closer with every release. That being said, onto my story... I had my 4th and 5th instrument hops of the week on Wednesday so I was working out where to do my instrument hops and more importantly where to get a free lunch (since our trainer gets a solid 300kts over the ground it opens up some options) when I found out I was flying with a Naval Reservist. During the brief I discovered he is a Southwest Captain so naturally I was intrigued and a little nervous to have to shoot approaches with him since he is obviously a very seasoned aviator and I am obviously not. He was great to fly with and as we were transitioning from an ILS approach to an RNAV he noted how impressed he was I could maneuver through the FMS so quickly (pretty crucial since we don't have autopilot and fly the pattern at 200kts) and I explained to him I practice all my approaches in the NGX because it truly rivals our FMS (which is very advanced), we got to talking and he was amazed how much I had gathered from the simulator. He also told me he was headed to fly the 800 for the first time Monday which I thought was awesome. Just a quick story but also a thanks to the PMDG team. For all of those on these forums in search of ultimate realism just know it doesn't get better than this, as for me I'm off to do a dress rehearsel, of my cross country flight in the NGX. -Matt Chase

I solved the issue, it just wanted the <PointsTo> value, ughh, very frustrating, thanks for your help!

Karol, thank you so much for the response, I changed the id and it is still having the same issue, even though the text display is outputing the right torque percentage. -Matt Chase I can get my shifts to work fine, it just seems to be the Rotation, I have the same problem with the VSI i created as well, I really appreciate your help. -Matt Chase

Karol thanks for your reply, this is the code I am using, <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <SimBase.Document Type="AceXML" version="1,0" id="TorqueGauge"> <Descr>AceXML Document</Descr> <Filename>TorqueGauge.xml</Filename> <SimGauge.Gauge id="TorqueGauge" ArtDirectory="."> <FloatPosition>0.000,0.000</FloatPosition> <Size>458,384</Size> <Image id="Torque" Name="TorqueGauge.bmp"> <Transparent>True</Transparent> </Image> <Element id="Torque Readout"> <FloatPosition>200.000,260.000</FloatPosition> <GaugeText id="Torque Readout"> <Bold>False</Bold> <Bright>True</Bright> <FontColor>white</FontColor> <FontFace>Glass Gauge</FontFace> <FontHeight>30</FontHeight> <GaugeString>%((A:TURB ENG1 MAX TORQUE PERCENT,PERCENT))%!3d!</GaugeString> <HorizontalAlign>LEFT</HorizontalAlign> <Size>140,45</Size> <Transparent>True</Transparent> </GaugeText> </Element> <Element id="Needle"> <FloatPosition>230,250</FloatPosition> <Image id="needle" Name="needle.bmp"> <Axis>8.5,140</Axis> </Image> <Rotation id="rotate"> <Expression id="Expression"> <!-- <Minimum>0.000</Minimum> <Maximum>110.000</Maximum>--> <Script>(A:TURB ENG1 MAX TORQUE PERCENT,PERCENT)</Script> </Expression> <NonlinearityTable id="gaugerotation"> <NonlinearityEntry id="NonlinearityEntry"> <ExpressionResult>-15.000</ExpressionResult> <FloatPosition>110,310</FloatPosition> </NonlinearityEntry> <NonlinearityEntry id="NonlinearityEntry"> <ExpressionResult>0.000</ExpressionResult> <FloatPosition>110,310</FloatPosition> </NonlinearityEntry> <NonlinearityEntry id="NonlinearityEntry"> <ExpressionResult>50.000</ExpressionResult> <FloatPosition>235,37</FloatPosition> </NonlinearityEntry> <NonlinearityEntry id="NonlinearityEntry"> <ExpressionResult>110.000</ExpressionResult> <FloatPosition>321,310</FloatPosition> </NonlinearityEntry> </NonlinearityTable> </Rotation> </Element> </SimGauge.Gauge> </SimBase.Document> -Matt Chase

Good Morning! I am still working on my T-6B project and I am converting some gauges I wrote in the old FS9 syntax to the FSX syntax except now the rotation of the needles won't work. I used the same non linearity values but the needles just seem to rotate aimlessly, your help is much appreciated! -Matt Chase

Thanks! I appreciate, I'm going to take a look at the code, I'm in Flight Training right now so I'm working on making a working T-6B cockpit to practice at home

Gent's, I'm pretty new to gauge design and was wondering if it is possible to design a gauge where you can type in the Course or Heading you want. Essentially you would press a button then type in the new Course value or Heading Value. Thanks! -Matt Chase USCG

A J its actually my dream to get to the airlines, my family didn't have any money to send me through flight training so I'm just paving my own way, and I'm hoping my time flying Multi-Engine in the Coast Guard will set me up perfectly (maybe I could even snag an exchange tour flying the P-8!). -Matt Chase

AJ I'm actually a Coastie but I'm heading fixed wing so I will most likely be flying the C-130, I'm really looking forward to it, I think it's an amazing plane. But the T-6B is absolutely awesome, we come back to the field every day at 240 kts at 2700 ft which makes for a wild ride. The aerobatics flights were an awesome time too. -Matt Chase

Thanks Gents! Buddy I'm at Whiting Field, they phased out the T-34 here now we're flying the T-6B it actually has an all glass cockpit and a HUD which makes it a joy to fly, that along with the 1100 hp haha. -Matt Chase

Just some perspective, and a comment on something we all strive for in our simulation experience, Realism. I am currently a Student Naval Aviator (Coastie) and just finished my first solo and aerobatics solo in the T-6B. I started the Instrument syllabus today and was amazed by how much I already knew and how familiar I was with the instrument procedures as I clicked through the lessons and sat through the classes. Obviously flying the approaches in the plane and simulator is a challenge but I feel like I have a huge advantage over my classmates. That being said even though I fly a lot now, PMDG has created such an incredible product I still always find time to sit back, have a beer and take the NGX for a spin. Matt Chase USCG

Thanks for all your replys! In order to only get the MOAS to show I set the AirspaceObjectLayerDetail variable to 0x001000 (the hexadecimal for 14 which is MOA) however still no luck with the color so I think we may be right in saying its hard wired -Matt

Thanks for your replies guys! It's more of a cosmetic thing I guess but I'm trying to make my gauge scan as similar to the real airplane as I can, but maybe theres just a little perfectionism mixed in there. I really appreciate the responses. -Matt USCG Student Naval Aviator

I am creating a Tactical Situation Display (TSD) Gauge to replicate the one in the T-6B that I am currently flying, which is essentially a GPS gauge that only shows the MOAs we fly in, I have successfully gotten it to only show MOAs however I cannot change the color of the Airspace borders to white. Even after editing the ColorLayerAirspace variable it only seems to change the brightness of the Layer. -Matthew Chase

Jay you're I do mean fortunately, its the studying that's not the fun part, the flying is the reason I get up in the morning.-Matthew Chase