allergiecheck

You may try this: It changes the color settings of Windows (assuming you are using Windows as your OS). Improves the visual appearance IMO a lot.

That is actually not true....X-Plane provides 8 (!) Generators, The corresponding DataRef (sim/cockpit2/electrical/generator_on) is an array of 8 integer values

You need to change the DataRef "set cross_tie": sim/cockpit2/electrical/cross_tie Ich have written a Lua script for the Cessna 172 REP which switches the Bus2 automatically with Bus1 and also addresses the fuel pump DataRef which REP uses: if PLANE_ICAO == "C172" then set("sim/cockpit/gyros/dg_drift_vac_deg",0) DataRef("status_avionics", "sim/cockpit2/switches/avionics_power_on", "readonly") DataRef("status_fuelpump", "sim/cockpit2/engine/actuators/fuel_pump_on", "readonly",0) DataRef("REP_fuelpump", "simcoders/rep/cockpit2/engine/actuators/fuel_pump_0", "writable") DataRef("REP_avionics", "simcoders/rep/cockpit2/switches/avionics_power_on", "writable") DataRef("set_crosstie", "sim/cockpit2/electrical/cross_tie", "writable") function DoSwitches() if status_avionics == 1 then REP_avionics = 1 set_crosstie = 1 else REP_avionics = 0 set_crosstie = 0 end if status_fuelpump == 1 then REP_fuelpump = 1 else REP_fuelpump = 0 end end do_every_frame("DoSwitches()") end

I have a Kaby Lake running at 4.8 GHz and a 1070 video card. I am wondering how FSW performs in 4K resolution? Any experience on that? Thanks, Thomas

Yes, but those units do not need a seperate driver like the PFC console...

Anyone using the Cirrus 2 flight console from Precision flight controls with P3D 4.0? I have it in use for version 3.4, and it works great with FSUIPC and the driver provided by Peter Dowson. I know that there is a new P3D 4.0 version of FSUIPC, however I don´t know if the device driver will work in 64 bit. Thanks, Thomas

Still not convinced of VR...I like some "real" knobs in the cockpit especially when flying online with PilotEdge on serious flight training. Maybe in 5 years Ill will switch when a better screen solution is availabe.

Just wanted to start a new discussion for all the "light" cockpit builders who have some "decent" hardware like GoFlight modules, PFC consoles, radio stacks etc. A couple of years ago, the simmers dream was a dedicated external 2D panel, ideally running on a separate machine (with AirManager, SimPlugins or similar software), some hardware staff like radios, and a panorama wide view with 3 HD screens. With the availability of large 4K TV screens, this has changed somewhat: Now we can have almost 1:1 replicas of cockpits (in size and also readable) for less then 2000 USD, using a (curved) 65 or even 70 inch screen. Also die-hard cockpit builders started to recommend virtual 3D panel with big screens and no longer promote external 2D solutions. See https://youtu.be/ayl30ZvnS5Y?t=5m44s. He actually has a setup I use at the moment and I am quite happy with it, but when I watch Youtube videos - like the ones from OnTheGlideScope - I desire a more "cockpit-like" model with 3 screens and external panels. Just looked at Simsamurai`s Desktop version, which is quite decent: However; I do see the disadvantages of an external panel: lack of immersion: no cockpit walls and shadows etc. Hard to use with complex 3rd party planes like A2A costs for the setup framerate impact when using more than 1 external screen missing prop view (however, depends on the view setting) Looking forward to your opinions and comments! Thomas

I use PE only for entertainment, since I am neither a pilot nor a student. Since flying at home at evening is cheaper all in all then having a drink outside my apartment I actually save money while flying on PE

..not exactly. You get a new bonus airport every 2 weeks (currently: KOAK), AND you have full coverage for all non towered airports in the area. towered airports not listed are treated as non towered. So my flight from KAUN to KOAK was fully covered by Pilot Edge ATC. In fact, there are thousands of combination you can fly, and ten thousands of approaches... the PE controllers are all bit "different", meaning you may have completely different flight for the same route. 1 lifetime will not be enough to go through all

That´s not true any longer Glenn...PE has launched their Western Expansion, including KPDX, KSEA, KPHX, KSLC and many more. So lot´s of fun for tube liners as well! See http://www.pilotedge.net/pages/western-expansion

Yes, I know Ralf. I just wanted the same sort of "preset" for all scenarios (RW, PE, PF3 and RC4) in order to compare them.

Yes, definitely! You never get the same heart beat on artificial ATC

Just reinstalled RC4 - I am currently using PF3 - and compared a flight using both programs. I chose a short IFR hop from Auburne (KAUN) to Oakland International (KOAK), the route is KAUN SAC SUNOL KOAK at 6000 ft with a Cessna 310, with landing on RW 28R on the ILS 28R approach. I chose this route because I flew it several times with Pilotedge professional ATC and there are also many recorded RW flights from pilot Jerry W. on youtube with his Twin Cessna. Therefore, I can easily compare the behavior of both products to real world ATC. Weather and time setting was equal, as was the AI traffic (UT II, 70% Airliner and 30%GA) Clearance: Since KAUN is a non towered airport, in RW you need to either depart VFR and pick up IFR clearance in the air, or you call FSS on the phone when on the ground. RC4 simulates the phone call pretty well, you even hear the phone dialing...after approval of the route I was cleared for departure "if not off by..." - which is quite realistic and matches RW as well as PilotEdge ATC. I got my Squawk code and the Departure frequency (RW frequency, entered manually during flight preparations). In PF3, you need to contact FSS on the radio, using either a default frequency (122.2 I believe) or the one which is in the PF3 database and can be modified by the user. I received a clearance to 4000ft and the departure frequency which I needed to contact when in the air to receive the Squawk code. The DEP frequencies used by PF3 are generic ones, but I believe they can be changed somewhere in a text file. Departure: On both programs you can dial in UNICOM and report takeoff from runway xx. After take off, I switched to DEP: PF3 gave me a Squawk code, but I did not receive a final "Radar contact...". I also had to stay at 4000ft all the way to final vectors. After some initial heading, I was cleared for "own navigation", but had to stay at 4000, while I filed 6000 (maybe too much traffic..?). RC4 DEP took me over after take off at 3000 ft and vectored me nearly all the way to the first waypoint SAC VOR at 6000 ft, then I was cleared for "own navigation". This not 100% realistic, since in RW and PE you are on your own after 3 minutes or less. Cruise: Nothing special here to tell. some frequency changes on the route..again PF3 uses generic frequencies while RC4 takes the frequencies from the P3D database (which are mostly outdated by the way). RC4 handed me over to Oakland center which is not happening in RW at 6000 ft, while in PF3 I stayed at DEP/APP all the time which is correct, with 2 hand overs I believe. Radio chatter with AI aircraft was more intense and more immersive with PF3. Vectors to the ILS approach RW 28R for KOAK: RC4 started vectoring already before my last waypoint SUNOL, which is realistic and happens both in RW and in PilotEdge. However, I was vectored directly to the airport, and around 10 miles away vectored to downwind for 5 minutes, than a 90° turn and a 45° turn to final approach course. At little bit complicated and does not match real world instructions, but it worked without problems and I landed safely. However, initial vectors led me over Mount Diablo, which is I believe 3500 ft high, and has some antennas (obstacles) to which I came pretty close...no ground prox. warnings on Foreflight though, so I guess it was save. In PE and RW, you usually get vectored left of Mount Diablo. In PF3, I had to fly the filed route until I reached my last waypoint SUNOL (not realistic, both in PE and RW you receive vectors before reaching SUNOL). Shortly before reaching SUNOL, I received vectors to the ILS approach without any further zig/zag vectoring, which was similar to my experience in PE (PilotEdge). Landing: No big difference here between the 2 programs. I propose to change settings in RC4 and PF3 to allow only one runway for landing, the one which is used in RW. In Oakland, this is in 99% of all cases RW 28R for GA airplanes. In RC4 you can easily select the preferred runway from a dropdown menu before you start your flight, in PF3 you need to change settings before loading a flight plan, and it is a bit more complicated: you need to mark all runways which should not be used with an "X". So, my final remarks: Bot programs have their pro´s and con´s...I will use both of them from time to time when not flying online on PE, which has by far the biggest immersion factor of course Thomas

Les, I think you can install the WX Radar into the free radio panel as well....it just has no 3D knobs.

Here is the screen shot of my panel as requested. It includes F1 GNS430 and the Friendly Panel Gauges. Mapping the KAP140 to Goflight Modules worked fine, using FSUIPC mouse macros. They also work for the 2 C310 Leanfinder gauges, by the way. If you have the radio unit from GoFLight, I recommend that you use NAV2/COM2 option for the GNS430 and NAV1/COM1 on the Goflight, because otherwise you get conflicts. Thomas

I also switched from RC4 to PF3...the biggest advantages are the P3D support, regular updates and the huge amount of voices. When I fly offline (without PE ATC) I use 70% airline traffic with UT II and you really get nice radio chatters with PF3. Without an external traffic program however it gets pretty silent. Vectoring is ok in PF3, sometimes the controllers leave me to high for the approach but I guess that is my fault and needs better preparation of the flight plan. Yes, there are many options to play with in PF3, but you do not need them all the time. There is actually no need to name the SIDs and STARS, just use the generic names. Like in RC4, you can alter frequencies for ATIS etc and add new ones, but in PF3 they are stored in the database. And finally, you can also "file" VFR flight plans and ask for flight following, however, this feature is quite basic and does not include airspace guidance like Charlie airspace clearance. So, all in all: I can recommend the change to PF3, but it takes some time and playing around with the program until you will be satisfied with the results. my advice: make a hard copy of the key commands (there is no onscreen menu like in RC4) and read the posts on the PF3 forum. And strictly follow your flight plan, otherwise the flight can easily and up in a mess and cause frustration.

...Friendly panels is an old program for FSX, but still works in P3D. You need to manually add the gauges in the panel.cfg file, but not a big deal. It only works if you have an empty place in the cockpit, like in the C310 free panel. I am currently trying to map the Autopilot functions of the KAP140 (very close to real unit!) to my GoFlight modules using FSUIPC mouse macros, since they have no Lvars and cannot be used in Lua scripts. The gauges are 2D, but the work in the 3D without problem, you just do not have fancy 3D buttons, which I don't´ miss....and which you anyway don't have in the C310 free panel version. I will send you a picture later on. Thomas

Why not using a tool like Instant Scenery (http://www.flight1.com/products.asp?product=instscen), takes just a couple of seconds to place some objects/planes at the airport...

It´s working now...thank to all of you guys However....I decided to switch to the Free Panel version and installed the radio units from FriendlyPanels, they have a much better functionality, especially the KAP140 autopilot.

thanks Bill, I will give it try next time I launch my simulator. Just noticed your screenshot shows FSX..not sure if P3D has this folder as well. Will see...

Thanks Thomas, maybe someone from Milviz could comment which font they are using for the displays (autopilot and DME) so I can replace them. Thanks.

Just reinstalled the C310 on P3D 3.4, version from 08/2016. Everything works great, but the font size of the autopilot display seems too large...the letters "HDG" (when heading mode is selected) are so big, they even mask the "AP" light. Same for the DME gauge - digits are too large. Do I have to change something in the windows settings...? Thomas

If you plan to use 4K HDR with 4 x SGSS...you probably need this graphic power or even more. Without HDR and 4K - where there is also no need for SGSS since shimmering is much lower - a GTX 1070 is more than sufficient.

I have been using Foreflight for many years in flightsimming, and I am not a RW pilot as well. I just like the professional feeling and immersion this tool gives to my hobby, and if you flying mainly in the US like I do, you will never regret signing a subscription. It is not cheap though, depending on which version you prefer. You will get everything a pilot can dream of: moving map, weather reports and radar, synthetic vision, SIDs, STARs, approaches... Yesterday I upgraded my sim with a yoke mount which makes the ipad even more useful during flight. You can run Foreflight on your Ipad or on the web (plan.foreflight.com), the latter with less features.