[Suggestions for FSC handling before and in flight]

Some thoughts, after having run FSC 9.2.1 for a while:

Alternate airports: It would be nice if it were possible to add an alternate airport manually by writing its ICAO code after the destination airport.

It should be possible to add an alternate airport by first leftclick the destination so focus transferres there and then rightclick on the alternate airport for it to be inserted automatically after the destination without FSC reminding that it can't be inserted before the destination.

It should be possible to add or delete a waypoint/VOR to a flightplan when in flight, without FSC switching to the first waypoint of the flight plan and make the aircraft turn around. (If you try to avoid this by desactivating AutoHdg and reactivate it after adding or deleting, you will lose your previous record of the flight and the GPS window returns to the first waypoint. Then the pilot must click through the waypoints to get back on track.)

It should be possible to delete a STAR or transition when in flight, and insert another or to insert waypoints when ATC prompts you for another approach than you anticipated when taking off. Since ATC sometimes appears randomly when you are in a STAR it would be convenient to be able to manipulate the STAR arbitrarely - even inside a STAR. It is apparent that some of the SID:s and STARS of FSC are not absolutely true to the SIDs and STARs published by the aviation authorities, so it would be convenient to be able to add or change waypoints when needed. Maybe could it also be possible to create or rectifie and save SIDs and STARs?

It should be possible to delete a waypoint of the flightplan by pressing the delete button (instead of first leftclick and then rightclick and then chose "delete").

Since I run FS and FSC on the same computer and on a single monitor it is annoying when FSC automatically switches to FS as soon as one clicks the screen. Alt-Tab should be enough. I know of the option "map always on top", but I think it would be more consistent with Windows that the window/application gets active by clicking the desired window or by Alt-Tab to the desired window. Maybe the option "map always on top" could be made work the other way: "Always switch to FS" it the pilot so desires.

It would be easier to fly a holding created in FSC by the activated AutoHdg, just like the flightplan? Or is this to unreal?

Many regards to you all and to Volker foremost.

Tommy

[Windows 8 Pro FSUIPC]

Pete -

thanks for your time and concern. I have to admit that although many have pointed out the hazards with addons I seem to be in too much of a hurry to respect these warnings.

After your messages above I thought I chance on uninstalling an aircraft addon - FS9 twisted for FSX with warnings added in textfiles - and se what happened. And there wasn't any sign of problems with either FSX, SquawkBox or FSUIPC4. Or Win 8 for that matter. I have installed other freeware addon aircraft and scenery that were modified from FS9 to FSX and not had similar problems.

So "Case closed" on this subject. But I can mention that my problems seem to have come from a Mike Stone ATR 72-500 in National livery that was converted - and which was supplied with an installer. The download file entitled nlatr72x.zip. So be careful out there.

Thanks again, Pete!

Tommy

[Windows 8 Pro FSUIPC]

Well - just when we thought all was well:

After having had succes for a while flying on line with FSX also in Windows 8, I was faced this morning with the problem mentioned above, i.e. problems with FSUIPC4 when starting FSX. Yesterday, I had errors shutting down FSX after about twenty minutes of flying on line with SquawkBox on Vatsim. No mentioning of either SquawkBox or FSUIPC4. And today FSX wouldn't even load.

So I followed the instructions regarding placing FSUIPC4_loader.dll in Modules and reinstalling FSUIPC4. After that FSX load was OK. But now FSX will shut down after a minute or five, after being on line with SquawkBox.

Just now I loaded a new FSX session. FSX started OK. I waited a couple of minutes, and there was no shut down. Then evoked IvAp instead. IvAp started OK, and when I had connected on line and filed the plan for the flight FSX told me that it is sorry but has to shut down, and it will tell me whats wrong if it can. Sofar FSX has not been able to tell what's wrong any of the times. Nor has Windows8.

The install log for FSUIPC4 reads - I'll paste the end of it here:

Checking if there's already a version of FSUIPC4 installed in:

C:\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Modules\FSUIPC4.DLL

... No previous valid version found.

FSX Modules folder already exists.

Okay -- installed FSUIPC4 into "C:\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Modules\FSUIPC4.DLL"

Looking for the current user's Application Data path:

... found as "C:\Users\Tommy\AppData\Roaming"

Now finding \Microsoft\FSX\FSX.CFG for all users, including this one

Looking in "C:\Users\All Users\AppData\Roaming"

... No FSX.CFG there

Looking in "C:\Users\Default\AppData\Roaming"

... No FSX.CFG there

Looking in "C:\Users\Default User\AppData\Roaming"

... No FSX.CFG there

Looking in "C:\Users\Public\AppData\Roaming"

... No FSX.CFG there

Looking in "C:\Users\Tommy\AppData\Roaming"

Found FSX.CFG in "C:\Users\Tommy\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX\FSX.CFG"

Now checking DLL.XML ...

... There is a previous DLL.XML, checking for FSUIPC4 section.

... FSUIPC4_Loader section already exists but will be replaced.

(with FSUIPC4_Loader entry)

... FSUIPC4 section of DLL.XML written okay

Now checking for a SimConnect.XML file ...

... There is a SimConnect.XML, checking for "local" section.

... "local" section already exists, file not modified.

"Modules\FSUIPC Documents" folder created okay!

Now installing additional files into the "Modules\FSUIPC Documents" folder:

Installed "FSUIPC4 User Guide.pdf" okay

Installed "FSUIPC4 for Advanced Users.pdf" okay

Installed "FSUIPC4 History.pdf" okay

Installed "List of FSX controls.pdf" okay

Installed "GlobalSign Root.exe" okay

Installed "FSUIPC Lua Library.pdf" okay

Installed "FSUIPC Lua Plug-Ins.pdf" okay

Installed "Lua License.pdf" okay

Installed "Lua Plugins for VRInsight Devices.pdf" okay

Installed "LuaFileSystem.pdf" okay

Installed "Example LUA plugins.zip" okay

Installed "Offset Mapping for PMDG 737NGX.pdf" okay

FSUIPC4.DLL installed and signature checked out okay!

Deleted GlobalSign Root fix program ... no longer relevant

===========================================================

All installer tasks completed.

*************** End of Install Log ***************

I do hope that there is a way to get FSX to work in Windows8, both on VATSIM and on IVAO.

Regards,

Tommy

[Missing waypoints in STARs and transitions]

Hallo.

I have found minor errors in some STARS and transitions provided by FSC 9.1.1. (and possibly older versions as well). One example is the TROSA 3T STAR to ESSA, where the virtual waypoint TRS DME29 is not included. Another is the RUNOM approach to LFLL where the last NDB waypoint is missing.

This is no major issue when one is aware of the possibility and adjusts the STAR.

But is it possibe to add waypoints/GPS fixes to an existing STAR or transition and save it as such? It would be neat being able to save adjusted STARs as segments just like route segments.

All the best,

Tommy Engman

AMD Phenom II X4 3,2Mhz / 4Gb RAM / ASUS EAH4850 / WinXP SP3 / FSX SP2 / FS9 SP1 / FSC9.1.1 Build 21-10-2011 / FSCDBM 9.1 Build 19-09-2011

[Best way to add a STAR]

Absolutely.

The STAR you find through "Flight Plan" tab just like the SID, as well as transitions, and the ILS is to be found in the GPS window when connected in flight.

[Save-path for SquawkBox doesn't keep]

Hallo.

Thanks for many improvements in the FSC 9.1.1!

However this problem might have come with the update:

The save path does not keep with Squawkbox when selecting a custom path. After closing and reopening FSC the path has returned to default where FSC is installed. This does not happen with the custom path to the directory for IVAO flight plans or for FSInn that I have tried with. If I change the path for FSC that too will keep, even if there are no plans in the chosen directory.

This is how I have configured and installed:

FS Commander C:\Program\FSC9\flightplan\FSC

Flight Simulator 2004 C:\Program\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9

FS Flight Plans C:\Documents and Settings\My name\My Documents\Flight Simulator Files

Squawk Box C:\Program\Microsoft Games\SquawkBox This does not keep but returns to C:\Program\FSC9\flightplan\SquawkBox

IVAO C:\Program\Microsoft Games\IVAO\IvAp\Flights This stays.

This should be a minor bug to fix for the next update, I should think.

AMD Phenom II X4 3,2Mhz / 4Gb RAM / ASUS EAH4850 / WinXP SP3 / FS9 SP1 / FSC9.1.1 Build 21-10-2011

All the best!

Tommy Engman

[Flight planning - and GPS window issue in 9.1]

Hi Sueede,

Since one can only hope that someone reads your request, created a page on the Internet, which combines both solutions.

It's a Windows convention. It can be not more than one window "On Top" . In other words, Map- and GPS window at the same time "On Top", does not work.

Solution: disable "Map allways on Top".

Volker

Volker - thanks for your reply and the solution for the GPS window. I thought that the GPS window would emerge (like the MSFS) if I minimized the map.

On my first remark I don't understand your reply, however. You read my request - is it you that will create a page on the Internet? But the "both solutions" should be in the FSC application if it were possible, not on a web page. Or are you just being sarcastic? Isn't it allowed to ask for what might be an improvement? Naturally you can dismiss suggestions. Is that how I should understand the first part of your reply?

This will be my last message on this board.

[Flight planning - and GPS window issue in 9.1]

Hi.

I have used FS9.1 for a number of flights now. I welcome the possibility to add fixes after a STAR. I find it less welcome with VATRoute and Routefinder for flight planning instead of the tool in FSC 9.0. Routefinder does not work as well with SIDS and STARS. The 9.0 tool that worked out the flight route from the entry and the exit points is smarter, I find. I would prefer the former flight planning tool, perhaps combined with RouteFinder and VATRoute.

The GPS window issue: Sometimes when I work with the FSC in flight, with the "Map always on top", it often happens that the GPS window does not show when going back to MSFS cockpit (minimizing the FSC map). I fix this by disconnecting from FS in the GPS menu and reconnecting.

System details:

c:\Program\FSC9

AMD Phenom II X4 3,2Mhz / 4Gb RAM / ASUS EAH4850 / WinXP SP3 / FSX SP2 / FS9 SP1 / FSC9.1 Build 29-09-2011 / FSCDatabase9.1 Net (19-09-2011)

Thanks for listening/reading.

Sueede

[AutoHdg and adding waypoints/STAR]

Hi.

//My config: AMD Phenom II X4 3,2Mhz / 4Gb RAM / ASUS EAH4850 / WinXP SP3 / FSX SP2 / FS9 SP1 / FSC9.0 Build 16-03-2011 / FSCDatabase9.0 Net (01-01-2011)//

When in flight with FSC 9.0 getting near the destination it is time to choose a STAR or manually add waypoints to the flightplan.

When I do this the GPS window shows the start waypoint again. At first I tried to add waypoints when in Autohdg mode which made the aircraft turn back because of the change to starting waypoint. But even with Autohdg off the waypoint changes to start waypoint of the current flightplan.

Can this be avoided, so that the curren Autohdg waypoint stays on even if I add waypoints? What is your suggestion on how to add waypoints without the GPS window returning to start waypoint? I can't find this covered in the manual.

A suggestion for the initial Go to airport window: There are two buttons with underlined "S": "Search by ICAO" and "Select". They don't work with Alt-S or the "S" key. One of the buttons should have another letter underlined for key command.

Thanks.

Tommy

[GPS fix addition in flight?]

Hi Sueede,

sorry, but the signature is not displayed on my smartphone.

Anyway, the answer to your question you can find in the manual, chapter 3.4 Tools, paragraph Finding a map Object.

Volker

Volker,

thank you. But the problem is not how to use Map > Find object. I know the procedure from the manual. But I find it difficult to perform this in flight. The question is how to do this practically, in flight, on short notice, to add it to the flightplan without the Autoheading returning to the first waypoint thus turning the aircraft around. I hoped for a fellow pilot to suggest how to find and fly to the waypoint advised by Ctr in the easiest, fastest and most secure way. Some kind of routine procedure for adding an object/waypoint to a flightplan in flight.

But let me suggest a small improvement: That the Find object tool should be able to find an object even if you don't know if it is a VOR, NDB, Isec or GPSfix. If that were possible to change it would speed up the procedure since the pilot doesn't risk marking the wrong kind of object in the right hand list. It would of course be even better if an object could be found independently of what is currently displayed on the map.

Thanks again,

Tommy / Sueede

[GPS fix addition in flight?]

Hi ???,

please read here:

and then publish the necessary information.

Volker

Dear Volker.

I have read your demand for info about the computer and versions. Just like you frequently advise forum visitors to read already published articles and to read the manual I humbly direct your attention to the signature at the bottom of my messages. I have copied it for your convenience:

Sueede

AMD Phenom II X4 3,2Mhz / 4Gb RAM / ASUS EAH4850 / WinXP SP3 / FSX SP2 / FS9 SP1 / FSC9.0 Build 16-03-2011 / FSCDatabase9.0 Net (01-01-2011)

My FSUIPC version is 3.991

[GPS fix addition in flight?]

Hi.

Last time when flying to EDDT the controller asked me to go directly to a GPS fix (like GT422 or something similar) close to the ILS path.

This was a difficult operation in full flight not knowing beforehand where this GPSfix was. Can anybody suggest a smart way to handle this in FSC?

Should one always fly with the flightplan window undocked and visible? Is the easy way to fly to a fix or VOR in a case like this to search for it in FSC? To disconnect from MSFS? Is it more practical to choose Aircraft NOT on map?

I have MSFS9 and FSC on the same computer and the same screen.

Hope for some smart advice!

Thanks.

[Not a vaild FSC flightplan]

And coming to think of it: There is a file fscini.old, created this afternoon when the problem was resolved by itself. That might be interesting! Attached here, renamed fsciniold.txt. (The forum would not let me attach fscini.oldtxt.)

Volker and others:

What I think happened htis afternoon was that FSC wrote itself a new fsc.ini. When I checked flightplan directories and folders in "Options" it seems that FSC changed the folder for FS flightplans back to Flight Simulator Files under "My Documents" by itself. So even if I've never saved a FS flightplan in that folder, and there are no .pln files there FSC wants that folder to be assigned to FS flightplans.

It's difficult to understand, but thats how the program works. Now I save and open all my files from FSC9\flightplan\FSC and it works fine.

Tommy

[Not a vaild FSC flightplan]

And coming to think of it: There is a file fscini.old, created this afternoon when the problem was resolved by itself. That might be interesting! Attached here, renamed fsciniold.txt. (The forum would not let me attach fscini.oldtxt.)

fsciniold.txt

[Not a vaild FSC flightplan]

An now my current FSC.ini (after erasing the errorfiles).

This message came up: ! Error. You aren't permitted to uppload this kind of file. So I renamed it fscini.txt

fscini.txt

[Not a vaild FSC flightplan]

Tommy, maybe you can attach such a flightplan so I could check it. I had a similar problem last year and it turned out to be a problem with my RAM. Took me 3 weeks to sort this out :rolleyes:

EDIT: Another way to check is: Can you open them with the Windows Editor?

Hallo.

Strange thing happened: I opened FSC for FSX to see if there was the same problem there, since they use the same flightplans and format. And the same files caused the same reaction in FSC. "Not a valid flightplan." But when I closed that 'version' of FSC and started FSC for FS9 I hade to wait while "Windows was configuring FSC". Took some 30 seconds, maybe. And after that new flightplans can be opened - but not the five ones that were problematic.

Now I have erased them (before I read your post) so we can't check the files themselves. I am happy as a lark. Next time (if this happens again) I will try the same medicine. Open FSC for FSX, close it, and open FSC for FS9.

Thanks for your efforts and will to help!

Tommy

[Not a vaild FSC flightplan]

Hi Tommy,

Yes we have the solution.

First, delete all files in the folder .. \ Flight Plan \ FSC,

because they all have the wrong format.

Now there are two solutions:

1st The right solution, configure the correct folder for the flight simulator flight plans. Read user's manual, chapter Options Window -> Paragraph flight plan and compare the screen shots with your settings. I think they are certainly wrong.

2nd The quick fix, disable in the window save/load option, the ckeckbox Flight Plan Flight Simulator?

Regards,

Volker

Volker, thanks for your fast answer.

All my flightplans with suffix .pln are placed in FSC9\Flightplan\FSC. (In the "correct folder" Flight Simulator Files there are stored only flights saved in FS9, no flightplans.

All flightplans of 2011-09-15 and older can be opened in FSC.

There are five flightplans that can't be opened becaus they don't have the right FSC format. One of them is a flighplan that I created in FSC9.0 on 2011-09-23 and four that I created with FSC 9.0 on the 1011-09-24. None of these five can be opened.

I did not change folders before this happened. There are 54 flightplans in all, of which 5 do not work, made after 2011-09-15. So what might have happened? They all have the same suffix .pln.

Some files have doubles. These can be opened. Two of these have suffix .pms. they are made on 2011-09-24. There are a couple that doubles with .pln and .xml suffixes, but they seem to have been installed with the program, since they are made 2009-12-02 EDDK2EINN and LFMNEDDK; 2010-10-26 MSLPMGGT.

There are at least one older flightplan EDDK2EINN that can be opened although FSC tells me it misses some waypoints.

So there must be another reason and another solution.

Thanks anyway!

All the best.

Tommy Engman

[Not a vaild FSC flightplan]

Hi Sascha and Volker.

I have successfully created, opened and used flightplans in this and earlier versions of FSC for FS9.

Last night I was adding some flighplans to be used later. When I opened them I recieved the message: "Sorry.! This is not a valid FSC flightplan!"

I have tried with different forms for the flightplan - with only departure and destination airport in France and in Sweden, with detailed flightplans containing both initial waypoints and airways laid out by FSC.

Yesterday when I made the first flightplan I saved it, added both SIDS and STARS from LFRN to LFBO, and flew the stretch. But later trying to open the flightplan again I got the message above.

Do you have a suggestion how to resolve this?

Thank you.

Tommy Engman

[Let there be known]

Some time ago I addressed the authors of FSC: Why is the focus immediately returned to FS9 when clicking the FSC map area or anything in the FSC application when connected to FS through the GPS option?

- Not possible, you´re wrong!!!... and silence.

It turned out that the FSC-application I paid for but did not get support for would not work unless FS was run in full screen mode!!! A big flaw. But not crucial, if you know about it. Considering the arrogant attitude of the authors (great application, poor social skills) it's even worse. Not even willing to listen to the small voice of "Hi there - when clicking the FSC I'm switched over to FS!! Why? What did I do wrong?"

Felix and others! Please just add to your manual (what I asked you a year ago) that "When using FSC you must run FS in full screen mode, otherwise FSC won't work!". FS Navigator does though...

I rest my case.

Tommy Engman

[Forced toggle to FS when clicking the MAP]

Hi Sascha!

Is there possibly a bug in FSC8.6?

I have described the problem with the switch from FSC window to FS window when mouse clicking or pressing a key after connection to FS. It does not happen in the GPS window, but in the map/program window.

However this does not happen when connected to FS if the FS window is minimized.

which I tested after a long while.

And if it's not a bug, could this be caused by too little RAM? I have 2Gb of RAM running WinXP SP3 / FS9 SP1.

[Forced toggle to FS when clicking the MAP]

Hi Sascha.

I've read the manual thrice (three times) from start to end. I have understood everything when it comes to zooming, planning, adding alternativ destination airport, flying the plan, viewing airports, adding segments, changing aircraft.

And I am NOT flatly wrong when I tell you that the connection FSC - FS affects the way FSC works. I get thrown from the FSCmap window to the FS window when I click on the map, on a menu, on the buttons in the lefthand field or using the keyboard.

Considering your answer it seems that this is not an implementation of FSC. I never argued that it was. I wanted a tip about how to fix this, or wanted you to change the program in case this was a program feature. This unwanted effect may be caused by my hardware - I don't know. And obviously you don't know either.

But don't be so rude as to tell me that what I experience is not true, thank you very much.

[Forced toggle to FS when clicking the MAP]

Sacha - thanks for your efforts to explain. It seems that I did not explain myself well enough.

The problem seems to be that FSCommander and FS don't work separately when connected. The focus does not affect the connection, but the connection affects the focus: Not only what I see on the screen but also what I can do.

To start FS and FSCommander - no problem.

To look around the map - no problem.

To create a flightplan, adding SIDs, airways and so on - no problem. As long as I dont connect to FS! When connected to FS I can switch to the FSC map with Alt-tab, but I cannot keep the map on the screen if I click anywhere in the map. Then I get switched to the FS window and see nothing else.

When connected to FS I immediately get switched to FS if I click with the mouse or touch the keyboard, as if the author of FSCommander thinks that the simmer should not touch the map during flight.

I can click the buttons of the different FSC windows - but not on the map.

Personally I would like to be able to zoom in and out and also change view area in the FSCommander map during flight, but I can't unless I disconnect with FS (and then of course I can't se my aircraft anymore).

To me this seems awkward, but if this is the way FSCommander works I will have to accept unless there is something you can and want to do about it.

All other aspects of FSCommander seems beautiful, so it's a pity this doesn't work for me. But I would like to know why.

All the best!

Sueede

AMD Athlon II X3 2,7Mhz / ASUS EAH4850 / WinXP SP3 / FSX SP2 / FS9 SP1 / FSC8.6 / FSCDatabase8.6

[Forced toggle to FS when clicking the MAP]

Volker -

thanks for answering so fast. I understand by your message that FSCommander works as you intended.

But I expected that if I switch (ALT+TAB) to the map and want a different resolution, add a waypoint or move the view I could do that and not having to disconnect from FS. When I switch to the FS Commander map view with Alt+Tab I want to change focus. FS (and my flight) continues as long as I uncheck "pause on task switch".

Compare with the change of focus if I during a flight toggle to the overhead panel to switch off the landing and taxi lights (or switch them on before landing). I don't see the cockpit window at this moment, and don´t want a forced toggle back just because I press the mouse on an item. I don't understand what is achieved with the forced toggle back.

The same forced switch happens when I want to zoom using the buttons on the left, or by using the pg up/pg dn or +/- on the keyboard.

To me it seems impractical. Especially if choose the option "connect automatically" I will always have to disconnect in order to make a flight plan.

I suggest that you mention this in your excellent tutorial/manual (very well written), by adding "Note that when FSC is connected to FS via the GPS any mouseclick will toggle you back to the FS window, and manual zooming is not possible when connected to FS".

I would prefer a change in the application, so that Alt+tab is the action for switching both ways. Maybe it would then be possible to add, change or delete waypoints in the flightplan during flight, when still connected to FS?

Best wishes,

Sueede

[Forced toggle to FS when clicking the MAP]

Hi.

My problem is that as soon as I connect FSC with FS the map automatically toggles/switches to the FS screen. FS is run in window mode

I can't see from the manual that this should be the case. Can anyone explain if this is normal, or if there is a bug that can be dealt with?

This happens with both FSversions - I also use FS9.

FS9 SP1

FSX SP2

XP SP3

FSC 8.6 (installed outside FS main folders) downloaded from FSC.com, key bought at SIMMarket.

FCSDBManager8.6

Hoping for help!

Sueede