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Peter, One thing I just noted is that I had to switch my USB plugs around due to the arrival of a further Goflight unit. When I did so the PC detected the USB serial adapter I am using as a new device so I reinstalled it. As a result I found my com port assignment for my PFC gear is now Com 5 not 4. Is there a way to prevent the com port continually incrementing every time I change USB plugs around? many thanks, Jonathan

Peter, Many thanks for pointing to the appropriate instructions - works a dream. I think it's one of the unfortunate aspects to not having a printed manual that it's easy to miss things when reading off the screen so apologies. All present and correct now. May I also complement you on writing such an exemplary set of drivers for PFC - the functionality available is quite superb and once I'd identified the correct com port I was up an running quickly. I'm about to try and get the PTT button working on AVC with Squawkbox - I notice that there is a PTT option available under the button programming section so hopefully shouldn't pose a problem. Kind regards, Jonathan

Peter, You'll I'm sure be pleased to hear that the new PFC gear works like a dream and is beautifully made. All the twitchyness in pitch I had attributed to Microsoft's poor aircraft handling is gone and it is now possible to hand fly a stable approach. I do have a query though regarding the use of the twin prop quadrant with say a 737. I'd like to engage reverse thrust and spoilers using the prop levers and can't find any way to do this in the PFC user guide. Any tips on how to accomplish this would be appreciated. Kind regards, Jonathan

Peter, Thanks for the help I think we both agree that I have ordered the right option now! Yes, they do the column yoke in USB version wherein only 8 of the buttons work and a 15 pin serial version called 'SE' where all 12 buttons work. See: http://www.flypfc.com/entertainment%20pliner.html I think my confusion stemmed from the fact that I had ordered the 15 pin serial but then started to worry whether I would lose some button functionalities through using a 9 pin serial to USB adapter between the throttle and the PC because evidently all 12 buttons, 2 joystick axes and a further set of buttons and 6 axes on the throttle all have to pass un-molested through my adapter for USB. I hadn't fully appreciated that 9 pin serial to USB conversion isn't a problem in the same way that 15 pin gameport to USB can be with my existing ch gameport yoke losing some button functionality. Best regards, Jonathan

Peter, Many thanks for your information - I did go into it quite thoroughly over the past 2 months and corresponded with Kimberley Budak several times to ensure the set-up I ordered would work. What I have ordered is the 15 pin serial version of the yoke (rather than the USB). I ordered that version because I was told if I ordered the USB version I would lose some of the button functionalities if I plugged it into the throttle via an adapter. Kimberley advised this was the best option for me. As I understand it the yoke plugs into the throttles via 15 pin serial (isn't this effectively gameport then??) and the throttles plug into the computer via 9 pin serial. I plan to use a serial to USB adapter for this which Kimberley indicated would still offer full button functionality. Sorry if I got confused but it was late last night and I probably got myself tied in knots with the diagrams. I've been researching this and deciding which kit to buy intensively for over 2 months and before that have been toying with investing in such a high end set-up for many years so it's far from a rash purchase. Most of the diagrams on PFC's website always seem to show the avionics console as part of the connection set-up and I haven't ordered that due to cost. I think I probably just got myself into a last minute panic due to the cost of all this and being paranoid about ensuring it all works OK. Many thanks and let me know your thoughts, Jonathan

Pete, Incidentally the serial-USB adapter I bought was originally to allow me to use the laptop with my Garmin GPS 196 for nav updates etc. So far it works fine. Does PFC use 9 pin serial like my GPS or something else like gameport.. many thanks, Brg Jon.

Pete, As you read below I have just ordered a PFC yoke and throttles for IR training. The problem is that I am using them on a Sony GRT 815m laptop with no gameport. (it's far faster than my 1Ghz desktop). PFC said that they can supply a Serial to USB adapter which will work fine but I already have a gameport to USB adapter I am using on my old Gameport CH yoke and it doesn't provide full button functionality although the main axes, rudder, 4 buttons and HAT work OK. Is the PFC gear standard gameport or something different? I'm very worried that not all functions on the units will work via an adapter plugged into USB - can you confirm whether I will be able to use mixture, prop, throttle for a twin plus the bulk of yoke buttons working OK via a USB-gameport adapter. I would really have preferred all USB gear but this isn't possible with the throttle console and PFC indicated their preferred connection was serial not USB on the yoke. Is PFC's adapter likely to be special in some way ie different to a standard gameport to USB adapter? IF it is I guess I might have to order it. Trouble is I think they are hoping to despatch tomorrow (Friday) so I need to verify it should work OK. I know it's not your job to support PFC's products as such but so far they have implied it should all work but I don't want an expensive paperweight!! Incidentally I'm not expecting you to guarantee it WILL work - just to say whether you think it SHOULD work. WHat functios if any would you expect me to lose? Many many thanks - would much appreciate if you can put my mind at rest asap. Best regards, Jonathan

Peter, Many many thanks for your comprehensive reply - reading how much you love your PFC yokes makes me even more keen for them to arrive. I'm hoping for sometime early-mid next week but much depends on the courier. Shipping PFC from the USa was a bit of a blow - $350 for shipping as far as LHR where I have to go to collect. This was on top of the $1300 for yoke and throttle so as ever this isn't a cheap hobby and I wanted to check I'm getting my money's worth! I agree I couldn't understand why the yoke/throttles should conflict with Go-flight because I certainly haven't ordered Go-flight throttles or anything like that - the PFC ones although marginally less flexible look rather more authentic - plus I think the Go-flight ones have had some teething problems. Roll on their arrival! I take it that the FSUIPC supplied by PFC is the full version? Best regards, Jonathan

Peter, I have just ordered my dream home cockpit set-up including a PFC jetliner yoke, PFC throttle quadrant and seven Go-Flight units to help me train for my IR in real life. When I was on the phone to Kimberley Budak at PFC she said I should load the PFC software before the Go-flight stuff to prevent problems. It is however quite likely that the Go-flight stuff may arrive in the UK first so is there a safe way for me to install Go-flight before I install PFC? Is it true that doing so may create problems and why? I thought I'd come straight to the driver source for the answer. Also I seem to remember reading that you use a jetliner column yoke yourself so any feedback on how you find the feel of it would be appreciated. I currently use CH yoke at home which I find lightweight and twitchy compared to the King Air sim with hydraulic yokes and the Seneca at Oxford where I'm training. Oxford also have a number of PFC PCATD's with normal PFC Cirrus yokes which are quite good but I was hoping the pedestal yoke would give an even heavier and less 'springy'; feel. Finally do you know if the PFC gear comes with FSUIPC or do I have to order it from you? Once again many thanks for developing such a great utility. Best regards, Jonathan