TUG Offset status

[DaveSCUSA]

The TUG_HEADING and TUG_SPEED controls are listed in the FSUIPC7 Offsets Status document. The status of the Pushback was Read Tested. Would it be possible to test the other controls? I'm trying to emulate pushback and tug controls with buttons. There is a product "Toolbar Pushback" that performs the functions but requires screen space and mouse. I'm trying to get to a non-keyboard and non-mouse environment.

Thanks

[John Dowson]

I don't think those offsets are working to control pushback. The state is reported correctly, but writing to the offsets does not trigger pushback. To trigger pushback, use the Toggle Pushback event. Not sure about controlling the heading or speed at the moment. There are 2 new sim event that I will add and test - Tug Heading and Tug Speed. I have tested Tug Heading here and that seems to control the direction once pushback is initiated. 

However, generally it seems pushback is controlled by the Ground services in MSFS. Also, more complex add-ons tend to use either the FlyPad/EFB or FMC to control pushback. They may also respond to the standard controls, but also these may not work for such aircraft. I will test/check this in a few complex aircraft - maybe the PMDG 737, FSLabs A321 and the FBW A321.

I will add those 2 tug control events and look into this on more details, and maybe update those offsets to use these new control. But this will be after the next patch release of FSUIPC7. maybe next week...

John

 

[John Dowson]

1 hour ago, John Dowson said:

There are 2 new sim event that I will add and test - Tug Heading and Tug Speed. I have tested Tug Heading here and that seems to control the direction once pushback is initiated. 

Sorry - these are't new and are already available.

[John Dowson]

2 hours ago, John Dowson said:

I don't think those offsets are working to control pushback. The state is reported correctly, but writing to the offsets does not trigger pushback. To trigger pushback, use the Toggle Pushback event. Not sure about controlling the heading or speed at the moment. There are 2 new sim event that I will add and test - Tug Heading and Tug Speed. I have tested Tug Heading here and that seems to control the direction once pushback is initiated. 

Sorry, this is not correct - I was writing to offset 0x31F0 rather than 0x31F4. Writing to offset 0x31F4 seems to control pushback as documented, at least in the Cessna 172, and writing to offset 0x31F8 controls the heading. So it seems that these offsets are working, at lease in the Cessna 172. 

 

[John Dowson]

Tested in the PMDG 737 and the offsets seem to work with that aircraft as well.

Have you tried to use these offsets? If not, why not just try them. Any issues, let me know what the issue is and with which aircraft.

John

[John Dowson]

Tested in the FBW A320. You need to switch the pushback system on in the EFB, and then you can only attach the tug via the offsets. Looks like you need to set the direction in the EFB and control from there really.

[DaveSCUSA]

Thanks, what is an EFB?

[John Dowson]

2 minutes ago, DaveSCUSA said:

what is an EFB?

Electronic Flight Bag, also called a flypad (looks like an ipad), usually attached to the door below the pilots window. Used by many complex add-ons (airliners and airbuses) to configure the aircraft (fuel, weights/passengers, even throttle set-up and calibration, brakes etc) and control ground services amongst other things.

[DaveSCUSA]

Thank you John, very thorough. I have a Stream Deck and trying to emulate the Toolbar Pushback capability with buttons instead of a mouse.

In my sim, I'm trying to get rid of the need for a keyboard and mouse.

I have a button for pushback (works) and tests ON for the other buttons.

Again thanks

[DaveSCUSA]

2 minutes ago, John Dowson said:

Electronic Flight Bag, also called a flypad (looks like an ipad), usually attached to the door below the pilots window. Used by many complex add-ons (airliners and airbuses) to configure the aircraft (fuel, weights/passengers, even throttle set-up and calibration, brakes etc) and control ground services amongst other things.

Thanks, I'm flying the Cockspur PH100 Phenom. Very nice aircraft. Not consistent with how switches, buttons, knobs are bound.

[John Dowson]

2 minutes ago, DaveSCUSA said:

Not consistent with how switches, buttons, knobs are bound.

Like most add-on aircraft then! Many (most) add-on aircraft in MSFS2020/2024 seem to implement their behavior in non-standard ways and not use the standard events or simvars.

[DaveSCUSA]

3 hours ago, John Dowson said:

Writing to offset 0x31F4 seems to control pushback as documented, at least in the Cessna 172, and writing to offset 0x31F8 controls the heading. So it seems that these offsets are working, at lease in the Cessna 172. 

Thanks again. Aren't these controls aircraft independent?

Does offset 0x31FC update? I'm trying to emulate Toolbar Pushback with buttons. To get away from using a mouse. The tool has forward, backward, steering and speed for the tug.

 

[John Dowson]

14 hours ago, DaveSCUSA said:

Aren't these controls aircraft independent?

No, obviously not. They should work in most aircraft, but not in all - as I said, they don't work correctly with the FBW A320neo that implements its own pushback system via the flypad.

14 hours ago, DaveSCUSA said:

Does offset 0x31FC update?

No, As the offset document states, both offsets 0x31FC and 0x31F8 are write-only, you cannot read the current value of the speed/heading from these offsets.
I don't think there is anything available that holds the tug speed, although the tug heading is available in the simvar PUSHBACK ANGLE  (in Radians).

[DaveSCUSA]

6 hours ago, John Dowson said:

No, obviously not. They should work in most aircraft, but not in all - as I said, they don't work correctly with the FBW A320neo that implements its own pushback system via the flypad.

No, As the offset document states, both offsets 0x31FC and 0x31F8 are write-only, you cannot read the current value of the speed/heading from these offsets.
I don't think there is anything available that holds the tug speed, although the tug heading is available in the simvar PUSHBACK ANGLE  (in Radians).

Thank you