Quote from Hangar45 Admin on December 15, 2017, 11:03 am

(Original thread started on 05-25-12 by Alan Norris)

With my old simulator communication with ATC was done with a keyboard. Obviously in our Lear we don't want a keyboard so how do we do this? I have a program called PFE from OnCourseSoftware. It too needs keyboard support to enter requests for taxi, access runway, request take off etc. I saw this on a Swedish 737 build and didn't know if something like this was available or how other people who actually fly their sims do it:

 

In the video the function of center knob is to select what number you need and it appears in the LED display and then press the knob to transmit that to ATC. Not sure what the buttons under the right and left covers do.

 

(Posted by Eric Tomlin on 05-25-12)

There are a few ways to do this. The two methods I prefer are to either use a 2nd CDU with alternate keys or to have a purpose-built panel that goes in the Center Pedestal that is about the size of an APU panel. Shane has seen the design and I will be making a few of them for folks that may want one. It has 16 buttons on it that correlate to ATC, Numeric 0-9, push back and a few other simulator utilities (Pause, Mute, etc). Standby for proof of the planned panel.

 

(Posted by Shane Barnes on 05-25-12)

Another alternative is VOXATC. It is a program that allows voice communication via headset instead of dialing or punching in numbers for the most part. It is not perfect, of course no ATC programs that I have seen are. It is worth checking out if you do a lot of flying "offline". Of course I think the best ATC will be VATSIM or something similar.

 

I am thinking of using something along the lines of what Eric is talking about (2nd CDU or purpose built panel like Eric described in L45-007. I will still use VOXATC as my offline ATC.

 

(Posted by Alan Norris on 05-25-12)

Eric, I like that idea as I have space in my center console. In fact in my existing sim I have a couple of GoFlight push button panels that I programed for the various ATC commands. I also included push back, refuel, pause and fast forward. I would be interested in one of yours. It would be nice if it was engraved with the functions and back lit too.

 

(Posted by Mike Badger on 05-25-12)

I only fly on Vatsim but a panel for the push back, pause etc would be a well needed panel, one in which we could customize like FDS offers.

 

(Posted by Alan Norris on 05-28-12)

Shane, I looked into VOXATC and it looks promising. Voice recognition seems the only issue and more time training the program to your voice may be required to get good response.

 

Eric, the program allows you to determine which monitor displays the ATC window. Is it feasible to have say the right hand RMU display it? The window goes away after you confirm the ATC command. Not sure if that is something that would have to go through JET45 as I don't think you can specify the size and location of the ATC window.

 

(Posted by Shane Barnes on 05-28-12)

Hey Alan, as for the voice recognition training, it does not take long. There are only a few words that the program has trouble with. As for ATC window size, if you are talking about default FS ATC window size, search some of the forums on other sites. I think I have seen a tutorial as to how you accomplish this. It might even be a download from Flightsim or AVSIM as freeware.

 

(Posted by Eric Tomlin on 05-28-12)

Alan, if the program's window can run over the network (if that's how your RMU is ran) then you can position it anywhere including the RMU. If you can successfully run the JET45 suite on the same PC as the simulator, then naturally you should be able to position that window on the RMU portion of the screen but I have concerns about how readable it would be for you.

 

(Posted by Shane Barnes on 05-28-12)

VOXATC window is similar to default FS, the plus is you do not have to have it showing, that is once you get familiar with phraseology. There is a window that you can call up if you want to request an alternate runway etc. It has functions listed as numbers like default ATC that you can choose from.

 

Not sure if you can position it and save default flight and it stay in that position. I have not tried that.