Best PF3 FlexBlower 300 CFM User Manual

PF3 User Guide

PF3 – ATC at its best

User Guide

Document Issue 3.7

Included with PF3 release version 3.22.0

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PF3 User Guide

Table of Contents

1. WELCOME ABOARD..............................................................................................................................7

2. WHAT'S NEW............................................................................................................................................8

3. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS..................................................................................................................12

4. INSTALLATION......................................................................................................................................13

4.1 INSTALLING PF3....................................................................................................................................13

5. PF3 LICENCE AUTHORISATION.......................................................................................................14

5.1 OVERVIEW.............................................................................................................................................14

5.2 WHAT IS IT?..........................................................................................................................................14

5.3 ONLINE AUTHORISATION........................................................................................................................15

5.4 OFFLINE AUTHORISATION.......................................................................................................................17

5.5 FAQ'S FOR ONLINE AUTHORISATION......................................................................................................21

6. HOW TO UNINSTALL PF3...................................................................................................................25

7. PF3 OPTIONS AND CONFIGURATION.............................................................................................26

7.1 OVERVIEW.............................................................................................................................................26

7.1.1 Main Menu Options Selection.....................................................................................................26

7.1.2 Options #1 Main Display.............................................................................................................27

7.1.3 Pilot's Voice.................................................................................................................................28

7.1.4 Virtual Co-Pilot modes................................................................................................................28

7.1.5 Taxi Guidance System..................................................................................................................30

7.1.6 ATIS Volume and Options...........................................................................................................32

7.1.7 Traffic Advisory en-route.............................................................................................................33

7.1.8 Debug Info...................................................................................................................................33

7.1.9 Misc Options................................................................................................................................34

7.1.10 Push & Start Options.................................................................................................................37

7.1.11 Other Options from this display................................................................................................37

7.1.12 Trans Alt & Alt Baro Calls........................................................................................................38

7.1.13 Rebuild PF3 Database Procedure.............................................................................................39

7.1.14 Hotkey Options..........................................................................................................................44

7.1.15 SID/STAR Page Options............................................................................................................46

7.1.16 Even More Main Menu Options................................................................................................51

7.1.17 Select a Flight Plan...................................................................................................................51

7.1.18 … the remaining Main Menu Options.......................................................................................56

7.1.19 Options #2 Main Display...........................................................................................................58

7.1.20 Adjusting the Regional Voice Accent.........................................................................................59

7.1.21 Add a New Facility Frequency or mark Airport Closed............................................................60

7.1.22 Mark Airport Close....................................................................................................................63

7.1.23 Control Center Mapping and Altitude Settings.........................................................................65

7.1.24 Excluding Individual Voices......................................................................................................68

7.1.25 Designated Parking Control......................................................................................................70

7.1.26 Advanced Options and INI File Tweaks....................................................................................71

7.1.27 Validate your PF3 Installation..................................................................................................91

7.1.28 Deactivate your PF3 License on this PC...................................................................................91

7.1.29 Adjust Altitudes, SIDs, STARs and Holds for Selected Flight Plan...........................................92

7.1.30 Define Oceanic Airspace for the Selected Flight Plan..............................................................98

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7.1.31 PF3 Profiles...............................................................................................................................99

8. PF3 FEATURES IN MORE DETAIL..................................................................................................100

8.1 THE TGS GAUGE................................................................................................................................100

8.2 THE STANDALONE TGS DISPLAY ........................................................................................................101

8.3 THE TGS2 GAUGE..............................................................................................................................103

8.4 OCEANIC PROCEDURES.........................................................................................................................104

8.5 TRAFFIC ADVISORIES...........................................................................................................................104

8.6 REQUESTING HIGHER/LOWER ALTITUDE...............................................................................................104

8.7 AUTO TAXI SPEED CONTROL ...............................................................................................................105

8.8 AI AIRCRAFT CONFLICT MONITORING..................................................................................................105

8.9 OTHER AI TRAFFIC DETECTION............................................................................................................106

8.9.1 Additional Ground Control Monitoring....................................................................................107

8.10 HOW WE HANDLE ATC CHATTER CALL SIGNS...................................................................................107

8.11 STEP CLIMBS AND DESCENTS.............................................................................................................108

8.12 EN-ROUTE CONTROL CENTRES...........................................................................................................108

8.13 HOW WE DETERMINE THE ACTIVE RUNWAY........................................................................................108

8.14 DESIGNATED PARKING.......................................................................................................................108

8.14.1 Stage 1.....................................................................................................................................109

8.14.2 Stage 2 ....................................................................................................................................109

8.15 RESUMING A FLIGHT..........................................................................................................................110

8.16 VISUAL CONNECTION INDICATOR.......................................................................................................112

8.17 INTERACTIVE SUPPORT FOR FDC USERS.............................................................................................113

8.18 ACARS ATIS..................................................................................................................................114

8.19 IN-FLIGHT VOLUME ADJUSTMENT......................................................................................................116

8.20 VFR FLIGHTS IN PF3........................................................................................................................117

8.20.1 Standard VFR..........................................................................................................................117

8.20.2 VFR Free Flight.......................................................................................................................117

8.21 LOCAL TRANSITION ALTITUDES..........................................................................................................119

8.22 FAILING TO CONTACT THE NEXT ATC FACILITY.................................................................................119

9. SOME ATC INSTRUCTIONS..............................................................................................................120

9.1 DESCENDING FROM TOD AT PILOT’S DISCRETION................................................................................120

9.2 VARIABLE TAKE-OFF INSTRUCTIONS.....................................................................................................120

9.3 NEW CALLS FROM TOWER AFTER LANDING...........................................................................................120

9.4 ENTERING A HOLDING PATTERN...........................................................................................................120

9.5 REQUESTING ‘DIRECT TO…’................................................................................................................121

10. DECLARING AN EMERGENCY......................................................................................................123

10.1 OVERVIEW.........................................................................................................................................123

10.2 MAYDAY...........................................................................................................................................123

11. OCEANIC PROCEDURES ................................................................................................................125

11.1 ABOUT...............................................................................................................................................125

11.2 OCEANIC COM PROCEDURES.............................................................................................................125

12. DEFAULT HOTKEY DETAILS........................................................................................................127

12.1 HOW TO USE HOTKEYS.......................................................................................................................127

12.2 HOTKEY FUNCTIONALITY EXPLAINED.................................................................................................127

12.2.1 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + E...........................................................................................................127

12.2.2 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + =...........................................................................................................127

12.2.3 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + \.............................................................................................................127

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12.2.4 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + C...........................................................................................................127

12.2.5 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + D...........................................................................................................128

12.2.6 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + V...........................................................................................................128

12.2.7 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + W..........................................................................................................128

12.2.8 Hotkey ‘H’ ..............................................................................................................................129

12.2.9 Hotkey ‘L’................................................................................................................................129

12.2.10 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + Y..........................................................................................................129

12.2.11 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + N.........................................................................................................129

12.2.12 Hotkey ESC............................................................................................................................129

12.2.13 Hotkey Ctrl+Shift+T..............................................................................................................130

12.2.14 Hotkey Ctrl+Shift+S..............................................................................................................130

12.2.15 Hotkey '0' (zero).....................................................................................................................130

12.2.16 Hotkey ‘1’..............................................................................................................................131

12.2.17 Hotkey ‘2’..............................................................................................................................131

12.2.18 Hotkey '3'...............................................................................................................................132

12.2.19 Hotkey '4'...............................................................................................................................132

12.2.20 Hotkey '5'...............................................................................................................................133

12.2.21 Hotkey '6'...............................................................................................................................133

12.2.22 Hotkey '7'...............................................................................................................................134

12.2.23 Hotkey '8'...............................................................................................................................134

12.2.24 Hotkey '9'...............................................................................................................................135

13. REMOTE RADIO STACK PROGRAM...........................................................................................136

13.1 OVERVIEW.........................................................................................................................................136

14. REMOTE TEXT PROGRAM.............................................................................................................138

14.1 GENERAL...........................................................................................................................................138

14.2 INSTALLATION....................................................................................................................................138

14.3 FEATURES..........................................................................................................................................138

15. TGS GAUGE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM..................................................................................140

15.1 OVERVIEW.........................................................................................................................................140

15.2 THE PROGRAM ..................................................................................................................................140

16. PF3 DISPLAY UTILITY PROGRAM...............................................................................................143

16.1 GENERAL...........................................................................................................................................143

16.2 THE PROGRAM...................................................................................................................................144

16.3 CUSTOMISING THE DATA FILE............................................................................................................147

16.3.1 Changing the Data file.............................................................................................................147

16.3.2 Data File Content (default).....................................................................................................148

17. WHICH MESSAGE WINDOW TO USE?........................................................................................152

17.1 WHAT WE RECOMMEND......................................................................................................................152

17.2 SETTING UP REMOTETEXT..................................................................................................................152

17.3 SETTING UP THE FSUIPC MESSAGE WINDOW....................................................................................152

18. USING VR SOFTWARE WITH PF3.................................................................................................153

18.1 OVERVIEW.........................................................................................................................................153

18.2 SETTING UP PF3................................................................................................................................153

18.2.1 Using VR for all ATC communications...................................................................................153

18.2.2 Switching between using VR and your VCP for ATC communication....................................153

19. TIME TO FLY......................................................................................................................................155

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19.1 THE PF3 QUICK-START TUTORIAL.....................................................................................................155

20. HINTS AND TIPS................................................................................................................................157

20.1 EXECUTING A FLIGHT PLAN...............................................................................................................157

20.2 HOLDING PATTERNS...........................................................................................................................164

20.2.1 Entry Procedures.....................................................................................................................165

20.2.2 Inbound Leg.............................................................................................................................166

20.2.3 Outbound Leg..........................................................................................................................166

20.2.4 Procedural Turns.....................................................................................................................166

20.2.5 Exit Point.................................................................................................................................167

20.3 UNCONTROLLED AIRPORTS.................................................................................................................168

20.4 USING PF3 WITH MCE......................................................................................................................168

20.5 A WORD ABOUT SID/STAR USE IN PF3............................................................................................169

20.6 HOW TO RESET PF3'S WINDOW POSITIONS.........................................................................................171

20.7 HOW TO TURN OFF TGS MESSAGES (FS9, FSX ONLY)........................................................................171

20.8 MARTIN'S TIPS ON USING THE FMC WITH PF3....................................................................................172

20.8.1 Using the new Flight Plan Filter option

............................................................................................................................................................172

20.8.2 Using the same flight plan with an FMC.................................................................................175

21. PF3 GENERAL FAQ SECTION .......................................................................................................179

22. TGS GAUGE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS..........................................................................186

22.1 HOW TO INSTALL THE OPTIONAL GAUGE ONTO A PANEL.....................................................................186

22.2 BACKING UP YOUR HARD WORK.......................................................................................................192

22.2.1 This one is for a third party aircraft in FS9............................................................................192

22.2.2 This is for the default Cessna in FS9:......................................................................................192

22.2.3 This is the default 737-800 FSX...............................................................................................193

22.2.4 The default 747-400 in FSX.....................................................................................................193

22.2.5 Installing TGS into the PMDG747-400 Queen of the Skies for FSX.......................................193

22.3 INSTALLING THE TGS GAUGE INTO A WINDOW..................................................................................197

22.3.1 Install the gauge into a window for the FS2004 default 747-400...........................................197

22.3.2 Install the gauge into a window for a 3rd party aircraft in FS2004.......................................198

22.3.3 Install the gauge into a window for a 3rd party aircraft in FSX.............................................199

22.3.4 Install the gauge into a window for a default aircraft for FSX...............................................199

22.3.5 A Few Useful Notes:................................................................................................................200

23. EXTENDED CONTROL SECTOR FILE.........................................................................................201

23.1 OVERVIEW.........................................................................................................................................201

23.2 ARGENTINA-CHILE ANTARTIC PENNINSULA DISPUTE..........................................................................202

23.3 UNUSED SECTOR NAMES....................................................................................................................202

24. TGS GENERAL FAQ SECTION.......................................................................................................203

25. KNOWN ISSUES..................................................................................................................................204

25.1 YOUR SKIN........................................................................................................................................204

25.2 SENIOR MOMENTS..............................................................................................................................204

25.3 IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT ..................................................................................................................204

26. SUPPORT..............................................................................................................................................207

27. CREDITS...............................................................................................................................................208

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27.1 BETA TESTERS...................................................................................................................................208

27.2 PF3 PROGRAM DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT.......................................................................................208

27.3 PF3 DOCUMENTATION.......................................................................................................................208

27.4 SPECIAL THANKS…...........................................................................................................................208

27.5 ADDITIONAL WORK...........................................................................................................................209

28. COPYRIGHT AND LICENSING.......................................................................................................210

28.1 COPYRIGHT........................................................................................................................................210

28.2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................................................210

28.3 SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT ......................................................................................................210

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PF3 User Guide

1. WELCOME ABOARD

Thank you for purchasing PF3 – ATC at its best.

To ensure your journey with us is as comfortable and trouble free as possible,

please take the time to peruse this user guide.

+ + + + + +

PF3 is the next stage in our flight plan to bring you the most realistic,

encapsulating and stable ATC program available for flight simulation.

The name is probably somewhat familiar and you may well remember us for

bringing back the much loved ATC program Proflight 2000 to your flight sim

world several years ago. But PF3 goes much, much further than that.

PF3 is almost a complete rewrite and a stand-alone program that

doesn't require nor use anything from the now defunct ProFlight

2000.

So what's new?

Read on...

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2. WHAT'S NEW

PF3 includes all the relevant, much loved features and options

available in our previous ATC program plus, much, much more...

• PF3 now supports MSFS – Please also see the separate document

Known Issues when using MSFS

• PF3 comes complete with 119 voice sets, covering 20+ different

geographic regions in our PF3 world.

• PF3 monitors AI aircraft on the ground as you taxi to/from the runway

to ensure there are no conflicts.

• Automatic speed control when taxiing to/from the runway.

• PF3 offers a simple point and click on any flight plan, then fly !!

• Additional ATIS voice sets.

• Radio enhancement voice packs included as part of the basic

installation.

• Control center hand-off altitudes configurable for each PF3 geographic

region.

• PF3 does NOT alter your flight plan in any way

• PF3 is configurable for most voice recognition programs.

• All ATC and ATIS frequencies used in PF3 are taken DIRECTLY from

your flight simulator.

• Just a single installation of PF3 will work with either FS2004, FSX, P3D

and MSFS, even if you have all four flight simulators installed.

Whichever one is running PF3 will work with it (provided you use the

correct FREE version of FSUIPC)

• PF3 allows you to add any missing ATC frequency that doesn't

currently exist in your flight simulator.

• Use either COM1 or COM2 to communicate with ATC or listen to ATIS.

• PF3 offers the use of configurable flight profiles, so you can set up the

type of airport required, your aircraft's rate of climb/descent and also

your preferred approach speed.

• Receive a simulated ACARS display using your flight sim's kneeboard

(FS9 and FSX) or the new (V3.10) In-Sim display windows (P3D and

MSFS) to show all the ATC frequencies available at your departure

airport, thereby alleviating the problem of not knowing what frequency

to tune to. You can also request ATIS reports via ACARS.

• Much more accurate control center hand-offs as all our ATC control

zones have been revamped and extended.

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• Check your PF3 installation using the PF3 Validation program to

ensure you have all the correct files installed.

• Improved handling of emergency situations.

• PF3 supports both IFR and VFR flights plus our exciting (new in Ver

3.10) VFR Free Flight mode so you can take full advantage of enjoying

the outstanding visual qualities of the new MSFS.

• PF3 supports alternate airports which you can choose to divert to for

whatever reason.

• PF3 comes complete with 50+ application skins to give the program

the look you prefer... don't worry though if you prefer the look of our

previous ATC program as we've included that skin too. And if you don't

like using any skins at all PF3 let's you do that also.

• The maximum length of SID/STAR names has been increased from 5

to 7 characters.

• PF3's Hold feature has been completely changed. You can now easily

select which VOR/NDB waypoint within your flight plan you want to

initiate a hold, by a simple mouse click.

• Full taxi instructions to/from the runway. i.e. ATC instructs you to....

"taxi to gate 27 via taxiway delta, bravo two, alpha one, charlie

three".

• Taxi Guidance System (TGS) includes an (optional) panel gauge or

stand-alone program. The gauge (a new version is included in PF3

Version 3.10) and/or standalone utility program points to the next

taxi waypoint, displays a series of LEDs to indicate the distance to the

next taxi waypoint. TGS also includes AUDIBLE instructions from your

VCP telling you... "next left into delta.... bear right into bravo two...

straight on... gate 27 on the right" (just like your in-car navigation

system).

• PF3 provides full Oceanic Procedures when flying to/from the US (over

the pond) and between Gander/Shanwick controlled areas. This

includes simulated HF radio transmissions using real world SELCAL

sounds when ATC contact you. Your VCP will also radio through

position reports at each intersection.

• PF3 also provides a way for you to define Oceanic Procedures to any

flight plan if you wish, no matter how unrealistic it may be, PF3 will

accommodate you.

• PF3 supports 'Push and Start' request options.

• PF3 offers extended SID/STAR functionality.

• Closed Caption mode to make it easier to hear what ATC are saying,

also useful for those who maybe hard of hearing.

• Designated Parking at your destination airport.

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• Transition Altitudes can be set globally or for individual airports or you

may use a combination of both.

• User defined runway settings so any runway can be marked for

landings only, takeoffs only, both or even closed.

• User defined variable background radio interference noise that changes

when you tune to another control centre for that added realism.

• PF3 supports restarting a flight due to problems or simply because

you want to.

• Full interactive support for those using PF3 and FDC together.

• Automatically pause PF3 and FS at a specified distance from the

airport, runway and/or FAF.

• In addition to normal ATIS broadcasts PF3 also provides ATIS via its

simulated ACARS system (now available in both P3D and MSFS with

our - new in ver 3.10 - In-Sim window displays)).

• PF3 supports user defined minimum FAF altitudes for any FS airport,

particularly handy for those hazardous approaches.

• Even during your flight you can change the volume for either ATIS,

ATC, your VCP or the radio background noise.

• Free PF3 in-flight frequency/hotkey display utility included for those

with a second monitor or client machine perhaps.

• Free PF3 Remote Text utility included for those with a second monitor

of client machine perhaps.

• 'Request Direct To...' feature if you wish to deviate from your flight

plan.

• Two-way AI traffic advisories.

• Minimum departure altitude settings can be configured for any of your

FS airports.

• Mark any voice set you may not like so that it is not used again.

• Remap ATC control centres names if you hear one which is no longer

in use.

• PF3 supports the Project Magenta Boeing type MCP (and probably

others but they have not been tested).

• Display the last 10 transmissions ATC made to you.

• Adjust the speed of ATC taxi instructions and your read-back.

• Database refresh utility to apply any add-on scenery data you may

install for your flight simulator to ensure PF3's database is perfectly in

sync.

• All new approach vectoring code.

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• Integrated ATIS for all of the 1200+ equipped airports in FS9, FSX,

P3D and MAFS, plus the ability to add more.

• You will hear the full airport name announced in PF3's ATIS for all

those ATIS equipped FS9/FSX/P3D/MSFS airports.

• AI traffic based chatter, so you actually hear ATC communicating with

other traffic around you.

• Listen to ATC as they give clearance, taxi, takeoff, landing, climb,

descend, turn and hand off instructions to AI Traffic.

• Intelligent step climbs and descents which will be slightly different

each time for added realism.

• Regional ATC calls and instructions, reflecting the subtle and

sometimes not so subtle differences between FAA and CAA controllers.

• New In-Sim display windows for showing Closed Caption text, ACARS

simulated transmission messages and also the current available PF3

Hotkeys for each section of your flight. In-Sim display windows ONLY

work with P3D and MSFS and can be displayed even when you're using

full screen mode. Further details of this new feature later in this User

Guide

• A new feature to allow aircraft to taxi along the runway if the taxiway

takes you to the runway some distance from the runway end. In such

circumstances the aircraft would have to enter the active runway, taxi

along to the end and then do a 180 degree turn to line up. Prior to

PF3 version 3.10, if there was no inbound traffic, you would just be

cleared for takeoff. With this new feature you will be told to 'line up

and wait'. You could then enter the active runway and taxi to the end,

where you would then turn 180 degrees to line up. Once lined up ATC

would then clear you for take off... you would not have to contact

Tower again as the call would happen automatically.

• PF3 supports Aerosoft's CRJ

• PF3 supports PMDG's 737

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3. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Microsoft Flight Simulator FS9, FSX, P3D or MSFS.

3.5 GB disk space required

Microsoft's NET Framework ver 4.0.30319 or later

DirectX (9.0c) for Managed Code Runtimes

A FREE copy of Pete & John Dowson's FSUIPC module (although we highly

recommend purchasing the registered module)

Runs under Windows XP (32/64), VISTA (32/64), Windows 7 (32/64),

Windows 8.1 (32/64), Windows 10 (32/64) and Windows 11 (32/64)

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4. INSTALLATION

4.1 Installing PF3

Once you have downloaded your purchase simply unzip and run the

PF3_Installation_Setup.exe program (right-click and select Run as

Administrator) and follow the onscreen instructions.

PF3 can be installed on the same computer running your flight simulator

program or on any client machine connected to your flight simulator program

via Pete Dowson's WideServer/WideClient application.

The exact location you choose to install PF3 is not important except we

strongly recommend you DO NOT install into the 'C:\Program Files' folder or

'C:\Program Files (x86)' folder. Since as far back as Windows Vista the

Program Files folder is regarded as a protected area and Windows will prevent

certain files from being created and/or updated, which can lead to some

programs failing intermittently.

Also, during the installation, it is always best to stop all other programs,

especially your anti virus program and any other security type programs you

might have. Once the installation is complete you must then configure your

anti virus program to exclude PF3 and its sub-directories from any scanning.

Note: Depending on the speed of your PC the installation can take between 2

and 40 minutes

IMPORTANT

When using PF3 you must turn your flight simulator's ATC volume

OFF (i.e down to zero), otherwise you could find yourself listening to

PF3 and FS ATC simultaneously.

It has been reported that turning Microsoft Flight Simulator off by

deselecting the adjacent ATC tick boxes can cause FS to crash, so

please just turn the volume right down.

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5. PF3 LICENCE AUTHORISATION

5.1 Overview

Software companies around the world have come to realize that activation-

type copy protection systems provide a reasonable solution to the problem of

piracy while at the same time respecting customers by not burdening them

with a hard-to-use licensing system.

Reducing piracy means that the software vendor can use steady revenues to

further improve the product and guarantee business continuation. It is

unfortunate that piracy exists because we know the majority of our customers

follow the licence terms but it is a fact of life in this digital age.

We trust the system we have chosen will be virtually transparent for the

majority our customers.

5.2 What is it?

Activation is a set of simple and quick steps taken upon installation in order to

begin using PF3. There are many products available that use a similar system

activation system. When PF3 is installed it contacts a central server via the

internet to complete the 'activation' and tie it to the provided

licence/activation code (which was provided by email).

This anti-piracy system helps protect our investment in our software and

enables us to continue its development at a competitive price. The licence

protection and monitoring system is managed by software_DNA from

softWORKZ Innovation Inc. This system does not collect any details about you

or your computer during licence activation and re-activation. You may

optionally enter your email address for password retrieval if ever you lose

your password.

Unlike other activation systems, the software_DNA system does not tie your

licence permanently to your computer hardware. Instead, your licence is tied

to your activation code and password that you define. As a result, you will

have no problem re-activating your software after reformatting your hard

drive, after upgrading hardware components in your computer, or when you

move your software to a new computer. However, activation and reactivation

does require an Internet connection. This Internet connection can be on a

different computer from where your application is installed.

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5.3 Online Authorisation

If the PC you are running PF3 on is connected to the internet you will see the

following screen displayed the very first time you run it.

Now enter your licence/activation code you received via email when you

purchased PF3. This would have been included in the same email you

received with the download link.

Please do take note of the reminder and ensure you run PF3 as

Administrator. If you don't this activation WILL FAIL!

Now click on Continue.

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The next screen requires you to create/enter a password and enter your email

address. In addition to activating PF3 this information will allow you to access

details about the activation and/or request reactivating it at anytime should

you change your PC. Your email address will also be required to retrieve your

password should you forget it at anytime, so please enter this information

carefully and make a note of it somewhere safe for future reference.

Here's what the password/email request screen looks like:-

Once complete please click on the Activate button.

As soon as the activation process is complete, which will only take a few

seconds, the PF3 main menu will be displayed.

This is a one-time activation process and you will not be required to do it

again unless you uninstall/reinstall PF3 or make a major hardware change to

your computer.

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PF3 User Guide

5.4 Offline Authorisation

If PF3 is installed on a PC which doesn't have an Internet connection you will

see the same screens as detailed in section 5.3. However, after entering a

password/email address and clicking Activate you will see the following

message window:-

To continue with Offline Activation select Yes, at which point the following

message will appear:-

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Now you need to transfer the PF3.LIC file, which was just created in your

main PF3 folder, over to the PC with Internet connection.

Enter the following into your web browser to access the offline activation

upload area:-

www.softworkz.com/offline

This is the web page you should see:

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Now select Choose File and navigate to wherever you copied the PF3.LIC

file, then select Upload Lic File to see the following page:

The page requires you to create/enter a password and enter your email

address. In addition to activating PF3 this information will allow you to access

details about the activation and/or request reactivating it at anytime should

you change your PC. Your email address will also be required to retrieve your

password should you forget it at anytime, so please enter this information

carefully and make a note of it somewhere safe for future reference.

So go ahead, enter the required information then select Activate.

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Provided you've entered everything correctly you should be presented with

the following screen:

Now you need to select Download to get your Licence (.CDM) file and

transfer it to your PF3 computer, copying into the main PF3 folder.

Finally you can start PF3 and the activation is complete.

This is a one-time activation process and you will not be required to do it

again unless you uninstall/reinstall PF3 or make a major hardware change to

your computer.

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5.5 FAQ's for Online Authorisation

I have entered my code correctly and have an internet connection,

why is PF3 saying I have to do an off-line activation?

PF3 cannot reach the activation server. You may be using a proxy server or

have a firewall (Windows firewall, ZoneAlarm, BitDefender, etc.). Make sure

you have given permission for PF3 to access the Internet in your firewall (see

question below).

To verify if you have an Internet Connection, access the Internet using your

web browser. If your web browser can connect, then look for a proxy or

firewall.

I have entered my code and password correctly with a new password

to do a re-activation, why is PF3 not being re-activated?

Verify that you have an Internet Connection. Your new password must be a

new and never-used password. Verify that you have not previously used this

password with this activation code.

How often will PF3 connect to the activation server via the Internet?

PF3 checks with the activation server when it is first installed, when it is re-

activated, such as after a disk reformat and reinstall, or if the software is

moved to a new computer.

Will PF3 work if I don't have an internet connection?

Yes, there is an offline activation method available. If no Internet connection

is found during activation, or the activation server is not reachable, PF3 will

ask you to do offline activation. PF3 will provide step-by-step instructions,

where a file is written to disk that you move to a computer that does have

Internet access (or email access). You can move this file via LAN, floppy disk,

CD-R or USB key. You can use your Internet browser (on a machine that does

have Internet access) to visit a special page to upload this file and receive

another file in return. If you do not have any working browsers then the file

can be emailed to our support (note there may be a delay in the return of the

file depending on the time of day and week).

Does the internet connection speed affect Activation? Will dial-up

Activation work?

The amount of data transferred during activations is very small. Any stable

internet connection will work. Obviously slower connections will take slightly

longer to complete the activation steps but this will be negligible.

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What information is passed to your server during activation?

No personal information or information about your computer configuration are

transferred. There is a one-way hash* of some machine configuration data,

your chosen password, and the optional email address sent to the server. If

you do not provide the optional information (email address and registration

information) then no personal information will be transferred. We suggest you

do not use one of your important personal passwords for the activation

password, or a password that personally identifies you.

*One-way Hash: Codes that identify parts of the computer are put through a

special function (called a 'one way hash') that turns the codes into one code

number that is unique to your computer but cannot be deciphered (or reverse

engineered) to determine what those components are. Only this hash value is

sent to the activation server and not the details on the computer parts.

Can I move PF3 to another computer?

Yes, this can be done easily. It is simply a matter of deactivating PF3 and

then uninstalling the application on one computer, reinstalling the application

on the new machine, and reactivating the software. If you have remembered

your password this will be a fast and easy process.

What is the password for?

The password uniquely identifies your licence/activation code. You will need

the password if you ever need to reactivate PF3 (such as after a disk

reformat and reinstall or moving PF3 to a new machine). We suggest you do

not use one of your important personal passwords for the activation password

or a password that personally identifies you. The password has to be changed

and be new (never-used) each time you re-activate the software.

What is the email address for?

The email address on the activation and reactivation dialogues is optional.

You will be able to activate even if you do not provide an email address. If

you do provide an email address, it can be used to retrieve a lost password. If

you do provide the email address it will not be used for marketing purposes

or sold / provided to any third party. If you do provide an email address we

recommend it be one that will be active for some time.

What if I have forgotten my password and did not provide an email

address (or my email address is no longer valid)?

During a reactivation the previously provided password is required. If the

password has been lost and cannot be recovered (because an email address

was not provided, or the email address is no longer valid) you will need to

contact our support via email.

We will be happy to reset your password.

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Will changes to my computer cause PF3 to stop working?

There are no changes that will cause a permanent disabling of PF3. Major

changes (disk reformat being one such major change) will mean that you

need to reactivate the software. If you have your password this will be a fast

and easy process.

What happens if OnCourse Software or softWORKZ suspends service

or goes out of business?

Both companies have been in business for quite a few years. In fact both

companies were formed in 2002 and are healthy, stable and will be around

for many years to come!

Regardless, your activated application will continue working without the

Activation server, although new activations or re-activations will not be

possible. Both companies are committed to ensure that a patch will be made

available ASAP to resolve this. Either a version with a replaced activation

system or a version with no activation will be provided.

I wish to do an online activation but my firewall is setup to block such

requests. What are the firewall settings I need?

The following is the information that you need to setup your firewall:

Main server IP address: reg1.softworkz.com

Backup server IP: reg2.softworkz.com

Backup server IP: reg3.softworkz.com

Port: 80 (Standard HTTP)

Domain: softworkz.com

I want to reinstall PF3 but can't remember my Activation code, what

should I do?

In the first instance simply go to the License Manager portal using the

following link:

https://www.softworkz.com/licensemanager/index.aspx

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This will take you to the following page

If you have you activation code you can simply complete the left hand pane

details to retrieve all your licence details, or if you've forgotten your password

just select 'Recover Password' and it will be sent to your registered email

address.

If you don't have your activation code just enter you email address in the

right hand pane and the details will be sent to you.

If all else fails then you can write to us at:

[email protected]

But we would need as much information as possible in order to be able to

trace your activation code. So please provide the following:

1. Approximate date you purchased PF3

2. Where you purchased it

3. How you paid for it

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6. HOW TO UNINSTALL PF3

Before uninstalling PF3 please ensure you DEACTIVATE the software

first by going to the Options #2 menu and then selecting 'Deactivate

your PF3 License on this pc'.

We recommend you uninstall PF3 using the standard Windows Control Panel,

Uninstall a Program feature.

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7. PF3 OPTIONS AND CONFIGURATION

7.1 Overview

PF3 offers a host of configurable options for you to tinker with and setup the

system to your very own requirements, personal likes and dislikes.

Please Note: Some screen shots may differ on your system due to the skin

you're using or changes to PF3 since this document was written.

7.1.1 Main Menu Options Selection

General options are accessed from the main PF3 screen by selecting either

the Options #1 or Options #2 buttons.

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7.1.2 Options #1 Main Display

The first Options page shown below shows the majority of the most

commonly used options available in PF3. In this section we hope to show you

what each of these options are for plus how and when you might use them

within your flight simulator environment. Hovering your mouse over one of

the '?' icons will display some context-sensitive help.

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7.1.3 Pilot's Voice

At the top left you can select the Pilot’s Voice you want to use. This is the

voice you will hear communicating with ATC (unless of course you use voice

recognition software, but more about that option a little later), so in reality it

is actually the PNF rather than the PF, unless you're flying solo!

To the right of the voice selection box is where you enter your actual call sign

and next to that is the ‘Heavy’ indicator.

Below the call sign option is a drop down box listing all the available airlines

that PF3 recognises and which call signs are supported.

So in the above example ATC would contact you as “Easy Four”. But if you

selected the 'Heavy' option the call would become “Easy Four Heavy”

Obviously, if you selected British Airways in the drop-down box you would

hear “Speedbird Four” or “Speedbird Four, Heavy”

7.1.4 Virtual Co-Pilot modes

Below the Default Pilot voice & call sign panel you will see the various Virtual

Co Pilot modes available, all of which are fully explained on the options page

by right-clicking the actual option text or hovering your mouse over the

yellow '?' icon

Selecting a particular mode will be the one used for all loaded flight plans.

This mode can also be changed mid-flight by using the default C\S\V hotkey.

Note: C\S\V means pressing and holding the Ctrl and Shift keys together,

then pressing and releasing the V key. Finally you release the Ctrl and Shift

keys.

So what do each of these options do I hear you ask...

CP Mode 0 - Tells your virtual co-pilot not to say anything at all and don't

touch anything either!

CP Mode 1 - With this mode selected your VCP will handle any frequency

changes received from ATC. He will actually dial in the required frequency for

your COM radio.

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CP Mode 2 - In this mode you start to work your VCP a little harder and

make him/her (yes there are some hers available) handle all your

communications with ATC plus handle any necessary frequency changes. You

will also notice a small tick box next to this option marked (+ Nav1) and this

enables you to select if you would like your VCP to also set your NAV1

frequency when on an ILS approach. This particular option is new to version

3.1 and was added following a user request. If you prefer to set the NAV1

yourself then you can simply turn this feature off.

CP Mode 3 - With this option you can almost start to relax a little. Not only

will your VCP change COM frequencies when required and handle all the

verbal stuff with ATC but he will also ensure your auto-pilot is correctly setup

up too. So any changes in heading or altitude, instructed by ATC, your VCP

will dial them into the AP. This can be really useful if you're on a long haul

flight and want to pop off to get your tea!

All joking aside, CP Mode 3 can be really useful when you first start using PF3

because it gives you time to see exactly how things work with regard to the

interaction between you, ATC and your flight sim.

Auto Mute - This option (added in version 3.3.0) provides the means by

which you may use Voice Recognition software and you trusty VCP, switching

between each as and when you like.

This option will only be activated if

(a) your pilots voice is NOT set set 'None'

(b) your VCP mode is set to 0 or 1

(d) you use the PTT hotkey before pressing any ATC communication hotkey.

Configured correctly, when you press the PTT hotkey and then a

communication hotkey (say C/S/0) you will not hear your pilot/vcp voice

talking to ATC, provided you complete the keying sequence before the PTT

pause interval expires. This would then allow you time to speak directly to

ATC via your VR software. If at any time you wanted your VCP to take over

talking to ATC you simply hit the communication hotkey without using the PTT

key. This will be detailed again in section 18 Using vr software with pf3

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7.1.5 Taxi Guidance System

Below the Virtual Co-Pilot modes panel you will see a really exciting and

useful feature of PF3 , the Taxi Guidance System.

This panel allows you to configure the TGS in a variety of ways. You must

check the Use TGS option in order to activate this feature. Doing so will

ensure you arrive at the correct runway/gate/parking position as assigned by

the ground or tower controller!

Visual Guidance - This option enables the nifty TGS Gauge and or

Standalone Program which will display directional guidance for you during the

taxi segment of your flight. Each of these items will be described fully in a

later section of this document.

Audio Guidance will provide you with audio directions, not unlike an in-car

GPS system. The audio guidance will also give you the name of the taxiway

you should be turning onto. Eg. “Turn left onto taxiway Delta”

The Use HDG Bug enables your heading bug to constantly point towards the

next taxi waypoint along your route to the runway/gate, plus the number of

taxi waypoints remaining will appear in the AP Course display. This is a useful

feature should you decide not to install the TGS gauge or use the standalone

TGS Display utility for whatever reason. When you select to use the Hdg bug

as a taxi aid then whatever settings were originally showing on the AP HDG

and/or AP Course displays will be remembered by PF3 when TGS is started

and reset to their original values when TGS completes. Please Note this

function may be disabled with some third-party add-on aircraft.

The Voice Prompt selection enables you to choose a different voice for the

TGS commands than the one you hear communicating with ATC. If you select

‘None’ then the TGS voice defaults to the pilot voice selection. This option is

also useful for those using voice recognition software alongside PF3, as those

users have to select ‘None’ for their pilot’s voice and would therefore not hear

any TGS audio prompts. But this option now provides them with full TGS

operations too.

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The % to Reduce ATC Volume when TGS is active reduces the volume of

general ATC chatter so you don’t miss any of the taxi instructions given by

your trusty VCP. Any ATC instructions directed at you though will not be

affected by this option.

The Distance to prompt for next turn is the distance before the next

taxiway turn you will hear your VCP say “Next left” or “Next right on to

taxiway Delta”. So if you prefer to hear this when you are literally on top of

the next turn you need to reduce this setting. If you want more time to get

ready for the turn you need to increase the setting.

Distance for final prompt to Gate is much the same as the previous option

except it pertains only to when you're approaching your assigned gate after

landing.

Please Note: The reason this additional trigger was added is because we felt it

was the best way you could be absolutely certain which gate your VCP means

when he says turn 'left/right to gate'. If the setting is too high you could turn

too early toward the wrong gate, equally if the setting is too low you could

over shoot your turn. We/I have always found a setting of 50 to work

perfectly so you should only mess with this value if you're having problems

finding the right gate. Personally, by the time I get to the final taxi waypoint I

always ensure I am doing about 3-5 knots... that way my turn into the gate is

always just right.

Faster ATC instructions simply makes ATC's taxi instruction to you faster.

Some may prefer this as it is probably more realistic. However, if you're new

to PF3 and/or ATC communications you may find it easier to understand

these instructions if you turn this option off. You can also used the Closed

Caption mode (explained later) to display ATC instructions textually.

Faster Readback of Taxi instructions – This one probably doesn't need

any explanation... so I won't explain it!

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7.1.6 ATIS Volume and Options

Below the Taxi Guidance System selections you will find the Volume control

and ATIS control panel.

The first option ATIS Volume allows you to adjust the volume of PF3's own

ATIS messages.

VCP Volume controls the volume of your VCP.

ATC volume controls the volume ATC and other (AI) aircraft you might hear

on your current frequency.

Radio Noise Vol adjusts the sound heard 'behind' the radio transmissions.

This background noise adds to the authenticity of transmissions, and is

adjustable to your liking. This additional ambiance will only be heard when

ATC are talking or you hear another aircraft in communication with ATC, it is

not heard when your VCP is talking.

Variation - This small check box changes the type of background radio noise

you will hear each time you switch from one control facility to another. Not

only does this alleviate the risk of your ears becoming tired of the same

background noise but also adds a little more realism, replicating the fact that

some control facilities provide better signals than others.

Simulate Radio COMs - This option is off by default and will make all radio

transmissions sound like... well, radio transmissions... to emulate what it's

really like listening to ATC. If you try it and don't like, or would prefer to hear

a clearer sound over the radio, just leave it off.

All these options and controls provide the means by which you can finely tune

the sounds and volumes to suit your own particular taste and to create the

level of ambiance you prefer and consider to sound 'just right’.

Please Note: If you find the sound from your flight simulator is drowning out

all ATC calls and you have all PF3 settings at maximum, it's time to turn your

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flight sim volumes down till you reach the optimum level. Then, if need be,

you can push the overall sound balance (your amp) up to suit.

Use PF3 ATIS - Which you'll find a little to the right of the ATIS volume

control is the master switch that obviously turns this whole feature off, should

you wish to use the default system provided by your flight simulator to listen

to ATIS, although this is not really recommended.

Must Tune to ATIS ensures PF3 will prompt you to actually tune to ATIS

prior to making initial contact with ATC.

Make ATIS message faster for those impatient ones amongst you.

Max ATIS Loops sets the maximum number of times PF3's ATIS will play

before automatically stopping. However, if the message stops and you would

like to listen to it again just momentarily change your COM frequency and

then set it back to the correct ATIS frequency and the message will replay for

the number of loops defined here.

7.1.7 Traffic Advisory en-route

To the right of the volume controls are our Traffic Advisory options.

Miles radius from aircraft The first one controls the horizontal radius within

which you want to be advised of other (AI) traffic movements.

Altitude between This is the vertical radius within which you would be

advised of other (AI) traffic movements.

7.1.8 Debug Info

Below the volume controls at the lower left of the screen there is a Debug

Level control. This control filters the information written to the debug logging

file. Normally this would be set to '0' (zero) but you may be requested by

PF3 Support to increase this as an aid to collating data with regard to any

problems you may have reported. The range is from 0 (zero) to 4. Be

warned: setting this to 3 or 4 will produce very big logs and you should only

use this setting if/when asked to do so.

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7.1.9 Misc Options

On the right-hand side of the main options page you will see the following

options:-

Check for Program Updates each day ensures you always keep up to date

with any program updates using our own auto-updates feature.

Please Note: OnCourse Software does NOT collect ANY personal data from

your computer during this process. PF3 does, however, require an internet

connection for this feature to work and connect to one of our updates servers.

Use Closed Caption mode enables you to ‘see’ a text display of all ATC

communications on the screen. This information can be displayed in either the

default FS message window (not recommended), the FSUIPC message

window or the RemoteText utility that comes with PF3 (recommended). Not

only is this feature really useful for those times when you may not be 100%

certain as to what was just said but it's also great for those who are a little

hard of hearing (like yours truly... what?)

Display Voice Set ID is used to prefix the closed caption text with a two

letter voice set identifier, which is required if you wish to use the 'Exclude

Individual Voices' feature. More about this later.

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Use QNH instead of Altimeter for non-US – In most countries outside

North America ATC will provide the current altimeter settings in millibars

(1013 rather than 29.92). The actual call would be “QNH 1013” instead of

“Altimeter 2992”). Setting this option to OFF will result in the 'Altimeter'

setting being given in all PF3 regions.

Always prompt for Alternate Airport – PF3 supports the use of alternate

airports and therefore, with this option set to ON, you will be prompted to

enter an alternative airport each time you load a flight plan. Even with this

prompt turned on you may still choose to skip entering an alternate airport if

you wish, or if you never want to use an alternate airport simply set this

option OFF. You select your alternate airport by entering the ICAO code when

prompted.

Please Note: PF3 only validates the ICAO code you enter to ensure it is valid.

It does not, however, perform any other checks. This means you could

actually enter an alternate airport that was on the other side of the World!

PF3 doesn't care and if/when you request to go to your alternate PF ATC

would be happy to facilitate your request... so please be careful when

planning your flight.

No warning if waypoints are too close – PF3 will warn you if any of your

flight plan waypoints are too close together or too close to either your

destination/departure airports. PF3 will not drop any waypoints from your

flight plan and this is only a cautionary message to ensure you have a

problem free flight. Tests have shown PF3 can happily handle waypoints

closer than the distance that triggers these warnings but this is largely

dependent on how acute the change of course is between one waypoint and

another and also the pilot's ability to navigate to each waypoint. This

message will be displayed if any of your waypoints are closer than 5 nautical

miles or your first waypoint is closer than 10 nautical miles from your

departure airport or the last waypoint is closer than 15 nautical miles from

your destination airport. By selecting this option you will suppress any such

warnings.

Save Restart data every – turns on PF3’s ‘resume-a-flight’ feature,

allowing you to resume from a point mid-flight should you either abort a flight

or as a result of a program problem. Next to this is a small data entry box

where you enter the interval length (in minutes) you want PF3 to save your

flight data. We recommend for best results to set this to 1 minute, which

means PF3 will save its restart data every minute. We will discuss this

feature in depth later in this document.

% Probability of a 'No Speed Restriction' under 10K - Normally aircraft

are restricted to a maximum of 250 knots below 10,000’, although at times

ATC can lift this restriction. If you set this to zero it turns the feature off

completely, setting it from 1-100 allows you to set the probability of getting

the call.

(A) As of version 3.7. The probability factor is set to something other than

zero

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(B) Your aircraft is capable of going faster than 250 knots

(D) You are IFR

(E) Your altitude is between 3000' and 9000' (AGL), which is also subject to a

randomizing factor applied using your percentage setting. However, if you

have a 'heavy' call-sign you will bypass the probability factor and WILL get

the 'no speed' call.

% Probability of Hold (if selected) – New in version 3.1 this option allows

you to set the probability of being instructed to hold at the waypoint you may

have selected on the Adjust Altitudes, SIDs, ATRs and Holds page. If you

have a hold selected and set this to 100% then you will definitely be

instructed to hold when nearing the selected waypoint in your flight plan. If

you set this to 0% then obviously the hold would not be initiated and then if

you set this option to 50% there would be a fifty-fifty chance of being held at

the waypoint.

PTT pause interval in seconds is the amount of time PF3 goes silent when

you hit your Press to Talk hotkey, the intention is to allow for using voice

recognition software without being interrupted during your call. PF3's default

PTT Hotkey is the Esc key. This key is NOT active by default. We will discuss

using voice recognition software alongside PF3 later in this document.

Airway Deviation Distance - by default ATC will nag you if you are +4 or

-4 miles off the designated airway. You can use this option to increase this

margin or set it to zero to turn the 'nags' off completely.

Altitude Deviation - This is used to trigger the altitude 'nag' if you're not

within a margin (+/- this figure) of your ATC assigned altitude

Hold for Jets and Hold for Props - sets the distance at which ATC will

instruct you to hold for inbound traffic while waiting for takeoff clearance. The

default here for jets is 6 miles and for props it's 3 miles, but you may want to

make these less if using a lot of AI aircraft and therefore your departure

airport will probably be very busy.

Pause at this Distance from the - this determines the distance from

either the FAF, runway or your destination airport you would like to pause

FS/PF3. The first two options (FAF/Runway) would not become active until

you reach the last waypoint in your flight plan, whereas the last option

(Airport) is active for the entire flight.

Pause at TOD – Pretty self explanatory, this option will pause FS/PF3 at

your TOD and just before receiving your first descend instruction from ATC

at Contact Approach – This option will pause FS/PF3 just before you are

handed off to Approach

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You can use Pause at this Distance, Pause at TOD and Pause at Contact

Approach during the same flight.

You may find one or more of these pause options very useful for those long-

haul flights, where you might leave FS on auto-pilot but don't want to risk

missing the exciting part of your flight!

7.1.10 Push & Start Options

The Push and Start panel enables you to set the default behaviour of this

feature. Enabling the option gives you the greatest degree of flexibility on

each flight.

Prompt for Push & Start at 'Connect' – this selection will present you with

the following three options each time you hit 'connect' to begin your flight...

(1) Use Push and Start for this flight

(2) Use Start feature only for this flight

(3) No Push & Start for this flight

Always use (Push & Start) – With this option set to on you will use the

Push & Start feature on every flight.

Always use (Start only) – This option allows you to just use the Start

feature on every flight but no push back clearance.

Push & Start feature OFF – With this option selected you won't be

prompted when you 'connect' to FS to select your Push & Start option and

each of these features will be off permanently.

7.1.11 Other Options from this display

Below the Push and Start panel you will see four additional buttons:-

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7.1.12 Trans Alt & Alt Baro Calls

The Transition Alts & Alt Baro Calls button displays another screen

showing the 26 PF3 geographic regions available.

Each of the above regions will be set with a default value showing the

transition altitude for that particular area. The area you're currently flying

through will be determined by PF3 and the relevant ATC controller's accents

and transition altitude will be set accordingly. What this means is you could

fly from one country to another and experience varying transition altitude

calls together with a change in ATC controller accents. All part of the realism

PF3 brings to your flight sim world.

Regional specific Alt Baro call options are likewise provided, so you might hear

ATC say ‘one zero one three’ in the UK but ‘two nine nine two’ in the US, if

that’s how you had it configured. These options give you complete control

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over the transition altitude and altimeter setting calls you will hear within

each of these regions.

Closing the transition altitude display takes you back to the first options page

and from there you can select the Rebuild PF3 Database option.

7.1.13 Rebuild PF3 Database Procedure

Accessed by using the Rebuild PF3 Database button this is a very important

feature and one you will need to use from time to time, either when adding

new scenery/airports to Flight Simulator or when advised by OnCourse

Software following the addition of a new feature that might require the

database to be rebuilt.

This is important because PF3 uses the same data for runways and COM

frequencies as FS, so any time any such changes are made to FS we need to

reflect those changes in the PF3 database files to keep everything nicely in

sync.

As of version 3.22.0 PF3 now omits any airport with at least one 'closed'

runway from our emergency lookup file. This file is used if you ever have to

declare an emergency in-flight and are unable to make it back to your

departure airport. We obviously don't want to direct you to an airport which

has one or more or all their runways closed, so this is something else that is

taken care of during the rebuild.

So let’s see how easy this is to perform:-

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After selecting Rebuild PF3 Database the following screen will be

displayed:-

This screen is quite self-explanatory, especially if you take the time to read

the displayed text. The whole idea here is to give you a checklist (you should

know all about checklists) of things to do and make each step as easy as

possible. So for this example we will assume this is the first time you have

rebuilt the PF3 database.

Selecting the first option will open your Broswer and link to Pete Dowson's

support and download pages, where you will find the MakeRwys utility, which

is used to extract the required data from FS.

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Please note: At the time of writing this link was correct, but as we are not

responsible for this link or MakeRwys we cannot guarantee this will always be

the case. Should the link fail at any time the latest version of MakeRwys can

always be found at the Pete Dowson Support Forum... just google it!

Once you have downloaded the utility you should follow the instructions

provided with the program, but simply all you have to do is copy the

MakeRwys.exe program into your main FS folder, except for MSFS users,

then run it. At which point you can select the 2

, 3

and 4

checklist items

(see above) to confirm (a) you have the latest version of MakeRwys, (b) you

have installed it and (c) you have run it.

Finally, once MakeRwys has completed its task, which can take a few minutes,

you can then select the 5

and final check item that says 'Click here to Start

the PF3 Database Refresh Process and wait for it to complete'

A warning screen will then appear asking if you wish to save any of the

changes you may have made to the database.

If you have configured any SIDs/STARs, missed approach data, etc, etc, and

do not wish to lose it you should select 'Yes'. This will ensure PF3 saves any

user changes and reapply them following the creation of the new database

files.

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After that you will be asked once more to confirm that you do actually want to

update/create the PF3 database.

If you select 'Yes' to continue the following screen will appear, from which you

have to select the runways.csv file from the main FS folder. This file should

have just been created by the MakeRwys.exe program.

After selecting the runways.csv file click on OPEN and the PF3 database will

be created/rebuilt, which should only take a few minutes maximum to

complete.

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Hopefully you will see this message following the rebuild:-

That’s it!

In the unlikely event that you should have any problems (I've always wanted

to say that) rebuilding the PF3 database try deleting the following files from

your main FS folder first, or the folder you chose to run MakeRwys for MSFS,

then rerun Makerwys and retry the rebuild:-

F5.csv

G5.csv

R5.csv

T5.csv

Runways.csv

You may run the PF3 database rebuild at anytime, even if you have not made

any changes to FS, although you should only need to after adding new

scenery/airports.

Now you can select the Close DB Options button to return to the main

options screen and from there you can select the Hotkey Options button

which will display the page shown in section 7.1.14

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7.1.14 Hotkey Options

There are 23 pre-configured hotkeys in PF3. However, the Hotkey page

allows you to assign any key or multi-key combination for each hotkey,

should you wish to change the defaults. Simply select the hotkey from the left

hand-side, then select Change Hotkey. Now press the actual key(s) you want

to use for this hotkey and click Assign and the new keying sequence will be

active and ready to use.

You must exit PF3 and restart it before any hotkey changes will

become active in your next flight.

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The following screen shot shows how the above display changes after you

select the Change Hotkey option.

In this example we are attempting to change the default setting for the #9

hotkey to use the Shift+Ctrl+9 combination of keys instead.

You will also notice there is a small tick box to the left of each hotkey name

under the Current Hotkeys list. This indicates if the hotkey is active or not.

Any keys you don't use should be disabled because the total number of

hotkeys available, for all applications using this FSUIPC facility, is limited to a

maximum of 56. So it just makes sense if you don't use a particular key or

keys then deselect them.

You can now select the Close button to return to the main menu screen. If

you'd selected the Previous Options button you'd have returned to the

Options #1 display instead, but for now we're done with those options.

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7.1.15 SID/STAR Page Options

From the main menu display if you select SIDs/STARs PF3's unique SIDs

(DPs) and STARs screen will be displayed:-

This is where you control the use of SIDs (DPs), STARs, Missed Approach

altitudes, takeoff/landing designation for any runway, airport specific

transition altitudes and airport specific minimum FAF altitudes. And new for

version 3.3.0 the ability to add/maintain a list of multiple SIDs/STARs per

runway and from which you can select the procedure you wish to use for any

flight.

SIDs (DPs) - There are quite a few variations you can choose when deciding

how to use SIDs. If you wish to fly a published departure from all airports but

really can't be bothered to enter any data here, simply select the SIDs (DPs)

Active master switch. Just below this option if you choose If no SID (DP)

name entered use the default 'Delta Papa' then each time you contact

clearance (at any airport) you will hear 'Cleared as filed, Delta Papa departure

at xxxx approved, squawk 1234, contact ground on…" (where xxxx will be the

altitude you are initially cleared to while flying the published departure and at

which point ATC will resume interaction with you). Until you reach the SID

altitude you will not hear anything from ATC other than to hand you off to

another control facility and possibly give you new altitude instructions.

If you don't want to use the default 'Delta Papa' name for your generic

published departures you can enter your own default name if you select the

option 'If no SID (DP) named entered use...'. Here you can enter a

maximum of seven alpha numeric characters which ATC will read out.

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The other alternative is for you to enter a name against individual runways.

To do so you need to first enter the ICAO code for the airport you want to

display, then hit ENTER or select the Display Runways button.

In the following example we're displaying the runways from FS2004 for KORD

(O'Hare International) Airport:

Using the above configuration, if departing runway 4L Clearance would

confirm "Cleared as filed, Mike-Alpha-Four-Lima at Five Thousand departure

approved, squawk 1234". You would also hear the same from Tower when

being cleared for takeoff.

Departing runway 14L you would hear "Cleared as filed, Alpha-Delta-Lima-

One-Four at Six Thousand departure approved, squawk 1234".

Departing from any other runway you would hear "Cleared as filed, Delta-

Papa at xxxxx Thousand departure approved, squawk 1234" where xxxx

would be determined by PF3 at the time of the clearance and would normally

be set at an altitude halfway between the current airports ground elevation

and the altitude set for the first waypoint. e.g. If your departure airport's

elevation is 1,000' and the first waypoint altitude is set to 11,000' then the

cleared to altitude would be 5,000' (11,000 - 1,000 / 2).

Please Note: When accessing, changing or adding any data on this screen you

need to ensure you are accessing data for the correct flight simulator,

especially if you have more than one flight sim installed. You can do this by

choosing either the FS9, FSX, P3D or FS2020 Data option situated just to the

right of the Airport ICAO entry box. PF3 will always remember your last

selection.

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This same screen is also used for configuring STARs and/or Missed Approach

altitudes. If you choose to activate the PF3 STARs option (using the default

STAR name) you would be cleared as such: "Cleared to final for Sierra-Tango

approach, runway xx..."

Exactly the same variations are available for STARs as they are for SIDs with

regard to the departure/approach name used by ATC.

This screen is also used to enter a missed approach altitude. This is the

altitude you will initially be told to climb to should you report a go around.

You don't have to use this feature as ATC will usually tell you to climb to

around 3,000' above the airports elevation, but should you find an airport

where surrounding terrain would make such an altitude too dangerous you

can adjust this feature for each runway/approach should you wish.

Any changes you make to runways, like entering SID/STAR names or

altitudes must be saved by selecting the Save Changes option. You will be

prompted to do so should you forget.

Just below where you enter the airport ICAO you will see a small up/down

arrow where you can set the transition altitude for the displayed airport and

this will override the value set against the regional area (see earlier

explanation). However, you do not need to adjust this for each airport and if

left at ‘zero’ then the value set for this airport’s region will be used instead. If

you do enter a TA for any airport this is how it will work within PF3. If you

have set a local TA for your departure airport, it will change to the region’s TA

at a distance of 30 miles from the airport, unless you are flying a SID that is

still active at that time in which case airport TA will remain in effect until you

complete your SID.

Destination airport TA is currently used once you reach the last waypoint and

that process will remain unchanged. For an approach the destination airport

TA will become active and override the regional setting when you reach your

last waypoint.

Below the TA setting is a similar option for setting the minimum FAF altitude

for the selected airport. This means this will be the minimum altitude ATC will

tell you to descend to during your approach to this airport. This is extremely

handy for those difficult approaches, particularly in mountainous areas or at

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airports surrounded by other hazardous obstructions. However, you do not

need to adjust this for each airport and if left at ‘zero’ PF3 will handle your

approach as normal.

To the left of each runway number you will see a small text box, which

defaults to the letter ‘B’, meaning that runway is designated for both landing

and takeoffs. You can change this to an ‘L’ for landing only, or ‘T’ to

designate it for takeoffs only or even enter an ‘X’ to marked the runway as

closed.

Please note, these settings will have no effect on AI traffic. To restrict AI

traffic from using a particular runway for landing/takeoff you would have to

configure the relevant FS AFCAD file, but that is beyond the scope of this

document.

If you double click within either the SID Name or STAR name columns you will

see a new popup overlay as shown below:-

This new popup allows you to enter up to 10 SIDs/STARs for each runway. In

addition for each SID you can also enter the SID ceiling, or in PF3 terms the

altitude at which your SID would be considered completed.

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The following screenshot shows a couple of SIDs and STARS entered for

KORD's Runway 4L:

This list can then be used to quickly select the desired procedure for your

flight simple by clicking on the relevant arrow button beside your chosen

SID\STAR:

At this point the selected data will be copied back to the main SID\STAR

display page in readiness for your flight.

Obviously this new feature is entirely optional and you could continue simply

typing in SID/STAR names for each flight. Equally there is no requirement for

you to spend weeks of your time typing in SID\STAR information for all the

airports you frequent. The thought process behind this new feature is it will

be completed as and when, on an airport by airport basis, as part of your

flight planning. In this way, your user list of multiple SIDs\STARs will expand

over time.

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7.1.16 Even More Main Menu Options

Okay, let's go back to the main menu display now and check out some more

options and features:

7.1.17 Select a Flight Plan

When you select this button for the very first t8ime you will be prompted to

tell PF3 where to find your FS9, FSX, P3D or MSFS flight plans. You will only

have to do this once, unless you have more than one flight simulator

installed, in which case if you change the version of flight simulator you are

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going to use for a particular flight then you would have to change your flight

plan source folder at that time.

So this will be the screen you see first time into the program after hitting

Select a Flight Plan

Click on OK and the Select a Flight Plan dialogue will be displayed:-

From here you just have to select your current flight simulator flight plan path

by navigating to and selecting any flight plan.

For FS9 users your flight plans will normally be found here:

C:\Documents and Settings\YourName\My Documents\Flight Simulator Files

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For FSX users:

C:\Documents and Settings\YourName\My Documents\Flight Simulator X

Files

For P3D (V3) users:

C:\Documents and Settings\YourName\My Documents\Prepar3D V3 Files

For MSFS users:

...WpSystem\S-1-5-21-2506635614-967523915-2006091698-

1003\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Loc

alState\

Once into the correct folder simply select any one of the files listed (it doesn't

matter what file it is at this stage) then select Open and the location will be

saved ready for the next time you want to select a flight plan. This location

can be changed at any time (explained later).

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At all other times, when you choose the Select a Flight Plan button, it will

take you directly to the following screen:

New for PF3 ver 3.20.0 is the Delete FP button, which allows you to delete

any selected flight plan.

New for PF3 ver 3.10 is the text just above the list of flight plans. This

indicates which flight simulator the flight plans are for and also the name of

the 'active' database. In the above example it shows the flight plans are for

FS2004 and the 'active' DB is also for FS2004 (or FS9). If you only have one

version of flight simulator on your system this title will not change. The main

point here is to ensure the 'active' database is for the same flight simulator as

the displayed flight plans.

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This is the screen from where you will normally start each of your flights,

unless there are some options you might want to change beforehand.

Select a flight plan by double-clicking the name from the listing, or single-

click to highlight the name and then select Load a Flight Plan.

Loading any flight plan takes literally seconds and depending on the length of

the flight you might see a 'Please wait... processing your flight plan...'

message and then you will be automatically returned to the main menu

screen... unless you have chosen to be prompted for an alternate airport, but

more about that later... for now, let's keep it simple.

However, just before we go back to the main menu screen, let's take a quick

look at some of the other options available on the Select a Flight Plan

screen.

PF3 allows you to setup certain presets for your flight and/or save these as

user profiles.

There are 5 drop down list boxes to the right of the flight plan files display

and they are each described below:

Select a Preset – This is where each of your saved preset profiles will be

listed by name and we would recommend you save each profile by giving it

the name of the aircraft to which it pertains. eg. 737-400, 737-800, 747-400,

etc, etc.

Select Airport Type – There are three types of airports available in PF3,

Small, Medium and Large, and they are designated as such.

Small airports have runways from 1500' to 5000'

Medium airports from 5001' to 8000'

Larger airports with runways over 8000'

So this is where you select the type of airport you want to use for the aircraft

type you are about to use for this flight. This is optional and if you don't select

one then PF3 will default to using medium.

Select Climb Rate – Select the climb rate for the aircraft type you are using

for this flight. Options range from 500 fpm to 4000 fpm in 50 fpm increments.

PF3 will use this information when calculating flight profiles, TOC, TOD, etc.

Select Descent Rate – Select the rate of descent for your chosen aircraft.

Again the options range from 500 fpm to 4000 fpm in 50 fpm increments.

PF3 will use this information when calculating flight profiles, TOC, TOD, etc.

Select Approach Speed – This is the minimum approach speed you want to

be given from ATC during your final approach. The options are from 50 IAS to

200 IAS. This is optional and if not entered PF3 will use the value entered in

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the Advanced Options and INI File Tweaks - please see section 7.1.26 for

further details.

Once you have chosen each of your presets you need select Save these

Settings as a Preset and give it a name you will easily recognise.

You will also see a Set/Use as default which, as it says, will save the

currently selected presets profile as the default and which PF3 will use for

each of your flights. Obviously you don't have to use this option in which case

you would be expected to select a preset profile each time you load a flight.

Change Flight Plan Path – This button allows you to change the path

pointing to where your FS Flight Plans reside. New to PF3 version 3.10, when

you select this button you'll see a new display listing the 4 supported flight

simulators by name. Obviously this would only be useful if you have more

than one FS installed and if you do PF3 will remember the paths for each one

so you don't have to browse for the correct folder each time you switch paths.

Control Sectors in use - Just above the 'Load a Flight Plan' button you will

see some text referring to which Control Sector data is currently active and in

use by PF3. This will either indicate Original or Extended and you may

switch from one to the other here. Full details about the new Extended control

sector file can be found in section 23. Extended control sector file

New to 3.15.7 – Sort your flight plans – At the bottom of the list of flight

plans there's now a new option which allows you to sort your list either by

name (the default) or by creation date. Simply click on the button to toggle

between the two sort options

7.1.18 … the remaining Main Menu Options

Now we go back to the main menu and the last few buttons, most of which

are quite self-explanatory, but we'll go through them anyway.

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Options #2 – Please see section 7.1.19 for full details

Check for Updates - does just that and this feature can either be configured

to run automatically each day to check for updates or you can run it manually

at any time.

Prev Skin – PF3 comes with over 40 different skins to allow you to choose

the look that you prefer. This button selects and applies the previous available

skin

Next Skin – PF3 comes with over 40 different skins to allow you to choose

the look that you prefer. This button selects and applies the next available

skin

Please Note: The button immediately below the Next Skin button has two

functions. The first is to display the name of the currently displayed skin.

However, if you select this button it will apply and display the original default

PFE V2 skin. So if you prefer PF3 to look just like previous versions of PFE,

just hit this button.

Select a Flight Plan – Please see section 7.1.17 for full details

SIDs / STARs – Please see section 7.1.15 for full details

Connect to FS - Obviously once you've configured PF3 you select this option

to Connect to your flight simulator and begin your flight.

The two other buttons Define Oceanic Airspace for Selected Flight Plan

and Adjust Altitudes, SIDs, STARs and Holds for Selected Flight Plan

are explained in full detail a little later in this document.

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7.1.19 Options #2 Main Display

Options #2 – displays another selection of options as shown here:-

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7.1.20 Adjusting the Regional Voice Accent

Select Adjust Regional Voice Accents Used to display the following:-

I believe there is enough explanatory text on this screen for you to see how it

works. In a nutshell if PF3 cannot find a voice set for any particular region it

uses its default backup voice set(s) instead. Equally if there are only one or

two voice sets available for any region again we may have to use one of the

backup sets. This feature simply allows YOU to decide which accents you

would like to hear and where. You cannot change the main default accent…

e.g. The default for British will always be British but you can change which

voice sets are used to back them up. For instance, the British backup voice

sets are Australian and Irish but you could change this to use German voice

sets as a backup for British, then at some point in your flight, once all the

British voice sets have been used, you will hear a German accent. Not so

realistic I know, but I just wanted to give you an example.

Again, no need for you to ever touch these settings if you are happy with the

way PF3 currently assigns voice sets.

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7.1.21 Add a New Facility Frequency or mark Airport Closed

As mentioned previously, PF3 uses the COM frequencies from your chosen

flight simulator and there may be occasions where this is not up to date,

especially when using FS2004 which is quite old now. For instance, you may

find an airport you want to depart from doesn't have ATIS available in FS, so

using this PF3 feature you are able to add ATIS to that airport.

When you first select this option you will be presented with the following:-

For this example we're going to use EGSS (London Stansted) which, in the

base version of FS2004, does not have a Clearance facility available.

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So, enter EGSS in the ICAO box and most of the options and buttons will now

become 'active' (not greyed out), like this:-

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At this point you can select Show FS Freqs for This Airport button to

display what FS frequencies are actually defined in FS2004 for EGSS:-

As you can see in the above example EGSS has two Ground, two Tower and

an ATIS frequency.

So now just select the Clearance item under Airport Facilities then dial in

the required frequency. This is done in the same way as you would change a

frequency in FS. Then select Save and you're done. Next time you do a flight

from EGSS you will have a Clearance facility available and it will be listed on

the ACARS COMs display shortly after you connect to FS.

Please Note: There are limitations when using this feature to add a facility

that doesn't currently exist in FS because the AI traffic will not know anything

about the new frequency. Therefore if you add a Ground facility you would

not hear other traffic on that frequency when tuned to Ground. Adding

frequencies to FS is not within the scope of this document.

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Since PF3 3.4.0 there is a new feature which allows you to 'virtually' remove

an FS facility. If, for instance, you select EGSS, which has two Tower

frequencies in the default FS9, and enter a frequency of 137 against 'Tower',

when you start your flight the COMS display will show that the Tower at EGSS

is no longer available. This allows you to basically remove any facility for any

airport.

Because PF3 does not allow duplicate frequencies you need to make each

137 frequency unique if you wish to remove more than one facility per

airport. eg. 137.02, 137.05, etc.

You cannot remove the ATIS, Departure or FSS facilities and we do not make

any alterations to FS at all, this is merely a mask whilst PF3 is running.

7.1.22 Mark Airport Close

This option was added in version 3.22.0 and provides a way for you to add an

airport to the 'Closed' or 'Not to be used during an emergency scenario'. This

has been added as we discovered some airports that are closed in the real

world and depicted as such in MSFS were not actually flagged as being so, at

least not in the output files produced by MakeRwys. So this new feature

simply allows you to mark any airport as 'closed' and then it will never be

used during an emergency. It's important to mention at this point that

marking an airport as 'closed' does not prevent you or AI traffic from using it.

It simply means PF3 will not direct you to that airport should it be nearby if

you declared an emergency. Also it doesn't alter any files in your FS.

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The following screen shot was taken from an MSFS PC build

The list on the left shows all those airports currently flagged in MSFS as being

closed or with at least one runway closed. None of these will be used to

redirect you during an emergency.

The list to the right shows any airports that have been added using this

feature. In this example it shows EHVB, which is closed in the real world

(since 2006 in fact) and is not usable in MSFS, but it isn't flagged as being so.

This was discovered when one of our team declared an emergency and was

unluckily directed to EHVB! Hence this new feature.

You can't ass one that's already been tagged as closed not can you add or

remove any from the main list... this is maintained only by the PF3 rebuild

process. You can however add or remove any from the user list. Simply add

the ICAO and then select either Add or Remove. That's it!

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7.1.23 Control Center Mapping and Altitude Settings

This feature provides a means of mapping control centre names. This is

purely for those users who may hear a particular control centre name that no

longer exists and provided it is now covered by one of our other control

centres it can be remapped.

Select the Control Centre Mapping and Altitude Settings button to

display the following:-

As you can see in the above example all the current PF3 control centres are

displayed. From here you can easily map one or more control centres to any

other control centre, thereby suppressing an ATC facility which may no longer

be active.

To use, simply find the control centre you do not wish to hear anymore, then

select an alternative name you would like to hear instead from the adjacent

drop down list.

For instance, if Berlin Radar is no longer active and is perhaps covered by

Bremen Radar, simply find the entry for Berlin Radar (they are displayed

alphabetically) then choose Bremen Radar from the adjacent drop down list.

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Once you’ve made all your selections please select Apply Changes at the

bottom right of the display to save them. You will always be able to view

and/or change any of your remaps at a later date if you wish.

You may map as many control centres to the same alternative if you wish.

Please note: This configuration mapping does not remap any ATC control

boundaries at all, but merely provides a simple way of removing defunct ATC

facilities so they will no longer be heard during your flight.

If you are aware of any major inaccuracies in PF3's control zone boundaries

please let us know on our support forum, providing as much detail as possible

(screen shots preferred) and we will do our best to rectify the issue in our

next maintenance release.

Also on this screen you will see a large button named Switch to Control

Area Altitude Settings and that will display the following screen:-

In much the same way as the previous screen this display shows each of the

PF3 ATC control centres but this time beside each one you will see an entry

marked Altitude.

From here you can set the desired altitude for each control center This is the

altitude at which you will be handed off to the relevant ATC Control Center

during your climb or to the Approach Controller during your descent.

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By default these are all set to 8000' but you may wish to change them to

reflect real world scenarios. One thing to bear in mind though, you may

experience strange results flying from one area to another if the altitudes

vary dramatically.

If you wish to change all control centers to the same altitude just select the

option Apply altitude changes to ALL control centers, then, as you

change one altitude setting, the same changes will be automatically applied to

all the listed controls.

Don't forget to select Apply Changes when you're done.

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7.1.24 Excluding Individual Voices

This option displays a list of currently available voice sets from the PF3

regions A thru M, which relate to the folder structure used under …\PF3\Wav,

although that is not really important to know at this stage. Here's a

screenshot of the first display you will see:-

To see a snapshot of the voice sets in the PF3 regions held in folders N thru Z

you need to click on the blue arrow icon to the right of the screen. If you try

this now and then click on it again to bring you back to the above display.

Now, any voice set you select on this page will be excluded from use as either

an ATC controller or AI aircraft pilot.

Why would you want to do this? Well, if you've ever heard one or more

controllers or AI pilots who's voice/accent you simply cannot understand or

just dislike listening to, you can do something about it. But first you need to

identify the actual voice set, which you can do by turning on 'closed caption'

and the 'display voice set ID' options which are accessed from the main

Options #1 screen.

With these options ‘on’, during your next flight, you will see the closed caption

messaging prefixed with two letters, as shown below:-

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“A-B Easy two one one is with you flight level two one zero”

“E-L Roger Easy two one one, radar contact”

So the first transmission you heard was using voice set ID A-B and the

controller responding was using voice set ID E-L

Once you have the voice set ID's you can now easily mark them as 'please

don't use this voice set again' and you will then not hear it anymore. Please

check it out... there is additional help on the selection screen but it should

really be self-explanatory.

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7.1.25 Designated Parking Control

The Designated Parking Control button displays the following:-

From this page you can reserve a particular terminal gate or parking area for

any airport, so whenever you land at the configured airport ATC will always

give you taxi instructions to that location.

Further options on this screen also provide for displaying any previously

configured parking areas for all airports, plus options for deleting reservations

from one airport or all airports.

Please Note: PF3 cannot guarantee this 'reserved' gate/parking area will

actually be vacant upon your arrival. To do so you would have to make a

small change to the AFCAD file for the selected airport (not MSFS).

Starting with PF3 version 3.4.0 the designated parking feature can now be

selected even during your flight and when connected to FS. The new option

will appear just above the normal volume control sliders currently displayed

on the main menu display during your flight. This was added to the system

following a user request and will be useful if you use a third-party application

that may select and reserve a particular gate at your destination. If you know

which gate before landing you can use this new in-flight feature to set that

gate so when you get your taxi instructions they will lead you to the correct

gate. Alternatively, should you not know the actual gate until you land the

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best thing to do is to wait for PF3 taxi instructions then access this feature,

change your gate and then stop TGS (if it's running ) and request new taxi

instruction, which will then be given using your newly accepted gate.

7.1.26 Advanced Options and INI File Tweaks

This selection displays a collection of some advanced options and tweaks that

you might find useful when configuring PF3 to suit you own particular

requirements:-

If you hover your mouse pointer over any of the question-mark icons you will

see popup help for that item(s).

Each item is explained in detail in the following pages.

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Remote Text

Use Remote Text - If you wish to use the RemoteText utility provided

with PF3 you need to make it active by selecting this option.

Socket Port #1 - This where you can change the default Socket Port

if required - this is used to communicate with the Remote Text

program and the default setting should suffice for most users.

Socket Port #2 – This is for those who would like to run the

RemoteText utility on two networked PC's. Provided each copy of

RemoteText is configured to match the two port settings here (which

of course must be different) then PF3 will transmit all ATC closed

caption text to two copies of RemoteText running on the same network

at the same time.

For full details about this utility please see section 14.

PF3/WEB Display

Use PF3/WEB Display – Starting with PF3 version 3.10 our PF3

Display utility no longer requires FSUIPC or WideFS to work. Just like

Remote Text you can change the port number here if you wish but

there should be no need to change the default.

Starting with PF3 version 3.22.0 this option also pertains to the

relatively new addition WEB Display program, written by Martin

Cockerell. This is an excellent alternative for PF3 Display as it can also

be used when utilising the MSFS VR feature. If you haven't tried it yet,

please do!

If you're using wither the PF3 Display or WEB display you must have

this option selected, otherwise PF3 will be unable to communicate with

them.

Auto Run WEB Display – If this option is selected PF3 will

automatically run the WEB Display program as soon as you connect to

Approach

Active Runway Checks – when PF3 is trying to determine the

correct active runway for your destination it will first try and detect

any AI traffic that maybe currently taking off or landing. If it finds any

then it will use the same runway for you approach. If not it will then

determine the best runway to use according to the current weather

and wind direction. In this scenario PF3 will then retry (a maximum of

5 times) every 60 seconds to see if AI has started using one of the

runways. If it finds any it will issue a runway change command. New

for version 3.8 provide you with the ability to change how this works.

Here you can enter the number of times you would like PF3 to recheck

for an AI active runway. You can enter 0 thru 9. E Selecting zero will in

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effect turn this feature off and PF3 will not recheck for an active

runway and you will have to use the one PF3 initially assigns.

Interval (secs) is where you decide the time delay between PF3

rechecking for an active AI runway. This value is given in 'seconds' and

you may select from 60 secs to 900 secs

FAF Altitude is the altitude (ASL) you wish to be at in order to

capture the ILS. This can be overridden for individual airports if you

wish

FAF Distance is the distance from the touchdown point of the runway

that you would like to capture the ILS.

Cleared for ILS Dist - Currently PF3 monitors the localiser needle for

any movement during the final phase of your approach to the FAF, at

which point you will be cleared for the ILS. If there's no localiser

needle movement PF3 will clear you for the ILS at approximately 2.5

miles from the FAF (this is dependant on your current speed. Faster

speeds would initiate the turn earlier). This new option provides a

configurable distance at which point you would like to be cleared for

the ILS, regardless of your speed or detecting the localiser. This works

in conjunction with the current methods so it becomes an either/or.

The available distance settings are 0-10 miles, with zero turning the

function off, which is also the default. Thanks to our very own Dan77

for this suggestion. I believe Dan has been helping us with PF3 for

about 11+ years now.

Important points to consider about the new 'Cleared for ILS Dist'

option. Normally, as you get to approximately 2.5 miles from the FAF

ATC will turn you onto a 30 degree heading to intercept the ILS and

then clear you for the approach. However, with this option you will

NOT be turned to intercept the ILS you will simply be cleared for the

ILS. The reason being is if you had this option set to 5 miles or more

then turning too soon to intercept the ILS could put you way too close

to the runway before you reached the localiser. The idea behind this

option is to allow you to determine at which point you wish to

commence your turn to intercept the ILS. I have completed some

extensive testing using this option and I personally won't be using it.

But hey, we're all different.

Final App Speed is the minimum final approach speed ATC will give

you during your final approach. With this option turned OFF (not

selected) the Final Approach Speed defaults to 190 knots for jet

aircraft and 140 for props. With this option selected and the adjacent

value set to zero PF3 uses the Flaps-Up-Stall-Speed read from your

Aircraft.CFG file. If you set it to any other value other than zero, PF3

will add this value to your Flaps-Up-Stall-Speed.

Please Note: This Final Approach Speed will be overridden should you

choose to use the Final Approach Speed entry provided in Flight Profile

Presets

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App Handoff Dist - This option controls when you will be handed off

to Approach. You can set it between 0 and 25. Setting it to zero

effectively turns the option OFF and thereby reverting to the normal

process of the handoff to Approach occurring at the last waypoint, as it

has done for many years. Should you wish to have the handoff happen

earlier simply adjust the distance to your liking.

Please Note: Whatever distance you apply here doesn't come into

effect until you are actually heading to the last waypoint. Eg. If your

penultimate waypoint is only 10 miles from the last waypoint and you

have this feature set to 20, the handoff will occur when you reach the

penultimate waypoint and not at 20 miles."

Descent Profile - This option provides a means by which you can

decide on the descent profile for your current flight plan. The default is

'Short' and this is how PF3 has always calculated your TOD, using the

standard 3 miles per 1000' calculation. The 'Med' option will increase

this to approximately 4x1000' and the 'Long' to approximately

5*1000'. Please note a lot also depends on the distance between the

waypoints during the approach so it's not an exact science. When you

check your descent profile, if it's not how you like it simply go back

and change this option, then reload your flight plan to see the

difference.

Use Pre 3.2.0 Approach - In PF3 version 3.2.0 we slightly changed

the way in which approach procedures are handled. The new

procedures mean that if, when reaching your last waypoint, the radial

from your aircraft to the assigned runway is +/- 90 degrees of the

actual runway heading, then the resulting approach pattern will be

simpler than it was originally... namely there should be fewer heading

changes. Should you find this is not to your liking (for whatever

reason) you can easily revert back to the original approach pattern

procedures simply by selecting this option.

COMMS

Select which COM to use - here you will see three radio buttons to

choose from, named '1', '2' and 'Auto'. Selecting '1' will set the default

working radio to COM1. Selecting '2' will use your COM2 radio.

Selecting Auto will tell PF3 to actually check internally which radio you

are using. It should be noted, however, that on some high-end third-

party aircraft this 'Auto' option may not be able to detect which radio

you are actually using. Should you experience any issues with the

'Auto' option you would have to manually choose COM1 or COM2.

Using the Auto option obviously lets you switch between COM1/COM2

on-the-fly.

Shorten AI Call Signs tells PF3 to truncate AI traffic call signs, which

basically makes AI transmissions a little faster.

Here's how it works

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If the call sign includes the airline name and the numeric part of the

call sign is more than 3 digits, only the last three are used. If the

Airline is not recognised, in which case PF3 would normally use the

first three characters of the Airline ICAO, with this option selected only

the first character is used and again only the last three digits of the

numeric part if that is longer than 3 digits.

Here's some examples with this feature turned ON:-

Original Truncated

Pacific Express 791 -> Pacific Express 791

Pacific Express 29791 -> Pacific Express 791

N79362 -> November 362

Echo Golf Hotel 39224 → Echo 224

Now, before anyone emails me or posts on our support forum telling

me how unrealistic this is and how it would never happen in the real

world... I KNOW !!! This is something that I have added FOR ME

because it's how I like it. I dislike listening to those long, drawn out

call signs, especially for GA aircraft, so I decided to truncate them...

because I can!

Auto Clearance Coms - With this option selected, after you've made

initial contact with ATC to request clearance, all other radio calls will

be performed automatically by your CP, provided of course you have

your CP mode set to 2 or 3. With this option OFF you will have to

manually press Hotkey #0 to request either 'Push & Start', 'Start' or

'Taxi clearance' when instructed to do so. Some users prefer to have it

this way so they can decide when they're ready to continue to the next

stage.

ATC Errors - This is the probability percentage with determines if the

controller giving you initial clearance will make a mistake or not. ATC

will always correct the error immediately but it's just another way PF3

attains such a high level of realism. Setting this option to 0 (zero)

turns the feature OFF.

ATC Alt Nag - If you fail to start your climb/descent to your cleared

altitude within this specified time (seconds) ATC will give you a

reminder to do so. The exception to this is when told to descend at

pilot's discretion. In that scenario the time set here would be increased

using the following calculation - ATC Alt Nag * 5 + 60. Additionaly, if

you have not reached your TOD this increased time delay would also

be doubled. Eg. If you have this set to 120 seconds (2 minutes) and

are instructed to descend to nnn' at pilot's discretion, PF3 would set

this nag time internally to 660 seconds (11 minutes). If you haven't

yet reached your TOD this delay would then be increased further 12

1320 seconds (22 minutes). However, you will only be nagged if you're

not currently climbing/descending

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ATC Hdg Nag – If you fail to start your turn to the required heading

within the specified time (seconds) ATC will give you a reminder.

However, you will only be nagged if you're not currently in an active

turn.

Poor Reception - This option sets the probability factor (between 1-

100) of the reception from AI traffic being much lower than normal,

due to poor reception. If you set this to 0 (zero) it will turn the

function off completely.

Display COMs - With this option set to any value other than 0 (zero)

there will be a simulated ACARS Communication as soon as you

connect to FS , showing all the relevant ATC frequencies for your

departure airport. This ensures you will always know the correct

frequency to tune to in order to make initial contact with ATC. The

value entered here is also the time delay before this information is

displayed after you connect to FS. Eg. Setting this value to 300

(seconds) will delay the window from displaying for 5 minutes once

you have connected to FS.

When using FS9 or FSX the ACARS transmission is displayed in your

Kneeboard. For P3D and MSFS users this is displayed in one of our

(new to version 3.10) In-Sim windows, which you need to activate

within these Advanced Options (see further down).

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Here's an example of how it looks in FS9:-

Please Note: PF3 actually goes into pause mode and will not do anything else

whilst waiting for this ACARS window to be displayed, so if you add a silly

value here I hope you have something to keep you amused whilst waiting.

And here's how the new In-Sim window looks in P3D/MSFS:-

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Auto tune to initial facility - Selecting this option tells PF3 to

automatically tune your COM radio to the correct ATC facility when you

first connect to FS. This will be either Clearance, Ground, Tower or

FSS.

Auto contact initial facility - Selecting this option tells PF3 to

automatically make contact with the initial ATC facility when you first

connect to FS. However, this feature will only work if you have also

selected the 'Auto tune to initial facility' option.

Ignore Avionics Switch - PF3 detects if the Master Avionics switch

is turned off, at which point you will no longer here any radio

transmissions. However, during testing, we discovered this switch is

not detected correctly in some aircraft and therefore you will never

hear radio com's even if you turn the avionics on. Should you

experience any issues simply select this option and PF3 will then

ignore the Master Avionics switch setting.

Go-Around Options

New with version 3.19.0, a 'go-around' feature where PF3 will check

for any other aircraft on the runway during your final approach and if

detected ATC will instruct you to go-around. Normally PF3 does a

pretty good job of keeping other aircraft out of your way and off the

runway, but on occasions, especially when AI traffic is landing in front

of you, they can be very slow to vacate the runway (especially in

MSFS). The following options determine how you use this new feature.

No Go-Arounds – This turns the feature off and with this option

selected ATC will never instruct you to go-around.

If Aircraft on Runway – With this option selected PF3 will check at a

determined altitude and/or distance (see below) if there are any AI

aircraft on the runway you're approaching to land. If there are then

ATC will instruct you to 'go-around'

eg. Callsign, go-around, go-around'

At this point you should declare a missed approach. For those using

VCP mode 2 or 3 this will be done automatically. For those using lower

VCP modes all you need to do is 'Roger' the go-around instruction and

a missed approach will be called.

Always 1

Approach – This one was left over from testing, but we

thought it might be useful for those wishing to practice a go-around.

With this option set you will be instructed to 'go-around' on your first

attempt to land, regardless if there are other aircraft on the runway or

not. On your second and subsequent attempts PF3 will handle your

approach in the same way as the previous option (If Aircraft on

Runway)

GA check at – This is where you can set at which point you want PF3

to check for other aircraft on the runway. AGL is the altitude (above

ground level) and Dist is the distance from the runway – whichever

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comes first. Turning either one down to zero effectively turns the

option off. So, if you only want to have PF3 check at a given distance

from the runway, set AGL to zero and Dist to your chosen distance.

Alternatively you could just use AGL and set Dist to zero so PF3 would

check at the configured altitude.

Conflict Monitor

Use Conflict Monitor – Select this option if you wish to use the AI

ground traffic Conflict Monitoring functionality. This feature should stop

any AI aircraft about to taxi into your path. Please see section 8.8 for

full details about this exciting feature

Pause CM below this ground speed - Conflict Monitoring will pause

once your ground (taxi) speed drops below this value.

Misc – There are quite a few options under this heading

Use PM MCP - if you use Project Magenta's Boeing MCP you need to

select this option. If not, just leave it off.

Gate parking only - This option will ensure ATC will always send you

to a Gate rather than a Parking location when you receive taxi

instructions at your destination airport.

Please note: If you already have a gate/parking location 'reserved' for

any airport then that will take precedence over this option. Also,

please remember, if you select this option and arrive at an airport

where (a) you haven't reserved a gate and (b) there are no free gates

available, you will not be sent to a parking location but will instead

simply receive the default taxi instructions 'Taxi to Terminal'

Don't use skins - There are three options here regarding PF3 skins,

the first being like a master switch and turning them off completely,

leaving you with that standard (quite ugly) plan old Windows skin.

With this option 'on' you can choose the style and look of PF3's GUI.

Use PF3 skins V1 - This option enables the new PF3

changeable skins that featured in the first release of PF3

(version 3). Some users unfortunately did experience some

problems using these skins, which is why the option to turn

them off was introduced. However, we believe since version

3.3.0 these problems have been addressed.

Use PF3 skins V2 - This option turns on a new batch of

simpler skins which you might enjoy. This new skinning engine

will also allow any MSStyle skin file to be used... many of which

can be found online. Simply copy the file into the new

PF3\Data\Skins2 folder and rename it from name.msstyles to

name.cjstyles. PF3 will do the rest.

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No VR Reminder - If you decide to use a voice recognition program

alongside PF3 you will have to configure PF3 in a certain way. When

configured for VR use PF3 will display a message each time you select

a flight plan. This is just to remind you that you will not hear your

pilot's voice during this flight (well you will, but it will be you chatting

to the computer. The first time my wife caught me doing that she

thought I'd really flipped!). If you prefer not to see this reminder

before each flight you can select this option to suppress the message.

Use ATC Chatter - This option was added after we received a request

to offer a way in which the AI chatter provided by PF3 could be turned

off. This I believe is useful for those who prefer to listen to live ATC

whilst flying. So, deselecting this option will render PF3 silent in that

department. Please not, however, this option has no affect on

receiving AI traffic advisories, by they can be deactivated from the

main Options #1 display.

No Exit Prompt - has been included following another user request

and this option simply turns off the 'Are you sure?' popup message

when you hit the main PF3 Exit button on the main menu.

No VFR options prompt – Starting with PF3 version 3.10 you can

now choose between two VFR options. One we call the standard VFR

and the other is the VFR Free Flight (these will both be explained in

detail later in this guide). If you've loaded a VFR flight plan then just

before you connect to FS you will be prompted to choose which type of

VFR flight you wish to fly. If you always want to use one particular

type you can select this option to disable the prompt.

Auto Open FP Adjust - If you select this option the altitude

adjustments display will be opened automatically immediately after

you open a flight plan. If you tend to view the adjustments page

before each flight you will find this saves you some time and a mouse

click.

Beep whenever a Hotkey is detected - If you've ever sat there

thinking if PF3 has actually detected the hotkey you pressed then this

option is for you. With this item selected you will hear an annoying

'beep' each time PF3 detects a hotkey has been pressed. This may not

be instantaneous and depending on what PF3 is actually doing at the

exact moment you hit the hotkey it may occur after a few seconds

delay, so please remember the 'beep' will be heard the second PF3

detects the hotkey has been used.

No Radar Control in US – This is specifically for those flying VFR in

the US and other FAA regions. If you select this option you will no

longer be able to contact or be handed off to our (new to 3.10) Radar

Control facilities. Instead you will be in contact with various Approach

facilities during your VFR flight. When nearing your destination, or

during a VFR FF flight when you use Hotkey #1, you will be handed off

to Approach on a different frequency in readiness for landing. If you

don't select this option then your VFR flights will continue as they do

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now and PF3 will use the 'Named' Radar Control facilities as it does

now for both CAA and FAA regions.

Flight Plan Filter – New to 3.22.0 this option is specifically aimed at

those users wanting the easiest way to use a flight plan for their FMC

and also to be able to load it into PF3. Whilst PF3 would accept any

flight plan if it contained a SID and/or STAR, with many waypoints at a

short distance apart, you would have a lot of NOTAM messages and

would have to remove the offending waypoints. With this option

selected, if you load a flight plan containing a SID and/or STAR PF3

will remove all the SID waypoints (except the exit point) and all the

STAR waypoints (except the entry point). It will flag (internally) that

you have loaded such a flight plan so you will not receive any vectors

until you complete your SID (by reaching the assigned altitude of the

exit waypoint) and you will be 'Cleared to Final' when reaching the last

waypoint (the STAR entry point)

In addition to the above you can also load a flight plan containing no

procedures at all when this Flight Plan Filter option is selected and in

that scenario PF3 will again enter your cruise altitude in the first

waypoint and all those waypoints up to and including your original

flight plan's TOD. The descent profile will remain unchanged. When

using such a flight plan (with no SID/STAR) you will be able to adjust

your altitudes as you can now.

This feature will only work with a valid flight plan. Basically that means

it should be in XML format and each waypoint should have a valid

altitude, so default FS9 or FSX flight plans would not be valid. The

former as it's not XML and the later as the XML file does not include

waypoint altitudes. P3D, MSFS, SimBrief and Little Nav Map (to name

but a few) all produce such flight plans.

For full details on utilising this option please see the new section

Martin's tips on using the FMC with PF3 on page 172

FS Inactive Timeout - is the amount of time PF3 will wait if not

getting any response from FS, before closing down automatically. It

should probably be set to a slightly higher value if/when running PF3

on a networked PC.

Minimum distance between handoffs - Sometimes flight plans can

be generated where ATC control sector boundaries are very close

together, resulting in you being handed off from one controller to

another in quick succession. This ping-ponging from controller to

controller can be even more troublesome if you are not using VCP

mode to set your radio and maybe take too long to make initial contact

with the new controller. This feature will check your flight plan and

basically merge control centers that are too close together. This buffer

is known as the 'Minimum distance between handoffs'. We would

suggest a setting of 25 miles as this was found to work very well

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during our testing but of course you are free to try whatever distance

you like. Setting this value to ZERO will turn the feature off.

Max Spd for rolling taxi instructions – New to version 3.15.0 –

Normally, after vacating the active runway at your destination airport,

you would be told to hold your position when contacting ground, in

readiness to receive taxi instructions to the terminal/gate. With this

new option you have the choice to set a maximum speed below which,

or at, you will receive taxi instructions whilst still moving. The values

available are 0 thru 30. Setting the option to 0 (zero) basically turns it

off and you will be told to hold your position as normal. However, let's

say you set this to 15, that means that provided you are 'at' or 'below'

that speed (i.e. taxiing between 1 and 15 mph) ATC will provide you

with taxi instructions.

Now, you must bear in mind this is not foolproof and may result in you

receiving what might seem incorrect instructions. Let me try and

explain further. Normally, you are stationary before PF3 calculates the

correct taxi path, so we know your exact starting position and your

first turn onto another taxiway can be calculated without fear of you

already being past it. But, and it's quite a big but (no offense madam)

if you are still moving when PF3 starts to calculate the route you may

very well pass the first turnoff before the calculations are complete,

especially if you're moving fairly quickly. So when you actually receive

the instructions there maybe one or more taxi waypoints immediately

behind you. Therefore you will have to pay attention to the taxiways

ahead of you when first contacting ground. If it's just a single taxiway

there shouldn't be a problem but if there are a few turn

turnoffs/junctions ahead of you you would need to hold back till you

know for certain which way ATC is going to send you.

This all sounds more complicated than it is really. It just takes a little

common sense but if you get it right you will be able to continue

moving after leaving the runway, receive instructions from ATC and

continue onto the terminal/gate. Obviously this makes it more

realistic.

Auto Taxi – This provides automatic taxi speed monitoring whenever TGS is

active and is activated by using the default #8 hotkey

Taxi Speed – This is the ground speed you would like to maintain

whilst taxiing to/from the runway.

Start Throttle % - To start any aircraft moving in FS you will often

need to set a higher throttle setting and then reduce it as you reach

your target taxi speed, this setting lets you decide how much throttle

will be needed to get the aircraft moving.

Avg Throttle % - This is the average throttle setting you need to

maintain your target speed.

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Please Note: The default settings for Auto Taxi have been set using the

default 737 in FS2004. You will obviously need to experiment with the

aircraft you are using in your FS

ATC Log / Say Again

Default Say Again - with this option selected, when you hit the say

again hotkey, you will hear your request and ATC should then reply

accordingly.

Display ATC Log only - displays the ATC log window, showing the

last 10 ATC commands to you. In this mode you will not hear your

normal request to 'say again' as you would in the default setting.

Use Both - will display the new ATC log showing the last 10 ATC

commands PLUS you will hear the normal 'say again' request/reply.

The ATC Log window can be positioned wherever you want and it will

remember that position the next time it is displayed. Also the log will

refresh every 5 seconds whilst displayed, so if you have the window

permanently displayed you will see all new ATC communication to you

appear automatically, with the older messages scrolling off the top of

the display.

No Font Resize – With this option ON it will prevent the size of the

text changing when/if you resize the ATC say again window. Turning

this option OFF means the size of text will change in relation to the

window size.

Use Large Font - This option allows you to choose a slightly larger

font than the one set by default. Obviously you could use both of these

options to show a larger font and keep it that size even when you

resize the window. Or maybe you could have the larger font but have

it resize when you make the window smaller to achieve your optimum

display preference.

Show Log on Connect - The final option in this section enables this

new ATC say again window to be displayed automatically as soon as

you connect PF3 to FS.

Taxi to Gate

New to version 3.22.0 is a new way by which PF3 decides which

gate/parking to send you at your destination, if you don't have one

pre-configured as your designated one. By default PF3 has always

used the nearest one. This was not calculated by the actual route you

would have to take but simply by measuring in a straight line from

your current aircraft position. This remains the default option but we

have added these new options'

The new options are 'Nearest' (default), 'Furthest' or 'Random'. They

hardly need explaining in depth, if they do I don't really think you

should be flying an aircraft ;-). The important thing to remember is if

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you already have a designated gate configured for your destination

these options will be ignored.

AcarsX

Use In-Sim AcarsX - This is the default setting when you first run

PF3. When this option is selected all ACARS Transmissions (e.g.

ACARS ATIS Reports or ACARS Local Frequency Reports) will be

displayed on the flight sim kneeboard if using FS9 or FSX and on the

new PF3 popup window if using P3D or MSFS. This window can be

displayed even when running P3D or MSFS in full screen mode.

Use Local AcarsX - Select this option to use the Local ACARS display

window to show ACARS Transmissions (e.g. ATIS Reports or ACARS

Local Frequency Reports). This is part of the PF3 process and is

displayed on the same PC where PF3 is running, instead of using the

standard FS kneeboard (FS9/FSX) or the new popup window

(P3D/MSFS) and is designed to be used on a second monitor.

Use Remote AcarsX - Select this option to use the Remote ACARS

display window to show ACARS Transmissions (e.g. ACARS ATIS

Reports or ACARS Local Frequency Reports) This is part of the PF3

Display process and used instead of using the standard FS kneeboard

(FS9/FSX) or the new popup window (P3D/FS2020) and is designed to

be used on a second monitor and/or PC. Please note: you need to have

the 'Use PF3 Display' option (also found on this page) selected in

addition to this option.

Display for - Display for nn secs" & vbCrLf & String(20, "-") & vbCrLf

& "This is the number of seconds the new display will remain on-

screen before automatically closing. Setting this value to zero turns all

ACARS Transmission windows OFF except when using the In-Sim

window display where setting this to zero means you want the windo

permanently displayed.

Get ATIS for ALL Airports – This option is new to version 3.10 and

gives you the opportunity to receive ACARS ATIS reports for ANY

airport, regardless of whether that airport has such an active facility.

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Audio Output Configuration (New in version 3.15.1)

Firstly my thanks to the PF3 WEB Display author, Martin,

without his input this would not have been possible.

Selecting this option displays a list of all your current system audio

output devices. From here you may select the device you wish PF3 to

use. This may be your speakers or perhaps your headphones. Once

you made the choice simply click on the Save Selection button to

ensure PF3 remember your choice. PF3 will then use your chosen

output device until such time as you may change it.

If you ever experience issue or believe you may have chosen an

inactive device, all you need to do is select the Use Windows Default

button to reset your previous selection and use the Windows default.

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View P3D/MSFS Options (Changed in 3.21.0)

Selecting this button takes you to a completely new page of options

specifically for the new In-Sim window features – These options are for

P3D/MSFS user only and will simply not work in other flight simulators.

Here's the new display page:-

Captions Window

Use PF3 Captions Window - This provides an In-Sim window to

display Closed Caption text right inside your flight simulator window,

whether in full screen mode or not. It's main purpose is for displaying

ATC transmissions to/from you and/or AI aircraft. In order for this to

work you must also have the Closed Captions option selected in the

main Options #1 section.

Window always open - This option will leave the In-Sim Captions

window displayed at all times... leaving the last transmission on-

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screen for reference purposes. This could be even more useful if you

configure it to only show ATC messages to you!

Close window at Trx End - This option displays the window as soon

as an ATC transmission begins and closes it when the transmission

ends. If you also set the delay here the window will remain open for

this number of seconds after the transmission ends."

Display ATC to you only – Closed caption text will show only when

ATC is transmitting to you

Display ATC to/from you – Closed caption text will include two way

conversations between you and the ATC facility

Display ATC to/from AI – Displays Closed Caption text for ATC

messages too/from AI traffic

And here's what the window looks like:-

The window can be moved to any position on your screen and it will

remember its last position. It can be closed whenever you wish by

simply clicking on the small X at the bottom right of the window. The

window cannot be resized.

Hotkeys Window

Use PF3 Hotkeys Window - With this option selected you will see a

small window popup in your simulator showing a list of the current

hotkeys available according to which ATC facility you are currently

tuned. In order to keep the size of the hotkeys window as small and

unobtrusive as possible, hotkey descriptions are brief and hotkey

keying sequences abbreviated, but we're sure you will find this to be

an extremely useful aid to the enjoyment of PF3. This window will be

continually displayed unless you add a time delay, at which point it will

close automatically.

Please note: There has been a new hotkey introduced to support this

Hotkeys display window. The default is Ctrl+Shiift+T and its use will

toggle the window between Current Hotkeys available / Global Hotkeys

available / Close Window

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And here's what the Hotkeys display looks like when tuned to Tower:-

PF3 Information Messages

Any non-ATC transmission messages would normally be sent to the

same Closed Captions window, but here you can choose to redirect

them elsewhere, if you wish. This does not change your AcarsX option

from the main Tweaks section. Eg. You can have your ACARS ATIS

display set to 'Remote' for showing in the PF3 Display utility and still

have non-ATC messages directed to the In-Sim (PF3 Captions)

window.

There are numerous messages that can be shown during a flight and

you have a choice to filter these message to another output. This can

either be the Captions window, the ACARS window (which we

recommend) or the FS default message window, simply by selecting

one of the following options

• PF3 Captions Window

• ACARS Window (recommended)

• FS Msg Window

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Here's the ACARS window display:-

Always Use Real Weather

'Always Use Real Weather' means exactly that. Currently the default is

to always display a message asking if you are going to use Real

Weather with MSFS but now the new default is to have this option

selected, in this way you will not have to keep selecting 'Yes' before

each flight. So what does this option actually do I hear you ask. Well,

Asobo/Microsoft, in their wisdom, decided to deprecate the complete

weather interface in MSFS. Fortunately, we are able to collate 'local'

weather from SimConnect, but that's all. So, what PF3 does is to grab

real weather data online and use that for MSFS. The assumption is if

you use real weather in MSFS and PF3 accesses real weather data the

two 'should' hopefully match. Since MSFS has now been with us for

over three years it's highly unlikely this elusive weather interface is

going to return. So this new option simply means PF3 will continue to

use real weather but you won't have to keep confirming that's what

you want it to do for each flight. Obviously if you prefer to do so then

simply unselect this new option.

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TGS Messages Override

By default all TGS messages are directed to the FS Message Window.

However, this does not always work correctly in MSFS as the interface

is not defined in their SDK. So (for P3D and MSFS users only) you can

now redirect the TGS messages to a different route to your choice for

'PF3 Information Messages'. For instance, you may have all your other

messages going to the ACARS window but maybe that doesn't really

suit or look right for TGS messages... so these options allow you to

select where you would like to see these messages or you can even

choose to turn them off completely.

The following available options are really self explanatory:-

Suppress TGS Message

Same as PF3 Info Messages

PF3 Captions Window

ACARS Window

Personally I find the 'PF3 Captions Window' works nicely if you're not using it

for ATC captions. I use RemoteText for my ATC captions so that leaves the

InSim Captions window free just for TGS messages.

MSFS PMDG 737 Specifics

Added in 3.22.0, these options (select LVL CHG and select MCP APP

Mode) will only work when using PF3's VCP Mode 3. Currently, when

using the PMDG 737, when you're given a new altitude from ATC the

MCP Alt will be changed by the VCP but that's it. The aircraft will not

commence its climb/descent until you intervene manually.

Select LVL_CHG / ALT INTV - Choosing the 'Select LVL CHG' option,

if you're not using the FMC and only using the AP, your trusty VCP will

automatically select LVL CHG for you on after receiving new altitude

instructions from ATC and the AP will complete the climb/descent

whilst maintaining your speed. If you are using the FMC and you have

the VNAV mode activated your VCP will then select the ALT INTV

button on receiving new altitude instructions, the FMC will then handle

your climb/descent accordingly.

Select MCP APP – If you select this option, when you are 'Cleared for

the ILS' by ATC your VCP will automatically select the MCP APP Mode.

We have only tested these using the PMDG 737-600 but believe they

should work on all variants. Please let us know if they do or do not.

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7.1.27 Validate your PF3 Installation

Selecting this option will start the PF3 utility to check each of the files that

should have been installed with PF3.

A log file is created in the PF3/Logs folder and will list the names of any

missing file(s). If this utility confirms you have any missing files you should

report this to OnCourse Software at :-

[email protected]

7.1.28 Deactivate your PF3 License on this PC

This is where you can deactivate your PF3 license, which will then allow you

to activate it on another machine. You may install PF3 on as many computers

as you wish, but you can only have it activated on one PC at any one time.

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7.1.29 Adjust Altitudes, SIDs, STARs and Holds for Selected Flight Plan

From the main menu display, once you’ve selected your flight and are ready

to connect to FS, there is another option of which you should be aware. Press

the Adjust Altitudes, SIDs, STARs and Holds for Selected Flight Plan

button and you will be presented with the following:-

This example shows a flight plan from EHAM to EGSS

New to PF3 ver 3.20.0 are the SID/STAR activate options. These mirror the

settings from the SIDs/STARs page and have been added following a user

request to have them accessible when adjusting the flight plan. Please

remember these are still global settings and are not linked to any one

flight plan.

Here you see each of the waypoints in your flight. If there are more than will

fit on one screen you can use the Next/Prev buttons to scroll back and forth

as necessary. From this screen you may alter any of your crossing altitudes,

but remain aware of the capabilities of your aircraft!

Also on this screen you are able to configure and setup several other features

for your flight. The most obvious change you might want to make will be

waypoint altitudes and this can be done in a couple of different ways. Firstly

you can simply enter the desired altitude against each waypoint, which is fine

and dandy, but if you're in a hurry and your flight plan has a hundred

waypoints you may want to consider using PF3's Quick Entry Mode which was

designed to make the job even easier. Want to know more? Okay, read on...

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In the above screen shot you will see the cruise altitude is set at 25,000’.

Let’s imagine this is either incorrect or you require it to be 22,000 for

whatever reason (maybe you don't like heights). Rather than having to

manually re-enter this for each waypoint all you have to do is select the

option near the bottom right of the screen to turn the Quick Entry Mode ON.

A small Help type Balloon will then appear, prompting you to enter the new

altitude you want to apply to selected waypoints:-

For this exercise enter 22000 for the new altitude

Now move your mouse to the left and double-click in the altitude box for the

first waypoint you want to change… you’ll see a small arrow displayed to the

right of the altitude entry box when the double-click is recognized.

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Now do the same for the last waypoint., at which point your new altitude will

be copied into each of the waypoint’s New Alt entry boxes. (see below)

The waypoints listed will be exactly the same as those in your original flight

plan. PF3 does NOT drop ANY flight plan waypoints. If you see any duplicates

in this list that's because they are in your flight plan. PF3 will, at times, insert

waypoints designated as XXX. These are for internal use and usually indicate

the point in your flight plan that you will reach the boundary of another ATC

control zone and at which point you will be handed off to the new control

facility (if you are at the correct hand-off altitude of course). However, if you

are changing altitudes for all waypoints you will need to change these XXX

waypoints also, otherwise your passengers will be in for an interesting flight.

The way to achieve this is to select the Allow manual adjustments option

which you will find just above the Activate quick-entry mode option. Once

selected you will be able to change any XXX waypoints and thereby maintain

a good flight profile.

On this page you can hover your cursor over the waypoint names and a popup display

will show the distance to the previous and next waypoints as well as to your departure

and destination airports. Checking the distance to neighbouring waypoints is

particularly important should you decide to change any waypoint altitudes, because

PF3 does NOT automatically adjust altitudes of nearby waypoints when you change the

altitude of a waypoint or series of waypoints.

Please Note: During extensive testing we have found it best to have

your cruise altitude set from your very first waypoint and allow PF3

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to handle its internal step climbs. This saves you the hassle of having

to enter step climbs manually.

Now on to SIDs and STARs, which you can now configure from this same

waypoint altitude adjustment screen to complement and/or override the

entries on the main SID/STAR display page.

New buttons below the waypoint listing allow you to set the end of a SID (DP)

or the start of a STAR.

Now, before we all get confused let's explain a little more. Currently, if you

setup a SID you set an altitude and PF3 will assume your published departure

is complete once you reach that altitude or reach the first waypoint in your

flight plan (whichever occurs first) and at which point you are back under ATC

control. However, using the Set END of SID/DP button you can select any

waypoint in your flight plan to mark the end of your published departure. If

you use this feature PF3 will use the same altitude you may have set in the

SID/STAR page and will also turn on the global SID Active option if it is

currently off. Also, just like we do now, if you haven't set an altitude then

PF3 will automatically assign one at the time you receive clearance.

In much the same way a STAR works currently is this... you are automatically

cleared to finals at pilot's discretion upon reaching the last waypoint in your

flight plan. But from this screen you can also select any waypoint in your

flight plan to commence flying your published approach.

When you reach that waypoint ATC will clear you to continue via your STAR...

"Easy 211 continue via the Sierra Tango Approach... remain on this

frequency, I'll have traffic for you'.

...and then, when you reach the last waypoint in the flight plan ATC will take

over again and provided the STARs Active option (SID/STARs page) is set to

OFF, they will vector you to the FAF. If the STARs Active option is set to ON

you will not receive further vectors and will be expected to navigate to the

FAF and then contact Tower control when established.

Whilst flying your published approach you may of course descend accordingly

and indeed you are advised to ensure you reach the last waypoint in your

flight plan at a suitable altitude in order to be able to complete your approach

to the runway. If you leave your self too high please don't blame PF3.

One very important thing to remember... when you choose a waypoint to

begin your STAR you will still be expected to navigate to each of the

remaining waypoints in your flight plan.

The other feature you activate on this screen are Holds. In the Holds column

you will see a clickable box next to each valid waypoint at which you can

specify a Hold. Basically these are VORs or NDBs. You can only assign one

hold location per flight plan and you do so by simply double-clicking the hold-

box next to the waypoint. When you do so the letter H appears in the box. If

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you later decide you don't want the hold there just double-click the H to

remove it, or use the Delete Hold button.

Please Note: When you designate a Hold it will only occur if you are at or

below 10,000' at the holding point or are currently descending to 10,000' or

below. Also you will be at the holding point for anything from 5 to 20 minutes

so if you're in a rush to get your tea we would suggest you don't set a hold.

Finally, we come to a new feature for PF3 version 3.10... Activate waypoint

removal. When you select this option you can then click on any of the

waypoint numbers or names to remove/deactivate that waypoint from the list

and from your loaded flight plan. If you make a mistake you can click on the

number again to undo the remove operation.

So why would you want to remove a waypoint I hear you ask. Well as

mentioned earlier, PF3 doesn't remove any waypoints from your flight plan,

unlike earlier versions, but it does check to see if any of them are deemed to

be too close to each other or to your departure or destinations airport. Being

too close together 'could' result in your flight not being as smooth as it could

be, so we recommend you consider removing any such waypoints before

continuing. PF3 will warn you about these waypoints as soon as you select it

from the Load a Flightplan display. See the following example for a flight plan

loaded for EHAM to EGSS,

As you can see this is a cautionary NOTAM only and the choice is entirely

yours what you do with the information. But for the purpose of this exercise

we're going to address the point raised.

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So let's go back to the Adjust Altitudes section to continue our journey.

If you're anything like me, by the time you get back to this display you'll have

already forgotten what waypoints the NOTAM mentioned... which is why I

included this new button... Recheck waypoint integrity. Just hit the button

and your cautionary NOTAM is re displayed. Not only is this handy for those

with a short memory span but also for times when loading a long flight plan

with several notifications. Then, as you make your way through adjusting the

plan you can keep checking the current situation as the message is dynamic.

Please note: PFE doesn't actually 'change' your flight plan other than

internally. This is just a way for you to be able to get on with your flight by

simply removing those waypoints that 'may' cause an issue without having to

go back to your flight planner to do so.

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7.1.30 Define Oceanic Airspace for the Selected Flight Plan

From the main menu display, once you’ve selected your flight and are ready

to connect, there is another option found just above the Waypoint

Adjustment's button named Define Oceanic Airspace for the Selected

ADV Flight File. Selecting this button will display the following screen:-

This feature expands on our North Track Atlantic Crossing procedures

between Shanwick/Gander control centers, which is handled automatically by

PF3. Following several user requests we also provide a means by which you

can define Oceanic Airspace to any of your flight plans and thereby operate

under Oceanic Procedure Control whilst flying through that defined area.

This is very different to our Shanwick/Gander feature, because that works

with actual control centers from your flight plan, whereas this new feature

requires the user to define the start and end points (using flight plan

waypoints) as to where the oceanic airspace is. Now, this can be as realistic

or unrealistic as you like. The flexibility of this new feature allows you to

define oceanic airspace to ANY flight plan, so you could in fact simulate an

oceanic crossing over land... but that's entirely up to you. And that is exactly

how I tested this feature during development, as I obviously did not wish to,

nor have the time to spend, actually flying over an ocean. So my tests were

always flying over the English channel from the UK to France, operating under

Oceanic Procedures whilst crossing the channel... it was fun!

You will see that this new screen is somewhat similar to the waypoint altitude

adjustments display screen, inasmuch as it lists each waypoint in your

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currently selected flight plan, beside which is a new column containing

open/blank text boxes.

Oceanic Procedures are activated when you enter oceanic controlled airspace

and deactivated when you pass back into radar controlled airspace. This

oceanic sector is defined by selecting two waypoints (the 'entry' and 'exit'

points) marked, when selected, as 'ST' and 'EN' respectively. You define the

sector simply by double clicking in the blank column next to the relevant

waypoint... firstly to mark the starting point and then to mark the end point.

During your flight, as you reach your first selected oceanic waypoint (the

'entry' point) PF3 will assume you are entering oceanic airspace and clear you

to your cruise altitude (if necessary) and then hand you off to Oceanic

Control, you will then be operating under Oceanic Procedures. This includes

simulated HF radio transmissions using real world SELCAL sounds when ATC

contact you. Your VCP will also radio through position reports at each

intersection/waypoint as you progress through the flight.

See section 11 for more details on these procedures and how they work in the

real world.

When you reach the last oceanic selected waypoint (the 'exit' point) PF3 will

assume you are leaving oceanic airspace and hand you back to the next radar

controlled facility.

Obviously we don't have the necessary data for worldwide oceanic control

areas, nor do we have any recorded oceanic control names (other than

Gander and Shanwick) so when flying under oceanic control in any other area

not covered by Gander/Shanwick the facility you tune to will simply be called

'Oceanic Control'.

7.1.31 PF3 Profiles

New to version 3.10.50 - This allows you to setup PF3 for various different

reasons... maybe you need a different setting when using PF3 for VFR and

IFR flights. Maybe you like a different setting per aircraft you use. Until now

you would have to make those settings prior to using PF3 for your flight. With

this new PF3 feature you can now create as many setup versions as you

wish. It's all pretty self explanatory when you start the process. Profiles are

accessed via either the main Options #1 page or the Options #2 Advance

Options page. This seemed the best idea as it would only be after making

changes to those options you would need to access the Profile section. The

currently loaded Profile name will also appear on the main PF3 screen just

above where the currently loaded flight plan appears.

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8. PF3 FEATURES IN MORE DETAIL

8.1 The TGS Gauge

PF3's unique TGS (Taxi Guidance System) provides full taxi instructions

to/from the runway. When configured to do so you will hear your VCP giving

instructions like… “next left into delta… bear right into bravo two… straight

on… gate two seven on the left…”, and you will also be able to see the general

direction of the next taxiway waypoint by using the optional (original) TGS

gauge, the all new TGS2 gauge or the standalone TGS Display program. If

you don't want to use either you could simply watch your FS heading bug.

The installation of this optional (original) gauge is explained fully in David

Leesley’s excellent tutorial – see section 22

New to PF3 version 3.10 is the TGS2 Gauge (see below for further details)

This is your basic TGS directional gauge. There are a couple of important

features that you should know:

1. Use of this gauge is entirely optional! Should you decide not to install

it, it is recommended you enable the HDG BUG option, which will

indicate the direction of the next taxi waypoint. Be aware this (heading

bug) feature may not work with all third party add-on aircraft.

2. The green arrow (gauge pointer) points directly towards your next taxi

waypoint. Remember you are responsible to avoid any intervening

traffic or buildings!

3. Below the gauge pointer is a number that represents the remaining

taxi waypoints to be crossed before reaching the runway/gate. This,

naturally, is a descending number. Number 1 will always be the

runway holding point or gate.

4. Down either side of the gauge pointer are 5 LED’s, which illuminate to

indicate the distance to the next taxiway waypoint. 5=Greater than

100 meters to go; 4=Less than 80 meters; 3=Less than 60 meters;

2=Less than 35 meters; 1=Less than 5 meters. If all the LED’s are

dark, you will possibly hear the audio prompt for the next turn (if

you’ve enabled this feature). PF3 will skip too many repetitive calls of

the same instruction (eg. turn left, turn left, turn left).

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Once installed and with TGS 'audio' enabled via options, you will be guided

along your taxi route accordingly. We cannot guarantee this to be 100%

accurate but would certainly like to think we get it right 99% of the time. We

obviously haven't tested this at all 24,000 + FS airports so you may find one

or two that cause TGS a problem, so don't forget your airport charts!

Please Note: If 'Use TGS' is ON then TGS runs automatically once you have

received your taxi instructions from ATC. Should you wish to deactivate TGS

at anytime, simply use the #1 hotkey. Should you hit this key by accident

whilst TGS is active just hit it again to reactivate. TGS will not actually catch

up, so if you are some way into your taxi route you will have to use the new

‘skip taxi waypoints’ hotkey mentioned in section 12.2.7

8.2 The Standalone TGS Display

Personally I have always found the original TGS Gauge a little temperamental,

whilst others use it extensively without issue... enter the standalone TGS

Display.

The TGS Display is ideally suited when running more than one pc or multiple

monitors. It is a standalone program and therefore can be run on any pc

provided you have WideFS/WideClient installed if running on a client.

It does not have to run on the same PC as FS nor PF3.... it is standalone!

The display can be resized to suit your own particular requirements and mine

sits nicely beside the Project Magenta MCP on a client pc.

Install it wherever you want.

You'll find this new program in the TGS_Gauge folder after installing PF3 and

is named TGS_Display.exe. The display also shows a little more than our

original gauge.

Above the little aircraft symbol is the name of the taxiway you are actually on

or about to turn onto. Also you can configure the display to show when you're

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braking or have the parking brakes on... rather than the annoying red/white

signs displayed in FS. To use this feature, after you've run the TGS Display at

least once, open the TGS_Display.INI file and add...

ShowBrakes=1

...to the [CONFIG] section. Once configured you will see BR for Brakes and

PB for Parking Brakes displayed at the top left/right of the display when

brakes are applied. There are of course other utilities available for download

which enable you to turn the FS message for brakes off, but I find this useful.

Just beneath the aircraft symbol is the name of the last taxiway you taxied

along.

That's it, you don't have to do anything else, other than remove the TGS

gauge from your panel.cfg files should you decide to use this replacement.

PF3 is configured to interact automatically with TGS in exactly the same way

as it did for the original TGS gauge. This is basically a replacement so nothing

else changes.

For fine tuning the position and size of the TGS Display you can use Shift +

Arrow Keys to move it and Ctrl + Arrow Keys to resize it.

New to 3.15.0 – We have added another indicator to the TGS display, in

addition to the relative position of the next taxi waypoint it now displays the

relative position of the one after the next. This is shown as a red dot. I find

this really helps and can now see exactly the direction I will need to be

turning, well ahead of time.

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8.3 The TGS2 Gauge

Our new TGS2 Gauge (written by Chris Koegler) look almost identical to our

standalone TGS Display utility. The main difference being it does not show

any brake indicators nor the relative direction to the next waypoint following

the current one (red dot). Other than that, functionality is the same. Here's

what it looks like. The gauge is designed to work in FS9, FSX and P3D only.

Sorry but it doesn't work in MSFS.

For my FS9 testing I added to the Panel.cfg as a separate window rather than

inserting it as a gauge, using the following and I think it looks/works really

well.

[Window07] <-- you have to assign your own number here

Background_color=2,2,2

size_mm=251,251

position=1

visible=0

window_size= 0.2, 0.3

ident=10101

gauge00=TGS2!TGS, 0,0,251,251

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8.4 Oceanic Procedures

PF3 automatically switches to Oceanic Procedures when flying to/from the US

(over the pond) and between Gander/Shanwick controlled areas. This includes

simulated HF radio transmissions using real world SELCAL sounds when ATC

contact you. Your VCP will also radio through position reports at each

intersection. See section 11 for more details on these procedures and how

they work in the real world plus the exciting features offered to allow you to

enable Oceanic Procedures anywhere in your flight sim world.

8.5 Traffic Advisories

PF3 provides full AI traffic advisories during your flight. When AI aircraft are

within the boundaries you set you will hear about them from ATC.

'...traffic at 2 o'clock, altitude 5,000, heading west two seven zero'

8.6 Requesting Higher/Lower Altitude

PF3 allows you to request a higher/lower altitude during your flight. This can

be achieved in a number of ways so you can use whichever method you find

easiest.

Method 1 - This is done by using the H and/or L default hotkeys. Obviously

H to request a higher altitude and L to request a lower altitude. All default

hotkeys can be changed to a keying sequence of your choice should you wish.

To make a request you hold down the relevant key (H or L) then press and

release one of the number keys (top row of keyboard)... which must be 1 thru

9... then release the H or L key.

The numbered key indicates how many 'thousands' of feet you want to climb

or descend. So, if you’re currently at 20,000' and wish to climb to 25,000' just

hold down the 'H' key then press and release the number '5' key. Equally, if

flying at 15,000' and you require an altitude of 12,000' you would hold down

the 'L' key then press and release the number 3 key. There is a 10% chance

your request will not be authorised.

You may also use the H or L key without pressing a numeric key to request to

to remain at your current altitude. This could be useful if you're having

difficulty climbing to the cleared altitude for some reason.

Method 2 - Requesting an ATC assigned altitude using Hotkeys 3 and 4.

These now simply request a lower or higher altitude respectively, whereas

they used to request a change due to clouds.

Method 3 – Requesting a specific altitude using Hotkeys 5 and 6. These now

allow you to request a specific altitude from ATC. Hotkey #5 used to be

'Request lower altitude due to turbulence' but now you will see a display,

similar to when requesting a change of runway, which will show you each

altitude below your current altitude in steps of 1000 and when you reach the

one you want just use the C\S\Y hotkey to make the request. Similarly,

Hotkey #6, which used to be 'Request higher altitude due to turbulence' now

displays each altitude above your current altitude in steps of 1000'.

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8.7 Auto Taxi Speed Control

PF3 provides a simple feature to assist you in maintaining a set ground speed

during taxi manoeuvres. This feature is part of the TGS system and is only

available when TGS is running (i.e. during your taxi to/from the runway).

Therefore, if you haven't turned the TGS feature ON then the Auto Taxi Speed

Control will not be available.

Once you have received taxi instructions from ATC all you need do is hit the

#8 hotkey to toggle this function on/off. A brief message will be displayed in

your message window to indicate if the feature is active or not.

To stop the speed control at anytime just hit the #8 hotkey again.

There are only three settings you have to configure to tweak this facility to

suit your own preference and these are fully described in section 7.1.26

8.8 AI Aircraft Conflict Monitoring

PF3 does its best to keep ground AI aircraft well away from your taxi path

to/from the runway. As you are aware, Flight Simulator controls all aspects of

AI traffic and there is very little third party programs like PF3 can actually do.

That said I believe we have produced a very good and workable solution.

To enable this new functionality you MUST have the options Use TGS and

Visual Guidance turned on (Main Menu Options #1).

How does it work... well... FS will still be controlling the AI aircraft and

although we know where each aircraft is, their ground speed and heading, we

have no way of knowing what their exact route is... unlike your aircraft, which

we know the exact route you should be taking provided you follow ATC

instructions and any TGS functionality you like to use. Because we don't know

the exact route the AI traffic will be taking we have to make some

assumptions... sometimes they're right but sometimes they're wrong... so

don't expect perfection and you won't be disappointed. Where have I heard

that before...?

Basically we set up a boundary along our taxi route, arcing at approximately

400 meters in front of your aircraft and from side to side at -90 to +90

degrees of your current heading. Any AI aircraft that seem to be moving

toward this boundary or actually entering it are stopped. They are then

restarted once they are deemed not to be on a conflicting path. This usually

occurs as you pass by their stationary location. Unfortunately, due to timing

issues and ground speed variations you may find an aircraft actually on your

taxiway that has been stopped (this may have occurred at the maximum

distance in front of you, perhaps even before you turned onto the actual

taxiway in question. Should this happen, and the aircraft is heading in the

same direction as you, simply slow your aircraft to a speed below the

threshold you set in PF3 options and the AI aircraft will begin moving again.

When you do this, any aircraft that PF3 has stopped will be automatically

restarted, so the aircraft in front of you will continue with their taxi which will

no longer cause you any issues and you can simply follow them. Whilst you

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are stationary no further monitoring will take place but it is resumed once you

start rolling again and reach the pre-set threshold speed.

Should an aircraft be on the same taxiway as you and heading straight

toward you then you don't have many options, other than turning onto the

grass (if there's room) or ZAPPING it. Personally I prefer to ZAP them and use

a feature of FSUIPC to do so. Details on how to set this up can be found in the

FSUIPC documentation. However, this ZAP feature does not work with MSFS,

or at least not at the time of writing this.

New to 3.22.0 - Previously, to prevent an aircraft taxiing in front of you

from stopping, you had to keep your speed below whatever you had it set to

in Options #2... the default was 10. This threshold meant whenever you went

above it CM would be monitoring traffic and stopping anything that might

cause a conflict, which works fine, except when following an aircraft on the

same route as you. Now, even when travelling above the threshold speed CM

will not stop any traffic immediately in front of you which is heading in the

same direction and within the parameters of a pre-set frontal cone. Of course

if the aircraft has to do a sharp turn to the left/right to enter another taxiway

that could mean it moves outside those parameters and therefore CM will

stop it. But now you only have to reduce your speed to below the threshold

and it will commence moving again, rather than having to actually stop. With

a little practice and the right threshold setting, adjusted to your own liking,

you can actually achieve a non stop taxi in a queue all the way to the

runway/gate

The Conflict Monitoring process is completely separate from PF3, which

allows for constant monitoring of AI traffic without the need to wait for PF3 to

do a 100+1 other things. A great deal of care has been taken to ensure there

is no noticeable hit on your processing power.

Starting with PF3 version 3.10 you will now hear ATC telling any AI Aircraft

stopped by the Conflict Monitor 'Hold position' or 'Continue taxi'

8.9 Other AI Traffic Detection

At your departure airport...

In addition to our Conflict Monitoring process PF3 will also monitor any

aircraft approaching the active runway. ATC will not issue instructions for you

to enter the active runway whilst there are any aircraft close by and on final

approach. The exact distance is set by default to 6 miles for Jet aircraft and 3

miles for smaller, prop, type aircraft. These distances, along with many other

PF3 options, are user configurable.

When lining up behind other aircraft on the taxiway you will be told something

like this:-

"Callsign, expect clearance in ten"

When next in line for takeoff you will be instructed to "Callsign, hold for

traffic" if there are any aircraft actually on the runway or on finals.

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When awaiting the arrival of another aircraft you will be instructed to

"Callsign, line up and wait" as soon as it's safe to do so after the other aircraft

has landed.

Once all other aircraft have left the active runway you will receive

takeoff/departure clearance.

En Route...

PF3 provides real-time, two-way, traffic advisories en-route, based on the AI

traffic flying nearby.

During your approach...

During the approach phase of your flight PF3 will attempt to prevent any

other aircraft from taxiing onto the active runway and should therefore

prevent any annoying go-arounds caused by such things. PF3 will also

attempt to handle traffic separation between you and AI aircraft on route to

the same airport and runway. However, due to interactive limitations with AI

traffic this feature is not very elegant so we basically only deal with traffic

behind you.

8.9.1 Additional Ground Control Monitoring

PF3 also monitors your taxi to/from the runway to ensure you don't enter an

active runway without clearance to do so. As in the real world you should not

cross any runway unless cleared to do so. With PF3, when reaching a runway

intersection, ATC will either clear you to cross or tell you to ‘Hold for traffic’

If you reach a runway intersection and hear nothing from ATC you should

HOLD SHORT of the runway! You may then request clearance to continue

your taxi by hitting hotkey #0 (zero), but you must be stationary and with

TGS ‘active’ for this request to work.

8.10 How we handle ATC Chatter Call Signs

PF3 provides an Airline ICAO feature for our ATC chatter function. This is for

those times when we don't find a match for the AI Traffic call sign (i.e. we

don't have one recorded), so we use the Airline's ICAO code and flight

number.

For instance, in the case of British Airways 1234 we use the call sign…

'Speedbird 1234'

…but if we didn't have that particular call sign we would use the British

Airways ICAO and the result would be

'Bravo Alpha Whiskey one two three four'

If we still couldn't find a match to get the ICAO then we would use the first

three characters of the airline name, so the result then would be

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'Bravo Romeo India one two three four'

8.11 Step Climbs and Descents

PF3 provides completely randomized stepped climbs and descents based on

your flight plan profile. This ensures no two flights, using the same

flight plan, are ever exactly the same.

Also, following extensive testing, we strongly recommend

you do not alter the waypoint altitudes pertaining to your

departure, up to and including your TOC. So, when you

see your waypoints listed with the very first waypoint

showing your cruise altitude it really is best to leave it as

it is and let PF3 handle everything for you.

8.12 En-Route Control Centres

PF3's ATC control zones have been completely reconfigured to ensure

boundaries are more accurate and some control centers that were never

active in previous versions will now be heard.

8.13 How we determine the Active Runway

When we need to know which runway to assign you PF3 will always use the

same runway currently being used by any detected AI aircraft. In the case

that there are currently no active AI aircraft we will then determine the

correct runway to use using the local weather conditions, in particular wind

direction.

Whenever we assign a runway using wind direction we always check

periodically up to a certain point to see if we can detect any AI aircraft landing

or taking off. If so ATC would then issue change of runway instructions.

E.g. 'Speedbird two six eight six... runway changed... expect vectors for....'

Assigning the correct runway is also subject to the user configurable settings

for individual runways whereby you may have configured a runway to be for

takeoff or landing only.

8.14 Designated Parking

PF3 also supports designated parking for your aircraft at any of the 24,000+

airports.

This new feature compliments PF3’s Full Taxi Guidance and Taxi Guidance

Systems… so now you can configure PF3 to ensure you are always sent to a

particular gate/parking location at specific airports.

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There are two stages to configure this new feature…. Stage #1 is very

simple, takes only a few seconds to complete and is mandatory… Stage #2

is slightly less simple, takes a few minutes to complete but is optional.

Stage #1 ensures you will always receive ATC instruction to the gate/parking

spot of your choice and Stage #2 ensures that particular location will be free

from AI aircraft parking in your reserved space!

8.14.1 Stage 1

Please Note: If you want to activate PF3’s Designated Parking feature, this

stage is mandatory!

From PF3’s main display page select Option #2, then Designated Parking

Control.

Type in the Airport ID (ICAO code) for the airport of your choice (i.e. EGGW

for London Luton) then hit enter. At this point, provided you have entered a

valid ICAO code, the ‘Airports Gates/Parking here…’ drop down list to the right

of the ICAO will change from ‘None’ to ‘Select Gate/Parking here…’

Now simply scroll down the list and highlight the gate/parking spot you wish

to reserve, then select SAVE

That’s it!

Next time you land at this airport ATC will give you full taxi instructions to

your chosen gate…. every time! But as mentioned earlier you may find

another aircraft already parked there when you arrive, which could be a little

embarrassing! To prevent that happening please see the following instructions

for Stage #2 to prevent this occurring.

8.14.2 Stage 2

Please Note: This section is entirely optional but it does ensure your

reserved gate/parking area will be vacant when you arrive!

For this method you will need a utility like AFCAD, AFX, ADE or similar

installed if using FS9 or FSX. At the time of writing we are unsure of any

utility you could use with P3D.

The following instructions pertain only to AFCAD. Also these

instructions relate to AFCAD version 2.21 so they may well be very

different if using a later version. (Does NOT work for MSFS)

Please follow AFCAD’s installation instructions and do not be put off by what

you see or read about this program… despite being a very powerful tool it is

remarkably easy to use. So let’s show you how….

For this example we will MODIFY an existing Parking Gate (50) at London

Luton Airport… ICAO code EGGW.

1. Open AFCAD, select File and Open Airport. After AFCAD completes its

initialisation search you will be able to enter the Airport ID (ICAO code)...

EGGW... then select OK. The EGGW airport plan with assigned parking

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should then appear. You can now use your mouse scroll wheel, the +/-

keys or the +/- icons on AFCAD’s toolbar to zoom in/out to make the

airport layout map larger/smaller.

2. Select the Parking Gate you want to modify. For this example it’s Gate 50

which is the one situated furthermost to the left of the displayed map.

You can make the selection in a number of ways… if you know exactly

where the parking spot is on the map simply double-click it or use a left-

click to highlight it then right-click and select Parking Properties… please

do ensure the popup window is the ‘Parking Properties’ one and not the

‘Link Properties’ display. If you’re not sure where the gate is situated on

the map please use the List menu in AFCAD to display all the available

gate/parking locations for this airport then double click the one you want,

which is Gate 50 for this example.

3. Whichever method you choose/prefer please ensure you have selected

the correct gate/parking spot. You can do this by checking for the

gate/parking name/number under the Identification label which is midway

down the properties display window. For this example it should be Gate

50.

4. Change the value displayed in the small box marked Radius to 10

5. Exit AFCAD and confirm you want to save these changes when prompted

to do so

6. If you haven’t already configured Gate 50 at EGGW within PF3 please do

so now.

That’s it!

What we have done is create a unique Parking Space and because of the very

small radius we chose it should restrict any AI Aircraft from using this

Designated Parking location. Next time you land at EGGW you will be

instructed by Ground Control to ‘…taxi to gate five zero…’

Obviously AFCAD allows you to do so much more and you could even create a

completely new gate/parking spot if you so wished, but that is beyond the

scope of this document and the author.

8.15 Resuming a Flight

Should you ever find you need to stop a flight midway through, or perhaps FS

crashed or even PF3 crashes (hush your mouth) mid-flight, PF3 allows you to

resume the flight, subject to certain conditions being met..

The first prerequisite is that you need to start FS running from the point of

failure, so you need a saved FS flight.

If your mid-flight stoppage was planned then one would assume you will have

saved the flight in question and therefore can reload it at anytime. This is the

easiest method and all you need to do after starting PF3 would be to select

the 'Resume Last Flight' button from the main menu, confirm that you wish to

resume your last flight and then follow the on-screen instructions (as detailed

below).

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If your flight stoppage was not planned and caused by an unforeseen error,

the next time you start PF3 you should be presented with the following

message giving you the option of restarting the flight from the point where it

stopped.

Once you confirm this message you need to follow the on-screen

instructions:-

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a) The first two instructions you should have already done so now you

should OK this message and then connect to FS

b) Once PF3 is connected to FS you should hit the ‘P’ key to take FS out

of PAUSE mode and the flight should continue from where it left off.

c) As the flight begins in this ‘restart’ mode things may be a little quiet as

PF3 plays catch-up. Please do not try contacting ATC immediately,

just give PF3 a little while and you should soon hear your PNF making

contact with ATC, this is just to ensure we initialise things properly.

This first communication you hear with ATC may sound slightly

inaccurate, but things should soon return to normal.

If the cause of your mid-flight failure was not planned and was due to FS

crashing (or some other program but obviously not PF3) , and you do not

have an FS saved flight situation file, then PF3’s resume facility will be of

little use, unless of course you are able to restart FS and position your aircraft

back at the point where the problem occurred, because in a restart situation

PF3 will always assume your flight is starting near to the same altitude and in

particular the same location as when the unplanned stoppage occurred, so

placing your aircraft at the wrong altitude or position could lead to a... er...

interesting flight.

Please Note: PF3 does not save your FS flights and to do so you will need to

use another utility, such as Pete Dowson’s Auto Save program, which by the

way is built into FSUIPC4 if you are using FSX

If the cause of the mid-flight failure was a PF3 problem (I guess we have to

cater for such improbabilities) then of course our restart data will be

available, so all you would have to do in this instance would be to Pause FS,

then restart PF3 and follow the instructions as shown above from item (b)

A few other things to remember about this feature –

PF3 only starts saving its own restart data after you receive initial vectoring

instructions from Departure Control and it stops at point of touchdown at your

destination airport. So restarting a flight on the ground is not available.

If you plan a mid-flight stoppage but then load a different flight plan before

resuming the previous flight, all of the previous flights data will be lost and

you will not be able to resume that particular flight. So you only have the one

shot at restarting the previous flight. If you choose NO from the initial

message your restart data will be zapped!

This option is OFF by default.

8.16 Visual Connection Indicator

There may be times when you are not sure if PF3 is still running, due to the

fact that everything seems to be a little quiet on the radio. One way of

ensuring PF3 is still connected and running is to check the navigation lights

on the aircraft picture displayed on PF3’s main menu, as they will flash

periodically whilst all is well.

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8.17 Interactive Support for FDC users

PF3 supports full interaction with OnCourse Software's FDC program.

Provided you are running the latest version of FDC, each program will be fully

aware of the other.

How they work together...

If FDC is currently playing a checklist and ATC initiate contact with YOU then

the checklist will automatically pause and resume once the transmission

from/to ATC is complete from both sides. However, if ATC is talking with

another AI aircraft the checklist will not pause but the volume of ATC will be

lowered, although that is optional.

Also, whereas FDC only has two transition altitude settings to work with it will

now use whatever you have configured in PF3. In addition to that FDC will be

made aware of the cruise altitude in your PF3 flight plan, which will make

some of the cruise altitude triggered calls more accurate and easier to

implement.

Various other program elements will be passed back and forth between the

programs to allow for further interaction both now and for future

enhancements…. So watch this space.

Please Note: PF3 and FDC do not have to be running on the same pc for this

interaction to work. Each program could be running on different client pcs,

with the main pc running FS and all connected via WideFS

Now I'm sure one of the questions asked will be “Do I have to do anything

special to get FDC and PF3 to ‘interact’?”

The answer is, NO! Provided you are running PF3 and the latest version of

FDC (3.14 at the time of writing) or later, interaction between the two

programs is automatic.

However, there are a few things I think need to be explained here plus I'll

show you how I've found it best to set things up for both systems to help

make them 'blend' together.

Firstly, it obviously sounds much better if your FDC co-pilot and PF3 VCP

sound the same.... so you have two choices.... well you have three if you

want to pretend you have a large flight deck and additional crew members...

FDC Voice set #11 and PF3 US Mid West Pilot #2 are both the same

author, Rick Schaefer.

The other option is to use an all new voice set we have had recorded for FDC

(see the FDC section of our website for download details) by the same author

of PF3's British Pilot 12. This new voice set has already been named as

voice set #16, as that is the optional FDC voice slot and one which should

already be vacant. Should you wish to replace one of the other voice sets

then you will have to rename the new one yourself. As mentioned earlier this

new FDC voice set matches PF3's British Pilot 12... the author is Graham

Jackson. Graham has also done many other voice sets for LevelD and PMDG,

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to name but a few.

For the sake of simplicity let's say your FDC Voice16 folder is empty... just

download and unzip the new voice set into your …\FDC\Wav\Voice16

folder and you're ready to go.

Run the programs and select either:

FDC Voice set #11 and PF3 Mid West Pilot #2 or

FDC Voice set #16 and PF3 British Pilot #12

I think FDC sound sets are slightly louder than PF3's so here's how I found

mine work best, but please remember these are my own personal

preferences. These controls do not have to be set this way for FDC/PF3

interaction to work.

FDC Volumes:-

Captain=10

Co-Pilot=10

PF3 Volumes:-

Set the VCP Volume one notch below maximum

Set the ATC volume 1 notch lower than the VCP volume

Set the background noise four notches down from maximum

Under TGS settings set TGS volume reduction to 50%

That's it!

8.18 ACARS ATIS

PF3 provides its own emulated ACARS ATIS data system. This uses the FS

kneeboard in FS9 and FSX but the new In-Sim windows in P3D and MSFS to

simulate receiving ATIS information for your destination airport via ACARS.

We actually use the Nobrief.htm file found in the ...\MainFS\UIRES folder for

FS9 and FSX, so if you already use one of the kneeboard browser type utilities

it is quite possible this feature will overwrite it.

PF3 ACARS is received by hitting Hotkey #2. This works at ANY time during

your flight with the following limitations. It does NOT work if tuned to FSS,

Multicom, Unicom or the destination Tower and once in contact with Approach

it reverts to its normal functionality, which is to request an instrument

approach. But you would normally have perused your destination ATIS long

before that. Also it does NOT work whilst TGS is active (as that uses the same

hotkey for skipping waypoints).

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Unlike the normal ATIS you receive via your VHF radio, which is limited in

PF3 to a distance of around 200 miles, there is no such limitation with the

digital ACARS display system.

Here’s an example of how this appears in FS9:-

And here's how it appears in P3D and MSFS:-

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New to version 3.10.12 you can now request a list of all current frequencies

by using the default hotkey #3, but only whilst at your departure airport and

not tuned to Unicom, Multicom or FSS.

8.19 In-Flight Volume Adjustment

With PF3 you can adjust the volume for ATIS, background noise, ATC or your

VCP at anytime during your flight, using the new overlay displayed on PFE3s

main menu display once you connect to FS.... see screen shot below.

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8.20 VFR Flights in PF3

VFR flight support has been completely revamped in this version (3.10) of

PF3 and we now offer two distinctly different types of VFR in the PF3 world.

8.20.1 Standard VFR

The normal (we call Standard) VFR flight where you are required to load and

follow a flightplan, flying from one waypoint to the next until finally reaching

your destination is much the same as it was in previous versions of PF3. The

main difference is the introduction or our new Radar Control facilities. Each of

the PF3 Control Center areas now have a Radar Control facility to cover that

same area when you're flying below the Control Centers altitude. The new

Radar Controls are also named, the same as the existing Control Centers. So

for instance, you can contact London Radar, Essex Radar, Berlin Radar, Los

Angeles Radar, Miami Radar or any of the 90 new control facilities.

In previous versions of PF3 Departure would hand you off to Approach, and

you would stay with them for the duration of your flight. In 3.10 Departure

will hand you off to the appropriate Radar Control. They in turn will hand you

off to the next Radar Control should your flight plan take you into another

control area. This will continue until you reach you last waypoint, at which

time Radar will hand you off to Approach.

8.20.2 VFR Free Flight

VFR Free Flight (or VFR FF) has been introduced for users to take full

advantage of the glorious visuals in the new and outstanding MSFS whilst still

being able to contact ATC as and when necessary. Of course this isn't only for

use with MSFS and VFR FF flights can be used in all flight simulators

supported by PF3.

So what is VFR FF exactly. Well, just like any other flight in PF3 you still have

to load a flight plan (containing at least one waypoint) but you will not be

required to follow it. You will not have to hit each waypoint and you will only

be expected to reach your destination. How you get there is entirely up to

you. You will not be handed off from one Radar Control to another if you

venture into other control areas, instead the radar service will be terminated

and it will be up to you if you wish to make contact with the next control

facility. The areas you fly through do not have to be areas in which your flight

plan would normally take you... it can be anywhere along the way and PF3

will detect within which area you are currently flying.

Departure control will terminate their service after your departure with the

following call:-

Call sign, radar service terminated, squawk nnnn

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At this point you can either continue your flight without further ATC contact

until you arrive at your destination or you may choose to contact the local

Radar Control for flight following or radar service (depending on the area

you're flying i.e. FAA or ICAO). If you don't know the frequency to tune to

simply tune to the default FSS frequency of 122.20 and hit Hotkey #5 to

request it. Then you can tune to it and make contact with the local Radar

Control. You'll remain with that Radar Control whilst you remain in their area,

but once you fly beyond that they will terminate their service in the same way

as Departure did and again it will be up to you what you do at that point.

When you get close to your destination you have a couple of options. If you're

already in touch with Radar Control then you simply have to hit Hotkey #1

which will trigger a handoff to Approach. If you're not currently tuned to

Radar Control then you can follow the instructions mentioned earlier to obtain

the correct frequency. In both cases you can also choose to tune directly to

Approach and contact them to advise of your landing intentions.

The correct Approach frequency can be found quite easily if you're using our

PF3 Display utility or better still the WEB Display utility, otherwise you would

be best to contact Radar Control and then hit Hotkey #1 to trigger the

handoff.

In Summary

You should contact Approach when you near the destination airport, whether

or not you have been getting enroute flight-following services. Once you are

in contact with Approach, you will be asked to report when you have the

airport in sight (Hotkey 8). When you report the field in sight, if the airport is

controlled, you will be handed to Tower (VCP should tune the frequency) and

Tower will tell you to report entering the pattern for the active runway

(Hotkeys 2, 3, 4). After landing you will be told to contact Ground.

If the destination airport is uncontrolled, when you report the field in sight,

Approach will terminate services and tell you to switch to advisory frequency

(i.e., Unicom). In PF3 the use of an advisory frequency is optional. You can

simply land on the runway of your choice and taxi at your discretion, or you

can look up the Unicom frequency for the airport and manually tune it and

use the hotkeys to announce your intentions to local traffic.

Whilst it may sound a little complicated, it really isn't. The whole idea of VFR

FF is to allow you to fly wherever you want and explore the area, then, when

you eventually decide you want to land you only have to hit a couple of keys

to be handed off to Approach.

Please note: As of version 3.10.50 VFR flight procedures, when flying in the

US (FAA regions), has been changed as we've been informed that 'Radar

Control' or a 'Named Radar Control' is not correct for the US and you would

normally be in contact with Tracon (Departure/Approach).

However, since this issue has not been raised before I have decided NOT to

make these changes the default nor are they obligatory. There is a new

option now on the Advanced Options and Tweaks page, under the MISC tab,

named 'No Radar Control in US'. If you select this option you will no longer be

able to contact or be handed off to our (new to 3.10) Radar Control facilities.

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Instead you will be in contact with various Approach facilities during your VFR

flight. When nearing your destination, or during a VFR FF flight when you use

Hotkey #1, you will be handed off to Approach on a different frequency in

readiness for landing. If you don't select this option then your VFR flights will

continue as they do now and PF3 will use the 'Named' Radar Control facilities

as it does now for both CAA and FAA regions.

8.21 Local Transition Altitudes

The way local transition altitudes (TA's) are handled has changed in this latest

release. If you have set a local TA for your departure airport, it will change to

the region’s TA at a distance of 30 miles from the airport, unless you are

flying a SID that is still active at that time in which case airport TA will remain

in effect until you complete your SID.

Destination airport TA is currently used once you reach the last waypoint and

that process will remain unchanged.

8.22 Failing to Contact the next ATC Facility

In the busy world of the flight deck you may sometimes find yourself

forgetting to check-in with the next ATC facility when handed off. In previous

versions of PF3 if you failed to contact the next Control Center your VCP

(regardless of which mode you have selected) would tune to the correct

frequency and make the initial call after a lapse of 3 minutes.

This feature now works with Departure, Control Center and Approach, with a

slight change to what happens.

If you don't check-in to one of these facilities when instructed to do so, after

a lapse of 1 minute one of the following will occur.

(a) if you haven't actually tuned to the new facility you will hear

'Callsign, contact 'facility name' on 123.45'

(b) if you tuned to the correct facility but just not actually 'checked-in' you

will hear

'Traffic at 'altitude' squawking 4567 contact 'facility name' on 123.45'

The same scenario will repeat after another minute (total lapsed time 2

minutes). Then, after a further 60 seconds (total time 3 minutes) your VCP

will tune to the correct facility and make contact with ATC, regardless of

whether you have the VCP mode on or off.

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9. SOME ATC INSTRUCTIONS

Here are some ATC instructions you may hear from time to time and what

they mean and what is expected of you if/when you receive them.

9.1 Descending from TOD at Pilot’s Discretion

ATC may give these descend instruction when reaching your TOD:-

'Call-sign descend to xxxx at pilots discretion'

'Call-sign, when ready descend flight level xxx'

This means you do NOT have to commence your descent immediately and

may do so at YOUR discretion. This additional feature will hopefully be useful

to those users who prefer to use their FMC's and have them programmed to

commence their descent from a certain position. However, as in the real

world, ATC may require you to descend earlier or later than you might be

hoping for, in which case you should comply.

9.2 Variable Take-off Instructions

With PF3 you may well be given a different takeoff instruction other than

always being told to 'fly runway heading'. At times you may be given another

heading to fly by Tower when you're cleared for takeoff... so listen carefully.

9.3 New Calls from Tower after landing

In PF3, after landing, you will be advised to 'contact ground when clear of the

active' and you will also be told which way to turn off the runway (left/right)

dependant on where the gate is to which you will eventually be instructed to

taxi to. So the call will go something like this:-

'Easy two one one, exit right at next available taxiway, contact ground

when clear of the active'.

PF3 will also try and determine that when you are actually clear of the

runway... this includes your tail section too, so please ensure you clear the

runway otherwise you will not be handed over to Ground control.

9.4 Entering a Holding Pattern

If you have a Hold selected for your flight plan this is the call you can expect

from ATC as you approach the holding point:-

“Easy 4, enter the hold at Bravo India Golf, descend to 6000, reduce

speed to 220, expect clearance in fifteen”

or it could be like this:-

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“Easy 4, at Bravo India Golf enter the hold, descend to 6000, reduce

speed to 220, expect clearance in fifteen”

You should receive this call as you're nearing the holding waypoint (usually

within 10 miles of it) and you will obviously be expected to enter the hold at

that point.

So what exactly do you have to do at this holding point. Well basically you

just have to hang around until ATC clear you to continue. For those that know

what they're doing they will have checked their charts and will fly a correct

holding pattern. For those that don't know what they're doing they will

probably zig zag about in the proximity of the holding point and hope for the

best.

At the very least this is what you should do if you don't know what you're

doing. Continue flying toward the next waypoint (the holding point) and as

you reach it turn 180 degrees so you are now flying away from it. Keep that

course for approximately 2 minutes then turn 180 degrees again to fly back

toward the holding point. Just keep doing that till ATC clear you from the

hold.

BUT, and there's always a BUT, there is one other thing you can do to make

life even easier, albeit not the correct way. Provided you have your VCP mode

set to 3 then your trusty co-pilot will fly the hold for you via the auto pilot and

you can just sit back and watch the scenery.

If you really would like to know how to do it the correct way I would guess

you could find such information online but for now that is about the extent of

my knowledge.

At some point (hopefully) ATC will clear you from the hold and set you on

your way. The call you hear will be something like this:-

“Easy 4, at Bravo India Golf resume own navigation, cleared to Echo

Golf Sierra Sierra”

So what does this mean? Well, when you get to the holding point (and when

you get this call you should already be heading toward it anyway) you should

resume your own navigation, which means follow the remaining part of your

flight plan and that you are in fact cleared to the next waypoint or perhaps

that's your destination airport.

9.5 Requesting ‘Direct to…’

With PF3 you can request ATC to approve a ‘direct to’ any waypoint in your

flight plan. This feature is activated using the same hotkey as you use to

toggle ground AI traffic detection on/off (the default key being C\S\D).

However, the original function of this hotkey is only available whilst your

aircraft is on the ground... once airborne this key is then used to request a

'Direct To' waypoint.

Hitting this key during your flight will not display the next waypoint in your

flight plan, as you should already be heading toward that one <G>, but the

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one following the next one. The message window display will also prompt you

to select ‘Y’ (C\S\Y) or ‘N’ (C\S\N).

If you choose No then the next waypoint in your flight plan, following the one

you just discarded, will be displayed with the same options.

Choosing yes you will hear "Call sign requesting direct to XXX" and ATC will

reply accordingly.

This feature is subject to a few conditions...

1. It is only available whilst you're airborne

2. It is only available until you're actually on route to the last waypoint in

your flight plan

3. It is not available until after you receive your final vector from

Departure and a 'Resume own navigation'

4. It is not available during Oceanic procedures

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10. DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

10.1 Overview

When processing the loaded flight plan PF3 will determine airports along your

route, that meet the same criteria as you may have setup in the PF3 Presets

section, to ensure ATC will always know the closest airport to you as you

progress through your flight plan.

During an emergency you will not be expected to choose an airport from a

display list, because you will probably have more things to be worrying about,

so ATC will handle that for you. All you really need to concentrate on is flying

the aircraft, whilst your VCP (if configured) could handle all radio

communication.

10.2 Mayday

PF3 “Pan, Pan, Pan” and all emergencies are declared as “Mayday”

To declare an emergency you just have to use the default hotkey sequence

Ctrl + Shift + E

You will hear your call:-

“Mayday, mayday, mayday, Easy 4 cannot make final destination, request

landing clearance”

If you are more than halfway to your destination the response from ATC will

be:-

“Easy 4, squawk 7700”

Shortly after ATC will give you the following instructions:-

“Easy 4, descend and maintain xxxx. The airport is ABC, nn miles, heading

nnn. Tower/Unicom frequency is 123.45”

If you are less than halfway to your original destination ATC will respond:-

“Easy 4, squawk 7700, can you make it back to your destination airport?”

At this point you will see the following message displayed in whatever

message window you are using:-

"C/S/Y for Yes - C/S/N for No"

You give the appropriate response by using the relevant default hotkey

sequence Ctrl+Shift+Y or Ctrl+Shift+N

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After this ATC will respond with the following:-

“Easy 4, descend and maintain xxxx. The airport is ABC, nn miles, heading

nnn. Tower/Unicom frequency is 123.45”

Once nearing the assigned airport you should contact Tower and they will

reply:-

“Easy 4, cleared to land, runway at pilot's discretion”

What this means is you are cleared to land on whatever runway you think you

can safely land

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11. OCEANIC PROCEDURES

11.1 About

Regular VHF COM Frequencies are only usable while you have line of sight.

Over the ocean aircraft will lose line of sight from the coast quickly and have

to move over to HF frequencies which do not have such limitations. HF radio

bounces off of the ionosphere and the only limitation on the distance that an

HF radio signal can travel is in the power of the radio transmitter. Therefore,

once out of line of site from any of the oceanic FIR's HF has to be used.

To couple that limitation, radar is also line of sight only. Once the aircraft is

out of line of site positive control ATC is no longer possible, therefore there is

no ATC over the Atlantic or Pacific flight routes. To ensure that traffic is

managed properly NATs and PATs are used to ensure that traffic is managed

by direction and altitude. However, each aircraft is responsible for

maintaining vertical and horizontal separation and advising the Oceanic FIR

on their position at regular intervals via HF.

HF radio is very noisy with white-noise always audible in the background and

will drive everyone crazy if they had to listen to that noise for countless hours

on end. The pilot can squelch the noise but in the same token will silence the

voice also, so that neither voice nor noise will be heard. Enter SELCAL.

SELCAL is a 4 letter code (two pairs) identifier that is slaved to every single

SELCAL equipped aircraft and the code stays the same until the aircraft is sold

and a new SELCAL code is acquired. Embedded in the SELCAL code is the

aircraft's registration and airline. SELCAL is directly connected to the

aircraft's HF radio and will turn down the squelch on the pilot’s radio and

allow oceanic radio to contact the pilot directly. Since each aircraft will have a

different SELCAL code, the communication is heard by the targeted aircraft

ONLY and other aircraft will NOT hear the communication... therefore there

is very little radio chatter over the oceans.

11.2 Oceanic COM Procedures

SELCAL and HF is only used with the Oceanic FIRs. For instance on an

aircraft flying a typical NAT from KJFK to EGKK will use SELCAL and HF

procedures with Gander Radio and Shanwick Radio. As a rule, all of the FIRs

with an "Oceanic" suffix are "radio" and it is a safe bet that they use HF and

SELCAL because they are out of line of sight and control only oceanic flights.

So, for instance, Gander Center will instruct the aircraft to contact Gander

Radio on HF radio frequency on xxxx.x or xxxxx.x

Once contact is made with Oceanic, make contact with airline call sign,

SELCAL code (i.e. AB-CD), Departure, Destination and registration number.

Oceanic will then read back and roger and then give the HF frequencies for

the route of flight which is typically a NAT or PAT. Oceanic will NOT hand off

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the aircraft as done over land therefore the pilot is responsible for changing

frequencies and advising the previous Oceanic that they are moving on.

During the time between changing frequencies, aircraft MUST contact Oceanic

during the following:

1 - Crossing a waypoint:

So it should sound like this

- Continental 50 Gander Radio, position report.

(series of beeps)

- Gander Radio Continental 50 go ahead

- Gander Radio Continental 50 at 20 North 30 West, FL 350, speed mach .83,

expect 50 North 30 West at 2351Z, 50 North 40 West next.

(series of beeps)

- Continental 50 Gander Radio (reads back), roger.

2 - If over 45 minutes since last contact and have not reached next waypoint.

3 - Changing flight level

4 - Deviating from flight path

This will all continue all the way across the pond until hitting Shanwick Radio,

where normal ATC will resume.

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12. DEFAULT HOTKEY DETAILS

12.1 How to use Hotkeys

The following default hotkeys are used to interact with PF3

Please remember you have to use Ctrl+Shift with each hotkey with the

exception of 0 thru 9, the PTT key and the H and L keys, as these only

require a single key press.

Eg. For Virtual C-Pilot mode use Ctrl+Shift+V but for initial check-in with

ATC you only need to use the ZERO key.

12.2 Hotkey Functionality Explained

12.2.1 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + E

Use this key to declare an emergency during your flight. ATC will then direct

you to the nearest emergency airport if you can't make it back to your

departure airport.

This procedure will also require you to use the C\S\Y and/or C\S\N hotkeys

(explained later in this section) to answer certain questions from ATC

Please see section 10. for full details on declaring an emergency.

12.2.2 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + =

You would use this key to ask ATC to 'Say Again' should you ever need them

to repeat their last instruction to you.

12.2.3 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + \

This key is used to 'Roger/Readback' a call from ATC.

This is the backslash key which you will find at the lower left of a UK

keyboard. If you have any problems using this key, as it does tend to cause

problems on some keyboards you can easily change the default setting to

something else you may prefer.

Please see section 7.1.14 for full details regarding changing the hotkey

defaults

12.2.4 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + C

This hotkey is used to toggle PF3's Closed Caption mode ON/OFF and can be

used at any time once you have connected to your flight sim

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12.2.5 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + D

This is a multi-functional hotkey, dependant on the current mode of your

flight.

Whilst on the ground this will toggle PF3’s AI ground traffic detection on/off.

It’s ON by default but if you ever find yourself in the situation where PF3

believes there is an aircraft in front of you, and therefore will not clear you for

takeoff, you can use this keying sequence to clear your way.

Once airborne this hotkey is used to request a ‘Direct to….’ a particular

waypoint in your flight plan.

Please see section 9.5 for full details on requesting 'Direct to...'

12.2.6 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + V

This hotkey is used to change the current Virtual Co-pilot mode during your

flight. Each time you use the key the VCP mode will change and a brief

message will be shown in the FS message window (or whatever message

window system you may be using) to show you which mode you have just

switched to.

For details regarding the actual VCP modes available and their usage please

see section 7.1.4

12.2.7 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + W

This is a multi-functional hotkey dependant on the current mode of your

flight.

When TGS is active (during your taxi to/from) the runway this hotkey

provides the means to skip the next taxi waypoint. This was primarily

provided for those rare occasions where you may find your first or subsequent

taxi waypoints are behind you. Use of this hotkey alleviates the problem of

having to do a 180 degree turn at the start of your taxi.

New in 3.22.0 - Previously, after receiving taxi instructions at your departure

airport, if you wished to request another runway you would first have to use

Hotkey #1 to deactivate TGS. With this new change all you have to do is use

C\S\W and provided you have not already started taxiing it will deactivate

TGS automatically and then proceed with the runway change selection. Once

you've commenced taxiing C\S\W will revert to bumping the next taxi

waypoint

At your departure airport, after ATC has told you which runway to taxi to, you

can use this hotkey to request another runway.

During the approach to your destination airport, immediately after ATC has

told you which runway to expect for landing, you can use this hotkey to

request an alternative runway.

During your flight this hotkey can be used to Warp your aircraft to any

waypoint in your flight plan. This is useful for those times when you don’t

want to fly a long haul trip in real time.

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12.2.8 Hotkey ‘H’

This key is used to request a higher altitude during your flight.

Press and hold the H key then press and release one of the top row numeric

keys (1 thru 9) to request a higher altitude. So if you are currently cruising at

25,000’ and wish to climb to 30,000’ you would press and hold down the H

key then press and release the number 5 key (top row) to request 30,000’

(eg. 25,000’ + 5 * 1,000’ = 30,000’)

You may also use the H or L key without pressing a numeric key to request to

to remain at your current altitude. This could be useful if you're having

difficulty climbing to the cleared altitude for some reason.

12.2.9 Hotkey ‘L’

This key is used to request a lower altitude during your flight.

Press and hold the L key then press and release one of the top row numeric

keys (1 thru 9) to request a lower altitude. So if you are currently cruising at

25,000’ and wish to descend to 22,000’ you would press and hold down the L

key then press and release the number 3 key (top row) to request 22,000’

(eg. 25,000 – 3 x 1,000’ = 22,000’

You may also use the H or L key without pressing a numeric key to request to

to remain at your current altitude. This could be useful if you're having

difficulty climbing to the cleared altitude for some reason.

12.2.10 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + Y

Indicates 'Yes' or 'Affirmative'

This key is used whenever you need to answer an ATC question or to confirm

you wish to choose a particular selection displayed in the FS message window

(or whatever message window system you may be using)

12.2.11 Hotkey Ctrl + Shift + N

Indicates 'No' or 'Negative'

This key is used whenever you need to answer an ATC question or to confirm

you do not wish to choose a particular selection displayed in the FS message

window (or whatever message window system you may be using)

12.2.12 Hotkey ESC

This key is used as your PTT (press to talk) switch when using a Voice

Recognition program alongside PF3. Basically it initiates a user configurable

number of seconds delay during which time you can talk to ATC without PF3

interrupting.

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12.2.13 Hotkey Ctrl+Shift+T

New to PF3 version 3.10 this key is used to toggle the new In-Sim Hotkey

display window between Current Hotkeys/Global Hotkeys/Off

12.2.14 Hotkey Ctrl+Shift+S

New to PF3 version 3.22.0 this key allows you to request an early descent

from ATC prior to reaching your TOD. However, this will only work if you have

reached your TOC and the altitude set in your flight plan for the waypoint

AFTER the one you're currently heading towards is less than that of the

current waypoint. There is also a 10% chance ATC will respond with 'Unable

at this time', otherwise you will be instructed to descend.

12.2.15 Hotkey '0' (zero)

A multifunctional key dependant on the ATC facility you're tuned to:-

Clearance

Used for initial check-in and to request clearances

Ground

Used for initial check-in and when you're ready to taxi

Tower

Used for initial check-in and when you're ready to taxi if there are no Ground

facilities at your airport.

Departure

Used to initially check-in or if flying VFR to request Flight Following

Center

Used to initially check-in or if flying VFR to request Flight Following

Approach

Used to initially check-in or if flying VFR to request Flight Following

FSS

Used to request they Open your flight plan

Multicom

used for initial check-in (not on the ground)

Unicom

Used for initial check-in (not on the ground)

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12.2.16 Hotkey ‘1’

A multifunctional key dependant on the ATC facility you're tuned to:-

Ground

If tuned to Ground Control and TGS is active this hotkey is used to turn TGS

off. Also, should you hit this key accidentally you may hit it again to toggle

TGS back on again, although if mid-way through your taxi you would then

have to use the Ctrl+Shift+W hotkey to skip those taxi waypoints you have

already passed because TGS will not play catch up.

Tower

If tuned to Tower, during the approach phase of your flight, this key is used

to initially check-in with the Tower controller for permission to land.

Control/Center and Approach

If tuned to Control Center or Approach this key is used to request a 'Cleared

to Finals...' approach. If accepted then ATC will Clear you to Finals on Pilot's

discretion which means you should now fly direct to the FAF and then make

contact with Tower once you are established on the ILS.

FSS

When tuned to an FSS frequency this hotkey is used to request they Close

your flight plan

Radar

When tuned to Radar Control this hotkey triggers handoff to Approach.

12.2.17 Hotkey ‘2’

A multifunctional key dependant on the ATC facility you're tuned to:-

Clearance

Use of this key sends an automatic request for an ACARS ATIS report for your

destination airport.

Ground

Use of this key sends an automatic request for an ACARS ATIS report for your

destination airport.

Tower

Used to Report Downwind

Departure

Use of this key sends an automatic request for an ACARS ATIS report for your

destination airport.

Center

Use of this key sends an automatic request for an ACARS ATIS report for your

destination airport.

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Approach

Request an instrument approach

FSS

Used to extend your ETA by 30 minutes

Multicom

Used to announce entering Downwind

Unicom

Used to announce entering Downwind

12.2.18 Hotkey '3'

A multifunctional key dependant on the ATC facility you're tuned to:-

Tower

Used to report turning Base

Departure

Request ATC assigned lower altitude

Center

Request ATC assigned lower altitude

Approach

Request ATC assigned lower altitude

FSS

Used to request weather advisories

Multicom

Used to announce turning Base

Unicom

Used to announce turning Base

12.2.19 Hotkey '4'

A multifunctional key dependant on which ATC facility you're tuned to:-

Tower

Used to report turning to Finals

Departure

Request ATC assigned higher altitude

Center

Request ATC assigned higher altitude

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Approach

Request ATC assigned higher altitude

FSS

Used to request the control center's frequency

Multicom

Used to announce turning to Finals

Unicom

Used to announce turning to Finals

12.2.20 Hotkey '5'

A multifunctional key dependant on the ATC facility you're tuned to:-

Ground

Used to announce you are clear of the runway and request taxi instructions

Tower

Used to request the option (touch 'n' go)

Departure

Request a specific lower altitude

Center

Request a specific lower altitude

Approach

Request a specific lower altitude

Multicom

Used to announce you are clear of the runway

Unicom

Used to announce you are clear of the runway

FSS

Used to request the Local Radar Control Frequency

12.2.21 Hotkey '6'

A multifunctional key dependant on the ATC facility you're tuned to:-

Ground

Used to request a radio check

Tower

Used to initially check in with Tower and request permission to takeoff

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Departure

Request a specific higher altitude

Center

Request a specific higher altitude

Approach

Request a specific higher altitude

FSS

Used to toggle your flight plan IFR/VFR

Multicom

Used to announce you are taking the runway

Unicom

Used to announce you are taking the runway

12.2.22 Hotkey '7'

A multifunctional key dependant on the ATC facility you're tuned to:-

Ground

Used to request the altimeter setting

Tower

Used to request field advisories

Departure

Used to request vectors

Center

Used to request vectors

Approach

Used to request vectors

FSS

Used to request airport advisories

Unicom

Used to request field advisories

12.2.23 Hotkey '8'

A multifunctional key dependant on the ATC facility you're tuned to:-

Ground

Used to toggle the Auto Taxi speed function (only when TGS is active)

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Tower

Used to report you are diverting to your alternate airport or pressed a second

time would cancel the diversion and revert to you landing at your original

destination.

Center

Used to report you're diverting to your alternate airport or pressed a second

time would cancel the diversion and revert to you landing at your original

destination. This key is also used to report airport in sight when relevant.

Approach

Used to report the airport is in sight

FSS

Used to amend your flight plan to land at the next available airport

Multicom

Used to announce you are leaving the area

Unicom

Used to announce you are departing the area

12.2.24 Hotkey '9'

This is a multifunctional key dependant on the ATC control facility you are

currently tuned to:-

Tower

Used to report a go-around/missed approach

Departure

Used to report your position

Center

Used to report your position

Approach

Used to report your position

FSS

Used to report your position

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13. REMOTE RADIO STACK PROGRAM

13.1 Overview

This program has nothing to do with PF3 and can even be used if PF3 is not

running. The idea for this came about when I expanded my flight sim system

by adding a TripleHead2Go, Project Magenta Software and several monitors. I

then found a need to be able to easily view/change my radios.

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The Remote Radio Stack program is supplied FREE with PF3 and can be found

in your PF3\PF3_Displayer folder. It can be installed on any pc and was

designed to be run on a client PC running the WideClient application from

WideFS.

Installation is simply copying the RemoteRadioStack.exe file to wherever

you wish to use it.

Just install It and run it... that's it!

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14. REMOTE TEXT PROGRAM

14.1 General

This FREE utility comes with PF3 and you will find it in your

...\PF3\PF3_Displayer folder.

This program is very much like the utility called Show Text by Rob van der

Wiele. However, developing our own utility allows us to add whatever features

we want and tailor it specifically for use with PF3. So, you will find

RemoteText has some additional PF3 specific added features.

RemoteText can only be used with PF3.

14.2 Installation

RemoteText can be installed on any PC which is on the same Network as PF3.

It does not require WideFS/WideClient. When you first run the program it will

ask you to enter the name or the IP address of the PC where PF3 is installed.

To ensure RemoteText functions correctly you will also have to turn Closed

Captions ON in the main Options #1 page of PF3.

Also, you need to activate RemoteText in PF3. To do this please see section

7.1.26

That's it!

14.3 Features

Here's a few of the available features. The main noticeable change is there is

no limit to the amount of text (within reason) you can have displayed., unlike

Show Text which was limited to the FSUIPC buffer of about 128 characters,

which is why long messages (or ATIS) had to be displayed on two of more

cycles.

With RemoteText you can:-

• Move and resize the window in the normal way

• Use Shift + arrow keys for minor movement

• Use Ctrl+Arrow keys for minor resizing

• You can change the main font

• You can change the text colour and background colour

• You can toggle the window border off/on

• You can add highlighted text/background colours which are displayed

only when ATC are talking to you

• You can show all ATC COMs or only show ATC COMs between you and

ATC

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• You can choose to suppress your COMs and only show ATC COMs.

For instance, you may decide you don't want to see closed caption text from

ATC when they are talking to other aircraft, or you may decide to see all ATC

chatter but then have the display suddenly change from green on black to

yellow on red to signify the message is for you (so pay attention).

Other options allow you to select that the last message from ATC to you

remains on the display until removed by another message. You can also

configure how many seconds to allow any other messages to remain

displayed.

Obviously this utility is only of use to those running more than one PC

although it could be used on a second monitor connected to your FS PC.

New to 3.8 – PF3 now supports the use of two instances of RemoteText on

the same network. All you need to do is ensure each instance uses it's own

unique Socket Port Number. This is configured in the Advanced Options and

INI File Tweaks. Please see section 7.1.26 Advanced Options and INI File

Tweaks for more details on configuring RemoteText

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15. TGS GAUGE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM

15.1 Overview

Personally I have always found the original TGS Gauge a little temperamental,

whilst others use it extensively without issue... enter the standalone TGS

Display.

15.2 The Program

The TGS Display is ideally suited when running more than one pc or multiple

monitors. It is a stand-alone program and therefore can be run on any pc

provided you have WideFS/WideClient installed if running on a client.

It does not have to run on the same PC as FS nor PF3.... it is stand-alone!

The display can be resized to suit your own particular requirements and mine

sits nicely beside the Project Magenta MCP on a client pc.

Install it wherever you want.

You'll find this new program in the TGS_Gauge folder after installing PF3 and

is named TGS_Display.exe

Oh yes, this display also shows a little more than our original gauge.

If you start TGS Display when PF3 or FS are not running it will look like this

The red bar at the bottom is in fact a dual indicator. The left half will show red

when not connected to PF3, it will show amber when connected but in idle

mode and green when connected and working. The right half will show red

when PF3 is not running and therefore the display utility is unable to link via

the TCP/IP port. It will show green when PF3 is running and the TCP link has

been enabled between the two programs.

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The following shows we're still connected but the taxi guidance is complete, or

not yet begun, so TGS Display is in an idle state. A bit like me most of the

time!

The following shows PF3 Display is connected and the TCP port is enabled.

Above the little aircraft symbol is the name of the taxiway you are actually on

or about to turn onto, in the above display you would be on Echo 3 after

leaving taxiway Bravo, as shown by the indicator below the aircraft symbol.

The green dot shows the relative direction to your next taxi waypoint and the

red dot indicates the relative direction to the waypoint following the one you

are currently heading toward. This provides the info you need so there are no

sudden surprises to suddenly turn left/right. As in your actual flight plan,

taxiing is all about forward planning.

You can also configure the display to show when you're braking or have the

parking brakes set on... rather than the annoying red/white signs displayed in

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FSX and earlier. To use this feature, after you've run the TGS Display at least

once, open the TGS_Display.INI file and add...

ShowBrakes=1

...to the [CONFIG] section. Once configured you will see BR for Brakes and

PB for Parking Brakes displayed at the top left/right of the display when

brakes are applied. There are of course files available for download which

enable you to turn the FS message for brakes off.

That's it, you don't have to do anything else, other than remove the TGS

gauge from your panel.cfg files should you decide to use this replacement.

PF3 is configured to interact with TGS in exactly the same way as it did for

the original TGS gauge. This is basically a replacement so nothing else

changes.

For fine tuning the position and size of the TGS Display you can use Shift +

Arrow Keys to move it and Ctrl + Arrow Keys to resize it.

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16. PF3 DISPLAY UTILITY PROGRAM

16.1 General

This little program will display all the relevant PF3 hotkey commands

dependant on which ATC facility you are currently tuned to (eg. Ground,

Tower, etc). The utility will probably be more useful to those users running

more than one pc or multiple monitors, but it can also be used on a single pc

running FS/PF3, but if you're running FS in full screen mode you won't see it!

The display utility will be found in your ...\PF3\PF3_Displayer folder. Inside

this new folder you will see two files. One named PF3_Display.exe and one

named PF3_Disp.dat

To run PF3_Display simply double-click on it.

You may run this utility from any client PC and you don't need WideFS to do

so. When first running it you will be asked to enter the IP Address or

Computer name of the PC where PF3 will be running. If you're unsure about

IP Addresses or indeed how to find the name of your PC then all is not lost. If

you go to your PF3 folder you should find a small text file named

ComputerName.txt. Open it with Notepad and you'll see the name of you

computer. Enter that when prompted by PF3 and bingo, everything should

now work. You can run it from any folder provided you copy the PF3_Disp.dat

file over with the main PF3_Display.exe program.

PLEASE NOTE

A great alternative to this utility is the PF3 WEB Display program.

You'll find it installed into the following location:

…\PF3\PF3_Displayer\PF3_WEB_Display

You will also find all the necessary documentation on how to use this

great addition to PF3.

This program was written by my co-developer Martin Cockerell. It even works

in VR when using MSFX. Please check it out.

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16.2 The Program

After you run it you should see the following:-

As you can see the main screen is split into two main sections. The top half

shows those general keys which remain unchanged throughout your flight,

whereas the lower section is reserved for those hotkeys that changed

dependant on the facility you are currently tuned to. In the example below

you will notice two small red lights, one either side of the ‘exit’ button, these

indicate that the PF3_Display program has not yet made a connection with

PF3.

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Once PF3 is running and has actually 'connected' to your flight simulator

these indicator lights will turn green.

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The next change you will notice is when you tune the FS COM radio to an

active ATC facility. In the following example we've tuned to Ground Control:-

As you can see the lower section of the display now shows those keys which

are active when tuned to Ground control and what each of them is used for.

For contacting Ground control there are 7 active PF3 hotkeys. When you tune

to other ATC facilities this will change accordingly.

At the bottom of the display you will see some additional data:-

When you first start the program (and PF3) there will be no additional data

next to each of the labels. However, as your flight progresses so will the

information displayed in this area.

Last WP – will show the ICAO of the last waypoint in your flight plan

Next WP – will show the next waypoint in your flight plan

Ctrl Freq – selecting this label (left or right click) will popup a window

showing all the Control Center frequencies you will be handed off as your

flight progresses (assuming IFR). If you click inside this popup window the

display will toggle between showing Control Center frequencies and Radar

Control frequencies, the later being used for VFR flight (much more about

those later)

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nnn Freq - will show the frequency for the facility you are either currently

tuned to or should be tuned to and the label name (nnn) will change

accordingly. eg. Twr Freq, Grd Freq, etc.

Dept Freq – Nothing is actually displayed against this label at anytime during

your flight. However, if you right-click or left-click on the label you will be

presented with a small popup window showing all the relevant frequencies for

your departure airport.

Dest Freq – Nothing is actually displayed against this label at anytime during

your flight. However, if you right-click or left-click on the label you will be

presented with a small popup window showing all the relevant frequencies for

your destination airport.

16.3 Customising the Data File

If you have chosen to change any of your PF3 default hotkeys for different

keying sequences you will notice that the PF3 display utility does not reflect

those changes. However, it is fairly simply to change this display by editing

the PF3_Disp.dat file.

The default content of this file is shown in section 16.3.2 below

16.3.1 Changing the Data file

Let’s imagine you have changed the default hotkey #1 to use the Z. I know, I

know, highly unlikely, but this is just an example to show you what to change

in the file and what not to change.

For all those places where the hotkey #1 is shown (i.e. all facilities except

Clearance) you would need to change the ‘1’ to a ‘Z’

The line  Ground,1,Deactivate/Reactivate toggle for TGS

Would become  Ground,Z,Deactivate/Reactivate toggle for TGS

The line  FSS,1,Request to Close Flight Plan

Would become  FSS,Z,Request to Close Flight Plan

..and so on.

Remember, if you add the wrong character it will make no difference to PF3,

this is purely for display purposes only and nothing else.

Important Note:

There are two comma characters on each of the (facility) data lines within this

file and they must NOT be removed or moved. They delimit the hotkey from

the facility name and hotkey description.

If you change the hotkey usage do NOT… and I repeat DO NOT include any

comma characters within the description. If you do the PF3 Display utility will

simply not work, as it will not be able to read the data file correctly.

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16.3.2 Data File Content (default)

Please Note: Do NOT change anything marked in RED

Header:PF3 Default settings require you to use the Ctrl+Shift+ Hotkey combination, together

with one of the keys listed below, EXCEPT for keys 0 thru 9, the PTT key or the H and L keys,

which only require a single keypress. Eg. For VCP mode use Ctrl+Shift+V but for Initial Check-In

you only need to use the Zero key.

ALL,E,Declare an Emergency

ALL,=,Say Again / Repeat

ALL,\,Roger / Readback

ALL,C,Toggle Closed Caption mode ON/OFF

ALL,D,Toggle AI ground traffic detection on/off (default is ON) / Request Direct to... (all other

times)

ALL,V,Virtual Co-Pilot Mode - 4 Modes OFF - COMM - COMM PLUS - P.I.C.

ALL,W,Skip to next taxi waypoint when TGS is active (or) Warp to selected waypoint during flight

(or) Request another runway for takeoff/landing

ALL,H,Plus one of the number keys (top row) 1 to 9 to request a higher altitude

ALL,L,Plus one of the number keys (top row) 1 to 9 to request a lower altitude

ALL,Y,Positive answer (Yes)

ALL,N,Negative answer (No)

ALL,ESC,This is your PTT switch, used to initiate a pause in PF3 when using Voice Recognition

ALL,T,Toggle the Hotkeys window between Active Hotkeys/Global Hotkeys/Off

Clearance,0,Initial Check-in... request CLEARANCE

Clearance,2,Request ACARS ATIS for your destination

Clearance,3,Request ACARS Local Frequencies

Ground,0,Initial Check-in... ready to TAXI to RUNWAY / Request to Continue Taxi

Ground,1,Deactivate/Reactivate toggle for TGS

Ground,2,Request ACARS ATIS for your destination

Ground,3,Request ACARS Local Frequencies

Ground,5,Clear of the runway... request TAXI to TERMINAL

Ground,6,Request Radio Check

Ground,7,Request Altimeter Setting

Ground,8,Toggle Auto Taxi Speed On/Off when TGS is active

FSS,0,Request to Open Flight Plan / Obtain IFR clearance from uncontrolled airport

FSS,1,Request to Close Flight Plan

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FSS,2,Extend ETA by 30 minutes

FSS,3,Request Weather Advisories

FSS,4,Request Departure or Center Frequency

FSS,5,Request Local Radar Control Frequency

FSS,6,Change Flight Plan to IFR/VFR (toggle)

FSS,7,Request Airport Advisories

FSS,8,Amend Flight Plan to land at next available airport

FSS,9,Report Position

Multicom,0,Initial Check-in (in the air only)

Multicom,2,Announce entering DOWNWIND

Multicom,3,Announce turning BASE

Multicom,4,Announce turning FINAL

Multicom,5,Announce CLEAR of the RUNWAY

Multicom,6,Announce TAKING the RUNWAY

Multicom,8,Announce DEPARTING the AREA

Unicom,0,Initial Check-in (in the air only)

Unicom,2,Announce entering DOWNWIND

Unicom,3,Announce turning BASE

Unicom,4,Announce turning FINAL

Unicom,5,Announce CLEAR of the RUNWAY

Unicom,6,Announce TAKING the RUNWAY

Unicom,7,Request Field Advisories

Unicom,8,Announce DEPARTING the AREA

Tower,0,Initial Check-in... ready to TAXI to RUNWAY / Request to continue taxi

Tower,1,Initial Check-in for LANDING

Tower,2,Report entering DOWNWIND

Tower,3,Report turning BASE

Tower,4,Report turning FINAL

Tower,5,Request the Option (Touch 'n Go)/Clear of the runway... request Taxi to Terminal

Tower,6,Initial Check-in... ready for TAKEOFF

Tower,7,Request Field Advisories

Tower,8,Report going to ALTERNATE Airport

Tower,9,Report Go-Around/Missed-Approach

Tower,W,Request other Runway

Tower,N,Show another Runway

Tower,Y,Accept that Runway

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Departure,0,Initial Check-in (if VFR request Flight Following)

Departure,1,Request Cleared To Final At Pilot's Discretion/Trigger handoff to Approach (VFR Free

Flight only)

Departure,2,Request ACARS ATIS for your destination

Departure,3,Request lower altitude due to clouds

Departure,4,Request higher altitude due to clouds

Departure,5,Request lower altitude due to turbulence

Departure,6,Request higher altitude due to turbulence

Departure,7,Request vectors

Departure,9,Report position

Center,0,Initial Check-in (if VFR request Flight Following) *** Please note, this is the only key

available during Oceanic Flights and is used for checking in and position reports

Center,1,Request Cleared To Final At Pilot's Discretion

Center,2,Request ACARS ATIS for your destination

Center,3,Request lower altitude due to clouds

Center,4,Request higher altitude due to clouds

Center,5,Request lower altitude due to turbulence

Center,6,Request higher altitude due to turbulence

Center,7,Request vectors

Center,8,Toggle/Amend Flight Plan to land at Alternate/Origin (or) Report airport in sight

Center,9,Report position

Approach,0,Initial Check-in (if VFR request Flight Following)

Approach,1,Request Cleared To Final At Pilot's Discretion

Approach,2,Request an instrument approach

Approach,3,Request lower altitude due to clouds

Approach,4,Request higher altitude due to clouds

Approach,5,Request lower altitude due to turbulence

Approach,6,Request higher altitude due to turbulence

Approach,7,Request vectors

Approach,8,Report airport in sight

Approach,9,Report position

Radar,0,Initial Check-in (if VFR request Flight Following)

Radar,1,Trigger handoff to Approach (VFR Free Flight only)

Radar,2,Request ACARS ATIS for your destination

Radar,7,Request vectors

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Radar,8,Amend Flight Plan to land at Alternate (or) Report airport in sight

Radar,9,Report position

------DO NOT CHANGE OR INSERT ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE------

[Config]

Version=8

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17. WHICH MESSAGE WINDOW TO USE?

17.1 What we recommend

To get the best possible message display from PF3 we recommend you use

our new In-Sim Captions window if using P3D or MSFS. For FS9 and FSX

users we recommend our FREE RemoteText program, which is included in

the PF3 installation and installed in the PF3_Displayer folder. However, this

does ideally require it to be running on another PC or at the very least using a

second monitor and we are aware that not all users would have such a setup.

17.2 Setting up RemoteText

Please see section 14 for full details regarding RemoteText.

17.3 Setting up the FSUIPC Message Window

If you only have the one PC, or simply don't wish to use RemoteText, please

see the following instructions on setting up the FSUIPC message window as

an alternative.

From your FS Add-ons menu select FSUIPC and then from the main FSUIPC

display page......

1. Select 'FSUIPC Multi-line Display Window’.

2. Deselect 'Hide all Single line messages'.

3. I also select the Misc. options tab and then select 'Scrolling

message to be in white' (but that's my own preference).

For more detailed information we recommend you check out the

documentation included with FSUIPC.

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18. USING VR SOFTWARE WITH PF3

18.1 Overview

There are no restrictions as to which Voice Recognition software you use with

PF3 and to the best of our knowledge there are no major compatibility issues

with any of them.

18.2 Setting up PF3

This section is aimed directly at how you must setup PF3 in order to use it

alongside voice recognition software. We neither have the time or knowledge

to describe how you should configure your VR program.

There are two methods you can use when using VR and each one requires a

slight different setup.

18.2.1 Using VR for all ATC communications

The first thing you need to do is go to the Main Menu Options #1 page and

select 'None' for the Pilot's voice. You will find further details on how to do

this in section 7.1.3 which you may already have read.

Next you need to select VCP mode 1, or even turn it off completely. Again you

will find details about this in section 7.1.4

The you have to activate the hotkey you will use as your PTT switch, the

default key is not activated when you first install PF3

Finally you have to set the PTT 'pause' interval on the Options #1 to a value

greater than zero.

When using VR to communicate with VR you need to press the PTT hotkey to

ensure PF3 waits X number of seconds to give you chance to speak directly

to ATC via your VR program.

18.2.2 Switching between using VR and your VCP for ATC communication

Unlike the previous method with this one you should not set the pilots voice

to None and if you do this method simply doesn't work. So please ensure you

have a pilots voice selected on the Options #1 page.

Next you must set your VCP mode to either 0 (zero) or 1. Again if you don't

this method will not work

From the Options #1 page please set your PTT pause interval to a value

greater than zero. You might have to experiment with the value used here.

Select the Auto Mute option which you will find on the Options #1 page just to

the right of the VCP mode selection options.

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Now, if you want to speak to ATC directly you should hit the PTT key followed

immediately after with the relevant ATC communications hotkey. You will not

hear your VCP talking to ATC provided you complete the keying sequence

before the PTT pause interval expires.

If you then decide you would like your VCP to chat with ATC you simply use

the relevant hotkey without using the PTT key, in which case you will hear

your VCP chatting to ATC

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19. TIME TO FLY

19.1 The PF3 Quick-Start Tutorial

Start your flight simulator, create a flight plan and place your aircraft at the

departure airport.

Start PF3, select Options #1 from the main menu and then set your CP Mode

to 3.This will tell your VCP to handle all frequency changes, COMs and adjust

the AP accordingly on ATC instructions and is by far the easiest way to get

used to the way PF3 works, without having to worry too much about the fine

detail.

Select Close to return to the main menu and then, assuming you have

previously read this user guide and configured PF3 to your liking, click the

Select a Flight Plan button and... yeah, you guessed it... select the flight plan

you've just created.

We won't go into adjusting waypoint altitudes during this quick-start tutorial

but you can read how to do that in section 7.1.29 at a later date.

Now select Connect to FS

You should see a couple of messages displayed on whichever message

window you chose to use.

Shortly after connecting to FS you will see a window popup showing all the

active facility frequencies available at your departure airport.

Dial in the frequency for Clearance (or Ground/Tower if not Clearance is not

available) then hit the default hotkey #0

You will now hear your VCP making initial contact with ATC and their

subsequent reply and instructions. Your VCP, as mentioned before, will handle

all COMs, etc., and you will shortly be handed off to Ground control and

receive your taxi instructions to the active runway.

Once cleared to taxi you should proceed to the runway as instructed. If you've

configured PF3's TGS system then you will hear your VCP guiding you along

each taxi way to the runway, much the same as your in-car navigation

system.

As you approach the runway you will be handed off to Tower control and your

VCP will then request permission to depart.

Shortly after takeoff you will be handed off to Departure control and will then

be given further instructions as they guide you away from the airport and

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toward your first waypoint. At some point you will be told you can 'Resume

own navigation' and at that point it is your responsibility to fly the correct

route according to your flight plan. It is not within the scope of this document

to tell you how to do this but you could use your FMC or GPS to handle

directional flight and let your VCP handle any altitude changes given by ATC

via your aircraft's auto-pilot. Suffice to say, PF3 does expect you to navigate

to each waypoint in your flight plan and you should certainly get to within a

couple of miles of each one before turning to the next.

Once you've reached your TOD ATC will start you on your descent. Eventually,

as you descend below the current Control Center's altitude you will be handed

off to Approach control. They will then vector you to your destination airport

and the active runway's FAF. Shortly after reaching the FAF you will be

handed off to Tower and hopefully then given permission to land.

Once on the ground Tower will tell you which direction to exit the runway (left

or right) and will then monitor your aircraft and wait until you are clear of the

active before handing you off to Ground control.

Ground control will give you taxi instructions to your assigned gate and the

TGS system will kick in again and you should then taxi to your assigned gate.

On arrival at the gate simply apply your parking brakes and PF3 interaction

will be complete.

So that’s about it… but we have only scratched the surface here and of course

using PF3 in this VCP mode makes your life a lot easier. If you later decide to

action all ATC communications yourself you will have to remember to listen

out to all ATC instructions to ensure you don’t miss one meant for you. Also

you will have to get used to Rogering all communications from ATC. It’s also

worth pointing out here that just as in the real world you should not expect

an instant response from ATC… they are busy guys (and gals) and have more

to worry about than just you!

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20. HINTS AND TIPS

This section is where we try to explain how you do certain things in PF3.

Please note: Screen shots in these sections may look different than those in

the rest of the user guide, due to the author's personal choice of program

skin.

The first two sections (20.1 and 20.2) explain how to get the very best out of

PF3 by Nicholas Weber and covers flight planning and executing Holding

patterns. Nicholas was on the beta team for many years and was also an

Examiner for ENAC, The Italian Aviation Authority. Sadly Nicholas passed

away.

Section 20.5 was written by Daniel Katz, one of our longest serving Beta

testers and provides an insight into using SIDs and STARs in PF3.

20.1 Executing a Flight Plan

Whilst PF3 does an amazing job in providing a workable solution to any flight

plan thrown at it, it may not always be the best or the one that you are

looking for if the intention is to simulate a real life flight plan as closely as

possible. So, here are some tips and recommendations for you to achieve that

goal and get the best out of PF3.

Obviously the first step is to create an IFR flight plan from a good flight

planner or within FS9, FSX or P3D. A major enhancement in PF3 is its ability

to allow inclusion of a SID within the actual flight plan used for aircraft

navigation. So lets look at what PF3 is actually capable of.

This following shows the ROKIB 6J Departure from LIPZ Venezia Tessera.

As you can see it consists of tight turns and PF3 will actually vector you if

you wish. Something that was not possible at all in PFE. That said outside of

N. America all SIDs are flown by the aircraft and ATC rarely if ever vector

you.

Some of the waypoints will not be in the sim database but for FS9 one can

download 'Facility Editor' from the Avsim library:

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http://library.avsim.net/search.php?

SearchTerm=facility+editor&CatID=root&Go=Search

You will see that it’s a relatively easy SID in that there are few constraints. All

the altitude constraints being at or above. So all you need to worry about is

your aircraft’s performance. In other words “Just how quickly can I get up to

FL140?”

This SID is in fact the first segment of a flight plan from Venezia to Innsbruck

LOWI. The entry STAR from Italian airspace at Innsbruck, BRENO 2A allows

for a change in wind direction (common in the Alpine valleys) giving the crew

the option to go for RWY 26 or circle to land RWY 08.

So in fact PF3 will accept a flight plan that includes a SID and a STAR as

integral parts. The only drawback currently is for flight plans that terminate in

areas that have high terrain as it is sometimes required to have waypoints

after the end of STAR waypoint. Therefore in these isolated cases it may be

necessary to create an additional flight plan for aircraft navigation as well.

That said PF3 still knows where you are and will issue the correct

instructions.

The entire flight PF3 plan for LIPZ to LOWI is thus:-

LIPZ–>PZ488–>PZ412–>D112I–>PZ492–>PZ493–>PZ484–>ARLUK–

>ROKIB–>GIKEB–EKPEB–>BRENO–>INN–>RTT–>RTT–>LOWI.

The aircraft navigation flight plan however, is thus:-

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LIPZ–>PZ488–>PZ412–>D112I–>PZ492–>PZ493–>PZ484–>ARLUK–

>ROKIB–>GIKEB–EKPEB–>BRENO–>INN–>RTT–>RTT–>AB–>INN–>LOJV8–

>LOWI.

The occurrence of RTT twice is because it is a published hold and if selected

PF3 will not only hold you there but will step down your altitude within the

hold as well! More on that later though when we examine how this flight plan

and others will look in PF3.

Now that the flight plan has been saved the next recommended step is to set-

up your aircraft profile. How to do this is documented in the User Manual, but

a key element is the Approach Speed setting. If

you do nothing PF3 takes the flaps-up stall speed

from the aircraft.cfg file. Changing the approach

speed in this profile box overrides that setting,

however. So why is it necessary? You will almost

always find in the aircraft flight/technical manual

recommendations for approach speed optima

depending on weight etc. These settings are fine

for an aircraft landing without ATC control or for

example at a military base. But for well frequented

civil airports the practice is quite different and PF3

will reflect that very well too. ATC at active civil

airports don’t surprisingly carry a pile of aircraft manuals so that they can

advise optimum speeds for each landing aircraft. Their main concern is safe

separation and wake turbulence. Most jet transports with the exception of

Concorde will have similar flight envelopes at low speeds. Some slightly better

than others. However they are all capable of safe flying speeds between

200kts and Vat+5.

ATC’s aim is to get as many aircraft down as safely and as quickly as possible.

So the slower you fly the closer you can be to other aircraft. There are three

stages; firstly to get you to reduce your speed from that of the STAR to one

that safely establishes you on the localiser without swanning all over the

landscape! This is typically 180kts. The second step is to reduce your speed to

safely capture the glide slope and this is typically 160kts. Which is what you

can see in the profile illustrated above. An aircraft landing at max auw

however might ask for a higher speed of 170kts as an extra safety margin

especially in windy conditions. The third phase - not advised by ATC - is your

own speed reduction in order to be at Vat+5/10/15 by screen height. This

phase is your personal responsibility. And in the real world ATC would likely

say '[Callsign] reduce speed to 160 to 6DME'. Thus giving you 6nm to slow

your aircraft down for landing. So my suggestion is to try this out as it is very

much real world practice. If you are flying a turbo-prop then take 10-15kts

off. If you are flying Concorde then set 190kts. If you are flying a piston

engine aircraft then these speed reductions don’t apply. Except in a real word

situation ATC would ask you to fly as fast as you can. This happened to me

many years ago when flying a TB into London Gatwick. I had to fly the glide-

slope at full throttle with a marked nose down attitude in order to descend. It

was quite interesting!

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The next step before getting PF3 to generate its flight plan is to check the

setting for the FAF/FAP height and distance. Which can be changed in the

“Advanced Options and INI file tweaks” selected by <Options #2>. Note that

the FAF/FAP height can also be changed in the SID/STARS page for the

specified airport ICAO code. These entries will override the setting on the

tweaks page. The FAF/FAP distance however can only be changed on the

tweaks page.

The setting for FAF distance is critical in that it

tells PF3 when to issue speed reduction calls.

So this needs to be checked and if necessary

changed to suite your destination.

PF3 calculates the FAF/FAP from the outer

marker or from the rwy threshold if there is no

OM shown on the AFCAD/ADE. It then

measures your distance from this point and

issues speed calls accordingly. The example shown on the left is the setting

for LIMF Torino Caselle. The airport has an elevation of 1,000ft and a glide

slope angle of 3deg. So the FAF/FAP altitude is set to 4,000ft. As far as the

FAF/FAP altitude goes I could just as easily set this in the SID/STAR page for

LIMF which would as has already been pointed out override any value input

here. But the FAF distance can only be set on this page. The LIMF OM is at

3.74nm so bearing in mind that a 3dg glide slope intersects a height of

3,000ft at 10miles, I need to add 6nm to the OM distance. Plus one i.e. 7,

gives me time to slow down before actual glide slope capture. At EGLL London

Heathrow the FAF distance would be between 5 and 8 depending on whether

the afcad shows an OM (my afcad doesn’t). Because the FAF/FAP altitude

would be 2,500ft QNH.

It’s important to remember that PF3 adds the value entered in the FAF box

on the tweaks page to the airport elevation for “safety” reasons. This figure

however, is overridden by the FAF/FAP value entered in the SID/STAR page

of the relevant airport. So the value entered on the SID/STAR page should

coincide with the altitude given on the relevant charts. Keep in mind that

altitude=QNH=above sea level. Not height, which equals above ground.

The final step before getting PF3 to generate its FPL profile is to tell it what

SIDs and STARs we want to use and then activate them. So click on the

SIDs /STARs button on PF3’s main panel. Then enter the ICAO code for the

departure airport.

From your charts choose the transition

altitude and FAF/FAP minimum altitude and

select them by pressing the up/down arrows.

In this case the numbers have been

converted from metres to feet for PF3. The

minimum FAF shown here overrides that on

PF3’s tweaks page and is the altitude the

PF3 controller on duty will descend you to at the end of the STAR approach.

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Next, enter the SID name with a maximum of 7 characters with no spaces

followed by the SID altitude ceiling.

Finally

check the SIDs active box

For the STAR it is exactly the same process:-

Enter the name of the STAR and the missed approach altitude that the

controller will send you to.

Not forgetting to check the STARs active box!

So, we’ve created a flight plan file ready for PF3, checked our final approach

speed set our FAF/FAP distance and altitude and set-up our STARs and SIDs

in the relevant SID STAR pages. Accordingly, we’re ready now for PF3 to

generate its flight plan profile. Unfortunately PF3 won’t tell us automatically

what it’s done so we have to open the “Adjust Altitudes, SIDs STARs and

Holds” anyway to see what has been generated by PF3. Now you can see

why the previous steps were necessary as PF3's flight plan generation is in

fact the final step not the first!

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Let’s look at some examples and I’ll show you how to refine them in order to

get a super accurate flight profile. Let’s start with the flight plan from the

beginning:-

LIPZ -> LOWI

Oh No!  I don’t want to fly to FL240

within 3 miles after take-off! Don’t worry

you won’t. PF3 will step climb you nicely.

However you can of course override these

values as I’ll show you in a later example.

In this FPL these values are also overridden

by the insertion of “DP” and the selection of

the ROKIB 6J SID. Note that I have not

placed it against ROKIB in spite of ROKIB

being the end of the ROKIB 6J SID. Why

not? Because DP is actually the point where

I expect to be already at FL140 as

permitted by the SID. The values from

EKPEB are the same as the new ones because they were previous

adjustments that PF3 remembered. Waypoint 13 xxx is the boundary

between Italian and Austrian airspace.

“ST” is the start of the BRENO 2A STAR which is at FL140 so you can see I

have told PF3 to step down to FL200 at the previous waypoint. Note that

BRENO 2A takes me all the way to Rattenburg after having descended to

FL120.

At RTT I have a problem in that I am now at

FL120 but must turn round to intercept the localiser for RWY26 at FL95 or

9,500 QNH. So this is why I have entered RTT twice in the FPL. You can see in

this instance I have elected to hold at RTT. So PF3 will first tell me to hold

(Note that it is a published hold and not a discretionary hold so ATC will only

tell me to “hold at Romeo Tango Tango” giving me a speed limit and expected

release time) and then tell me to descend to 9,500ft. If I don’t elect to hold,

PF3 will nonetheless tell me to descend once I have reached RTT. Remember

in this instance because RTT is a hold I still have to execute the correct

procedural turns within its boundaries to get back to the localiser intercept

heading. If I wanted to fly to rwy08 I could have chosen BRENO 2B. But if

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there’s a runway change it’s a long flight from Kühtai to Rattenburg and then

back to Innsbruck. By the way, if you fly to Innsbruck in a 737 or Airbus or

equivalent sized aircraft, remember that you should fly with gear down and

flaps all the way from RTT and then full flaps before Absam. This is the

current airline practice. The difficulty is not surprisingly the circle to land

approach for RWY08, but it is in fact the missed approach procedure. So if

you are not capable of a full power 210 degree climbing turn at no more than

155kts executed within a radius of 1,700 metres then you are prohibited from

flying into Innsbruck.

ZJSY-> VHHX

Here’s a nice easy flight plan with a

popular destination. Departing from

Sanya, Hainan Island in China. The

flight time is about one and a half

hours including the holding time. The

main difference between this and the

previous flight plan is the constraint at

AL. I must fly to 2,000 metres and

wait for ATC clearance (PF3 doesn’t

do it yet, but it is on the wish list for

Russian, Chinese and associated state

ATCs to give altitudes in metres). Tip—at 2,600ft after take-off from rwy 08

go direct to waypoint 3. Set your FAF Distance to 14 and in the SID/STAR

page for VHHX set your FAF/FAP altitude to 4,500. Also make sure you check

that the METAR for VHHH has wind bearings of not less than 050deg and not

greater than 210deg otherwise rwy 31 will be in use. As an alternative set the

winds in the sim to 135deg 10 kts. A point to remember and why you must

set your FAF/FAP altitude to 4,500, is that once released from the holding

pattern at Cheung Chou ATC will clear you down to that altitude which is the

published figure for the Kai Tak IGS approach.

Here is an insanely short IFR flight

plan, but if the weather’s bad

necessary all the same. This FPL was

not possible in the old PFE! In the

SID/STAR page for LIMZ the

transition alt is 6,000, minimum FAF

is 4,000 and the SID for both rwy

03/21 is TOP7Q at 4,000ft. For LIMF set the same trans alt and FAF. The

STAR is VEROB1A. Check that the FAF distance in PF3’s Tweaks page is set

to 7.

If the weather’s bad go to your alternate! Yes, PF3 will vector you there!!

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This is the first part of a FPL from EGKK to LIMF. The routing has changed

since this was done. However this is an example of an altitude constraint all

the way to BOGNA. This is the BOGNA 1M SID and you can see I am

constrained to 6,000ft unless ATC release me, which PF3 may do too!

20.2 Holding Patterns

First let’s start by saying that there is already a lot of information regarding

how to fly holding patterns available on the Web. So, this review is just to

help you with the salient points in relation to PF3.

[Callsign] hold East on the 105 radial inbound to Mike Alpha Uniform maintain

Flight Level 195 expect Clearance at 50'

“What the 6th letter expletive deleted!” is the kind of comment one would expect

from most simmers who are not experienced pilots. To them it may as well be

a message from Mars. Well, this is how it was in PFE, and is an example of a

“Discretionary Hold”. Whereby ATC can hold you here, there or anywhere at

‘their’ pleasure, (though not yours). But, as a qualified pilot you must be

familiar with this method. Having said that, the majority of holding patterns

are published as part of a STAR, final approach or missed approach. So the

ATC instructions will therefore be much more understandable and clearer.

Whenever PFE issued a discretionary hold instruction, actually being held at a

published hold was as rare as a hen’s tooth. So rather pointless, seeing as the

majority of holding patterns are published. This has now been addressed in

PF3 with the added bonus being that the ATC instruction is also now simpler

and clearer.

“So, what do ‘I’ have to do?” you may ask. Well, you could, as has been

suggested in the User Manual just swan around for a bit until ATC release

you. That though is not such a good idea because in the process you will

almost certainly loose situational awareness and at the very least be at totally

the wrong heading or position to continue safely.

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Let’s then have a look at a typical published hold:-

Well, this is at least a start. It does contain important information, i.e. the

direction of flight, for how long and to what facility it is attached. In both

these cases the facility is a VOR. Holds can be at facilities such as VORs or

NDBs but also they can be at GPS fixes. Currently though PF3 only allows

holds at VORs and NDBs. Note also in this example that both holding patterns

contain the phrase ‘1min’. This is an instruction to fly one minute legs for both

the inbound leg going towards the facility and the outbound leg going away.

Don’t worry about 1½ minute legs. Because PF3 will only activate a hold at or

below 10,000ft.

To help pilots, holds are constructed out of set components. Imaginary Lego if

you like. Though some of these components can be varied. Which we’ll see a

little later on. The basic components are: an entry procedure, inbound leg,

outbound leg, procedural turns to and from the inbound leg, and an exit

point.

20.2.1 Entry Procedures

There are three types of entry procedure depending on the direction of your

approach to the holding pattern and whether it has left or right turns.

Parallel Teardrop Direct

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You can if you wish sit down and calculate which entry procedure might apply

to the hold that you are expecting. But it is much quicker to use a pattern

computer as I have done above. This one is a free download and can be found

here at:

http://www.flightutilities.com/HPC.aspx

Play around with it and you’ll begin to see how it’s done. In addition it is

useful also to have a pattern computer that also calculates the wind drift and

turn rate. For this I use adacalc.exe from here:

http://www.aero.sors.fr/adacalc.html

This will allow you to fly very accurate holds.

20.2.2 Inbound Leg

In a totally windless situation your heading and bearing will be the same and

therefore must be the same as published. In example 1 (left) above I must

aim for a bearing of 270deg even accounting for wind drift so that I pass

directly over the facility at the turn point. The timing for this leg in a calm

wind is 1 minute unless otherwise stated. Though the easiest method, is to do

all the crazy stuff on the outbound leg so that your inbound leg is always on

the nail so to speak.

20.2.3 Outbound Leg

Again, in calm conditions, this leg should be a direct reciprocal of the inbound

heading and again timed to 1 minute unless otherwise stated. I tend to fly

with a 1 minute outbound leg correcting for wind drift and then adjusting the

last part of the turn onto the inbound leg so that I am always on the correct

bearing toward the facility.

20.2.4 Procedural Turns

In calm conditions these are usually also 1 minute i.e. 3 degrees a second.

This is known as a rate one or standard rate turn. However, unless specifically

stated you can change the turn rate to suit the conditions. PF3 controllers will

request an entry and holding speed of 220kts for jet transports. At this speed

your bank angle will be all but 30 degrees each time you turn and that is

uncomfortable and unnerving for the passengers to experience every 60

seconds! It’s the same bank angle you need to turn onto finals for the rwy08

circle to land approach at Innsbruck! So, you are allowed to turn at a reduced

rate, e.g. half standard rate or limit the bank angle to 20 degrees. The latter

is best for jet transports because most autopilots are limited to a 20deg bank

angle. All it means is that you are flying a fatter sausage shape than

expected. And, as a spin-off you spend less time going round and round!

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20.2.5 Exit Point

You must always leave the pattern via the facility. Simple! Here is a typical RT

exchange between PF3 ATC and the aircraft about to be held.

Entry:-

ATC [callsign] at Romeo Tango Tango Enter the hold maintain Flight Level 120 expect

Clearance in 16

You Roger hold at Romeo Tango Tango maintain Flight Level 120 [callsign]

Exit:-

ATC [callsign] at Romeo Tango Tango resume own navigation cleared to Lima Oscar Whiskey

India

You at Romeo Tango Tango cleared to Lima Oscar Whiskey India resume own navigation

[callsign]

ATC [callsign] at Romeo Tango Tango maintain 9 thousand 5 hundred Cleared to final for

runway 8 at pilot's discretion Contact Tower on 120.1 when established.

You at Romeo Tango Tango maintain 9 thousand 5 hundred Cleared to final for runway 8 at

pilot's discretion Contact Tower on 120.1 when established. [callsign]

That, if I may say, is much simpler than the example shown at the beginning

and it is what controllers will say. So it’s accurate too.

Finally let’s look at examples where wind has an affect. In reality the ‘norm’!

The calculation on the left assumes no wind

at the CH Cheung Chau hold at Kai Tak. We

are flying at 220kts and our bank angle is

20deg. So in this perfect situation both the

inbound and outbound leg will be for one

minute. Notice however that the turns are

about 1 minute 40 seconds. So instead of

one revolution of the hold being 4 minutes

we take just over 5 minutes. Our headings

are spot on. Easy as cake as they say!

Now look what happens on the right when

we introduce a 30kt wind from the South.

Not unusual at Hong Kong! We have a

totally different situation. Everything has

changed except the outbound leg timing.

Look at the different effect of the tail wind

on the inbound leg and the headwind on the

outbound leg. A deviation of -8deg inbound

and +36deg on the outbound!!!! Notice

though that the time for one revolution of

the pattern is not dissimilar to no-wind on

the left. I highly recommend this tool!

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Again the intention of this commentary is not to give you a detailed lesson but

just to highlight the change in PF3 from PFE and to help you understand that

change and encourage you to practise holding patterns whenever you can.

Practise in low wind or calm conditions first though.

Finally, trust in PF3. Its controllers are well trained and will do their best to

issue instructions at convenient points. For example they will try to release

you from the hold on the inbound leg. I wish that happened more often in real

life!!!!

20.3 Uncontrolled Airports

Should you find yourself departing from an uncontrolled airport, without

Clearance, Tower or Ground control facilities you could be excused for asking

'how on earth do I obtain IFR clearance in such a situation'?

Well, here's how it works in PF3...

First you need to tune to FSS and hit hotkey #0, this is your 'wake up' call to

FSS... there could be a delay of up to 30 seconds so be patient, they're not

ATC controllers. Once they put their coffee down they will ask you to 'go

ahead' at which point, if you're using VCP mode 1, otherwise it will be

automatic, you can either hit the 'Roger' hotkey or hotkey #0 again.

On doing so your VCP will provide the necessary details regarding your flight

plan to FSS, after which they will clear you as filed, give you an initial altitude

and also the frequency for Departure, which of course you should contact

asap after takeoff. Obviously this new feature is only available when your are

at your departure airport.

20.4 Using PF3 with MCE

Over time we hope to expand on this particular section, so if there's anything

in particular you would like covered feel free to drop us an email and we'll see

what we can do.

Recently the MCE developers have offered a new feature that allows you to

have the MCE FO voice talking to PF3's ATC, making the whole experience

even more realistic. However, to use this new feature you would normally

have to turn the PF3 Closed Caption option 'on', and whilst this works just

fine some users prefer not to have to use closed captions. In view of this we

have worked with the MCE developers to provide an alternative way for them

to provide this exciting new feature.

As from PF3 version 3.5.0 there will be a new file created in the main PF3

folder, named PF3_MCE.INI. If you open this file using Notepad you will see

three entries name 'Active', 'Logged' and 'PF3Transmitting'. To activate this

new feature simply change the Active=0 to Active=1 and then save the file.

You don't have to do anything else but now, if you wish, you can turn off

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PF3's closed captions and still enjoy the new MCE feature of hearing their FO

chatting with PF3's ATC.

With this option active all that happens is PF3 will write certain ATC

messages to a new file, created in your PF3/Logs folder, named

Clearance.log

20.5 A word about SID/STAR use in PF3

SIDs and STARs are optional in PF3, and there is no requirement to purchase

a subscription for navigational data to use the program. If you choose to use

SIDs and STARs, your flight planning technique will likely depend on the

geographical region where you are flying.

When flying in Europe and most ICAO regions it is usually best to leave the

SID and/or STAR out of the flight plan you load into PF3. The reason is that

SIDs/STARs in these regions are usually short and runway-specific; that is,

they depend on which runway is active at the time, and you often do not

know this information in advance. For example, departing EGPH with GOSAM

as your first waypoint, you can leave the SIDs box on the SID/STAR page

unchecked and allow PF3 to vector you to your first waypoint, or check the

SIDs box to turn off vectoring if you prefer to fly a departure procedure. If

you choose to fly a procedure rather than a vectored departure, you can fly it

by hand or load the appropriate procedure in your FMC based on the active

runway at the time of your departure.

In the U.S. and Canada, SIDs and STARs are usually much longer, often more

than one hundred miles long, and are used for multiple runways. When flying

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in these areas you will probably want to include much of the SID/STAR (all

except parts close to the airport or that apply to a specific runway) in your

PF3 flight plan. Those who have flown on VATSIM are probably familiar with

this concept. When flying in Europe you usually do not file SIDs or STARs

with your flight plan; they are assigned by ATC when you get your runway

assignment. When flying in the U.S. and Canada you are expected to file

your SID and STAR as part of your flight plan.

In PF3 version 3.10 you can deactivate/exclude specific waypoints from your

flight plan (see section 7.1.29) before connecting to FS. This will come in

handy when you have included a long SID or STAR in your flight planner

output, but need to deactivate some waypoints because they are too close to

the airport or are runway-specific. For example, for the HYPER7 arrival,

handling arrivals into Washington Dulles from the northeast, you would most

likely include the STAR waypoints up to and including HYPER in your flight

plan, excluding any waypoints after HYPER. When you reach HYPER, which is

the last active waypoint in your flight plan, you can either allow PF3 to vector

you to the final approach course for the active runway, or request clearance

at pilot’s discretion which will disable vectoring and allow you to complete the

approach to the assigned runway using your FMC and/or by hand.

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The main function of the SID and STAR checkboxes at bottom of the

SID/STAR page is control of vectoring, before your first waypoint and after

your last. With the boxes unchecked, you will get vectors; if the boxes are

checked you will not, allowing you to fly from the runway to your first

waypoint (or from your last waypoint to the runway) using a procedure if you

wish. You can include STAR waypoints in your flight plan, as in the HYPER7

example, and leave the STARs box unchecked and PF3 will provide vectors

from your last waypoint to the active runway. If you check the STARs box

you will not get vectors after your last waypoint.

20.6 How to Reset PF3's Window Positions

With version 3.20.0 we've added a 'Reset' feature which will reset all the

currently saved PF3 window positions. So, if you used to display PF3 on a

second monitor, which has maybe died or been disconnected, you would be

able to drag PF3's main screen back onto your main monitor but any other

PF3 windows you try to display would not show, due to PF3 remembering the

last position each window was displayed.

This feature is initiated by right clicking on the aircraft picture on the PF3

Main screen... then selecting 'yes' to confirm you wish to proceed. Be

warned... there is no backout from this so if you wish to try it please make a

copy of your PF3.INI first.

20.7 How to turn off TGS messages (FS9, FSX only)

When using PF3's TGS (Taxi Guidance System) it will display various

messages on screen. Now, since version 3.20.0, following a user request, you

can now stop these messages appearing by following these simple

instructions.

To achieve this you will have to manually change the PF3.INI file as follows.

You can do this by opening the INI file using Window's Notepad or similar

editor.

Under the [TGS] section add the following line

NoDisplayMessages=1

Under the same section check the Captions entry, which should already be set

to 0

Captions=0

For P3D/MSFS users, if you wish to suppress your TGS messages or reroute

them, please see TGS Messages Override on Page 90

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20.8 Martin's tips on using the FMC with PF3

20.8.1 Using the new Flight Plan Filter option

A fair number of users like to generate flight plans which include a departure

procedure (SID) and/or an arrival procedure (STAR), using tools such as

SimBrief or Little NavMap.

PF3 does not handle the internal details of departure and arrival procedures

so in the past one of two methods had to be used to adapt the flight plan for

PF3:

1) Load the full flight plan into PF3 and use the adjustments page to

remove the extraneous detail.

2) Export a copy of the flight plan without the procedures, and load this

version into PF3.

Each method has its disadvantages, so a new Flight Plan Filter option has

been introduced.

The key feature is that PF3 will load a full (with procedures) flight plan and

adapt it automatically.

The following example shows how this new option works; we will use this

SimBrief flight plan:

(The waypoints that are relevant to PF3 are in red, the SID and STAR names

are highlighted)

EGSS/04 N0415F350 CLN5S CLN P44 RATLO M197 REDFA L620 SUVOX

Z718 OSN T511 UMVIS T463 NIE NIE27 EDDV/27R

Although runways are included, EGSS/04 and EDDV/27R, these may be

changed due to weather. Also, the planned cruise altitude is given – F350 is

Flight Level 350, 35,000 feet.

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This is the relevant data for the waypoints from the full flight plan:

EGSS +000348.00 Runway 04

D044A +003300.00 Departure CLN5S

D114N +009100.00 Departure CLN5S

D114Q +011100.00 Departure CLN5S

CLN21 +013200.00 Departure CLN5S

D265P +016000.00 Departure CLN5S

D265M +017400.00 Departure CLN5S

CLN +022800.00 Departure CLN5S

RATLO +029600.00

REDFA +035000.00

TACHA +035000.00

TULIP +035000.00

BASNO +035000.00

PAM +035000.00

NYKER +035000.00

ELPAT +035000.00

ARNEM +035000.00

SONEB +035000.00

OLDOD +035000.00

SUVOX +035000.00

OSN +035000.00

UMVIS +027400.00

NIE +019500.00 Arrival NIE27

DV502 +015200.00 Arrival NIE27

DV565 +007900.00 Arrival NIE27

EDDV +000183.00 Runway 27R

If we load the full flight plan into PF3 using the Flight Plan Filter this is what

we will see:

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PF3 has removed the internal SID waypoints, but has retained the SID exit point

and set its altitude from the flight plan; similarly, it has removed the internal

approach waypoints and set the entry point altitude from the flight plan. The ‘Set’

buttons are disabled, as assigning the DP and ST waypoints is handled internally

when using the Flight Plan Filter.

We still get the following NOTAM when we load the flight plan:

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Note: This would also have been seen if we loaded a No Proc version of this

flight plan; you may choose to ignore this message, or instead remove the

ELPAT and OLDOD waypoints.

The Flight Plan Filter option can be found on the Options #2/Advanced

Options page under ‘Misc’.

20.8.2 Using the same flight plan with an FMC

Now let’s look at how this same flight plan can be used with an aircraft FMC; I

am using the PMDG 737-600, but a similar approach can be used with other

aircraft, including the FBW Airbus A32NX.

The first thing to be aware of when loading a flight plan into the FMC is that it

strips any departure and approach procedures, retaining waypints between

the SID exit point and the STAR entry point (this is exactly what the PF3

Flight Plan Filter does). The key difference is that the FMC calculates

waypoint altitudes using its own data, including fuel, payload and other

operational parameters.

Here are the route legs that the FMC shows when the above flight plan is

initially loaded:

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One thing to note is that the descent begins earlier than the flight plan

shows; the FMC wants to follow an ‘economy descent’ trajectory, not the fixed

descent rate used by SimBrief Dispatcher.

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If we now load the departure and arrival procedures for this flight plan into

the FMC we see this:

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A key thing to note here is that the FMC will be enforcing speed and altitude

restrictions during the departure procedure, notably a limit of 6000 feet at

CLN, rather than FL216 previously shown. This will in turn impact the climb,

so FL350 will be reached by TACHA rather than by REDFA.

Similarly, the descent begins later than with the base FMC flight plan; the

STAR entry point, NIE, has a restriction of below 11000 feet, rather than the

5178 feet previously calculated. However, this descent is still earlier than

shown in the loaded SimBrief flight plan and, again, the FMC will be enforcing

speed and altitude restrictions during the approach procedure.

We realise that PF3 is likely to always start the descent too late compared

with the TOD position calculated by the FMC the way that the Flight Plan Filter

is currently implemented; it is possible to request altitude changes during the

descent, but recognise that this is not at all realistic. We are developing a

better solution, but unfortunately this was not ready to be included in Release

3.22.0.

In the meantime, some users may prefer to load a ‘NoProc’ flight plan into

PF3 so that they can make the necessary altitude adjustments before

connecting to the simulator, as previously done.

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21. PF3 GENERAL FAQ SECTION

If you don't find the answer to your problem here please ensure you

check the PF3 FAQ section on our website for more up to date

information:

http://www.oncourse-software.co.uk/PF3_faqs.htm

Q: I can no longer hear any AI Traffic, neither in the air or on the ground.

A: Please check your FSUIPC.INI file and search for the entry

named ProvideAIData - This must be set to Yes eg.

ProvideAIData=Yes

Q: RemoteText is running but I can no longer see it on my monitor

A: This can happen if you previously ran RemoteText on another monitor

which is no longer connected, so basically RemoteText is displayed off-screen.

To reset this you need to do one of two things. (a) Reconnect your other

monitor, restart RemoteText and then reposition it back on your main monitor

or (b) Edit the Registry, if this is something you are confident in doing. The

settings will be found under:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program

Settings\RemoteText\frmMain

Once you've navigated to the correct location you will see 2 entries, one

named Default and the other LastSavedState. Simply delete

the LastSavedState value... you will need to confirm the warning message.

That's it. Next time you start RemoteText it will appear in the centre of your

main monitor, from where you can reposition it to your liking.

+ + + + + +

Q: When using MSFS and PF3's Auto Pause to pause the FS xx miles from

the runway, etc., how do you 'un-pause' the sim?

A: PF3 uses the 'Set Pause ON' facility so you need to bind keys or buttons

from within MSFS Controls to take advantage of this feature when using

MSFS. Look for 'Set Pause ON' and 'Set Pause Off'. Unfortunately you can't

configure a toggle key in MSFS for this pause mode.

+ + + + + +

Q: Doesn't matter what setting I try I just can't get the PF3 in-sim Captions

window to display

A: Please delete the Display.INI file from your main PF3 folder

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+ + + + + +

Q: PF3 doesn't seem to be running. I can see it on the taskbar but there's no

menu screen.

A: It would seem you have managed to somehow move PF3 off-screen.

Here's how to get it back. Hold your Shift key down and Right-click on the

PF3 taskbar icon, then select 'Move' from the popup menu. Release the Shift

key and use one of your keyboard Arrow keys. Now move your mouse and

PF3 should appear on screen again.

+ + + + + +

Q: Something went wrong and PF3 crashed... now I still have the In-Sim

ACARS and Captions windows showing on screen. How can I get rid of them.

A: Just re-start PF3 and the windows will be closed.

+ + + + + +

Q: When using P3D with Closed Captions 'ON' and an ATC message comes

through, P3D will jump to the foreground as the active window, even though

you may be using another program at the time.

A: This is probably due to you using the default P3D message window to

display captions. If you used our In-Sim Captions window or the RemoteText

utility (if you have a second monitor or PC) this shouldn't happen. Equally you

could use the FSUIPC ADVDisplay window for captions.

+ + + + + +

Q: My PF3 Display utility does not show any frequencies

A: Please check (a) you have a folder inside your main FS folder named

PF3_Displayer and if not please create one. (b) If you see the PF3_Displayer

folder please ensure it is not set as 'Read-Only'. The PF3 User Guide has full

details about this and where to find the correct location for MSFS users.

+ + + + + +

Q: I'm using FS2020 and don't hear any radio frequencies in 8.33Khx format.

Why?

A: Currently, as of version 3.10, PF3 doesn't support 8.33 format radio

frequencies. However, we plan to introduce them in our next release (3.11).

At that point we will be offering the option to use either the new 8.33Khz

format or the old 25Khz format. The later will obviously be favored by those

using hardware radios that do not support 8.33.

+ + + + + +

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Q: Just lately my co-pilot and ATC voices sound ok to start with but then the

voice volumes get very soft and almost inaudible. Per your FAQs, I've set

Sound, Communicatons to "Do nothing". This did not solve the problem.

A: Try toggling the windows communication setting to something other than

"do nothing", hit apply, and then switch it back to "do nothing" and then

selecting Apply should fix it. This may have to be repeated next time you start

Windows.

+ + + + + +

Q: When using P3D with Closed Captions 'ON' and an ATC message comes

through, P3D will jump to the foreground as the active window, even though

you may be using another program at the time.

A: This is probably due to you using the default P3D message window to

display captions. If you used our In-Sim Captions window or the RemoteText

utility (if you have a second monitor or PC) this shouldn't happen. Equally you

could use the FSUIPC ADVDisplay window for captions.

+ + + + + +

Q: Something went wrong and PF3 crashed... now I still have the In-Sim

ACARS and Captions windows showing on screen. How can I get rid of them.

A: Just re-start PF3 and the windows will be closed.

+ + + + + +

Q: I heard a controller and AI pilot using the same voice set. Surely this is a

bug?

A: No, it's not a bug. Although PF3 provides you with 119 voices sets they

are split into 26 geographic regions. Some regions may only have a couple of

voice sets available. To try and avoid this problem we use certain back-up

voice sets for each region, but even then we could run out of unused voices.

An easy way to avoid this problem occurring is to use PF3's Adjust Regional

Voice Sets Used to add additional back-up voice sets to the area you

experienced the problem.

+ + + + + +

Q: I was watching AI traffic and noticed an aircraft taking off before ATC gave

it instructions to do so

A: Well there are a couple of points to make here. Firstly, PF3 does NOT

control AI traffic, FS does that. Yes we can stop/start AI aircraft, even change

their heading to a degree (excuse the pun), amongst other things, but we

don't actually control AI traffic. Secondly, to take more control of AI traffic

would mean diverting processing away from PF3's many other tasks, so it's

really a question of balance. The third and final point is this, due to the fact

that PF3 is not in total control of AI traffic we have to react after the event.

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When PF3 detects an aircraft is taking of we give the command from ATC to

make it look like we're in control. It's all a matter of timing. Sometimes it will

look good, other times it won't. If you want to spend your time just watching

AI traffic and listening to ATC then PF3 is not the program you need and you

might just as well listen to the default ATC.

+ + + + + +

Q: I'm using P3D and I don't see the kneeboard display with the departure

airport ATC frequencies

A: That function is not available when using P3D, as it uses a different

method for displaying its kneeboard, which is not accessible at this time by

PF3.

+ + + + + +

Q: I'm using P3D and I can't seem to get the ACARS system to work at all.

A: That function is not available when using P3D, as it uses a different

method for displaying its kneeboard, which is not accessible at this time by

PF3.

+ + + + + +

Q: I saw a message about waypoints being too close. How do I know how

close they are?

A: If you go to the 'adjust waypoint altitudes' page and hover your mouse

over any waypoint it will show you the distance from your departure and

destination. You can use this information, together with some simple maths,

to determine the distance between waypoints.

+ + + + + +

Q: I sometimes get a warning that waypoints are too close together. What

does this mean and what should I do.

A: This is simply a cautionary message and you don't actually have to do

anything. PF3 is simply telling you that one or more waypoints are very close

to each other of your departure/destination airport. This will usually be okay

and PF3 will handle the situation correctly. However, if you do have problems

with the flight it could well be due to the close proximity of these flagged

waypoints. In which case it would be wise to perhaps change the flight plan

accordingly before taking your next flight.

+ + + + + +

Q: Sometimes PF3 ATC spills out the entire airline name rather than use the

call sign.... other times it's correct.

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A: The problem can occur when using Super Traffic Board and telling the

aircraft to 'depart now'. If you leave aircraft to depart at their correct times

this problem does not occur.

+ + + + + +

Q: Few seconds after starting PF3 it locks up and doesn't respond to

anything, I have to close it via task manager.

A: (1) Go to the main PF3 folder (2) Open the PF3.ini file (3) Look for

AutoUpdates=1 and change it to AutoUpdates=0 (4) Save the file

+ + + + + +

Q: PF3 has started to lock up on me and/or it takes an unusually long time

to respond.

A: If you are using multiple security protection programs try disabling the

default Windows Firewall. If that doesn't work try disabling the others one by

one, simply as process of elimination. Whatever system you use you must

ensure that the PF3.exe and Updates.exe programs have access to the

internet, which is required for the auto updates feature to work.

+ + + + + +

Q: Can PF3 be used on a networked pc?

A: Yes it can by using Pete Dowson's WideFS utility... available from

http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.html . When using PF3 on a networked PC

please remember to use the client's keyboard when making any changes to

PF3's options but use the main FS keyboard to communicate with ATC when

PF3 is connected to FS during your flight

+ + + + + +

Q: Why do I hear ATC calling the aircraft make rather than the actual airline

call sign?

A: Please check under the Technical Tab in FSUIPC (or look under the

GENERAL section the FSUIPC.INI file) and set the TCASid entry to FLIGHT.

Programs such as AIBlast and FSHotSeat appear to change these settings

which make them incompatible with PF3

+ + + + + +

Q: I tune to ATIS but all I hear is static noise... what's wrong?

A: One user found that this only occurred when using a particular aircraft. Try

the same frequency using another aircraft and if that does not help please

email support at [email protected]

+ + + + + +

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Q: When running Spyware Terminator it identifies and removes a file named

SCLabel.ocx. After that PF3 will not run!

A: Do NOT remove this file. It is NOT spyware and is an ActiveX control for

displaying most of the text that appears on the PF3 screens. Without it PF3

will NOT run! You can configure Spyware Terminator to ignore it rather than

remove it. If you have removed it you will need to reinstall PF3.

+ + + + + +

Q: I'm using Copilot Mode 2 but PF3 doesn't detect when I get near to the

active runway and so doesn't tell me to switch to the Tower.

A: PF3 waits for you to be within 700' feet of the active runway before

issuing a 'Contact Tower on...' command. If you happen to be taking off from

a position other than the end of the active runway you may well be more than

700' away from that detection point. Should this be the case you would need

to manually switch to the Tower frequency and then use Hotkey 6 to contact

Tower and request takeoff clearance.

+ + + + + +

Q: PF3 ATC routed me to fly right into a mountain.

A: In such hazardous areas it is vitally important to create a good flight plan

to ensure PF3 delivers safe approach vectoring. PF3 is not aware of

mountains or obstacles on your approach route so you, as the pilot,

must ensure you plan your flights correctly. Remember also that YOU

are the Captain in charge and if, during approach vectoring, you consider ATC

to be issuing a bad and dangerous turn you should ignore it and use the #1

hotkey to request a 'Cleared to Final Approach'.

+ + + + + +

Q: I never got handed over to any Control Center during my flight.

A: PF3 determines which control centers to hand you off to dependent on

your altitude (and geographic position of course). If you don't reach a center's

specified altitude you will remain under the control of a Departure or

Approach controller.

+ + + + + +

Q: PF3 is working and I can hear the controllers talking to me but I can't

hear the pilot's voice.

A: Check the PTT pause interval in PF3 options to ensure it is set to ZERO

(OFF)

+ + + + + +

Q: I'm using ActiveSky. ATC vectors me to land VFR on runway 21. At the

same time all AI were landing and departing runway 03, the opposite end.

Why?

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A: This can happen when using an external weather program such as

ActiveSky. PF3 ATC reads the weather and chooses the correct runway, but

Active Sky (or similar) may update the weather forcing a change of the active

runway. FS9/FSX ATC will change the active runway, but PF3 has already

made its choice, hence the incursion. To avoid this, it is necessary to use

the "suppression" options according to the type of flight/aircraft.

Using the New Route and Navigation Log will be helpful too. Please see your

ActiveSky manual for details and how to use these powerful features.

If you choose not to take these extra steps in ActiveSky, then using the

default FS9/FSX real weather instead of ActiveSky will prevent this issue from

happening while using PF3 ATC.

+ + + + + +

Q: The approach to my destination was rubbish. I was far too high when

cleared for the approach!

A: Adjust your flight plan descent profile in PF3. Remember, your flight

will only be as good as your flight planning, just as in the real world.

+ + + + + +

Q: After PF3 had a problem and crashed my Regional Settings appear to be

wrong and numbers are not being displayed correctly?

A: Restart PF3 then immediately close it using the Exit button - That should

reset your numeric regional settings to their original state.

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22. TGS GAUGE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

By Dave Leesley

22.1 How to Install the optional Gauge onto a panel

Please Note: Installation of this gauge is entirely optional and you

may want to read section 7.1.5 first, which explains all about PF3’s

Taxi Guidance System, prior to making your decision

I have hopefully made these instructions as clear and as easy to follow as

possible, as I’m hoping to avoid any “pulling of hair out” and “throttling the

living daylights out of your PC” because you can’t get it to work.

It’s very important that you read these instructions to avoid any unnecessary

problems and wasting valuable flying time so let’s begin installing the gauge

into Flightsim. It is always wise to save your work before altering any CFG

files so that if things don’t go as expected, you will be able to start again from

the beginning, and also when finished otherwise you will lose your changes.

Within your main PF3 folder you will see a folder named TGS_Gauge

containing the gauge files. As from PF3 version 2.6 the gauge named

TGS_Position_Tester is no longer required, so you may disregard and/or

even delete that file now if you wish. I would recommended you drag the file

named TGS.GAU to your desktop, as this will make life easier.

You also need the following line to put into your panel.cfg when the time is

right:

gauge??=TGS!TaxiGuidanceSystem, XXX, YYY, 100, 64,Autohide OFF

This line will be used later on in the tutorial and will need to go into your

panel.cfg, after everything is installed and POSITIONED correctly and not

before!

Time to put kettle on for a cup of coffee before we start (optional).

This Gauge was designed for the 2D Cockpit but will also work in

most Virtual Cockpits, although this tutorial will assume the former.

Now you are ready to begin!

First of all you need to find your Flightsim folder, by default located at

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\FS9 (or FSX) depending what sim you

want to use PF3 with, or wherever else you may have installed it on your

hard drive.

Okay, you have now found your Flightsim folder, let’s use FS 9 for this part.

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Open your FS folder, now look for the folder called Gauges. Now you will

need to go back and open your PF3 folder and Copy the gauge file tgs.gau

into your Gauges folder (or Drag and Drop if you prefer – easier if located on

your desktop as I suggested). It is important this gauges is in the Gauges

folder of FS. You may now close the Gauges folder as you don’t need it

anymore.

Now let’s move onto your Aircraft folder. Locate an aircraft into which you

wish to install the TGS gauge. Find the subfolder called Panel, open that

folder and find the panel.cfg file. MAKE A COPY and keep it in the panel

folder. This where you will now add the line from above by Copying and

Pasting:

gauge??=TGS!TaxiGuidanceSystem, XXX, YYY, 100, 64, 64,Autohide OFF

So we’ll use the default Boeing 737-400 Panel.cfg for this example.

For the default aircraft you need to find “Window00” as shown in this

example.

[Window00]

file=Main_640.bmp

file_1024=Main_1024.bmp

size_mm=640

position=7

visible=1

ident=MAIN_PANEL

gauge00=737-400!Airspeed, 0, 64

gauge01=737-400!Flaps, 586, 64

gauge02=737-400!Altimeter, 237, 45

gauge03=737-400!Vertical Speed, 238, 128

gauge04=737-400!Fuel Quantity, 236, 204

gauge05=737-400!Main Set, 335, 85

gauge06=737-400!OMI Lights, 1, 153

gauge07=737-400!Oil, 468, 85

gauge08=737-400!Clock, 17, 147

gauge09=737-400!RMI, 1, 211

gauge10=737-400!HSI, 86, 162

gauge11=737-400!ADI, 85, 39

gauge12=737-400!Gear Lever, 586, 217

gauge13=737-400!Nose Gear Light, 594, 180

gauge14=737-400!Left Gear Light, 579, 198

gauge15=737-400!Right Gear Light, 609, 198

gauge16=737-400!Reverser Unlocked Left, 354, 68

gauge17=737-400!Reverser Unlocked Right, 416, 68

gauge18=737-400!AT Lim, 385, 68

gauge19=737-400!Low Oil Left, 458, 68

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gauge20=737-400!Low Oil Right, 519, 68

gauge21=737-400!Start Valve Left, 489, 68

gauge22=737-400!Start Valve Right, 549, 68

gauge23=737-400!Flaps Ext, 609, 115

gauge24=737-400!Flaps Transit, 579, 115

gauge25=737-400!Autopilot, 336, 11

gauge26=737-400!Pitch Trim, 305, 144

gauge27=737-400!Aileron Trim Indicator, 242, 261

gauge28=737-400!Aileron Trim Switch, 248, 276

gauge29=737-400!Rudder Trim Indicator, 285, 261

gauge30=737-400!Rudder Trim Knob, 290, 276

gauge31=737-400!Nav GPS Switch, 306, 17

gauge32=737-400!Avionics Master Switch, 239, 300

gauge33=737-400!Autobrake, 581, 134

gauge34=SimIcons!Kneeboard Icon, 181, 10

gauge35=SimIcons!ATC Icon, 194, 10

gauge36=SimIcons!Compass Icon, 264, 10

gauge37=SimIcons!ECU Icon, 250, 10

gauge38=SimIcons!Map Icon, 208, 10

gauge39=SimIcons!Avionics Icon, 222, 10

gauge40=SimIcons!GPS Icon, 236, 10

Now Copy and Paste that line directly under gauge40, so the bottom line now

looks like this:

gauge39=SimIcons!Avionics Icon, 222, 10

gauge40=SimIcons!GPS Icon, 236, 10

gauge41= TGS!TaxiGuidanceSystem XXX, YYY, 100, 64,Autohide OFF

(Now SAVE it)

XXX and YYY and the co-ordinates on your FS screen, change them to 140,

130, 100 (leave 100 as it is). You should see the gauge on your screen, now

you can alter the co-ordinates as you please to find the right position in your

cockpit.

The last parameter (Autohide OFF) ensures the gauge remains visible at all

times. Should you prefer to have this gauge only popup when TGS is active

(during your taxi to/from the runway) you can changes this parameter to

Autohide ON

Now we move onto 3

Party add-on aircraft such as PMDG, PSS, LevelD and

such. You will still need to do the same as above with the default aircraft,

except that the panel.cfg is slightly different from the default as in some add-

on aircraft you may have to use “Window01”. Anyone who has either PSS or

JustFlight’s Concorde will have to install it into “Window00”, and the CFG will

look like this:

//--------------------------------------------------------

[Window00]

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file=wiper.bmp

size_mm=2048,1536

(My example is PSS’s Concorde)

window_size_ratio=1.000

position=1

visible=1

ident=8100

render_3d_window=1

child_3d=1

gauge00=PSS-concorde!Wipers, 0,0,2048,756

gauge01=TGS!TaxiGuidanceSystem, 140, 130, 100, 64,Autohide OFF

If you install it into “Window01” it will be hidden completely, even though it

has more gauges, and I have noticed with PSS aircraft the gauge will be

shown in one position on the screen, even if you change the co-ordinates (it is

beyond our control - sorry).

Another example of a panel.cfg is Flight One’s ATR 72-500:

[Window00]

file=F1ATR_MAIN_W.bmp

size_mm=1024

window_size_ratio=1.000

position=0

visible=1

ident=MAIN_PANEL

window_size=1.000, 1.000

window_pos=0.000, 0.000

(There are 60 lines of gauges above this, left out for the sake of brevity)

gauge61=Atrvesi!stopvesi, 137,287,20,20

gauge62=Atrvesi!vesitimer, 209,280,20,20

gauge63=TGS!TaxiGuidanceSystem, 140, 130, 100, 64,Autohide OFF

The main thing you are looking for is “Window00” and/or Main Panel or

“Window01” and/or Headup. Again you should remember to SAVE any

changes to your CFG.

One very important note is that you must assign a number and co-ordinates

to your gauge or it won’t show up in FS.

Now we move onto this part installing into FSX:-

It’s very similar to installing into FS9 but the layout is just slightly different,

so here goes!

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When you have opened up you FSX folder, you will need to find your

Simobjects folder and Airplanes subfolder, and then the aircraft of your

choice. For this example we will use the default A321 Airbus Panel.cfg.

[Window00]

file_1024=airbus_a321_panel_background.bmp

file_1024_night=airbus_a321_panel_background_night.bmp

size_mm=1024

position=7

visible=1

ident=MAIN_PANEL

gauge00=Airbus_A321!altimeter_backup, 676,505

gauge01=Airbus_A321!annunciator_panel_1, 24,357

gauge02=Airbus_A321!attitude_backup, 651,628

gauge03=Airbus_A321!autopilot, 677,346

gauge04=Airbus_A321!hsi_backup, 517,609

gauge05=Airbus_A321!ias_backup, 581,506

gauge06=Airbus_A321!pfd, 23,521,215,214

gauge07=Airbus_A321!mfd, 264,521,215,214

gauge08=Airbus_A321!ecams,

788,521,215,214

gauge09=Airbus_A321!pfd_mfd_select_panel, 470,345

gauge10=TGS!TaxiGuidanceSystem, 140, 130, 100, 64,Autohide OFF

gauge26=SimIcons1024!ECU Icon, 790,

745

gauge27=SimIcons1024!Overhead Icon, 812, 745

gauge28=SimIcons1024!Kneeboard Icon, 834, 745

gauge29=SimIcons1024!ATC Icon, 856, 745

gauge30=SimIcons1024!Map Icon, 878, 745

gauge31=SimIcons1024!GPS Icon, 900, 745

gauge32=SimIcons1024!Radio Icon, 922, 745

gauge33=SimIcons1024!Other Controls Icon, 944, 745

gauge34=SimIcons1024!Engine Instruments Icon, 966, 745

gauge35=SimIcons1024!Clock Icon, 988, 745

gauge36=n_number_plaque!n_number_plaque, 258,429,67,19

This how I did it for this aircraft and it shows up on FS screen.

Now test your changes in FSX. When initially loading FS, as you would

normally you will be presented with a Warning Screen. It is warning you that

tgs.gau is from an unknown publisher and do you want to run it. If you want

to use it say YES and at the next warning screen again say YES, otherwise

you won’t be able to use it

We now move onto installing 3

party aircraft. I’m choosing the LevelD 767-

300 panel.cfg for this one.

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[Window01]

file=B767forward.bmp

size_mm=1280, 680

position=6

visible=1

ident=12

zorder=2

gauge00=LVLD\B767main!light, 0, 0

gauge01=LVLD\B767Afds!Nav1, 535, 0

gauge02=LVLD\B767Afds!MCP, 736, 0

gauge03=LVLD\B767Afds!SMC, 824, 180

gauge04=LVLD\B767Afds!Autoland, 620, 163

gauge05=LVLD\B767Afds!MasterSwitch, 485, 37

gauge06=LVLD\B767Afds!RadarAltimeter, 561, 255

gauge07=LVLD\B767Afds!AltAlert, 722, 250

gauge08=LVLD\B767Afds!InstrSelect, 0, 398

gauge09=LVLD\B767Afds!GASwitch, 1075, 632

gauge10=LVLD\B767Afds!FOSwitch, 1105, 632

gauge11=LVLD\B767Afds!Gear, 1179, 224

gauge12=LVLD\B767Afds!Autobrakes, 769, 518

gauge13=LVLD\B767Afds!OMI, 703, 403

gauge14=LVLD\B767at!AT, 0, 0

gauge15=LVLD\B767FMC!FMS, 0, 0

gauge16=LVLD\B767FMC!XNAV, 0, 0

gauge17=LVLD\B767main!airspeedL, 92, 224, 168

gauge18=LVLD\B767main!altimeterL, 607, 245, 148

gauge19=LVLD\B767main!vsiL, 556, 406, 136

gauge20=LVLD\B767main!rmiL, 90, 404, 176

gauge21=LVLD\B767main!clockL, 547, 549, 146

gauge22=LVLD\B767ehsi!EHSI, 289, 408, 227,, CP

gauge23=LVLD\B767eadi!EADI, 291, 172, 221,, CP

gauge24=LVLD\B767eicas!EICAS, 934, 180, 225,, CP

gauge25=LVLD\B767leicas!LEICAS, 934, 409, 225,, CP

gauge26=LVLD\B767main!ecuL, 700, 601, 197

gauge27=LVLD\B767main!ENG, 767, 363

gauge28=LVLD\B767main!OILW, 790, 498, 95

gauge29=LVLD\B767main!ESW, 925, 629, 150

gauge30=LVLD\B767main!warn, 760, 239, 150

gauge31=LVLD\B767main!TRP, 1178, 168

gauge32=TGS!TaxiGuidanceSystem, 140, 130, 100, 64,Autohide OFF

The script is in bold to make it easier to find. You don’t need to add it in bold.

Again you are using either “Window00” or “Window01” depending on the type

of add-on aircraft you are using. Some high end 3

party aircraft use two

panels like FlightOne’s ATR 72-500, and so it must be installed into the folder

called Panel not Panel W, as if you do you may not see the gauge. The

gauge installation is the same as FS9 as it is for FSX.

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22.2 Backing Up Your Hard Work

After you have installed your gauge to your favourite aircraft wouldn’t it be

nice to remember which "Window" you installed it in within your panel.cfg? So

what I have done is to create my own "Reference" of where the TGS resides.

I have done this so it will make life easier should I ever have to do a re-install

of flight sim. Here are some of my examples:

Basically what I have done is taken the "Window" where TGS resides and

condensed it, so when I come to reinstalling TGS I can instantly see where it

has to go, including the gauge number. All I have to do is copy and paste the

line into the panel.cfg of my aircraft.

You can make copies of these condensed windows and store them onto a

floppy using "notepad" of all your aircraft in your hangar.

Now I suggest you only do this if you feel comfortable in copy/pasting and

messing with your panel.cfg and as always make a copy of your panel.cfg

first, just in case you make an error.

Oh yes, I have deleted the lines of other gauges in the panel.cfg because I

really don't need them, all I want is to see where the TGS gauge fits in and

that is it!

Please see some example below.

22.2.1 This one is for a third party aircraft in FS9

PSS Airbus A330/A340

[Window01]

file=headup.BMP

size_mm=1024

visible=1

position=7

ident=MAIN_PANEL

gauge10=TGS!TaxiGuidanceSystem, 140, 130, 100

22.2.2 This is for the default Cessna in FS9:

[Window00]

file=panel_background_640.bmp

file_1024=panel_background_1024.bmp

size_mm=640

position=7

visible=1

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no_luminous=1

ident=MAIN_PANEL

gauge45=TGS!TaxiGuidanceSystem, 000, 000, 100

22.2.3 This is the default 737-800 FSX

[Window00]

file_1024=737-800_panel_background.bmp

file_1024_night=737-800_panel_background_night.bmp

size_mm=1024

position=7

visible=1

ident=MAIN_PANEL

gauge35=TGS!TaxiGuidanceSystem, 000, 000, 100

22.2.4 The default 747-400 in FSX

[Window00]

file_1024=747_Background_1024.bmp

size_mm=640

position=7

visible=1

ident=MAIN_PANEL

gauge58=TGS!TaxiGuidanceSystem, 000, 000, 100

22.2.5 Installing TGS into the PMDG747-400 Queen of the Skies for FSX.

Just locate Window01 of your panel.cfg and insert the line as shown in my

example.

This method is slightly different from the normal procedures of just installing

into the panel.cfg you also need to COPY the same line from your panel.cfg to

your VC panel.cfg to be able to see and use the gauge.

[Window01] // PMDG_MAIN_PANEL

file=747400_Main_Background_1600.bmp

file_1024=747400_Main_Background_1600.bmp

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size_mm=1600,1200

position=7

visible=1

ident=20

zorder=1

window_size= 1.000, 1.000

window_pos= 0.000, 0.000

background_color=0,0,0

gauge00=PMDG_747400_Main!Windshield,0,0,1600,451

gauge01=PMDG_747400_Main!GearLever, 1419,739,229,461

gauge02=PMDG_747400_Main!DSP, 0,684,809,125

gauge03=PMDG_747400_Main!PFDBg, 0,809,405,391

gauge04=PMDG_747400_Main!NDBg, 405,809,400,391

gauge05=PMDG_747400_Main!EICASBg, 1010,807,409,393

gauge06=PMDG_747400_Main!CRTScreen, 32,842,340,340,OUTBD CAPTAIN

CRT

gauge07=PMDG_747400_Main!CRTScreen, 436,844,340,340,INBD CAPTAIN

CRT

gauge08=PMDG_747400_Main!CRTScreen, 1046,842,340,340,UPPER CRT

gauge09=PMDG_747400_Main!EFIS,274,451,319,233

gauge10=PMDG_747400_Main!MCP,592,451,1059,233,MAIN

gauge11=PMDG_747400_Main!EICASCtrl,1010,684,409,123

gauge12=PMDG_747400_Main!MasterCaution, 125,451,149,233

gauge13=PMDG_747400_Main!GlareshieldEnd,0,451,125,233

gauge14=PMDG_747400_Main!SbyADI, 810,684,200,180

gauge15=PMDG_747400_Main!SbyAltimeter, 810,1032,200,168

gauge16=PMDG_747400_Main!SbySpeed, 810,864,200,168

gauge17=PMDG_747400_Main!AboveGear, 1419,684,229,55

gauge18=PMDG_747400_Main!Whiskey, 1308,0,92,54

//gauge19=PMDG_747400_Main!TestDIB,50,50,340,340

gauge20=TGS!TaxiGuidanceSystem, 500, 000, 100,AutohideOFF

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Please note: with any future PMDG release,if you cannot see the gauge in the

panel.cfg as described in my tutorial please install it in the VC panel.cfg as

well to see if that brings up the gauge.

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

========

Installing the TGS gauge into PMDG 747-400 Queen of the Skies for FS2004

Just locate Window01 of your panel.cfg and insert the line as shown in my

example.

This does NOT need to be installed into the VC panel.cfg

[Window01] // PMDG_MAIN_PANEL

file=747400_Main_Background_1600.bmp

file_1024=747400_Main_Background_1600.bmp

size_mm=1600,1200

position=7

visible=1

ident=20

window_size= 1.000, 1.000

window_pos= 0.000, 0.000

gauge00=PMDG_747400_Main!Windshield,0,0,1600,451

gauge01=PMDG_747400_Main!GearLever, 1419,739,229,461

gauge02=PMDG_747400_Main!DSP, 0,684,809,125

gauge03=PMDG_747400_Main!PFDBg, 0,809,405,391

gauge04=PMDG_747400_Main!NDBg, 405,809,400,391

gauge05=PMDG_747400_Main!EICASBg, 1010,807,409,393

gauge06=PMDG_747400_Main!CRTScreen, 32,842,340,340,OUTBD CAPTAIN

CRT

gauge07=PMDG_747400_Main!CRTScreen, 436,844,340,340,INBD CAPTAIN

CRT

gauge08=PMDG_747400_Main!CRTScreen, 1046,842,340,340,UPPER CRT

gauge09=PMDG_747400_Main!EFIS,274,451,319,233

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gauge10=PMDG_747400_Main!MCP,592,451,1059,233,MAIN

gauge11=PMDG_747400_Main!EICASCtrl,1010,684,409,123

gauge12=PMDG_747400_Main!MasterCaution, 125,451,149,233

gauge13=PMDG_747400_Main!GlareshieldEnd,0,451,125,233

gauge14=PMDG_747400_Main!SbyADI, 810,684,200,180

gauge15=PMDG_747400_Main!SbyAltimeter, 810,1032,200,168

gauge16=PMDG_747400_Main!SbySpeed, 810,864,200,168

gauge17=PMDG_747400_Main!AboveGear, 1419,684,229,55

gauge18=PMDG_747400_Main!Whiskey, 1308,0,92,54

gauge19=TGS!TaxiGuidanceSystem, 1500, 000, 100,AutohideOFF

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22.3 Installing the TGS Gauge into a Window

We are now giving you another option of installing this gauge rather than

having it fixed in one position in your panel. So again you need to open your

panel.cfg file of the aircraft you intend to add the gauge to.

If you would rather use this ‘window’ method than the ‘fixed’ position then

you will need to delete all entries in the gauge section (usually in window 00

or 01) relating to the TGS gauge in the panel.cfg, otherwise you will have 2

gauges in your panel.

22.3.1 Install the gauge into a window for the FS2004 default 747-400

// Panel Configuration File

// Boeing 747-400

[Window Titles]

Window00=Main Panel

Window01=Radio Stack

Window02=GPS

Window03=Throttle Quadrant

Window04=Overhead Panel

Window05=Clock

Window06=Mini Panel

Window07=TGS ------------------Enter this line here.

…

[Window06]

position=7

size_mm=350,200

child_3d=1

background_color=0,0,0

ident=MINIPANEL

gauge00=Boeing747-400!Primary Flight Display, 0, 0

gauge01=Boeing747-400!Multi-Function Display, 177, 0

Then enter the following section below the last window section:-

[Window07]

Background_color=0,0,0

size_mm=100,100

window_size_ratio=1.000

position=7

visible=1

ident=5000

window_size_ratio=1.0

gauge00=TGS!TaxiGuidanceSystem, 0,0,100,100,Autohide OFF

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Now SAVE Your Work

You should now be able to see the gauge in your 2d cockpit. The gauge will

also be seen in Virtual Cockpit and Spot View (just go to Views/Instrument

Panel/TGS and make you place a tick is next to it.)

22.3.2 Install the gauge into a window for a 3

party aircraft in FS2004

// Airbus Generic "340 Pro Panel"

[Window Titles]

Window00=Wipers

window01=VFR Panel

window02=IFR Panel

window03=MCDU

window04=Pedestal

window05=Big PFD

window06=Big ND

window07=Big upper ECAM

window08=Big lower ECAM

window09=GPS

Fixed Window37=OVERHEAD - USE KEYPAD 5

Window09=Reality XP Wx500 Radar - RXP_CONFIG_TOOL - DO NOT CHANGE

Window10=Reality XP DropStack

Window11=Extended Flight Info

Window12=Flight Info Icon

Window13=TGS ------------------Enter this line here.

…

Then enter the following section after the Window12 section:-

[Window13]

background_color=16,16,16

size_mm=50, 23

window_size_ratio=1.0

position=6

visible=1

ident=12013

gauge00=EFinfoH!Icon, 0, 0, 50, 23

[Window13]

Background_color=0,0,0

size_mm=100,100

window_size_ratio=1.000

position=7

visible=1

ident=5000

gauge00=TGS!TaxiGuidanceSystem, 0,0,100,100,Autohide OFF

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Now SAVE Your Work

22.3.3 Install the gauge into a window for a 3

party aircraft in FSX

For this example we are using the PMDG 747-400X so again go to your

panel.cfg (simobjects/airplanes)

So again under windows titles add the following under your last window,

Window23=TGS

Now add this section under the last window section in the panel.cfg

[Window23]

Background_color=0,0,0

size_mm=100,100

window_size_ratio=1.000

position=7

visible=1

ident=5000

window_size_ratio=1.0

gauge00=TGS!TaxiGuidanceSystem, 0,0,100,100,Autohide OFF

Now SAVE Your Work

22.3.4 Install the gauge into a window for a default aircraft for FSX

For this example we will use the A321 Airbus

All you need to do is just add everything as before…

[Window Titles]

Window00=Main Panel

Window01=Radio Panel

Window02=GPS

Window03=Throttle Panel

Window04=Overhead Panel

Window05=Gear Panel

Window06=Clock

Window07=Glass Panel

Window08=PFD

Window09=MFD

Window10=Primary ECAMS

Window11=Secondary ECAMS

Window12=Mini Panel

Window13=TGS ------------------Enter this line here.

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Now add this section under the last window section in the panel.cfg

[Window13]

Background_color=0,0,0

size_mm=100,100

window_size_ratio=1.000

position=7

visible=1

ident=5000

window_size_ratio=1.0

gauge00=TGS!TaxiGuidanceSystem, 0,0,100,100,Autohide OFF

Now SAVE Your Work

22.3.5 A Few Useful Notes:

You can adjust the size_mm= to whatever size you want, personally I leave it

on the sizes shown in the previous examples.

Don’t forget to save any changes you make to the panel.cfg.

In some 3

party aircraft you may need to re-load the gauge again to get it to

show, this depends on how complex the panel is. This is not a problem with

the TGS gauge file but unfortunately due to the fact that all 3

party add-on

gauges are usually hidden behind your aircraft’s panel. Also with some 3

party aircraft the gauge may be hidden behind the2D panel on startup, in

which case you may want to switch to Spot view or VC to adjust it, but this

mostly only occurs in FSX.

As with any changes you make to your panel.cfg it is advisable to make a copy of

your panel.cfg before making such changes.

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23. EXTENDED CONTROL SECTOR FILE

The control sector file used by PF3, which resides in the PF3\Data folder,

named CenterSectors.dat, holds numerous elements of data to define the ATC

control boundaries worldwide, along with other things such as the regional

voice accent to be used. There have been many anomalies discovered with

this data along the way and we have endeavoured to correct any problems

found as and when reported. However, one of our users, Christopher

Sargeant, took it upon himself to check all these elements and add any he

found missing, correcting any anomalies and adjusting overlaps and gaps

between the boundaries. An enormous task to say the least! Thankfully

Christopher chose to share his hard work with the rest of us and so the

Extended Control Sector file was born

The following is Christopher's overview

23.1 Overview

This revised CenterSectors.dat file essentially ports the default bvcf.bgl file

into the PF3 CSV format.

 Data was gathered from stock files using PlanG and LittleNavMap.

 Total number of sector records increased from 486 to 4191.

 Improvements include:

o Removal of all gaps and overlaps worldwide.

o Much greater sector density particularly in USA, Canada, France,

Saharan Africa, Arabia, central and southeast Asia, India, China

and Australia.

o Better distribution of voice sets (i.e. no specification of “US Generic”

in Asia, etc.).

 Modifications were made, where practical, to meet current FIR/UIR

boundaries as depicted in Navigraph charts. Some inaccuracies would

have caused significant effort to correct and as such were ignored;

however, it is generally accurate and representative.

o All worldwide ATC sectors are believed represented except ZJSA

Sanya, which is split mostly between VHHK Hong Kong and ZGZU

Guangzhou and not easily separated as it would require a rebuild of

several neighboring sector boundaries to match current charts.

 No guarantee is made as to frequencies matching their current real world

counterparts.

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23.2 Argentina-Chile Antartic Penninsula Dispute

 Default bvcf.bgl has overlapping sectors in this area. By default, the

Chilean claim is recognized out of convenience. If preferred, area can

easily be switched to Argentinian control by changing the frequency of

sector 4353 from 119.700 to 125.500.

23.3 Unused Sector Names

Almost all default PF3 sector names have been used. Several are not

included in situations where the sector layout in the bvcf.bgl file did not lend

itself to convenient subdivision and/or Navigraph Charts did not seem to

indicate usage of such sector name. These include the following, with the

most appropriate sector numbers for manual re-inclusion if desired:

 25 East Midlands Center – 1527(?)

 27 Essex Radar – 1523(?)

 46 Maastricht Control – 1534-1535 or 1414

 49 Manchester Control – 1524, 1527

 64 Padova – 3155-3157

 78 Sevilla – 3055-3056, 3060-3062

 81 Stavanger – 1572, 1573

 84 Trondheim – 1571, 1574, 1579(?)

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24. TGS GENERAL FAQ SECTION

Q “I can’t see my gauge”

A Have you installed the gauge into the correct folder?

Q ”I have installed the gauge into the folder and copy and pasted the line into

my CFG and I still can’t see the gauge”

A Have you assigned a gauge number and co-ordinates as shown in the

readme?

Q ”My gauge doesn’t work, the pointer or L.E.Ds don’t move or light up”

A Have you changed the line in panel.cfg to the correct one for the TGS.gau

or deleted the wrong gauge by mistake?

Q ”I have FS running and the gauge isn’t there, it’s not working”

A You won’t see the gauge, it’s hidden until you connect to PF3, unless you

use the Autohide OFF parameter in the PANEL.CFG file (see instructions

above)

Q ”I get the warning messages that do I trust it when I start FSX for the first

time after installing it”

A If you say Yes to both messages you will be able to use the gauge, if the

answer is NO because you are worried that the file

might be corrupt, you will not be able to use it.

Q ”I altered the panel.cfg and didn’t save changes, now it doesn’t work”

A You should always save your changes.

Q ”It won’t work in my Virtual Cockpit”

A Quite simply, it won’t as it’s only designed for the 2D Cockpit.

Q “The TGS Gauge doesn't show, even after receiving full taxi instructions?”

A That could be due to a number of reasons:-

1: You are using a 3rd party aircraft that needs to be re-loaded again and

hopefully the gauge will then show.

2: You are using 3rd party scenery addon with the settings very high, in

which case you may need to re-load your aircraft or turn some settings down,

especially with high end aircraft.

3: It may be hidden by another gauge, try relocating it using 000, 000 co-

ordinates as all 3rd party aircraft are different.

Well I hope you enjoy using the TGS gauge as much as I have enjoyed

putting this tutorial together!

Dave Leesley

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25. KNOWN ISSUES

25.1 Your Skin

No we're not trying to be personal, we mean your choice of PF3 skin.

As you must be aware of by now PF3 comes complete with an assortment of

different skins that can be applied to the program to change its look and feel.

Some are, shall we say, different, and others are really nice (in my opinion)

and besides they say a change is a good as a rest. So the nice folk at

OnCourse Software provide a means by which you can experience a rest!

Now that said, we have to be completely honest and say for some of our

testers these news skins did cause some problems... namely the GUI would

crash at random times when selecting different buttons. Personally I haven't

had the problem at all, but then I only run PF3 on my development rig which

comes complete with all the necessary, but more often unnecessary, gadgets,

gizmos and drivers that I've collected along the way and this machine is quite

old now. So not really a good test!

So, if you don't like the look of any of these skins or you're one of the

unfortunate users who have more than your fair share of skin related

problems, namely PF3 will simply disappear when you click on something

without even a goodbye message, we have provided a way for you to turn off

the skins completely.

Please see section 7.1.26 for further details

25.2 Senior Moments

Sorry... clean forgot what I was going to put here!

25.3 In the Unlikely Event

In the unlikely event that PF3 has a problem, that it's unable to recover from,

we want to know about it as soon as possible. In fact we'd like to know about

it as soon as it happens. No one likes it when something goes wrong but

unfortunately that's life and these things can and do happen. Our aim is to

ensure such things don't happen, ever, but there's this guy I know who goes

by the name of Murphy, who has a nasty habit of interfering when you least

expect it.

So, to make your life and ours a little easier PF3 will attempt to collate all the

information we need to investigate and fix the problem.

If such a problem should arise (thanks to Murphy) you should see the

following display:-

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As you can see this looks quite alarming, with the red title and black

background, but we didn't want you to miss it, although the clue that

something's amiss will probably be quite evident because PF3 will have gone

rather quiet.

The important thing to note here before going any further is the location PF3

has created the error log zip file... as shown on this message it can be found

in the ...PF3/Logs folder, should you need it.

You will also notice a grey box with some text already entered that starts

'Please add any information here that might be helpful' and it really would be

helpful if you would kindly add as much information here as you could,

regarding exactly how the error occurred. e.g. What you were doing, what

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you heard, what you saw, whereabouts in your flight you were at the time,

etc., etc.

Finally it would be nice to have YOUR email address so please do take the

time to enter it.

Then decide if you wish to save a copy of the error logs zip file or if you would

like to have it deleted once you have sent it to us, which you can do by

selecting the 'Delete log file...' option or not.

Then just hit the 'SEND Error Report' to email the zip file containing all the

various log files to us.

Please note: you do not require an email client on your PF3 computer for this

to work but you would need an internet connection. If you're running PF3 on

a PC with no internet connection then of course you would need to copy the

generated error log zip file to a PC with an email client and send it to us that

way.

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26. SUPPORT

The latest support information can be found on our website:

http://www.oncourse-software.co.uk/contactus.htm

Should you experience problems installing or using PF3 please ensure you

are using the most recent version before asking for assistance. You can easily

check you have the current release of PF3 by using the Check for Updates

button on the main menu.

Please Note: We only offer support for the latest released version of

our software and any requests for support for earlier versions will be

politely ignored.

All requests for PF3 support should initially be requested via our

support forum, unless instructed otherwise.

For support with PF3 please visit our support forum at:

http://www.ocs-support.co.uk/forums

The latest support information (with links to our forum) can always be found

by visiting our website:

http://www.oncourse-software.co.uk/contactus.htm

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27. CREDITS

I would like to thank the following for their help and support during the

development, testing and production of this and previous versions of PF3. We

have been really fortunate to also have a few real world experts on board for

this trip and their help and guidance has been invaluable. If I've missed

anyone it was not intentional.

27.1 Beta Testers

Bruce Leehan

Charlie Kettlewell

Daniel Katz

David Leesley

Kevin Hardy

Les Parson

Nicholas Weber

Patrick Maeyens

Peter Schluter

Radu Mares

Ralf Kessel

Stephen Molsher

Thomas Arendsen Hein

27.2 PF3 Program Design and Development

Dave March

27.3 PF3 Documentation

Dave March

David Leesley

Nicholas Weber

Daniel Katz

Martin Cockerell

27.4 Special Thanks…

Charlie Kettlewell – Voice set editing

Islam Elshaarawy - Geospatial programming

Pedro R – Voice set editing

Stephen Molsher - Voice set editing

Martin Cockerell – PF3's Audio output, Taxi route calculation, Updater and

the PF3 WEB Display utility, to name but a few

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27.5 Additional Work

Hazel March - Advertising, research and finance

Christopher Sargeant – Compiling the extended Control Sectors file, providing

a more accurate and detailed database of ATC control boundaries and also

correcting various anomalies.

Almost Last:

To you dear user, without whom there would be no PF3, thank you for your

continued support.

Last but not Least:

To my dear wife, Hazel, for all your help and support during this, my latest

journey.

Thank you darling. X

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28. COPYRIGHT AND LICENSING

28.1 Copyright

28.2 Acknowledgements

Any reference to trademarks, registered or otherwise, of Microsoft or Lockheed

Martin are hereby acknowledged.

28.3 Software License Agreement

NOTICE -- READ THIS BEFORE INSTALLING OR USING THE SOFTWARE.

INSTALLING AND USING THE SOFTWARE ACCOMPANYING THIS LICENSE INDICATES

YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. READ ALL OF THE TERMS

AND CONDITIONS OF THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT PRIOR TO INSTALLING OR USING

THE SOFTWARE. IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THESE TERMS, YOU MUST DELETE THE

SOFTWARE FROM YOUR HARDWARE. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MAY NOT USE, COPY,

MODIFY OR TRANSFER THE SOFTWARE OR DOCUMENTATION OR ANY COPY, EXCEPT

AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT.

IMPORTANT -- READ CAREFULLY: By installing PF3 (the "Software"), You

("Licensee") agree to be and are hereby bound by the terms of this Software License

Agreement (this "Agreement"). If Licensee does not agree to the terms of this

Agreement, Licensee must promptly destroy all copies of the Software and

accompanying documentation ("Documentation").

I. GRANT OF LICENSE:

ONCOURSE SOFTWARE hereby grants to Licensee a non-exclusive license to use the

Software and Documentation subject to the following terms:

Licensee agrees not to cause or permit the reverse engineering, disassembly, or

decompilation of the Software.

Licensee may: install the Software on one computer.

Licensee may not:

(i) use or permit other individuals to use the Software except under the terms

listed above;

(ii) modify, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble (except to the

extent that this restriction is expressly prohibited by law) or create derivative

works based upon the Software or Documentation;

(iii)copy the Software or Documentation (except as described above);

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(iv) rent, lease, sell, offer to sell, distribute, or otherwise transfer rights to the

Software or Documentation or

(v) remove any proprietary notices or labels on the Software or Documentation.

II. SOFTWARE:

This license does not grant Licensee any right to any enhancement or update of the

Software.

III. TITLE:

Title, ownership, rights, and intellectual property rights in and to the Software and

Documentation shall remain in ONCOURSE SOFTWARE and/or its suppliers and

licensors. The Software is protected by the copyright law of the United Kingdom and

international copyright treaties. Title, ownership rights, and intellectual property

rights in and to the content accessed through the Software, including the content

contained in the Software media demonstration files, is the property of the applicable

content owner and may be protected by applicable copyright or other law. This

license gives Licensee no rights to such content.

IV. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY:

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. TO THE

MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ONCOURSE SOFTWARE AND

ITS LICENSORS AND SUPPLIERS FURTHER DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING

WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS

FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND ON INFRINGEMENT. THE ENTIRE RISK ARISING

OUT OF THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION

REMAINS WITH LICENSEE. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE

LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL ONCOURSE SOFTWARE OR ITS SUPPLIERS OR

LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT,

SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, OR OTHER DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT

LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS

INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, LOSS OF DATA OR OTHER

PECUNIARY LOSS) ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE USE OF OR

INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ONCOURSE SOFTWARE OR ITS

SUPPLIERS OR LICENSORS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH

DAMAGES.

V. TERMINATION:

This license shall terminate automatically if Licensee fails to comply with the

limitations described in this license. No notice shall be required from ONCOURSE

SOFTWARE to effectuate such termination. On termination Licensee must destroy all

copies of the Software and Documentation. Without limiting the foregoing,

ONCOURSE SOFTWARE may terminate this Agreement immediately for any breach

by Licensee of the Agreement.

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VI. ENTIRE AGREEMENT:

This Agreement constitutes the complete and exclusive agreement between

ONCOURSE SOFTWARE and Licensee with respect to the subject matter hereof and

supersedes all prior oral or written understandings, communications or agreements

not specifically incorporated herein. This Agreement may not be modified except in

writing duly signed by an authorized representative of ONCOURSE SOFTWARE and

Licensee.

VII. ASSIGNMENT:

Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations of Licensee hereunder may be

assigned by Licensee in whole or in part without the prior written approval of

ONCOURSE SOFTWARE. Any assignment in derogation of the foregoing shall be null

and void.

VIII. SEVERABILITY:

If any part of this Agreement is for any reason found to be unenforceable, all other

parts nevertheless remain enforceable as long as a party's rights under this

Agreement are not materially affected. In lieu of the unenforceable provision, the

parties will substitute or add as part of this Agreement a provision that will be as

similar as possible in economic and business objectives as was intended by the

unenforceable provision.

Page 212 of 212

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