OnCourse Software

Hi,

I bought this software about two weeks ago, and, first of all, I must say it made my life much easier after understanding how to create a profile and manage the checklists. I think it is a must have, because when flying solo, you realize that flying a commercial aircraft is a two-(or three-)man job. I configured the virtual copilot to manage my flaps, gear and auto pilot, while I'm responding to ATC calls or inputting a new heading.

Anyway, I learned how to make profiles and how to modify configuration files, so now I have two profiles so far (I just discovered that there are lots in AVSIM) for addon aircraft, the POSKY B737-800 and the ISDT ATR-42. Both profiles make the calls I expect and have their respective checklists correct (which I also edited as custom files for these two aircraft.) I have to say that I'm no stranger to editing and looking up information in the aircraft.cfg files and sometimes took the flap settings in the cfg file as reference for my performance files.

OK, fueled by my enthusiasm, I started making a performance file and checklist for a Boeing 787-800, an addon aircraft by CAMSIM (Author: Camil Valiquette), which is a very nice model. When I was done with the performance file, I double checked the flap settings in the aircraft.cfg file to match the detentes in the performance file. I have to say it has some weird flap settings, because it also has leading edge slats. So, the settings, according to the original cfg file are (cut and pasted from the original):

[flaps.0] //Inboard Trailing Edge
type = 1 // 1 - tail, 2 - lead
span-outboard = 0.2 // 0.0 .. 1.0
extending-time = 15 // seconds
flaps-position.0 = 0 // degrees
flaps-position.1 = 0 // degrees
flaps-position.2 = 5 // degrees
flaps-position.3 = 10 // degrees
flaps-position.4 = 15 // degrees
flaps-position.5 = 20 // degrees
flaps-position.6 = 30 // degrees
damaging-speed = 250 // KIAS
blowout-speed = 290 // KIAS
lift_scalar = 1.00
drag_scalar = 1.00
pitch_scalar= 1.00
system_type = 0 //Hydraulic

[flaps.1] //Outboard Trailing Edge
type = 1 // 1 - tail, 2 - lead
span-outboard = 0.8 // 0.0 .. 1.0
extending-time = 15 // seconds
flaps-position.0 = 0 // degrees
flaps-position.1 = 0 // degrees
flaps-position.2 = 5 // degrees
flaps-position.3 = 10 // degrees
flaps-position.4 = 15 // degrees
flaps-position.5 = 20 // degrees
flaps-position.6 = 30 // degrees
damaging-speed = 250 // KIAS
blowout-speed = 290 // KIAS
lift_scalar = 1.00
drag_scalar = 1.00
pitch_scalar= 1.00
system_type = 0 //Hydraulic

[flaps.2] //Inboard Leading Edge Slats
type = 2 // 1 - tail, 2 - lead
span-outboard = 0.5 // 0.0 .. 1.0
extending-time = 5 // seconds
flaps-position.0 = 0 // degrees
flaps-position.1 = 1.0 // degrees
flaps-position.2 = 1.0 // degrees
flaps-position.3 = 1.0 // degrees
flaps-position.4 = 1.0 // degrees
flaps-position.5 = 1.0 // degrees
flaps-position.6 = 1.0 // degrees
damaging-speed = 250 // KIAS
blowout-speed = 290 // KIAS
lift_scalar = 1.00
drag_scalar = 1.00
pitch_scalar= 1.00
system_type = 0 //Hydraulic

I set the flap detentes in the performance file as Flaps 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30, then saved and connected to FSX. To my surprise, FDC won't connect with the error stating something like "The panel you're using is set to 0 flaps and FDC is configured for 7 flap positions". So, I went back to the configuration file and had the detentes changed to Flaps 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 (note there are two 0 positions in the entry [Flaps.0]). So, guessing I had corrected the error, I connected again and got the same error. The blackbox says that "Flaps detente's do not match the aircraft selected in FDC". I would really like your help in creating this performance file, because I want to fly this 787-800 with FDC.

I hope I was clear and sorry for this long post, my first one.

Thanks!

I'm not at my main rig to check any profiles,think you may need to add another setting so it looks like this 1,2,5,10 and so on,try this..

Thanks, Dave. I'll try that and will let you know as soon as I can.

Dave, FYI, FDC still refuses to connect with the same error displayed (number of flaps does not match), even with your suggestion to add two more positions. What I did is edit the performance file and added positions 1 and 2, just as you suggested. Then, saved the file and then saved the profile and closed the program, just to be sure. When I opened FDC again, my 787 profile was selected, so I changed it to another profile and closed the program again. I opened it again and selected the 787 profile with the new configuration file. I double checked the selection; on the pulldown menu it is "User:787-800 series". So, I left the program opened and started FSX. When I was finally on the cockpit, FDC refused to connect. Any ideas?

Using your original profile that you used,delete all the flaps section in your cfg file (make a copy beforehand:))

I have to do that to get sstsim's concorde too work..

OK, Dave. I'll let you know how it got along. Thanks!

Sorry for the late reply, Dave. I got tied up in real-life things. Unfortunately, I only got bad news to report

FDC still won't connect even after I deleted all the flaps sections in the aircraft.cfg file. It gives me the same error (flaps mismatch), and now I'm wondering if I made a mistake when creating the profile (which probably I did), and still don't have the ability to find out what.

I found a lot of profiles lying around in AVSIM and in a link here in the forum, so I downloaded them, but there's no 787 , although there are many I'm willing to give a try to, mainly the classic airliners, which I love.

If you got more suggestions, I'm quite open to them

Thanks!

I have one more idea for you to try,use a stock profile (default ones) and locate one that fits your flaps and then create your own profile.
This will give you an idea for the flaps settings at least...

Dave, first of all, I'm sorry for being so late to reply. I had some problems logging into the forum. Whenever I tried, I got the message about number of times exceeded and had to solve a captcha. I finally reset my password and here I am.

I'll try that suggestion about the default profiles. I might take a little time, because I'll have to check them one by one, but I'll do it and I'll keep you posted.

Thanks!

No worries and thanks for keeping me posted..