I'm a sucker for 'trying' to do flight sim the way the airlines actually fly, within the confines of the software. First off, I am the PF. The PF doesn't man the coms, that is the function of the PM (or PNF if you will). This is what drew me to PF3. Using a combination of FS2Crew and PF3, I can be the PF and using CP Mode 2 (CP Mode 3 is being too lazy ) and allow the PM to do the busy work. But since the PM is virtual, they can't interact with VATSIM, so again, PF3 is the key and PF3 covers all ATC all the time everywhere. Please don't misunderstand, VATSIM is awesome but the pilot flying a T7 has his hands busy flying, there really is a reason to have a PM! Given all this, I have a question about runway selection. I don't see a way without rigging the runways by knowing which runway will be chosen in advance.
Case in point. Today I flew from KIAD to EGLL. My question. does one have to 'game' the system, in other words, set up a runway, say as 'B'oth and have the other runways set up to either 'L'and or 'X' at the departure airport? What I run into is which way to have the tug point the aircraft when I push. If I set up the runway RWY 01R/19L as 'B'oth, I'm pointed in the right direction as ATC will not select any other runways for departure, i.e. it won't select 01C/19C or 01L/19R or 30/12 since they were marked as either 'L'and or 'X'. The follow on question, is there any way, other than what I've outlined, to know in advance what runway will be chosen before pushback? What I've witnessed is that only at the time of taxi clearance does one find out the runway that ATC will use, which occurs after the push and thus the plane is already pointed in a direction which may or may not be the one desired, which is reason to game the system rather that having all runways be 'B'oth.
And another question, while I'm at it. Is there a way to not have the call for push and start occur immediately after the call for clearance delivery, in other words a separate event? If there is using CP Mode 2, I missed it in the documentation. I usually call for CD some 5 minutes or less before push but there are actions that happen before I'm actually ready to push.
Thought of one more question. Again, if I missed it in the documentation, shame on me. Is there a way to direct all the PF3 audio through the headsets? Or better yet, to change between the headset and speakers depending on the stage of flight?
Hope this all made sense.
Thanks in advance for any help and advice!
George