OnCourse Software

Hi Dave,

PF3 just keeps getting better and better. My number 1 choice for offline ATC in lieu of the default MSFS ATC for sure..

I'm having some trouble in asking the departure controller for higher cruise altitude. I was at FL70, and I then pressed H, and just afterwards 2, which means I should be getting FL90?, instead, no matter what, the pilot voice keeps requesting FL70, even if I just press H. Also, the moment I try to press, L, it just keeps asking for FL70 no matter what.

Also...one more question. Can you consider in the future to amend the call tower makes after landing?
"[Callsign], exit right/left at next available taxiway, contact ground when clear of the active". It seems to happen just after touchdown. This isn't very realistic. The controller would certainly wait until you are down to a reasonable taxi speed. When at such a high speed, such a call would definetely lead to filing a safety report to that controller , at least in my company!

And, lastly, this call seems to happen also when there is no ground frequency at that airport...what about the call being something like "[Callsign], exit right/left at next available taxiway". Since it doesn't make any sense to call ground when there is none.

Kind regards
Kyrre Andersen

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I'm having some trouble in asking the departure controller for higher cruise altitude. I was at FL70, and I then pressed H, and just afterwards 2, which means I should be getting FL90?, instead, no matter what, the pilot voice keeps requesting FL70, even if I just press H. Also, the moment I try to press, L, it just keeps asking for FL70 no matter what.

You're not the first one to have issues with this keying sequence and I might have to think about adding another hotkey, although that's not really the best option as hotkey slots are quite limited as it is. The keying sequence should be actioned quite quickly... i.e. you shouldn't pause after pressing the 'H' or 'L' key, which should also be held down as you press and release the numeric key. I actually had to use this yesterday and had no problems at all. So press and hold H/L, then immediately press and release the numeric key and finally release the H/L key.

Quote:

Also...one more question. Can you consider in the future to amend the call tower makes after landing?
"[Callsign], exit right/left at next available taxiway, contact ground when clear of the active". It seems to happen just after touchdown. This isn't very realistic. The controller would certainly wait until you are down to a reasonable taxi speed. When at such a high speed, such a call would definetely lead to filing a safety report to that controller , at least in my company!

The call is made when your speed drops to 60 or below. I think if we had it occur much later you could find yourself missing an appropriate turnoff. In the real world you'd know which way ATC would be sending you in the same way you'd know which gate you'd be given.

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And, lastly, this call seems to happen also when there is no ground frequency at that airport...what about the call being something like "[Callsign], exit right/left at next available taxiway". Since it doesn't make any sense to call ground when there is none.

If there's no Ground control the call should be 'contact Tower'. If this is not the case please include the debug log next time it happens, but as far as I can see after checking the code it should be working just fine.

Thanks for the reply Dave,

Yes, you are correct - the call is "contact tower when clear of the active". Well....regarding that speed threshold of 60 knots. In almost every aircraft you are nowhere near the speed at which you should try to attempt a turnoff. Could there be an option for the user to choose this speed at which the handoff happens? Also, if there is no ground frequency, why would the tower controller ask you to contact the same guy again? Is there any chance of just having the tower say, "taxi to terminal" / "taxi to gate NN" whenever you have slowed close to taxi speed?

Kind regards

Kyrre Andersen

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regarding that speed threshold of 60 knots. In almost every aircraft you are nowhere near the speed at which you should try to attempt a turnoff.

ATC aren't telling you to turn off at that speed, they're saying 'when available'. If you're going too fast it's not available. I could add 'when able' but then it becomes somewhat verbiage In my opinion.

I think you're making more of this then necessary really. ATC are simply handing you off as quickly as possible so they can get on with the other tasks at hand. They certainly aren't going to monitor you on roll out and guestimate how fast you're travelling before giving the instructions. You, as pilot in charge, decide what is safe and what's not before performing the action. Would you prefer 'exit left/right when able'?

As for Tower telling you to contact them again after vacating the runway if there's no ground control I agree, it does sound a little strange. Unfortunately we don't have any alternative recorded statements. Ideally it would be something like 'report on this frequency when clear of the active'