OnCourse Software

Hi Dave,

Had several flights with this beta now and I can't see any problems (apart from the fact that the VCP still doesn't set the squawk code any more).

Might I ask one thing (whilst I am posting this thread): been meaning to mention it for at least a year! It may be intentional for some reason (?), but PF3 never (this is not by chance: happens in 100% of my flights) gives the pilot a second altitude to climb to (after the initial one, at clearance) until the a/c has just about levelled off at that first given altitude. Which then entails resetting the climb parameters. After that first instruction, all increases in altitude are given at around 1000' 'notice'. So (that's not very clearly expressed, I think!): on the ground, you might be told to climb initially to 15,000'. You have to level off pretty much at 15,000' before there is another climb instruction - 'climb and maintain 22,000 feet'. The next climb instruction ('climb to 32,000 feet', say) will come at under 21,000', so from there you have time to reset the ALT to 32,000' and get a smooth, continuous climb all the way to cruise alt.

Could the first climb instruction, after takeoff, also come with the same 1000' 'notice', so that you get a smooth ascent the whole way, rather than that initial levelling off? No biggie, needless to say, may even be just my personal preference, but it would give a smoother climb and be more in line with what one might expect?

Martin

Hi Martin,

Which sim and which aircraft are you using when you see the problem with the squawk code?
I took a flight yesterday using 3.19.19 with MSFS and in VCP2 mode the VCP set the squawk code correctly at the transition to/from an Oceanic section.

Cheers,
Martin

Hi Dave. None of my aircraft sets the squawk code in fact. The VCP always used to set this at clearance (I am always in VCP1 mode at that stage: I don't go to VCP2 until I am at the runway, otherwise you get requests to taxi before you are through with the push & start), but now (not sure at which update this stopped happening, but only a few months ago) I have to enter it into the transponder manually.

Only fly X-Plane 11, (as XP12 is still pretty rubbish in VR mode).

Quote:

I don't go to VCP2 until I am at the runway, otherwise you get requests to taxi before you are through with the push & start),

Martin, do you have this option OFF?

.

No, that option is checked. (I am used to switching to VCP2 only when I arrive at the runway: in fact I have a keyboard (macro) set to request takeoff and switch to VCP2 at the same time, so I don't want to change anything - it is second nature to me to do it that way and is even written into all my (home-made) checklists - I have had it set up that way since I first installed PF3: I'm far too old and stupid to change now!).

My only small problem is that I am also used to the squawk being set in VCP1 mode, which no longer happens, as I say. I shouldn't have mentioned the VCP1/VCP2 thing, it was just an aside really. Sorry.

Thanks Dave!

martinlest wrote: *

Sun Jan 15, 2023 11:42 am

It may be intentional for some reason (?), but PF3 never (this is not by chance: happens in 100% of my flights) gives the pilot a second altitude to climb to (after the initial one, at clearance) until the a/c has just about levelled off at that first given altitude.

Do you usually fly with the SID option enabled? What you are describing may happen when you reach the initial SID clearance altitude, because it is consistent with real-world procedure. Many SIDs have a published 'top altitude' you may not exceed without explicit further clearance from ATC, and if you reach the initial clearance altitude before you receive further climb instructions you must level off. The idea is to keep departing aircraft below arrivals descending on a crossing STAR and there have been several real-world close calls because departing aircraft failed to level off as required. This should only happen at the initial clearance altitude for a SID. It should not happen on subsequent climb instructions, and I don't think it should happen at all when you are flying a vectored departure (no SID).

See article at https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ ... on-airport

Hi Dan,

Sometimes I fly with Sid (nice chap!), sometimes without. The instruction to continue climb in that first instance always comes as the aircraft has just levelled off in all cases, SID or no.