OnCourse Software

martinlest wrote: *

Tue Jul 03, 2018 2:17 pm

Anyone able to help please? I attach another log file... It seems to me that in Mode 2 (as I have said) things are not always happening as they should be.

For instance, when en route and ATC says for the a/c to contact a different centre, (giving the frequency), in Mode 2 I would expect the frequency to change and the contact to be made automatically by the VCP, and mostly it does so: but I notice that sometimes no verbal contact is made, even if PF3 does change the frequency. I have to press the appropriate key myself, as if I were in Mode 1. There is at least one instance of that, possibly more, in this log file (I don't know if you can see the difference between a PF3 input and a user key input from the log?). I always have the COM window open on a separate monitor so that I can check on what is being said by ATC (and the Remote Text window too, so I can check the pilot's replies), BTW.

On this flight, having been asked to contact Frankfurt tower when established, nothing happened once again. I have another question about this though - maybe in this case I was a little premature when I changed the frequency/made contact with ATC 'manually' myself, as if I were in Mode 1: I was getting close to the glideslope and still no frequency change and subsequent contact with the tower had been made, so I did it myself... But at what point (i.e. what is the trigger) does PF3 register the aircraft as being 'established', and (in Mode 2) switch to the indicated frequency and have the VCP contact the tower? If I know exactly when this is supposed to occur, it will be easier to know when things might not be happening as they are supposed to and to do 'the necessary' manually, before it's too late for a nice approach and landing...

Any clues from the logs I have uploaded as to why I have this recurring issue?

Thank you.

martinlest wrote: *

Tue Jul 03, 2018 4:21 pm

Oh, is that so? I had always used Mode 2 but had taken to using Mode 1 in X-Plane. Due to some Mode 1 issues I have gone back to Mode 2 - I thought that in Mode 2 the VCP took care of all that. I am sure (well, 99%) that in Mode 2 the VCP has in the past changed the frequency and contacted the tower.. am I really remembering something that didn't happen?? (Frightening!).

Maybe Dave could confirm that in Mode 2, you still have to do this change and check-in manually. (When exactly is 'established'?).

Thanks.

martinlest wrote: *

Tue Jul 03, 2018 4:21 pm

Oh, is that so? I had always used Mode 2 but had taken to using Mode 1 in X-Plane. Due to some Mode 1 issues I have gone back to Mode 2 - I thought that in Mode 2 the VCP took care of all that. I am sure (well, 99%) that in Mode 2 the VCP has in the past changed the frequency and contacted the tower.. am I really remembering something that didn't happen?? (Frightening!).

Maybe Dave could confirm that in Mode 2, you still have to do this change and check-in manually. (When exactly is 'established'?).

Thanks.

Quote:

To get CP Mode 2 or 3 to make contact with Tower you need to be less than 10 miles from the runway and on a heading of +/- 45 degrees of the active runway heading.

martinlest wrote: *

Tue Jul 03, 2018 10:40 pm

Does the log file I posted on 13/6 not help, Dave? I can of course post another..

Thanks.