London Melbourne 2014: Help Thread

[flyon]

Any chance we can have John Mueller update the duenna to make it compatible and allow it to be used?

Or if anyone has contact info for him, perhaps ask if one of us could take the project over and one of us can update it. Especially if we keep doing the RTWRace it will help include P3D in future or possible future FS versions if dovetail actually makes the franchise go somewhere

Personally, I think you are the man for the job.
I think anyone in the flight sim community can attest to that statement simply by looking at all of your past experience with what you have done "behind the scenes" with flight sim in general.

Also:

You can email him...when I emailed him, he responded within a day.

He went above and beyond to responding to my inquiry. And for the record, you will not meet a kinder more knowledgeable developer imo.
He is a true gentleman in every sense of the word, and I would bet the farm that he would also go "above and beyond" to help you out if you are serious (which sounds to me that you truly are) about trying to develop a version of his Duenna for P3D.
I really don't see why it isn't possible, but even as good as you are with the tech stuff, I can't see it happening this year -it's too much to ask of you in such short notice imo.
Anyways, good luck to you if you do attempt to try to do so.

PS: if you do attempt to do this Duenna for P3D down the road at some point and do come up with something, I would be more than glad to help you beta test it out for bugs or glitches, if that would be necessary.

 

[flyon]

There seems to be a ton of options available with it's use. . .actually so many that it's hard to take in at a single glance.

Yes, there is a lot in there,and that's not even talking about the many "detail packs" that go with it. Some are included, and some are payware addons.
I use the 737 detail pack in FSX every once in a while, but for the most part I don't use any of them, I'm happy with what is standard operating equipment within P3D.

I doubt that it will be a serious contender to the Duenna, simply because it's payware and that automatically makes it very questionable as a total replacement. Folks new to the Racing scene and those well established racers (who have moved completely to P3D) will not appreciate having to buy software in order to participate and that's the major reason I don't see FS Flying School as a viable option.

I totally agree with everything you say here. In the end, FSFS really isn't a viable solution to anything, and most certainly our conundrum here now.
I use FSFS for FS9 and FSX, and now I use it extensively in P3D. I like the product, and I only simply offered it up as a suggestion. At this time, I have yet to find anything comparable for P3D flight mapping/logging.

(Time for me to get off the now ...lol)


To go back to what you said earlier, and as far as this event goes, going this event in FS9 or FSX is a viable option indeed, and it might be the only way one can enter this event competitively.

I'm going it in P3D to see how L-M renders different parts of the world I have seen way too many times in FS9 and FSX. Besides, for me, change is good every once in a while...

Thanks Ed.

 

[JimmyRFR]

To: The Committee
RE: Caudron C.460

Thank you for passing on Miss Nellie's ruling on the matter. I was hoping the high speed was a decent trade off against the rather short legs of the Caudron C.460. However, as I'd of had to land at almost every optional stop, and knowing very well the 'exciting' nature of the C.460 on it's ground roll, perhaps this is a good decision that may extend my health!

And of course, everyone else is afraid of the fine French construction of the Caudron... While nosing about different pubs in both merry England as well as the Continent in the month leading up to this race, I've had several attempts made by some rather shady fellows to place me in the infirmary. So far I've been lucky, but next time, who knows!

The slower speed of the C.450, along with it's short range, would make for a certain loss I'm afraid, and I'm unsure that my benefactors would agree to such an scenario. They already have me investigating a few other designs. None, I'm afraid, that would be as exciting as the Caudron, but we shall see what they decide!

Best regards!

 

[AussieMan]

Following a request from Mike about how I got the Duenna to work in P3D I tried to emulate my settings from when I was using P3D V1.2 but could not get them to work in P3D V2.4.

I even went to the P3D V2.4 folder in my users section and created a dummy FS9 cfg file but that would not work. You need RW for it to work. You may get away with Active Sky but I am using ASN and it does not work.

Not sure if John has updated but I am running V136 OF the RTW Duenna.

 

[falcon409]

Following a request from Mike about how I got the Duenna to work in P3D I tried to emulate my settings from when I was using P3D V1.2 but could not get them to work in P3D V2.4.
I even went to the P3D V2.4 folder in my users section and created a dummy FS9 cfg file but that would not work. You need RW for it to work. You may get away with Active Sky but I am using ASN and it does not work.
Not sure if John has updated but I am running V136 of the RTW Duenna.

I think once P3D moved from the V1.x versions into the V2.x it changed significantly with respect to coding across the board. The Duenna, because it hasn't been kept up in ages is now unusable for P3D participants. Is Johannes even still associated with the utility? If not, then it will require some serious rewriting I would imagine. As I mentioned in one of my posts above, those who have kept at least FSX can fall back to that sim for contests of this sort that require the use of the Duenna. . .but the number of P3D users who are leaving those sims behind is growing and it's those prospective participants that will be left out of future gatherings. As for RWW. . .that doesn't concern me. . .I get a yellow indication and that's good enough to get a good flight after 4 or 5 hours of flying, but the Realism settings in P3D_V2.4 are correct but I still get an indication that they are not set correctly and that "is" a problem. That's before even getting off the ground. . .who knows what the Duenna would find fault with once you're cruising along about 2 hours into a flight and something P3D does throws it into a tizzy.

 

[AussieMan]

Ed that is what I was getting with my Realism settings. Yellow for the weather but cannot remember whether the weather in earlier versions of P3D were green or yellow.

This is what I got this morning:

Realism: RED
Weather: YELLOW
All others: GREEN

 

[falcon409]

Ed that is what I was getting with my Realism settings. Yellow for the weather but cannot remember whether the weather in earlier versions of P3D were green or yellow.

This is what I got this morning:

Realism: RED
Weather: YELLOW
All others: GREEN

Yep, same thing I get. I'm going to do a test with the Duenna and fly a portion of one leg of the race and then send the Duenna log and map to Mike so he can look it over.

 

[Demious]

As far as the duenna goes for those who are flying competitive, an option to consider (for those using P3D) could be using FS Flying School for P3D.

I've got FS Flying School, so that wouldnt be a problem. Any tip on how to use it for such purpose would be great, since I havent used it a lot and I'm not sure what it can do and how to use it in such manner.

I've found some pre-1938 aircrafts to test for P3D, but in the two weeks until the race it's a bit short to learn and test them. For me it's the first time I'm going to do a thing like this and even though I want to try to fly it dead reckoning, I'm think I'm going to use my old and trusted Skymaster. I'll see if I can test some aircraft and make some recommendations for golden age aircrafts for P3D, but that's going to be for the next race, I'm afraid.

About installing Duenna in P3Dv2, I read someone has tried to create a dummy FS9.cfg, but shouldnt that be a FS9.exe? Or Both?

 

[Demious]

A question about one model aircraft, though. What I understand is that the Waco F-series are from the 1930s, but there are also newer replicas made and I cant really find if the Alabeo Waco YMF5 would be a contester for the race, or if this is one the later build replicas.
Does anyone know if this aircraft would fit the category of golden age aircraft?

 

[falcon409]

. . . . .About installing Duenna in P3Dv2, I read someone has tried to create a dummy FS9.cfg, but shouldn't that be a FS9.exe? Or Both?

I did a test flight this morning of about an hour duration to get a decent readout for the Duenna Log file. Prior to takeoff and turning on the Duenna I made sure the weather engine was active (I'm using FSrealWX_Lite) and realism settings were correct, then activated the Duenna (red on realism and yellow for weather, everything else green). . .took off and climbed to altitude for the flight. After landing and the Duenna validated the flight (Not Valid by the way), I closed the flight and viewed the log file. The very first ERROR was the following:
Errors:
13.10.2014 12:21:04z ERROR: FS9.CFG is not readable: Can't open 'D:\Program Files\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v2\FS2002.CFG' for reading: 53 - File not found

Further down there was this:
Info: Looks like FS2002
Info: Configuration-File: D:\Program Files\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v2\FS2002.CFG
Info: REALISM/CrashDetection: '0' (NOT GOOD)
Info: REALISM/StressDamage: '' (NOT GOOD)
Info: REALISM/UnlimitedFuel: '' (NOT GOOD)
Info: Weather/LoadWeather: '0' (NOT GOOD)
Info: REALISM/CrashTolerance: '0'

So that's what it's looking for and not sure how to get around it.

 

[MM]

This is excellent news Ed.

Your test suggests that P3D users might use the Duenna for most purposes. The program will not be able to certify the pre-flight settings realism. The Duenna doesn't know where to find those data. (Neither do we. Does anyone here know where P3D keeps those settings? Is there some sort of initial conditions file?)

But crucially, the test confirms that the Duenna will be able to monitor the actual flight and report on successes. And also, your test was able to activate the live tracking via the Duenna website! So we can all follow along with our P3D pilots as well. And the tracker website will store a backup logfile.

In practice, for our not-so-competitive event, this means that P3D users can use the Duenna to certify their flights. You will have to be on "pilot's honor" to get the realism settings correct. But you will be able to authenticate your successful legs with all the accuracy and ease of the Duenna program. (Thanks again to John Mueller.)

Much appreciated, Ed (falcon409)! Very good news for P3Ders.

Might some other P3D pilots try this out. You want to install the Duenna as normal (see the rules appendix for help). Set your realism correctly and start your live weather program. Then set your flight and activate the Duenna. You will get errors in the Duenna panel. (You may also get a warning to restart. Ignore this and click through.) Despite the errors in the startup panel, take off and complete a flight. The Duenna should work normally for the in-flight portion of its monitoring. We hope. Please report your experiences.

Here is a question for non-P3D pilots. Would anyone feel uncomfortable with our allowing P3D pilots to authenticate their legs with a combination of (a) "pilot's honor" on the realism settings and (b) the Duenna for the rest? Without objections, we'll work on a procedure that will allow P3D pilots to move forward.

--M

 

[SkippyBing]

(Neither do we. Does anyone here know where P3D keeps those settings? Is there some sort of initial conditions file?)

I believe it's in the Prepar3D.cfg file located in "C:\Users\<User Name>\AppData\Roaming\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v2" so pretty similar to FSX.

 

[salt_air]

Here is a question for non-P3D pilots. Would anyone feel uncomfortable with our allowing P3D pilots to authenticate their legs with a combination of (a) "pilot's honor" on the realism settings and (b) the Duenna for the rest? Without objections, we'll work on a procedure that will allow P3D pilots to move forward.--M

Hi Mike,


I don't want this taken wrong, but this event (everyone we've ever done) is and has been planned and considered (understood) for MSFS .... either FSX or FS9.

There has been no previous work ... actually there has (Aussieman for one), but so far no reconciliation between the two formats (second version P3D and MSFS) even though they are similar in some respects.

Again don't take this wrong anybody, but these two formats as of this writing don't gel and therefore can't be judged on a level playing field.



More important than that is it's not fair to the committee to feel the burden of providing a place for what is right now a close, but outside normal operations program that has no known way to connect to what has been offered.

I'm not mad at anybody or upset in any way ... as a matter of fact I volunteer as much help as I can muster to see this situation to resolve for the future of events in general and if working together ... on the side ... can bring about a solution before the race is complete.

However unless that condition can be met, I feel like it's just too much expected of the race organizers and committee to try to blend both the event and discovering a way to shoehorn the use of P3D .... in fact invent a way that is unknown anywhere.

Two separate tasks and operations .... lets' all try to get the duenna to work or maybe find yet another common validation system to help in future events and grow our fine hobby and broaden the field .... but unless there can be a fix or solution found in a timely manner for this specific event the P3D guys should be willing to plug along for the fun of it or fire up and instance of MSFS which I feel most of us have.




In closing it's not as much about the honesty thing (I have no reason to think that this is not resident at all times in everything we do together) as it is the use of the accumulated data that the duenna program affords to bring scoring into line on an even playing field.

After that last entrant has crossed the finish line the committee has to sort out and validate every stinkin' flight that everyone of us flew and provide a race tally of those figures that will show who did the best .... the worst .... first ... second ... third ... best fuel economy if needed .... shortest distance .... blah, blah, blah ... with data that came from the same common source.




I hope all can read my sympathy expressed for what the committee would have to accomplish .... also my enthusiasm about finding a way to work this out for the future of Sim events.

Let's make a separate thread in this forum to discuss how best to work out a useful validation for P3D and let's leave this one open for questions and assistance for registered Rookies and anyone else that may want to take the plunge for the first time.



A third a final concern is about any first timers visiting here .... trying to sort through all of this.

Most all of us have been flying and trading posts together for a very long time and that allows us to toss subject matter like this around in a positive and usually productive manner, but just imagine being a newbie or Rookie and being maybe a bit overwhelmed with all there is here to sort out ... not far to those guys either.




Cheers,

 

[MM]

P3D Thread Opened

Good idea to move the more specialized P3D discussion to its own thread. Here:
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforu...London-Melbourne-2014-P3D&p=910456#post910456

We will thus open up the "Help" thread for its vital mission of helping everyone get up to speed to have fun in the event.

Let's make a separate thread in this forum to discuss how best to work out a useful validation for P3D and let's leave this one open for questions and assistance for registered Rookies and anyone else that may want to take the plunge for the first time.

 

[PRB]

ADF navigation panel

I created this “nav panel” for one of our “no GPS” events a few years ago. It contains the gauges needed to navigate by ADF stations only. Two ADF radios, a duel ADF gauge, two stop watches, a signal strength meter, and the default DC-3 auto-pilot. The two stop watches are very useful for me. I sometimes plan my leg such that there are a couple of ADF stations along the way. I want to know the elapsed time since passing the last station, as well as the total elapsed time for the leg. So, two stop watches. The signal strength meter gives you a very basic idea of how far you might be from the station. And it makes me feel good when it jumps to the right...

You know it's quality equipment because it's from Lucas Electric...

Read the readme for installation. Pretty basic. All the gauges are freeware, and are contained in the package, so no need to add anything to your main gauges folder if you don't want to.

 

[JimmyRFR]

Eligibility of Caudron C.450

To: The Committee
RE: Caudron C.450

It's been a long week of traipsing around both England and the Continent and to tell you the truth, I'm getting worn out before this race has even begun!

The not-so-fine gentlemen at De Havilland have refused my request to let me fly one of their 'precious' Comets that they have in testing. Something about a few words I 'may' have said in a local pub... I thoroughly deny all allegations of course, but you understand how it goes.

I've also taken a look at a fine looking machine over at Percival Aircraft in Gravesend; unfortunately, while I was visiting they still seemed to be still be working out a few kinks in their new Mew Gull. It's a toss up whether they'll have it ready and running smooth for the start of the race. They seemed like fine gents, I hope they do! However, as I don't really want to spend any time stranded somewhere in the desert (or worse), I'm going to let them stick with the pilot they have!

A few other offers came (and went). A fairly interesting but poor paying offer to promote the new Beech Model 17. An offer to be one of the pilots on a second team flying the Boeing 247. An offer from the Granville brothers to fly a purpose built Model R (which I had to reject immediately... I do value my health a bit, you know!).

Alas! All this time spent and no other plane deemed suitable! My backers were suitably discouraged, and as a result only one backer is left: a Lady of considerable wealth from Montreal. I do believe she inherited... ah no matter! I shall get to my point: She prefers I fly something of French design, and is willing to support my effort in the Caudron previously indicated by this Fine Committee as being acceptable for this race, the C.450! I have assured her that we are at a disadvantage having not the upper hand in speed nor range, but she will hear none of it!

And so, before we actually come to any sort of formal agreement with the manufacturer, I would ask this Committee to re-confirm the eligibility of the Caudron C.450, along with the official handicap listing for said plane. It remains to be seen, depending on Her Stubbornness, whether we shall enter in the speed race or the handicap!

 

[spokes2112]

!!CAUTION!! USING FSRealWX PRO "Aircraft Config" feature.

Hi All,

I just recently had problems with FSRealWX PRO. It only had to do with the "Aircraft Config" tab. Never used that feature before. Maybe I should look at the newest readme(s) , it's been awhile. I assumed that by importing an aircraft.cfg into the program would give speeds and such so planning speeds could be estimated "psuedo" after WX is injected. Plus there is a "SAVE" button. (OUCH!) What happened is as such.

In the Duenna tracked flights 2014-10-16 13:05:25 and 2014-10-16 13:20:10 I crashed while leisurely flying through crappy WX while trying to gain speed. KABOOM! Crash. Been flying long enough in her thinking - Whatsup? At first I thought it was wind shifts popping the MACH overspeed. NOPE. Flying without Duenna it still crashed. Then looked at the crashed Duenna outputs and found this.

[COLOR=#000000]Enroute:
[/COLOR]........
 Aircraft-Reference:     Vne=184KIAS, Vcruise=213KTAS, Mmo=M0.000, Empty weight=2740.0 lbs

It seems after looking at the aircraft.cfg that it was modified,,, BADLY! When I first opened it up in "NoteTab Light" it barked saying there were multiple "illegal" characters and by clicking OK it would try to rectify. It did. With HTML. Anyhow it was a cluster ____. What I found is that The WX prog had put an extra [Reference Speeds] section at the very end of the aircraft.cfg amongst other crap.

Ended up manually removing the HTML & illegal code from all the paints then getting a raw aircraft.cfg from the archives and replacing all of that other than the paints and saving it. BS! The next flight was good..... Great actually. After a couple of hours putzing trying to find what was fubar. This is what it should look and fly like.

[COLOR=#000000]Enroute:
[/COLOR]........
  Aircraft-Reference:     Vne=225KIAS, Vcruise=184KTAS, Mmo=M0.389, Empty weight=2740.0 lbs

P.S. The other 2 crashes in that timeframe were: 1. Bad scenery management, KGRB - X will crash when moving around it when crash is turned on. 2. Sub-Par Piloting, forgot to reset the elevator trim. BOOM.

FSRealWX PRO is a very good program, for WX... This is just a heads up. If others use this feature and it works plz let me/us know via PM or other.

 

[PRB]

Wow. Thanks Roman. That's good to know. Just looked at my "Lite" version, and I don't think it has that "feature" included (good!)

 

[Ron Attwood]

Things are coming together nicely but I have a couple of questions.
1: Regarding the Baton settings. If I'm doing this on a solo basis do I select 'I have the baton' or do I put a tick in the 'Arm baton auto pick up'?
2: I start from XXXX and head off into the proverbial. At the end of my stint, wherever it may be, do I save the flight and reload when I return, setting the appropriate time?
3: Uploading Duenna file and.jpg. Do I do this at the end of every session or at specific times/intervals?

I think that's it. Thank you for your forebearance. (Should you have any left! )

 

[paiken]

Things are coming together nicely but I have a couple of questions.
1: Regarding the Baton settings. If I'm doing this on a solo basis do I select 'I have the baton' or do I put a tick in the 'Arm baton auto pick up'?
2: I start from XXXX and head off into the proverbial. At the end of my stint, wherever it may be, do I save the flight and reload when I return, setting the appropriate time?
3: Uploading Duenna file and.jpg. Do I do this at the end of every session or at specific times/intervals?

I think that's it. Thank you for your forebearance. (Should you have any left! )

1. I use the 'Arm baton auto pick up' ...it prevents me from forgetting to press the baton button and have to start over again (which I have done more than once).

2. Upload the Duenna and .jpg after each flight...you don't want to miss one and have Miss Nellie sending you a 'reminder'. Once you've done a couple of legs you'll be a pro...