Convair 340 Checklist Beta Test Available

[Tom/CalClassic]

Hi all,

Since I don't get to fly very much (too busy creating things in FS!), I decided to develop an oral checklist system for my own use. It's handy when I don't remember the next steps I should do, and is more convenient than constantly referring to written checklists.

I thought it might be useful for others as well so I have developed it into something a little more polished, and was wondering if anyone would like to try it and evaluate its GUI. It works in FS2004 and in FSX.

The basic idea is that the package includes a visible popup gauge that allows you to manually select from the checklists, and they are then played (as wav files) so you can carry out the proper steps. It also includes "calls", which are things like Gear Up, Flaps Up, METO Power, etc., all played at the appropriate time. Some checklists are also played automatically, but that can be configured as you like (see the readme file in the next message).

I have used the CV-340 as the guinea pig for this beta test, so you will need to have a recent version of that Base Pack installed. If you haven't (or it has been a while since you downloaded it), I would encourage you to download and install it again. While FS2002 is no longer supported, installation into FSX has been made easier (but still not completely automatic). Another benefit is that the two stage supercharger in FSX is now operable. Note that the default panel is now for 16:9 widescreen monitors, but 16:10 and "square" monitor panels are also available.

If you don't want to download it again, that's OK - I've included most of the improvements into this beta package as well. It's just a little less automatic.

You can download the Checklists Beta for the CV-340 package here:

www.calclassic.com/Temp/Checklists_CV_Beta.zip (11 MB)

It's somewhat large due to all the wav files included.

I'll post the readme file in the next message so you can see if it would be useful to you.

If you do use it, please let me know HERE IN THIS THREAD if you have any problems with it. Otherwise, enjoy!

I may create Checklists for other classic aircraft, if there is a demand for them. Not sure yet.

Take care,

[Tom/CalClassic]

Here is the readme file describing the system. There is a separate installation text file.


**********************************************************
FS2004/FSX Convair Checklists Beta Test

a "FREEWARE" file

Version 0.1 7/2017
**********************************************************

Support available at the CalClassic Forum:
calclassic.proboards.com/

The latest and many other aircraft are available from the CalClassic Propliner Page:
www.calclassic.com

Created and recorded by Tom Gibson

PLEASE READ THE INSTALLATION.TXT FILE TO INSTALL THIS PACKAGE.
**********************************************************

This package is designed to add a vocal copilot to your flights.

When you load the plane, you will see a smaller notepad icon with a checkmark on the main panel, near the original notepad icon. If you click this it will bring up the Checklist Select display.

This display has 3 areas:
1. The X in the upper right corner will close the window (as will clicking the icon again).
2. The desired Checklist name can be clicked and the oral checklist will be played.
3. The word just to the right of the Checklist heading can be clicked to rotate through the options (see below).

Options:
1. ON = play Calls and Checklists. (Calls are things like "METO", "Flaps Up", etc. Checklists are things like the Cruise Checklist.)
2. Calls = play Calls but do not play checklists automatically.
3. OFF = play nothing automatically

So you have three options:

ON: Will play calls and some checklists automatically. The Initial Inspection, Before Starting, Starting, RunUp, Before Takeoff, and Shutdown checklist are NOT automatic and must be chosen from the display list.

Calls: Will play the calls automatically but no checklists. All checklists can still be played from the display list.

OFF: Nothing will play automatically. You may still play the checklists manually from the display list.

PLEASE NOTE!!! If you choose to play a checklist manually, the calls will be automatically sequenced to that checklist. If you play a checklist that does not fit the current stage of your flight the results will be unpredictable. For example, you should probably not play the Before Takeoff Checklist when you are cruising at altitude. If you do this, playing the Cruise Checklist will repair the problem.

Tested situations that will work fine include:

1. On the ground, play any checklists up to and including Before Takeoff. You do not *need* to play any checklist to initiate the takeoff calls, however. Simply exceeding 80 kts on the ground will do that.

2. If you load the plane in the air, choose the Cruise Checklist when you are flying level. The rest of the flight will then be automatic. The Climb and Descent Checklists should work the same way, but make sure you are stable before playing them.

3. When approaching an airport (or aligned with a runway), choose the Before Landing Checklist. This will then play all the landing calls at the appropriate times.


Some details and tricks:

1. Everything should be obvious except for the Augmentor Vanes - on the overhead panel at the far left. They can be closed, trail, (or off). In real life they affect how well the engines are cooled.
2. All calls are relatively generic. The exact values to use are in the Handling Notes, which are displayed in the Reference section of the Kneeboard.

3. Some translations:
"Pattern Flaps" - flap setting for pattern work, usually one notch.
"Approach Flaps" - flap setting on final approach but not yet descending, usually 2 notches.
"Landing Flaps" - flap setting while descending on final approach, timed so you are at Vref at the airport boundary. In the case of the Convairs, this is usually 3 notches unless doing a STOL landing.

4. Remember, you do not have to follow these commands immediately - if you wish to delay them, that is a pilot's prerogative. You will often do so for things like:
Retaining METO Power when climbing to avoid obstacles
Retaining Max Climb Power when climbing to achieve ATC restrictions
Delaying Pattern Flaps if not ready to enter the pattern
Delaying Approach Flaps if not ready to slow to final descent speed
Delaying Landing Flaps to wait for the proper time so you are at Vref at the airport boundary

5. The automatic calls/checklists:
"80 knots" - first speed call, then every 10 knots after that until rotation speed (Vr).
"Rotate"
"Gear Up"
"Flaps Up" (this may be "Flaps 10" and then "Flaps Up" if takeoff requires 2 notches of flap)
"METO Power" - first power reduction
"ADI Off" - ADI and AF off when below takeoff power
"Max Climb Power" - if used, set when above any obstacles.
"Climb Power" - set when above any obstacles or with Max Climb Power, above any ATC restrictions.
"Climb Checklist" - after Climb Power set.
"Cruise Power" - played when level *and* have reached cruise speed
"Cruise Checklist"
"Descent Checklist" - played when you have descended 500 ft from your cruise altitude.
"Before Landing Checklist" - played when you are level below 3500 ft above ground level (AGL), and at pattern speed (around 165 kts for Convairs)
"Pattern Flaps" - when at typical speed for flaps 1
"Approach Flaps" - with active ILS: when GS needle starts to move down. No ILS: when at typical speed for flaps 2
"Gear Down, Landing Flaps, as req." - when beginning your final descent. Note you should probably not set landing flaps here, since that would lead to a slow final approach.
"Final Descent Checklist"
"140 kts" - played when slower than this, and then every 10 kts slower until touchdown. Played only once, so you won't hear it again, even if you speed up and then slow down again.
"Check Gear Down and Landing Flaps" - played at 1000 ft AGL - I extend landing flaps here (3 notches).
"500 ft", "200", "100", "50" - altitude calls played as you reach them.
"Vref" - speed you should be at when about 50 ft AGL.
"Flaps Up" - played on the ground below 40 kts.
"After Landing Checklist" - played when slower than 20 kts.
The process will be reset when you are on the ground and slower than 10 kts. You are then ready for takeoff.

Tom Gibson

**************************************************************************
Now the legal stuff:

COPYRIGHT 2017 BY TOM GIBSON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

THIS PACKAGE IS THE PROPERTY OF THE AUTHOR, AND CANNOT BE RE-SOLD OR PACKAGED WITH ANY PRODUCT FOR SALE, WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE AUTHORS. THIS INCLUDES "FREE" CD COMPILATIONS WITH A CHARGE OF ANY KIND. THIS IS FREEWARE!!

YOU MAY NOT UPLOAD THIS PACKAGE TO ANY OTHER SERVER, IT MUST REMAIN ON THE ORIGINAL SERVER.

THIS FILE ARCHIVE MUST NOT BE UPLOADED TO A SITE OR LOCATION THAT CLAIMS ANY SORT OF COPYRIGHT ON THE FILE; COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR. UPLOADING OF THIS FILE TO SUCH A SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE PERMISSION OF THE AUTHORS TO VIOLATE THESE TERMS BY THAT SITE.

THIS FILE ARCHIVE MUST REMAIN INTACT; YOU MAY NOT REMOVE OR UPLOAD PARTS OF THIS ARCHIVE. THIS ENTIRE TEXT FILE MUST BE INCLUDED IN ANY DISTRIBUTION.

THE AUTHORS ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE THAT YOU MIGHT INCUR AS A RESULT OF USING THESE PRODUCTS. YOU ASSUME THE RISK OF USE.

[Wolfgang]

Hi,

sounds fantastic, have to try it later.

Cheers
Wolfgang

[louross]

I'm on it and will start today!
lr.

[shovelhead]

I just finished the first flight with my new vocal copilot,
all works fine and it is very pleasant to have the spoken checklist,
thanks,
Peter

[gapeters]

A Loooong time lurker, and first post on this forum..

This is a great addition to the CV340 package! I used to have a classic sim installed, now just a current sim with Convair propliners still in service (which makes for a nice lean folder )

Played with both options today, both the full checklist and just the calls, and it was sweet to have someone reminding me of a coulple items that I had neglected. A nice immersion factor that a lot of payware planes don't even have. I had no problems in my FS9 install (though I did install it manually because of the mods I have done).

Thanks to Tom and all who help with the other projects for the continued work and added development to keep these aircraft very relevant in the current state of sims and change!

Thanks,

Greg

[Tom/CalClassic]

Glad to hear it's working out so far. Please keep the reports coming.

[louross]

I can install the CV340 Base pack- all okay. But when I install the Checklist I get all the instruments/gauges, but the screen is black.
What's wrong here??=?
lr.

[Tom/CalClassic]

Do you have the file:

Main wide.bmp

in the FS2004/Aircraft/340pnlKMCC folder? It's now needed by the default widescreen panel.

[louross]

No- I have Main Final and Main (or maybe it's Main View(.
lr.

[Tom/CalClassic]

Then the 340 Base Pack did not install correctly. Download and install again.

[louross]

Will ldo.
lr.

[louross]

Okay, redownloaded and reinstalled- everything fine now- THANKS!

Flew from San Fran to LA. No problems at all. Very nice program. I really like the short delays between certain items, as opposed to every item has the same fixed time interval. Definitely no complaints. Here are a few ideas tho- is it possible to add pax boarding/deplaning sounds. Could there be a call such as, "We'll be on the ramp in about 3 minutes." Can this be done for the DC6 series?
CV340 flies relatively low- you could add some comments like, out of the blue- "Anybody for golf later today?" Or the co-pilot making a complaint or two about upgrading being so slow or a comment about seniority? etc... hahaha!
louross

Anyhow, thanks for a great program.

[Tom/CalClassic]

Hi,

Glad it's working for you.

If I were to add such "offhand comments", to me they would soon feel very repetitive, saying the same things over and over again. With calls and checklists, they are *supposed* to say the same things repeatedly, and thus it retains its realism.

If there is sufficient demand for other CalClassic aircraft, I may create them for more aircraft types. I am still undecided. I'll put you down as one vote for the DCs.

Thanks,

[triflyman]

I see that Bernie's 440 Beta is available...would this work with that and would I have to do anything different to install?

Thanks.