Forums.x-plane.org

Hi all,

this thread is about my ATC Plugin for X-Plane 8+9.

Please look into the manual for all details.

Thanks to Jens Ansorg for giving me his Airport Navigator code. That helped me very much at the first step for parsing the apt.dat!

Thanks to Sandy Barbour for his excellent SDK example projects and the Linux builts!

Thanks to Dimitar Angelov for compiling the project again and again and again and again for MAC!

For information about the progress until now, see the following thread:

<a href="http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?showtopic=29385&st=120" target="_blank">http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?showto...9385&st=120</a>

Kind regards,

Charly

EDIT: The windows version is 124thATCPlugin.zip

Mac is the other (as you might have noticed already <img src="http://forums.x-plane.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happy.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="happy.gif" />

EDIT 8th may: Added a new windows version. I forgot to hide the debug strings in this one, so please ignore them.

The behaviour shall be much better now. Approach guiding is better. Holding point recognization is better...

Edit 8th 9 PM: ONLY WINDOWS VERSION: Now, you can move the translucent window with the mouse, if there is nobody speaking at the moment. Buffer Overrun fixed (thanks master Sandy!) Mac version will follow

Edit 9th May 8:10 AM: Dimitar was so kind to compile my code for Mac again. Windows version not changed this time. Both are in the same state now.

Edit 13th May 1:44 PM: (only windows version now, mac follows as usual) Now, the approach advices you to descent, when you reach the calculated top of descent.

Also the vectors FROM the last waypoint to the runway is implemented and working now! Look at page 3 of this thread for details.

Edit 15th May 10:26 AM: Added last Mac version (still the buggy version) and a new windows version (no x-plane crashes any more), that contains many many bugfixes and guides you safely to the ILS. No target tower implemented yet, but is the next step!

Edit 18th May 10:14 PM: (Windows only) New version with arrival tower, ground, and complete missed approach cycle. Think it is now worth the title "BETA"! Have a try ;-) Look at my post on page 4 for details!

Edit again: Removed the windows version, because I found another bug... Will be added again soon... Sorry

Edit 19th May: Bugfix anf Hotkey to show/hide window CTRL+F12 (windows only)

Edit 19th May again: The children have been in bed early today :-) So I implemented a menu to activate, deactivate, show, hide, reset the plugin and an about box. You can now click "through" the translucent window! So you don't have to move it if you don't want to. Or hide it with the default Hotkey CTRL+F12!

<b>ATTENTION:</b>

<i>The plugin per default is disabled now! You have to activate it through the menu "Plugins-->ATC-->Start ATC Service"!</i>

EDIT 11:00 PM: Solved a bug: If you call approach when you are already 500 feet above the runway, the plugin hangs and does nothing any more (Sandys error description?) This is now solved!

Edit 20th May 5:30 PM: Added the Mac and Linux Versions! Thanks to Sandy for compiling the latest versions!!!

Edit 21th May: Added a manual. Hmmm.. stupid me cannot convert it to pdf... Hope you can read it.

EDIT 22th May 2:00 PM: Bugfix release: Freezes on IFR Clearance, showing the "File flight plan" button without delivery. Better logging for errors

EDIT May 24th: Another few bugfixes on ils vectors, assertion errors, aborts and a new feature: If the controller gives you a clearance for a runway, you can tell him, which runway you would prefer. He then is so kind to change it for you and vectors you to your desired runway instead. This works for departure runway as well as for the arrival runway.

Also updated the manual!

EDIT 8:15 PM: MAC and Linux version now on last state! Thanks to Dimitar and my coding guru Sandy!!!

EDIT May 28th 8:30 AM: NDBs in flight plans are working now. Always the nearest navaid to the pilots position will be taken. A big bugfix: Airport height is now converted into feet, was in meters! So the TOD in higher airports will now be calculated correctly. You can disable the speech over the ATC menu and do a soft reset, if nothing is responding any more. Maybe it helps?

Sorry, but the Linux built is still the old version. Will try to create it as soon as possible!

EDIT May 29th: MAC and Windows versions: If there is no approach on an airport, the plugin will always use a dummy frequency, so you don't have to edit the apt.dat any more. If an airport only has a radio information and no tower, the radio frequency is now taken as tower frequency! A bug is solved regarding Widgets (sometimes some buttons like the ReadBack Buttons have been invisible...) and sometimes X-Plane crashed on widget handling (I think it was the reason, but am not sure about that). Thaaanks to Dimitar to compile it again for MAC!!

EDIT May 30th: Still had problems with invisible buttons, but should now really be solved. This time, only windows version. Mac version will follow!

EDIT May 31th: (Only windows version) New feature: You can start the plugin in the air to only make the approach to your desired airport now! Look at page 11 for a description. Will update the manual shortly!

Support for 2 digits NDBs. Magnetic heading instead of first compass heading...

EDIT June 1st: Thanks to Dimitar: Here is the latest version for MAC!

EDIT June 1st again: New windows version (MAC follows): Now one STAR point more for easier navigation (angle between single points is only 25 degrees, not 45 any more. Bugfix multiple windows open after landing clearance, invisible button "Tower initial call"

EDIT June 2nd: Dimitar has made the Mac version again!! Thanks a lot my dear project partner!

EDIT June 4th-Version 0.1.6: Only windows first: Dynamically created STAR Points, or none, if you are already on direct runway course!

Tried to make the heading announcements a little more intelligent, so you don't have to correct too often. Hope it is better as before <img src="http://forums.x-plane.org/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />

EDIT June 5th-MAC Version 0.1.6! Thanks Dimitar!!!

EDIT June 6th-Version 0.1.7: MAC and Windows (Skype makes it happen <img src="http://forums.x-plane.org/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="wink.gif" /> ): Solved a few bugs reported by Julian with the dynamically created waypoints. Also added an export of this dynamically reated waypoints and the complete flight plan as a kml file, so you can check the flight plan and vectors in google earth with a simple double click! Also a file for the missed approach vectors is created!

EDIT June 7th-Version 0.1.8: Only windows version: Solved an arrival bug that crashed X-Plane on last waypoint in last version. Thanks to Julian for wasting his time finding this bug and reporting it... Sorry!!

Also the heading bug is solved, so the EFIS and the ATC are talking about magnetic headings! Thanks to GThomas for reporting this bug!

Removed the MAC Version because of the arrival bug. Will add the next version as soon as possible!!

Edit June 8th: Just added a brand new manual! Also uploaded the new MAC Version, thanks Dimitar!!

EDIT June 9th-Version 0.1.9: Only windows version: Plugin now compatible for XP-7 apt.dat Format! Fixed another bug with the dynamically generated STAR Points, if the last waypoint lies in direct runway heading.

EDIT June 11th-Version 0.2.0: Windows only until now: Fixed some smaller bugs. Recognition if it is morning, day or evening in the initial phrases. Logging with time. It is running so well, that I think, the beta state is nearly over. Please take the version 0.2.0 as the first release candidate.

EDIT June 12th: Now the MAC Version is here!! Thanks Dimitar!!

EDIT June 12th-Version 0.2.1: Windows only: Julian discovered another bug, that I solved now! Thanks a lot for your testings Julian!

EDIT June 14th: MAC Version uploaded! This shall be become the Version 1.0.0, if no more bugs will be found until next week!

EDIT June 16th: Added a picture in the manual to show you, how I choose the arrival runway for the case, that the last waypoint is very close to it!

EDIT June 20th-Version 0.2.2: MAC and Windows! Linux follows soon! I made many test flights and discovered some bugs again! Corrected all and added a new option: You can now choose, if you first readback and then comply, or first comply and then readback! This gives you the choice, how much time you have to execute the orders of the controller! I have to update the manual again... The gthomas flights now work like a charm <img src="http://forums.x-plane.org/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> Hope that still some people are interested!

EDIT June 21st-Version 0.2.3: MAC and Windows! Just a Bugfixrelease, Should now work for MAC also! (Hope so, cannot test it myself!)

EDIT June 23th: Just uploaded a new version of the manual, including the latest features!

<b>EDIT June 24th-Version 1.0.0</b>: MAC and Windows, Linux follows, promised!!

<b>WE LEFT THE BETA STATE!! </b>Some fine tuning on switching distance. Created a formula to calculate the "switch to the next waypoint" distance. Seems to work fine!

If you want, you could nominate it now for the next "addon of the month" <img src="http://forums.x-plane.org/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />

EDIT June 27th-Version 1.0.1: MAC Version only! Windows follows in a few hours! Option "Holding point radius", Bugfix for MAC-Settings file.

EDIT Windows also uploaded now!

EDIT July 3rd-Version 1.0.2: Linux and Windows versions only! Copy&Paste in Flight plan text field possible! Last flight plan is saved and recovered on next flight to prefill the flight plan fields. Another nice feature: If VNAV is activated, the controller clears the height of your actual waypoint for you, you could do a step climb/descent with that!

Thanks very much to Sandy, he was so kind to compile this version for Linux <img src="http://forums.x-plane.org/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="wub.gif" />

EDIT July 5th-Version 1.0.2 for MAC uploaded! Thanks Dimitar!

EDIT July 7th-Version 1.0.3 only Windows: 2 new features on flight plan: Fixed flight level for each waypoint, holding on a selected waypoint. MAC will follow soon!

EDIT July 8th-Version 1.0.3 for Linux uploaded! Please check, if it works.. This one, I compiled myself for Linux... If it doesn't work, I let the version 1.0.2 for Linux here also!

Also added a new manual for the new features!

EDIT July 9th-Version 1.0.3 for MAC is here!! Thanks Dimitar (like always!)

EDIT July 10tn- Just a fix for the MAC version (still version number 1.0.3, don't be confused!)!

EDIT July 10th-Version 1.0.4 for Windows and Linux: New feature: In the approach window, you can choose a "direct to" waypoint, if you must make a shortcut when you run out of fuel...

EDIT July 12th-Version 1.0.4 for MAC!!

EDIT July 14th-Version 1.0.5 for Windows! Bugfix and a new feature on fixed altitudes of waypoints: When the altitude for the next waypoint is higher as your actual, I will advise you to climb immediately (for example on step climb). If it is lower, I will let you maintain your altitude as long as you must descend to just reach it at the given height.

EDIT July 15th-Version 1.0.5 for MAC! Thanks again Dimitar!

EDIT July 24th-Version 1.0.6: Linux and Windows: Bugfix for descending to 0 feet, no saving of holding point radius, some other bugs.

EDIT July 26th-Version 1.1.0: Windows and Linux only: Automatic programming of the FMS on flight plan filing, STAR path and direct to. New handling on takeoff: Contact approach advice in the air now!

EDIT July 28th-Version 1.1.1: Windows and Linux only: Cyclic approach handovers!

EDIT July 31th-Version 1.1.2: All platforms: Many new features like: If you cannot reach a waypoint at the ordered altitude, the controller advises you to hold on the target waipoint until you reach the height. New dialogs on flying direct to another waypoint. XPlane compatible dataref for the aircraft height (seems to be a rounding problem, will correct it. Indicated flight level is off a little). Controlling of the speed (below FL100 max 250kt) with announcement if you are too fast...

EDIT: Switched the MAC Verison: Some bugfixes on the altitude and the 250 knots rule below FL100!

EDIT August 2nd-Version 1.1.3: Windows and Linux: ILS runways have priority on choosing the arrival runway now! I think, this is a feature you all have been waiting for! Mac follows soon!

EDIT August 3rd: MAC Version uploaded!

EDIT August 5th-Version 1.1.4: Mac+Win+Linux: You can change your flight plan enroute or cancel it, if you like. Some Bugfixes.

EDIT August 7ht-Version 1.1.5: Mac+Win+Linux: The arrival path will be generated with the ILS or Loc heading instead of the runway heading. Some major bugfixes where the plugin crashes or did not respond any more!

EDIT August 10th-Version 1.1.6: Mac only so far: The backup frequency Bug should be solved now. Another new feature: If the target runway only has a localizer and no ILS, you will get the clearance for Localizer-Approach. If it neither has an ILS, nor localizer, you will be cleared for visual approach. Some other little features that make the thing rounder and a few bugfixes as ever.

Thanks very much to Lex for all his help via PM!!

EDIT August 27th-Version 1.1.7: Mac only until this evening! Fixes the VNAV Bug. New feature in the approach window: You can change your current airport, if the plugin was mistaken on chosing it for you! The current Airport is always shown in the ATC window, where the current frequency was!

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&lt!--sizeo:4--><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%">&lt!--/sizeo--><b>THIS PROJECT WILL STAY FREEWARE!!!!!!</b> &lt!--sizec--></span>&lt!--/sizec-->

BUT: If you like the plugin and think its worth it, please <b>&lt!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">&lt!--/sizeo-->donate&lt!--sizec--></span>&lt!--/sizec--></b> for it.

I created a donation button on my website:

<a href="http://www.tunnermann.de" target="_blank">http://www.tunnermann.de</a>

Sometimes the paypal doesn't work. Please send your donation to

atunnermann [at] web dot de

<b>Thanks to all who already donated for my Plugin!</b>

<i>Donating for something means so much more than buying it!

It makes me very proud, thanks again!!!</i>

If you are intersted in the development, visit my blog at
http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?app=blog&module=display&section=blog&blogid=306&

Attached Files

 HeliCharlys_124thATCPlugin_Manual_1.0.5.pdf   1005.64KB
  3841 downloads

 124thATCPlugin_Mac_1.1.7.zip   237.19KB
  1401 downloads

 124thATCPlugin_Linux_1.1.7.zip   134.76KB
  231 downloads

 124thATCPlugin_Win_1.1.7.zip   192.11KB
  1754 downloads