GAUGE: AutoFlaps
(Based on an idea by David "Opa" Marshall)
Features ----------------
> When flying aircraft with retractable landing gear, AutoFlaps will raise flaps to full-up position 3 seconds after gear has been raised. Gauge will then shut itself OFF.
> When flying aircraft with fixed landing gear, AutoFlaps will raise flaps 8 seconds after takeoff. Gauge will then shut itself OFF.
> If AutoFlaps is turned ON before landing for either type of aircraft, it will raise flaps after touchdown when airspeed falls below 35 knots. Gauge will then shut itself OFF.
> Instructions (below) show how to change the two timer values (3 and 8 seconds) described above. In some case, values other than the default may suit your needs better for a particular aircraft.
> In order to make editing the xml file easier if timer values are changed, this gauge does not use a cab file. Rather, it uses a folder named AutoFlaps that contains the xml files and associated bitmaps.
> Very small size gauge. Most panels will have space available.
> Panel or separate window installation. Includes icon gauge.
Operation---------------
TAKEOFFS
1. Master Battery Power must be ON before gauge will operate.
2. Before takeoff, turn AutoFlaps ON by pressing lamp. Green light signals that the gauge is in automatic mode awaiting takeoff.
3. Retractable gear aircraft: After takeoff, flaps will be automatically raised 3 seconds after landing gear is retracted. Gauge will then turn itself OFF.
4. Fixed gear aircraft: After takeoff, flaps will be automatically raised 8 seconds after takeoff. Gauge will then turn itself OFF.
LANDINGS
1. Before landing, turn AutoFlaps ON by pressing lamp. Green light signals that the gauge is in automatic mode awaiting landing.
2. After landing, flaps will be automatically raised after airspeed has decreased to 35 knots. Gauge will then turn itself OFF.
Panel installation------------
(For illustrated details on how gauges are located and sized on a panel, please read the Gauge Coordinates.pdf file included with this archive.)
1P. Installing the AutoFlaps gauge: The following line should be added to the panel.cfg file of the desired aircraft. The line is added under the [Window00] section:
2P. The two XX's in gaugeXX should be the NEXT consecutive gauge number not currently in use on the panel.cfg file. LocationX and LocationY are values you choose. These coordinates will move the gauge to various positions on a panel bitmap. SizeX and SizeY will determine the gauge size when displayed in flight simulator. See Gauge Coordinates.pdf for more details on how this works.
3P. What size should you make this gauge? Start with these numbers and adjust for your panel.
X-size of 19; Y-size of 19 (The width:height ratio is 1:1)
4P. Place AutoFlaps folder into Gauges folder of FS9. As mentioned, there is not a cab file used with this gauge. The AutoFlaps folder will serve the same purpose.
A few coordinate examples:
Boeing 737-400: gaugeXX=AutoFlaps!AutoFlaps, 561, 88, 19, 19
King Air: gaugeXX=AutoFlaps!AutoFlaps, 579, 86, 19, 19
Cessna 182: gaugeXX=AutoFlaps!AutoFlaps, 580, 276, 19, 19
B)Window installation-------------
(Make backup of panel.cfg before using this method)
1W. The following line should be added to the panel.cfg file of the desired aircraft. The line is added under the [Window Titles] section:
[Window Titles]
WindowXX=AutoFlaps
2W. The two XX's in WindowXX should be the NEXT consecutive Window Titles number shown on the panel.cfg. This entry will allow the gauge to be activated from the FS menu under View/Instrument Panel/AutoFlaps.
3W. The following section should be also be added to the panel.cfg file.
The default location for the gauge window is the upper, left corner of the screen. This window can be moved and resized manually as needed.
To change the default location, change the "position" value in the line shown below:
[WindowXX]
BACKGROUND_COLOR=0,0,0
size_mm=30,30
position=0 <--Change this value
visible=0
ident=210513
A 0-value locates window in the upper, left corner on your screen; an 8-value will move window to the lower, right corner.
0 1 2
3 4 5
6 7 8
The block of numbers shown above indicates the position sequence. A 9-value equates to a zero and begins the sequence again.
To change the default window/gauge size, two lines must be changed; the "size_mm" line and the gauge line. These are shown below.
[WindowXX]
BACKGROUND_COLOR=0,0,0
size_mm=30,30<------(1)Change these X, Y values in a 1:1 proportion
position=0
visible=0
ident=210513
gauge00=AutoFlaps!AutoFlaps, 0, 0, 30, 30<-----(2)Change
SizeX, SizeY to the SAME X, Y VALUES just placed in the "size_mm" line.
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Installation of Icon gauge--------------------
(Not needed if installing gauge into panel or if you prefer to use the FS menu to open/close the gauge window)
This icon will open/close the separate window for this gauge.
1. The following line should be added to the same panel.cfg file that contains the AutoFlaps installation data. The line will add an icon to your panel that will activate the gauge window. The line is added under the [Window00] section:
2. The two XX's in gaugeXX should be the NEXT consecutive gauge number shown on the panel.cfg. LocationX and LocationY are values you choose. These coordinates will move the icon to various positions on a panel bitmap. SizeX and SizeY will determine the size of the icon when displayed in flight simulator. See Gauge Coordinates.pdf for more details on how this works.
3. What size should you make this icon gauge? Start with these numbers and adjust for your panel.
X-size of 19; Y-size of 19
4. The icon gauge is archived inside the AutoFlaps folder and will be accessible to FS when that folder is placed inside the Gauges folder.
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Editing the xml file-------------------------
0. Make a copy of the AutoFlaps.xml file located inside the AutoFlaps folder. Give it a new name such as "Original_AutoFlaps.xml". This will become the backup file should it need to be restored to its original name.
1. Open AutoFlaps.xml with a text editor such as Notepad or Wordpad.
2. Find the section of code shown below. It is near the top of the readable code.
3. The two values, 3 and 8, are the default timer variables that will adjust how the long the gauge delays before it will raise the flaps.
4. The variable, (L:AutoFlapsTimerR, number), controls the delay for aircraft with retractable gear.
5. The variable, (L:AutoFlapsTimerF, number), controls the delay for aircraft with fixed gear.
6. Increasing/decreasing these numbers will lengthen/shorten the time delay.
7. Once a value has been changed, save AutoFlaps with an .xml extension.
8. Fly the aircraft using the new value.
8. Values are determined by feel. Does the delay feel correct for a particular aircraft?
9. To customize the delay for multiple aircraft, copy the AutoFlaps folder into the Panel folder for each desired aircraft. Flight simulator will first use an AutoFlaps folder if one is found inside the Panels folder. If none is found, it will then look in the Gauges folder and use any AutoFlaps folder found there.
