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# RCBta-10.zip: Add-on switches for Taxispeed Gauge RCBts-10.zip #
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# By Rob Barendregt 25 febr. 2003 #
# Release 1.0 #
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THESE GAUGES ASSUME THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE MY TAXISPEED GAUGE INSTALLED !
(and optionally my Pushback gauge).
If you are not experianced in adding gauges to your panel and like to
follow my instructions to the letter: first install the Pushback gauge,
then the Taxispeed gauge and lastly these additional switches and the
Taxispeed gauge update.
These gauges are available at SurClaro and SurClaro.com as:
- RCBts-10.zip (Taxispeed gauge)
- RCBpb-20.zip (Pushback gauge)
1. Introduction
===============
The included XML gauges add some functionality to my Taxispeed and Pushback gauges.
They are three independant switches with indicator lights that perform the following functions:
- AutoTaxiAfterParkingbrake.xml
This switch allows you to arm the Taxispeed control when the Parking Brakes are set.
When you release the Parking Brakes, the Taxispeed control is automatically activated,
thus allowing you to:
- Start taxiing without the panel being visible.
- Automatically start taxiing after a Pushback session (by release the Parking Brakes).
You can arm the Taxispeed control just before or even during Pushback; obviously
it stays armed when you release the Parking Brakes to start pushing back.
- AutoTaxiAfterLanding.xml
This switch allows you to arm the Taxispeed control before landing.
After the aircraft has landed, and the speed has decreased to below 40 Knots:
- The Taxispeed control is activated.
- Spoilers and Flaps (if applicable to your aircraft) are retracted.
- Autobrakes (if used) are set off.
- Reverse Thrusters (if used) are deactivated.
IMPORTANT: if you use Reverse Thrusters driven by a controller axis, make sure
to disengage Reverse Thrust manually since the axis will interfere
with the Taxispeed control. Unfortunately I cannot control your
physical levers from within my gauge :-)
- ParkingBrakeSwitch.xml
This switch shows the position of the Parking Brakes, and lets you (de-)activate them.
This archive also contains a small update of the Taxispeed gauge, which deactivates the
gauge when you set the throttle levers to greater then 70 % (allowing you to takeoff without manually deactivating the Taxispeed gauge).
2. Installation
===============
These switches can be installed independantly of eachother, and even without having
the Pushback gauge installed.
However, this description assumes that you have the Pushback and Taxispeed gauges
installed according to my instructions, and that you want to add all three switches.
Of course you are free to install/use them in any other way, but
PLEASE DON'T ASK ME FOR SUPPORT ON THAT !!
1. Extract the files in this archive to your main \FS2002 folder, with Winzip's
option "use folder names" enabled.
This results in all files being placed in folder ...\FS2002\GAUGES\RCB-GAUGES\
(DON'T PUT THEM IN THE MAIN \GAUGES FOLDER !!)
When asked, overwite existing files.
2. Add the switches to the panel of your aircraft(s).
Placing the switches in your panel is done by adding some lines to the panel.cfg
file of your aircraft, located in the ...\FS2002\AIRCRAFT\"your aircraft"\PANEL
folder. The simplest way of doing that is by using Notepad.
They will be added to the Pushback window.
*** MAKE A BACKUP OF YOUR panel.cfg FIRST ***
Find the [Window**] section where the Pushback and Taxispeed gauges are defined, and
replace the whole section below [Window**] by: (use cut&paste)
size_mm=146,100
ident=10005 // The ident used by Icon_Pushback
visible=0 // 0: hidden when aircraft is loaded
window_size= 0.2,0.2 // Screensize: 20% height, 20% width
position=0 // 0: opens in top-left of the screen
gauge00=rcb-gauges!PushbackStates, 0,0,1
gauge01=rcb-gauges!PushbackDisplay, 0,36,86,64
gauge02=RobSound!Rob-Sound, 0,0,1 // Plays Pushback conversation sounds
//gauge02=rcb-gauges!PushbackSoundOff, // Disables Pushback conversation sounds
gauge03=rcb-gauges!Taxispeed, 86,36,60,64
gauge04=rcb-gauges!AutoTaxiAfterParkingbrake, 97,0,49,36
gauge05=rcb-gauges!AutoTaxiAfterLanding, 48,0,49,36
gauge06=rcb-gauges!ParkingBrakeSwitch, 0,0,48,36
That's it.
Note that I have moved the whole window to the top-left of your screen, and adapted
the size a little bit. (see line window_size= ...)
3. Operation of the gauges
==========================
Each switch has an indicator light and can be clicked (see also their Tooltips).
- AutoTaxiAfterParkingbrake.xml (ARM-P)
RED: Gauge can only be activated when the Parking Brakes are set AND the
aircraft is on the ground.
OFF: Click to arm the Taxispeed control.
GREEN: The Taxispeed control is armed. Click to disarm.
- AutoTaxiAfterLanding.xml (ARM-L)
RED: Gauge can only be activated when the aircraft is in the air.
OFF: Click to arm the Taxispeed control.
GREEN: The Taxispeed control is armed. Click to disarm.
- ParkingBrakeSwitch.xml (PARK)
OFF: Parking Brakes are released. Click to set.
GREEN: Parking Brakes are set. Click to release.
4. TIP
======
You can make rapid changes on the dials of the Pushback and Taxispeed gauges
if you have a mouse with scrollwheel. Just position the cursor on the dial,
and scoll the wheel. Beats clicking for large changes :-)
5. Copyrights and Disclaimer
============================
These gauges are freeware, and available for your personal use.
They may NOT be sold, re-distributed, or (re-)uploaded to another website
(in ANY shape or form) without my explicite, written permission.
If you want to bundle these gauges with your (freeware !!) panel, you
may do so AFTER my written permission, provided you include this
README file AS-IS, without modification.
And obviously, installing & using these gauges is at your own risk !!
6. History
==========
Rel. 1.0: Initial release
I hope you enjoy using these gauges.
And I'm always open to questions, or suggestions for improvement.
(no guarantee that I will make them though).
But PLEASE, before asking me questions, make sure that the answer can not
be found in this Readme file.
These switches are the last ones in my series of 'ground-handling' gauges.
I'm moving on to something new :-)
Rob Barendregt, The Netherlands
Email: rc.barendregt@planet.nl
