New with this version:
Some flightsimmers discovered a "bug" in the FS2002 GPS. The value TRK for
the flown ground track is not correct. It always shows the heading of the
aircraft not considering the wind. This version of the SL50 calculates
the current wind angel and provides an actually ground track.
Credit:
The SL50 is programmed only with EASYGauge, the WYSIWYG Gauge Editor by
Bluesky Software Development at www.bluesky-net.de. Thanks to Marcel and Steffen
for their great work.
UPS Aviation Technologies description:
The Apollo SL50 high performance GPS receiver boasts a 32 character high
intensity LED display viewable under any lighting conditions. Packaged in a
space saving 1.3H X 6.25W form factor, the SL50 weighs in at only 2.3 lbs.,
which leaves you room for other important stuff like fuel. The SL50 includes a
large waypoint database with information about airports, VORs, NDBs,
intersections, and special use airspace, with room for up to 200 pilot entered
waypoints.
In addition, the SL50 integrates flawlessly with other Apollo products, such
as the SL40 Comm and 360 Moving Map. The Apollo SL50 can be installed for
VFR or IFR operations it is the only GPS of its size and performance that is
IFR approved under the FAAs stringent TSO C-129 A2 requirements for enroute
and terminal operations, and it is the most affordable TSO approved GPS in
any form factor. For big performance in a small package, contact your local
Apollo dealer today or call the II Morrow factory for additional details.
Note:
For further information and comparing the gauge with the original instrument,
visit http://www.upsat.com/dwnlds/sldoc/sl50-60ug.pdf
and download the User Manual for the SL50.
Description:
This gauge is a readout for the FS2002 GPS functions. It displays the current
GPS NAV data from the FS GPS and provides 8 display pages with GPS CDI needle,
minimum safe altitude, flighttime, time in UTC and a countdown timer. Also
messages will be displayed for the countdown timer and GPS functions.
The data displayed are based on some of the Apollo SL50 NAV pages. It does not
simulate a GPS with database and menu.
This gauge provides the data needed to navigate and fly using the values of the
MSFS GPS in a realistic display. You have to use the FS built-in GPS for
changing GPS modes.
The display, buttons and knobs:
See the picture ExplSL50.bmp which gives an overview of the display pages and
functions.
The display contains 8 pages with the GPS readouts, a CDI to indicate the
desired track to next waypoint, a flighttime/time page and a countdown timer.
The small knob on the left side turns the SL50 on and off. If the instrument is
turned on you will first see test screens for a few seconds. Pushing the NAV
button while test screen shows "Software Test In Progress...", the selftest will
be stopped.
You can have the power switch always set on and use a central avionic circuit
switch in your main panel to set the power of ALL radios in this package.
The NAV button allways sets the radio to the so called NAV mode, this means that
the GPS functions are active and not that the SL50 provides NAV frequencies in
addition.
Only in NAV mode the various display pages are selectable.
The SYS button opens/closes the FS ATC window.
The MSG button let you read the timer and GPS messages. If a message is
generated by the instrument an indicator is blinking above the MSG button.
Pressing the MSG button shows the belonging message. Pressing MSG again removes
the message from the screen.
The D-> button toggles the FS GPS window on and off if GPS window is window02 in
the panel.cfg file.
The SEL button works in the time page and in the countdown timer page. Pressing
SEL starts a blinking cursor for the digits and you can change their values.
The ENT button let you finish the entries of the selected/changed values.
The selector knob at the right side of the radio has two parts: a large knob
and a small knob. Depending on the current mode the knobs have different
functions:
- while in NAV mode the small knob selects the various display pages forward and
back.
- while in NAV mode on time page or countdown timer page and SEL is pressed, the
large knob changes the cursor position and the small knob changes the values
of the digits.
How to use the course deviation indicator (CDI):
Press NAV and click left/right on the small knob to select the CDI page. Watch
the CDI on the left side of the display while flying. The little aircraft
points always head up TO the next waypoint.
The course deviation stands for the left/right XTrack and is indicated by little
bars on the left or right side of the little aircraft. Each bar represents a
value of 0.5 nm. To intercept the desired track "fly into the bars". On the
left side of the screen the XTrack in nautical miles is displayed.
How the minimum safe altitude works:
In the original instrument there is a database which containes informations
about heights of terrain and obstacles. Because this gauge has no access to
such informations when flying over the FS scenery, we use a little trick to
simulate the minimum safe altitude. FS returnes an internal "radar height"
value meassured from aircraft to ground. This current value plus an addition of
2000 ft gives the minimum safe altitude rounded to the next 100 ft. If you are
proceeding in more or less "flat" terrain an addition of 1000 ft may be
sufficient.
How the flighttime timer works:
The built-in flighttime timer starts automatically when power is on and the
selfstest is finished.
How to change the UTC clock:
Press NAV and click left/right on the small knob to select the flighttime/UTC
page. Press SEL to activate the cursor on the hours position. Click the small
knob left/right to decrement/increment the hours. Click the large knob to set
the cursor over the minutes position. Click the small knob left/right to
decrement/increment the minutes. Press ENT to accept the new adjustment.
How to use the countdown timer:
The built-in countdown timer can count down from 99:59:59 to 00:00:00. To adjust
the timer press NAV and click left/right on the small knob to select the
countdown timer page. Press SEL to activate the cursor.
The default value of 3 minutes is set automatically. Click the small knob
left/right to decrement/increment the minutes. Click the large knob to set the
cursor over the hours or seconds position. Click the small knob left/right to
decrement/increment the digits. Press ENT to accept the timer adjustment. If the
timer has count down to 00:00:00 the message indicator is blinking. Press MSG to
read the message "Countdown Timer Expired".
Notes:
This is version 1.0 of this gauge and if any updates are required I will release
them. Send me an email if anything doesn't work as expected.
This gauge is programmed completely new with EASYGauge, a wonderful easy to use
WYSIWYG gauge editor by Bluesky Software Development. Have a look at
www.bluesky-net.de. It is based upon ideas I got from Ike H Slack,
Coyote Avionics Design, so I will thank Ike here.
Copyright and Distribution:
This gauge is released as Freeware.
Copyright (C) Gerd R. Nehr, GeRoN Brainware
As freeware you are permitted to distribute this archive or the gauges contained
therein subject to the following conditions :
- The archive must be distributed without modification to the contents of
the archive. Redistributing this archive with any files removed or modified
is prohibited.
- You can use this gauges in any panel of your own. You may also freely
distribute this gauge, subject to the no money restriction.
- No charge may be made for this archive other than that to cover
the cost of its distribution. If a fee is charged it must be
made clear to the purchaser that the archive is freeware and
that the fee is to cover the distributor's costs of providing
the archive. You may NOT make money with this gauge in
any form. The undersigned asserts his legal and international
right to be recognised as the author of this gauge.
- The authors' rights concerning this archive must be respected.
