FMC Needed(?) Addons

[codetrucker]

Hello.

After looking at the offerings my best option is to go with the Aerosoft A320 series. Part of the reason is because as a quasi invalid who uses a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro to my left side and Airbus throtquad on my right my simpit is predisposed to Airbus, but enough of that. However, I have discovered to use the A318-A321 professionally(?) with FSX I find myself needing the services of Vox-ATC, Multi Crew Experience, PFPX, and Topcat. Are there others? What are your thoughts?

Calvin

[peter]

PFPX is not developed anymore and I read that the server needed to run it will shut down within a year. I recommend Simbrief or LittleNavMap for route planning. An alternative to MCE is FS2Crew.

Regarding ATC, there are a number of new programs available, but I am not sure if they all work with FSX: Pilot2ATC 3.0 will be released within the next weeks; BeyondATC works with AI and is a one-time purchase, but in early access; SayIntentions is a subscription based AI program; PilotEdge is a subscription based service with human controllers; Vatsim and IVAO are free services with human controllers.

I personally have a Navigraph subscription that I use with Simbrief and use BeyondATC or Vatsim for ATC.

Peter

[Travis]

Hi Calvin,

As Peter mentioned SimBrief (an online service) and LittleNavMap (yet another EXE) are your best choices for spur-of-the-moment route planning for free (donations accepted for LNM).  Topcat and PFPX are grist for the history books, but were the premier tools back in the day.

SimBrief is a service of Navigraph, and it requires a single web login.  If you're looking to jet around the skies in Airbuses, it should be a great tool to get you the routing that you want.  It can even accept routing that you submit - in the "ATS Routing" format seen in an FSCaptain Dispatch Release.

Actually, part of SimBrief's offering is a document which is similar in scope to FSCaptain's Dispatch Release - but extensively more detailed.  After years of nagging (thanks Peter!), starting with FSCaptain 1.4.3 Beta 3, when you generate a Preliminary Dispatch Release (the one before you go Out), the HTML document will include a link to send most of your FSCaptain's flight data for use in a new SimBrief Flight Plan.  I have one or two more tweaks to that before I can release it.

Pilot2ATC runs with FSX/P3D/Xplane/MSFS, and it uses FSUIPC for various things.  It's route planning and ATC all in one.  I've not tried it, but I may use their 10-day trial period to see if I like it... once I can clear out 10 straight days for nothing but flying. 

BeyondATC and SayIntentions are only for MSFS as far as I know.

I loved using MultiCrewExperience (MCE) back when I was severely limited in my fingering and was flying much more than I have done in the past few years.  They also should have a demo (trial) version as well.

I used FS2Crew for my first-ever "realistic sim aircraft," the PMDG JS4100.  It worked well, except everything felt "forced" as if it were reading the same script on each flight.  I switched to MCE once I realized I would need to purchase a different FS2Crew for most aircraft that I wanted to fly.  Then again, I could use MCE very well, but Dutch for example could never get it to understand him reliably. 

The Aerosoft Airbuses are a solid choice!  I flew Aerosoft's original version for quite sometime, until FSCaptain's call limited my "flying for fun."

I update my Navigraph Navdata once each year, and I have started using SimBrief for my MSFS flights with BeyondATC.  SimBrief uses my "old" Navdata for the routes it generates for me, and there's been no hassle sof far.  BeyondATC "requires" an active SimBrief Flight Plan.

If you've any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Best,

[codetrucker]

Hi Guys,

Thank you. So do any of these offerings provide a graphic path of the SIDS and STARS? 

I never know which one to pick from looking at their names.

Calvin

[peter]

I am using Navigraph Unlimited for charts, which provides a fairly complete experience. IFR/VFR sectionals; all airport charts provided by Jeppesen; up-to-date AIRAC data; Simbrief dispatch; weather all in one application. Plus, at least for MSFS they provide an in-game version of it that is great for VR. They also feed their data into several third-party airplanes an applications, e.g. PMDG airplanes or a GTN 650/750 extension, so that you can see all charts directly on the instrument panel of your airplane. A free alternative is chartfox.org, which provides outdated charts for free.
Peter

[codetrucker]

Thank you.

Calvin