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CoPilot
Feb 13, 2012 20:18:07 GMT -5
Post by kingm56 on Feb 13, 2012 20:18:07 GMT -5
Team,
Would it be possible to allow the CoPilot to handle some rudimentary functions? Specifically, it would be nice if "Travis" would raise the landing gear, retract the flaps (clean speed only), and set the Alt for the pilot. He could also handle the landing lights (on/off 10K). Again, I wouldn't expect Travis to handle any of the difficult portions of the flight...just some of the easier stuff.
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CoPilot
Feb 14, 2012 2:13:14 GMT -5
Post by Travis on Feb 14, 2012 2:13:14 GMT -5
I should hire you as a straight man. That's a cornucopia of set-up material! - I'm union. You don't want to know what I charge to move a switch.
- "It would be nice if Travis would do more of the household chores instead of 'flying his computer'!" --Mrs. Travis
- So you don't think I could do any of the difficult stuff???
Ok, serious now. You know, I've thought about similar ideas from time to time, but each time that I think I'm about to make such a feature request of Dutch, I come back to the same old realization. It wouldn't be as fun.
First, realize that FS Captain isn't so much about automation, but more on giving us a platform by which we can set up scenarios (flights) and goals (procedures to follow) and then be graded on how well we meet our goals under each scenario.
Now as your FO, Travis only does two things that he's pretty good at. 1. He talks a lot. You've noticed that by now. He'll see you taxi too fast and mention it. He'll see you approach the transition layer and mention it. He'll see you crash the aircraft and mention it. A pretty passive fellow, eh? 2. On passenger flights he operates the seat belt and no smoking signs if you allow him. That's it!
Yes, given the proper conditions everything that your FO reminds you to do can pretty much be done by the FO in most aircraft, but for me adding automation would remove most of the challenges that FS Captain allows you to set up.
Now I'm not saying "no," and I'm not looking to stifle dialog. I'm just stating why the idea of FS Captain automation isn't appealing to me.
I'd like to hear alternate opinions.
Regards,
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CoPilot
Feb 14, 2012 8:04:22 GMT -5
Post by kingm56 on Feb 14, 2012 8:04:22 GMT -5
LOL...thanks for the post, Travis.
I agree with your rationale, but it should be noted the PIC does not manage these aircraft alone. Therefore, "Travis" needs to earn his paycheck. I don't think it would impact the "fun factor" if Travis performed some rudimentary functions (i.e. similar to the build-in CoPilot on Level-D 767). Also, adding such features may enhance the appeal of this product to different segments of flight simmers, which will further set it apart from the competition. If there's a concern that some people may not approve of said features, you could give them the ability to turn them on/off. Specifically, the airplane .cfg file could contain "handleLndingGear=1", "handleFlaps = 0", etc...This would be easy features to add which I hope will enhance your sales, as its obvious Dutch has put a lot of time and effort into this application....
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CoPilot
Feb 14, 2012 22:39:37 GMT -5
Post by Travis on Feb 14, 2012 22:39:37 GMT -5
Adding new elements to be automated would actually require attention to several aspects for each element. Overall I see this as requiring a significant change to the operation of FS Captain - adding the options to the Admin and to the FCOM, new interface elements, etc. And as far as default aircraft go, all of the actions you raise are do-able, but when you're dealing with complex aircraft it's possible that some particular action might simply not work in a given aircraft.
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Post by Travis on Feb 8, 2016 19:36:05 GMT -5
Due to the recent union negotiations allowing a generously raised salary cap for all ACME First Officers, starting with FSCaptain 1.8 First Officers will be compelled to perform a simulator-based task (upon request of their Captain) which is (to ACME's knowledge) fairly unique among all simulated First Officer addons. It is one that could assist all ACME Captains, especially long-haul fliers....
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CoPilot
Jan 31, 2017 16:37:24 GMT -5
Post by charliealfatango on Jan 31, 2017 16:37:24 GMT -5
Due to the recent union negotiations allowing a generously raised salary cap for all ACME First Officers, starting with FSCaptain 1.8 First Officers will be compelled to perform a simulator-based task (upon request of their Captain) which is (to ACME's knowledge) fairly unique among all simulated First Officer addons. It is one that could assist all ACME Captains, especially long-haul fliers.... Thank you!
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Post by Travis on Feb 1, 2017 1:58:02 GMT -5
Due to the recent union negotiations allowing a generously raised salary cap for all ACME First Officers, starting with FSCaptain 1.8 First Officers will be compelled to perform a simulator-based task (upon request of their Captain) which is (to ACME's knowledge) fairly unique among all simulated First Officer addons. It is one that could assist all ACME Captains, especially long-haul fliers.... Thank you! Hi CAT,
Thank you for your encouragement! Since no one else has made mention here, I'll say that this new feature will benefit those Captains who start a long flight and then have real life rudely interrupt!
This feature is called "I'll be back" and is designed to assist those Captains who find that because of real life things such as...
- A Crying Baby
- Mother Nature Calls
- The Doorbell Rings
- The Dog Scratches at the Door
- The Significant Other Wants Something Done - Now
... our flight must be interrupted. But with "I'll be back" we won't have to hit the pause button... rather the FCDU will offer the ability to declare "I'll be back" and the FCDU will monitor lots of things and if something appears to go out of kilter, the simulation will be paused until we can devote 100% of our time and focus.
Imagine telling your ACME FO to monitor things as you step away...
- ... and in five minutes a wind shift thrusts your airspeed into Vmax.
- ... or a bird strike happens!
- ... or an ICE warning occurs.
- ... or there is a request to divert because of bad weather at your destination.
- ... or there is a cabin smoke emergency!
"I'll be back" would simply pause the simulator until you (as Captain) return and diagnose the situation and allow you to begin to apply corrective actions and resume the simulation.
"I'll be back" would also manage any cabin service to your passengers (on passenger flights) in the meantime so no one outside your airline would be the wiser....
"I'll be back" will only work in the climbout and enroute phases. Once you start your descent, your ACME FO is contractually unable to do anything in regards to flying the aircraft. (Their union negotiator's prime rule is "We're not the Pilot Flying!") As a matter of fact, starting descent is another reason to pause the flight until you take control!
In contrast, if you think this is a great reason to begin to fly trans-globally only to let your FO do most of the work, please know that your airline will always be watching. Using "I'll be back" sparingly will never incur penalty or demerit. However, persistent use of "I'll be back" will begin to incur snarky comments from your airline ("Why are we paying you to fly our aircraft when you're clearly continually going to the martini bar?") and eventually you will have no gained hours or payments!! (FLT #1234 -- EGGL-YSSY: 0 hours & 0 pay.)
"I'll be back" will debut after FSCaptain 1.7.3....
Regards,
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