@SoBad
The talent and generosity of this forum never ceases to amaze me!
Bravo, for a clear, simple and VERY helpful guide to get a campaign off the ground.
Posts made by Dan
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RE: Creating and Running a Campaign: One User's Guide
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RE: BMS Training Script with Voice Instructions
@Arbitur
Looking forward to seeing more interest in the expansion of training scripting by others in the community. Best of luck with your âhelperâ program! -
RE: BMS Manual Search
@jayb
Just wondering if itâs even possibleâŚTo link directly to the âBMS Wiki Manualsâ page to pull the latest, updated docs (ie. https://cdn.falcon-bms.com/docs/4.37/to_1f-16cmam-1_bms.pdf), by somehow adding to the Browser or Manual.cfg files?
OR is it only possible via the local machine?That way, you could always have the latest updates from Micro440th and the BMS team, and/or from personal, âcustomized or highlightedâ versions or docs on our local machine folders?
If not, this is still an AWESOME app!
Iâm constantly looking stuff up (especially acronyms), so Iâve truly needed something like this since⌠FOREVER!
Thanks! -
RE: Iceâs Falcon BMS Profile Updated for BMS 4.37
@linknet
Apparently, the problem was that Windows 11, by default, seems to block downloaded files.
Once I checked âunblockâ for the âUnblockFiles.exeâ, everything worked perfectly!
Thanks! -
RE: Iceâs Falcon BMS Profile Updated for BMS 4.37
@linknet - Iâm getting this pop-up when I start the latest new profile. (AutoIt Error?)
Iâm on the newest Helios and everything seems to work OK, but this
shows up when I start the profile in Control Center, then again when BMS starts up.
Any ideas of what might be wrong? -
RE: Cougar Startup
@jcook
I have emulation âONâ and of course âAPPLYâ when Iâm done.
Have you tried that yet? -
RE: BMS Training Script with Voice Instructions
@ravenlost
Thank you for your feedback and Iâm glad that my GroundOps script is helping you get started with Falcon BMS .
The available scripting language functions and options are quite limited (see the BMS Technical Manual, Section 14-213), so this was the best I could do for now, with the tools available.
(If you didnât already know, these basic and rudimentary Falcon scripting tools are from the âoriginalâ Falcon 4.0, so theyâre about 25 years old! - A modernization of this tool by the devs would be awesome, but weâll just have to wait and see.)
Iâll try to answer your questions or comments as best I can, within the limitations of the scripting language capabilities.- My latest 4.37-U2 script typically will wait for you to act on almost all of the physical button, switch and dial commands. Now with pause commands inserted to start and stop the sim , the â20-minute windowâ isnât as much of a problem anymore (donât forget to use the trigger when you need to continue in later parts of the script). Take as much time as you need and practice until itâs second nature and youâll be fine.
- To point your view to a specific location in the cockpit, I have to use the old â2D viewâ to get you there and hold it steady so you can press a button, then change the view to the next step. 3D view wonât hold it steady (see BMS Technical Manual 14-233, SetPanTilt function notes), but if you want to look around, you can still use the views, but they will be in 2D mode.
- Iâll check on the âaction circlesâ, but they should be waiting for you to act, then go out. That said, there are still a few other circles that are just to âget your attentionâ, but not necessarily do anything (ie. watch the green JFS start light come on).
- I know what you mean about that one! Iâm not sure how to solve that problem in the code but as a fix, when I mis-press a dial like that, once I get to the NEXT âaction ringâ (and before pressing that new button) I can change the view back to where I made the wrong setting and correct it, then return to the latest âaction ringâ view and continue.
- Text can be added, but the size is so small and not adjustable. On 1080p screens or larger (me-4k), itâs not as easy to read. When 4.37-U3 comes out, Iâll see if I can add a new voice instruction replay capability.
- Go ahead⌠push all you want!
Personally, Iâd love to be able to simply insert a picture of a page from the training manual (or other descriptive pictures/info) into the script for this purpose, but alas, there are no scripting functions to do it at this time . And youâre right, the screen gets cluttered quickly with too much text. - Anytime I find bits and pieces of Falcon scripting like this, I keep them in a file for reference. I always learn more when I see the work of others, so thank you to that industrious person! Iâm going to test some of these methods and see if I can make them work for my script too.
Happy Flying!
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RE: BMS Training Script with Voice Instructions
UPDATE for 4.37-U2!
Check the top of the thread again for the next ânew and improvedâ 4.37-U2 BMS Ramp Start Training Script!
Itâs updated to reflect the changes in the newer, U2 mission (more packages, longer taxi), and now uses the trigger button on the stick to pause and continue. (Listen carefully for the trigger prompts!) I also updated some of the dialog to clarify some things in the script.
Happy Training!
Enjoy! -
RE: Ramp Start Training Mission vs Checklist - 4.37 U2
@mack97
The differences between the two are pretty minor but right now, for learning purposes, Iâd stick with the training manual. It fills in the extra info you need to fully understand whatâs happening during the start up and uses the 3 sweep method of remembering all of the steps. Once youâre comfortable with the process, youâll have the knee pad checklist to fall back on, in case you need a reminder. -
RE: Ramp Start Training Mission vs Checklist - 4.37 U2
@Atlas
The time to do the SEC check is earlier on the checklist, than on the training mission and the checklist also says to dial in your QNH BEFORE you start the EGI alignment.
Not major items but Iâm trying to get my latest training script to be in the right order and matching (as close as possible) the checklist to the text in the training manual. I just need clarification, since they donât match right now. The other items are mentioned in the manual, but are not on the checklist, since theyâre mission specific. Pretty important stuff if you donât already know about them. -
RE: Ramp Start Training Mission vs Checklist - 4.37 U2
Hi, @Micro_440th ,
Here are the differences that I notice between the checklist and the current Ramp Start training mission documentation:
Checklist: 3-After Engine Start, - 2. SEC Check
GroundOPS: pg. 21, 5. SEC is AFTER EPU test?- Should the SEC test be âmovedâ forward in the mission training description, to match the checklist?
Checklist: 3-After Engine Start, - 8(g) QNH check BEFORE (8h) EGI Align
GroundOPS: pg.28, ATIS QNH request AFTER EGI Align?- Should a QNH check & set, be âaddedâ BEFORE EGI Align, in the mission training description, to match the checklist?
Checklist - No TWA on ---------- Ground OPS pg. 22, 7. TWA on
Checklist - No CMDS on -------- GroundOPS pg.22, 8. CMDS system on
Checklist - No TWP test ----------- GroundOPS pg. 22, 10. TWP test
Checklist - No A-LOW setting ---- GroundOPS pg.23, UFC settings
Checklist - No ILS setting ---------- GroundOPS pg.23, UFC settings
Checklist - No Joker fuel setting - GroundOPS pg.23, UFC settings
Checklist - No Fuel QTY check â GroundOPS pg.23, UFC settings
Checklist - No HMCS alignment - GroundOPS pg.24, HMCS Coarse alignment
I realize that these (8) items are âmission-specificâ and wouldnât be on the standard checklist, but they are important items to be learned during startup training.- Can I assume the location of these (8) tasks in the training mission (pgs. 22,23,24, during the ramp start), are the typical âpoints in timeâ that these tasks would occur during a ârealâ startup?
If so, then maybe only items 1 & 2 could use some attention.
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RE: Ramp Start Training Mission vs Checklist - 4.37 U2
@Micro_440th
I agree completely. âIf it ainât broke, donât fix it!âBasically, what I would like to know is WHEN does an F-16 pilot typically do these ânon-checklistâ procedures, IRL?
It seems like they should certainly be done before takeoff and per SOP, to make sure all of these systems are ready and working properly for the mission, butâŚ
WHEN would they be done within the current checklist? (between or after or during the â3 sweepâ method?)Iâm curious to know when they are done in the âreal worldâ.
Any comments from current or former pilots?
Thanks!
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RE: BMS Training Script with Voice Instructions
@Snoutmaster
Iâm assuming you canât see the Master Light switch because the pilotâs body is in the way.If so, go into Setup/Graphics before entering the mission and make sure the pilot model is checked.
If you donât have it checked, the script will ADD the pilot model instead of removing it. -
Ramp Start Training Mission vs Checklist - 4.37 U2
@Micro_440th
#ramp-start-checklist
Since the current 4.37U2 Ramp Start âtraining missionâ is so different from the new âchecklistâ, will the âfutureâ U3 Ramp Start training mission follow the new checklist only (Excluding ECM system on, TWA on, CMDS system on, RWR system test/on, T-ILS setting, A-LOW setting, BINGO setting, Fuel Qty check, HMCS align, etc.)?a) Wondering if those systems will be taught/set in a new, âSupplemental Proceduresâ mission (maybe during a flight after takeoff, for example)
b) Included in other updated training missions that require them, or
c) Still included in the Ramp Start training, but somehow indicated as ânot required now, but hereâs how you do itâ; and/or simply added into the new checklist, even if not âofficialâ checklist items?Can you give us a clue as to what direction you might be going with this âfutureâ U3 training mission?
When I see how much the documentation has changed recently, I imagine that youâre getting bombarded by all of the re-write work that appears to be your responsibility! And we the community, keep asking you all of these crazy questions! Yikes!
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RE: 4.37-U2 Training Mission 1 - different ramp & taxi start locations?
@Micro_440th
Hah! I see now, what you had in mind! Bravo!All of those packages in front, really threw me off, but thankfully the Ramp Start timing is still the same!
Now that I know MY start time (1:13), taxi time (1:25) and the last package (4-F-16âs) takeoff time (+/- 1:30), I can make sure Iâm in the right locations at the right times.
Iâll re-work my Ramp Start script, to match this timing and the latest checklist and see how it all comes together.
Thank you!
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4.37-U2 Training Mission 1 - different ramp & taxi start locations?
Ramp Start in the new 4.27-U2 Training Mission 1, begins at RWY36, TWY P and PK 0.
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If you start the same U2 mission in Taxi, itâs still RWY 36, but TWY A and PK 63, same as 4.37-U1 and thereâs not a single aircraft in the area!
Is there a reason for two different starting points & traffic for the same training mission? -
At Ramp Start, since there arenât any other flights shown or scheduled on the Mission screen, ATO or Briefing in the UI, how is the pilot supposed to know about all of the other package traffic on the taxiways and EOR, for takeoff timing of Pkg 2065? If you wait for the other flights to proceed before you, youâll be late for your 1:32 takeoff time.
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Since this is technically the âfirst trainingâ mission, often for first-time pilots:
Could the other âunknownâ packages be shown on the Mission screen and scheduled to at least clear the EOR and takeoff area, a few minutes earlier than the âtraineeâ pilot, so the EOR/Arming Area isnât so clogged up between, say 1:28 and 1:32?
Maybe a hotfix for this newly revised, training mission?
Any help here would be greatly appreciated . -
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RE: BMS Training Script with Voice Instructions
NEW!
See the top of the thread for the ânew and improvedâ 4.37-U1 BMS Ramp Start Training Script!Now, YOU actively do the Ramp Start, including full user interaction, while the voice guidance from the IP tells you what to do next, without having to go back and forth to the Training manual!
Itâs a great way to memorize and learn this process.Enjoy!
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RE: BMS Training Script with Voice Instructions
@Micro_440th
It sounds like U2 is making more changes to the first training mission than I thought, so Iâll set the script aside for now, until youâve got the new mission 1 training instructions ready for distribution.Regarding these new mission and instruction changes, I had a few âchecklistâ questionsâŚ
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Am I safe to assume the âpre-missionâ cockpit configuration wonât change, like page N-4?
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BEFORE STARTING ENGINE, N-7, item 1 lists the canopy and spider being closed BEFORE power is turned on. How does that work? Shouldnât the canopy & spider be closed AFTER N-7, item 7, like the existing mission?
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Are you adding âset position lights to flashâ to the instructions for the EPU test (N-18, 7d)?
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After Engine start, if we set QNH before EGI-ALIGN NORM (N-20, item 8h), will an ATC call be added to the instructions, to get that info?
Thanks for the heads up!
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RE: BMS Training Script with Voice Instructions
@SemlerPDX
I asked for volunteers on this training mission and Microsoft Zira and David were the only ones to raise their hands, so I donât want to upset my new IP or crew chief after theyâve already done the work .Maybe on future training missions, we can solicit other âIPâsâ or âcrew chiefsâ with nicer voices, but for this first mission, I feel obligated to let them serve, for now!
@Micro_440th
I decided that the logical thing to do was also the simplest⌠to simply turn the Comm1 volume down or up (in the script), to speak to the ATC as necessary, so they wouldnât disrupt the training session. (Itâs working, so far.)Regarding the backup UHF and Comm2, see page 14, section 5 and page 20 of the training Manual. Later in the mission, in the Arming Area, the user is directed to change to the Tower frequency using channel 3 of the comms ladder (page 32), so maybe that will have to be enough of an intro to the ladder, for only this first training mission. As we know all too well, at some point, the pilot still has to read the manuals to get a complete understanding of this sim, aircraft and their capabilities.
FYI, Iâm also re-writing the script to require the pilot trainee to push the buttons, switches, toggles, etc. so they can actually âdo itâ for themselves and not just watch the Ramp Start. Itâs a lot more work, but better, in the end, I think. (Thanks for the feedback @Todd1215 !) Theyâll be hard-pressed to get to the takeoff on time (1:32 comes awfully quick so the Tower probably wonât be happyâŚ), but at least theyâll be able to âlearn it by doing itâ.