Extended 777 Gauges
Anyone who has ever been on an activated 777 flight deck, knows that
there are literally about 30 screens of different information for the pilot to choose from
on any given MFD. Currently, the majority of the screens are not available in MSFS, though
Enrico Schiratti has done a fantastic job creating more of these screens.
Even with MSFS and Schiratti's Glass Cockpit, there are still about 25
systems screens left out. I will attempt to recreate most of these remaining screens,
beginning with the ever helpful digital checklist. Initially, this screen will only
contain the standard checklist from FS2K, but this will change as soon as I find a
complete checklist. The planned creation of screens is as follows:
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- Digital Checklist - Available as beta! (below)
- Flight Controls
- Tire Information
- Misc. Information
- Display Selection
- Doors (static)
- Fuel Quantity
- Fuel Management
- Hydrolics
- Electrical Display
Unfortunately, the information about these screens is pretty discreet, so I will be working mostly with logical assumptions. Wherever possible, I will have each instrument validated by commercial pilots.
Checklist
The beta version of the checklist is now availble for download with almost all the major functions available. The program is about 90% dynamic, so you can customize the checklist for any aircraft you'de like. Here is an explanation of it's functions:
Data.ini
The data.ini file is a VERY important file to understand in order to be
able to completely utilize this software. It is possible to add checklists, add checklist
items, and create closed loop (auto-check) items by properly editing this file.The
software does not start reading file data until the "---NORMAL---" or
"---NON NORMAL---" sections are reached, so all text, above these two markers in
the file, are treated as commented code.
Here is an excerpt from the included 777 checklist file and the definition of each
line:
---
- Indicates a new checklist section
Before Start
- The Name of the checklist section
F/O Challenge - Pilot Challenging
Captain Respond -
Pilot Responding
Cockpit Windows ; CLOSED & LOCKED(F,C) - A
checklist item
Seat Belt Sign ; ON ; b
- A checklist item
...Up to 12 checklist items are currently supported
Each station can be customized as well to create realistic effects in the simulator as well. As in the actual aircraft, opened and closed loop items are also simulated. To make these, use the following format.
Gear ; UP ; 1 ; 2
Gear - The name of the checklist item
Up - The expected response
1 - the activation key (places a check in the box near any
"Landing Gear Up" item when pressed)
2 - the deactivation key (removes the check from any
""Landing Gear Up" item when pressed) - (deactivation not currently
supported)
Closed loop items are presented on the screen with no check box and can only be bypassed by pressing the proper shortcut button or by clicking "ITEM OVRD". When the computer receives the activation signal from the landing gear (possibly the letter "g") the software will automatically know to place a check by the item. Semi Colons should seperate each area of information.
This version of the checklist is not sizeable yet, but it has been created with the same dimensions as the standard Boeing 777 MFDs (7" x 7"). In order for the software to be the correct size, you will need to set your monitor resolution to 800 x 600.
Since this program is still considered to be in beta stages, PLEASE report any bugs. If something strange happens even once, please notify me so I can prevent it from ever happening.
---Please select a version to download---
Dynamic Checklist: Revision 2 - April 1, 2000
Full Version
(1.37 MB)
Click here to download the full version
Dynamic Checklist: Revision 2 - April 1, 2000
Upgrade
(20 kb)
Click here to download the upgrade
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The flight control screen will be available as soon as I get the coding needed to input variables from MSFS. This screen will allow you to visually varify the position of your flight controls and trim settings. This will be the first screen to use dynamic information from MSFS, by displaying all control movements as they are made. The goal is to make it work via WideFS so that you can place this screen on any networked computer to allow for referencing during any phase of flight.