How to change plane to descend

[kevinj]

Hello,

Just bought FSFO Lite V2 and been using it to get familiar, also watched the video. I can set everything up and import flight plan etc.... but when it comes to descend what do I do?
Do I change the attitude under the briefing tab and hit enter.. not sure how to start the descent procedure. Everything else I seem to to be using correctly.
FYI - been using the mooney in P3D V5 and I have FSUIPC6
Thanks in advance

Kevin

[flightlevel27]

Hi Kevin

I speak under correction!

I start the "descent" the same as if i did not have any FSFO program running.

I do admit that I never use the "Vnav" option!

So I calculate the TOD as normal and then once I get to that point I select a "new" altitude and select the VS IE between 1700' PM and 2200' PM.

Oh you have the Lite version and which a/c are you talking about?

Hope this answers your Q

Regards

Richard

[kevinj]

Thank you Richard.

Which a/c? I am using G1000 Garmin in the Mooney.

I wanted to let the program start the decent and calculate that for me.. 
I was under the impression that it could. I am new to programming an aircraft. 
That's why I bought FSFO Lite V2. LOL .. I'm a novice.
Thank you for responding I appreciate it.

Maybe someone here is using it like I am describing.

Regards,
Kevin

[Matthew King]

Hi Kevin,

The program is not designed to start to the descent; however, it should calculate your TOD and inform you when you're within 5-nm of the TOD threshold. Of course, this assumes you imported a flight plan via the briefing screen. The dist-to-go and TOD are displayed on the main form while the aircraft is airborne and is calculated when you import and/or calc a flight plan. Let me know if this helps!

Attachments:

[kevinj]

That helps... but still don't know how to change the autopilot to the new altitude.
I must be missing something. I'm guessing I put in a new altitude for the descent... and the computer calculates the rate of descent.
Sorry, I'm a novice.

Kevin

[Matthew King]

Mar 14, 2021 16:07:21 GMT -5 kevinj said:

That helps... but still don't know how to change the autopilot to the new altitude.
I must be missing something. I'm guessing I put in a new altitude for the descent... and the computer calculates the rate of descent.
Sorry, I'm a novice.

Kevin

Kevin, you can command the copilot to set a new altitude via voice by speaking "set flight level" (pause 1 sec) "120" or "set altitude" (pause 1 sec) "four-thousand." For voice to work, the speech recognition engine must be enabled (lower left corner); when enabled, the font "voice" is green.

Concerning the TOD calculation, it's a generic calculation based on your planned altitude, speed, and destination airport altitude. It doesn't calculate your rate of decent; instead, it just informs when you should start your descent.

[kevinj]

Thanks. Can I do this without the use of voice command. I don't think I have that ability with my PC. Is there a switch I can turn on to do this without using voice.
It's a bit frustrating because I can use the FSFO Lite V2 for everything I want, it's perfect except the end of the flight... i.e. descent and landing.
Thanks for the help Matt

Regards
Kevin

[Matthew King]

Kevin,

Can you specify what it is you want FSFO to do? Do you want FSFO to set a lower altitude and start the descent for you when you reach TOD? That shouldn't be too hard to program for the next update. However, FSFO won't know what your altitude should be set to.

[kevinj]

Yes Matt, that would be good.


Let me explain what I used to use for FS9 and FSX. I don't believe this software will work in MSFS or P3D V5 which is what I have now.

It was called Copilot Pro. It allowed you to make flight plans and installed an EZ dock interface in the one of the cabin window views.

In the EZ dock you chose your flight plan and started your flight. It did not set flaps, speeds or put the landing gear up, that was up to me.

When I reached 10,000 feet I chose autopilot in the EZ dock interface and the aircraft corrected it's position and followed the flight plan.

The software knew when I reached a certain point (TOD) it would alert you when you needed to start your descent.

It knew this by the distance from destination and the current altitude of the aircraft and probably current speed.

Then a message would appear in the EZ dock window asking "start descent now". I would then accept the prompt and it would hold the flight plan but start the descent.

I would then need to adjust the speed of the descending aircraft slower and slower as I got closer and closer to the destination. This is what I am coming from and what I was used to.



When I found your software FSFO Lite V2 it was what I was looking for and it does everything that CoPilot Pro did and more.

I've been using it the past few days and love it. It's perfect except that I don't know how to start the descent (while holding the flight plan) except by turning off autopilot.

But then it won't be continuing to hold the flight plan. I'm assuming. I hope I explained this well enough because maybe there is something I am not doing in your software 

that you could help me with. Perhaps your other versions help with this... not sure. Eventually, I will end up buying most of your other versions at some point.

I hope I explained this in enough detail and I appreciate your time helping me.

 
Best Regards,

Kevin


PS - Can you recommend a payware or non-payware A320 that would work well with your software? thx.

My sims are P3D V5, MSFS2020

[Matthew King]

Shouldn't be too hard to implement, my friend. The only question I have, is what initial descent altitude did Copilot Pro set? I'm thinking about setting an alt 3000 feet AGL? Will that work?

[kevinj]

I'm not sure Matt on the altitude to set. use your best judgment. 3,000 is probably good.

Regards,

Kevin