Please add button to screen to change flying mode



FSFlyingSchool Forum
Home       Members    Calendar    Who's On
Welcome Guest ( Login | Register )
        


12»»

Please add button to screen to change flying... Expand / Collapse
Author
Message
Posted Monday, July 14, 2008 1:42:48 AM
FSFlyingSchool Pilot

FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Friday, August 08, 2008 9:49:56 PM
Posts: 7, Visits: 27
I'm always forgetting the keys to change the flying mode. Can't you add it to the fsflying school screen so I can see what mode I'm currently in and can press the button to change it?
Post #1507
Posted Monday, July 14, 2008 2:20:25 AM


FSFlyingSchool Developer

FSFlyingSchool DeveloperFSFlyingSchool DeveloperFSFlyingSchool DeveloperFSFlyingSchool DeveloperFSFlyingSchool DeveloperFSFlyingSchool DeveloperFSFlyingSchool DeveloperFSFlyingSchool Developer

Group: Administrators
Last Login: Saturday, September 28, 2024 9:27:47 AM
Posts: 5,065, Visits: 9,199
dan (7/14/2008)
I'm always forgetting the keys to change the flying mode. Can't you add it to the fsflying school screen so I can see what mode I'm currently in and can press the button to change it?

Dan:

I cannot assume any knowledge on the part of the questioner here at the forum, so I will just give all the information I can.

I understand what you are saying and I think I can suggest a few methods to deal with it.

The most important thing is that you can see what mode you are in by pressing what we might call the FSFlyingSchool 'Data' key when you are flying.

If you press Ctrl Shift D   (think of 'D' for 'Data')      FSFS will display its current flight mode across the top of your display in FSX or FS2004.

So - that means you know what mode you are in without having to leave FS.

Once you know what mode you are in you can decide to:
a) Carry on
b) Go forward with Ctrl Shift Z or Ctrl Shift 1
c) Go backward with Ctrl Shift X or Ctrl Shift 2

I remember these by thinking that Ctrl Shift Z is easier to press than Ctrl Shift X and we did that deliberately because on the average flight you are much more likely to advance the flight mode than back-up the flight mode.

Another technique which may help is if you can assign any special key combinations you want to a joystick or other controller you are using, and I would certainly be interested to hear from other users to see what they have done in this area. Some have used joystick buttons, others GoFlight buttons, etc...  

What controllers are you using?


Jeff Preston ('Squadron Leader') - FSFlyingSchool Publisher & Lead Developer


FSFlyingSchool 2023 for Microsoft Flight Simulator
FSFlyingSchool 2023 for X-Plane 12 & 11
FS Instant Approach 2023 for X-Plane 12 & 11 (Windows)
FSFlyingSchool PRO 2020 Prepar3D v 5
FSFlyingSchool PRO 2019 FSX, FSX-SE, FS2004
FSFlyingSchool USA for Microsoft Flight Simulator
FS Instant Approach 2019 for X-Plane 11 (Mac)
FS Instant Approach for Microsoft Flight Simulator
FS Instant Help for FSX, FS2004


Winner of 5 consecutive PC Pilot Magazine 'Classic Product' Awards

Fly like the Pros with X-Plane, Flight Simulator and Prepar3D!

If you wish to unsubscribe simply reply to email with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the SUBJECT line.

Post #1508
Posted Monday, July 14, 2008 4:47:43 AM
FSFlyingSchool Pilot

FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Friday, August 08, 2008 9:49:56 PM
Posts: 7, Visits: 27
I don't get much time to play fsx, so every time I do, I forget the keys. If flyingschool had a button on the screen to change the mode then that would be much better than hearing "are you planning on taking off" over and over again. I could write down the key combo to advance the flight mode, but a button would be so much easier.
Post #1509
Posted Monday, July 14, 2008 4:59:25 AM


FSFlyingSchool Developer

FSFlyingSchool DeveloperFSFlyingSchool DeveloperFSFlyingSchool DeveloperFSFlyingSchool DeveloperFSFlyingSchool DeveloperFSFlyingSchool DeveloperFSFlyingSchool DeveloperFSFlyingSchool Developer

Group: Administrators
Last Login: Saturday, September 28, 2024 9:27:47 AM
Posts: 5,065, Visits: 9,199
dan (7/14/2008)
I don't get much time to play fsx, so every time I do, I forget the keys. If flyingschool had a button on the screen to change the mode then that would be much better than hearing "are you planning on taking off" over and over again. I could write down the key combo to advance the flight mode, but a button would be so much easier.

I take you to mean a new set of buttons on the screen in FS2004 and FSX?

If this is the case I am afraid this is not something we would be adding soon. FSFS is a separate program from FS and does not appear on the FS menu structure. Also - we cannot add buttons to the 2D or 3D cockpits of aircraft without a lot of technical issues and I would think a lot of displeased pilots.

I think the best option would be to program the advance and back-up keys into your controller (yoke, joystick, instruments, etc) - that way you can just push a button rather than remember the keystrokes.

What controllers do you use?

Jeff Preston ('Squadron Leader') - FSFlyingSchool Publisher & Lead Developer


FSFlyingSchool 2023 for Microsoft Flight Simulator
FSFlyingSchool 2023 for X-Plane 12 & 11
FS Instant Approach 2023 for X-Plane 12 & 11 (Windows)
FSFlyingSchool PRO 2020 Prepar3D v 5
FSFlyingSchool PRO 2019 FSX, FSX-SE, FS2004
FSFlyingSchool USA for Microsoft Flight Simulator
FS Instant Approach 2019 for X-Plane 11 (Mac)
FS Instant Approach for Microsoft Flight Simulator
FS Instant Help for FSX, FS2004


Winner of 5 consecutive PC Pilot Magazine 'Classic Product' Awards

Fly like the Pros with X-Plane, Flight Simulator and Prepar3D!

If you wish to unsubscribe simply reply to email with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the SUBJECT line.

Post #1510
Posted Monday, July 14, 2008 5:27:37 AM
FSFlyingSchool Pilot

FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Friday, August 08, 2008 9:49:56 PM
Posts: 7, Visits: 27
I use a ch yoke.

I mean a button on the flying school screen - not on the fsx screen or cockpit or anything within fsx.
Post #1511
Posted Monday, July 14, 2008 5:58:41 AM


FSFlyingSchool Training Captain

FSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training Captain

Group: Moderators
Last Login: Tuesday, December 20, 2022 2:42:12 PM
Posts: 1,645, Visits: 14,276
Hi Dan

What you suggest, would be very troublesome, as I see it. If there was a button on the FSFS page, on witch you could advance or backup modes, then you would have to alt-tab your way out of FSX (or FS9) to advance from for instance, takeoff to cruising, and then alt-tab your way back into the flight sim.

I use a Saitek X52 flight sim control set, and have mapped the FSFS keystrokes to my controller, so when I need to advance, I flick a switch on my righthand controlroller up, and down if I need to back up the mode. Very easy to remember, and works just like all the other buttons I have mapped to my controller.

smooth and easy - you should try that.


Regards
Ole Andreasen, Denmark

Post #1513
Posted Monday, July 14, 2008 6:24:22 AM


FSFlyingSchool Training Captain

FSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training Captain

Group: Frequent Flyer
Last Login: Friday, January 25, 2013 5:31:09 AM
Posts: 881, Visits: 1,932
Humm...like the idea of mapping a button, but I'm gonna have to figure out which one to take away...I'm using a CH Yoke and Pedals myself as well.

Joe Mini

President/CEO/Chief Pilot for Joe Mini World Wide Tours, LLC. 
"If we get you to your destination in one piece, it's a miracle"  

Post #1516
Posted Monday, July 14, 2008 2:41:51 PM
FSFlyingSchool Pilot

FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Friday, August 08, 2008 9:49:56 PM
Posts: 7, Visits: 27
I think it is a matter of preference. Some people would prefer to map a button on their controller, others would use the keyboard, others would alt-tab. Once I remember the key combo I'm sure I'll use it instead of alt-tab. Until then though, a button I can alt-tab to would be more learnable for newbies. I'm not saying make it the only way of changing flight mode - have the existing keyboard combo but also add the buttons. If you want to use the buttons you could, if not then continue to change flight modes how you currently do.

At the very least, put a label on the flight school screen saying "Press x to advance flight mode, press x to display current flight mode". At least with that I wouldn't have to look in the manual each time I start flight school.
Post #1522
Posted Monday, July 14, 2008 3:10:32 PM


FSFlyingSchool Training Captain

FSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training CaptainFSFlyingSchool Training Captain

Group: Moderators
Last Login: Tuesday, December 20, 2022 2:42:12 PM
Posts: 1,645, Visits: 14,276
Hi Dan

I would find it most annoying to have my flight interrupted whenever I needed to advance to a new mode, especially when it´s totally unnecessary. If you don´t want to map a key on your flight controller, then just write the very few combos down on a piece of paper and have it laying in front of you when you want to use FSFS.

Advance= Ctrl,shift Z (OR Ctrl,shift 1)
Backup= Ctrl,shift X (OR Ctrl,shift 2)
See status=Ctrl,shift D (OR Ctrl,shift 3)

That is all you need, (to begin with, and when you need more you will remember the combos by heart, I guarantee that) and then you can advance without interrupting the flight, by alt,tabbing out and in.

Give it a try, and I think you´ll see that it is the reasonable way to go it.



Regards
Ole Andreasen, Denmark

Post #1524
Posted Monday, July 14, 2008 4:02:42 PM
FSFlyingSchool Pilot

FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot FSFlyingSchool Pilot

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Friday, August 08, 2008 9:49:56 PM
Posts: 7, Visits: 27
I could write the keys down on a piece of paper, and I guess I'll have to.

My feeling is that doing the simple stuff should be simple. I'm fine with having to read the manual for working out the more advanced stuff like setting up a new plane, but for the simple stuff, like changing flight mode, I don't think I should have to read the manual or write things down on a piece of paper.

By having buttons on the fsfs screen to change the flight mode, or at least a list of the keys to use, right there on the screen and not hidden away in a manual, I think it would be easier to use and easier to learn. Once you've learnt the key combos then you're fine. Until you have, or if you're just evaluating the software, buttons to change the flight mode would be better from a usability point of view.

When FSFS starts, it shows the quickstart page. Even just listing the keys there would be fine. At the moment the quickstart basically says to read the manual to find out how to change the flight mode. As a software developer myself, I find that shocking. The user should not have to read the manual to find out how to do the simple stuff, especially when it could be easily resolved by changing some text on the screen or adding buttons.
Post #1525
« Prev Topic | Next Topic »

12»»

All times are GMT -8:00, Time now is 6:48pm

Powered By InstantForum.NET v4.1.4 © 2024
Execution: 0.031. 16 queries. Compression Disabled.