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Bryan Bartlett

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Posts posted by Bryan Bartlett

    X-Plane Orthophotorealistic Files

    in Flight Simulators

    Posted

    Hello all!

    So, I have been downloading Ortho files for my flights, and I do not want to keep them on my computer all the time.  At the same time, I do not want to be recreating the files every time I go into the area

    I have decided to host the files I have created and offer them for download for members.

    I will make more, and upload them as created.  They are between zoom 13-15, a good balance between size and clarity.

    I have at the moment Cape York/Torres Strait, and the Weipa area.  Each area is a 3 degree by 3 degree area, and can be downloaded as you need to use them.

    The site does require registration to download.  When you register, you will be sent a confirmation link in your email.  You will be also asked to fill in a quick form to prove your human. Sorry for the hoops, but it will ensure I can share these files.  Have fun and see you in the skies!

    Cessna 172SP G1000 Checklist for X-Checklist

    in Flight Simulators

    Posted

    I like having checklists. It adds to realism, and helps if you have forgotten something.

    I could not find a good one for the C172 G1000, so I made one.  Specifically, I also added VATSIM specific checks, such as reminders of when to ask for clearances, setting up UNICOM, and a few others.  I have heavily based it on a checklist found at http://aspenflyingclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Checklist-C172SP-G1000.pdf

     

    If you find an error, or something that should be done in a different order, let me know! You should only need to drop it into the X-Plane/Aircraft/Laminar Research/Cessna 172SP folder. It requires X-Checklist to work, which can be found on the xplane forums.

    Cessna_172SP_G1000_clist.txt

    • Like 3

    MRM suggestion

    in Feedback, Suggestions and Ideas

    Posted

    What if there was an ATC booking system? An ATC goes to the site, and books themselves into a position of their choice, for example, Sydney Ground.  But, because Sydney Tower is unoccupied, they go by the "fill highest" rule and log onto tower.

    A second ATC controller then can see in the booking tower is unclaimed, but ground is. They book tower, log on, and private message the tower to let them know they want to run tower ops. Tower, who already indicated they prefer to run ground, swaps to ground, and second ATC takes over tower.

    Thus, both parties are doing what they want, while keeping to VATSIM protocol for times of smaller ATC numbers.

     

    After typing it I realize I may have accidentally swerved the convo off topic, sorry about that.

    MRM suggestion

    in Feedback, Suggestions and Ideas

    Posted

    Just now, Liesel Downes said:

    Yeah, you'll get to the hands-on learning part with a mentor over a few sessions once you've done the observing hours and finished the theory exam. The observing and theory exam is required to make sure you understand the basic concepts of tower controlling so you can come into the mentoring sessions ready to get right into it.

    All good then :) thank you very much for clarifying that for me. Still though, I can see situations where I may not be able to do Tower and prefer to handle ground, for example, or be happy to let someone else take over tower to go to a lower position.

    Too bad there was not a way to mark such when are online.

    • Like 1

    MRM suggestion

    in Feedback, Suggestions and Ideas

    Posted · Edited by Bryan Bartlett

    3 minutes ago, Liesel Downes said:

    Once you start your ATC training (if you haven't already) then you'll see what I mean

    At the moment, I have started the training, working on my 20 hours observation before applying for assessment.  At this stage, there is no reference in the materials of any practice scenarios for the positions.  Just feels that its "get your 20 hours, take an assessment, then done."  I can read the documents over all i want, but I am better at hands on learning :).

    If the hands on learning does come after assessment, all good lol. It just is not very clear on what happens after assessment

    MRM suggestion

    in Feedback, Suggestions and Ideas

    Posted

    As a newer member of the community, I think i have a bit of insight, and I think the issue may be how training is done. combined with the "fill highest position" requirement.

    There is a major difference between doing Pilot rating training and ATC training here, in that during pilot training, there is the chance to practice what you learn. With ATC training it is more "Read, Observe, Test".  There is no chance to practice setting up an ATIS without testing it live, there is no way to run a simulation of Clearance, Ground, and Tower operations.  And as Clearance, Ground, and Tower ratings are part of the same course, you are technically qualified to run all three once course is completed.

    Which means, a brand new ATC will have no in sim experience in running Clearance, Ground, and Tower Operations, and as they will 99% of the time be expected to fill Tower if it is available before ground and clearance, they will have to basically do their on the job portion of the training dealing with three completely different protocols.

    The best chance to get experience on the sim is during events, but a newer ATC may not be willing to jump immediately on tower, and may prefer to practice clearance or ground operations.  At the moment, it seems they are then really expected to wait in the hopes that someone takes over tower so they can jump on ground, or else take over tower, and if another ATC sees them on tower, they wont know that person would gladly hand it over to drop down a level.

    It makes being a new ATC during events feel overwhelming. I am not even there yet and I already get nervous thinking about it.

    I would think that having "intermediate" ratings for that first course would be a great thing to help increase activity in those events.  Allow a person who has not completed the course, but completed the Clearance competency portion of it to have Clearance as their highest rated position they can hold.

    Combined with that would be adding more step by step instructions in the training.  Videos showing how each position should run in a perfect situation would be good to get used to each positions requirements.

    Even though that is my view from a ATC-in-Training, I can see how that can be extended.  If a member is not comfortable/can not do Tower for any reason, they are apparently end up having to wait until someone else takes tower.  And there may not be many willing to wait around.

     

    On that note, Training is awesome, having fun, keep up the good work.

    VRC Sector Files

    in ATC Training

    Posted

     

    2 minutes ago, Kirk Christie said:

    Section 4 of the tower training moodle, has some excellent info on connecting to the network, as well as this very detailed video. If you have not already done so, I recommend that you enroll in the Tower Moodle course, if you intend to train as ATC within VATPAC.

    Yup SInged up for course, followed that tutorial to connect and observe ML_Tower.  Was so many sector files in there it was slightly overwhelming on what each was used for though

    VRC randomly changed frequencies?

    in ATC Training

    Posted

    It was so unexpected, I had thought Melbourne tower changed frequencies, and had asked them what the purpose of the frequency change was for? thoguht I was going to learn something new. Poor guy was just as confused as they were the ones on right channel and it was me that changed suddenly. Happened just asSNO_CTR came online

    X-Plane XPGFS NOAA plugin not downloading VATSIM weather? Fix is here!

    in Flight Simulators

    Posted

    There is a single typo in the programming of this mod for X-Plane  (https://x-plane.joanpc.com/plugins/xpgfs-noaa-weather)

    In your X-Plane install folder, go to Resources/Plugins/PythonScripts/noaweather

    Find the file metar.py and open it in notepad

    look for the line     

     VATSIM_METAR_URL = 'https://metar.vatsim.net/metar.php?id=all'

    Change it to 

        VATSIM_METAR_URL = 'http://metar.vatsim.net/metar.php?id=all'

    Thats right, the only thing keeping this plugin from working is it is using secured http instead of regular http


    Enjoy!

    My P2 Present to myself: Virtual Cessna World Trip

    in General

    Posted · Edited by Bryan Bartlett

    Thanks to those who took a look at my stream during the flight! Made it to Rockhampton, but I found the landing extremely hard. Had to do a go around, and could not figure out why my plane wanted to bank to the left once I took it off of autopilot, Even reconfigured the controller to make sure it was centred.

    Found out, it was because the left flap had failed. and I had not realized it.  I managed to get the plane on the ground, but it was not pretty.
     

    https://www.twitch.tv/videos/481792834 for the highlight of the missing flap landing.

    https://youtu.be/rc4lm_Wlskk for the condensed flight

    • Like 1

    My P2 Present to myself: Virtual Cessna World Trip

    in General

    Posted

    My first leg will be happening to coincide with the GA Brisbane Madness! I will be flying from Archerfield (YBBN) to Rockhampton (YBRK) leaving at around 0700z on Sunday 15th of September. I will be streaming my adventures via twitch, then re-uploading them to YouTube (cause twitch doesn't like saving streams!)  All flights in this trip will be in the Cessna Skyhawk 172 , under IFR. If you want to track my progress, I will be flying under VH-VAL.  Route to take will be DCT BN DCT LOAFA Q64 GEESE to make a nice flyover of Brisbane CBD before heading off north.

    See you in the skies!

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1
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