Developer update 5/12/2022

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In a short while, TFM 22.5 will release. This version has three major updates. The new features include a fix to the settings dialog, a setting to find the location of the airports database, and a new ILS system.

 

Settings update

In the past, the PMDG CDU soft keys setting in the PMDG settings refused to save. Going forward, all settings will keep the user’s preferences. We also added some new settings described in the following sections.

 

Airports database location

There is a new category in settings named airports database. When exploring these settings, there is a text field that accepts a folder path where P3D’s airports database is found. You will also find a browse button to aid in finding the required folder. This setting is needed in order for TFM to make use of airport functions. The new ILS system is one of those features requiring the use of the airports database.

 

New ILS system

The current ILS system is based on the aircraft’s navigation system. For example, NAV1 has a localizer needle that moves from left to right showing your position on the localizer. The same method occurs for the glide slope. When NAV1 is tracking the glide slope, the radio needle moves up and down to show your position on the glide slope. TFM represents these positions as a percentage value. For example, “99% left, 80% up”. It is difficult to understand the meaning of these values, so we rewrote the current ILS system to supply heading values for the localizer, and altitude values for the glide slope. For example, TFM might announce “40 left, 1500 below”. In this case, turn 40 degrees to the left for the localizer, and descend 1500 feet for the glide slope. Along with the new ILS system are two settings under aircraft in the settings dialog. The first one is ‘announce localizer headings’. When it is checked, the localizer will supply directions in the form of headings. The second one is ‘announce glide slope altitudes’. When checked, the glide slope will supply directions in the form of altitude values. When these settings are unchecked, the ILS system will revert to the original percentage values.

The new ILS system comes with a dialog opened by pressing the right bracket key (]), then pressing CONTROL+D. You must make selections in this dialog for the new ILS to work. When the dialog opens, focus is placed on the airport field. You can then type the airport code of interest, such as KMIA or KATL. When done, press ENTER on your keyboard. TFM should announce the number of runways loaded. Otherwise, it will announce that the airport is invalid. When you have the runways of interest loaded, press ALT+R to jump to the list of runways. Use the arrow keys to choose a runway. When done, press ALT+I to jump to the ILS information field. Review the details. If needed, revisit the runways list to make another choice, then revisit the ILS information field to review the details again. To revisit the airport field, press ALT+A, then type in a new airport code and press ENTER on your keyboard. When satisfied with your choices, press ALT+O for the Ok button. Otherwise press ALT+C to cancel and close the dialog. Feel free to make use of the destination runway dialog any time during a flight. As long as the settings are set before final approach.

 

Known issues

  • The destination runway dialog has no method of clearing current settings. To fix, load another airport.
  • The ILS details field in the destination runway dialog only gives essential information. Report a new feature to have more information added.
  • The distance lines in the ILS details of the destination runway dialog may give false numbers when on ground or before aircraft power up. This is a limitation of the database.

We want your feedback on any TFM features. To report a bug or new feature request, press the right bracket key (]), then press CONTROL+SHIFT+I to open the GitHub issue queue. Please look to see if your feature or bug has already been reported. If not, feel free to post a new report. Otherwise, make a new comment on an existing report discussing your bug or feature. To contact us about getting started with TFM, feel free to fill out our contact form. One of us will get back with you soon.