Mark Position final version - Full Code

[COBS]

I have finally finished the Mark Position instrument.
Attached is a zip with the instrument , 4 pages of notes , and some screenshots.
It can be loaded a flown ,
or
the code might be of interest.

The code is provided for unlimited use by anyone .
There are no restrictions or limitations on the use of the code or notes.

This is a fun instrument for any aircraft , helicopter or floatplane , you can create
and fly ILS precision runway approaches and landing anywhere , land , water or rooftops.

Thank you to those that previously contributed to it's development.


Cheers
Karol
Edit: Circuit details at post #1 following link,
http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/circuit-width-a-better-way.430370/


These shots show the instrument and it's underlying function.

See later post #10 or 11 for Latest version Zip that fully works in both FSX and FS9

 

[EduHir]

Karol,
thanks for the upload!
Maybe some parts have to be adapted to FS9.

Edi

 

[COBS]

Edi ,

Sorry for the delay , I was away for a couple of days .
I hadn't tested it in FS9 .
I just did a quick test in FS9 and the Mark Position instrument seems to work
perfectly , (thank heavens !) .

However the ICON switch will not work as it is coded in FSX/Aces schema .

I will try to do the Icon in FS9 code and post it here .

Cheers
Karol

 

[COBS]

Edi,

Have done some more testing in FS9 .
In it's current form the Mark Position instrument will not work in FS9 !!
That is strange , will have to look at the FS9 SDK to see why it is different.

It only works in FSX.

Did you try it in FSX ?

Cheers
Karol

 

[rpmc]

Karol,

For grins, for FS9 did you try

<Update Frequency="18">
   blah blah blah
</Update>

instead of

<Update Frequency="18"/>
<Update>
   blah blah blah
</Update>

Your version should work for either sim even though FS9 allows only one <Update> section. See this thread. The version I suggest accomplishes the same but uses only one <Update>.

Per Tom Aguilo: FS9 XML schema supports only one <Update> property per gauge. If more than one is defined, only the latest in sequential order is loaded and parsed. FSX XML schema supports more than a single <Update>

So, it doesn't look as though the double <Update> is causing the FS9 problems.

Bob

[edit] Edited to correct errors in my original statement regarding the <Update> differences between FS9 and FSX.

 

[COBS]

Bob ,

Thanks for that one , I have now adjusted the Update.

I'm still trying to understand what FS9 is doing to the "Bearing" text readout .

Cheers
Karol

 

[rpmc]

Bob ,

Thanks for that one , I have now adjusted the Update.

I'm still trying to understand what FS9 is doing to the "Bearing" text readout .

Cheers
Karol

Hmm ... which lines?

 

[rpmc]

Karol,

In this line,

<String>%BRG %((L:BearingMarkPos,radians) (A:GPS MAGVAR, radians) - pi - rnor rddg )%!5.1f!%</String>

I don't see that you need to subtract pi, but more importantly, try avoiding rnor and do rddg dnor instead. See if that helps.

And then check out this blog.

Bob

 

[COBS]

Bob ,

Thank you for the ideas and that Link reference .

FS9 ;
The instrument works beautifully in FS9 , But ;
the above line doesn't work after Mark Point passage , and variations of that line are used
to determine 'Left or Right circuit' , and to determine hemispherical relationship for the
ILS LOC (horizontal moving) Coarse and Fine bars .
Should be easy to resolve ( hopefully it's easy for me !??!!! ? ) .

I would very much like to get it working as it should in FS9 as well .
I kept the instrument nice and simple to best show it's underlying functions , however
it is a powerful instrument with a wide range of practical expansion possabilities .

Cheers
Karol

 

[COBS]

Mark Position instrument for both FSX and FS9

Please find attached a zip file containing the Instrument and Icon and Notes ,
it has been modified to work in either FSX or FS9 .
I have tried to annotate/comment the xml script sections to make it a
little easier to follow it's workings.

My thanks to ;

Edi ,
Thank you for drawing my attention to the fact that the earlier version
was not fully FS9 compatible .

Bob ,
Thank you for advising about the 'rnor' problem , I would never have guessed that
the incompatability was due to a Microsoft bug without you advice.

It now works in FSX and FS9.

Cheers
Karol
PS; Note that the ident number for Icon call up has been changed from previous version.

 

[COBS]

Originally I was a little timid about using the actual real world ILS tolerances of
GS (vertical bar) glideslope +/- 0.7 degrees
LOC (lateral bar) +/- 2.5 degrees
I have now implemented the real tolerances into the instrument , and surprisingly
it is easier to fly the more sensitive tolerances.
I presume that with the greater sensitivity one tends to do less zig zagging within the
ILS cone.
I added:
1. an On-Off switch for the arrows to enable it to unclutter the display.
2. another Coarse LOC bar that brackets the primary LOC deviation bar , it gives better warning of the ILS zone.
3. did a very faint tolerance box to warn that the bars are at their limits and no longer indicating.
Next to the ILS bar display ;
4. a height above runway that appears when lower than 500' .
5. a flashing "DH" Decision Height appears 210-100' to warn 200' DH and possible missed approach.

I have attached the complete updated zip package , the only change is in the main instrument xml .

The shot below shows the current and final state of this instrument .

Cheers
Karol

A composite shot

The full current instrument attached below

EDIT :
Please note that the Icon in the following ZIP is incorrectly titled.
Please change the title as follows,
From : INS_Icon
To: MK_Icon