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PCL help

G

Gaz921

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unitedkingdom
Hi can someone talk me through how to get Pilot Controlled Lights to work please? I've added Omni lights to FSX using ADE but I can't control them. I've read through the manual a few times and I'm following what it says but without any luck. Here's what I'm doing -

I have AFLT in a folder on my desktop
Library folder set to another folder on my desktop
create the element (I've set control to Nav2 Value 112.20 although I have tried various combinations)
Make library
Add the bgl to ADE using library object manager
place the lights using add library object in ADE
compile airport in ADE and run FSX
Lights are already shown switched on (in my case runway edge lights) but they won't switch back off.


Regards, Gaz
 
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Gaz, presumably you intended to attach something to your post to illustrate the problem.

As noted in the manual, in order to help you with a specific problem, I need your AFLT Library folder. However, before doing anything else, did you copy the library BGL you generated into your scenery folder? Adding it to ADE only informs ADE of the GUIDs. Like any other scenery, the object library must be in the scenery folder along with the placement data. Also, what is the time parameter in the Auto-Off text box. That time interval must expire before the lights turn off.

Don
 
Hi Don, thanks for your reply. My apologies, I didn't see the part in the manual about support. I'm not sure how to add a folder on this thread but here's a link to the folder on Dropbox if that's of any use to you?

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4mgom30krahjmo4/AABFWmdWMXPZzFs-0AQYZ9_Ta?dl=0

I copied the _lights.bgl into my scenery folder and added it to ADE from there. The Auto off was set to 0 although I did try 15 mins to see if it would make a difference.

Kind regards, Gaz
 
Gaz, I see nothing wrong with the data you sent.

While no one has previously reported a problem with using NAV2 to control PCL, lets first rule it out as a source of the problem. Please change your trigger to the transponder (which I know works) and specify a valid code - e.g., 0066. Also, please set the auto-off time to some small value, e.g., 1 min and the Airport Operates until time to 2359.

If none of that works, please send me your .ad4 file so I can attempt to re-create your situation.

Don
 
Gaz, it occurred to me as I was watching TV that the problem may be your concept of PCL. PCL is a mechanism to allow a pilot on approach to turn lights on at an airport that does not operate 24 hrs/day. Your airport has not been defined as operating <24hr/day. So, the lights will remain on from duck to dawn. PCL is not applicable at such an airport - though it can be used to turn custom lights on in low visibility conditions in the daytime.

Don
 
Hi Don, I've been trying all morning to get it to work but no luck unfortunately. I've tried what you've suggested above but still not working. The only thing I can think of is that I'm not putting the files in the right place? Up until now the airport bgls were in the generic FSX addon scenery/scenery folder. This is where I've been saving the lights.bgl file to and adding it to ADE from there.The Bases and Lights folders were in the folder on my desktop. I've created a new Scenery folder for my airport now and added the scenery area in FSX. The lights.bgl is in the /Scenery folder, the four AFLT texture files in the /Texture folder. The Bases and Lights Folders and other files created ini etc are in the main Airport folder. I've tried using effect and light bgls.The lights show up whatever I do, I've also noticed they remain on during the day. Gaz
 

Attachments

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Gaz, I've looked at your AD4 file in ADE and I don't see any custom lighting assigned. The guid "df859003-d9e4-4c0e-bf25-dc39ed7e5782" (which is the guid assigned to your test AFLT light) does not appear among your scenery models, nor does the name "harrlght". I don't see any library objects placed along the runways/taxiways where I would espect to find the custom lighting. It is not surprising, then, that when I compiled your .AD4 file and loaded it into the FSX together with the _Lights.bgl file you sent me yesterday, I saw no lights whatsoever. (Presumably, you have somehow suppressed all default lighting.)

I've tried what you've suggested above but still not working
Click to expand...
Please refer to my most recent post above. None of the changes I suggested would have affected the default 24hr operation of the airport. PCL turns lights on, not off (unless turned on by PCL). Since 24 hr operation results in runway/taxiway lights on from dusk to dawn, what is it you are attempting to do with PCL.

The only thing I can think of is that I'm not putting the files in the right place?
Click to expand...
You shouldn't have to put the AFLT files anywhere. The Make Library routine looks after that. As for "adding it to ADE from there", I assume by this you mean you mean ADE's LOM. But, you still have to place the custom lights individually in ADE.

Don
 
Hi Don, Sorry I sent you an AD4 file without the lights on. I have emailed you to your stuff4fs email address with the link for dropbox with the complete airfield and where the files ended up after I used AFLT. I've put the AD4 file in there as well if you need it. To clarify what I'm trying to do - I want the airfield to be without any lights on unless I turn them on to land as it's a WW2 bomber base. I only need runway edge lights as I want it to represent a flare path. Thanks for taking the time to help with this, regards, Gaz
 
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Gaz, thanks for the new files. Now that I've been able to duplicate your problem, I have found the cause of you being unable to turn the lights off. AFLT Development Release 1.1.03(b), available at http://stuff4fs.com contains the fix. Please give it a try and report back. Be sure to download the Development Release.

While working this issue I discovered another. It appears the decoding of NAV frequencies for PCL purposes is incorrect. So, for the moment, you can't use it for PCL. The transponder works correctly, so please stay with the transponder until I fix the NAV issue.

Don
 
Don, excellent work! :-) Just added some omni lights with transponder code and it works perfectly. Thanks for all your help on this, very much appreciated, kind regards, Gaz
 
Glad that solved the problem. AFLT was looking at the wrong variable. I'll address the NAV/COM frequency decoding issue ASAP.

Don
 
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