L049 setup & engine start via Lua scripts

[Gypsy Baron]

Here are a couple of videos of a little project I have been developing
for the past couple of days. An alternative to 'Ctrl+E' or 'Auto-start'.

They show the preliminary setupo and engine start of the A2A L049 Constellation
using Lua scripts. These can be run with or without the VFE enabled and begin
by running through the check list and staring the engines.

The first video contains the procedure from Battery and GPU on through the various
FE panel settings to the pressurization panel setup.and finally the setting
of the Srobe light in preparation of engine start.

The second video shows the engine start, with #3 first, followed by #4, #2 and #1.

I've developed this on my Win7 Pro X64 system with FSX Accelkleration (boxed),
The Lua scripts require the registered version of FSUIPC4. I believe it will
also work in P3D and FSX:SE but have not tested in those environments.

Installation & Operation is simple. A single Lua file containing all the scripts
that gets dropped into the 'Modules' folder along with a "L049_Sound" folder
containing the annotations. Then simply assign a button/switch or key-combo
to start the Lua scripts, then sit back and continue planning your flight while
the VFE assistant prepares the aircraft for taxi.

Use Full Screen to view the videos.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxznCCG8 ... e=youtu.be[/youtube]


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1uE39Wd ... e=youtu.be[/youtube]


https://youtu.be/TxznCCG8O5c


https://youtu.be/j1uE39WdH-4

Paul

[Ian Warren]

Paul , Direct and Precise ! Just Brilliant

[Gypsy Baron]

Paul , Direct and Precise ! Just Brilliant

Thanks Ian. The engineer (retired) in me needs to keep busy with little projects like this

Paul

[Krycekuk]

Now that is very impressive. I was about to look into automating my engine start but nothing to that level of complexity. Makes my attempts at my home cockpit using Spad.Next and FSUIPC very amateur

[bobsk8]

Most fun I have with the Connie is when I start the engines myself.

[Gypsy Baron]

Most fun I have with the Connie is when I start the engines myself.

I am also of that mindset. I created the scripts 'just because I could' and to give
folks an alternative to 'Ctrl+E' and 'Auto-Start'.

One can edit the script file easily to remove/bypass various steps. I 'divided' the procedure
into an 'init()' call that does all the pre-start setup and then the four engine start
sequences (start(1), Start(2), etc.

These calls run the scripts in the order listed:

Code: Select all

init()

  ipc.sleep(3000)   -- Wait 3 seconds

  ipc.display("STARTING 3",5)

Start3()

  ipc.sleep(3000)   -- Wait 3 seconds

  ipc.display("STARTING 4",5)

Start4()

  ipc.sleep(3000)   -- Wait 3 seconds

  ipc.display("STARTING 2",5)

Start2()

  ipc.sleep(3000)   -- Wait 3 seconds

  ipc.display("STARTING 1",5)

Start1()

finished()

ipc.exit()

The entire script file is 900+ lines long but about half of those lines are spaces to
make the file easily readable or comment lines. My former assembly language experience
of detailing every line of code is still strong with me so 40+ years later

No real knowledge of the inner workings of FSUIPC4 or Lua required.

I will 'invoke' this procedure when I am doing testing or want to 'get going' in short
order by having the scripts get the aircraft to the 'taxi ready' state while I plan
my route and set the weather, etc.

Once I am satisfied with the whole process and get some feedback from my fellow
91st Bombardment Group pilots on the FSX:SE and P3D operation I will post
a link to the download for those that wish to give this a whirl.

Paul

[Krycekuk]

I'm like you Paul, I like to tinker. Case in point I am using my Saitek Backlight Information Panel to light up various warnings and statuses of the Connie, not authentic I know as there was no caution and warning panel in the aircraft. But it keeps me busy when not flying and its nice to be able to get at the various 'nuts and bolts' of A2A aircraft and present the data in a different way.

I also like starting engines manually but if I am experimenting then having the engines going quickly without the built in auto start can be handy. Especially if I am looking at the engine gauges and want to see things warming up naturally.

[severniae]

Hi - Where can I get hold of these scripts? I can't seem to find a link anywhere...

[Gypsy Baron]

Hi - Where can I get hold of these scripts? I can't seem to find a link anywhere...

I haven't published them. The posts of the videos was just a demo of what is possible
using the registered version of FSUIPC4 and Lua scripting, as well as showing the sequence
of getting the L049 ready to taxi.

That said, I put the file up in my dropbox, temporarily, for those that wish to have the scripts. You
need a registered version of FSUIPC4 to use them. There is a readme file enclosed in the D/L zip file.

Here is the link:(I rarely use dropbox so I hope the link works and allows downloading)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/a2i5rz7air9i3 ... t.zip?dl=0

Paul

[severniae]

Wow Paul!!!

I just tested it (Windows 8.1, P3D 3.3) and it worked flawlessly! I'm amazed at the amount of detail you've put into this thing!!

Just a quick question, as I couldn't figure it out... How do I get it to start the sequence from the 'Starting engine 3 etc..' part, rather than the whole pre-flight?

Thanks!
James

[Warbirds]

Can you please make a script for the unregistered version of FSUIPC4?

[Gypsy Baron]

Can you please make a script for the unregistered version of FSUIPC4?

Paul,

If the unregistered version supports lua scripts, the current scripts should work. Otherwise there is no possibility to make one for that version without resorting to a tedious conversion to an XML gauge, which I have neither the time nor the inclination to do, I'm afraid. Sorry.

As I mentioned above, this was simply an 'exercise' to demonstrate a capability and show the pre-flight and engine start routine and was not meant to be distributed. I only placed the link in response to the previous posters inquiry.

[severniae]

Hi Paul,

Just another question, as you've got me interested in these LUA scripts (I never realised they were so powerful!) - Is it possible to have a script for setting power - for instance, have one for climb power, one for METO power, Takeoff power etc... including prop RPM? Or does that fall beyond the scope of what these can do?

Cheers,
James

[Gypsy Baron]

Hi Paul,

Just another question, as you've got me interested in these LUA scripts (I never realised they were so powerful!) - Is it possible to have a script for setting power - for instance, have one for climb power, one for METO power, Takeoff power etc... including prop RPM? Or does that fall beyond the scope of what these can do?

Cheers,
James

Hello james,

Glad you find the scripts useful

To answer your first question, yes, it is possible to bypass the initialization section and run only the engine start scripts. I'll have to have a look as to the best way to implement this without reverting to commenting out the function calling sequence for that portion. I'll get back to you on that.

As for the various power settings, that is doable with Lua scripts. As a matter of fact I was 'playing around' with some functions to allow a single throttle axis to control all four power settings in 'cruise' as I have a flakey #1 throttle axis. I was also doing some testing to set RPM as well with the thought of coding the run-up checks (mag checks, RPM limits) but was having some problems getting the 'numbers' to match as the RPM axis data is non-linear and there appears to be some 'behind the scene' accu-sim code that was in play and affecting my results.

In any event, those things are possible using Lua.

[severniae]

Hmm, very intestesting!

I'm looking at creating a 'virtual' co pilot for the Connie, using MCE - This looks quite interesting, and could create some cool commands. For instance, I want to be able to say 'gear up' and have the 'VCP' raise the gear, and then once it's up, put the gear selector in the neutral position. And I'm guessing this can do it.. I just need to wrap my head around the interface...