Gents,
FSXBA F/A-18C HORNET (FSX & P3Dv4) VERSION 18.3
Ver. 18.3
18.3 Avionics
New Situational Awareness Page!
A/A Tanker Navigation Mode
6 New Liveries (86 total)!
Now that I have a little time, wanted to make the official announcement that the 18.3 version is out for both the FSX and P3Dv4 jet. Please note that both versions are now using the new avionics that we've been working on. If you wish to retain the FSX:Acceleration/Steam avionics, please stick with the 17.3 jet.
As with the other, more recent releases, this upgrade deals mainly with avionics; the 18.3 release has a few new features, which I will cover in a minute, but addresses coding bugs and code cleanup in large.
New features include:
-S/A Page: This is a "best I could do" based on information available and my coding abilities. The new Situational Page or "S/A" page, for short, combines data from sensors such as radar info and link info (information feed from other aircraft sensors and map info to provide a combined operational picture to the operator. For the FSXBA jet, this translates to a 360 degree view of Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground radar contacts, along with a limited display of ground info, such as nearby airports, navaids, and geopolitical boarders. To reach the SA page, simply got to the MENU option, then select the soft key next to "S/A". To toggle the map info, click on the soft button under "MAP". To toggle the AA and AG radar contact info, click on the soft buttons next to either the "SNSR" or "C2" options. To show your flight plan/waypoints (if you have them), press the soft button next to "SEQ". To see details, press the soft button next to "DATA".
-TACAN A/A Mode: We've integrated the A/A option on the Up Front Controller (UFC), with the Aerial Refueling Gauge and the HUD display so that a heading marker (bug) and distance will be displayed on the HUD once you've selected an aircraft to be the refueler from the Refueling Gauge (Shift + 5, or extending the refueling probe). Once you have an aircraft selected, press the "TCN" button on the UFC and press the #3 Option Button on the UFC next to the lettering "A/A". If everything is done correctly, you should get a heading bug, indicating the bearing of the selected aircraft along with the distance to the contact in the lower right of the HUD (i.e. "10.9 A/A). As of now, it only works with Multiplayer Air to Air contacts, and not AI Traffic, so I don't think it will work with TACPACK Tankers yet. Still working to resolve this.
-Next Liveries: Thanks to the guys over at Groom Lake Simulations, 6 new textures have been added to the lineup, making the total liveries included 86! A day late and a dollar short Kea. Will get your new ones in there on the next release!
Fixes include:
-Fix HSI Primary/Data Screen Conflict
-BCN info shows up in center DDI on CHK screen
-BALT engagement during TCN A/A ops
-CKL Display: NU/ND text spacing
-AA Radar Beam Sweep bar sweeps too far to the right
-Radar screen dissappears when entering AA or AG Master Mode prior to pressing RDR option
-Map display issues
-Refueling gauge auto-on/off when probe extended/retracted
-HUD Display not working on center DDI
-De-conflict WPT,TCN modes with map display modes
-Fix color of flight plan lines from purple to green
-HUD Diamond showing inaccurate data
-Fix to make compatible in STEAM
-TACAN Box not showing up on HUD
-"ON" indicator on scratchpad for TACAN data
-Install UFC background screen images/textures
-Waypoint into and ILS bars on HUD synced to DDI selection
-Map Scale not working on HSI
-Fix waypoint icon on HSI
-HSI display bleeding into Scratchpad
What's Next:
-Radar Contact Cycle/Selection: STILL WORKING THIS. Has proven a challenge for me to implement coding wise. But once it works, user will be able to cycle through radar contacts on their AA and AG radar displays, and target weapons appropriately.
-FLIR Camera: Still looking into this one. We'll see...
-ACL Page: Still digging into how the Automatic Carrier Landing display is going to work/function on the jet within FSX/P3D. Expect some type of operation that will allow the user to select some form of autopilot that will allow automated traps aboard the ship though...
-Fixing Bugs: Of course, this is always an on-going thing. Many thanks to those that have been reporting them! Might not have fixed all of the reported ones in this release, but we've going it recorded and slowly resolving them.
As usual, thanks everyone for the support and standing by for gripes, recommendations and feedback!
and....and....and as usual, I have done nothing with the 2 seater....