• Auto-Update
  
• Desktop Icon
  
• SmartStart^sm
• Voice Control of Panels
  
• Slewing to a Runway
  
• What Runways Exist?
  
• NEW - FSUIPC Push-To-Talk/Microphone Switch Event Handler
  
• Come Fly With Me Password Protection
  
• Flying Unsupported Aircraft
  
• Addressed the Nasty Vista and Windows 7 Speech Start-up Errors!
  

Start > All Programs > Robert Cezar > It's Your Plane

or the new

Desktop Icon

(see below), you will be informed of software updates when and as they are published.

Under the Hood (bonnet for our UK friends):

Now, the way it actually works is this. When you run the IYP application as per above, the IYP application itself checks for updates AFTER the programme is loaded... or if you prefer, after you hear Michelle or Mike say, "Captain - It's Your Plane... we're ready to go!"   In reality, we could have checked for updates BEFORE the IYP application is launched, but that might slow things down. So, if updates are found, then the NEXT time you launch the application you will be informed that an update is available, and a box will pop up indicating that you can INSTALL the update, or SKIP it. Why is this explanation important? Because if we suggest that you to update to a new software version, you actually need to start IYP twice in order for the update offering to be recognised. Phew!

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Start > All Programs > Robert Cezar > It's Your Plane

... it's just much easier!

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SmartStart permits users to have IYP launch other applications, such as simulator(s), Radar Contact, WideClient, SquawkBox, etc., and is a feature that is especially useful for our blind and visually impaired pilots.

SmartStart not only enables IYP users to select applications that automatically launch every time they jump into the pilot’s seat, but it also allows them to select the order and the delay in which each is launched. Applications can be easily added or removed, and the order and delay in which they occur can be changed to suit the user’s preferences.

SmartStart can be used to launch up to ten (10) applications.

From the IYP main Control panel, select SmartStart. The IYP SmartStart window comes up with a menu item called File that becomes active when you press the Alt key; from which you can subsequently Exit after you have finished setting up your SmartStart entries.

How to use SmartStart

Let's assume that you wish IYP to launch FSX or FS2004, plus the Radar Contact application.

Start by entering FSX in the Application Name textbox. This is a free-form description and can be any name you chose. Then, either Double Click the Application Complete Path textbox, or Tab over to the textbox and press the Enter key. A File Explorer will appear. Use the explorer to locate the executable file for FSX in your computer. Double click the file name to make the selection. The complete path will be displayed in the Application Complete Path textbox.

Next, use the Open How dropdown list to define how you want the application to be opened. In this case, let's say we want it to be opened in the Normal windows mode.

Now, use the Open When dropdown list to determine when FSX should be launched. In the case of a simulator, we obviously want it to start immediately.

Finally, use the Delay dropdown list to set the delay needed before the launch of any application from 0 to 60 seconds. Once again, in the case of a simulator, we obviously want it to start immediately, so we'll set the Delay to 0.

Example: You may want FSX to be launched immediately (as soon as IYP is launched) and the Radar Contact application to be launched after a delay of 8 seconds of the IYP/FSX system becoming fully operational; defined as hearing Michelle or Mike say, "Captain - It's Your Plane... we're ready to go!"

Once you have followed the above procedure for the application in question, click the Save Data button.

Each application you enter is listed in the upper list view of the SmartStart window.

Editing and Deleting an Existing Entry:

You first highlight an entry by either double clicking on its Application Name, or by scrolling the list with the UP and DOWN arrows and then pressing the SPACEBAR on the selected item. The complete details appear in the textboxes below the list. You can press the Delete Entry button to remove it completely, or make any necessary changes, then click the Save Data button.

More SmartStart Information

If you routinely use both FS2004 and FSX, then you'll likely want to add BOTH simulators into the SmartStart service as we have shown in the image above. Now what? Which simulator gets launched first? Actually, it's left up to you, because after you launch IYP, the following pop-up panel appears...

You select which aircraft you wish to launch.

Using SmartStart in a Network Environment

If you are set-up in a Network environment, you'd likely have created an entry in SmartStart to have it auto-launch Pete Dowson's WideClient when IYP is launched. However, if you manually launch a simulator on the Client PC, SmartStart will side step the WideClient auto-launch procedure.

So, check out SmartStart... it's a very handy NEW IYP feature!

NOTE: If you ever have to do a complete reinstall of the IYP application, SmartStart "remembers" all of your SmartStart settings and re-instates them in the reinstalled IYP application.

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Problematic
While this may sound easy, it was quite a technical challenge because Microsoft determined back in the Win98 days, that they did not want developers popping up windows on top of other programmes and stealing the focus. Meaning, it can be rather disconcerting when you're happily typing away in a word processor, and suddenly another window pops up on top of your work and you end up typing text into the pop-up window. Nonetheless, in this particular case, having the ability to minimise the simulator and, for example, pop up the Options panel and pass keyboard control to it, is a logical and desirable thing to do. So, after a lot of messing around, here is a list of voice commands to assist our BVI users in this regard.

• View Control Panel
  
• Restore Simulator
  
• Open Options Panel
  
• Close Options Panel
  
• Open SmartStart Panel
  
• Close SmartStart Panel
  

A Message to my BVI Buddies!
There's still a lot more things that I can do to improve on the IYP interface for you guys, and I want you to know that am working on it every spare minute I get. I'll keep you informed on the BYI Newsgroup - Regard, Robert.

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"Michelle, let's taxi to runway 3 4 right."

or,

"Mike, let's taxi to runway 8 left."

Once our trusty and muscular co-pilot lifts our aircraft and moves us to the correct runway, she/he taxis into Position and Hold.

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"Make the destination airport Charlie, Yankee, Victor, Romeo."

Michelle or Mike confirms the ICAO, reads back the airport name, indicates the airport's relative direction to the aircraft (e.g., three o'clock), the distance to the airport, and its altitude.   Then, you ask...

"What runways exist?"

and your co-pilot reads back all of the runways, their length, course setting, surface type, and whether or not there is an ILS approach.   CLICK HERE to hear a sample co-pilot read back.

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Here's one of the most commonly asked questions I receive...

"Robert, what's the difference between Push-To-Talk and the Microphone Switch?"

I have attempted to describe this every which way from Sunday, and yet it remains a very popular question!   LOL   So, I'm going to seize this opportunity to go through it in great detail... one more time!

Assuming you are the Captain of an aircraft, there's a switch on the yoke (or on your mic cable) that is used in a cockpit environment to activate your microphone so that you can speak to Air Traffic Controllers (ATC), and another similar switch that can be used to speak internally to the person sitting in the right seat... namely Michelle or Mike. (not mic)

So... to keep things simple...

• The Push-To-Talk Facility is used to speak to ATC

• The Microphone Switch is used to speak Internally to the Co-Pilot

"Activate Push-To-Talk"

the Scroll Lock key gets assigned the task to act as a TOGGLE to change MODES. In other words, it's like a light switch... it's ON or OFF. (no dimmers allowed in the cockpit)   When the Scroll Lock is OFF and you speak, you are conversing with Michelle or Mike. (i.e., you're speaking internally). When the Scroll Lock is ON and you say something, you are communicating with ATC. To repeat...

• SCROLL-LOCK OFF = INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
  
• SCROLL-LOCK ON = ATC COMMUNICATIONS
  

This now brings into play as VERY IMPORTANT PHRASE - namely the specific phrase...

"ATC"

With the IYP Push-To-Talk facility DEACTIVATED (OFF), when you say the phrase "ATC", it brings up and/or closes the ATC window on the panel of the simulator; we all know that.

With the IYP Push-To-Talk facility ACTIVATED (ON), when you say the phrase "ATC", the system switches modes and the SCROLL-LOCK KEY goes ON/OFF.

So, here's how it's used. Let's say you are speaking to Michelle, and you now wish to speak with VATSIM. You simply say... "ATC".   Voila!   The system switches the SCROLL-LOCK KEY ON, the IYP Status Bar indicates "ATC MODE", and Michelle ignores everything you say... well... NOT EVERYTHING. The ONLY phrase that Michelle of Mike will respond to while you are in the "ATC MODE" is the phrase "ATC". When you say... "ATC", the SCROLL-LOCK KEY goes OFF, the Status Bar switches to "CO-PILOT MODE", and you are once again conversing with Michelle or Mike.

So, let's pull this all together.

Typically, one would assign the SCROLL-LOCK KEY as the Push-To-Talk key in (for example) SquawkBox to enable communications with VATSIM, IVAO, etc. You say, "ATC" and you're speaking to ATC - you say "ATC" once again, and you are speaking with your Co-Pilot. Basically, the IYP is a...

HANDS-FREE Method for ATC Communications!

I hope this is clear.   Whew!

The Microphone Switch

The Microphone Switch is NOT a Push-To-Talk switch per se. It can more aptly be described as a Push-To-Speak-With-Michelle switch. Or, if you prefer, a Microphone Switch. With the Microphone Switch mode ACTIVATED, Michelle ignores everything you say until you press the assigned Microphone Switch Key. When you have finished speaking with her, you release the button. Typically, you would have separate KEY or button used to speak with ATC.

As you likely already know, there is a facility in the Options panel that can be used to set-up a KEY as the Microphone Switch.

When you press the SET button, Michelle says...

"Please press a key to be used as the microphone switch."

The most commonly used key is the CONTROL key. So let's say we pressed that key. Michelle will then say...

"Thank you for pressing the control key."

IMPORTANT NOTE: The aforementioned key assignment action does NOT activate the Microphone Switch facility... you need to place a CHECKMARK in the Active checkbox.

After the very lengthy preamble, we've finally arrived at the centre point of this announcement...

The NEW FSUIPC Event Handler!

With the kind cooperation of Pete Dowson...

developer of the FSUIPC Dynamic Link Library (DLL), you can now assign a Button on your yoke to activate the It's Your Plane Microphone Switch facility.   Here's how.  

Launch the It's Your Plane programme and your simulator as you would normally do. Once you hear, "Captain - It's Your Plane... we're ready to go!", minimise your simulator and open the Options panel.

In the Microphone Switch area...

place a CHECKMARK in the Active checkbox. Leave the Key Assignment textbox EMPTY. If there is an entry present, then click the Clear button.

Now, restore your simulator and if you are using FS 2004 (FS9), then click on the Modules link at the top right of your simulator. If you are using FSX, then click on the Add-ons link at the top right. In either case, you'll see the FSUIPC control panel.

Next, click on the Buttons + Switches tab and you'll see the panel shown below. Place you cursor in the RED BOX area, and press the button on your Yoke or Joystick that you would like to assign as the button to speak to Michelle or Mike.

The Joystick and Button numbers will magically appear in the boxes. Make sure that you have a Checkmark in the Select for FS control checkbox. (see below)

Next, using the dropdown list under the heading...

Control sent when button pressed

select the entry

IYP Listen On

Then, using the dropdown list under the heading...

Control sent when button released

select the entry

IYP Listen Off

It should looks like this when you're done...

Now, when you press the Button, you'll be speaking with Michelle or Mike; when you release the Button, you're free to speak with your spouse, who is probably asking you...

"What in the heck are you doing now?"

The Come Fly With Me Button

For those of you who have use the powerful Come Fly With Me service that is integrated into the IYP programme, you already know that the SHIFT KEY is a reserved key that is used to speak with your buddies who are flying along side you. Well, if you look at the list in the second image above, you'll also notice the...

IYP Come Fly Active

and the

IYP Come Fly Inactive

Therefore, you can assign another button on your Yoke or Joystick to augment the SHIFT KEY.

Please excuse the lengthy rambling... r :)

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Original Rationale:
Lars Hammer and I originally figured that if you were going to be flying an aircraft that was not supported by the IYP system, what good could come of it.

There are all kinds of tests in the IYP system to confirm your requests and actions. For example, if you're flying a Cessna C172 Skyhawk, and you say to Michelle... "Airspeed 250", you'll get an error tone. If you have the Funny Prompts selected on the IYP Control panel, she'll likely ask you... "Where did you get your pilot's license?"   You'll get a similar response if you ask Michelle to retract the gear, or say, "Climb and Maintain Flight Level 350". In other words, the information and specifications of supported aircraft are stored in the IYP system, and this information is used to ensure that voice commands make sense. In addition, unless the aircraft is supported by the IYP programme, there are no checklists for the aircraft, so that won't work either. And lastly, the switches and buttons within the cockpit are controlled differently depending upon the panel manufacturer. This means, although we may support a Carenado C182Q, that does not mean we control a C182 built by another developer. Why? Because the operation of the switches and buttons may be completely different, thereby making it impossible for IYP to control the aircraft.

New Rationale:
Even though an aircraft is not supported by the IYP system in all respects, it is possible that you can still say, "Landing gear up", "Climb and maintain 5,000", "Turn right heading 260", etc., and these voice commands may work. However, one must keep in mind that if you say "Climb and maintain Flight Level 350" with a single engine World War I aircraft, Michelle will merely comply, and it'll be up to your spouse to collect on the life insurance policy!   LOL

In Conclusion...
With IYP Version 4.1.0.120 and beyond, if you load an unsupported aircraft, the system will simply say... >p>

"Please note that this aircraft is not fully supported by the It's Your Plane application. Please refer to the Aircraft section of our Web site for a list of the supported aircraft."

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We have addressed both of the aforementioned issues by having the IYP application launch the Speech Recognition system (if not already running), but bring it up in the OFF mode. Then, after the IYP programme has fully launched, and the users hears... "Captain - It's Your Plane... we're ready to go!", the IYP programme takes the Speech Recognition out of the OFF mode and places it in either the Silent or Listening mode.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are in a Vista or Windows 7 environment, the Speech Recognition system does not enter the "Listening" mode, then say, "Start listening".

ANOTHER IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are using Vista or Windows 7, and you are not in the USA or Canada, please ensure that you have English US selected in the Speech Set-up area.

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• ... It's Your Plane has a fully automated and built-in ACARS System? Clicking THIS LINK, will take you to a page that describes the set-up, use and logging of ACARS data and Pilot Reporting (PIREP).

• ... you can see our IYP Pliots' PIREP online? CLICK HERE to see the 50 most recent IFR/VFR flights flown. The Origination and Destination airports, aircraft, and flight logs appear in the PIREP Pilot's Log Book.

• ... by going to THIS PAGE, you can get the information for any airport in the IYP Airport Database by entering its ICAO code. Also, there's a list of Water Landings not shown in the Microsoft Simulators.