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Screen shots by Chanticleer |
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Those flight logs in FSX are not enough for realistic flight tracking. They keep elementary data, and they are not readily usable. An ancillary program from Chanticleer Software, called "Flight Tracker (Time to Fly!) Edition," addresses this weaknesses.
Chanticleer Software is operated by Keith Lovell, who describes himself thus:
I am a licensed commercial pilot and aircraft dispatcher. Prior to changing careers to software engineering, I worked for TWA as a Flight Dispatch Officer. I have worked as a Software Engineer in the medical field for the past 15 years. I am a flight sim enthusiast and also enjoy creating utilities for use with flight simulator. I have been doing so since FS2000 was released. Aside from Flight Tracker, I have worked on other ACARS related utilities (freeware) for a few virtual airlines. I view Flight Tracker as a source to fund my hobbies – not a business.
This software began in 2000 to simplify the filing of PIREPs (pilot weather reports) on a virtual airline, Keith said. People in the flightsim community suggested additional features that were added over the years. "The latest version is quite different from the first version ten years ago," he explained.
These are among features of Flight Tracker touted by Chanticleer Software:
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PURCHASE FEATURES |
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Instant download from the Pilot Shop |
YES | |
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Installation program |
YES | |
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License key required |
YES | |
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Copyright acknowledgment required |
YES | |
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Manual included |
YES | |
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Uninstall program included |
YES | |
Basic installation is two parts with several steps. Installing the basic program is easy enough. The installation program installs all needed files within minutes. It checks your FSX to be sure it's compatible, and if so, it gives you a success message. But another program file is needed for Flight Tracker to work. Users must go to the FlightSimCom file library, then download a utility named "FSUIPC" then install it on their computers. This required program enables Flight Tracker to communicate with FSX. It must be registered, or it will work only nine times in "trial" mode.
An instruction in the Flight Tracker installation program and documentation is misleading. It says "A registration key may be purchased for FSUIPC . . . from Peter Dawson [its developer]." Consequently, it appeared to me that buyers of Flight Tracker had to buy an additional product for Flight Tracker to work. Not so, it turns out, after an inquiry. The free version of FSUPIC in the FlightSim.Com file library works just fine. Registration is required, but no purchase of a registration key is required. I downloaded, installed, registered, and ran the additional program without paying anything extra, and Flight Tracker worked as advertised. The developer agreed to revise his documentation regarding this addon.
This unusual procedure begs the question as to why Flight Tracker doesn't include and install all necessary programs into FSX. In response to my question, Keith said there was no way he could guarantee it would be the latest version because it is constantly being updated and it is widely available on download sites. He assists Flight Tracker users with FSUIPC issues regarding Flight Tracker.
Once the program is installed and working, it's very easy to use. Since it tracks flights flown in FSX, FSX must be running and a flight must be flown in FSX for Flight Tracker to do its job. That makes sense since the program cannot track flights that aren't flown and it cannot communicate with FSX if FSX isn't running. I flew a few short flights around my home area, and all those flights were tracked by Flight Tracker.
If data from FSX are incomplete, users can manually enter them rather easily.
The Google map works only in real time. It won't make a map after a flight is complete.
One feature of the program is ACARS. This acronym has several definitions related to aviation, so I asked the developer what specifically his ACARS refers to. He said it means "([A]ircraft [C]ommunication [A]ddressing and [R]eporting [S]ystem)." This is is a digital data link system transmitted via VHF radio that allows airline flight operations departments to communicate with the various aircraft in their fleet, he explained. In Flight Tracker, it "connects to Microsoft Flight Simulator and allows you to automatically record flight times and fuel information for the active flight."
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FLIGHT TRACKER AT WORK |
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ACARS Screen |
ACARS Messages Screen |
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Google Map Enroute |
Google Map End of Flight |
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Screen shots by Bill Stack |
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The program's Help feature is a 28-page manual in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. This file doesn't appear to be available as a stand-alone file, but once the Help button is clicked, Adobe launches and the file opens. From there, users could save it to their desktop or other location if they chose.
The manual contains detailed yet concise textual information supported by numerous screen shots of the program's various pages. Users are easily guided through all the program's functions and screens. I recommend reading this manual and experimenting with the functions to learn everything this program can do.
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PAGES FROM THE MANUAL |
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Page 4 |
Page 9 |
Page 19 |
| Screen shots by Bill Stack | ||
Even though the product description is detailed, I was still impressed by the number of features this product has and all the functions it can perform.
After installation, the installation program can be used for adding or removing features, repairing the installation, or removing it.
The Google maps can be saved as image files by right clicking on them.
The developer responded to my inquiries very quickly, which bodes well for customers needing technical assistance. I suggest that users look for their answers in the comprehensive manual first, however.
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FLIGHT TRACKER AT WORK |
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Airport Lookup Screen |
Flight Log Screen |
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| Screen shots by Chanticleer | ||
The number of features this program has and how many functions it can perform are impressive. User will be wise to read the manual because of this program's numerous features, functions, and intricacies. Sometimes multi-function programs are too complicated for average users, but this program is easy to use and its manual is easy to follow. Any flight simmer who wants flight tracking to part of his realism should look into this program. It's probably ideal for virtual airline simmers because that's where its roots are. Considering all we get from Flight Tracker, its price is very reasonable.
Learn More About Chanticleer Software's Flight Tracker (Time to Fly) Edition
Bill Stack is author of several books about flight simulation, a regular author in flightsim magazines, and a contributor to Flight Sim Com. His website is www.topskills.com
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