A 'Fly Me' option??...

[FearlessTower]

That's actually not a bad idea and I can't imagine it would be too dificult for MS to do. Kind of like a virtual copilot basically. FS already has the ability to have the autopilot follow the entire GPS flightplan and with the modelling of FMC's and such, it can even be programmed to follow vertical navigation. The one thing that is lacking is an auto-radio feature for occasions or distractions like you mentioned. Currently, if you have other things that you need to do while sim-flying, you have two options: 1, put the sim on pause, or just leave the plane on autopilot while you do whatever it is you need to do. The only problem with the autopilot option is that if you are flying IFR and away from the computer when you are handed off, your flightplan is eventually terminated.

[tgibson]

Hi,

A workaround for FS9 is to respond to the controller when he transfers you to another frequency, but DON'T contact the next controller. Then go eat, and when you come back, just contact the controller listed. You will still have ATC.

Hope this helps,

[norton]

#1 on your wishlist? i think your taking this game too serious,, just hit pause. Lets just have more real like scenery , less repetitive. I base this on the fact that everytime i takeoff and look around the same thought comes to my mind about the scenery looking pretty much unrealistic and too repetitive.

[tdragger]

I was going to mention that. Heck, we should even document it as a feature!

[FlyingColin]

" Pausing is so unrealistic in an 'As Real As It Gets!' sim, as in real life the co-pilot would simply take over." - yeah so is starting the sim and just taking off, then going to bed. 7-8 hrs later you wakeup and still wanna be flying. This "fly me" option is called autopilot.

omg grow some brains

[DazzyB]

Well, what's so bad about the idea?? I remember it was available in subLogic's ATP and I always used to use it. And remember that Fs98 also had an autoland feature called 'Land Me' which I used to use all the time when I first started using flight sim. It taught me loads and by watching and studying it, made things like timing when turning from base to finals easier for me to judge when I did patterns. This is a feature that I think lots of noobies would find very helpful and I recon it also makes a superb 'demo mode' if people wanted to run fs in a 'showcase' mode at shows etc. Set the flight plan, switch to 'Fly Me' mode and leave the sim to get clearance, start up, taxi out, take off and fly all by itself...

Would there really be that more work involved for the fs team? I think most functions are already within the code to make this a feasible option.

"omg grow some brains" - you need to chill out mate. Just cause you don't like a feature doesn't mean that no one else will. Sounds like you are the one who needs to take some IQ pills. What did I ever do to hurt you??...

[FlyingColin]

It's just that "fly me" in airplane terms is called autopilot. I didn't know you were also referring to an autoland feature, but even so, several a/p's have an app mode and I dunno if you fly the LDS 767 but it also has an autoland feature, rollout, flare, etc. So much of this is already around is the punchline I am trying to say.

And it doesn't have anything to do with me liking a feature or not, simply, as I've said before, it's there already. I'm just surprised at some of the questions on these forums sometimes, not that you hurt me, no no, but just that I mean c'mon if you want the plane to fly itself just use the autopilot, and the little spiel about how realisitic it is, we already know the "in the real world" most airline duty hours are 8 (I'm pretty sure) and then they are required by FAA part 121 (most majors) rules to take a break.

- CC

[DazzyB]

FlyingColin,

I understand your sincerity, and realise that you are not out to offend so I am cool with you - what I am actually talking about is a featured 'mode' build into fs itself, not a modelled simulation of the aircraft's systems (that's already there and it works well for what it is - but not for what I am asking). If you read my original message again from a new simmer's point-of-view you would see this.

Many new simmers dont even know how to turn an autopilot on, yet they would easily be able to figure out what the 'Fly Me' menu item did. All they would have to do was simply select the menu item and that is it. No knowledge of setting up autopilots would be required, and since this is a simulation/game it would help more new simmers to get the hang of things like atc procedures, standard rate turns, standard climbing rates, standard altimeter settings and lots or other required procedures etc. I think it would be a fantastic training feature. Ok, you may not need it because you may be an advanced simmer, but there plenty of others that would use it, I am sure.

Ok, for me the 'bed' thing was silly - I have personally never done this but I know people who have. However, I would love to place the sim in Fly me 'mode' and leave it without worrying about ATC hand-offs while I go eat, go to the bathroom ect.

This seriously wasn't meant to be a stupid question - it was a genuine request which I would love to see and the more I think about it, the more I want it.

Secondly, sometimes I switch to wing views and run Traffic View Board - why else would people download it? Let the ai fly the aircraft while I just sit and enjoy the scenery, although TVB has horrendous bugs whic is why I would like to see this feature built in (I use VFR Photoscenery UK). When in AP mode I then have to bring the 2D cockpit up (yet again) and set stuff like autopilot etc which effects my experience. I enjoy viewing the clouds and other a/c vapor trails from the wing view and it makes me admire the work that ms has done. Then I have to land the a/c myself and taxi it in when sometimes all I want to do is watch everything from the wing view.

Some people like to just sit there at an airport and watch the ai planes landing and taking off. Is that stupid too because you don't personally do it? I don't do it either but I wont say that those whom do are stupid! It is up to them and if they get enjoyment out of it, who are you and I to say it is irrelevent? Don't you too fly fs for enjoyment? Or are you one of these freaks who think that because they can fly fs that they can fly a real plane!! Get real and grow up man! Don't ruin this great entertainment game (yes, a GAME because that IS what it is - a simulator game!) just because you have an attitude with others who don't see eye to eye with you - that's so narrow minded and arrogant!

Anyway, the jist is that I dont class this request as a stupid request. If you do then that's your opinion, not mine. I love flying the sim too, but sometimes I enjoy just admiring the other aspects of it too like the beautiful scenery.

Be cool,

Dazzy.

[Sherm]

I would love to see this feature too! I've been wanting something like this for years, since many aircraft I fly do not have autopilot capability (not that I consider this the same as an AI pilot anyway) and simply can't be made to use one (4 examples are the Curtiss Jenny, Ford Trimotor, Robinson Beta and Vickers Vimy). Of course, it would not be faithful to the original aircraft to try and make them work with an autopilot anyway, but imho, a virtual co-pilot is something entirely different. All of the above examples have two seating positions equipped with flight controls and therefore it would be a plausible scenario to be able to hand over control to a virtual co-pilot.

I bought a product a while back from ABACUS called EZ-GPS. I was hoping this might make auto-pilotless aircraft work as if they were piloted by a virtual pilot, but the fixed wing aircraft I tried it with just crashed when it was enabled.

In any case, from what I understand from the original poster, this feature suggestion is quite different from an autopilot. It means actually having a virtual co-pilot take over the aircraft. That is quite different to activating an auto-pilot. It means the aircraft is flown as if a real human is flying it, but the flying is done by an AI pilot rather than the user.

Such a feature has long been available in other games - IL2 Forgotten Battles is the first flight sim that comes to mind (where you can shift places in a bomber and an AI pilot takes over). Also, in the racing simulation GT Legends, in longer races you can simply hand over to an AI co-driver whilst you spectate.

Personally I'd love, for example, to take a "break" during a flight in the Jenny or Trimotor so I could just fully enjoy the views over photoscenery whilst an AI pilot flies for me - resting my hands and arms in the meantime. Especially with aircraft like the Robinson Beta, they are quite tiring to fly, because you can't ever take your hands off the controls for even a second, and control input needs to be constant throughtout the entire flight. Ocassionally handing over to the co-pilot in the seat next to you would be a fantastic feature!

I'm a bit short of reasons to upgrade from FS2004 at the moment, but if a future version had a feature like this (as well as support for 512 x 512 pixel terrain textures), I would not hesitate to upgrade.

[DazzyB]

Hi tdragger & pixelpoke,

How easy would it be to implement a 'Fly Me' menu option into FSX? By this, I mean that an ai pilot takes over your A/C until you switch off the option again. I hate pausing the sim when I have to go and answer the phone, go to the bathroom or eat (or go to bed) and I can't leave it running because I may miss an ATC handoff transmission causing the flight plan to be cancelled (which I class as a bug but I understand why it had to be there). Pausing is so unrealistic in an 'As Real As It Gets!' sim, as in real life the co-pilot would simply take over.

It would also be nice just to sit and watch the flight and learn from how the AI flies the airplane, right down to taxying and starting up/shutting down the engines. That would help beginners to pick up ATC sequence tips ect. I assume the algorithmn logic is already there as ai already know how to fly the fp routes. It would also be nice to sit with a wing view and watch the world go by as a 'virtual passenger'!

This would be no 1 on my wishlist if I was to do one...

Dazzy.

[sclincoln]

I personnally don't understand people who use an FMC to fly the entire route and then use an autoland to land the plane. Where's the fun in that? Of course, I'm the type who feels that even using a GPS is like cheating. I prefer to do things the hard way.

However, I can certainly see how this type of FlyMe feature would be beneficial for newbies and even more advanced simmers who are trying to learn a new airplane. Lots of new payware aircraft come with tutorial flights now so why not an animated one? The way I see it, maybe 5 seconds before any change is made or switch is thrown, the control that needs to be adjusted could flash. If the simmer is trying to control the flight, he/she could throw the switch/make the adjustment. Otherwise, after 5 seconds of flashing, the adjustment could be made automatically. So, the new pilot could just watch the first time through and see how the "copilot" does things. After that, the new pilot could slowly try taking over different funtions until they've figured out how everything works and what the typical sequence of events is.

[SlayerTX16]

Anyone remember the "Land Me" feature in FS 5.1?.. I remember using that a lot as a kid :)

[sidideas]

Hi everyone!
Hey! I think thats a wonderful idea..i had such a thought before but then thought..mhh, mayb the FS guys will think of this someday *sigh*...

Your idea has its own merit, especially with learning to fly the helicopters in FS. I confess *sigh* till today cannot fly anyone of them (don't even think of asking me about a hover). With a 'fly me' option, i could mayb sit back and see how its done. It still seems like magic to me :(

Yes, you are right. Having a AI pilot take care of the flying while you ooze and aahh at the scenery would be a plus. i personally fly the heavies a lot, and have to flip back between wing view and cockpit view. I mean, there r plentiful of objects in FS that are definitely worth checking out!! One of my friends actually asked me out of awe, "How the hell did they do that?" :)

I sometimes like to flip back to Tower view to see how other AI aircraft do their landings and take offs...btw, the AI don't seem to be affected by winds (don't do crosswind landing). Actually i noticed a pattern for the AI planes...they approach, then when near the threshold, kind of overshoot the numbers then do a sharp vertical decline to the runway...mhh

I guess if they are gonna do a wing view feature, it wouldn't hurt to have the ground turbulence effect (like in active camera) and show wings 'swaying' or 'shaking'...we already have wing flexing from numerous addons :). Check out www.flightlevel350.com videos and look for passenger view vids

Btw, are there any Helicopter AI flights in FS? :)

Just my 2 cents...

Cheerz