First newsletter

Dear newsletter subscribers,

this is the first newsletter I'm sending out to you. There's important news to tell and I hope to be able to share more about what's going on with the CPFlight plugin and other products we're developing.

CPFlight plugin feature update

We've just released version 1.1.9 after a series of feature upgrades. Thank you to all of you who contributed to make the plugin even better:

• Version 1.1.4 was the first version with full support for the MIP
• Version 1.1.7 brought support for the Ethernet based MCP737PRO2, after a sudden spike in requests for this model. So, at this time, we're supporting all MCP737 models. Some users also run the original MCP737 with an RS232 connection by using an external USB-to-serial converter (we support FTDI and Prolific models).
• A strange bug was found with the F/D switch. The MCP turned on some of its LEDs without being told so and it seemed to be related to recent firmware updates on CPFlight's side. A series of fixes was applied between 1.1.2 and 1.1.8 to correct this problem.
• Finally, version 1.1.9 fixed the long standing CRS knob bug, that prevented the CRS bar from moving until it was touched in the virtual cockpit. That one wasn't easy to fix and my special appreciations to Alex Reinemuth for providing the key idea.
• The IXEG 737-300 is now fully supported
• Some incremental changes were applied to follow changes in Zibo's 737-800X implementation.

Please make sure to upgrade to the latest version by running the installer.

Future versions feature survey

We'd also like to hear from you about what features you'd like to be implemented next. Right now, we have a shortlist and we'd like to know your opinion:

• Cold and dark startup (that one is a challenge!)
• More planes (which ones? x737 is on the list already)
• Remaining pedestal panels (testers needed!):
• SELCAL
• ASP
• CABDOOR
• CRG
• WXR
• BRT
• Overhead panel (who has one for testing?)
• Anything else?

Please write us at support@midwest737simulations.com so that we can prioritize these requests and provide you with a timeline (or, maybe, a working implementation already) in the next newsletter issue.

FAQ

In order to answer the most common issues, we have just published a Frequently Asked Question page.

Other products

We're developing a Raspberry Pi based solution to feed the CPFlight CDU display without requiring an video card. The solution would run on any Raspberry Pi model (even the $5 Raspberry Pi Zero and the $10 Zero W) and would connect to X-Plane over Ethernet, Wifi or (in case of the Raspberry Pi Zero) over a single USB cable for data and power. Who's interested in beta-testing?

Also, we're in the progress of releasing some very affordable hardware products for cockpit builders. Right now, we're using PJRC's Teensy platform together with the TeensyControls X-Plane plugin, as we've made very good experiences with it. We've developed a series of hardware boards and software libraries around it. They definitely are NOT plug & play and require some experience in setting up hardware and software solutions, but our main objective was to make it affordable. We'll be offering these cards as component kits for self-soldering or readily mounted. 

We're still looking for testers and if you're interested, please let us know. Right now, we have the following cards available:

• 16 high-power outputs (driven by ULN2803 darlington transistors) for the Teensy on a small 2" x 2" PCB
• 48 high-power outputs (driven by ULN2803 darlington transistors) for the Teensy on a 4" x 4" PCB. Can also be used without using a Teensy by connecting it to ArdSimX/VimSim. Check documentation here.
• Two Arinc 429 outputs and four Arinc 429 inputs on a 4" x 4" PCB. This one allows connecting some original aircraft equipment to X-Plane.

OK, that's it for now. Again, thank you very much for subscribing and please let us know if there's anything we can do to make flight simulation even more enjoyable for you.

Yours

Jorg Neves Bliesener

Midwest 737 Simulations