MiniEFIS+miniFCU for TFDI MD-11

[sharp moat]

So I have spent a few hours trying to implement the Minicockpits MiniEFIS into MobiFlight for the MD-11. QHN knob, selector and display are working correctly (must be started with the selector in inHg position, or pressing the selector button in sim once), same for TFC, ARPT, VOR, WPT a DATA buttons, same with VOR/ADF and same with FD off buttons with working lights. MAP/VOR/APP/TCAS/PLAN selector is also working. The one thing I could not implement was the range selector. The MD-11 starts at different ranges for TCAS and other modes and I simply have no idea how to track two variables and implement the decision making as to which one to use... Given a few more hours I could maybe figure something out, but not today 😄 I would appreciate if anyone could test it and see if there are any major issues I have missed 🙂 Also the base FCU profile is from https://flightsim.to/file/75926/minifcu-tfdi-design-md-11-profile just so I don't steal any credit that is not mine 😉 Also if anyone knows more ellegant way to do this or has an idea how to implement the range for ND. I would appreciate the help.

[sharp moat]

Updated the profile to include Minimums input via baro knob with LS button serving as switch between those modes. https://flightsim.to/file/91280/minifcu-miniefis-tfdi-design-md-11-profile

[manic ridge]

Did you look into Msfs2020 Dev Mode Behaviors?

[sharp moat]

Not really and the MD-11 is (unofficially) working in 2024 and the profile works in both now.

[manic ridge]

it looks like the INCR button code on LECP is
INCR PRESS
86030 (>L:CEVENT)
INCR RELEASE
86031 (>L:CEVENT)

DECR PRESS
86032 (>L:CEVENT)
DECR RELEASE
86033 (>L:CEVENT)

[sharp moat]

Oh I found those in the MD-11 documentation. But the problem is, that I can't check the set range on the ND and the MD-11 changes the range when you switch to TCAS map mode. So you can't synchronise the ND range with the actual button 😦

But still thank you 🙂

[manic ridge]

I am not familiar with this aircraft. What is it you want to do?

I would expect the INCR and DECR range buttons to work anyway, don't they?

[sharp moat]

Yeah the MD-11 has only increase and decrease buttons which is different from the airbus style controls. On most of the map modes, when you switch to them, you keep the range you have set on other modes (which would be perfect with the airbus style dial, since the ranges align). But when you switch to TCAS map mode, the range gets automatically set to 10 nm, thus thowing off the range and dial alingment.

Bascially you could have your dial at 80 NM range but the actual range shown would be 10 NM and there is no way to resync without moving the dial and pressing the buttons insim which kinda defeats the purpose of custom HW 😄

[manic ridge]

To understand, you want to switch to TCAS mode in your panel, but, contrary to how the aircraft panel is programmed to do, stay at whatever range is indicated by the hardware range knob?

[sharp moat]

Precisely.

[manic ridge]

do you know which variable indicates the panel mode status?

[sharp moat]

I'll take a look. I have not been using it, just calling the CEvent to change the mode.

[manic ridge]

I have the aircraft loaded right now and frankly I don't see any of it

just button presses which don't help at all

[sharp moat]

Yeah I think there is no such variable... But I'll look into it.

https://docs.invernyx.com/en/md11/integration

Yeah I don't see it even here...

[manic ridge]

if the status is not exposed, it would be next to impossible to change the range.

[sharp moat]

I already wrote to the dev team, we'll see what happens.

[manic ridge]

without the status, you can't even set a specific range, if all you got is INCR and DECR

[sharp moat]

Yeah but all the other modes start in the same range (20 I believe) so if you start the sim while your knob is in the 20 position you are ok. Which is what I am using for ADF/VOR switches and for the inHg/hPa selector.

You either have to start the sim while having the controls in specific positions or you can sync them in you preflight procedure.