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Return to Misty Moorings (FSX/P3D/MSFS2020) => From Here to There - Missions, Trip Tics and VA => Topic started by: Doug on May 12, 2016, 02:06:47 PM

Title: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: Doug on May 12, 2016, 02:06:47 PM
VFR Flight - planning program

I've started a new thread for VFR Flight so people can more easily discuss it here. (Dieter and I had been discussing it in the "General Discussions" area). Dieter pointed this program out to me last week and suggested I give it a try. When it comes to flight planning software, with thousands of flight plans under my belt (800+ in the auto routes of RTMM Flight Plans.zip), I'm skeptical.  It is easy to stay with what you know (and some always will). But I must now say this, after flying half way across Canada following the TransCanada highway ... VFR Flight is a FIRST CLASS flight planning tool for simmers!

Łukasz Kulasek has created this fine program, and you can find a great introduction to it by going to the web page for it at:

http://vfrflight.org/en/index.html (http://vfrflight.org/en/index.html)

First of all, read the web page thoroughly to look at the features.  Second, spend some time with the YouTube videos that Lukasz has created, (at the top of the page). You will see how easily he does things (meaning you'll get the hang of it too) and you will be amazed at some of the features. (Glide Range for a disabled aircraft?). He will show you some very special magic he can do with terrain analysis.  Making the way points is simple, right mouse click will do it.

Like Plan-G, that gives a ".plg" file output, VFR Flight outputs a ".vfr" flight plan. You can save it, bring it in, adjust it, etc.  But like Plan-G ... the key for us is the EXPORT and IMPORT area. (This is NOT located under the "File" area as I expected, but is located under the "Flight Plan" button.  When you make a plan, you can export it as FSX/P3D ... and it exports as a ".pln" file. (By sticking with the sim's format (.pln) you can use any flight planning tool to work on plans. You can IMPORT all of our .pln files using this method.

There are several map formats you can use. I am using the "Virtual Earth Hybrid" map. This gives you great color distinction, excellent terrain definition, it names areas in the scenery, shows "maximum safe altitude" for different areas on your map, gives all the aeronautical information, NDB's VOR's, etc with expanded information when the "under mouse cursor" is checked on. When you fly with it, you can easily fly through the mountains and watch the progress of your flight as the track is created.


As you saw in the NOTAMs, I have changed all of our RTMM Flight Plan.zip (auto routes) to a new format getting rid of the # and = signs and replacing them with "To " and "From ".  This does the same thing, it groups them for you so they will all be located in the same general area, together.  The new program did now allow the # and = ... so we changed to adjust to it. (Finished and posted).

I have had some extended problems with my computer because of Windows 10 (which is now fixed). But Plan-G was always quitting on me. Now that the computer is fixed, that problem remains. I do not have that problem with VFRF ... I've flown it for about 30 hours now and it has not "stopped" once.

As you begin to "play" with the new program, don't hesitate to use the "help" button at the top. It connects directly to the website's help area.  Use it often when you have a question, the answer is probably there.

Like Plan-G, you have to be connected to your sim within VFRF. There is a little icon at the top of the window. It is a green plug, that is green and connected, or red and disconnected.  When you are looking at that icon, it is telling you what WILL HAPPEN if you click on it, it is NOT telling you the state it is in.  So if it is "green/connected" ... you are disconnected, if it is red/disconnected, you are connected. I found this a little confusing ... but now I'm used to it.

Cut out some special time in you flight simming day and take a close look at this program. Again, look at the YouTube videos to get a great overview of what the program can do. then try it. You will be amazed at the different kinds of maps, the way it can connect to SkyVector information, the "enabled ruler" giving you instant direction and distance with a click of the mouse. I'm not going to list all the amazing features here, you will have more fun finding them yourselves.

You'll also find Łukasz very responsive on his forum: http://vfrflight.org/forum/ (http://vfrflight.org/forum/)

He is still in the "formative" stage of this program, and has made changes to help all of us through our suggestions on the forum. Dieter asked about csv data points, a week later, they were there and all of our RTMM csv files can be activated on VFRF.  So join his forum and place comments and questions there for him and for the community.

I give this one 5 stars. A "FIRST CLASS" flight planning program that makes VFR flight even more exciting. Give it a try ... and post your comments here.

Doug/RTMM

PS ... when you are using the program and appreciate what Lukasz has done, don't forget he has a donation button on the page. Nothing keeps WONDERFUL, FREE programs coming to us better than saying THANK YOU monetarily to these innovative people.
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: lukaszkulasek on May 13, 2016, 07:36:53 AM
Hello!

I am Lukasz - developer of VfrFlight.
First of all I would like to thank you Doug for taking your time and writing this review. I love to read opinions on VfrFlight from different perspective.

VfrFlight is my perfect hobby, because I do what I love and I still find people who like to use VFRF on their own.

Probably you all wonder what are the biggest differences between PlanG and VfrFlight.
First is that I really don't know too much about IFR flying, bacause I do all my real world flights in VFR. Therefore VfrFlight will always focus the most on VFR flying. If you want to fly 'as real as it gets' you can do it with VFRF.
Second difference is that VFRF is used by many real world pilots to plan their real VFR flights, and I am one of them holding PPL license.

If you have any questions, bug reports, requests for new features, please do not hestitate to contact me. I am trying to reply to everyone, and I am writing every idea down. In my backlog I already have more than 70 ideas for future releases... and I always welcome new ideas.

Thanks!
Lukasz
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: ualani on May 13, 2016, 07:49:07 AM
Now that is a really nice response from the author! Welcome Lukasz and thanks for your efforts.

Steve
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: woofgang on May 13, 2016, 08:16:39 AM
Thanks for a great review. It has gotten my interest - will give it a try!

Jim
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: Doug on May 13, 2016, 08:36:21 AM
Thank you, Jim. Once you are comfortable with it, come back and let us know what YOU think.

Doug

PS...and WELCOME to Lukasz! Great to have you on board.
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: Dieter on May 24, 2016, 10:38:46 AM
There's a new version available:
Lukasz published a developer's version 2.1 build 1 for trying and for comments:

http://vfrflight.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=30

- A lot of improvements are implemented.
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: lukaszkulasek on May 24, 2016, 03:32:53 PM
Thank you Dieter for posting this information.

You can also check out two new videos, that explain some of the new features:





Thanks,
Lukasz
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: Doug on May 25, 2016, 09:57:48 AM
New Version ...

The new version is working perfectly for me.  The video tapes are VERY useful (as they were for getting introduced to this fine program).  I'm not using all of the features ... but I'm not a real pilot, so to use them, I need to learn more about actual (real time) flying. As I use the features, wondering about them, I search for information on them (air space rules, etc), ... and in so-doing, I'm learning.

One thing I noticed immediately on the new version, the "under the mouse" information is PERFECTLY readable now with a yellow background and black lettering ... thank you!!

I don't print out flight plans for flying here on the computer, (HOWEVER...if I were climbing into a real aircraft, I wouldn't touch the door handle without them!). But I went through the process ... if you watch the video, it is VERY easy to really customize things. The hybrid map really makes sense for low level VFR flight. The "visual objects" come up right on schedule. (This also says something about Open LC and ORBX and P3D). But this program takes advantage of all of them ... amazing how "real world" this gets!

If you have not tried this new program, you are missing something very special. The learning curve is low, it is different from Plan-G, but WORTH a few extra minutes to learn it. .... and then it starts to do so much more!   Download it and give it a try.  Also when you do, let us know here what what you think ... I can't believe Dieter and I are the only ones flying this new program.  C'mon ... try it and let us know what you think.

Doug

PS-I'm flying the Aerosoft Beaver Amphib (new Misty colors) across Canada following the TransCanada highway. I'm making my routes with VFR Flight Planner.  So far everything is easy and perfect. I'm now at Edmonton, Alberta and "heading into the hills"...going the northern route, ending at Prince Rupert.  This is where it is going to get interesting with the terrain, adjusting the altitudes and putting in special waypoints for a "hands off" autoflight.
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: dental12 on May 27, 2016, 09:18:43 AM
Hi
Can this program link to the flight sim via widefs? I have yet to find a clear step by step source to setup simconnect on 2nd pc. I use p3d v3.2. Any help is much appreciated
thx Lee
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: Dieter on May 27, 2016, 10:50:45 AM
Not sure if this helps:
http://vfrflight.org/en/documentation.html#6

If not it might be good idea to ask this question in the forum. I'm sure the author will answer:
http://vfrflight.org/forum/
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: jsapair on May 27, 2016, 10:55:57 PM
Wow! Thanks to the author and thanks to Doug for the testing and all his work re-doing the flight plans. I, too, had ongoing problems with Plan-G crashes. Now that I'm starting over after a HDD crash I'll try this program instead of Plan-G.
                                jsapair
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: lukaszkulasek on May 29, 2016, 04:24:10 AM
Can this program link to the flight sim via widefs? I have yet to find a clear step by step source to setup simconnect on 2nd pc. I use p3d v3.2. Any help is much appreciated

Hi,
Yes, it is possible.
I have replied you in VfrFlight forum: http://vfrflight.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=32&p=1845#p1845.

Lukasz
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: marc2140 on June 21, 2016, 05:59:05 PM
You have a new follower here.
I tried out a few things today and I must say that indeed this program has the potential to outscore Plan-G. There are a couple of things that are not yet clear to me, but I will continue to explore in the next couple of days. To be continued...
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: jsapair on June 22, 2016, 09:41:11 PM
I took a look. Man, a lot going on there. I feel like a layman in an engineering class. Just for grins I imported an RTMM FP. It was just a basic VFR FP...no To or From designation...and it seemed to display it just fine, but it got a little congested at the far end and I couldn't figure out how to expand the trace. I'm in the process of replacing all my RTMM FP's so I'll re-try with a To and From and see if it makes a difference. Gotta play with it obviously.

  Doug, What about .CSV files? Is there a way to import those way points? I'm envisioning "Doug's Tutorial on RTMM and VfrFlight for Dummies". Catchy little title don't you think? All those in favor raise your hands.
   My point being, I don't want to move NDB's or extend and intercept radials to avoid restricted airspace. I'm sure this is an extensive and comprehensive program but a little too much so for me...on the surface, anyway...until your Tutorial comes out that is. :-\

                                 jsapair
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: Doug on June 22, 2016, 10:04:04 PM
Yes, he has worked with Dieter and the csv files come in perfectly.

D
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: marc2140 on June 23, 2016, 08:38:14 AM
Question:
How can I import the data of the RTMM "airports" into this program.
To import data you have to give your scenery.config path + the working directory.
Does that mean you have to give in the path of every particular scenery?
I entered the path of my "general" scenery (c:/program files (x86)/microsoft games/micosoft flight simulator X/scenery.cfg), but I do not seem to get i.e. PF20.
Is it because I have to specify paths in the add on sceneries?
I had also some issues with the CSV files for user waypoints, but I posted a topic on the program forum for this.
Cheers
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: Dieter on June 23, 2016, 01:41:33 PM
Your scenery.cfg path is not correct.

The active scenery.cfg is here:
FSX/ProgramData/Microsoft/Fsx/scenery.cfg
or
P3D/ProgramData/Lockheed Martin/Prepar3D vx.x/scenery.cfg
(vx.x => your version)
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: Dieter on June 23, 2016, 01:48:32 PM
Importing csv files:

Goto tab "Flight plan" - user points - import from csv
Choose the folder where your csv files are stored - double click the desired file and importing process begins.
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: mthrift on July 10, 2016, 01:46:33 PM
Hello RTMM'ers,

I too have been exploring the feature-rich VFRFlight program and have really enjoyed the high quality maps, flight planning capabilities etc.  It's a top-notch piece of software!  I have a question I thought I would pose here since there other RTMM users here.  I'll definitely pose at Lukasz' site if it's it's not something simple that someone here can answer. 

My question is this: having successfully imported the FSX database, I still am not able to see the User Points like those in Plan-G that show non air related items (the items that show up on the map as green dots, starts, etc.).  See the attached screenshots of the Hollis Harbor area in each program.  In Plan-G, all the "extra" items around the Harbor area appear, but in VFRF, they don't - even though I've "switched on" user points from the menu, and feel pretty certain that I asked for ALL points to be imported when I went through that process.   Does anybody have any ideas how I might get them to appear?  Are others able to see them?

This is the one feature that's keeping me on the fence for permanently making the switch.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you might have.


Regards,
Michael
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: marc2140 on July 12, 2016, 09:30:57 AM
To import the user points see Dieters' mail of June 23rd.
When you get to the screen "User points", choose tab import from CSV. You then have to go to where you keep your CSV files in yr computer. You have to import every CSV waypoint file, you want to enter into the program. If I remember well the program imports only 1 csv file at the time. And I also remember that I had to restart a couple of times because after 3 or 4 imports, the program got stuck. Fortunately the user point menu screen, shows what you already have in yr database. I can see now that I have i.e. some double or even triple entries, but the program does not seem to mind.
This is what your area should look like.
Cheers
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: spud on July 12, 2016, 05:13:49 PM
You can only import one group of CSV points at a time if the file has 1 or 200 points they will all import when selected from the Manage User Waypoints\Import screen of Plan G.  If any of the .csv points are already in Plan G they will be ignored.
 8)
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: marc2140 on July 12, 2016, 06:27:43 PM
Your remark is correct Spud, only that we were talking about the new VFRFlight program. There you have to go to the flight plans tab to find the csv tab. Just like Dieter said in his post. ;)
Cheers
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: mthrift on July 15, 2016, 09:46:52 AM
Thanks much, Marc!

I'll have a look at this over the weekend.


Best regards,
Michael
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: lukaszkulasek on July 15, 2016, 04:44:31 PM
Hello,

It seems that importing user points is pretty important feature for you. I am always interested in making things easier and better, so it would be very helpful if you could sum up which changes, fixes or improvements you would like to see in next version and I would improve on this.

Another thing is, that I have just released the new 'beta' version of 2.1 with a number of new features. More information and download link is here: http://vfrflight.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=40.

There are three new videos here:





Thank you and have a nice weekend.
Lukasz
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: Doug on July 16, 2016, 01:06:59 PM
The New Beta

Using it now, this new beta has any feature you need and they are all working perfectly for me. We really needed the "reverse" route (so we could do the to/from flights to locations), we now have it. You can "move the aircraft" to "here" on the map, another major step for helping us as we play with different approaches for the flight plans. The information is CLEAR to see under the cursor.

If you have not tried VFRFlight ... PLEASE, PLEASE do yourself a favor and give it a try. It has everything you need plus more ... an absolutely amazing FREEware program! Don't miss it.

=========

As for CSV files, They come in fine for me. I'm guessing people would like to load a whole folder of them, and I don't think things "work" that way. Each one has to be loaded individually.  But one great feature is that when you get a new beta/version of this, or put it on another computer, all you have to do is move the "DB" folder and it is updated and ready to go.

If others have comments on the CSV Files, have at it.

Doug

Note the "change log" below:

Changes in 2.1 build 2 (versus 2.1 build 1)
- XPlane 10 integration (data import, FMS files import/export)
- New feature: Touch screen mode (see:
)
- New map layer: Runway extensions (see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8eJvYW ... e=youtu.be)
- New map layer: Magnetic declinations
- New feature: Detailed Meteo weather maps for Central Europe (see:
)
- New feature: Support for external USB GPS receivers that comply with NMEA format
- New feature: User track export to GPX format
- New feature: magnetic compass over mouse cursor
- New feature: Magnifying glass
- New button: reverse route
- New UI improvements
- Icons in context menu (to plan route like in SkyVector)
- First execution and DB downloading - now asking for DB import
- New combobox for selecting WP and VOR table types
- Changed ILS color in 'Text under cursor'
- Changed some map symbols for better readability
- Your Primary Flight Plan Storage Folder - for FSX/P3D flight plans
- Centralized, common map tiles cache (better performance)
- LineSegment optimization (better performance)
- New PDF section: simplified header
- New PDF section: simplified calculation results
- New PDF section: VOR radials for each WP
- Calculation result section: changed order, outlined KM + time
- Bugfix: Invalid coord when importing from UPX file
- Bugfix: Problem with airspaces in Vertical Profile Dialog
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: marc2140 on July 18, 2016, 06:14:36 PM
Wow, looks like we get a nearly custom made program here.
Thank you Lukasz, I enjoy it every day...
Cheers
Marcel
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: mthrift on July 20, 2016, 02:20:17 PM
Hmmm,

I think I must be missing some basic concept here, or I'm just not using the correct terms for what I'm trying to describe.  What I seem to be missing is the non-airfield type locations like those shown around Hollis Harbor in the attached image.

Based on the suggestions above, I had a look on my system for CSV files to import that could be related to those missing locations.  I didn't really find any.   I referred to them in my original message as "User Points", but I only called them that because that's what they seem to be called within Plan-G.  I know that they appeared in Plan-G without my adding them in any "special" way.  They just appeared after having Plan-G scan my FSX install - what I think was essentially the same process I followed to get the FSX scenery database information into VFRFlight.

Perhaps they are already in VFRFlight, and I've just got some required setting turned off (though I do have "User Points" turned on) . . . or there is some other simpler explanation.

BTW - I have installed the new (Beta) version and really like the improvements!


Thanks,
Michael



Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: Doug on July 20, 2016, 02:36:14 PM
As a side note.  Don't forget, this program is FREEware. All of us so enjoying this new, great program should click on the DONATE button at his site. This has taken hours and hours of work...it deserves a gracious Thank You from us.

Doug
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: Dieter on July 21, 2016, 04:45:58 AM
@Michael

You'll find the published userwaypoints here:
http://www.return.mistymoorings.com/mistys/#dieter

Download the one(s) you are in need and import them into VFRFlight:

Goto tab "Flight plan" - user points - import from csv
Choose the folder where your csv files are stored - double click the desired file and importing process begins.

Of course the userwaypoints are displayed in the correct postion but the  looks is different.
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: marc2140 on July 21, 2016, 06:32:27 AM
Michael
As far as I know, there are no RTMM non airport waypoints (user waypoints) loaded automatically in Plan G, when you install it and create yr fsx database. So you probably have installed them one way or another. And the only way I can imagine is that you went to the RTMM website, Misty's Place, Dieters Corner, downloaded the CSV files and imported them in Plan G.
To get them in VFRFlight, if you do not know where you left them, the best thing is repeat that action according to Dieters' instructions in the previous post.
An alternative way would be to go to plan G, data, manage user waypoints. You get a list of all user waypoints created in Plan G. You mark all the waypoints and the button Export becomes available. You push that button and indicate where you want to put that file on yr computer. You then go to VFR Flight, flight plan and from then on follow again Dieters instructions.
I do have to say that when I tried this last method, the program at a certain moment got stuck and I had to repeat the process a couple of times, before I had all the waypoints in I wanted, while if you re-download the waypoints from Dieters corner, you are sure and get a detailed explanation of what files you are importing.
Good luck.
Question for Dieter: are you aware of other waypoints in plan G, not coming from your own CSV files?
Cheers
Marcel
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: Dieter on July 21, 2016, 08:05:37 AM
These so called "userwaypoints" don't set automatically on PlanG map. Every single POI (point of interests like cabins, unlisted airfields, wind farms, lighthouses, dams, masts a.s.o) must be created manually: they must  be looked for in the scenery, marked on the PlanG map, additional informations must be written. This way csv files are created. This csv file must be imported manually into PlanG.
Csv files are never part of a scenery file which will install automatically.

On the contrary there is scenery software where an own ADEX file (former AFCAD) is included. This kind of file creates an own airfield sign on PlanG map after rebuilding database.
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: mthrift on July 21, 2016, 12:18:11 PM
You guys are the greatest!

I'm sure I must have entered them separately, as you say, and forgotten about having done it.  I've been "building" this scenery library for so long now that things from the early days just aren't in my mind anymore.  Come to think of it, it does now seem somewhat familiar.  I'll make another visit to the link Dieter provided and just get on with it.

Thank you again, Marc and Dieter.  Your patience and help is greatly appreciated.

Echoing Doug's note above, I'll have to make a visit to the VfrFlight Donate button.


Best regards,
Michael
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: lukaszkulasek on August 03, 2016, 06:07:55 AM
Hello everyone.

I have released v2.1 (http://vfrflight.org).
Some of you might be interested in new feature that is now available - you can transform any Google / OSM / MapBox map into GPS display. VfrFlight window can stay on the top, over your simulator, and than it looks like this:

(http://vfrflight.org/img/sshots/16.jpg)

Preview video:


Enjoy  :)
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: Doug on August 03, 2016, 09:32:35 AM
When updating (going to this new 2.1) all you have to do is move your old "db" folder into the new folder for 2.1 and all the data will be there.

Doug
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: Trex3D on August 05, 2016, 09:04:24 PM
Great project Lukasz!  :)

Being a rotorhead, I frequently touchdown and take-off from off-airport or off-airstrip locations like firetowers,  floating platforms, building rooftops, hospitals, yachts, flatbed trucks, etc...you name it!  ;D which may have no ICAO codes or markers and I usually mark these locations by creating custom POIs as I go with Plan-G which has an instant "Create User Waypoint" feature. I have created maybe over a few hundred custom waypoints with Plan-G and would normally just copy and replace/paste it over default data files when updating to newer versions of Plan-G without recreating or uploading each and every location. I was wondering if VFR Flight has a similar feature and if there's a way to directly import Plan-G data (with .SDF extension) to VFR Flight's database other than importing from CSV files which don't contain my custom POIs or user waypoints? Or maybe there are workarounds in getting this done? Any suggestions welcome. ???
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: marc2140 on January 03, 2017, 07:05:52 PM
I just downloaded Version 2.2, that was released today.
Plenty of new goodies;new and even more easy route builder; possibility to download planmaps on your harddisk, etc.
Go and get it...
Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: nbrich1 on January 03, 2017, 09:27:10 PM
Just saw your post and downloading 2.2 now. A great planner program for sure. Thanks for info Marcel.

Norm

Title: Re: VFR Flight by Łukasz Kulasek
Post by: marc2140 on January 04, 2017, 04:49:12 AM
Especially for you Norm. Could be a great help for creating the plans for your Alaska Adventures tours. See item 4 in the manual. Makes it possible to set minimum, challenging but realistic flight altitudes. Also the possibility of having the Sky Vector World VFR Map, is a great feature for your VA.
I am still exploring and find new possibilities every day.
Cheers