DC-8 Panels

[stusue]

I love the dc-8 panels but i have 2 problems. First the inswaypoint buzzer does not shut off when i load the dc-8's with the hjl panel installed so i had to delete the wave file.
Second, can someone explain to me or refer me to a source that will explain to me how to use the autopilot and the gps device on the bottom of the panel.

[Mike Monce - HJG]

Make sure you have the correct panel with the proper Dc-8 base pack. that may explain your issue with the wav file.

To use the autopilot and INS system (it's not a gps system) read the installation and handling notes pinned at the top of this DC8 forum. It gives all the information you need.

Mike

[Dee Waldron - HJG]

Specifically, its in the "About HJG Aircraft" section of this forum.
Hope that helps, have fun!

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

the inswaypoint buzzer does not shut off when i load the dc-8's with the hjl panel installed

The "INSWAYPOINT" WAV results in a "cricket-chirp-like" tone (if that´s the one you´re referring to) .... which, from memory, is triggered only once any particular inserted INS related waypoint has been reched.

It should not .... ever .... be triggered, automatically, when the panel loads into FS .... at least I´ve never known, or ever previously heard of any such report regarding this particular tone and the INS equipped HJG DC8 panels.

I therefore wonder if you might be confusing the INSWAYPOINT tone with that of the DC8 INVERTER WAV .... which results in a "constant whine" tone as soon as any DC8 using HJG panels/gauges is selected from the walk-in/MSFS aircraft selection menue. This (Inverter) tone is "intentional" .... and authentic (being recorded from a DC8) .... and is the predominant sound which one will hear on any DC8 flightdeck (other HJG aircraft panels feature different variations of these sounds) whenever the aircraft is on the ground, with its engines shutdown, and is connected to a ground power supply. This sound will also remain evident inflight too .... but .... far less so over the engine and other environmental audio "IF" using HJG supplied soundpacks for the DC8´s. Removing this particular WAV won´t do any harm .... but .... will deny you of a large sliced of technical/audio relaity.

Again .... I wonder .... if the sound you´re referring to might actually be this Inverters tone (rrather than the Inswaypoint tone) .... given the fact you state that the tone which you´re referring to becomes evident/active as soon as you load the panel/s.

With regard to the AP .... and as Dee states ....

See my "DC8 PANELS INSTALLATION & HANDLING NOTES" which are (temporarily) located on the "ABOUT HJG AIRCRAFT" forum page ....
tonymadgehjg.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=hjgaircraftlistings&action=display&thread=1566

For quick reference here´s a C&P of the DC8 AP section .... which also applied to the CV880 and CV990 panels too ....

AUTOPILOT NOTES

The AP on all HJG DC8 panels functions as follows ....

The AP is activated by selecting the SERVO SWITCH to "AUTO PILOT" position.

When the AP is engaged it will also hold the aircraft at whatever ROC/ROD was established at the time of its first being engaged.

During AP controlled flight the aircrafts ROC/ROD can be adjusted using the "VERT SPEED" thumb wheel. Careful mousing at the bottom of this wheel ("CLIMB" position) will set and control ROC .... and similar mousing at the top of this wheel ("DESCEND" position) will set and control ROD .... both in proportion to mouse input. Work on the theory that each mouse click of the VERT SPEED thumb wheel roughly corresponds to a command of approximately 100 FPM ROC/ROD.

To engage and hold a specific altitude the aircrafts ROC/ROD should first be set to no more than 500 FPM .... and less during the last few hundred of climb/descent toward any target altitude. As the altimeter needle/s indicate precisely the desired altitude simply mouse click the center of the VERT SPEED" thumb wheel. The aircraft should then begin to maintain altitude. The aircraft will at first drift slightly above and below the selected altitude .... this is quite normal. The aircraft will eventually settle into a perfect altitude capture after a few moments. Care should be taken to engage AP ALT/HLD mode at the precise increment of any desired altitude .... paying close attention to both the altimeter needles and the ROC/ROD gauge is essential.

To commence further climb/descent simply mouse either the bottom or top of this thumb wheel accordingly. This action disengages the ALT HLD function without disengaging the AP .... then select whatever ROC/ROD is desired by mousing either the bottom or top of the VERT SPEED thumb wheel accordingly .... as described above.

The VERT SPEED" thumb wheel will not .... intentionally .... function in manual flight mode. In this mode trim must be set manually in order to set any desired ROC/ROD. The Trim warning horn will be triggered in response to each manual input. This warning horn will not be triggered when Trim is adjusted during AP controlled flight mode.

There is an "IAS HOLD" selector on the AP mode rotary switch located the far left of the AP. This should not be engaged below 300kts. It is important to note that when engaged IAS HOLD will adjust the aircrafts pitch attitude to whatever it determines necessary in order to maintain a specific speed. Typically .... if more power is then applied the AP will increase the aircrafts pitch attitude in order to maintain speed .... and if power is then retarded the AP will decrease the aircrafts pitch attitude accordingly in order to maintain speed .... automatically adjusting the aircrafts ROC/ROD in the process.

IAS HOLD and "ALT HOLD" cannot be engaged together. One or the other mode only must be used.

IAS HOLD is not an AT .... and should not be used as such. Few DC8's, if any, were ever equipped with AT systems.

A large "TURN" knob is located in the center of the AP. This can be used to turn the aircraft left or right during AP controlled flight .... but only when the AP mode rotary switch is set to "TURN KNOB". It has been observed that this turn knob may not fly the aircraft through perfectly smooth turns. This is a known FS bug associated some panels. Alternatively "HDG SEL" may be used to ensure perfectly smooth turns during AP controlled flight.

If the AP mode selector switch is set to "HDG SEL" then turns may be controlled by moviong the "HEADING BUG" located on the HSI instrument on the main panel. Manually controlled turns are still possible per joystick/yoke input even during AP controlled flight, but, only when the AP rotary switch is set to TURN KNOB".

If the AP mode selector switch is set to "VOR LOC" then this will allow the aircraft to engage and track along any particular radial eminating from a pre-tuned VOR signal. VOR radials should be intercepted at less than a 20 degrees to the intended beam/course. Engaging the AP VOR/LOC at too acute an angle of intercept will cause the aircraft to weave as it endeavours to capture a VOR beam. It is always best to use HDG SEL to first allign the aircraft with any VOR signal. Once established on/or near the set beam/course then select VOR/LOC to acquire it. The aircraft may still weave slighty at first. This is a normal FS response. The aircraft will settle down to smooth tracking after a few moments.

The AP mode selector switch also features an "ILS" mode to allow coupled AP cntrolled ILS intercepts during approaches to landing. All landings should be accomplished masnually.

On DC8-61, -62/63, -71, and -72/73 panels only, a cautionary red lamp (located on the main panel Bowtie instrument) will be seen to flash repeatedly whenever the AP is disconnected. To cancel this lamp simply mouse click the silent "hot point" located just above the center of the Bowtie instrument on these panels in order to extinguish it.

Almost everything one needs to know in order to be able to use/appreciate the HJG DC8 panels, and aircraft, is covered within the above-linked HANDLING NOTES. Similar notes for other HJG aircraft are also hosted on the above referenced forum page .... whilst notes for more recent HJG aircraft releases are located on their respective SUPPORT forum pàges.

Mark C
BOG/CO

[whirlwind]

DC8_71
If i try to change the alias= B747_400\panel to = fsfsconv\panel DC8-71 i get the normal
do you want to save changes click yes and up comes a box save changes ? not seen before , can't change the file discription ! the same processs works ok on other HJG aircraft

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

There's no problem .... that I'm aware of at least .... regarding any of the current recommended DC8 panel installation aliases and no changes have been made to these, or any of the panel data for that matter, since around 2008 .... as I recall.

Normally .... you must always select "YES" in response to prompts regarding the saving of any CFG edit .... of course .... or FS simply won't save the edit.

"IF" you're unable to do this .... then it could be because of either 1 of the 2 following reasons ....

1 . Your PANEL.CFG may, somehow, have defaulted to a "READ ONLY" attribute .... and which simply needs being changed as follows ....

- RIGHT CLICK on the CFG file.

- UNCHECK the "READ ONLY atribute appearing at the bottom of the dialogue box which appars in respose to RIGHT CLICKING the CFG file.

- Then select OK.

You should .... then .... be able to edit your PANEL.CFG in accordance with the recommended alias and without any further issue.

2. "IF" you're using WINDOWS 7 .... and experiencing this particular problem .... then it could be the result of not having set up Administrator Rights over your OS. This's a possibility, but, I don't think it's the cause of your particular problem though .... SO .... the information outlined in # 1 (above) should, hopefully, be sufficient to resolve your apprarent issue.

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[whirlwind]

Thank you ,yep files were read only , now fixed and i have learnt something into the bargin