The new AM Collection for FlightFactor Airbus A320

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catflyer38
Posts: 75
Joined: Sat May 11, 2019 1:13 pm
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The new AM Collection for FlightFactor Airbus A320

#1 Post by catflyer38 »

The AM collection for Airbus A320 from FlightFactor consists of 34 Am instruments and 5 AM panels.
    Panels include panel scripts that allow the display of additional instruments (a simple Map, a view switching and an ECAM switching instrument).
      The instruments are rewritten for the use of touch screens and Knobster.
        In addition to the captains, also the first officer instruments and panels where added (you can choose which side to use).

        I would highly appreciate to receive feedback from beta tester, please send me a message with your contact data and I will send the collection.

        1. Panel: Glareshield Captain (1920x1080) with keys for view switching

        FFA320_Glareshield Captain_keys.png

        2. Panel: Glareshield FO

        FFA320 Glareshield FO.png

        3. Panel: Pedestal Captain (1920x1080) a (1080 x 1920) version is also available

        FFA320_Pedestal_Captain.png

        4. Panel: Pedestal Captain with Map overlay

        FFA320_Pedestal_Captain_map.png

        Important!
        The instruments rely on xplane datarefs and commands. For performance reasons Flightfactor does not automatically include (publish) all datarefs needed. The additional datarefs need to be added to a file called publish.txt which is located in the airplane FFA320 /Data directory. The complete lists of datarefs one for the captains and one for the first office side are included.

        CDT:
        In the past I faced several crash to desktop (CTD) when starting the AM panels or even single AM instruments. We where searching for what cause the crashes for several month without success. After pausing the development for quite some time, all 14 original and additional 18 instruments where rewritten. I did not face any CDT’s for several weeks.

        push, pull logic:
        Some instruments require a pus and pull logic e.g. FCU and EFIS this can be used in two ways,
        if you push only for a short period of time (variable is set to 500 ms) its considered a push, if you hold longer its considered a pull. If you don’t like this an additional pull button is also included.

        User properties:
        Some AM instruments use user properties (e.g. if a Knobster is used and specific function can be enabled for it, or for the definition of external hardware via Arduino, etc.)

        Tested with:
        Windows 10 home Version 20H2, Xplane 11.55, Air Manager Version 4.0.2 home, FlightFactor A320 ultimate Version: 1.1.10-2520


        Regards Alexander

        JackZ
        Posts: 2262
        Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2016 1:02 pm

        Re: The new AM Collection for FlightFactor Airbus A320

        #2 Post by JackZ »

        Very nice work!

        I am also in the process of doing some instruments for the FFA320 as well, but it’s now mostly hardware based, now that I am incorporating real A320 OEM and 3D printed parts
        3960E153-AC93-4D89-8C24-34152F7D0598.jpeg
        040CC628-51F5-41B9-AE90-AD0ABF9B2E37.jpeg
        I planned initially to use your gear and AUTOBRAKE panels, but they don’t fit into my panels, so I’ll probably have to rework the graphic part for my purpose.

        My panel layout is different from yours, but if can help you as a beta tester, my pleasure
        436A22ED-BC6F-4E32-97EF-1547F8AFD050.jpeg
        9A273BCE-D5BA-4BE3-96DA-6E5601602B98.jpeg
        9294AF00-9D73-415B-9270-794DEB9D42EF.jpeg
        Jacques
        My YouTube Chanel on the A320 (Real SOPs by an Airline Pilot IRL):
        https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 0Q6SBASRqJ

        catflyer38
        Posts: 75
        Joined: Sat May 11, 2019 1:13 pm
        Location: EDDM

        Re: The new AM Collection for FlightFactor Airbus A320

        #3 Post by catflyer38 »

        Hi Jacques let me know if you need the grafic source files for those instruments , they are created with SkinMan

        Regards Alexander

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        jph
        Posts: 2846
        Joined: Fri Apr 10, 2020 12:50 pm
        Location: Somewhere over the rainbow..

        Re: The new AM Collection for FlightFactor Airbus A320

        #4 Post by jph »

        JackZ wrote: Tue Jul 06, 2021 10:31 am Very nice work!

        I am also in the process of doing some instruments for the FFA320 as well, but it’s now mostly hardware based, now that I am incorporating real A320 OEM and 3D printed parts

        Jacques
        Hello Jacques,
        Lovely work on the hardware panel in the top image.
        Have you more info on the square button graphic inlay and construction ?
        Really nice.
        Joe
        Joe. CISSP, MSc.

        JackZ
        Posts: 2262
        Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2016 1:02 pm

        Re: The new AM Collection for FlightFactor Airbus A320

        #5 Post by JackZ »

        875DB6D6-4A46-43B4-9E67-BE9C41A09AF1.jpeg
        Hi

        this a real A320 OEM Panel, with all the wires and things still hooked up. With the MSN I even have the former registration of the aircraft it was on an A319 D-AVWB from British Airways.

        My Main problem was to find what goes where and the pinout diagram.
        The main issue is that the Korries Led are using way more power under 5V than a simple Arduino is able to produce, so I have to rely an external power unit and on some Darlington transistors/chips to make them work. I have ordered some IC that seem to be up to the task, so I can control the leds with TTL signals and AM
        Will report my progresses
        My YouTube Chanel on the A320 (Real SOPs by an Airline Pilot IRL):
        https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 0Q6SBASRqJ

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        jph
        Posts: 2846
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        Location: Somewhere over the rainbow..

        Re: The new AM Collection for FlightFactor Airbus A320

        #6 Post by jph »

        JackZ wrote: Wed Jul 07, 2021 4:44 pm 875DB6D6-4A46-43B4-9E67-BE9C41A09AF1.jpegHi

        this a real A320 OEM Panel, with all the wires and things still hooked up. With the MSN I even have the former registration of the aircraft it was on an A319 D-AVWB from British Airways.

        My Main problem was to find what goes where and the pinout diagram.
        The main issue is that the Korries Led are using way more power under 5V than a simple Arduino is able to produce, so I have to rely an external power unit and on some Darlington transistors/chips to make them work. I have ordered some IC that seem to be up to the task, so I can control the leds with TTL signals and AM
        Will report my progresses
        Jacques,
        Beautiful work and superb hardware !
        Love it.

        Regarding the Darlington drivers - if you have and BYJ steppers you can re-purpose the ULN board to do the job - it is a 7 way Darlington driver IC - really easy to connect with a few wires soldered on where needed.
        Also, the ULN 2803 is a real 'go to' chip for this stuff. - this one is fully 8 way.. dirt cheap also. I have a drawer full of these for general purpose. Can be driven by 3.3V or 5V logic and the output can be up to 500mA total for the outputs - be it single or all. and up to 50V. a real work horse.
        https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002 ... 4c4dL7B6U3

        Lovely work - super panel !
        Joe
        Joe. CISSP, MSc.

        JackZ
        Posts: 2262
        Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2016 1:02 pm

        Re: The new AM Collection for FlightFactor Airbus A320

        #7 Post by JackZ »

        Yes the Uln 2803A is the one I am looking after to do this.
        I have ordered those which are conveniently already placed on a board

        https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/32762439622.html

        Surprisingly the OEM Panel are roughly the same price as Sim parts, with the added complexity of interfacing.
        Last edited by JackZ on Fri Jul 09, 2021 1:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
        My YouTube Chanel on the A320 (Real SOPs by an Airline Pilot IRL):
        https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 0Q6SBASRqJ

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        jph
        Posts: 2846
        Joined: Fri Apr 10, 2020 12:50 pm
        Location: Somewhere over the rainbow..

        Re: The new AM Collection for FlightFactor Airbus A320

        #8 Post by jph »

        great choice. That is a neat little breakout of the chip as well. They also have HV built in flyback diodes for use in relays and inductive loads. A true workhorse.
        I can absolutely believe the prices with regards to sim parts !.
        I think it is only when you get to the more specialised units like the MCP etc where the price goes through the roof, and they are also as rare as rocking horse shit :)
        It is lovely touches like a few genuine panels that make the end result amazing. Well worth the time taken to sort out the wiring. I am sure you must have some excellent contacts for schematics etc ;)

        Looking forward to the updates and progress.
        Joe. CISSP, MSc.

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