What to do if

Norbert Pflug · Sep 9, 2008

FSAcars gives you an error report when you try and send the latest flight-log ?

Just completed LEXJ-LEAM online as ACH1612 and when i tried to send my "PIREP" it tells me it has encounter a problem.. annoying :evil:

Here is a copy of the log-file:

[2008/09/09 14:14:00]
Flight IATA:CH1612
Pilot Number:0030
Company ICAO:ACH
Aircraft Type:B738
PAX:92
Aircraft Registration-AKHA
Departing Airport: LEXJ
Destination Airport: LEAM
Alternate Airport:LEGR
Online: VATSIM
Route:BEATI R42 BLV UN867 DGO UN725 DIRMU UN862 MLA UN860 RESTU G850 SORBA
Flight Level:37000
No Slew and time accel
14:14 Zero fuel Weight: 59967 Kg, Fuel Weight: 7370 Kg
14:14 NOAA:LEXJ 091300Z 06007KT 030V090 9999 FEW060 22/18 Q1013
14:14 NOAA:LEAM 091300Z 20007KT 140V250 9999 FEW020 SCT050 23/19 Q1011
14:15 Parking Brakes off
14:15 Com1 Freq=122.80
14:18 VR= 150 Knots
14:18 V2= 159 Knots
14:18 Take-off
14:18 Take off Weight: 67019 Kg
14:18 Wind: 345º @ 003 Knots Heading: 109º
14:18 POS N43º 25´ 29´´ W003º 48´ 43´´
14:18 N11 98 N12 98
14:18 Gear Up: 160 Knots
14:18 Flaps:3 at 160 Knots
14:19 Flaps:1 at 193 Knots
14:19 Flaps:0 at 207 Knots
14:33 Wind:207º@041 Knots Heading: 111º Ground Speed: 471 Knots Altitude 33982 ft
14:35 TOC
14:35 Fuel Weight: 5193 Kg
14:48 Wind:216º@042 Knots Heading: 182º Ground Speed: 425 Knots Altitude 37053 ft
15:03 Wind:200º@037 Knots Heading: 207º Ground Speed: 422 Knots Altitude 37017 ft
15:09 TOD
15:09 Fuel Weight: 3531 Kg
15:18 Wind:199º@016 Knots Heading: 206º Ground Speed: 333 Knots Altitude 12011 ft
15:22 Flaps:1 at 239 Knots
15:23 Flaps:2 at 203 Knots
15:23 Flaps:3 at 198 Knots
15:24 Gear Down: 169 Knots
15:24 Flaps:5 at 169 Knots
15:25 Flaps:6 at 162 Knots
15:25 Flaps:7 at 153 Knots
15:27 TouchDown:Rate -222 ft/min Speed: 133 Knots
15:27 NOAA:LEAM 091430Z 23009KT 200V260 9999 FEW020 SCT050 25/19 Q1010
15:27 Land
15:27 Wind:233º@005 Knots
15:27 Heading: 254º
15:27 Flight Duration: 01:09
15:27 Landing Weight: 62991 Kg
15:27 POS N36º 50´ 35´´ W002º 22´ 21´´
15:30 Parking brakes on
15:30 Block to Block Duration: 01:15
15:30 Final Fuel: 2885 Kg
15:30 Spent Fuel: 4485 Kg
15:30 Flight Length: 450 NM
15:30 TOD Land Length: 91 NM
FSAcars 4.0.15
23430

and a copy of my "ACH0030.dat" file - just in case this might help for bug-finding

[FlightLog1]
Date=2008/09/09
Hour=14:14:00
CallSign=ACH1612
FlightIATA=CH1612
AircraftRegist=D-AKHA
DepAirport=LEXJ
DestAirport=LEAM
AltAirport=LEGR
PlaneType=B738
UsedFuel=4485
InitialFuel=7370
FuelEnd=2885
FlightDur=01:15
FlightLength=450
RateTD=-222
speedTD=133
ZFW=59967
length=1956
Log=5B323030382F30392F3039[...]

Can somebody manually record this flight for me, or do i have to re-fly it to get my hours :?: Just curious :wink:

Peter Schindler · Sep 9, 2008

Hi Norbert,
sorry for the 'annoying' error message but that's why we call it a beta test

Honestly, we can say so far that FS Flight Keeper and FSPassengers work pretty much without errors. And I can already say that XAcars - which will be available soon - will also work without problems. The only "troublemaker" is FsAcars. The reason is that all other add-ons transmit their flight parameters as single values through POST or GET data. This means that, for example, arrival time is sent as ON_TIME=17:42:10 or something similar. I take the value, put it in the pireps database and forget about.
FsAcars is different. It just sends the log (like the one you posted above) but not even in one single transmission. It connects to the server several times (depending on log length) and sends small bits of data which I have to stitch together.
So what I do is to write the data parts in a new file, every time a new part arrives. After that I re-read the complete log file and extract the values I need. This works fine as long as FsAcars sends all data correctly.

Now sometimes FsAcars seems to transmit data parts twice or not at all. That's what happened with your last log. Here's the data the server received from your last flight (everything gets logged for FsAcars because I know about the problems):

Code:

<i>
</i>[2008/09/09 14:14:00]
Flight IATA:CH1612
Pilot Number:0030
Company ICAO:ACH
Aircraft Type:B738
PAX:92
Aircraft Registration:D-AKHA
Departing Airport: LEXJ
Destination Airport: LEAM
Alternate Airport:LEGR
Online: VATSIM
Route:BEATI R42 BLV UN867 DGO UN725 DIRMU UN862 MLA UN860 RESTU G850 SORBA
Flight Level:37000
No Slew and time accel
14:14  Zero fuel Weight: 59967 Kg, Fuel Weight: 7370 Kg
14:14  NOAA:LEXJ 091300Z 06007KT 030V090 9999 FEW060 22/18 Q1013
14:14  NOAA:LEAM 091300Z 20007KT 140V250 9999 FEW020 SCT050 23/19 Q1011
14:15  Parking Brakes off
14:15  Com1 Freq=122.80
14:18  VR= 150 Knots
14:18  V2= 159 Knots
14:18  Take-off
14:18  Take off Weight: 67019 Kg
14:18  Wind: 345º @ 003 Knots Heading: 109º
14:18  POS N43º 25´ 29´´ W003º 48´ 43´´ 
14:18  N11 98 N12 98
14:18  Gear Up: 160 Knots
14:18  Flaps:3 at 160 Knots
14:19  Flaps:1 at 193 Knots
14:19  Flaps:0 at 207 Knots
14:33  Wind:207º@041 Knots Heading: 111º Ground Speed: 471 Knots Altitude 33982 ft
14:35  TOC
14:35  Fuel Weight: 5193 Kg
14:48  Wind:216º@042 Knots Heading: 182º Ground Speed: 425 Knots Altitude 37053 ft
15:03  Wind:200º@037 Knots Heading: 207º Ground Speed: 422 Knots Altitude 37017 ft
15:09  TOD
15:09  Fuel Weight: 3531 Kg
15:18  Wind:199º@016 Knots Heading: 206º Ground Speed: 333 Knots Altitude 12011 ft
15:22  Flaps:1 at 239 Knots
15:23  Flaps:2 at 203 Knots
15:23  Flaps:3 at 198 Knots
15:24  Gear Down: 169 Knots
15:24  Flaps:5 at 169 Knots
15:25  Flaps:6 at 162 Knots
15:25  Flaps:7 at 153 Knots
15:27  TouchDown:Rate -222 ft/min Speed: 133 Knots
15:27  NOAA:LEAM 091430Z 23009KT 200V260 9999 FEW020 SCT050 25/19 Q1010
15:27  Land
15:27  Wind:233º@005 Knots
15:27  Heading: 254º
15:27  Flight Duration: 01:09 
15:27  Landing Weight: 62991 Kg
15:27  POS N36º 50´ 35´´ W002º 22´ 21´´[2008/09/09 14:14:00]
Flight IATA:CH1612
Pilot Number:0030
Company ICAO:ACH
Aircraft Type:B738
PAX:92
Aircraft Registration:D-AKHA
Departing Airport: LEXJ
Destination Airport: LEAM
Alternate Airport:LEGR
Online: VATSIM
Route:BEATI R42 BLV UN867 DGO UN725 DIRMU UN862 MLA UN860 RESTU G850 SORBA
Flight Level:37000
No Slew and time accel
14:14  Zero fuel Weight: 59967 Kg, Fuel Weight: 7370 Kg
14:14  NOAA:LEXJ 091300Z 06007KT 030V090 9999 FEW060 22/18 Q1013
14:14  NOAA:LEAM 091300Z 20007KT 140V250 9999 FEW020 SCT050 23/19 Q1011
14:15  Parking Brakes off
14:15  Com1 Freq=122.80
14:18  VR= 150 Knots
14:18  V2= 159 Knots
14:18  Take-off
14:18  Take off Weight: 67019 Kg
14:18  Wind: 345º @ 003 Knots Heading: 109º
14:18  POS N43º 25´ 29´´ W003º 48´ 43´´ 
14:18  N11 98 N12 98
14:18  Gear Up: 160 Knots
14:18  Flaps:3 at 160 Knots
14:19  Flaps:1 at 193 Knots
14:19  Flaps:0 at 207 Knots
14:33  Wind:207º@041 Knots Heading: 111º Ground Speed: 471 Knots Altitude 33982 ft
14:35  TOC
14:35  Fuel Weight: 5193 Kg
14:48  Wind:216º@042 Knots Heading: 182º Ground Speed: 425 Knots Altitude 37053 ft
15:03  Wind:200º@037 Knots Heading: 207º Ground Speed: 422 Knots Altitude 37017 ft
15:09  TOD
15:09  Fuel Weight: 3531 Kg
15:18  Wind:199º@016 Knots Heading: 206º Ground Speed: 333 Knots Altitude 12011 ft
15:22  Flaps:1 at 239 Knots
15:23  Flaps:2 at 203 Knots
15:23  Flaps:3 at 198 Knots
15:24  Gear Down: 169 Knots
15:24  Flaps:5 at 169 Knots
15:25  Flaps:6 at 162 Knots
15:25  Flaps:7 at 153 Knots
15:27  TouchDown:Rate -222 ft/min Speed: 133 Knots
15:27  NOAA:LEAM 091430Z 23009KT 200V260 9999 FEW020 SCT050 25/19 Q1010
15:27  Land
15:27  Wind:233º@005 Knots
15:27  Heading: 254º
15:27  Flight Duration: 01:09 
15:27  Landing Weight: 62991 Kg
15:27  POS N36º 50´ 35´´ W002º 22´ 21´´

If you compare that to your local flight log you'll notice that the first part (starting with "Flight IATA: ...") is duplicate whereas the last lines after 15:27 are missing. I also created an error log especially for FsAcars that says

Code:

[ERROR 09.09.08 16:58:13] PILOTACH0030 - Error writing report file - ACH003020080909141400.txt

this is much likely because there was no data.
When and why this happens every other flight I don't know

But I'm still trying to find out.

I suppose you're not really interested in all that tech stuff, but I'm trying to make clear why I don't like FsAcars

Now for your points and miles and stuff: since I have the error log there's also the database update query for your pilot data. So I can restore your points and also the aircraft data (like position and miles - as long as nobody else moved the plane in the meantime).

Edit: Pilot data is updated. I could even restore your pirep thanks to a special script I once made for this.

As a rule of thumb with FsAcars I advice saving the flight logs before trying to send the report. This way one can retry to send the report in case of errors. Although this doesn't help in many cases.

Norbert Pflug · Sep 9, 2008

Hello Peter,

great stuff and thanks for the interessting and detailed description.

Sure I am into the "techie stuff" - like FSPax and FSFlightkeeper, but using FSPax i get a silly error message when i try and "buy the PMDG B738 that i have downloaded and installed in my flight-sim. Keeps crashing all the time... must be something with the "add to the aircraft.cfg" text file that came with the download.

As for FSFlightkeeper - i am running unfortunately a "steam-driving pc" @ home, so run FSKeeper is always a challenge if it will not crash prior "end of flight"...

Maybe I`ll give FSPax another shot and then we are all happy and save.

Thanks and keep up the great work.

Andrew Williams · Sep 10, 2008

Post up your PMDG 737 cfg and i will manually edit it with the changes needed for FsP

Norbert Pflug · Sep 10, 2008

Andrew Williams said:
Post up your PMDG 737 cfg and i will manually edit it with the changes needed for FsP

Hello Andrew, "you asked for it" 8) - only the B737-800 (std version - no winglets, as it didnt specify any specific model in the repaint...

I have only included the "fltsim.111" as this is the AirChild Bobby

appreciate any help you can offer... as it "drives me nuts" :?

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// VERSION 1.0
//
//Build 30
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////

[fltsim.0]
title=PMDG 737-800
sim=B737-800
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=
atc_id_color=0xffffffff
atc_id=N738PM
atc_airline=
atc_flight_number=737
ui_manufacturer=Boeing-PMDG
ui_type=737-800 - 2D Cockpit Only
ui_variation=PMDG
description=Boeing 737-800 with CFM56-7B26 engines v 1.0\nPrecision Manuals Development Group\nwww.precisionmanuals.com \nFor use with BOEING 737: The Next Generation by PMDG \nFor Technical Support please visit www.precisionmanuals.com or email support@precisionmanuals.com \nPMDG Developer and Customer Forum available at our website. \nSounds Developed in conjunction with SkySong Soundworks \nFSUIPC Commercially Licensed from Pete Downson \nAll Artwork encoded using Digimark Technology \nFor Registration or License Questions please contact registration@precisionmanuals.com \nThank you for supporting PMDG!\n
visual_damage=0
atc_heavy=0
kb_reference=PMDG737NG_REF
kb_checklists=PMDG737NG_CHECK

[fltsim.1]
title=PMDG 737-800 - Virtual Cockpit
sim=B737-800
model=VC
panel=VC
sound=
texture=
atc_id_color=0xffffffff
atc_id=N738PM
atc_airline=
atc_flight_number=737
ui_manufacturer=Boeing-PMDG
ui_type=737-800 - Virtual Cockpit
ui_variation=PMDG
description=Boeing 737-800 with CFM56-7B26 engines v 1.0\nPrecision Manuals Development Group\nwww.precisionmanuals.com \nFor use with BOEING 737: The Next Generation by PMDG \nFor Technical Support please visit www.precisionmanuals.com or email support@precisionmanuals.com \nPMDG Developer and Customer Forum available at our website. \nSounds Developed in conjunction with SkySong Soundworks \nFSUIPC Commercially Licensed from Pete Downson \nAll Artwork encoded using Digimark Technology \nFor Registration or License Questions please contact registration@precisionmanuals.com \nThank you for supporting PMDG!\n
visual_damage=0
atc_heavy=0
kb_reference=PMDG737NG_REF
kb_checklists=PMDG737NG_CHECK

[fltsim.2]
title=PMDG 737-800 - Virtual Cockpit/Cabin
sim=B737-800
model=VCCAB
panel=VC
sound=
texture=
atc_id_color=0xffffffff
atc_id=N738PM
atc_airline=
atc_flight_number=737
ui_manufacturer=Boeing-PMDG
ui_type=737-800 - Virtual Cockpit & Cabin
ui_variation=PMDG
description=Boeing 737-800 with CFM56-7B26 engines v 1.0\nPrecision Manuals Development Group\nwww.precisionmanuals.com \nFor use with BOEING 737: The Next Generation by PMDG \nFor Technical Support please visit www.precisionmanuals.com or email support@precisionmanuals.com \nPMDG Developer and Customer Forum available at our website. \nSounds Developed in conjunction with SkySong Soundworks \nFSUIPC Commercially Licensed from Pete Downson \nAll Artwork encoded using Digimark Technology \nFor Registration or License Questions please contact registration@precisionmanuals.com \nThank you for supporting PMDG!\n
visual_damage=0
atc_heavy=0
kb_reference=PMDG737NG_REF
kb_checklists=PMDG737NG_CHECK

[fltsim.3 to 111] left out intentionally

[fltsim.111]
title=B737-800 Air-Child D-ASHA - Virtual Cockpit/Cabin
sim=B737-800
model=VCCAB
panel=VC
sound=
texture=ACH
kb_checklists=PMDG737NG_CHECK
atc_id_color=0xffffffff
atc_id=D-ASHA
atc_airline=Air-Child
atc_flight_number=737
ui_manufacturer=Boeing-PMDG
ui_type=737-800 - Virtual Cockpit & Cabin
ui_variation=Air-Child D-ASHA
description=Boeing 737-800 with CFM56-7B26 engines \nPrecision Manuals Development Group\nwww.precisionmanuals.com \nFor use with BOEING 737: The Next Generation by PMDG \nFor Technical Support please visit www.precisionmanuals.com
visual_damage=0
atc_heavy=0
kb_reference=PMDG737NG_REF

Andrew Williams · Sep 10, 2008

Hi Norbert,

I need the part further down, the 'Weight and Balance' part

It should look something like this...

[WEIGHT_AND_BALANCE]
reference_datum_position= 52.786, 0.000, 1.861 // Vector of Boeing RFP to visual mode centre !! People DO NOT TOUCH !!
empty_weight_CG_position=-57.770, 0.000, 0.000
max_number_of_stations = 50
empty_weight=91300.000
empty_weight_roll_MOI= 1630328.70
empty_weight_pitch_MOI= 2103844.05
empty_weight_yaw_MOI= 1754301.78
empty_weight_coupled_MOI=202.00
//
station_load.0=27400.000, -57.450, 0.000, 1.050
station_load.1 = "0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, FsStation"
station_load.2 = "0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, FsStation"
station_load.3 = "0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, FsStation"
station_load.4 = "0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, FsStation"
station_load.5 = "0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, FsStation"
station_load.6 = "0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, FsStation"
//
max_gross_weight=173000.000
CG_forward_limit=0.133
CG_aft_limit=0.330

Though yours wont have the 'fsstation' parts.

Norbert Pflug · Sep 10, 2008

there we go...

[General]
atc_type=BOEING AIRCRAFT
atc_model=B737
editable=0
performance=

[WEIGHT_AND_BALANCE]
reference_datum_position= 52.786, 0.000, 1.861 // Vector of Boeing RFP to visual mode centre !! People DO NOT TOUCH !!
empty_weight_CG_position=-57.770, 0.000, 0.000
max_number_of_stations=50
empty_weight=91300.000
empty_weight_roll_MOI= 1630328.70
empty_weight_pitch_MOI= 2103844.05
empty_weight_yaw_MOI= 1754301.78
empty_weight_coupled_MOI=202.00
//
station_load.0=2160.0, -57.450, 0.000, 1.050
//
max_gross_weight=173000.000
CG_forward_limit=0.133
CG_aft_limit=0.330
station_load.1=26640.0, -57.450, 0.000, 1.050
station_load.2=6446.0, -57.450, 0.000, 1.050
station_load.3=5656.0, -57.450, 0.000, 1.050

Andrew Williams · Sep 10, 2008

FsP or some other program has put the stations in the wrong place.

Just delete the weight and balance, and replace it with the part in red, then it should work with Fsp without problem.

[General]
atc_type=BOEING AIRCRAFT
atc_model=B737
editable=0
performance=

[WEIGHT_AND_BALANCE]
reference_datum_position= 52.786, 0.000, 1.861 // Vector of Boeing RFP to visual mode centre !! People DO NOT TOUCH !!
empty_weight_CG_position=-57.770, 0.000, 0.000
max_number_of_stations = 50
empty_weight=91300.000
empty_weight_roll_MOI= 1630328.70
empty_weight_pitch_MOI= 2103844.05
empty_weight_yaw_MOI= 1754301.78
empty_weight_coupled_MOI=202.00
//
station_load.0=27400.000, -57.450, 0.000, 1.050
station_load.1 = "0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, FsStation"
station_load.2 = "0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, FsStation"
station_load.3 = "0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, FsStation"
station_load.4 = "0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, FsStation"
station_load.5 = "0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, FsStation"
station_load.6 = "0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, FsStation"
//
max_gross_weight=173000.000
CG_forward_limit=0.133
CG_aft_limit=0.330

[airplane_geometry]

Remember to set the plane to empty in the pmdg load manager

Peter Schindler · Sep 10, 2008

Confirmed. My weight & balance block looks exactly the same as Drew's.