Major Update to ATAVS

Just now going beta with the newest evolution (V7.6+) of ATAVS - the Alpha Tango Aircraft Validation System. Interested in trying it out? Send me an e-mail!

ATAVS 7.6R30

An update to ATAVS is now available. This is ATAVS 7.6 Release 30, and includes some minor bug fixes related to the FS clock autosync feature, and an updated airports file. Available through the Members Only page.

Cabin and Crew

Cabin and crew sounds are returning to AeroTexas. Beta testing continues with this old feature now newly returned. The sounds are of course optional, as you can see here. Also notice the other new items in the Options menu.

Interested in beta testing? Just shoot me an e-mail.

Updated Airports

The airports database was updated today with some minor changes. Check In on the website as a member and click on ATAVS. The stationref.csv file should be downloaded in your ATAVS folder.

New ATAVS on the Horizon

A new version of the Alpha Tango Aircraft Validation System is now in development. This will likely be a major version change as it will incorporate a new way to validate aircraft. The idea is to validate aircraft by title line, but not require any changes by the user. This will allow our members to make use of more aircraft, and not be limited to only what we have in our stable. This change is due in part to the requests of our members. Thank you for your input!

Runway and Weather Data

Here is a sneak peek at ATAVS version 7.4 - as you can tell, this will be a version update, not just a new release. The newest feature is an airport information window that displays runway and elevation, including ILS frequencies and approach headings. And you also get the current weather through the METAR displayed in the same window. A new statusbar in the main window displays the estimated time of arrival for the flight in progress. I'm hoping to release ATAVS 7.4 this weekend so stay tuned!

ATAVS 7.3 Released

ATAVS is a Microsoft Flight Simulator add-on that provides enroute flight validation and simplifies flight reporting. ATAVS is pre-registered for use with FSUIPC so it can be used with both registered and unregistered versions of FSUIPC.

ATAVS Version 7.3 was released today. All members should download the update before your next flight. This version supports MSFS FS2002, FS2004 (FS9/COF), and FSX.

ATAVS Update

A new version of ATAVS was released today: Version 7.2 Release 22. This release contains updates that have been under way since last February, including:

Reduced verbosity in logging.

Updated equipment list to support future air taxi service.

Full support for the new website, including landing performance, user name authentication, and arrival weather flight conditions.

Added sound signal for crash/slew detection.

Added display of aircraft type in statusbar on Refresh or Start.

Updated equipment file.

Updated stationref file.

All members should download this new version before your next flight.

ATAVS 7.2 Relased

Effective March 31, 2009 ATAVS V7.2R3 will be the official reporting system in use at AeroTexas and flight reports with previous versions will not be accepted. All members should download this version from the Members Only area of the website before their next flight. This new version of ATAVS supports the new website and logs landing performance and meteorological conditions on arrival, includes a fuel loader, descent planner, and as always is stable and very easy to use.

ATAVS 7 Update

We found a small bug in the new version of ATAVS that duplicates entries in the logbook. The full install has been revised, and an update/patch is now available in the Members Only area.

ATAVS 7 Released

Wow! Another major release in less than six weeks! This version adds a fuel loader, and integrates the PDP precision descent planner into ATAVS. Additionally this version provides support for the new performance paradigm, which will allow members to gauge their descent profile and compare the landing performance over time, and with other members.

ATAVS 7 is available in the Members Only area as a full install, or as an update; most users will simply need the update. For the update, download and unzip into the folder where ATAVS is installed - that's it.


QUICK START

1. Position aircraft on the ground at desired airport. ATAVS will detect the closest airport and use that as the point of origin.

2. Press the Start Flight button. After a few seconds ATAVS will send the first position report to the server that lets your flying companions know that you haved started the boarding process.

3. You can now open the Fuel Loader. ATAVS will detect your aircraft and if recognized, it will estimate fuel usage and reserves (note that the Fuel Loader will only alter Center Main, Left Main and Right Main tank levels).

4. You can minimize ATAVS - single click on the icon in the system tray when ready to restore.

5. After landing, taxi to the gate. Click on the "Stop Flight" button. ATAVS will add an entry to the top of the logbook.

6. To log your flight, select the new entry and press the "Send Flight Report" button to send the flight report to the server. Your default browser will open a web page where you complete the flight report.

7. Go to #1 (sweet!)

ATAVS Version 6 Release 41

ATAVS V6 was updated today with release #41. This update adds a menu toggle for passenger/cargo flights, and updates the equipment configuration file with new aircraft support.

Users can download a full-install version (only about 800 kb or so), or if you want to just do the patch that's available as well - both in the Members Only area of the website - and only available to members who have completed this year's check ride.

ATAVS Version 6 Setup Tutorial

I though it might be helpful to take a quick look at ATAVS 6 and see how to properly complete the setup process. After ATAVS V6 is first installed, it will alert you to enter your member id.



Simply select File...User:




The member (or pilot)-id can be entered in upper or lower case - so for example, either atx77 or ATX77 is valid. If you have a single digit id, then use a leading zero, such as ATX09, not ATX9.



By default the flight designator is set to Passenger, which is designated as PAX in the menu bar. Simply click on the designator to toggle between PAX and CGO (i.e, cargo). The flight designator cannot be changed once airborne.



The system tray is usually a fine place for applications that do not require lots of interaction and work either automatically or with shortcuts - such is the case with ATAVS. Minimizing ATAVS 6 will automatically send it to the task bar. To resotre ATAVS, simply click on the icon in the task bar to restore it. Note that with this version of ATAVS however, there is no longer any need to stop and restart after each flight. It keeps a running log of your flights, and at the end of the day you can log each of them in turn.



Now you're ready to go fly. Have fun!

ATAVS Update and Beta Development

In the members only area there is an updated equipment file to support air-taxi service, and expand cargo operations with additional aircraft. Download this update, and extract the CSV file to the folder where ATAVS is installed.

On a related note, beta testing for ATAVS 6 is going along nicely. This will be a "light" version when compared to ATAVS 5, because it won't include cabin announcements or checklists. However it will make up for it with continuous operation mode (no need to shutdown and restart after each flight), and will include a viewable logbook with an hour totalizer.

ATAVS Updates

An updated equipment file to support air-taxi service, and expand cargo operations with additional aircraft has been released. Download this update, and extract its contents (one text file) to the folder/directory where you installed ATAVS.

ATAVS Update 5.1.0.59

A new update was released today. This is for version 5.1 - release 59. Members should download and install the latest update before their next flight. This update is available in the Members Only area. Updates should be unzipped into the same directory/folder where ATAVS was installed (usually C:\ATAVS).

ATAVS Update

A new patch, with updated configuration and aircraft files is now available in the Members Only area. This patch fixes the 6000-foot issue, and incorporates an improved passenger scoring algorithim (90-100% scores are now possible!)

ATAVS 5 Released

A new major version of ATAVS has just been released. ATAVS 5 features a completely new interface, with more inutuitive options and controls, and remastered sounds. This version also supports the new position reporting system, and make flight reporting even easier. Members should download and install ATAVS 5 before their next flight. (note: flight reports made with the old versions of ATAVS will not be accepted by AeroTexas after January 25th).

Happy New Year 2007

AeroTexas begins the year with a new set of national flights, and will soon release the latest revision of ATAVS; a major version release re-written from the ground-up. Stay tuned.