EFB Import payload do not work

Mark

In v0.2.0 of the 146 Professional, the EFB uses the ZFW from the imported SimBrief OFP and then calculates the passengers and cargo weight distribution itself. With the upcoming v0.2.1 update, we have completely overhauled this logic so that the weights shown on the EFB will now all match what is shown in SimBrief. The current change log for v0.2.1 can be found here:

The fields will flash to indicate that the values have not yet been loaded onto the aircraft. When the fields are flashing, the values in each field can be edited by clicking the +/- buttons at either side of the field, or by clicking on the field and typing a value with the onscreen keyboard. To load the weights onto the aircraft, the boarding simulation function will need to be used. Further information on the boarding simulation can be found on pages 14 and 15 of the 146 Professional (MSFS) EFB Manual: https://downloads.justflight.com/products/JFF003642/146_Professional_MSFS_EFB_manual.pdf

Mark - Just Flight

mseder

OK, looking forward to the v0.2.1 update.

But, it seems like the aircraft's boarding functionality kind of clashes with GSX Pro which I use. Having 2 parallell boarding functionalities is ok, if they can be separated. It seems this is not the case currently and if I understand it correctly, 0.2.1 will block GSX as well. Introducing a functionality that prevents another popular 3:rd part from working I guess is not that good business strategy.

I just need a way to import simbrief data, and then be able to maybe edit the data and finally a button to load the aircraft with payload and fuel (separately). Currently I can 1 import 2 update the values and 3 set the boarding to instant, and then start manipulate e.g. the fuel to a lower number having the GSX fueling process work correctly. I think A32FBW has a pretty good solution. And also like PMDG, it keeps the own boarding functionality separated and free to use.

Mats

mseder

@mseder said in EFB Import payload do not work:

Currently I can 1 import 2 update the values and 3 set the boarding to instant, and then start manipulate e.g. the fuel to a lower number having the GSX fueling process work correctly.

I was mistaken myself in previous post. The blinking cargo values can't be changed either by cklicking and enter a value or using the plus/minus sign. Fuel and passengers can be edited.

I would say the whole "boarding" functionality is extremely problematic.

Mats

Mark

@mseder The "GSX Handling" option on the Aircraft page's configuration menu will control if the boarding simulation integrates with the GSX boarding logic. If you have GSX installed, enable the "GSX Handling" option and you will be able to control boarding through the GSX menu.

If you wish to use SimBrief and GSX with the 146, I would recommend the following method:

Generate a flight plan through SimBrief
Load into the 146
On the EFB open the OFP page and ensure the SimBrief flight plan is properly imported
Open the Aircraft page and when prompted, import the weights from the SimBrief flight plan. The weights will then be flashing and they can be edited either by clicking the left/right arrows, or by clicking on the fields and typing with the on-screen keyboard. Note, if you are editing the cargo fields, the inputted value needs to be four digits, so 450KG will need to be entered as "0450".
Ensure "GSX Handling" is enabled on the Aircraft page's configuration menu.
Open the GSX menu, and start boarding.

Mark - Just Flight

mseder

Hi @Mark , thanks for your efforts

Tested your method with GSX Option is enabled
1 Checked
2 Checked
3 Checked
4 Not working
Importing Simbrief weights OK, values starts flashing BUT and as soon as I try to update the cargo values the boarding popup shows and cargo input fields are changeable but only to lower values.

So e.g. a have flight that requires cargo=1000 kg. After importing the values cargo fields are flashing containg a value of 34. I would like to put 500 there in each of tghe fields, but it's not posible. I can though enter any value below 34.

Pax and fuel are changeable though. (And, I know exactly how to input data in the fields.)

So I'm stuck with the imported cargo values which are not according to the simbrief values (as you already told me). GSX will then load the incorrect cargo

Mats

mseder

And @Mark

I've now also tried the 0.2.1 version wich dpnät solve the bug.
The cargo is NOT taken from the simbrief FPL (pax and fuel are now) and just as before, not able to edit.
I would say all this boarding functionality is pretty buggy currently unless I've totally mistaken something

Mats

Mark

With 146 v0.2.1 we would recommend using our updated SimBrief profiles here: https://support.justflight.com/en/support/solutions/articles/17000140885-146-professional-msfs-simbrief-profiles

They will ensure all weights on the EFB will match up with the imported OFP from SimBrief.

Beyond that, we aren't able to replicate the issue you are reporting with not being able to manually increase cargo weights, and we haven't received any other reports of this with v0.2.0 or v0.2.1.

We did receive some reports of EFB issues last month after a Horizon Sim 787-9 update, but since then the developers have released an update to their aircraft to fix this. If you have the Horizon Sim 787-9, or any other 787 mods installed, we would recommend ensuring that they are all fully up to date just to ensure there's no conflicts there.

Mark - Just Flight

mseder

Thanks @Mark , did use the profile.

But in simbrief the profile generates cargo = zero !!??
And, ok, zero is imported in the EFB but the values can still only be max 80

Why does the profile sets cargo to zero?

I guess that profile only added a another problem, no realistic cargo!

I got a video for you that (GSX NOT enabled in the EFB options)
1 Starts with a new loaded flight
2 Loads the FPLAN in the FMS
3 Loads the EFB OPT
4 Enters the EFB: Aircraft
5 Imports simbrief data, trying to edit the cargo, failing, editing the fuel, works

How do you want me to upload it? (35 MB)

Mats

mseder

And I think I know why this is not working.
Your boarding logic has a dependency to the amount of payload and cargo that you enter in the MSFS Fuel & Payload dialog.
Try reduce the payload in that panel to zero and most probably you'll find out that also you will find it impossible to increase the cargo more than what is specified by that panel.
Solution: Make your EFB:boarding logic independent from the MSFS and this bug is fixed,

Mats

mseder

FYI I've also changed the Simbrief pofile from "Just FLight MSFS..." to "G-JUST Just fl.." and cargo is then generated.

mseder

GSX handling do not seem to work either. Importing simbrief usually populates the EFB with the correct amount of cargo and pax. When GSX starts boarding the pax (which was 66) the amount stops at 3 and turns to green. And you can't edit the pax number afterwords as, if you try, all fields start to flash and waits fpr GSX boarding again. Why aren't there a boarding instant choice?

Mark

Note our new SimBrief profiles use the registration "G-JUST" and they will ensure the correct weights are imported and shown on the EFB. Any other 146 profiles that exist on SimBrief will generate the correct values on the EFB unless they have been updated to be compatible with the v0.2.1 update.

Like many other developers, we do not support the MSFS weight and balance menu with our 146 Professional as we handle all of our fuel and payload loading/unloading through our own custom logic on the EFB/tablet. Adjusting the fuel and payload through the MSFS weight and balance menu can (and likely will) cause compatibility issues with our custom logic so we would advise against using it.

A "boarding speed" and a "refuel speed" option are provided on the EFB. These can both be set to "INSTANT" to allow for boarding and refuelling to be completed instantly. Pages 14-17 of the 146 Professional EFB manual covers the boarding and refuelling simulation and the different speeds: https://downloads.justflight.com/products/JFF003642/146_Professional_MSFS_EFB_manual.pdf

We still aren't able to reproduce the issues you are reporting with the boarding logic. Could you kindly create a support ticket at the following link with steps to reproduce the issue and our support team will be able to further investigate this and assist with troubleshooting: https://www.justflight.com/support

Mark - Just Flight

mseder

The SIMBrief profile works well.
Why bringing this up? For boarding speeds I always use INSTANT, this was never an issue in this case!
"We still aren't able to reproduce the issues you are reporting with the boarding logic. "
That is really strange, here is how it can be replicated , including the way the tablet is depending on the MSFS panel.

1 Before loading the flight, ensure that the Weight & Balance is down to zero
2 Load the flight
3 EFB GSX handling is enabled
4 EFB: Fetch OFP
5 EFB: Aircraft Import Fuel & Pa : OK Cargo: Note too small numbers
6 GSX: REFUEL & BOARDING
7 Pax are ticking as passengers arrive, fuel can be refueled ok, and cargo is ticking up as well, but only to the incorrect low value instead of the SImbrief generated.

Did you really tried this?

Mark

We are unable to reproduce this on our end and the boarding simulation is loading the aircraft to the same weights shown in the SimBrief OFP (both with and without 'GSX boarding' enabled on the EFB).

Does the same issue occur if you don't open the MSFS Weight & Balance menu at all?

Mark - Just Flight

mseder

I would say everything works after 0.2.1 plus SB profile except the intervention from the MSFS Fuel & Payload panel.

If I do nothing before a flight the MSFS payload seem by default to be really high.
The EFB boarding (using GSX option) works exactly as it should.

If I before loading the flight effects the MSFS fuel & payload and bring the payload to really low the EFB Cargo do not work.
A far too low number is then entered in the EFB.aicraft cargo after importing. This number EXACTLY corresponds to the weight of the pilot in the MSFS Fuel & Payload. The boarding logic however works and the cargo number is increasing and ends with the too low number.

So in conclusion, if I start the flight ensuring the MSFS payload is high enough, everything works

Mark

Thanks for confirming. We have logged one potential bug with the boarding logic if you adjust the payload in the MSFS weight and balance menu prior to flight and we will see if a fix can be implemented in the next update.

However, as we mentioned previously, we generally don't recommend using the MSFS weight and balance menu with our airliners as it conflicts with our custom fuel system, weight and balance, boarding logic, etc. and it has been known to cause issues in the past. We will see if there are any improvements that can be implemented for the next update though.

In terms of default weights, post the v0.2.0 update the 146 should load in at MZFW and with full wing tanks if starting a flight on the runway, and zero payload and 1000KG fuel in each wing tank when starting a flight at a gate.

Mark - Just Flight

mseder

Thanks for confirmation.
I can understand not recommending using MSFS weight and balance menu. But only, once the flight is loaded.
Once the flight is loaded the aircraft logic should be the master of the boarding logic, regardless of what happened before loading the flight. At least it seems more natural to me.

Looking forward to next update, thank you

Mats

mseder

FYI
V 2.2 still carries the EFB error

Mats

Mark

Yes, there were no changes to this logic in the v0.2.2 update to the 146. We have looked into this and the only potential fix we could think to implement would require a fairly significant recoding of a large chunk of the EFB code, so this would be outside of the scope of a minor bug-fixing update like v0.2.2.

If it's something we are able to improve in a future update to the 146, then we will include the fix in the changelog for that update.

In the meantime, we advise against using the MSFS Weight and Balance menu with our airliners to prevent these sorts of conflicts.

Mark - Just Flight