Just a heads-up. :yahoo:

 

Dongjin Shin's brilliant, and free, FsRaas 1.1 has been upgraded to V2 with numerous additions. Can be downloaded here in the Avsim library.

 

I note Bryan York (FS2Crew) is also to release a commercial version of Honeywell's RAAS shortly but it would have to be spectacularly good to warrant purchase.

Thanks for the heads up

I note Bryan York (FS2Crew) is also to release a commercial version

 

So did Eric Marciano.

No need to train pilots in piloting skills and airmanship any more then!

vololiberista

No need to train pilots in piloting skills and airmanship any more then!

vololiberista

 

Spoken like a true VC10 man my friend! But it's not so simple...

 

Though it's true that there are a lot of electronic aids today that we couldn't even have dreamed of "back in the day" there are also new challenges to airmanship and piloting skills that would overwhelm even the best of the old stick and rudder pilots. One of the things that blows my mind when I fly these days is the sheer amount of traffic movements. Pilots today may have fewer manual tasks than in the older days, but they have in some ways a more stressful mental environment in which to operate. Technology like RAAS isn't just a matter of replacing skills with electronic gadgets. They make operating in an incredibly dense traffic environment possible and safe. As flying has become more and more safe, runway incursions have become a major element in continuing air accidents.

 

Cheers mate

Ian

Just gave this a quick go and it's very cool. Approaching Bristol in the iFly 737 it announced 'approaching Zero 9', then gave me a 'too high' which was a little worrying as I was on the GS but ignore that. Then on touchdown I got a '1000 remaining', a '600 remaining' and a '300 remaining'. After vacating you also get a FSUIPC window opening which gives you your vertical speed at touchdown (461ft/min) centreline deviation (13ft in my case) and distance remaining (1321 feet). All in all very cool, and free!

 

My only observation is that the landing report might be a bit of an interference if you're using FS Pax, Radar Contact, PFE etc as the only way I could get rid of it was to right click on the banner, which of course pauses the sim. Can you assign a key to close it? It might be a good revision if the developer includes the option to turn it off. I personally hate banners and pop ups in the VC as they are very distracting.

FS is not the most cooperating ai reporting tool when using an airport with simultaneous intersecting active taxiways and runways where taxi and cross traffic can be a problem.

 

I am not sure when ai turn on their transponders.

 

Is there anything that denotes or cautions ai movement as you approach crossings?

 

As an example at KLGA with perpendicular active runways, I always have to be careful on taking off on the perpendicular as one might be landing on it.

 

Yes, I do monitor tower but an aid will help. I do have TCAS up which helps somewhat.

Is there anything that denotes or cautions ai movement as you approach crossings?

 

Ronzie it does advise upon your approach to taxiways/runways but, in my experience, it does not report on taxiing ai.

 

Quoting from the read me:-

"The Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS) is an electronic detection system developed by Honeywell.

It provides flight crew members with information concerning the aircraft's position relative to an airport's runway

during taxi, takeoff, final approach, landing and rollout to improve situational awareness and reduce the likelihood of a runway incursion.

 

FsRaas V2.0 includes following RAAS functions :

Approaching Runway(On Ground), On Runway, Takeoff Flaps, Extended Hold On Runway,

Short Runway Takeoff, Distance Remaining(Rejected Takeoff), Taxiway Takeoff,

Approaching Runway(Landing), Short Runway Landing, Taxiway Landing,

Distance Remaining(Landing & Rollout), Runway End(<100 feet), Landing Flap

Too High, Too Fast, Unstable, Deep Landing, Distance Remaining(Long Landing)."

Spoken like a true VC10 man my friend! But it's not so simple...

 

Though it's true that there are a lot of electronic aids today that we couldn't even have dreamed of "back in the day" there are also new challenges to airmanship and piloting skills that would overwhelm even the best of the old stick and rudder pilots. One of the things that blows my mind when I fly these days is the sheer amount of traffic movements. Pilots today may have fewer manual tasks than in the older days, but they have in some ways a more stressful mental environment in which to operate. Technology like RAAS isn't just a matter of replacing skills with electronic gadgets. They make operating in an incredibly dense traffic environment possible and safe. As flying has become more and more safe, runway incursions have become a major element in continuing air accidents.

 

Cheers mate

Ian

 

 

What a good reply .

A good post.

That's all.

cheers

A.

runway incursions have become a major element in continuing air accidents.

 

And lets not forget that sometimes ATC/Ground fouls up too. RAAS is therefore a double edged saviour and I am surprised more airlines have not specified this (to my mind) important option.

There are other potential solutions but no matter which way you go it all comes down to cost. And the sad thing is that airlines these days are all run by money people for whom the bottom line is the only line.....

 

When you are at places like ORD it constantly amazes me that ground traffic flows the way it does. The stress on those controllers must be beyond belief

 

Cheers

Ian

Here's an example of why a "computerised" voice would be a distraction and a possible danger somewhat akin to a"backseat" driver!

I can certainly see its benefit at certain busy airports with complicated layouts and in low visibility. But it must never be allowed to replace airmanship.

vololiberista

 

I can see in poor ground visibility or single pilot operations where RAAS would be of extreme benefit. It goes along with the note on many airports that have ground control that specifies "hold short of runways for crossing clearance" or similar. Nothing is stated about intersecting taxiways so that alert is good as well to wake you up and look before crossing the street.

 

As far as glide slope guidance I think that might be a distraction because in certain cases a pilot might choose to come in high and steep and for a small aircraft coming in on a long runway even touch down late where the desired exit is close to a terminal at the far end of a runway. (ATC and traffic permitting.)

G'day Ron.

 

As far as glide slope guidance I think that might be a distraction because in certain cases a pilot might choose to come in high and steep and for a small aircraft coming in on a long runway even touch down late where the desired exit is close to a terminal at the far end of a runway. (ATC and traffic permitting.)

 

The RAAS should be distracting if you are setting up to land on a taxiway, wrong runway etc. in good or bad visibility. In the case of deliberately landing long RAAS would merely confirm your intentions whilst providing countdowns of runway length left. It is doubtful whether RAAS would be economical fitted to small aircraft.

 

BTW in case you missed it the demo can be watched here:-

 

Cheers

Helping the crew negotiate complicated and busy taxiways especially at night or in bad visibility is good. Or as an aid for single pilots. However, for a multi crew it can directly interfere with their interaction and monitoring. Relying on a computer to tell you, you are too high etc totally defeats the purpose of crew monitoring and training. The PNF or FE is the one to tell you, you are too high. It's his duty! If for example you "are" too high and the computer tells you thus but your PNF doesn't then he is failing in his responsibility and could theoretically face a reprimand!!

vololiberista