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Flight Sim Flight Keeper (FSFK) v3

Continued

This information can be monitored and your progress can be seen plotted on a world map in live watch mode. This is an excellent feature. The world map can display a vast amount of information, planned route, actual route flown and flight events. Airport information including aprons taxiways and parking can also be accessed.

The world map can also interface and display IVAO and VATSIM pilots and controllers, FIR and active zones, a truly impressive and powerful feature.

In the cockpit you can set up an ACARS device (Gauge) that displays a Moving Map, Logs, Status, Weather conditions and much more directly on your aircraft panel. The ACARS gauge looks like a FMC with LSK and RSK selection buttons. This nifty device also allows access to FSFS functions like Air TV, GPWS and flight status without leaving the cockpit. It takes a little bit of set up but is worth the effort.

Other in-flight features include the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS). These are sound events alerting you to possible situational problems. The warnings are also logged for flight reports and critiques.  The GPWS alerts in six modes:

1. Excessive Descent Rate - “Sink rate” “Pull up” Call-outs
2. Excessive Terrain Closure Rate - “Terrain, Terrain” Call-outs
3. Sink after Takeoff - “Don’t Sink” Call-out
4. Unsafe Terrain Clearance - “TOO Low terrain” Call-outs
5. Below Glideslope - Call-outs 6. Excessive Bank Angle / Altitude Call-Outs So expect some nagging!

This brings me neatly onto the sound additions, depending on what event is happening you will get real voices offering flight information and announcements such as: "This is the flight deck, we are cleared for taxi to the runway and should be in the air in a few minutes, sit back, relax and enjoy the flight." "Cabin crew prepare for takeoff." "Airspeed active, take off trust set." "Positive rate, gear up." And my two favourites, "Lets get some coffee up here." And "Okay if I go for a stretch and a leak?"

Whilst in flight you can use the screenshot manager to store images from your flight into a gallery, FSFK can be configured to take a snap at the press of a button. These shots are indexed with flight time information and can reviewed and saved if required.

For pilots keen to transmit live pictures (Screenshots) of their flight position to the internet can use the Air TV facility. Once the destination server has been specified FSFK can send web cam type images by ftp at pre-determined intervals. The shots can be overlaid with flight information and if selected a capture from a web cam, this image can be used as a picture in picture and makes for a fun addition. If no remote location is available you can direct the output to your local PC.

Air TV - Live images beamed to your forum or website 

There is also a messaging service although I did not use it. This, I imagine, works in a similar way to other well known messaging services. This requires you to register with the FSFK message service. Another handy feature if you know of other pilots in your VA that use FSFK.

Results
This is the raison d'être for FSFK. Depending on the setup, FSFK detects that your flight has finished determined by a particular event like parking brakes applied or taxi ligts off. An onscreen message is is displayed on FS to let you know it has disconnected successfully. You can then switch to FSFK for a critique of your flight. You can view all the black box events, flight events, block time fuel used etc. this is stored to your log book and updates the database. At this time you also have an option to send the flight details to your VA if you have this set up. Using the world map you can replay your flight's movements and notable events so this extends your enjoyment of your flight. If you were taking screenshots then you can go to your gallery and review / save them to your PC.

Take off flight info! just look at all that detail!

The landing, terrain, glideslope and approach profile

Conclusion
Ok, I sort of knew what to expect being a previous owner, I haven't used this program for about 6 months being an FSX convert.

Boy I have missed not having it! The extra functionality and seamless operation is a real credit to Thomas Molitor and Aerosoft.  It's great to have my log book back and independent critique.

This is a must have for the dedicated, some will call serious pilot who likes to get something back from the sim.

I like this program a lot and would recommend it to anyone, FSFK has always been one of my top 5 FS utilities, it's right up there with the best and gets a coveted Mutley's Hangar must have award, well done!

Before I go, if this review does not convince you then there is a "Try before you buy" option. This will give you a good feel for the program. There are a few limitations but enough functionality there for you to make your decision.

Happy flying!
Joe Lawford

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