FS2Crew NGX Voice Control Tutorial

FS2Crew PMDG 737 NGX Voice Control Tutorial V1.0 www.fs2crew.com

FS2Crew PMDG 737 NGX “Voice Control” Tutorial Flight

www.fs2crew.com

The following is a very basic guide designed to help new FS2Crew NGX users make a simple flight from A

to B using Voice Control.

The tutorial does not cover every possible procedural nuance or variation modeled in the simulation;

rather, it is designed just to get new users up and running as quickly as possible.

Don’t forget: You still need to read the Main Ops Manual carefully to fill in the blanks this tutorial does

not cover!

TO USE THIS TUTORIAL, YOU MUST PRINT OUT THE CAPTAIN AND FIRST OFFICER’S “FLOWS” FROM

THE MAIN OPS MANUAL, AS WELL AS THE VOICE COMMANDS AND VOICE CHECKLIST!

The tutorial assumes you already know how to operate the PMDG 737 NGX and make a successful flight

using the FMC and autopilot.

If you’re still learning how to fly the NGX itself, please consult one of the many NGX aircraft tutorials and

manuals available on the internet.

For Support, please visit the FS2Crew Support forum at Avsim.com.

http://www.fs2crew.com/


LET’S BEGIN!

1. Re-install SP1c (or later). Note that SP1b is NOT sufficient. You must have SP1c for FS2Crew

will not work properly!

Links for SP1c:

Download the PMDG 737NGX 8900 SP1c Update

Download the PMDG 737NGX 6700 Expansion SP1c Update

IMPORTANT: SP1c may not be the latest Service Pack available when you’re

reading this manual. Always check the PMDG forum for the latest version!

2. Make sure you’re setup for Voice Control. This is explained in detail in the Main Ops

Manual. If using Vista or Win 7, it’s critically important that your speech recognizer be set to

ENGLISH – US (even if you’re from the UK or Australia!)

https://s3.amazonaws.com/PMDG_Downloads/file_library/servupd/PMDG_737_8900_NGX_3219_SP1c.ZIP

https://s3.amazonaws.com/PMDG_Downloads/file_library/servupd/PMDG_737_6700_NGX_3219_SP1c.ZIP


3. Never forget to do the Voice Training! If you get poor voice recognition results, it’s usually

the result of using a damaged headset/mic or not running the voice training. FS2Crew

strongly recommends using a “USB” style headset. A good generic one can be purchased for

around $20 USD.

4. If you’re running Skype or anything that might use a Microphone running in the background,

and you’re experiencing volume changes in FS2Crew, be sure to make this setting via the

Windows Control panel. Select “DO NOTHING” and click ‘apply’.

5. Remember that the Window’s built into speech recognizer must ALWAYS be OFF! Never

turn it on or your FS2Crew Voice Commands will start controlling Windows functions!


6. Open the FS2Crew Config Manager. A link to it should be on your desktop. You can also

look in: Start – All Programs – FS2Crew2012.

7. Make sure you run the FS2Crew Config Manager as an Admin (‘right click’ on the desktop

icon and select ‘Run as Admin’. Also disable User Account Control (UAC) if it’s running to

avoid problems. Google “Disable UAC” if you don’t know how. Not running as an Admin

with UAC on can result in the Config Manager being unable to update the PMDG 737 NGX’s

Panel.Cfg file.

8. Select the Voice Control Version.

9. Click “Enable Voice Control”.

10. Load FSX.


11. Make sure your PMDG 737 aircraft is not the default aircraft that gets loaded. PMDG

recommends against that as it can cause problems. If the NGX (or any 3rd party aircraft) is

the default aircraft that gets loaded, change your FSX default flight settings so only the

‘Trike’ is the initial aircraft displayed in the Free Flight menu.

12. In your FSX Settings menu, ensure your FSX aircraft load by default into the 2D cockpit only

by making the selection shown below:


13. Now it’s time to load the NGX.

14. Create a flight. You can use any airport you like. Start at a Gate Location.

15. To keep things simple, don’t use any ATC programs or complex weather.

16. After the NGX starts to load, you will be asked if you want to “Trust” the new FS2Crew gauge

that was added to the NGX’s Panel.Cfg file. If you were not asked to trust the gauge, then there

is a problem. It means either you didn’t enable FS2Crew on the FS2Crew Config Manager, or the

NGX was the default aircraft loaded by FSX. The other possibility is that not running the

FS2Crew Config Manager as an Admin with UAC off blocked FS2Crew from being able to update

your NGX’s Panel.Cfg files.

17. Hopefully, the NGX has now loaded and you’re sitting in the 2D cockpit of the NGX.

18. If you like, you can now switch to the VC cockpit. However, it’s important that the NGX load into

the 2D cockpit when you first load the NGX.

19. Note: when you move into the VC cockpit with the FS2Crew Main Panel already open, you may

notice that the FS2Crew sound volume drops a bit. You can counter that volume drop by re-

opening the FS2Crew Main Panel from within the VC itself.

20. Wait for the timer countdown to reach 0.

21. Open the PMDG’s FMC and disable the V1, VR and V2 callouts. Also be sure to sync the Captain

and FO’s altimeters.



22. Next, load the PMDG “NGX CLD DRK” (Cold and Dark) Panel State via the PMDG’s FMC “PMDG

SETUP” menu.


23. Note: We recommend always using the PMDG default panel state files (like CLDDRK, LONG,

SHORT or DEFAULT), not your own.

24. You should now be sitting in a Cold and Dark cockpit and you should be in the 2D cockpit.

25. Open the FS2Crew Main Panel by ‘left clicking’ this area:

It may also look like this depending on your NGX’s Equipment settings:


26. The FS2Crew Main Panel should now open. If it doesn’t, it means FS2Crew was not successfully

added to your NGX’s Panel.Cfg file or your default saved flight on startup used the NGX and not

the Trike.

27. The Main Panel is very simple to understand; for a full description of the various buttons please

consult the FS2Crew Main Ops manual.

28. When the Main Panel is opened, FS2Crew voice recognition system will initialize. If the VOICE

button does not stay on, it means the voice recognition system failed to load. Usually this is

because the user does not have ENGLISH – US set as the Speech Recognizer’s language.

29. Now, we need to open the Config Panel.

30. Press the CFG button on the Main Panel shown above. This panel should now open:

31. Press “RUN PF”. It stands for “Run Pre-Flight Events”. You don’t need to do it for every flight,

but for this tutorial you should just so you can see how it works.


32. The FO will then start powering up the aircraft. If you’re parked at a gate, the FSX default

jetway should connect assuming it’s available. Note the text in the left window in the Main

Panel:

The Orange Text and <-- --> indicates that the FO is performing a flow action.

33. Note the T+30 number on the Main Panel. That shows the time remaining until pushback. You

can click on it to fast forward the time down, but only when the FO is not currently doing a flow.

34. For a full list of required crew actions that are to be performed by you and the FO, please see

the “FLOWS” section in the FS2Crew Main Ops manual.

35. In short, as the Captain, all you need to do is set the IRS selectors to NAV and setup the FMC.

The FO will do the rest.

36. At T + 18 minutes before pushback, a ground crew staff member will enter the cockpit and ask

you if you’re ready to start boarding.

SPEAK: “YES”

37. A short time later, the FO will start his main pre-flight setup routine. He’ll perform all his

functions listed in the FLOWS section in the manual. It’ll take him a bit of time to go through

everything, so be patient.

38. When he’s done, he’ll say he’s ready for the checklist and you’ll note there will be a little

asterisks (*) symbol placed at the end of the PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST text in the Main Window,

signifying that the FO is ready for the checklist.

39. Now, it’s time to run the Pre-Flight Checklist.

SPEAK: “PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST”

You then need to respond using the responses listed in the VOICE CHECKLIST section of the

Main Ops Manual. If you get stuck, you can say “SET” or “NEXT”.


40. After running the Pre-Flight Checklist, you can brief the FO for departure. You can either speak:

“ARE YOU READY FOR THE DEPARTURE BRIEF?” and then close the brief by saying “ANY

QUESTIONS”. Or, you can press the BR button to open the Brief Panel and then press the

button that says PLAY BRIEF.


41. At +8 minutes, the ground staff will hand you a loadsheet. FS2Crew does not model a physical

loadsheet. If you want to use one, we suggest using a program like TOPCAT.

SPEAK: “THANKS”

42. At +1 minutes to pushback, the FA will enter the cockpit and tell you that they’re ready in the

back.

SPEAK: “THANKS”

43. In the left window in the Main Panel, you should see the text: “B. START PROC”. This stands for

“Before Start Procedure”.

44. With the time remaining at 0 or 1, speak: “BEFORE START PROCEDURE” to ask the FO to perform

his Before Start procedure flow.

45. Again, check the FLOWS section in the FS2Crew manual for a full list of required crew member

actions, but all you basically need to do is set the STAB TRIM for Takeoff and arm the

autothrottle and setup the MCP. The FO will take care of the rest.

46. When done, it’s time to run the Before Start Checklist.

SPEAK: “BEFORE START CHECKLIST”

47. Again, consult the FS2Crew Voice Checklist manual to see how you can respond to the various

items in the checklist.

48. When you’ve completed the Before Start Checklist, the mode will change to: “S.CREW/ENG

START”:

49. Before we can talk to the ground crew, we need to setup the Audio Control Panel or the ground

crew won’t be able to hear us.


50. The easiest way is to simply press in FLT on the Captain’s Audio Control Panel. The other option

using the Service Interphone is described in the Main Ops Manual.

51. Now, contact the start crew.

SPEAK: “COCKPIT TO GROUND”

AND AFTER THE GROUND CREW REPLIES BACK…

SPEAK: “WE ARE READY FOR PUSHBACK AND ENGINE START”

AND AFTER THE GROUND CREW REPLIES BACK…

SPEAK: “BRAKES RELEASED”

52. Now, it’s time to start the engines:

SPEAK: “START SEQUENCE IS TWO THEN ONE”

SPEAK: “START ENGINE TWO”

You will need to manually move the fuel lever to idle at around 25 percent N1 or max

motoring.

After the engine has stabilized repeat the procedure for the remaining engine…

SPEAK: “START ENGINE ONE”

53. Note: If the FO says we’re not configured for engine start, something is wrong. Usually the

problem is not having SP1c installed or not having FSX load by default into the 2D cockpit. You

can also try re-installing FS2Crew.


54. After both engines have stabilized, the FO will automatically perform the first part of his Before

Taxi flow, the details of which are described in the Flows section in the FS2Crew manual.

55. Next, wait for the pushback procedure to end. When told to set the parking brake, set the

parking brake and speak “BRAKES SET”.

56. When ready to disconnect the Start Crew, speak: “YOU ARE CLEARED TO DISCONNECT AND GO

TO HAND SIGNALS”.

57. You should now be in this mode:

58. SPEAK: “FLAPS 5” to ask the FO to set the Takeoff Flaps. This is also the trigger for the FO to

finish the last section of his Before Taxi Flow.

59. After the FO completes the 2nd part of his Before Taxi flow, it’s time to run the BEFORE TAXI

CHECKLIST.

SPEAK: “BEFORE TAXI CHECKLIST”

60. Complete the Before Taxi Checklist, and you’re now ready to taxi.

SPEAK: “CLEAR ON THE LEFT”

61. Start taxiing toward the runway. You can turn on the taxi light if desired.

62. A short while later, the FA will phone the cockpit to tell you that the cabin is ready for takeoff.

(The FO answers this call).

63. After that has happened, call for and run through the BEFORE TAKEOFF CHECKLIST.

SPEAK: “BEFORE TAKEOFF CHECKLIST”

64. You should now be coming up on the hold short line.

65. When you enter the runway, you need to run the RUNWAY ENTRY PROCEDURE.

SPEAK: “RUNWAY ENTRY PROCEDURE”

66. The FO will then perform his runway entry flow as described in the manual.


67. After the FO says “Ready to Go”, speak: “TAKEOFF”.

68. Advance the throttles to 40% N1, then press TOGA.

69. The FO will call V1 and ROTATE.

70. When the FO calls “POSITIVE RATE”, speak: “GEAR UP”.

71. Now it’s just a matter of using the available Voice Commands to ask the FO to set the autopilot

panel and clean up the aircraft as desired as per whichever takeoff profile you follow. Some

typical commands might be:

SELECT HEADING SELECT

SELECT LNAV

SELECT VNAV

SELECT LEVEL CHANGE

FLAPS UP SPEED

SELECT COMMAND A

FLAP ONE

FLAPS UP

SET SPEED TWO TWO ZERO

SET ALTITUDE EIGHT THOUSAND

CLIMB THRUST

72. After the flaps are up, call for the AFTER TAKEOFF CHECKLIST.

SPEAK: “AFTER TAKEOFF CHECKLIST”

73. Note: Make sure the flaps are fully up before you call for the AFTER TAKEOFF CHECKLIST.

74. Passing the Transition Altitude (TA), press STD on the EFIS Panel to change your altimeter to

Standard pressure.

75. At this point, there generally isn’t much to do until you are near the Top of Descent. The plane

flies itself on autopilot. You just need to monitor the systems.


76. Around 50 to 100nm back of the Top of Descent, you need to brief the FO for the arrival. You

can speak: “ARE YOU READY FOR THE APPROACH BRIEF?” And then close the brief by asking:

“ANY QUESTIONS?” Or you can open the BRIEF Panel, and run the Approach Brief by pressing

PLAY BRIEF. Either way, you should still always open the Brief Panel because you need to use it

to set the Decision Height for the FO’s “Minimums” call.


77. A few seconds after the Brief is done, the FO will run his pre-descent flow.

78. When the FO has finished his pre-descent flow, call for and run the DESCENT CHECKLIST.

SPEAK: “DESCENT CHECKLIST”

79. Important: Make sure you set the Transition Level (TL) in the FMC’s DESCENT FORCAST PAGE.

FS2Crew uses that info to make the Transition Level call. Also setup your radios (like the ILS

frequency) for the approach.

80. Passing the TOD start the descent.

81. Passing the Transition Level, the FO will call “TRANSITION LEVEL”. Press STD and set local

pressure in your altimeter and announce the altimeter setting on your PDF.

SPEAK (FOR EXAMPLE): “ALTIMETERS TWO EIGHT NINE TWO”

82. Passing 10,000 feet or the TL, whichever is lower, call for the APPROACH CHECKLIST.

SPEAK: “APPROACH CHECKLIST”

83. The FO will read-back his altimeter setting. You need to read back yours.


SPEAK (FOR EXAMPLE): “ALTIMETERS TWO EIGHT NINE TWO”

84. Navigate your own way down to the ILS approach course.

85. When you complete the Approach Checklist, the mode should automatically change to

LANDING:

86. While in the LANDING MODE, you can make the following voice commands in accordance with a

typical ILS landing profile.

FLAPS ONE

FLAPS FIVE

FLAPS FIFTEEN

GEAR DOWN

LANDING CHECKLIST

FLAPS 30

CLEARED (*spoken when cleared to land)

LANDING (*spoken when the FO says “Minimums”)

87. Land the aircraft. The Mode will change to ROLL OUT.

88. SPEAK: “MANUAL BRAKING” when you apply manual braking.

89. After you exit the runway, speak “OKAY TO CLEAN UP” or retract the speed brake. The FO will

then clean up the aircraft (retract the flaps, etc.). He will also turn on the APU.

90. Note that there is no After Landing Checklist. The FO reads it silently.

91. Taxi to the gate.

92. The FO will tell you when the APU is on-line. Wait for that call.

93. When the FO has finished his After Landing Flow, you will be in the PRE-SHUTDOWN MODE:


94. When parked at the gate, set the Parking Brake. That is the FO’s trigger to start his pre-

shutdown flow.

95. The FO will tell you when he’s ready for shutdown.

96. After the FO says that he’s ready for shutdown, manually set both fuel levers on the throttle

pedestal to cutoff. (That’s your job, not the FOs!)

97. Selecting both fuel levers to cutoff is the trigger for the FO to run his main shutdown flow.

98. A few moments later, you will hear a chime and the FA will phone the cockpit to tell you that the

slides have been disarmed. When you hear the chime, speak: “YES”.

99. Next, open the PA Panel, and press the “O-DOORS” button to tell the FA’s they can now open

the doors. Or, you can make a voice PA and speak: “CABIN CREW DOORS MAY BE OPENED”.

100. The ground crew will also contact you to let you know that the chocks are in. This will

be associated with the 2nd chime you hear. SPEAK: “GO AHEAD” to reply.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you have FLT (or the SVC Interphone) buttons setup on the Captain’s

Audio Control Panel otherwise the ground engineer won’t be able to hear you when you

respond!

101. When the FO’s flow is complete, run the SHUTDOWN CHECKLIST.

102. Finally, we’ll assume this is the last flight of the day and we’re not handing the aircraft over

to the engineers, so ask the FO to run his Securing Aircraft Procedure.


SPEAK: “SECURE THE AIRCRAFT PLEASE”

That is the FO’s trigger to run his securing aircraft flow.

Note that you will need to manually shut off the APU and turn off the position lights.

103. When done, run the SECURING AIRCRAFT CHECKLIST.

SPEAK: “SECURING AIRCRAFT CHECKLIST”

104. If you want to make another flight, there is no need to reload the aircraft. Simply press RUN

PF events again and start from the beginning!

TUTORIAL END

Documents

FS2Crew NGX Voice Control Tutorial