Fsbuild-2 Flight Planner

Folks, I'm stuck and confused.

I've been trying to discern the relationships of gauges by going over the aircraft template files provided for Template Installer, reading the documentation, and various forum postings.

Maybe there is just too much information. Whatever the reason, I'm going to be "lazy" and just ask...

My preferred aircraft at present is the 737-800. I have successfully added the Smith FMS and MCU as popup windows, and though I am still learning the use of the FMS, they are working as they should as far as I can tell.

However, reading the many postings here, and from other sources, I understand that many users replace some of the default gauges with ISG gauges, and some keep original gauges but add certain ISG gauges as popups.

So many of the gauges seem to overlap considerably in functionality, and I cannot clearly see what the reasoning is behind choosing one gauge over another.

This is further complicated by the fact that one's screen quickly becomes very "busy" and default items I want to access get covered over, so even the simple decision of placement becomes a problem.

For starters, has anyone got a suggested format for a pattern.cfg for the B738, or at least some suggestions about choosing and placing gauges for this aircraft?

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The glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

It has taken me a while to be able to supply a screen shot as requested. I had to do an uninstall of everything because I tried upgrading FSX with SP2 without doing uninstalls, and I got bad results

Anyway, I finally got everything working again, and here is what my screen looks like while enroute (according to my preferences )

I have found that once I have my flight plan setup, I don't use the FMS anymore. As you can see, my screen is rather busy. I fly on the VATSIM network, and you can see I have several screens open pertaining to that scenario.

Is the gauge showing engine data the EICAS? In any case, that area between the ND gauge and the "open" buttons is where I have the EHSI control opening (though I have to open it through the menu at present; for some reason the button is not working).

I keep the GPS_500 open for better situational awareness. Also, because I don't understand how to use the FMS or MCU correctly to setup my approach vectors, I use the GPS to select my runway with a vectors to final choice, then manually fly to an appropriate point from which I can let the autopilot take over on GPS mode to get lined up, then switch to NAV mode within about 15nm, and prepare for my final.

Most of my difficulties at this point stem from my ignorance of properly using these gauges. I'm learning, but my approach still seems rather "clunky".

So there it is. This is my current setup. Suggestions on improving it are most welcome.

P.S. Ernie, I'll post separately with some questions about the EFIS CNTRL not working. I assume you'll want to see my panel.cfg?

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The glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

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The glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

HEY, WAIT A MINUTE!!!!


Ernie, is that an Approach Plate I see on a little clipboard? And I'm guessing that is the real deal, yes? The actual approach you are flying.

Wait, don't tell me... That is an actual, live web page view, right?

Ok, give, how do you do it?

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The glass is twice as big as it needs to be.