MJC-8 Q400

PRO EDITION
Version 1.0

Shared Cockpit User Guide

Copyright © Majestic Software 2012,2013

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Contents

1. General ........................................................................................................ 3
2. Configuration ............................................................................................... 5
2.1. FLYING MODE page ......................................................................... 5
2.2. FLYING MODE WITH OBSERVER page .......................................... 6
2.2. OBSERVER MODE page .................................................................. 7
3. Usage .......................................................................................................... 8
4. Online ATC and Multiplayer operation ....................................................... 10

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1. General
The Shared Cockpit capability built into the MJC8 Q400 product PRO editions
and higher allows for a highly realistic online flying experience with an ability to
utilize the real world multiple crew coordination procedures.

A provision exists for a 3rd system to participate in a shared cockpit flight in an

observer mode. A user on such system is able to observe the cockpit operation
as would the real life observer on an aircraft.

To get the most out of the shared cockpit function, it is important to understand
how it works.

Connectivity.

Two or three FSX systems each running the MJC8 Q400 edition PRO or higher
can be connected via a Local (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN). The
connection is done via 2 configurable UDP ports – which default to 9010 and
9020. It is your responsibility to ensure the ports are reachable and the data on
these ports is being routed correctly. It is generally not a problem when using
the LAN or a WAN with direct connection of a computer to the internet. However
in those cases when a router is used, it has to be configured to forward the data
received on the specified UDP ports to the PC where the FSX is running.
Please refer to the router documentation on how to configure the port
forwarding (or a Virtual Server).

Cockpit, Flight and Engine controls.

From the shared cockpit point of view, there are 3 groups of the cockpit
controls, where each group is handled differently.

1. Normal cockpit controls

All controls and switches except for the Engine and Flight controls are
normal controls. Whenever a switch, knob or a handle turned in the
cockpit, the change will be transmitted to the other side. In addition the
system will be exchanging the positions of the controls periodically to
compensate for any lost signals or cockpit configuration inconsistencies.
Not all control statuses however can be exchanged this way, therefore it
is important that both Q400s are found in the same cockpit configuration
before the shared cockpit connection is initiated. The best way to ensure
the sync is to save an FSX situation, and transmit the files to the other
participants where it can be loaded by the FSX.

2. Flight Controls
The Shared Cockpit is built around the concept of Pilot Flying and Pilot
Non Flying. For this reason, only one side is allowed to operate the flight

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 controls at one time. Exception from this rule are the brakes, which can
be operated concurrently from both sides. Technically the FSX side
where the flight controls are operating will also become a master for the
flight dynamics and the position updates.

3. Engine controls
Shared cockpit only allows one side to operate the Power Levers. This
functionality copies that of the real world, known by the cockpit call “My
controls” or “My controls, your power”, making it possible to operate the
flight controls and the power from the opposite sides. Note, that the
condition levers and flaps can be operated concurrently from both sides.

Weather synchronization

To ensure the consistent indication the most critical weather parameters are
taken from the currently flying master computer and applied to the both sides.
These parameters are: The atmospheric pressure, outside temperature,
Ambient wind, icing and precipitation levels, turbulence.

Animations synchronization

All of the cockpit, and the aircraft exit animations are synchronized between
both sides. Caution however must be exercised while trying to open more than
1 exit in a sequence. It is recommended to wait for 6-7 seconds after opening or
closing 2 exits in a sequence.

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2. Configuration
Shared cockpit can be configured using the Shared Cockpit page of the MJC8
Q400 Control panel application, or manually by editing the mjc84.ini file.

2.1. FLYING MODE page

Figure 2.1.1. SC Flying Mode Page of the Control Panel application

The Flying Mode page of the Shared Cockpit tab is used to configure the
system of a pilot flying and pilot non-flying when no observer takes part in the
flight.

The Remote IP address is an address of the computer on the other side. When
using the internet this address must be a valid WAN address. The WAN IP
address can be checked using your internet modem status page, or simply by
going to any IP address detection websites, such as:

http://whatismyipaddress.com/

The ports must be negotiated between both sides such that the SEND PORT of
one side becomes the RECEIVE PORT of the other side, and vice versa. It is
then important to ensure that the routing exists between both PCs to the

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specified ports - use your router Port Forwarding (also called “Virtual Server”)
function for the internet connections where a router is utilized.

The Connector # entry is disabled at this time and is reserved for the future use

The “Show the shared cockpit upon loading the aircraft” checkbox can be
selected to notify the Q400 that the shared panel must be made visible after the
Q400 is loaded.

2.2. FLYING MODE WITH OBSERVER page

Figure 2.1.2. SC Flying Mode Page with observer.

This second page of the Shared Cockpit tab is used by the flight crew to
configure their systems for a flight with observer. The only difference to the
FLYING MODE page here is a presence of an "OBSERVER IP ADDRESS" field
where an observer IP address must be entered by both pilots.

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2.2. OBSERVER MODE page

Figure 2.1.3. SC Observer Mode page.

The last page in used by an Observer to configure the port, used by the flight
crew. Because an Observer computer does not send any data to the Flight
Crew computers, no IP address entries are necessary. It is however important
to ensure that both RECEIVE ports are configured for Port Forwarding, as
described in the Connectivity session above.

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3. Usage
As soon as the network and the shared cockpit is configured as per the
paragraph 2, the Q400 can be selected on both computers and the Shared
Cockpit Control panel can be used to initiate the connection

Figure 3.1.1. Shared Cockpit Control panel, flight crew mode

Figure 3.1.2. Shared Cockpit Control panel, observer mode

This panel is used to operate the Shared Cockpit during the flight.

The QUALITY button and indicator is used to switch the shared cockpit ON and
OFF, and to verify the quality of the connection between the Flight Crew
computers. If the connection is allowed, but no signal is received, a single blue
line will be indicated on the bottom of the button. Otherwise the green lines will
be showing the connection quality with 5 lines indicating the least possible data
transfer delay (best quality).

On the observer system, the QUALITY indicator can only show OFF or OBS -
when connected, and no quality indication will be provided.

The FLIGHT and ENGINE button-indicators are used to select the master side
for flying the aircraft and/or operating the Power Levers. The MASTER will
indicate that your side operates the controls, SLAVE will indicate otherwise. To
quickly inverse both Flight and Engine controls the MASTER button can be
used.

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The default mode after enabling the connection using the “QUALITY” button is
the MASTER for the both Flight and Engine controls. However, when the other
side comes online, auto-negotiation will take place so that the operation modes
of your side are consistent with those of the other side. Such that if your side
was waiting for the connection in the MASTER mode, and the other side
became connected, yours will become SLAVE. And the other way around. After
a connection was established, the modes can be switched from either side,
resulting in the automatic change to opposite mode on the opposite side.

To make the transition of the flight controls easier, It is recommended that the
side which takes control also makes the change to the master status. As such
“Your controls” would mean that the other side will have to push “MASTER” to
take control of the aircraft when they are ready.

Please note that the Shared Cockpit Control panel will be shown on the screen
constantly, while the shared cockpit connection is active. When disconnected
however, switching the view of the FSX will hide the Control Panel. In such case
it can be brought back from the FSX top menu “Views”->”Instrument Panel”-
>”Shared cockpit control”.

Please also note that for the shared cockpit to operate properly the airfield
elevations for the airfields used must be consistent on all sides. The best way to
ensure such consistency is to utilize the same scenery.

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4. Online ATC and Multiplayer operation
It is possible to connect the shared cockpit functionality in the multiplayer
configuration. This however creates problem for a TCAS system, which is not
being able to distinguish the shared cockpit participants from the other targets.
To solve this problem, a special TCAS filter must be used, forcing the TCAS
logic to ignore up to 3 target callsigns, which must be the callsigns choosen by
the shared cockpit crew. This filter is accessible from the FMS DATA page ->
TCAS FILTER.

Figure 4.1. FMS TCAS FILTER page

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