Preparation for TopSky 2.6

[luke11brown]

Plugin Name

TopSky

Version

2.6

[luke11brown]

TopSky 2.6 Currently in beta, investigate new features and breaking changes.

New Features Worth Consideration

Maps_URL and Areas_URL
Ability to get TopSky to download latest Areas & Maps files from the repo, allowing mid AIRAC adjustments

Questions

• Should type mismatch automatically reject PDC?
• Adjust AUP/Remote area activation download interval?
• Ability to disable certain CPDLC message categories? requires investigation.
• FAST system?
• NFREQ menu added to PDC window
• Transfer of assume/transfer tag function now transfers also CPDLC connected tracks with single click. Whether the frequency change instruction is sent using CPDLC or needs to be done using RTF depends on the plugin's settings (availability of frequency change message, track altitude vs minimum CPDLC level, "CPDLC default" setting, ...)
• added tcta and tct_i area types, notct, tcta requires investigation
• Tactical Controller Tool? Requires Investigation
• Blind Spot function? Requires investigation

Information

• A7601 handled as special code (EASA SERA update)

[Liaely]

I think implementing the maps and areas URL would be a good idea, even if for nothing else other than ensuring that the data is up to date as people often don't update their packs. Mid-AIRAC updates generally are useful for secondary releases, and for areas implemented by AIP SUP, etc, which aren't as often nor major.

I think we should leave CPDLC message categories open, unless if the message is quite unrealistic (e.g. allowing service terminated monitor UNICOM messages, etc).

I can't find reference to the Tactical Controller Tool nor Blind Spot Function, but I'll take another look at the beta docs a bit later. Likewise to understand FAST better.

7601 is already set as non-assignable squawk in UKCP, so that shouldn't require anything for that.

[JYang365]

FAST can be described in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKifwVHN0sk

Regarding TCT, it is essentially the SEP tool, but will show automatically on the tag if a conflict in the future is detected. Something between STCA and MTCC. I believe that it shows the text 'TC' above the tag (in the Sweedish setup), and you can left click to invoke SEP tool, or right click to toggle TCT legs display (this shows the minimum separation that the two aircraft involved will have, and in how long I believe?)

Blind Spot function essentially 'looks around' the aircraft, and will search for flight levels which are clear - determined on AFL and CFL of other A/C shown below. The vertical range that the Blind Spot function will search for is also a customisable option, default at ± 5,000ft of the selected aircraft. (function shown below)

Could different approach clearance types, in the TopSkyAirspaces file also be something that is looked into? However a limitation of this would that it only shows in the Area sectors. Not the Approach sectors since they do not use the TopSky CFL menu tag item.