Released Versions of PlaneCommand
This release is a bugfix release; there are no new features. I'm trying to increase the reliability and stability of PlaneCommand before adding additional features.
Features
- Add command for transponder IDENT (Thanks to Terry for the idea)
- Add command to select which radio to transmit on (COM1/COM2) (Thanks to Terry for the idea)
- Require confirmation when starting or stopping engine
- Require confirmation when changing the mixture setting
- Improve framerate when some UI windows are on screen
Bug fixes
- Fixed bug that caused the first command heard to be incorrectly interpreted on Windows
- Fixed a problem where PlaneCommand would incorrectly determine that some aircraft don't have speedbrakes or spoilers
- Fixed pronunciation of ADF frequencies (Thanks Brett)
Known issues
- A linux version will be coming in a future release. The Linux version included in this release is unlikely to work on your system.
- On Windows, PlaneCommand won't reconnect to the microphone if it is disconnected during a session.
Released on 1 August 2020.
This release is a bugfix release; there are no new features. I'm trying to increase the reliability and stability of PlaneCommand before adding additional features.
Features
- Improved "listen for keyword" mode by allowing more time (1s) between the 'copilot' keyword and the command itself
- Custom commands can now use more words: AC, DC, and inverter (thanks Patrick)
- Improved "listen for keyword" mode by preventing speech feedback from being picked up as a command
Bug fixes
- Fixed bug that relocated the headset offscreen when leaving VR (thanks Bill)
- Fixed bug preventing changing voices on Mac (thanks Fort)
- Fixed a bug in "listen for keyword" mode that caused any words said *before* the keyword to be included as part of the command. This often means the incorrect command was executed
Known issues
- A linux version will be coming in a future release. The Linux version included in this version is unlikely to work on your system.
- On Windows, PlaneCommand won't reconnect to the microphone if it is disconnected during a session.
Released on 23 May 2020.
This release is a bugfix release; there are no new features. I'm trying to increase the reliability and stability of PlaneCommand before adding additional features.
Features
- Confirmation is requested when a requested command may be dangerous, e.g. raising landing gear on the ground or shutting off the fuel pump in flight
- Mac version now uses code signing / notarization
- When tuning to an invalid frequency is requested, a sensible feedback message is now heard
- Feedback window (headset and speech bubbles) are now less obtrusive in VR.
Bug fixes
- Fixed a crash when no microphone is present
- Fixed a bug causing many commands to be accidentally interpreted as a command to switch fuel tanks, or to switch fuel tanks off
- Fixed pronunciation of numbers in some situations
- Improved recognition of some VHF frequencies
- Improved pronunciation of climb rate for autopilot vertical speed modes
- Fixed pronunciation of altitudes
- Fixed incorrectly interpreted flaps commands
- Fixed pronunciation of 'EFIS' on some platforms
- Miscellaneous bug fixes
Known issues
- A linux version will be coming in a future release. The Linux version included in this version is unlikely to work on your system.
- On Windows, PlaneCommand won't reconnect to the microphone if it is disconnected during a session.
Released on 26 April 2020.
Features
- Add X-Plane 10 support
- All windows can now be seen in VR
- Speech recognition now uses less CPU time
- Fixed crash when turning autothrottle on (Windows only)
- Fixed crash/hang when adding a new custom command
- Miscellaneous bug fixes
Bug fixes
- PlaneCommand lists a limited number of voices in Windows 10
- A linux version will be coming in a future release
Released on 27 January 2020.
Features
- As you speak, recognized speech is displayed in real time
- PlaneCommand can be triggered to listen with a keyword instead of pressing a button
- Make your own commands (preview of future feature)
- New XP11-themed UI
- Tune active or standby radios- specify in the command
- Tweaks to increase voice recognition accuracy slightly
- Updated profiles for dozens of aftermarket aircraft
- New command: "Set transponder VFR"
- New command: "Set QNH 1013"
- New command: Set flaps by percentage: e.g. "set flaps thirty three percent"
- New command: Set flaps by fraction: e.g. "set flaps two thirds"
- New command: Set cabin altitude: e.g. "set cabin altitude five hundred"
- New command: Expand what you say to set the transponder. e.g. "set the transponder thirteen-seventeen" (1317)
Known issues
- PlaneCommand doesn't work on X-Plane 10
- PlaneCommand lists a limited number of voices in Windows 10
- A linux version will be coming in a future release
- In the audio troubleshooting dialog, the "Play last recording" button doesn't work
Released on 30 August 2019.
Features
- Increased speech recognition accuracy
- Updated support for many aircraft, especially the Zibo 737
- Support all commands on the Laminar Cessna 172
- Control the views and simulator (e.g, pause)
- Add commands to control throttle (e.g. "set full throttle", "set throttle to idle", "set half throttle"
- Add commands to control mixture (e.g. "Set mixture full rich", "set mixture 50%")
- Add commands to set decision height (e.g. "Set decision height two thousand five hundred")
- Add commands to control magnetos ("Set magnetos to left", "turn off the right magneto")
- Add commands to control the fuel switch ("select the left fuel tank", "select both fuel tanks")
- Add commands to pause / unpause
- Add commands to switch view modes (chase plane view, spot view, circle view, tower view, many more)
- Add commands to look in different directions (look forwards, look back, and many more)
- Improve phraseology with feedback from real world pilots
Released on 24 November 2018.
This version was rushed out to fix a few different bugs that Windows users were experiencing. It contains a few new features, but is mainly a bugfix release.
Features
- Add support for AFM's Mooney M20R Ovation
- New commands: sync heading / altitude / vertical speed / airspeed current values to autopilot settings with "sync heading", etc.
- New commands: turn on or off master switch, avionics master, battery, battery 1, battery 2, generator, yaw damper, prop sync with "turn on master switch" / "turn on battery 2" etc.
- Updated command: navigation lights can also be called "nav lights": e.g., "turn on the nav lights"
- Updated command: vertical speed commands are more flexible, understanding a wider range of things people say, e.g. "vertical speed plus one thousand four hundred" or "vertical speed down seven hundred"
Bug fixes
- Various fixes for the Zibo 737
- Fix bug causing Error code 126 on Windows
Released on 5 January 2018.
This is the first publicly released version of PlaneCommand 3. During previous versions (3.0.0, 3.0.1) I forgot to include a bunch of critical files (all the profiles!). This beta fixes that, as well as some other bugs found in the process.
Features
- Flaps system readbacks improved- readbacks will be different for different aircraft.
- Add support for altimeter settings in hPa- e.g. "set altimeter 1-0-1-3"
- Add separate parking brake support, separate from normal brakes
- Add support for FlyJSim 727
- More work improving Zibo/LR 737
Bug fixes
- Read back of courses is improved
- Numerous miscellaneous bug fixes
Released on 6 January 2017.
This version is a huge step forward from the v3.0.0, mainly in quality. Most of the crashing bugs should be fixed.
Features
- Voice recognition is now done in a separate thread; there should be basically no dropped frames or performance impact due to PlaneCommand
- Improved ability to customize PlaneCommand for other aircraft
- Improved support for Laminar 737, Zibo 737, FJS Q400
- Fixed several crashes in Windows version
- Add a list of commands inside X-Plane. Go to Plugins>PlaneCommand>Commands
- Set flaps by degree, e.g. "Set flaps fifteen degrees"
- Many readbacks have greatly improved pronunciation
- Fixed many issues with setting altitude / speed / heading / course
Released on 18 October 2017.
This release was only sent to beta testers, who identified a number of critical bugs. I recommend using v3.0.3 or later.
Features
- You can adjust the voice- pick a different voice, change the speed, and change the volume
- More aircraft are well supported.
- Additional aircraft profiles can be added by making your own JSON file for the aircraft. Check out the Resources/plugins/planecommand/data/profiles folder for some examples. How to make a new profile
- Lots of new commands. Control more of the aircraft systems (like thrust reversers), and more autopilot modes (like VVI hold). (A page listing commands will be added later)
- Better radio tuning. Stuff like the new 8.33khz resolution tuning for COM1 and COM2. You can say "guard" instead of 121.50 MHz, etc.
- Copilot will protect you from some dangerous situations. For example, thrust reversers can only be deployed while on the ground. Engines can't be shut off midair. Landing gear can't be raised on the ground. Flaps can't be extended past the max extension speed.
- The recognized command and response are printed on screen.
- More clear debugging / troubleshooting functionality. E.g., the headset icon changes if no mic is plugged in.
Known issues
- Bug: altitude selection is broken in many aircraft
- Bug: When flying some Carenado aircraft, setting the nav course / heading causes a crash.
Released on 6 July 2017.
