GoFlight MCPPro Installation Instructions
From PMDG Ops
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GoFlight MCPPro Installation Instructions
Installation of the GoFlight MCPPro to work with your PMDG Products is relatively simple for most users to accomplish on their own.
What you need before you start
First, you will need the following items:
- Your GoFlight MCPPro, and its USB cable.
- The GoFlight MCPPro serial number checker: MCPProChk.zip.
- Your PMDG-GoFlight MCPPro Interface License
- Your PMDG-GoFlight MCPPro Interface Installer
- Either PMDG 747-400/400F or the PMDG 737-800/900.
Where do I get these items?
Obviously, the GF MCPPro and USB cable should have come in the box from GoFlight! Download the MCP Pro Check program here. Unzip the contents of the downloaded file into a folder and run MCPProChk.exe.
The unit serial number is displayed on the bottom right corner of the MCPProChk window. If you're not seeing this number anywhere, make sure you have updated firmware on the unit.
To purchase your PMDG-GoFlight MCPPro Interface License, you'll need to provide the serial number in the designated box at the time of the purchase. This is very IMPORTANT, or you will not be able to purchase the Interface.
Once you have completed your interface purchase, you will receive instructions on how to generate your license key. It will be named PMDG_GFMCPPro.key and will be also emailed to you by PMDG.
You should have downloaded the PMDG-GoFlight MCPPro interface installer from PMDG after your License purchase. The download link was contained in the confirmation that was sent to you at the time of purchase.
Installing your GoFlight MCPPro
Once you have all of these items, you are ready to proceed with installation and setup.
Follow these steps in this order:
- 1) Install your PMDG 737-800/900 and/or PMDG 747-400/400F product.
- 2) Plug the supplied USB cable into your machine, then into the base of your GoFlight MCPPro. Your windowsXP machine will identify that you have new hardware connected. At this point, you may be prompted by windows to install drivers for the new device. Allow windows to conduct the search and it will identify the correct drivers and continue with their installation. (Note: On some machines, Windows may do this TWICE... Just let Windows search for the drivers automatically and when it is finished, you will know!)
- 3) Next, save the attached PMDG_GFMCPPro.key file that was provided to you by PMDG into the folder /FS9/PMDG. This is the key that will authorize your GoFlight MCPPro to communicate with PMDG's airliner simulation software.
- 4) Now run the installer you downloaded from PMDG at the time you purchased your license key. The file name is PMDG_GoFlight_Interface.exe.
- 5) Next, run FS9! Select the PMDG 747-400/400F or 737-800/900 and enter the simulator.
- 6) Pull down the PMDG menu located along the top of your FS menu bar- and select the "GF MCP Pro..." item from the PMDG Menu. IMPORTANT!!! Make sure that you are NOT running in Full Screen mode for this, or the following dialog box will popup and disappear behind the Flight Simulator full screen. Instead, you should be running FS9 in Window Mode - to switch back and forth, hit Alt-Enter.
Once you're in Windows Mode and select the "GF MCP Pro..." menu item, you will then see a menu below that should look like this:
- 7) Check the box called "Reconnect at startup".
- 8) Press CONNECT!
Your GoFlight MCP Pro should come alive, displaying the same data as you'd see on the MCP within the simulator. Your GoFlight MCP Pro is now fully functional and will control the MCP within the simulation!
Once you're satisfied that everything works as advertised, uncheck the "Enable Debug Window" checkbox if you had selected it previously and hit the "Close" button to return to your Flight Simulator screen. You have now completed the installation process!
GoFlight EFIS Module Issues
Please be aware that as of this time, the PMDG GoFlight MCPPro software interface also allows connectivity with the GoFlight EFIS Module(s) with no additional interface requirements, however there remains one severe compatibility issue that is most likely due to the EFIS hardware module firmware:
When the EFIS Module ND Mode knob is NOT in the APP position, the DH/MDA and IN/HPA knob push button functionality seem to be "stuck", causing every other switch on the hardware unit to report as "pushed", i.e. stuck in the "In" position. To 'refresh' the button values, the user needs to turn the ND Mode knob to the APP position.
This is, in our opinion, a SEVERE problem that prevents PMDG from claiming full 100% compatibility with the GoFlight EFIS module and is due to faulty firmware in the hardware unit itself.
GoFlight (Doyle Nickless) has found the problem and will be updating the firmware for those customers who have faulty units, on demand.
Feel free to email GoFlight support for updated information on this topic - we'll provide further links to possible firmware updates as they become available.
