Installing PilotEdge on a Redbird Training Device

A guide to help install/integrate PilotEdge on Redbird Training Devices

Hardware Options and Installation

The equipment required to use PilotEdge on a Redbird Training Device varies slightly by the age and model of your Redbird system. In general, you will need the following:

• A way to communicate with the PilotEdge controllers (a headset of some kind)
• Something to function as a Push-to-Talk button

Based on the hardware configuration you have and how you would like to use PilotEdge, here are your options. 

Hardware Options for Redbird AATD Model Systems

1. The simplest option is to plug a USB headset into the Pilot Key USB port (to the left of the Pilot) for the pilot to communicate with PilotEdge. 
2. On our legacy audio configuration, there was a FlightCom built into the center console connected to two aviation headset jacks on each side of the cabin. To connect the FlightCom to the main simulator computer requires a proprietary Redbird AATD Intercom Connect converter to change the CAT5-"Headset" connection underneath the cabin to standard 13mm audio in/out.
3. With our current audio configuration, there should be two standard 13mm female audio ports on extension cables leading out of the simulator and heading towards the computer with the rest of the video/USB/network cables. Connecting a pair of 13mm audio cables to those and a USB Audio Adapter plugged into the simulator computer (or the included secondary sound card if present) should enable the internal Comm./Headset connection through to the computer.

Hardware Options for Redbird TD/TD2 Model Systems

1. The simplest option is to plug a USB headset into a USB port on the TD computer for the pilot to communicate with PilotEdge, and use one of the keys on the TD keyboard for the PTT function (recommended key: "~").
2. For our legacy TD configuration, you can connect an optional Redbird Intercom Connect converter box that has jacks for a standard aviation headset and an included yoke handle with a built-in PTT button.
3. On our latest TD configuration, the PTT button on the yoke handle is built-in and pre-wired, and there should be two extra 13mm audio jacks on the back of the computer to connect either a standard gaming headset or an aviation headset through the optional Aviation Headset Connect add-on.

Hardware Options for Redbird Jay & Jay Velocity Model Systems

1. The simplest option is to plug a USB headset into an open USB port on the back of the Jay for the pilot to communicate with PilotEdge, and use one of the keys on the keyboard for the PTT function (recommended key: "~").
2. For our legacy hardware configuration, you can connect an optional Aviation Headset Connect converter box that has jacks for a standard aviation headset, then use one of the keys on the keyboard for the PTT function (recommended key: "~").
3. On our latest Jays, the PTT button on the yoke handle is built-in and pre-wired, and you can connect either a standard USB gaming headset or use an aviation headset through the optional Aviation Headset Connect add-on.

Software Installation and Configuration

1. Ensure the following versions of SimConnect are installed, as the PilotEdge Client software requires some that Redbird does not install by default:
   
   - C:\Program Files (x86)\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v3\redist\Interface\ESPv1\SimConnect.msi
   
   - C:\Program Files (x86)\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v3\redist\Interface\FSX-RTM\retail\lib\SimConnect.msi
   
   - C:\Program Files (x86)\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v3\redist\Interface\FSX-SP1\retail\lib\SimConnect.msi
   
   - C:\Program Files (x86)\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v3\redist\Interface\FSX-SP2-XPACK\retail\lib\SimConnect.msi
2. Install/Configure the PilotEdge Client Software per the instructions on the PilotEdge website (use the instructions written for FSX / Prepar3D):
   1. Download and install the latest Prepar3D-Client software from PilotEdge.net according to the company's instructions.
   2. The client software should ask you to configure the settings on the first launch. Below are a few recommended settings to use on Redbird Training Devices:
      1. Set the PilotEdge Username and password (the same one used to log in to the PilotEdge website).
      2. Set appropriate input/output sound devices for your hardware configuration.
      3. Set your desired Push-to-Talk button.*
         * If your Redbird has a PTT button built into the yoke, it will not "map" correctly when pressed at this stage.
         While setting up PilotEdge, you will be asked to "map" the PTT function in the Client Settings, simply use a generic key on the keyboard (recommended key: "~"). Once the simulation is running after PilotEdge has been configured, the Redbird PTT will work correctly and the button will send a PilotEdge-specific signal.
      4. Enable the "Mode C on Takeoff" setting.
      5. Disable/uncheck the "Automatically launch web interface on startup" setting.
3. If installing on a system running Navigator, there is a simple plugin/applet for PilotEdge that creates a shortcut to open the Client console window at (sim-address):8081. 
   1. To create the shortcut, you first need to download the plugin folder 
   2. Then, you can install the plugin/applet into the following directory:
      <C:\Redbird\Navigator\Plugins\PilotEdge\{'app' folder and manifest.json file}>
4. If installing on a Redbird AATD, check for software updates through Sim Management in Navigator to ensure that your Yoke software is on the latest version that sends a PilotEdge specific signal.

Installation Suggestions provided by PilotEdge

1. If you would like for PilotEdge to automatically start each time the sim's computer is started, PilotEdge recommends placing a shortcut to the Pilot Edge client in the Startup group. This can be done by:
   1. Navigating to the PilotEdge Pilot Client executable, selecting COPY
   2. Then navigate to the startup group (Windows key + R, then type "shell:startup" and hit ENTER
   3. Then right-click in that folder and click "PASTE SHORTCUT".