FE.ini File

Flight Explorer now supports the use of a .ini file that advanced users and system administrators can create to use for custom applications.

What is an "ini" file?

An "ini" file is a simple text file often used to specify settings for programs. These settings are often loaded when a program first starts up or "initializes", hence the term "ini" and file extension of .ini . A sample .ini file comes with the installation of Flight Explorer and is located in C:\Program Files\Flight Explorer\your software version.

ClosedCreate an FE.ini File

  1. Open a new text file using Notepad (in all versions of Microsoft Windows).
  2. Type in the entries and settings as specified for each of the features.
  3. Save the text file with the following name: FE.ini
  4. Place the FE.ini file in the same directory where Flight Explorer runs (i.e. c:\Program Files\Flight Explorer\Professional\FE.ini)
  5. Re-start Flight Explorer for changes to take effect

ClosedFE.ini File

;----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

; FE.ini - Flight Explorer settings file

;

; Examples are shown below for common Flight Explorer ini file settings.

; For complete details on all available settings please see the FE Help system.

; (Lines beginning with a semi-colon are considered comments; remove to enable a setting.)

;----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[General]

; Used for general settings (see Help system for full list of available settings)

;SatelliteLegend=off (Only turns off satellite color chart in map legend)

;ClearIDPW=1 (Default is false - the ID will be remembered and "Remember password" check boxis available.)

;FEPassword=(password here)

;FEUsername=(username here)

;MasterViewPassword=off

;IndividualViewPassword=off

;MasterViewPasswordPublic=off

;IndividualViewPasswordPublic=off

;PlaneSaveImageFormat=1 (1=JPG,3=PNG, defaultvalue=1)

;PlaneSaveImageGrayscale=false (True=convert to grayscale, false=no grayscale conversion/fault)

;PlaneSaveImageWindow=0 (0=active window/default, 1-4=specific window in multimap)

;---------Map Image Transfer-----------------------------

;PlaneSaveImageXY=907,559 (X and Y image capture size in pixels)

;PlaneSaveImageHTTP=URL.com (URL.com = the webserver where image will be sent)

;PlaneSaveImageSequence=true (Allows multiple images of the same flight. Appends the 8 character FEWP time to the file name)

;UserDefinedField1=My Field1 Name (Allows up to 15 characters. Uses an existing field, sector/desk id)

;UserDefinedField2=My Field2 Name (Allows up to 15 characters. Uses an existing field, sector/desk id)

;Debug=1

;Debug=2

;Debug=3(a small crash dump file usually <100KB with the suffix "3" prior to .dmp extension)

;Debug=4(a large crash dump file usually >10MB with the suffix "4" prior to .dmp tension)

[AIRLINE]

;AIRLINE1=AAL,AA,Airline name,Airline location,type,888-555-1212,Web URL,Spoken name

;AIRLINE2=

;AIRLINE3=

;...up to 5

;Type should be set to the letter A.

 

[Airplane]

; Used to define an Airplane context menu item and associated URL

; Format: MENUITEM#=MenuLabel,FullURL,width,height

; where # = integer 1 through 10, width/height = size of browser window

;MENUITEM1=Test context link 1...,http://www.flightexplorer.com,800,600

;MENUITEM2=Test context link 2...,http://www.cnn.com,1024,768

;MENUITEM3=Test context link 1...,http://www.flightexplorer.com,800,600

;MENUITEM4=Test context link 2...,http://www.cnn.com,1024,768

;MENUITEM5=Test context link 1...,http://www.flightexplorer.com,800,600

;MENUITEM6=Test context link 2...,http://www.cnn.com,1024,768

;MENUITEM7=Test context link 1...,http://www.flightexplorer.com,800,600

;MENUITEM8=Test context link 2...,http://www.cnn.com,1024,768

;MENUITEM9=Test context link 1...,http://www.flightexplorer.com,800,600

;MENUITEM10=Test context link 2...,http://www.cnn.com,1024,768

[Airport]

; Used to define an Airport context menu item and associated URL

; Format: MENUITEM#=MenuLabel,FullURL,width,height

; where # = integer 1 through 10, width/height = size of browser window

;MENUITEM1=Test context link 1...,http://www.flightexplorer.com,800,600

;MENUITEM2=Test context link 2...,http://www.cnn.com,1024,768

;MENUITEM3=Test context link 1...,http://www.flightexplorer.com,800,600

;MENUITEM4=Test context link 2...,http://www.cnn.com,1024,768

;MENUITEM5=Test context link 1...,http://www.flightexplorer.com,800,600

;MENUITEM6=Test context link 2...,http://www.cnn.com,1024,768

;MENUITEM7=Test context link 1...,http://www.flightexplorer.com,800,600

;MENUITEM8=Test context link 2...,http://www.cnn.com,1024,768

;MENUITEM9=Test context link 1...,http://www.flightexplorer.com,800,600

;MENUITEM10=Test context link 2...,http://www.cnn.com,1024,768

[DrawingObjects]

;FileName=(file name of Drawing Object export file)(defaults to DrawObjExport.xml)

 

[DTInt]

; Used to set certain communication parameters for the Desktop Interface

;Transport=SOCKET

;3PAppIPAddress=127.0.0.1

;3PAppIPPort=24245

;DTIntSoapServerIPAddress=(local IP address to bind to)

;DTIntSoapServerPort= (port number to listen for connection requests)

;DTIntSendMsgTimeout= (value is a number in milliseconds. Default is 5000 or 5 seconds{5x1000})(Can cause a "Wait-Time" when the number is very large)

;UserTimeOut=1 (1 = on - use timeout 0 = off - disable timeout)

[Events]

; Used to define custom events in conjunction with 3rd party data providers

; Format: EventCode=TableText,EventListText,SpokenText

;   %s in Event List Text indicates where Aircraft ID should be inserted by FE

;99990=New custom event,%s new event,New Event

 

[IP]

;FEServer3=#.#.#.# (IP address)

;FEServer1IP=

;FEServer2IP=

;FEServer3IP=(will also accept "FEServer3=" for backward compatibility)

;FEServer1Port=

;FEServer2Port=

;FEServer3Port=

;OPPServer1IP=

;OPPServer2IP=

;[weather vendor purchased separately]ServerIP=(IP address of Pilot Brief receiver for [weather vendor purchased separately] onsite weather retrieval)

 

[MyFleet]

;FileName=(file name of My Fleet update file)(defaults to MyFleet.txt)

[MyNotes]

;ReadOnly=true (defaults to false; read and write allowed)

 

[Paths]

;FilterGroups=(path to Filter group files) (defaults to .\Groups)

;Products=(path to weather product files) (defaults to .\Products)

;MyFleet=(path to MyFleet update file) (defaults to .\Groups)

;Maps=(path to background and NavTeq map files) (defaults to .\Maps)

;Shape=(path to Shape files) (defaults to .\Shape)

;Logs=(path to Event log files) (defaults to .\Logs)

;Routes=(path to company routes file) (defaults to .\Groups)

;Notes=(path to My Notes files) (defaults to .\Notes)

;SysSet=(path to System Settings file) (defaults to .)

;UDView=(path to User Defined View file) (defaults to .)

;DrawObj=(path to Drawing Objects file) (defaults to .)

;MapImages=(path to save map images to)(defaults to .)

;RecordPlayback=(path to save/load record/playback files to/from)(defaults to .)

;StaticDatabaseUpdate=(path where FE will look for festatic.upd static database update file)(defaults to none in which case FE uses the built-in, automate)

;DrawObjExport=(path that FE will export Drawing Objects to)(defaults to .)

;UDViewPublic=(path to share User Defined View file)(defaults to NOT active)

 ;Debug=(path to debug.txt file)(defaults to .)

;CrashDump=(path to CrashDump files)(defaults to .\CrashDump)

;Monset=(path to Monitor System Setting for Airport and Fleet Monitor)

 

[UDToolbar]

; Used to define a User Defined Toolbar button and associated URL

; Format: BUTTON#=TextLabel,FullURL

; where # = integer 1 through 10

BUTTON1=FE Web Site,http://www.flightexplorer.com

BUTTON2=CNN,http://www.cnn.com

BUTTON3=FE Web Site,http://www.flightexplorer.com

BUTTON4=CNN,http://www.cnn.com

BUTTON5=FE Web Site,http://www.flightexplorer.com

BUTTON6=CNN,http://www.cnn.com

BUTTON7=FE Web Site,http://www.flightexplorer.com

BUTTON8=CNN,http://www.cnn.com

BUTTON9=FE Web Site,http://www.flightexplorer.com

BUTTON10=CNN,http://www.cnn.com

 

[ZoomAreas]

;Format: AREA1=Label,TopLat,LeftLon,LatHeight,LonWidth

;AREA2=

:through

;AREA5

;Example: Area1=Europe,75.00,-25.00,40.00,74.00

Settings

External Link Integration

Create your hyperlinks within Flight Explorer for customized queries and applications.

3rd Party Customized Events

Integrate custom events into Flight Explorer (3PDI data customers only).

General

Used to define settings for items that are not in a specific category. For example, the Master Password can be disabled to avoid accidentally setting a password. In other words, by setting the Master Password to OFF, the "Set/Change/Remove Master UDView Password button, in Options -> User Defined View, is disabled (dimmed) and cannot be pressed. Enter the text shown in the example into the .ini file. This only disables the buttons, it does not disable any passwords that have already been set. ClosedSample

MasterViewPassword=off
IndividualViewPassword=off

Airline

ClosedClick to see Format and an Example

Format

AIRLINE#=CallLetterLabel3char,CallLetterLabel2char,AirlineNameLabel,LocationLabel,Type,PhoneLabel,FullURL,SpokenText

#

An integer from 1-5 .

CallLetterLabel3char

The 3 character identification.

CallLetterLabel2char

The 2 character identification.

AirlineNameLabel

Name of the Airline

LocationLabel

The city or local airport

Type

 

PhoneLabel

Airline contact phone number.

FullURL

Opens this URL when button is pressed.

SpokenText

The entire airline name as it should be heard.

Example:

AIRLINE1=AAL,AA,American Airlines,Fort Worth,A,888-555-1212,http://www.aa.com,American Airlines

AIRLINE2=

AIRLINE3=

...up to 5

Airplane

Used to define parameters for an Airplane context menu item and an associated URL.

ClosedClick to see Format and an Example

Format

MENUITEM#=MenuLabel,FullURL,width,height

#

An integer from 1-10 (up to 10 items can be added to both the plane and airport menus).

FullURL

Opens this URL when button is pressed.

Width/Height

Size of the browser window.

Example:

MENUITEM1=Test context link 1...,http://www.flightexplorer.com,800,600

MENUITEM2=Test context link 2...,http://www.cnn.com,1024,768

Airport

Used to define parameters for an Airport context menu item and an associated URL.

ClosedClick to see Format and an Example

Format:

MENUITEM#=MenuLabel,FullURL,width,height

#

An integer from 1-10 (up to 10 items can be added to both the plane and airport menus).

FullURL

Opens this URL when button is pressed.

Width/Height

Size of the browser window.

Example:

MENUITEM1=Test context link 1...,http://www.flightexplorer.com,800,600

MENUITEM2=Test context link 2...,http://www.cnn.com,1024,768

DTInt

Used to define certain communication parameters for the Desktop Interface.

ClosedClick to see Definitions and an Example

Transport

How the file is to be carried.

3PAppIPAddress

The IP address to connect with.

3PAppIPPort

The port number to listen for connection requests.

DTIntSoapServerIPAddress

The local IP address to connect with.

DTIntSoapServerPort

The port number to listen for connection requests.

Example:

Transport=SOCKET

3PAppIPAddress=127.0.0.1

3PAppIPPort=24245

Events

Used to define custom events in conjunction with third party data providers.

ClosedClick to see Format and an Example

Format:

EventCode=TableText,EventListText,SpokenText

Event Code

Indicates an existing or new event.

TableText

Name or acronym of the event.

EventListText

%s indicates where the Aircraft ID should be inserted by FE

SpokenText

The event name as it should be heard.

Example:

99990=New custom event,%s new event,New Event

IP

Used to define the FE IP servers and ports and OPP servers.

ClosedClick to see Format and an Example

Format:

FEServer#IP=#.#.#.#

FEServer#Port=#####

OPPServer#IP=#.#.#.#

[weather vendor purchased separately] ServerIP=(IP address of Pilot Brief receiver for [weather vendor purchased separately] onsite weather retrieval) (Adding enables full [weather vendor purchased separately] onsite weather, removing disables weather, and placing in the ini file and in Logon Options causes ini file IP to be ignored).

FEServer # IP

# is an integer from 1-3 (up to 3 IP addresses can be set). FEServer# without the "IP" portion, is also accepted, for backward compatibility.

#.#.#.#

The numerical IP address.

FEServer # Port

# is an integer from 1-3 (up to 3 ports can be set).

#####

The five digit integer of the IP server.

OPPServer # IP

# is an integer from 1 to 2 (up to 2 IP addresses can be set).

Example:

FEServer1IP=

FEServer2IP=

FEServer3IP=255.255.255.255 or FEServer3=255.255.255.255

FEServer1Port=

FEServer2Port=

FEServer3Port=26385

OPPServer1IP=

OPPServer2IP=

Priority:

  1. The GUI setting is used when present, disregarding the .ini and internal settings.

  2. The .ini file setting is used when it is present and the GUI setting is not, disregarding the internal setting.

  3. Internal default settings are used when the GUI or ini settings are not present.

Note  OPP settings only apply to Priorities 1 and 2 because there are no internal settings.

Map Image Transfer

Used to define parameters of captured images such as, image size, sending an image via E-mail and HTTP, and creating a new file name for identical images without overwriting.

ClosedClick to see Format and an Example

Format:

PlaneSaveImageXY=###,###

PlaneSaveImageHTTP=http://URL.com

PlaneSaveImageSequence=true

PlaneSaveImageXY

Used to define the size of the captured image (X, Y coordinates). When not set, the image uses the map window size.

###,###

Integers representing pixels of the X and Y coordinates (height,width).

PlaneSaveImageHTTP

Used to define the web server when the "Save HTTP" button is pressed.

http://URL.com

The full url of the web server where the captured image will be sent.

PlaneSaveImageSequence

Used to allow multiple copies of the same image without overwriting the original.

True/Blank

When set to True, the image file name is appended with a unique 8 character sequence number that uses the current time in the FEWP time format. When left Blank, one image is saved and can be overwritten if the button is pressed more than once.

Example:

PlaneSaveImageXY=800,600

PlaneSaveImageHTTP=http://FlightExplorer.com

PlaneSaveImageSequence=true

My Notes

Used to define Read Only or Read/Write settings.

ClosedClick to see Format

Format:

ReadOnly=true (defaults to false; read and write allowed)

Paths

Used to define path settings.

ClosedClick to see Paths

  • FilterGroups=(path to Filter group files) (defaults to .\Groups)
  • FilterGroups=f:\FE\FilterGroups (Changes where FE looks for the file from Groups to FilterGroups)
  • Products=(path to weather product files) (defaults to .\Products)
  • MyFleet=(path to MyFleet update file) (defaults to .\Groups)
  • Maps=(path to background and NavTeq map files) (defaults to .\Maps)
  • Shape=(path to Shape files) (defaults to .\Shape)
  • Logs=(path to Event log files) (defaults to .\Logs)
  • Routes=(path to company routes file) (defaults to .\Groups)
  • Notes=(path to My Notes files) (defaults to .\Notes)
  • MyNotes=(path to My Notes files) (defaults to .\Notes)
  • SysSet=(path to System Settings file) (defaults to .)
  • UDView=(path to User Defined View file) (defaults to .)
  • DrawObj=(path to Drawing Objects file) (defaults to .)
  • MapImages=(path to save map images to)(defaults to .)
  • RecordPlayback=(path to save/load record/playback files to/from)(defaults to .)
  • StaticDatabaseUpdate=(path where FE will look for festatic.upd static database update file)(defaults to none in which case FE uses the built-in, automate) StaticDatabaseUpdate=f:\SharedData\FE (replace “f:\SharedData\FE” with your path to the festatic.upd file)
  • RouteAnalyzerWorksheets=(path that FE will use to store Route Analyzer worksheets) (defaults to .)
  • UDViewPublic=(path to public User Defined View file) (defaults to NOT active)
  • RouteImport=(path to User Defiend View file) (defaults to "Routes" path setting)
  • RouteExport=(path to User Defiend View file) (defaults to "Routes" path setting)
  • Workspace=(path to workspace file)(defaults to system path)
  • Debug=(path to debug.txt file)(defaults to .)
  • CrashDump=(path to CrashDump files)(defaults to .\CrashDump>

User Defined Toolbars

Used to define parameters for the buttons on the User Defined Toolbar and associated URL.

ClosedClick to see Format and an Example

Format:

BUTTON#=TextLabel,FullURL

#

An integer from 1-10 (up to 10 buttons can be added to the toolbar).

TextLabel

Toolbar button text.

FullURL

URL to go to when button is pressed.

Example

BUTTON1=FE Web Site,http://www.flightexplorer.com

BUTTON2=CNN,http://www.cnn.com

Zoom Areas

Used to define parameters to center or zoom to an area on the map display.

ClosedClick to see Format and an Example

Format

AREA#=Label,Top Latitude, Left Longitude, Bottom Latitude, Right Longitude

AREA#=

through

AREA#=

#

An integer from 1-5 (up to 5 regions can be defined on the map display.

Label

Text that appears on the map to identify an area.

TopLatitude

Defines the top horizontal border.

LeftLongitudue

Defines the left vertical border.

BottomLatitude

Defines the bottom horizontal border.

RightLongitude

Defines the right vertical border.

Example

Europe can be defined as:

AREA1=Europe,75,-25,40,74

Note  The options detailed here are set to ON (passwords enabled) by default if these entries are not found in the .ini file.