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Talking Flight Monitor First Run Setup

This guide walks you through the steps needed to install and run Talking Flight Monitor (TFM) for the first time.

System requirements and Prerequisites

Prior to launching Talking Flight monitor for the first time, please insure you have the following on your system

  • An installed, set up copy of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, (The same minimum system requirements as Microsoft Flight Simulator are also needed to run Talking Flight Monitor.)
  • FSUIPC7
  • Microsoft .net Framework SDK version 9 or later, the latest version can be found here
  • An installed and activated copy of the PMDG 777-300ER or 777F.
  • Your obtained license activation info purchased from the Talking Flight Monitor Store

Initial Launch and Connection

When you open Talking Flight Monitor for the first time, you will first have to enter your activation code obtained from talkingflightmonitor.com. This information will also be sent to you in an email after your purchase. After entering the code, press the enter key and the product should be activated. Please note that activation requires an internet connection. If activation was successful, you will encounter the connection status window. If Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) is running and FSUIPC is set up correctly, TFM should automatically connect to the simulator after successful activation. Once connected, you can access the TFM menu system to begin configuration.

Key Initial Steps

The following tasks are recommended for first-time setup:

  1. Build the Airport Database
  2. Configure Settings to Suit Your Preferences

Building the Airport Database

It is strongly suggested that you update TFM's AIRAC data via Navigraph Hub before building the database. Completing the below steps will allow TFM to provide information while on the ILS and on the ground at an airport. To update Talking Flight Monitor's AIRAC database:

  1. Launch Navigraph Hub.
  2. At the top of the page, there is a button that says "MSFS2020, installed outside of simulator." Select this button.
  3. As you down arrow, you will see a section referencing Talking Flight Monitor with an update button below. Select this button.

To build the airport database:

  1. Press Alt, followed by O to open the Tools menu. The first option should be the Airport Database.
  2. Press Enter to select it.
  3. Use the Tab key to navigate to the Build Database button and press Enter. Note: The database build can take 10-30 minutes or longer. Performance may improve if MSFS is not running during the build process.

Configuring Settings

While the airport database is building, you can explore and configure TFM settings, such as:

  • Geonames Username: If you’re using this service for the first time, create an account and input your username.
  • Flight Following Interval: Set how often flight following updates are read.
  • ILS Readings Interval: Configure the time between Instrument Landing System updates.
  • Screen reader voice or sapi (chooe the voice TFM uses)
  • Sapi speech rate
  • Enabling ILS readings
  • Enabling to output to a braille display if applicable for you

Completing the Setup

Once the database build is complete:

  1. Return to the TFM menu.
  2. Select an aircraft if you built the database with the simulator open and an aircraft loaded. If you didn’t complete the build with the simulator running and an aircraft loaded into the simulator, then load the simulator at this point, and ensure that FSUIPC interfaces with TFM correctly and it connects up to the simulator. Then, if that is correct, choose an aircraft.
  3. Start exploring the various functions of your chosen aircraft, like the FMC, MCP, PFD, etc. You’re now ready to use Talking Flight Monitor with its full functionality!
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