WctrlDcsBiosBridge

This console application bridges DCS World with some of the WinCtrl hardware, enabling real-time data exchange between the simulator and the physical device.

Data Flow: DCS <-> DCS-BIOS <-> This App <-> WinCtrl CDUs (and FCU)

Quick Start

1. Install DCS-BIOS (see detailed instructions below)
2. Download and extract this application to your preferred folder
3. Connect your WinCtrl CDU ( before starting bridge )
4. Run the application
5. Launch DCS and load your aircraft — the bridge detects it automatically and starts

Requirements

• DCS World
• DCS-BIOS v0.11.4 or later (2026-06-20 Nightlybuild or later as it updates the ch47 cdu pages)
• .NET 8.0 runtime

At least one of these devices.

• Winctrl CDU hardware (MCDU / PFP3N / PFP7 / PFP4)
• Winctrl FCU and EFIS ( tested with Left Efis )
• Winctrl PAP3 (or PAP3Mag )
• Winctrl AGP32 Metal

Supported Aircraft

Each aircraft has its own page describing the supported devices, CDU display, LEDs, brightness, and any front-panel output. Click an aircraft for details.

A-10C | AH-64D | F/A-18C | CH-47F | OH-58D | F-14B | F-15E | F-16C | M-2000C | UH-1H

Contributions: Smreki F15E , Mustang038 M200C, F16C Poussedebamboo, F18 Iefi pages Martin Javorek

Front panels (FCU/EFIS, PAP3, AGP32) render whatever the active aircraft publishes. The A-10C drives the full set (flight data, gear LEDs, and the chrono/UTC/ET clock on the AGP32). The F-14B drives the AGP32 gear lights and clock. The OH-58D drives the AGP32 UTC clock. See each aircraft's page for specifics.

Installation

DCS-BIOS Setup

1. Download the latest DCS-BIOS release (min v0.11.0 , 0.11.4 recommended as it updates the ch47 cdu pages):

   • Standard: https://github.com/DCS-Skunkworks/dcs-bios/releases

2. Extract the DCS-BIOS folder to your DCS saved games Scripts directory:

   %USERPROFILE%\Saved Games\DCS\Scripts\DCS-BIOS\
   

3. Configure Export.lua in your Scripts folder:

   dofile(lfs.writedir() .. [[Scripts\DCS-BIOS\BIOS.lua]])

   ⚠️ Important: If you already have an Export.lua file, add the line above instead of overwriting it.

Application Setup

1. Extract the application files to your chosen directory
2. Run WctrlDcsBiosBridge.exe if no config.json is found, it will create a default one and show you a dialog box to edit it.
3. Select the File locations at DCS-BIOS JSON folder. It should be located inside the Scripts/DCS-BIOS/doc/json folder.
   • Example (as default in your Saved Games): Saved Games/DCS/Scripts/DCS-BIOS/doc/json

⚠️ Important: When updating the application, do not overwrite your existing config.json file.

Usage

Automatic Aircraft Detection

You no longer pick the aircraft yourself. While the bridge is running, the CDU shows a "Waiting for DCS... / Aircraft detection" screen and watches DCS-BIOS for the loaded module:

• When a supported aircraft is loaded, the bridge starts automatically.
• An unsupported module is shown in red as "Not supported", and the bridge keeps waiting.
• When you switch or exit the aircraft, the bridge resets and returns to the waiting screen on its own — no restart needed.

The only manual choice left is the seat for the CH-47F when two or more CDUs are connected (see below).

Controls

• CDU Keys: Map them in DCS.
• Seat selection (CH-47F with 2+ CDUs): when prompted, press the line-select key next to PILOT or COPILOT. See the CH-47F documentation.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

"PLT_CDU_LINE1" does not exist (CH-47 Chinook)

• Wrong dcsbios version installed.
• You need version 0.11.0 or later

"Connection failed" or CDU not responding

• Ensure your Winctrl CDU is properly connected
• Try unplugging and reconnecting the device
• Restart the application ( application does not detect devices plugged after start )
• Check that no other applications are using the CDU

"No data appearing on CDU"

• Start your aircraft in DCS (data appears after aircraft systems are powered)
• Check that DCS-BIOS is working (look for network traffic) - you can use Bort tools from DCSSkunkworks to verify DCS-BIOS is sending data
• Verify Export.lua is configured correctly

Aircraft not detected / stuck on "Waiting for DCS..."

• Make sure an aircraft is loaded in the cockpit and DCS-BIOS is exporting (check Export.lua)
• Unsupported aircraft are shown in red as "Not supported" — the bridge keeps waiting for a supported one
• You do not need to restart when switching aircraft; the bridge detects the change automatically

Start bridge is greyed

• You probably launched the app before plugging your devices.
• Exit application, plug all the cdus you plan to use and launch the app again

Brightness Issues

• Mismatched brightness: Use the aircraft's brightness controls first, then adjust MCDU
• A10C: Check the specific documentation
• CH-47F: Check the specific documentation
• In case of flickering with SimAppPro running, check the

Logs

All application activity is logged to log.txt in the same folder as the executable. Check this file for detailed error information.

Report issues here, or reach out on Discord .

Known Limitations

• Cursor behavior: May appear erratic during waypoint entry (reflects DCS-BIOS data)
• CH-47F support: Requires DCS-BIOS 0.11.0 or later
• Brightness sync: May not perfectly match aircraft state

Development

This project is written in C# and targets .NET 8.0. It uses:

• DCS-BIOS for DCS communication
• ww-devices-dotnet for Winctrl hardware interface
• NLog for logging

Contributing

see docs/CONTRIBUTING.md for contribution guidelines. link

License

See LICENSE.txt and thirdparty-licences.txt for licensing information.

Support

For issues and questions, please check the logs first and review the troubleshooting section above.

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