Tweaking aircraft

Is this something of interest to you Crash ➡

http://www.simviation.com/fs2004utilities5.htm

Let us know how it went

These tools might come in handy also.

https://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/2798/microsoft-flight-simulator-2004-sdk-pack-all-kits/

While a couple of them look interesting, what I am really looking for is a good definition of all the configuration variables that can exist in an aircraft's configuration file.

I can guess at many of them, but, I'd rather know. 😉

RadarMan wrote:

These tools might come in handy also.

https://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/2798/microsoft-flight-simulator-2004-sdk-pack-all-kits/

I've just downloaded them and will take a look. Of course I'm forced to ask why Microsoft never, ever documents its software in an intelligent manner. That's why I only ran Linux computers for 5 years.

one second, i'll show you what i know about them, i need to find one.

[fltsim.0] The first texture of the aircraft in question
title=Boeing 737-400 -This is the title of the aircraft, i think for reference
sim=Boeing737-400 - This is what it shows up as in FS9, and what the ATC calls it
model= If there's more than one, it'll be here, like say you have one with a Virtual Cabin, but it's optional, and the folder is called "model.vc" you'd put the .VC part after the =sighn
panel= Like model
sound=Same
texture=Same as above
kb_checklists=Boeing737-400_check where it finds the checklist, and what one it usees
kb_reference=Boeing737-400_ref same as above
atc_id=N737Z not sure.
atc_airline=American Pacific What ATC calls it
atc_flight_number=1123 What ATC numbers it
ui_manufacturer=Boeing Who makes it, this is useful because you can organize aircraft by airline instead of manufacturere in FS9, all you would do is change the "Boeing" part to say "Delta" or whatever your airline is
ui_type="737-400"
ui_variation="American Pacific Airways"
description="One should hardly be surprised that the world's most prolific manufacturer of commercial aircraft is also the producer of the world's most popular jetliner. The 737 became the best-selling commercial jetliner worldwide when orders for it hit 1,831 in June 1987 (surpassing Boeing's own 727 as the previous champ). However, it wasn't always that way\s in the first few years of production, there were so few orders that Boeing considered canceling the program. They didn't, and the airplane has more than proven itself in over three decades of service."

[fltsim.1]
title=Boeing 737-400 Paint1
sim=Boeing737-400
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=1 Notice that in this case, if you look in the default B737 folder, it'll have a Texture.1 folder, you put whatever's after the . in after the = sign
kb_checklists=Boeing737-400_check
kb_reference=Boeing737-400_ref
atc_id=N737W
atc_airline=Landmark
atc_flight_number=1123
ui_manufacturer=Boeing
ui_type="737-400"
ui_variation="Landmark Airlines"
description="One should hardly be surprised that the world's most prolific manufacturer of commercial aircraft is also the producer of the world's most popular jetliner. The 737 became the best-selling commercial jetliner worldwide when orders for it hit 1,831 in June 1987 (surpassing Boeing's own 727 as the previous champ). However, it wasn't always that way\s in the first few years of production, there were so few orders that Boeing considered canceling the program. They didn't, and the airplane has more than proven itself in over three decades of service."

[General]
atc_type=BOEING Used for ATC refrence
atc_model=B734 Same as above
editable=0 ??? bout this
performance="Cruise Speed \n477 kts 550 mph 885 km\/h\n\nEngines \nCFM56-3C1\n\nMaximum Range \n2,059 nm 2,370 mi 3,810 km\n\nService Ceiling \n36, 089 ft 11,000 m\n\nFuel Capacity \n5,311 U.S. gal 20,104 L\n\nEmpty Weight-Standard \n76,180 lb 34,550 kg\n\nMaximum Gross Weight\n150,000 lb 68,039 kg\n\nLength \n120 ft 36.45 m\n\nWingspan \n94 ft, 9 in 25.9 m\n\nHeight \n36.5 ft 11.13 m\n\nSeating \nSeats 147 to 168\n\nCargo Capacity \n1,373 ft3 38.93 m3\n\n"

This is all shown in the performance part of the select your aircraft screen in FS9

[pitot_static]
vertical_speed_time_constant = 1 //Increasing this value will cause a more instantaneous reaction in the VSI Self explanatory

[WEIGHT_AND_BALANCE]
max_gross_weight = 150000 // (pounds)
empty_weight = 74170 Edit this to have the plane hold more crap, or give it god-awful hardcore acceleration // (pounds)

reference_datum_position = 0, 0, 0 // (feet) distance from FlightSim Reference position: (1/4 chord, centerline, waterline)
empty_weight_CG_position = -5, 0, 0 // (feet) longitudinal, lateral, vertical distance from specified datum This i believe shows where the normal weight of the airacraft sits.

max_number_of_stations = 50 Payload data, how many stations you have

station_load.0 = "170.0, 41.0, -1.5, 0.0, Pilot" //Weight (lbs), longitudinal, lateral, vertical positions from datum (feet)
station_load.1 = "170.0, 41.0, 1.5, 0.0, Co-Pilot" //Weight (lbs), longitudinal, lateral, vertical positions from datum (feet)
station_load.2 = "510.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, Crew" //Weight (lbs), longitudinal, lateral, vertical positions from datum (feet)
station_load.3 = "1360.0, 25.5, 0.0, 0.0, First Class" //Weight (lbs), longitudinal, lateral, vertical positions from datum (feet)
station_load.4 = "8160.0, 11.0, 0.0, 0.0, Coach 3-10" //Weight (lbs), longitudinal, lateral, vertical positions from datum (feet)
station_load.5 = "8160.0, -10.0, 0.0, 0.0, Coach 11-18" //Weight (lbs), longitudinal, lateral, vertical positions from datum (feet)
station_load.6 = "7140.0, -30.5, 0.0, 0.0, Coach 19-25" //Weight (lbs), longitudinal, lateral, vertical positions from datum (feet)
station_load.7 = "10000.0, 20.5, 0.0, 0.0, Forward Baggage" //Weight (lbs), longitudinal, lateral, vertical positions from datum (feet)
station_load.8 = "4000.0, -27.5, 0.0, 0.0, Aft Baggage" //Weight (lbs), longitudinal, lateral, vertical positions from datum (feet)

This above can be edited to allow for different names for payload stations, and also for how far forward or back on the aircraft it is.

;Moments of Inertia
empty_weight_pitch_MOI = 3172439
empty_weight_roll_MOI = 2262183
empty_weight_yaw_MOI = 3337024
empty_weight_coupled_MOI = 0

No freakin idea on the above info

[flight_tuning]
cruise_lift_scalar = 1.0 How much lift is generated during cruise, so you know how it's going to pitch up/down
parasite_drag_scalar = 1.0 No clue
induced_drag_scalar = 1.0 Overall drag of the aircraft it seems
elevator_effectiveness = 1.0 How quick you pitch up/down
aileron_effectiveness = 1.0 How quick you roll
rudder_effectiveness = 1.0 How quick you will turn with the rudder
pitch_stability = 1.0 Stability
roll_stability = 1.0 same
yaw_stability = 1.0 Same
elevator_trim_effectiveness = 1.0 How much the trim moves elavators
aileron_trim_effectiveness = 1.0 " " Alierons
rudder_trim_effectiveness = 1.0 " " Rudder

[GeneralEngineData]
engine_type = 1 //0=Piston, 1=Jet, 2=None, 3=Helo-Turbine, 4=Rocket, 5=Turboprop
Engine.0 = 4.75, -16.1, -4.5 //(feet) longitudinal, lateral, vertical distance from reference datum
Engine.1 = 4.75, 16.1, -4.5 //(feet) longitudinal, lateral, vertical distance from reference datum
fuel_flow_scalar = 1 //Scalar for fuel flow efficiency
min_throttle_limit = -0.25 //Minimum percent throttle. Generally negative for turbine reverser How far back you can go into reverse thrust, higher means you can pull it back farther, problem being that yes, you CAN have 100% reverse thrust, but all but 50% or farther back will move the aircraft FORWARD
max_contrail_temperature = -30 //Temperature (deg C) below which contrails may appear Self Explanatory

[TurbineEngineData]
fuel_flow_gain = 0.002 //Gain on fuel flow God only knows what this means
inlet_area = 19.6 //Square Feet, engine nacelle inlet area This is bigger, it stays cooler/more air gets in...maybe?
rated_N2_rpm = 29920 //RPM, second stage compressor rated value God only knows
static_thrust = 23500 //Lbs, max rated static thrust at Sea Level Obviously how much thrust it poos out
afterburner_available = 0 //Afterburner available?
reverser_available = 1 //Thrust reverser available?
Booleans values if it has thrust reverse or afterburner
[jet_engine]
thrust_scalar = 1.0

[electrical]
;BusType, MaxAmpLoad, MinVoltage BusTypes:0=MainBus,1=AvionicsBus,2=BatteryBus,3=HotBatteryBus,4-7=Generator/AlternatorBus(1-4) This looks like it shows where the electrical systems get their power from. The first # is where the power comes from, second and third show the amount of juice it needs to run.
flap_motor = 0, 5 , 17.0
gear_motor = 0, 5 , 17.0
autopilot = 0, 5 , 17.0
avionics_bus = 0, 5, 17.0
avionics = 1, 5 , 17.0
pitot_heat = 0, 2 , 17.0
additional_system = 0, 2, 17.0
marker_beacon = 1, 2 , 17.0
gear_warning = 0, 2 , 17.0
fuel_pump = 0, 5 , 17.0
starter1 = 0, 20, 17.0
light_nav = 0, 5 , 17.0
light_beacon = 0, 5 , 17.0
light_landing = 0, 5 , 17.0
light_taxi = 0, 5 , 17.0
light_strobe = 0, 5 , 17.0
light_panel = 0, 5 , 17.0

//0 Class <0=none,1=wheel, 2=scrape, 3=float>
//1 Longitudinal Position (feet)
//2 Lateral Position (feet)
//3 Vertical Position (feet)
//4 Impact Damage Threshold (Feet Per Minute)
//5 Brake Map (0=None, 1=Left, 2=Right)
//6 Wheel Radius (feet)
//7 Steer Angle (degrees)
//8 Static Compression (feet) (0 if rigid)
//9 Max/Static Compression Ratio
//10 Damping Ratio (0=Undamped, 1=Critically Damped)
//11 Extension Time (seconds)
//12 Retraction Time (seconds)
//13 Sound Type
//14 Airspeed limit for retraction (KIAS)
//15 Airspeed that gear gets damage at (KIAS)

[contact_points]
point.0=1, 40.00, 0.00, -8.40, 1181.1, 0, 1.442, 55.92, 0.6, 2.5, 0.9, 4.0, 4.0, 0, 220.0, 250.0
point.1=1, -7.75, -8.58, -8.60, 1574.8, 1, 1.442, 0.00, 1.0, 2.5, 0.9, 6.9, 6.9, 2, 220.0, 250.0
point.2=1, -7.75, 8.58, -8.60, 1574.8, 2, 1.442, 0.00, 1.0, 2.5, 0.9, 7.1, 7.1, 3, 220.0, 250.0

point.3=2, -14.17, -47.33, 0.00, 787.4, 0, 0.000, 0.00, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 5, 0.0, 0.0
point.4=2, -14.17, 47.33, 0.00, 787.4, 0, 0.000, 0.00, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 6, 0.0, 0.0
point.5=2, -54.00, 0.00, 2.83, 787.4, 0, 0.000, 0.00, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 9, 0.0, 0.0
point.6=2, 42.67, 0.00, -3.75, 787.4, 0, 0.000, 0.00, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 4, 0.0, 0.0

max_number_of_points = 21
This is ElkinAllen's specialty, I'm not gonna touch it

static_pitch=0.04 //degrees, pitch when at rest on the ground (+=Up, -=Dn) It's pitch as it sits on the ground i guess
static_cg_height=7.67 //feet, altitude of CG when at rest on the ground
gear_system_type=1 //Hydraulic

[gear_warning_system]
gear_warning_available = 1 //Normal
pct_throttle_limit = 0.1 //Percent throttle that activates warning
flap_limit_idle = 5.0 //Flap angle that activates warning at idle
flap_limit_power = 25.5 //Flap angle that activates warning at above idle
This sets off the gear warning system when the parameters are reached, in this case, if you have no throttle, 5 deg. flaps, it'll set it off, or if you have more than no throttle, and 25 deg. flaps, it goes off.

[brakes]
parking_brake = 1 //Parking brake available
toe_brakes_scale = 0.885 //Brake scalar
The power of the brake system

[hydraulic_system]
normal_pressure = 3000.0 //PSI
electric_pumps = 0 //no electric pumps
engine_map = 1,1,0,0 //pumps on Eng1,2
How much power and what pumps work on the hydraulic system

[Views]
eyepoint=43.7, -1.31, 3.7 //(feet) longitudinal, lateral, vertical distance from reference datum
where you see from the cockpit

[flaps.0] //Trailing Edge Flaps
type = 1 // 1 - tail, 2 - lead
span-outboard = 0.8 // 0.0 .. 1.0
extending-time = 20 // seconds
flaps-position.0 = 0 // degrees
flaps-position.1 = 1 // degrees
flaps-position.2 = 2 // degrees
flaps-position.3 = 5 // degrees
flaps-position.4 = 10 // degrees
flaps-position.5 = 15 // degrees
flaps-position.6 = 25 // degrees
flaps-position.7 = 30 // degrees
flaps-position.8 = 40 // degrees
damaging-speed = 250 // KIAS
blowout-speed = 300 // KIAS
lift_scalar = 1.0
drag_scalar = 1.0
pitch_scalar= 1.0
system_type = 1 //Hydraulic
Shows what type and degrees of flap in each selection

[flaps.1] //Inboard Leading Edge Flaps
type = 2 // 1 - tail, 2 - lead
span-outboard = 0.8 Size of the flap // 0.0 .. 1.0
extending-time = 2 how long it takes to get out fully // seconds
flaps-position.0 = 0 //
flaps-position.1 = 1.0 //
damaging-speed = 250 how fast before bad things happen // KIAS
blowout-speed = 300 how fast before really bad things happen // KIAS
lift_scalar = 1.0 amont of lift you get as a multiple of the whole
drag_scalar = 1.0same
pitch_scalar= 1.0same
system_type = 1 shows what runs the flaps //Hydraulic

[flaps.2] //Outboard Leading Edge Slat
type = 2 // 1 - tail, 2 - lead
span-outboard = 0.8 // 0.0 .. 1.0
extending-time = 3 // seconds
flaps-position.0 = 0 //
flaps-position.1 = 0.5 //
flaps-position.4 = 1.0 //
damaging-speed = 250 // KIAS
blowout-speed = 300 // KIAS
lift_scalar = 1.0
drag_scalar = 1.0
pitch_scalar= 1.0
system_type = 1 //Hydraulic
This is all the same as above, and that's as far as my knowlege will take me.

There's more, but I only know/have messed with the above stuff. Hope it helps[/b]

Okay. But if I need to wear a sock on my head, the deal is off. 🙂

I hope what i put up there will help!

I haven't had time to look at all of it, but it appears to be the most sensible document on the subject I've seen. Thanks.

🍻

😳 Great job FEM!

Cool! Glad you like it. If you have someting you actually want me to try and modify, e-mail me the original aircraft.cfg file, and tell me what you want done wit it and i'll see what i can do.

ultimaterammsteinfan@hotmail.com

You people have a far better memory than me,someone here used to tweak the aircraft contact points and Im trying to remember(was it ElkinAllen ?)

Im wondering if its something to do with that

tomthetank wrote:

You people have a far better memory than me,someone here used to tweak the aircraft contact points and Im trying to remember(was it ElkinAllen ?)

Im wondering if its something to do with that

ElkinAllen works with it all the time. Smoke, tires, speed he's become very adept at changing the CFG file.

Have you crashed the An12 twice at the same airport? If so is this an add-on airport? If this is the case then it may be a scenery prob.

Depends on the circumstances

❓

sylvan wrote:

Have you crashed the An12 twice at the same airport? If so is this an add-on airport? If this is the case then it may be a scenery prob.

Nope. KLAX (out of the box). And KVNY (?) Van Nuys (Also stock)

Maybe this will give you an idea. I set this down really gently.

http://paradigm-omega.com/simpatrol/crash.jpg

It just crashes in thin air. 😳

This may sound stupid but have you turned off crash detection in the settings menu.

Liono wrote:

This may sound stupid but have you turned off crash detection in the settings menu.

It isn't stupid, but it doesn't answer the question of why this plane crashes before touching the ground. If all else fails, I will turn off crash detection for this plane.

It's very unusual that it would take off just fine and then crash on landing...It would seem that the contact points are messed up. Leave a post titled "Elkinallen question" or something like that to get his attention. I used to have him on my yahoo messenger, but he isn't on very much as far as I know.