Howdy all, have a question regarding the following scenario and how and what would happen if I made a flight plan like this....the flights depart at say 9am and return to the same airport at 11:30am-12pm. If I make the plan with just the aircraft leaving and then returning to the same airport but leave that 2 hour gap what will the AI aircraft do during that 2 hours, will they circle the airport or fly to parts unknown and then return ? Hoping someone can help. Thanks

As I understand it, the arrival airport and the departure airport can not be the same, with the exception of touch and go operations. All is explained in the TTools (Traffic Tools by Lee Swordy) help file. I hope this helps answers your question.Regards,Mel

As I understand it, the arrival airport and the departure airport can not be the same, with the exception of touch and go operations. All is explained in the TTools (Traffic Tools by Lee Swordy) help file. I hope this helps answers your question.Regards,Mel

Thanks Mel, that was something I never knew, have worked extensively with Ttools so do know the program well, as far as "scheduled" flights go and havent really branched out into other areas of it. So if the airport departure and arrival cant be the same, can I add a waypoint for the aircraft to fly out to and then back again. I take it the way point is written into the plan like destination airport if that option is available at all ?

No, there are no waypoints in AI flight plans, only direct departure airport to arrival airport routes,( Again, with the exception of touch and go plans.) I suggest that if what you are after is for a AI plane to depart a airport and return to that same airport, touch and go 'TNG' might work for you. You could write a plan that would have the plane departing at the prescribed time, flying the airports pattern, doing one TNG, then landing the second time around and taxi to parking until the next departure cycle begins. The only other option would be to send the plane to a nearby airport and then return on a fast turnaround time frame.Regards,Mel

I have a few addon sceneries that came with traffic files that do just this.They have flight plans with the departure and arrival airport being the same.They are typically short flights, 15 minutes or so and usually set up on a 1hr repeat.I think a key to making this work is having 2 legs. TTools won't compile it if you don't have 2 legs.You might get a longer flight by using say a 2hr or 4hr repeat and the "@" sign to force a specific arrival.The important thing to remember is you can't break anything by trying it out yourself.Opa has been involved in a lot of this and he will most likely add his wisdom when he sees this.regards,Joe[edit]As to where they would go, use the Traffic Toolbox to follow them, or chase them to find out. That's the fun part.[/edit]

A good place to see what I was describing in the post above is Collings and Mansfield.This is a fun addon by John B. Loney who, if you don't know the name, is one of the most prolific scenery addon designers.I believe he consulted with David "Opa" Marshall on the included traffic files.It takes a bit to set it up depending on how you are with object libraries, and you may need to grab a plane or 3, but once it's done it is a real treat.Hint: if you are "tubes only", don't plan on flying out of these 2 airports.Here is the link- http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?DLID=143943regards,Joe

No problem at all having the departure and arrival airport the same.I call such flights "out and back". This is not a T and G - the aircraft returns to the parking spot every time and repeats from that locationThe "out and back" will be shorter if you use VFR and considerably longer if you use IFR.In any case I often use the out and back idea so the given airport has activity most all of the time.Any flightplan must have at least two legs. Most often I use a 1 hour repeat. Here is an example which I use for testing at airports:AC#1,OPAXXXX,5%,1Hr,VFR,00:00:00,00:15:00,030,F,1013,KDAL,01:00:00,01:15:00,030,F,1013,KDALAnd I use the TrafficToolbox utility (free) from MS to watch the aircraft in action.Hope that helps.

My apologies to everyone for being less than accurate with my information and thank you Joe and Opa for making things right.Regards,Mel

My apologies to everyone for being less than accurate with my information and thank you Joe and Opa for making things right.Regards,Mel

No problem Mel - Just hope we provided enough info for you to do some new experiments yourself.It sure is an easy way to bring some life to smaller GA airports.

No problems Mel, and thanks to everyone who took the time to add to this thread can give the flight plans a try now.Cheers