FSX-MS Taxiing to the Gate via the ATC Question (And possibly editing the airport)

[787WannabePilot]

I am looking for a way to edit the way the ATC assigns you to a gate.

 

I keep getting assigned to more of a parking spot rather than an actual gate with a jetway/jetbridge. I understand there may be a possible way to prevent this from happening by editing the airport?

 

I am using PMDG 737 NGX if it makes a difference.

[tf51d]

First thing in the aircraft.cfg file you need to make sure the following lines are defined for each livery (At least the one you using)

 

atc_parking_types=GATE
atc_parking_codes=DAL

 

Where the Parking code equals the ICAO of the airline in this case Delta. Make sure the statements are plural (atc_parking_types, atc_parking_codes). There is a how to document floating out there, that states it to be atc_parking_type, atc_parking_code, which won't work.

 

Next the AFCAD must be defined with with the airline codes. Default airports have no airline definitions. Payware airports and most freeware AFCADS do include this data. Ray Smiths AFCADS available here in the library are great for this. The hierarchy that needs to be met in the AFCAD for a parking space or gate are

 

Parking Type (Gate, Ramp etc...)

 

Parking size - The gate must be large enough to accommodate the aircraft. I used to have a link defining these in my bookmarks, but it's no longer there, so if anyone else happens to have it please post it.

 

Airline Codes - These are the valid airlines for the defined gate/parking, (Multiple airlines can be defined)

 

If there is an available gate that meets these conditions, ATC will assign it. If not it will assign the next available gate that meet the prior conditions. So for example if you have a Delta 737, that can park in a gate marked Small, but there are no Small gates for Delta (DAL) available, it will assign a random gate of the next available size. If none available it will go to the next larger size, and so on. If no gates are available at that point, it will go to General Parking .  

[787WannabePilot]

First thing in the aircraft.cfg file you need to make sure the following lines are defined for each livery (At least the one you using)

 

atc_parking_types=GATE

atc_parking_codes=DAL

 

Where the Parking code equals the ICAO of the airline in this case Delta. Make sure the statements are plural (atc_parking_types, atc_parking_codes). There is a how to document floating out there, that states it to be atc_parking_type, atc_parking_code, which won't work.

 

Next the AFCAD must be defined with with the airline codes. Default airports have no airline definitions. Payware airports and most freeware AFCADS do include this data. Ray Smiths AFCADS available here in the library are great for this. The hierarchy that needs to be met in the AFCAD for a parking space or gate are

 

Parking Type (Gate, Ramp etc...)

 

Parking size - The gate must be large enough to accommodate the aircraft. I used to have a link defining these in my bookmarks, but it's no longer there, so if anyone else happens to have it please post it.

 

Airline Codes - These are the valid airlines for the defined gate/parking, (Multiple airlines can be defined)

 

If there is an available gate that meets these conditions, ATC will assign it. If not it will assign the next available gate that meet the prior conditions. So for example if you have a Delta 737, that can park in a gate marked Small, but there are no Small gates for Delta (DAL) available, it will assign a random gate of the next available size. If none available it will go to the next larger size, and so on. If no gates are available at that point, it will go to General Parking .  

 

I will try it, thanks!

[tf51d]

I found that link for parking sizes

 

http://www.flightsim2004-fanatics.com/FlightSim/FSXWingSpanValues.htm

[gmoneyprs]

Tom nailed it. I wish PMDG would have included that text in its CFG files but oh well...

[787WannabePilot]

Tom nailed it. I wish PMDG would have included that text in its CFG files but oh well...

 

I can just add it in the CFG, right?

 

Won't screw it up.. 

I found that link for parking sizes

 

http://www.flightsim2004-fanatics.com/FlightSim/FSXWingSpanValues.htm

 

Thanks.

[gmoneyprs]

Yep, of course. It just becomes a pain if you have a bunch of liveries and need to do a reinstall... and have both the 737 and 777 and the expansion packs...

[787WannabePilot]

Yep, of course. It just becomes a pain if you have a bunch of liveries and need to do a reinstall... and have both the 737 and 777 and the expansion packs...

 

I just use the 737 and the United Airlines livery.

[Boeing or not going]

If you have GSX too you can ask for a specific gate, and create your own parking code in the afcad file and airplane.cfg so no AI parks there

[787WannabePilot]

Do I need to put the 

 

atc_parking_types=GATE

atc_parking_codes=DAL

 

in any certain area of the PMDG 737 cfg file?

 

Thanks.

[charliearon]

Do I need to put the 

 

atc_parking_types=GATE

atc_parking_codes=DAL

 

in any certain area of the PMDG 737 cfg file?

 

Thanks.

Put it into the appropriate [Fltsim.xx] that corresponds to your aircraft.  Keep in mind that DAL is Delta Airlines and UAL is United Airlines