Would like to compile a list for myself of AFCAD designers that you trust completely to design, test, and modify a/p's, and who test them out before releasing. No need to name names of ones that don't. There are AFCADS that add ILS's, approaches, but don't do it correctly, so it doesn't update the a/p file and then ATC can't use it. Just want somes names of the really GOOD DESIGNERS!Thanks!Rick

... AFCAD can't add approaches. That's why when you add an ILS, the AI traffic still uses a visual approach. Approaches can be manually entered using XML, but that's not AFCAD. This has nothing to do with the skill of the designer.- Martin

If you're looking for a few names of AFCAD creators check out: Jim Vile, Lee Brompton, and Anthony DuJardin. I've downloaded work from each of them and I've been satisfied. This is not a complete list, but they are worth mentioning.http://www.kthxdone.com/images/kw_ft.jpgKen Weik [link:maam.org|MAAM-SIM][link:library.avsim.net/search.php?CatID=root&SearchTerm=kenneth+weik&Sort=Added&ScanMode=0&Go=Change+View]My AFCADs

Lees latest afcad, for OMDB, seems to crash everytime you go to the parking list. Jim said in the projectai forum that this can be caused by dup gates and taxiway designations, too much coding, etc.But in general I agree, and i would add Ken Weik to that list as well :)

A lot of it has to do with how well the person knows the field too. I have yet to see Spokane International done to what it looks like to this day. There are changes at the airport that are not on the airport diagram yet and won't be for a while (they want to finish ALL the construction before updating, which will be around 2008-2010ish) There are new taxiways and aprons there now and are actively being used right now though.----------------------------------------------------------------John MorganReal World: KGEG, UND Aerospace Spokane Satillite, Private ASEL 141.2 hrs, 314 landings, 46 inst. apprs.Virtual: MSFS 2004"There is a feeling about an airport that no other piece of ground can have. No matter what the name of the country on whose land it lies, an airport is a place you can see and touch that leads to a reality that can only be thought and felt." - The Bridge Across Forever: A Love Story by Richard Bach

Part of the problem is the definition of a good AFCAD.In my mind a "good" AFCAD is one which WORKS with AI traffic. Not much real need for AFCAD's if you don't use AI.This often means that some real world features cannot be exactly replicated.When I see the words "high quality" and "100% accurate" in a description - it reminds me of a used car salesman - and is usually as accurate.I spend an amazing amount of my time helping other flightsimmers resolve problems with AFCAD files - many of them with those labels.I also want some notes in the readme on how the AFCAD was tested. Which commercial package or combination of freeware packages and flight plans was used. I own UT, MyTraffic and Traffic2005 and test my AFCAD files separately with each, and then with my customized AI traffic.I also use the Ultimate GA packages and Henry's amazing Cessna payware package in all my testing.I do not expect other AFCAD designers to purchase products just for testing - but I do expect to see a good AI load in the testing.Once, I actually received an AFCAD from a fellow for inclusion in a package. I asked him about something and his response was "I don't really have AI on my computer". It was a pretty good AFCAD, but what's the point of adding 100 parking spaces and not having AI to test?I also want to see something in the readme about the source of the information used for the AFCAD. I have no problem with AFCAD files which are made to take advantage of the FS2004 default or addon scenery. I also don't have a problem with AFCAD files which are made to match UT, MYT or T2005 flightplans and airlines. Finding airport information is the very hardest part of building AFCAD's.I test all AFCAD files I install on my computer - some very good designers make some very big goofs at times.Some of the things I look for:1. Run Fault Finder - if there are any faults found which are not in the readme....not good2. Check the parking code assignments - no more than four codes in any parking space - 15-20% of the parking with no parking code.3. No overlapping parking spot circles.4. No use of GA spots for regional jets and turboprops - GATE only for pax aircraft.5. Crossing Runway Star location - at least 90nm from the airport - runway sizes no more than 10x20 feet - 3 x 5 M6. I want to see sufficient GA parking at any airport, and military parking at the many airports worldwide with a military contingent.I'm not comfortable with AFCAD files over 6 months old. We are still learning and what we thought was the correct way to do some things a year ago, we've learned is now wrong too often.That said - I have AFCAD files on my system from all the the folks listed.Jim Vile's work is exceptionally well researched and well done. Jim is the best source of new approach builds.Some others I prefer:The PAI Official AFCAD's - I know the testing they have gone through. They may need to be updated with new airline info - but they work.David O'Brien (Top Gun) - military base AFCAD's

That's a good list of things to look for, however, I don't see how #3 is valid. 90% of my AFCADs have overlapping spots, have been tested, and work. I guess its a matter of testing to see how tight you can fit aircraft in with the proper radii and angle. But let me say this: in general, you don't want to see it unless you know the designer has tested it thoroughly.http://www.kthxdone.com/images/kw_ft.jpgKen Weik [link:maam.org|MAAM-SIM][link:library.avsim.net/search.php?CatID=root&SearchTerm=kenneth+weik&Sort=Added&ScanMode=0&Go=Change+View]My AFCADs

I don't agree with the certain amount of parking spots with no codes. If I use ACA2005 to find out what airlines come and go from an airport, whats wrong with putting codes in all the spots? I know what is arriving and departing, so having open spaces just means you can't control what parks where in those areas

Al,Then the AFCAD works great for YOUR AI traffic - but not for mine or anyone elses. If you add a new airline - you have to change every AFCAD at every airport where the airline flies.I purposely "decustomize" an AFCAD before I share / release it - to make it work with more people's AI traffic.Ken,By overlapping - I mean real overlap - like spacing parking at a terminal area for 23M B737's and using 31M default GA small parking spots. This invariably results in B757 or similar larger aircraft parking in those spaces.The overlap can lead to wing tips overlapping of arriving aircraft, and it can also lead to an empty space being seen as "full" at startup because the two aircraft on either side of the space are so large in radius there is not room between them for another aircraft - though in that case there is often a turboprop or regional jet placed in the space.

I got ya, I thought you meant two properly placed nodes. I agree with that statement.http://www.kthxdone.com/images/kw_ft.jpgKen Weik [link:maam.org|MAAM-SIM][link:library.avsim.net/search.php?CatID=root&SearchTerm=kenneth+weik&Sort=Added&ScanMode=0&Go=Change+View]My AFCADs

I get the point, Reggie, but IMO the traffic I have in there is more than almost anyone else, if my codes are for full traffic, someone with less will still be able to have their AI park at all the correct gates.To me, what makes a great afcad is the availability of GA and especially cargo parking. Now that some fedex and other feeder plans have been released, the lack of feeder and GA parking is lacking.

Provided they don't have a different airline you haven't included flying to the airport.I always try to include both large cargo, and feeder cargo spots on my airports.GA, well that's a tremendous amount of my work these days - and a bit harder than airlines much of the time.

One other thing - don't get bogged down in the details we're discussing.Develop a clear idea of what you want from an AFCAD file. Write it down if possible and use the mini-checklist which works for YOU.Every FS world and AI world is different - consistency is the only way to make yours work for you.

One thing that bothers me is when afcad creators use ramp GA small for regional jet parking. Another is to leave out GA and cargo parking