Hi!I don't think it is difficult to a framerate friendly Kai Tak, it isn't really a mega airport. I think in the freeware version that worked in FS2004 (I don't remember who did it) it is the trees that kill the fps, not the buidings. It would even be possible to use or preserve the default autogen like I have done in my sceneries. I am by the way a member of FISD team, Finnish scenery designers and have done the most parts of the airports EFRO, EFPO, EFET, EFKT, EFRU and EFIT. I am also kind of retired... :-D but will most likely take projects that are interesting, Kai Tak surely is interesting but probably difficult to get photos and other information. I don't know. But anyway... take a look at those finnish sceneries and if you think I could be for assistance in making Kai Tak please contact me.Tatu

Oh please, please, PLEASE, do share this work with us. I once paid an exstorsional amount of dosh for a VHHH scenery on CD. It was, without doubt, the worst piece of software for FS i've ever seen. It lasted all of about 1 hour on my PC before before being removed, only to gather dust and cobwebs on my 'trash' shelf.I only ever managed one trip to Hong Kong in my youth. I was pretty drunk by the time we were on finals, but it didn't stop me being scared to death, excited and excillerated, all in one moment. It was nothing short of stuuuuuuuuuuuuupendous. Loved it, and would so love to recreate that flight.So.... yes, yes, yes. Please do it.As you can see, i'm quite excited by the prospect flying into Kai Tak:-)

Cant wait to see this piece of work.ThanksDarren

Sure is alive!!

Holger (if you're still reading)There are already one or two reasonable meshes for Hong Kong (see my own site for a link to the SRTM mesh I use personally) but what would really make a difference is a highly detailed mesh - say, 38m at least, maybe even higher res (?) correctly defining Lion Rock and the mountains in the close vicinity of Kai Tak itself.This is all beyond me, but not beyond you, I know!Jim, it's great to note that you have picked up on all the other approaches to R13. It's very exciting to find you involved in this project, and shout if there's any info you need. I do have good contacts in Cathay, as you'll know, with pilots who have a very good recollection of their regular arrivals at this airport!MarkMark "Dark Moment" BeaumontVP Fleet, DC-3 AirwaysTeam Member, MAAM-SIM[a href=http://www.swiremariners.com/cathayhk.html" target="_blank]http://www.paxship.com/maamlogo2.jpg[/a]

Hi Mark,the reason I suggest to include a mesh file with Jim's project is that it would make his work independent of any of the existing mesh files, freeware or payware. Even when compiled from the same source data, FS terrain mesh files can vary quite a bit, so I prefer to include custom mesh files for projects that rely on a specific shape of the terrain.I have the Shuttle Radar v2 data but it would be nice indeed to find something better. I did a quick Google search and have sent a couple of emails to companies and government agencies asking about high-quality elevation data. Let's see what the responses are, if any.Meanwhile, here's a nice-looking terrain model: http://www.visualizationsoftware.com/3dem/gallery2.htmlCheers, Holger

Hey jvile01 (Jim),I would sure like to try out your curved AI approach module if possible. I have been working on my own version of Kai Tak airport (have photos in the Screenshots Forum), now for almost a year and would like to see if it would work with mine. I had always thought one could not make AI turn on approaches but I guess you have solved that puzzle.Mark, I could definately be interested in interviewing some of your real-world pilot friends on their past expiences with regards to Kai Tak. If they are simmers as well, they would make a perfect candidate to beta test if there's interest. But that is still a way's off.(BTW - I just d/l your Dragonair paint for Aerosim's L-1011. Man, you do superb work.)Just seeing a thread on Kai Tak gets my blood running...regards,ClutchProject 9 Dragons

I'm most interested in AI doing the IGS 13 approach. I never thought that would be possible. If it can be pulled off that would be a great achievment for us Kai Tak lovers. I made a Kai Tak video recently, check it out for some inspiration:http://media.putfile.com/KAITAKIGS13Kai Tak forever!http://www.cpavirtual.org/images/banners/MyNewCrapBanner.jpgEric Thornton - CX001

Thanks mghI have that chart also with the pen changes. I found it from one of the links. Another good set of approach charts are over on VATSIM (Asia) which are color pdf's that have been very useful.

Have you got any shots you can show? :-)

Eric I have been written LDA, High Mountain curved approaches for some time now. My PHNL and LOWI uses curved approaches so AI Traffic avoid the mountains regardless of the weather visibility. One of the issues with Kai Tak's IGS 13 approach is making sure there is enough final after the checker board turn so the AI planes can center themselfs for the threshold. A lot of the AI FDE tweaks are for straight in landings, flair and stopping distance and not so much slow turns when the plane is down and dirty.However the IGS 13 for all the AI Planes I have are working very well in the turn without alot of sink rate.

Hey Jim,I sure like to see how it works with my scenery. If you wish, email me the module and i'll try it out tonight and report back how it [email protected] 9 Dragons

>A lot of the AI FDE tweaks are for straight in landings, flair>and stopping distance and not so much slow turns when the>plane is down and dirty.Very true, I was wondering how the AI FDE would handle the turn. Even with flyable planes you have to really watch your descent rate during the final turn.Another airport with a very interesting final approach is Osaka Itami. It would be interesting to see AI doing this approach as well. And with the Overland scenery this would be amazing. :)http://www.cpavirtual.org/images/banners/MyNewCrapBanner.jpgEric Thornton - CX001

Mark,It seems like Jim is already much further advanced with this than I would ever be. I kind of gave up I guess, which happened because I tried to recreate the blocks of shops that sit right beneath the final approach and while I completed one block complete with different coloured roofs from MS default buidings it started feeling like I took on more than I could handle, because I didn't think I would be able to recreate the coloured signs that add so much to the appearance that would be expected. I collected several street photos for ideas from the 'net and then I realised I couldn't ever complete that part. I also didn't have time to learn the latest xml scenery design program so at best the end result would never be as frame rate efficient as Jim is now likely to achieve.However, if anything I have done or could do in future is useful to add to this project I would be really pleased.

Jim, After reading your messages It looks like you are already much further advanced with this project than I could ever hope to be, and glad to see someone more capable than myself interested in this area. Just let me know if there is anything I can help with.