AI Aircraft editing

[Guest]

HiCan someone tell what parameters in the aircraft.cfg file I have to adjust too either;A. control the altitude of an AI aircraft to follow the assigned altitude of a flightplanorB. Lower the AI aircraft to ground level. I tried adjusting the Vertical Points in the [Contact points] point.3 to no effect.Here is what's happening. I have a GMAX CC-115 Buffalo which I adapted to an AI aircraft (changes to the [Flightsim0] sectiononly). I assigned it to a flightplan with an assigned altitude of 8000'. Initially all looked and worked well except the aircraft kept climbing (had to abort when I reached FL430 :-)) I substituted the aircraft.cfg file from the Dash 8 as it is close enough in performance, and made the appropriate changes in the [Flightsim0] section. The Buffalo now looks and works fine but hovers about 3' above the ground when on the ramp.Appreciate any help hereBestVern

[Guest Captain Barfbag]

First - the "floating above the runway" problem:You need to adjust the 3 landing gear points. There is a vertical value for each of these, and it probably appears as a negative number. (Sorry, I'm at work now (don't tell my boss!) so I don't have a copy in front of me.) If you're floating, these are probably too large a negative number, so reduce them all by 3 feet. Next, you need to change the value of "static_cg_height" which tells the program where to put the aircraft vertically on initialization. If static_cg_height is too small, the gear will be stuck in the asphalt. If it's too large, the plane will start out floating and then drop to the deck as soon as the sim starts cycling.Flightplan altitude comes only from the flightplans.txt file. My guess is you've got the value wrong. For 8000 feet, you want 080. If you accidentally put in 800, the plane will climb to 80,000 feet. AI traffic is not particularly aware of aircraft capabilities and will do this even for a Sopwith Camel!

[tgibson 11]

And some AIR files are not AI compatible - the planes never level off and/or turn right/left.-- Tom GibsonCalifornia Classic Propliners: http://www.calclassic.com/Cal Classic Alco Page: http://www.calclassic.com/alco/Freeflight Design Shop: http://www.freeflightdesign.com/ San Diego Model RR Museum: http://www.sdmodelrailroadm.com/Drop by! ___x_x_(")_x_x___

[Guest]

Thanks for your help guys.I suspect this is a combination of both of your replies (point editing and AIR). Tom, you mentioned some AIR files are not AI compatible. Just to be sure, you did mean AIR and not .cfg file, is that right? I ask this because I substituted the Project AI Dash 8 aircraft.cfg file and it fixed the climb problem and the aircraft turns left/right OK. But now a new problem has developed .. the aircraft lands about 3 miles short of the runway which does not happen with the Dash 8. Maybe this is a function of the AIR file.As for the height problem thanks for the tips Capt. Appreciate the direction and will give them a try. I am positive that the FL was 080 (8000') :-) Checked this numerous times.BestVern

[tgibson 11]

Yes I meant the AIR file. However, the combination of different cfg and AIR files can lead to the problem you describe (falling out of the sky before reaching the airport). If you don't know a lot about modifying AIR and cfg files, just replace the AIR file with that of the Dash-8 as well, and your plane will fly like the Dash-8 (i.e. should reach the runway).Hope this helps,-- Tom GibsonCalifornia Classic Propliners: http://www.calclassic.com/Cal Classic Alco Page: http://www.calclassic.com/alco/Freeflight Design Shop: http://www.freeflightdesign.com/ San Diego Model RR Museum: http://www.sdmodelrailroadm.com/Drop by! ___x_x_(")_x_x___

[Guest]

Hi,Just a little remark concerning floating planes. It can also be due to the AFCAD file having rwy's without the right altitude. Incoming planes can then float or sink whether the altitude is too low or too high respectively. So, before checking the a/c, try also with other (default) airportsCheersRobert

[Guest]

Yes, Yes, Yes :-) Using the Dash 8 air file fixed it. Landed it right on the numbers.Thanks TomVern