How steep is the learning curve ?

[-sam-]

Hi there,

I

[Felix/FFDS]

Your best bet, if the model is *significantly* different from your "seed" plane, is to beg (grovelling works, too) one of the flight dynamics masochists (er "gurus") to tweak the dynamics for you.

[Brett_Henderson]

Since most (all) of the significant parameters nestled in the black-box we call an air file that determine a plane's "behavior" are set and/or overwritten by the aircraft.cfg file... it's safe (unless you're building something unusual) to rough it in by creating something close, size and configuration-wise with FsEdit (or just start with an existing air-file/aircraft.cgf file combo from an existing aircraft (use the Mooney if you're modeling a Bonanza)) and then work solely with a text editor and the aircraft.cfg file.

The tricky part starts when you try to modify important locations (CG, wing/stabilizer apexes) and lose track of the original model-center/reference point differential. That's the FIRST thing I do. Make it