Simviation Forums

Does anyone know how to edit an aircrafts handling characteristics

Open up the CFG file into Notepad and its all there.

Yeah I opened that and had a look, but being the idiot that I am I cannot tell what pertains to what i.e. it seems certain parts are for how it sits on the ground, other lines refer how much the the moving part actually move but nothing seems to say "at X speed perform handling pattern A" if you see what I mean. Is there a tutorial laying about somewhere on this site?

It's a big subject, handling characteristics - it's a little like asking for a simple guide to brain surgery!

The easiest way to learn might be to do something like make a complete backup copy of the aircraft.cfg and .air files for the plane that you want to change, then change the parameters one by one until you understand what they do.

What characteristic are you trying to affect?

I've done some VERY minor tweaking to .air and .cfg files. I recommend using a program called AirEd for the .air files. For the .cfg files, I would say to just look at the heading of the different sections, and the titles of the lines, these will give you a clue as to what they do. Also, look at the .cfg file of a stock aircraft (one that came with the game) because they say what each section does like this "//engine type; 1=piston, 2=jet, 3=rocket...". I would be more specific, but I am at work and don't have access to a .cfg file at the moment.

For help in editing 'aircraft.cfg', and most other things that define an aircraft, download the 'MSFS Aircraft Container SDK'.

Microlite,

I detect in your second post you're looking for "lookup tables" that spell out handling characteristics at specific speeds. Sorry, that does not exist.

There is really only one table -- the Aircraft.cfg file for each aircraft.  The .air file has some additional stuff but most is in the .cfg file.

The FS SIM engine uses these tables as it's starting point. It then adjusts the characteristics dynamically according to speed. A very large number of parameters figure into the equation -- speed, weight, wing aspect ratio, oswald factor, angle of attack --- and on and on.

Is there something specific you're trying to "fix" ?

Cal (CYXX)

Thanks for all the advice chaps. Basically I downloaded a plane (F9F-5 Panther) from the web. but I cannot put the thing on the runway. Now I am not going to tell you I am the best pilot in the world (see my tag line) but I have never had such a hard time putting a plane down, so my intention was to tweak it and maybe make it a little less jittery at landing speeds. Does that make sense?

Calb,
I've been modifying and creating dynamics for a little while, and was just saying that it's not something that you get your head around that quickly - took me  little while. I've had little success with 1% spreadsheets and so on, so I tend to do it these days by 'feel'. It's more of an art than a science!

Then do you know how to make an airplane less bouncy? Every time I land Ole Eggholms Cherokee 140, it bounces untill I get the "aircraft over-stressed" banner. This happens with the softest of landings.

This one (the F9F) just seems to get really dodgy on final approach, it dosen't bounce very well at all

TacitBlue,

Yep, no problem - send me an IM and I'll provide you with my email address so you can send me your aircraft.cfg.

But hurry - going on holiday on Monday!

Where can I find the Panther you have. Can't find it on this or any of the other major sites?

Cal (CYXX)

Calb,

I did a google search for an FS9 F9F panther and got to this site: flightinfo.ens.ne.jp/FS_KBT/dai.htm. hope this works for you

Hey Microlight, sense you're on holiday, and not reading this: Thanks anyway, but I'm haveing some major problems with my coputer at that moment. I'll probably contact you later about the bouncy airplane thing.  ;)