Wrong headings on active runways

[Pieter G. Wijtsma]

This is one of those problems that come up in FS2002 PRO from time to time, suddenly, and for no apparent reason.

At most airports, on any continent, whenever I try to take off from the active runway, my instruments show a completely wrong heading. E.g. on the Santiago de Chile active runway nr. 17 (171 degrees), I get a reading of 212 degrees. Mumbai airport likewise: instead of 269 degrees, I get 34 degrees. I have the same problem during approach and landing. Also, the window that shows the ILS information contains the same incorrect data. Strangely enough, Meigs (Chicago), the starting point of my default flight, shows the correct heading!

I tried to fix the problem by reinstalling FS2002 PRO, but this worked only for a short time. Next, using AFCAD, I restored all the original FS2002 airports by reinstalling the relevant .BGL files from FS2002.CAB on the first CD. This didn't work at all. I must add that I have installed quite a few add-on airports, but the problem is not limited to that category.

Does anyone have a solution for me?

Pieter G. Wijtsma

[WebbPA]

Pieter,

Welcome to the forum.  I seem to be one of the last FS2002 troubleshooters, everyone seeming to have abandoned us for FS2004  I apologize for the untimely response, as I have seen your post sittling idle for a few days but I did't have the time to respond.

First, you say that you have reinstalled FS but it worked for only a short time.  I find this confusing because a computer program should either work or not work.  It should not work for a short time and then fail - can you be more specific?  Did it fail after you added scenery or aircraft?  Is the problem constant or recurring?

I do not usually recommend reinstallations.  I believe that you can work backwards and uninstall  things chronologically until you find the problem.  Since you recently reinstalled, however, did the problem occur with a default (no additions) installation?

Without further information I suggest you get the .bgl scanner here http://www.simviation.com/fs2002utilities_gen5.htm It will tell you whether you have any bad .bgl files (a common source of your kind of problem).

[Pieter G. Wijtsma]

Problem solved! Thanks very much.

Sorry to have confused you: looking back, I think the problem started when I downloaded another add-on airport some time ago. From that moment on, I was in trouble. Then, when I reinstalled the basic FS2002 program, it worked fine, until I reinstalled all my add-on scenery and reimported the problem in the process.

So, having read your suggestions, I started by downloading and running the .bgl scanner. No problems found there, which in itself was a relief. Next, I deleted all add-on scenery from my scenery library, restarted FS2002 and found that everything was back to normal. I started installing some add-on scenery again, running some tests all the time, and at the moment everything still works fine. I even think I know now which add-on file caused all the trouble. To think that a few MB can mess up a 6 GB program....

So, thanks for finding the time to help me!

Pieter

[papa-metro]

Pieter, FYI. If this happens again (it's not that unusual) you can fix it with AFCAD, which I assume you use as you "added an airport"
Open AFCAD, airport select, edit, and click on restore airport(s)
you will see all your airports and remarks as to whether they are "original fs airports"at this point you can click on the offending airport and restore it to original and the misrepresented headings will be gone.
papa-metro usaf 1953-57

[Pieter G. Wijtsma]

Thank you very much. I'll keep it in mind.

Pieter