ATC ID

[ChuckMajik]

Is there any way to have the ATC recognize my tail number,
but not have the actual number appear the tail of the aircraft.

[emh8]

When selecting your aircraft, you can change the ATC ID to any registration you wish by going to the "ATC ID" box and clicking on "Change."

[ChuckMajik]

I know that, but what I want is the ATC to still call me something like De Havilland H7-295, but without the ugly numbers on my tail that M$ put in the game.

[packercolinl]

You won't get a tail number change unless it is an addon aircraft and the author has thoughtfully provided in his files for that.

And a BIG  "THANK YOU"  to those authors that do that!!

I for one have great pleasure in seeing that registration displayed,especially when it is an aircraft I fly 90% of the time!

[RollerBall]

Easy!

Just edit the aircraft.cfg file. Here's my 'standard' posting on this.

Every FS2002 aircraft has an aircraft.cfg file and there are two sections that you need to look at. Look at the following examples that are taken from one of my POSKY 767s.

Firstly the [fsim.n] section. If you only have one aircraft in the folder (ie one texture folder) this will be fsim.0. If you have several (like the various default 737s, you will have [fsim.0], [fsim.1] etc. Each will have section similar to the following.

[fltsim.0]
title=British Airways 767-336ER - China
sim=767300ER
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=
checklists=

atc_airline=Speed bird
atc_id=G-BNWC
atc_flight_number=1969
atc_heavy=1

ui_manufacturer=Boeing
ui_type=767-336ER
ui_variation=British Airways 'China' Tailfin Livery
visual_damage=1

description=Project Opensky Boeing 767-300ER\n....etc blah..blah

To get proper ATC for BA you need a bit like the part shown in red.

The part shown in green incidentally controls how the plane is shown in your list of aircraft.

Now the [general] section. This applies to all aircraft in the folder however many there are. It will look something like this.

[General]
performance=Passengers\n3-class conf...etc..blah..blah

atc_type=BOEING
atc_model=B763

You must have two lines like the ones in blue above for correct ATC plus you can't just type in anything - only certain descriptions are recognised. Someone listed them somewhere eg you can't get Concorde to come up, only Britishaerospace. (Actually Concorde is available and I use it).

Try experimenting. If you leave flight number blank ATC will revert to tail number so 'Speed Bird 1969' will become 'Speed Bird Golf minus Bravo November Whisky Charlie' the minus is pathetic I think - I don't know why M$ couldn't have corrected it in the final release and leaving it out in the atc_id part gives false call outs.

If you leave airline out assuming the type in general is correct, ATC will use type and tail number.

Hope that helps.

[ChuckMajik]

I think I'm going to have to be a little clearer.

Firstly, I want to delete the file in the FS2002 main folder that causes the tail number to appear on aircraft.
Secondly, I still want ATC to recognize the number (I now realize this is rather point less if the file is gone)

All of the methods you have suggest were some of the first things I tried. Sadly they did not work. Could it also be possible that what I'm asking isn't even possible; having the tail number doohickey coded into the model.

[RollerBall]

Sorry, Steve, you can't be doing it right because what I've said is correct.


If a tail number is visible at the 'select aircraft' screen delete it and select the aircraft to fly then no weird white or whatever colour letters will appear on the plane.

Put the atc_id into the aircraft.cfg as I've said and I can assure you it will work.

Try again

[Scottler]

I think what he wants is to not have the number on the plane visually, yet have ATC still identify him.

Just take it out of the texture, that will eliminate it visually.  But make sure you've got the author's permission to mess with textures...

[ChuckMajik]

I think what he wants is to not have the number on the plane visually, yet have ATC still identify him.
Just take it out of the texture, that will eliminate it visually. But make sure you've got the author's permission to mess with textures...

Exactly!
However, it's not addon planes; it's the default planes I want.

Probably even more confusing

[RollerBall]

Sigghhhhhh

That's what I've been telling you how to do.

Still, if you don't want to.....

[packercolinl]

Steve-O was saying he tried things and they didn't work.

I will have to back him on this as I have had the same experience with FS. We all know the system should work but for some of us it just plain DON'T. It may be a very simple thing but if it does not work then when you read of everyone else having a great time it can be very frustrating!

I do not want to start a war here but when some of us say "it don't work" we mean exactly that. I'd love my FSedit to work--it don't,I'd love all my gauge files to copy--they don't. All the 'send error' reports result in nothing I've seen.

Regardless of that I really enjoy the Sim,I work within it and my limitations and appreciate this forum and all the help you guys offer but please remember that some of us do have problems other than basic human failures

Cheers

[Scottler]

You've got to get the author's permission to modify the textures (unless you're just doing it for your own personal use, )

Then open the textures, and paint over the ID number.

Problem solved.

If you don't know how to repaint, take a look at the repainting forum.  There's some good help in there.