AI FDE Settings - Changes & Results by Jan Martin

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Version 7.0 - 24th September 2015
Version 6.0 - 30th December 2013
Version 5.0 - 15th June 2013
Version 4.0 - 18th May 2013
Version 3.0 - 26th January 2010
Version 2.3 - 03rd February 2009
Version 1.0 - 26th December 2008

Attention when testing FDE changes in Flight Simulator

The following can affect testing and may falsify behaviour :

using especially high density addon sceneries as test area ⇨ always use a default Flight Simulator built in airport
scenery density, quality, terrain, effects and objects sliders to max ⇨ move all sliders to minimum respectively zero
using weather ⇨ always select weather theme 'Clear skies (clears all weather)' and choose a sea level airport
testing take off and touch down with abnormal simulation rates ⇨ always use Simulation Rate 'Normal' here
other AI traffic ⇨ use an airport as test area with no other AI traffic or remove all other traffic from Flight Simulator
changing the view in Flight Simulator when using bad static values ⇨ read this Article and watch the Video

Changes to model.mdl files :

it is strongly recommended to check flight behaviour since changes to model (*.mdl) files may affect the behaviour

Quick Navigation

CONFIG File Changes AIR File Changes Description CONFIG File Description AIR File

Wheels & Lights Edit Chart Correct Static Values



AIG Boeing 757-200 FDE set v5acof CONFIG File 'aircraft.cfg'	Sample Settings		Take Off		Climb				Descent		Final Approach			Touch Down		Braking
	Original	Changed	Rwy	IAS	1000ft		15000ft		5000ft		1800ft	1000ft	500ft	Point	IAS	Rwy
			Rwy	IAS	VSI	IAS	VSI	IAS	VSI	IAS	IAS	IAS	IAS	Point	IAS	Rwy
			ft	kts	ft	kts	ft	kts	ft	kts	kts	kts	kts	ft	kts	ft

Original Flight Behaviour Values			4450	205	3850	270	3150	295	-1550	245	205	135	125	750	105	2800
[Reference Speeds]
flaps_up_stall_speed	160	190	5550	225	4250	275	3150	295	-1575	245	220	135	125	750	105	2800
full_flaps_stall_speed	130	160	4450	205	3675	275	3150	295	-1975	295	215	135	125	700	105	2750
[Weight_And_Balance]
max_gross_weight	255000	300000	4550	205	3825	270	3150	295	-1550	245	215	135	125	700	100	2800
empty_weight	128500	150000	4950	200	3425	265	3150	295	-1550	245	235	145	135	700	115	3350
empty_weight_CG_position	0.000	-9.000	4250	200	3775	270	3150	295	-1550	245	205	135	125	700	105	2800
empty_weight_pitch_MOI	3700000	4500000	4500	205	3825	270	3150	295	-1550	245	205	135	125	700	105	2800
[Flight_Tuning]
cruise_lift_scalar	1.100	1.800	4250	200	4900	260	3150	295	-1550	245	175	110	105	700	85	2200
parasite_drag_scalar	1.300	1.000	4350	205	3900	280	3150	295	-1625	245	220	135	125	750	100	2900
induced_drag_scalar	1.600	3.600	4450	205	3600	265	3150	295	-1550	245	220	135	125	650	100	2500
elevator_effectiveness	1.000	1.800	4250	200	4800	270	3150	295	-1625	245	215	135	125	750	100	2800
pitch_stability	1.000	1.800	4700	205	5700	270	3150	295	-1550	245	205	135	125	700	105	2800
elevator_trim_effectiveness	1.000	1.800	4500	200	3775	270	3150	295	-1550	245	200	135	125	750	105	2800
[TurbineEngineData]
static_thrust	42500	50000	4000	210	4800	285	3150	295	-1575	245	220	135	125	750	100	2600
[Jet_Engine]
thrust_scalar	1.000	0.800	5150	195	3075	245	3150	295	-1550	245	215	135	125	700	105	3000
[Flaps.0]
lift_scalar	0.600	1.000	4450	205	4000	270	3150	295	-1550	245	225	120	110	700	90	2300
drag_scalar	1.400	0.800	4400	205	3850	270	3150	295	-1550	245	200	135	125	750	105	3000
pitch_scalar	1.300	0.500	4450	200	3750	270	3150	295	-1550	245	220	135	125	700	105	2800
full flaps position degree	40	15	4450	205	3850	270	3150	295	-1550	245	200	140	140	850	130	4300
[Flaps.1]
drag_scalar	0.300	1.000	4450	205	3850	270	3150	295	-1600	245	200	130	120	725	100	2800
[Airplane_Geometry]
wing_area	2000	1700	4450	205	3700	280	3150	295	-1600	245	235	145	135	750	115	3350
wing_span	125.00	150.00	4450	205	3500	270	3150	295	-1550	245	205	135	125	750	105	2900
elevator_up_limit	22.500	12.500	5000	215	5675	275	3150	295	-1525	245	205	135	125	700	105	2800



AIG Boeing 757-200 FDE set v5acof AIR File 'aig752v5acofadv.air'	Sample Settings		Take Off		Climb				Descent		Final Approach			Touch Down		Braking
	Original	Changed	Rwy	IAS	1000ft		15000ft		5000ft		1800ft	1000ft	500ft	Point	IAS	Rwy
			Rwy	IAS	VSI	IAS	VSI	IAS	VSI	IAS	IAS	IAS	IAS	Point	IAS	Rwy
			ft	kts	ft	kts	ft	kts	ft	kts	kts	kts	kts	ft	kts	ft

Original Flight Behaviour Values			4450	205	3850	270	3150	295	-1550	245	205	135	125	750	105	2800
[1101]
CL_df Lift - Flaps	1.5000	2.0000	4450	205	3850	270	3150	295	-1550	245	190	125	115	700	95	2450
Cdo Drag Coefficient - Zero Lift	90	30	4250	205	4600	290	3150	295	-1550	245	205	135	125	700	105	2975
Cd_df Drag Coefficient - Flaps	230	1000	4700	205	3850	270	3150	295	-1550	245	200	135	125	600	95	1950
Cdg Drag Coefficient - Landing Gear	80	30	4250	205	4100	275	3150	295	-1550	245	205	135	125	750	105	2900
Cm_de Pitch Moment - Elevator	-4800	-5750	4300	200	3775	270	3150	295	-1550	245	200	135	125	725	105	2800
Cm_q Pitch Moment - Pitch Rate	-440000	-300000	4450	200	4025	270	3150	295	-1550	245	200	135	125	725	105	2800



CONFIG File Section	Parameter	Sample Change	Comment / Affects ...

[Contact_Points]	# 0 Class		0 = none / 1 = wheel / 2 = scrape / 3 = float
	# 1 Longitudinal Position		ft / main wheel parameters = take off and touch down rotation
	# 2 Lateral Position		ft / affects turning when taxiing
	# 3 Vertical Position		ft / primary value for tyres sitting correctly on apron
	# 4 Impact Damage Threshold		fpm
	# 5 Brake Map		0 = none / 1 = left / 2 = right
	# 6 Wheel Radius
	# 7 Steer Angle		degrees
	# 8 Static Compression		vertical alignment for tyres on apron in cooperation with compression of gear / + = tyres down / - = tyres up
	# 9 Max / Static Compression Ratio		gear compression / + = extends strut / - = more compression editability depending on model
	# 10 Damping Ratio		damping when taxiing / 0 = undamped / 1 = critically damped normal values between 0.60 and 0.95
	# 11 Extension Time		seconds
	# 12 Retraction Time		seconds
	# 13 Sound Type
	# 14 Airspeed Limit For Retraction		kts IAS
	# 15 Airspeed For Gear Damage		kts IAS
	static_cg_height	See : Correct Static Values	vertical alignment of model when parked or in slew mode
	static_pitch	See : Correct Static Values	longitudinal alignment when parked or in slew mode
[Reference Speeds]	flaps_up_stall_speed		descent flap settings (+ = flaps extract earlier) / nose lift off
	full_flaps_stall_speed		descent speeds with flaps extracted
	cruise_speed		climb rate at high altitudes
	max_mach		cruise speed
	max_indicated_speed		cruise speed / climb rate at high altitudes
[Weight_And_Balance]	empty_weight_CG_position	0.000 to 5.000	nose wheel touch down quicker / climb pitch stability
[Weight_And_Balance]	empty_weight_pitch_MOI		increase provides more pitch stability
[Flight_Tuning]	cruise_lift_scalar		climb pitch stability / cruise AoA (+ = nose slightly down)
	parasite_drag_scalar		climb performance / pitch & alt stability when flying curves
	induced_drag_scalar		moves point of touch down (+ = backward / - = forward)
	elevator_effectiveness	1.000 to 1.800	removes porpoising effect on final
	pitch_stability		climb speed / climb rate / hardness of touch down
	elevator_trim_effectiveness	1.000 to 1.800	pitch stability increase / removes porpoising effect on final
[GeneralEngineData]	min_throttle_limit	-0.250 to -0.180	reverser braking effect decreased at rollout above 30 kts
[TurbineEngineData]	fuel_flow_gain	0.100 to 0.500	improved thrust lever stability
[TurbineEngineData]	static_thrust		regulates power for jets / climb rates / cruise speed
[Jet_Engine]	thrust_scalar	1.000 to 1.200	acceleration increased / point of rotation moved backwards
[Turboprop_Engine]	maximum_torque		regulates power for props / climb rates / cruise speed
[Brakes]	toe_brakes_scale	1.000 to 0.001	decreased braking force at rollout under 30 kts / smoothens stop
[Flaps.0] / [Flaps.1]	lift_scalar		point of touch down
	drag_scalar		flare pitch / approach speed / point of touch down
	pitch_scalar		flare pitch / point of touch down
	flaps-position.#		descent rate / point of touch down (-° = fwd. / speed increase)
[Airplane_Geometry]	wing_area		pitch & AoA / cruise altitude stability / descent flap settings
	wing_span		descent flap settings / maximum ceiling / cruise speed
	elevator_up_limit	30 to 20	pitch at take off and flare reduced / prevent tail strike at rotation
	spoiler_limit	90 to 300	nose touch down quicker / increases braking force



AIR File Section Parameter	Sample Change	Comment / Affects ...

0313 Reverse Thrust Throttle Percent	-5 to -95	thrust reverse effect increased
0401 Cl/dAoA Factor vs Mach		AoA / touch down speed (M.20 increments per line) (line up = nose down)
0430 Delta Cdo(M) Mach Drag vs Mach Table		cruise speed / climb rate at high altitudes (M.20 increments per line)
1101 Cdo Drag Coefficient - Zero Lift		cruise & descent speed / high altitude climb rate / cruise & descent flap extract
1101 Cd_df Drag Coefficient - Flaps		approach speed / point of touch down / nose wheel touch down
1101 Cdg Drag Coefficient - Landing Gear		approach speed / point of touch down
1101 Cd_ds Drag Coefficient - Spoiler	500 to 1000	braking distance shortened / nose wheel touch down quicker
1101 CL_de Lift - Elevator	-100 to -1000	steering hardened (no affect on AI)
1101 CL_df Lift - Flaps		point of touch down (+ = forward & speed decrease)
1101 CL_ds Lift - Spoilers		spoiler lift effect
1101 Cl_p Roll Moment - Roll Rate (Damping)	-5000 to -20000	cruise flight at heavy jetstream stabilized (no affect on AI)
1101 Cm_de Pitch Moment - Elevator (Control)		climb pitch stability / take off speed / rotation AoA / flare AoA
1101 Cm_q Pitch Moment - Pitch Rate (Damping)		climb pitch & cruise stability / flare AoA
1101 Cm_dt Pitch Moment - Trim		trim pitch effect
1101 Cm_df Pitch Moment - Flaps		flare pitch / point of touch down
1101 Cmg Pitch Moment - Gear		flare pitch / point of touch down / point of rotation
1101 Cm_ds Pitch Moment - Spoilers	0.000 to 0.030	quicker nose touch down / braking force increased
1101 CY_beta Side Force - Sideslip Angle	-100 to -1000	steering hardened (no affect on AI)



Wheels & Lights Edit Chart

WHEELS
// Number	# 0	# 1	# 2	# 3	# 4	# 5	# 6	# 7	# 8	# 9	# 10	# 11	# 12	# 13	# 14	# 15
[Contact_Points]
point.0=	1,	58.5,	0.0,	-21.40,	1000.0,	0,	2.0,	70.0,	1.8,	2.5,	0.900,	9.0,	9.0,	0,	220,	250,	Nose Wheel
point.1=	1,	-30.5,	-18.0,	-21.60,	2000.0,	1,	2.0,	0.0,	1.8,	2.5,	0.900,	11.0,	11.0,	2,	220,	250,	Main Gear	Port
point.2=	1,	-30.5,	18.0,	-21.60,	2000.0,	2,	2.0,	0.0,	1.8,	2.5,	0.900,	11.0,	11.0,	3,	220,	250,	Main Gear	Starboard
point.3=	2,	-152.6,	-103.5,	3.00,	700.0,	0,	0.0,	0.0,	0.0,	0.0,	0.000,	0.0,	0.0,	5,	0,	0,	Do not change!
point.4=	2,	-152.6,	-103.5,	3.00,	700.0,	0,	0.0,	0.0,	0.0,	0.0,	0.000,	0.0,	0.0,	6,	0,	0,	Do not change!
point.5=	2,	3.0,	0.0,	0.00,	700.0,	0,	0.0,	0.0,	0.0,	0.0,	0.000,	0.0,	0.0,	9,	0,	0,	Do not change!
point.6=	2,	-222.7,	0.0,	4.00,	700.0,	0,	0.0,	0.0,	0.0,	0.0,	0.000,	0.0,	0.0,	4,	0,	0,	Do not change!
static_pitch=	-0.0000																See Table
static_cg_height=	21.4000																See Table
gear_system_type=	1																Do not change!

	Class Value	Longitudinal Position	Lateral Position	Vertical Position					Compression Damping

		+ = forward - = backward	outward inward	+ = down - = up
		Do not change!	Attention!						Change on your own risk!

LIGHTS
[Lights]
// Types: 1=beacon, 2=strobe, 3=navigation, 4=cockpit, 5=landing
light.0=	3,	-44.40,	-100.70,	7.70,	fx_navredh				Navigation Light					Port
light.1=	3,	-44.40,	100.70,	7.70,	fx_navgreh				Navigation Light					Starboard
light.2=	2,	-46.00,	-101.25,	7.70,	fx_strobeh				Strobe Light					Port
light.3=	2,	-46.00,	101.25,	7.70,	fx_strobeh				Strobe Light					Starboard
light.4=	3,	-118.00,	0.00,	10.90,	fx_navwhih				Navigation Light
light.5=	1,	65.50,	0.00,	18.90,	fx_beaconh				Beacon					Back / Tail
light.6=	1,	17.50,	0.00,	-6.55,	fx_beaconb				Beacon					Belly
light.7=	5,	35.00,	-9.50,	-0.90,	fx_landing				Landing Light
light.8=	5,	35.00,	9.50,	-0.90,	fx_landing				Landing Light

Ongoing Number	Type	Longitudinal Position	Lateral Position	Vertical Position	Must Match Type

		+ = forward - = backward	outward inward	+ = up - = down
Keep Order!	Attention!				Attention!

WEIGHTS & REFERENCE POINT
[Weight_And_Balance]
max_gross_weight=		875000			Do not change!
empty_weight=		399500			Do not change!

reference_datum_position=		0.0,	0,	0	Do not change! ⇨ Change Wheels / Lights sections only!
empty_weight_CG_position=		5.0,	0,	0	Do not change!

Safe Procedure To Get Correct 'static_pitch' & 'static_cg_height' For Flightsim AI Aircraft

Attention: By emptying the fuel tanks, this procedure changes the flight behaviour !

close FS and open aircraft.cfg of AI aircraft
in [Contact_Points] section set static_pitch to 0.0
in [Contact_Points] section set static_cg_height to the same number as nose wheel vertical number - do not change from minus to plus here
in [Fuel] section set each fuel tank's Usable capacity to 1.0 gallon and Unusable to 0.5 gallon
save aircraft.cfg
start FS and load as AI aircraft
correct wheel contact points and save aircraft.cfg
load a saved flight with default MS FS b737_400 user aircraft - slew mode turned off / simulation rate 'Normal' / no weather 'clear skies'
wait 15 seconds for the aircraft to sit stabilized on ground
select AI aircraft as user aircraft
wait 15 seconds for the aircraft to sit stabilized on ground
save flight
open saved flight file (*.FLT)
transfer data from *.FLT file
[SimVars.0]
Pitch=0.9999999999999999
AGL=99.000000000000000
to aircraft.cfg file
[Contact_Points]
static_pitch = -0.9999
static_cg_height = 99.0000
save aircraft.cfg
repeat from point 8. to point 15. with acquiring data from *.FLT file again
load a saved flight with default MS FS b737_400 user aircraft - slew mode turned off / simulation rate 'Normal' / no weather 'clear skies'
wait 15 seconds for the aircraft to sit stabilized on ground
select AI aircraft as user aircraft
wheels and entire aircraft should not move up or down after turning slew mode on and off repeatedly

Thanks to Rainer Mehlin (Model Designer) and Erez Werber (FAIB) !

AI FDE Settings - Changes & Results by Jan Martin

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