TH-57 SeaRanger Help

[Reggie]

Good morning all,

I'm hoping to get some help on my first attempt at AI modeling. You can see in the screenshot that something is amiss. I wanted some TH-57's to fly out of Whiting South so I tried a little experiment. I'll go by the numbers:
1. I'm using the default Bell 206 (I'm using FSX Acceleration / SP2)
2. Using a TH-57 repaint
3. Using the "stemme_as_helicopter_1" airfile
4. Using AIFP3 for flightplanning

The aircraft are all present and accounted for in the sim and apparently fly the prescribed routes. However, as you can see, the blades do not turn. It was really weird watching the helos float around the sky with no means of propulsion.

Anyone have some input to get the blades spinning?

In the screenshot, I am flying in the lower TH-57. The AI is the one at top.

Thanks,
Reggie
270@22 from KNPA

[JohnTenn]

Reggie

I do not know much about AI helicopters.

There are default animations enabled by the simulator. The required parameters are linked to the part name and what type of aircraft you are using.

Since the AI requires an Aircraft.CFG and .air files from a fixed wing aircraft in order to function, the animation for the blades no longer works. It is no longer a helicopter.

The blades are animated using other triggers in AI helicopter models.

Someone with know how will have to create a new helicopter since it would be illegal to modify the default helicopter without permission.

John

[Victory103]

I have this in my .cfg and have had to do this in other models (Hovercontrol Huey):

prop_anim_ratio=-1.76

[Reggie]

Thanks Chris. I've got the same line in my config file. I'm going to keep working on it. Are there any other 206 or TH-57 models out there I can experiment with?

Reggie

[Joecoastie]

I've found none for FSX but there's a freeware one for FS9 (not AI) and someone has even done a Navy paint for it.
The "ZZZH Bell 206B AAAvn" from the Aussie military AI pack works in FSX. Now if there was just a US Navy paint for it.

[Reggie]

Okay, I've downloaded the freeware for FS9 version. It really looks good sitting on the ramp at KNDZ. Haven't see it fly yet, have to get the timing right to be there for taxi/takeoff. Working on that this evening and will advise.

This model DOES have rotor textures, so I'm hoping for a Christmas miracle.

Will advise.

Reggie

[Joecoastie]

Yep, the rotors turn in FSX. The only thing is it taxis on the ground to the runways.
I've experimented with skid equipped AI helos sitting on a wheeled pad and adjusting the contact points to be off the ground the same height as the pad. It works okay on takeoff but when it returns to land it goes back down to ground level. I've tried making a dedicated invisible helo runway and taxiway the same height as the pad, but so far I haven't had any luck. Still lands at ground level.
Mebbe someone with more smarts than me on afcads and airfiles could make something like this work.

[Victory103]

Well I'll go back and look at mine, using the stock FSX-A B206 with the same paints. I've downloaded both FS9 and FSX ADF files, must of missed the ZZZH B206 somehow.

[Joecoastie]

Chris -

Here's what the Aussie 206 looks like.


This trooper musta got lost. He's here at KLKU. Betcha the snow in his summer throws him.

[Reggie]

The FS9 version I downloaded looks great. They're all lined up and ready to go, but they won't taxi and take off at they're designated times. I don't know what is going on.
Still working on it. I'll post a pic this evening.
Reggie

[Reggie]

I can live with the skids on the ground during taxi as long as the blades are turning.
Which Aussie pack has the 206 in it?

Reggie

[Reggie]

There is a Royal Thai AI Military Package on Avsim that has a "special" FDE for the Bell 206 in that package. I'll check that out over the weekend and see what it might do.