Military AI Works

Hi folks,
Is it possible to modify the Air Files of the new AI SeaKing heli,so that it flies with the same characteristics as Nick Blacks AI Apache ?
Also, can the air speed of AI Helis be modified ie. slowed down or speeded up ?
Thanks, MPJ

Simply drop the air file from the apache into the seaking folder. <--Not a good idea especially with the heli .AIR files, it doesn't work like that. --Moderators

Thanks for setting me straight....

Not sure how to edit the speed though.

I believe that Nick hard coded his helis with xml within the model so the short answer is 'no' I'm afraid.

I'll leave the question speeds to someone more familiar with the cfg than me.

First question the answer is no. The Apache has the takeoff sequence hard coded into the actual model. So that has to be done when the model is developed through some nifty tricks, the Seaking was developed quite a while ago, long before anyone figured out how to hard code helicopter features into an AI model.

As to the second question, you need to ask the FDE creator, Mike MacIntyre, username="mikewmac". He's the expert on that area. I don't mess with those things as generally it produces results that you do not want.

As others have said. If you want the animation of the Apache you are out of luck.
If you want to increase the speed the answer is why? It is set to the cruise speed of the Sea King.
To answer your question on altering speed yes it can be done, but as any fde alteration it will have consequences elsewhere as an fde is a balancing act. For example increase the power and it will fly faster, but it will climb faster and the take-off attitude will probably quite erratic.

I really would not touch it at all.

MPJ wrote:Hi folks,
Is it possible to modify the Air Files of the new AI SeaKing heli,so that it flies with the same characteristics as Nick Blacks AI Apache ?
Also, can the air speed of AI Helis be modified ie. slowed down or speeded up ?
Thanks, MPJ

As Mike and Steve have indicated above the answer to question number 1 is a definite no, since the more realistic takeoff of the NBAI Apache is coded into Nick's model, not the .cfg and/or .air files, and is primarily dependent on this coding.

I should add that I did have to make major allowances in both the .cfg and .air files for Nick's NBAI Apache in order to optimize them to be compatible with Nick's takeoff sequence coding in this model and that they are therefore probably not transferable to any other AI helicopters without this special coding in the model.

Also as indicated in the header for the aircraft.cfg file for the NBAI Apache:

NOTE: This is a completely new and original turbine engined AI helicopter FDE that is not derived from the AI helicopter FDE's using the Stemme Motor Glider air file as a base. As such it enables the NBAI AH-64 Apache to fly both at a realistic cruise speed of 150+/- KTAS and higher speeds in the pattern around an airport, but still slow to 50+/- KTAS on final with an instant stop at touchdown.

Note 2: The NBAI AH-64 Apache Flight Model Version 3.6 is optimized for NBAI AH-64 Apache landings on ~500-800 foot FS9 AI helicopter runways. The NBAI AH-64 Apache will also land on normal length FS9 airport runways, but with a tail low attitude and a bit of a bounce.

The answer to question number 2 is "not very readily", dependent on the AI helicopter .cfg and .air files in question, which speeds are desired to be changed and how large of a change is desired.

In the case of the MAIW UKMIL AI Sea King I did my best to duplicate the cruise speed for the real Sea King as well as maximize the final approach speed and these should not be modified by anyone unless they are experienced with and knowledgeable about all the other AI helicopter flight performance characteristics that such modifications might negatively affect and how to compensate for them.

As I stated in the aircraft.cfg header for the MAIW UKMIL AI Sea King:

This AI Helicopter FDE provides turbine engine power and sound with shorter AI helicopter takeoff rolls, faster final approach speeds and spot landings.

This was my first attempt at utilizing turbine engine power for an AI Helicopter FDE based off Holger Sandmann and associates' AI helicopter FDE's using the Stemme Motor Glider air file as a base. Unfortunately the use of the Stemme Motor Glider air file as a base limits how much the cruise and/or final approach speeds can be adjusted without creating other AI flight problems. My addition of turbine engine power did help some with adjusting both of these speeds and of course had the added benefit of affording turbine engine sound and 24/7 nav lights.

I have not yet had the opportunity to attempt to modify the MAIW UKMIL AI Sea King FDE and apply it to other turbine engined AI helicopters with different cruise speeds, so I can only speculate that although it probably won't be easy, it might be possible as long as the cruise speeds are not too high.

Mike

Many thanks for your replies, - at least i have a better understanding of
AI Heli now,
Cheers
MPJ

Hi everyone,

I guess that Nick's clever XML coding means that a skid-landing model (like a Jetranger, for example) could be programmed to lift off and air-taxi to the active runway? I'm thinking about TH-57s at South Whiting, Squirrels at RAF Shawbury or TH-67s at Fort Rucker.

You can see from this that I like training aircraft...

JUST FLIGHT" TRAFFIC 2005 " has some AI helis which operate in the exact manner you describe. inc. Ecureuil AS 350B2 Squirrels in UK training colours.operating from Shawbury.
They lift vertically, from parking , into a hover,then slowly taxy to the
runway,(still hovering),then take off the same as stiff winged a/craft.
I use this program to take care of my civil traffic. but again i think the
behavior of these helis is encoded into the air files, and cannot be accessed or modified.
MPJ

The one thing you all know now is that I'm a moron after consuming a bottle of Rhubarb wine for the holidays.

So with nothing left to say....move on, nothing to see here now.

The best way, is to use Flight1 Helitraffic.