ACLoader

By Nick J. Ross (3 June 2003)

I say stand-alone since its numerous functions can be used in the absence of Flight Simulator. You can, if it so takes your fancy, work out how much revenue a flight could make, or how much of a loss it could make. You may work out cargo loads, fuel loads, passenger loads, other weights and modify the aircraft.cfg file accordingly.

We have seen other programs which deal with similar aspects, such as the program that comes with the DreamFleet 737. This similarly allows you to modify aircraft loads and fuel settings, and also play about with other technical details like the center of gravity. All these have an effect on the aircraft's performance, how long it takes to get off the ground, landing distance, etc. This can be useful, particularly in line with the FMC and allows some variation in your flying.

ACLoader is not limited to one aircraft, and its database covers most standard aircraft. It's as simple as selecting an aircraft model from Boeing 747 to Piper Saratoga, and then modifying various aspects. There is a wealth of information attached to each aircraft from loading diagrams to the number of flight attendants on board and how much cleaning will cost per seat!

The mathematics behind the program is quite impressive. Thankfully for me, it stays behind the program providing for a relatively user friendly interface. By default most values are already entered, and it is easy to move from one screen to another by simple tabs. Diagrams are provided with each aircraft, and more aircraft profiles can be downloaded for the program.

I can certainly see a lot of potential in this program, and I know that now I have it, I will certainly use it before each flight to tweak the aircraft.cfg file. Everything can be done through this very nice, easy interface with very little extra for me to do; clicking 'write .cfg file' does it all. You can even load a flight plan for the benefit of calculating fuel requirements, etc., and also various costs that the flight will incur. Although such functions are limited in their capacity in a flight simulator, I do think they are interesting, and perhaps aid the replicating of real world flights. Maybe we will even see this software appear in the world of virtual airlines?

In conclusion I like this product. I like being able to alter my aircraft to new performances, and I like even more being able to do this with such ease and with so many options. Although the extra revenue options seem a little irrelevant, they do make this package more impressive and I think, adds a new dimension and adds to personal interest. Since there is little that competes with this product it is hard to rank it, but since it has the scope for modifying all aircraft, it certainly excels anything we've seen for single aircraft. ACLoader costs €14 and can be purchased and downloaded via the ACLoader web site.

Nick J. Ross
nick@skytecaerospace.com

ACLoader Web Site