AIR file

**lazlo123** · 03-01-2005, 10:30 PM

Can anyone help me out in understanding what the AIR file is that is located in all the aircraft folders?

Thanks!

**MikeS_KPDX** · 03-01-2005, 11:03 PM

start here...

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/hsors/FS_Soft/

**lazlo123** · 03-02-2005, 07:00 PM

Thanks... lots of info there... seems to be way over my head though... all i want to know is what is the AIR file for? What does it do? Can i copy an AIR file from one aircraft and put it in another?

**ubersu** · 03-02-2005, 07:11 PM

The .air file, in conjunction with the aircraft.cfg, specifies the weights, dimensions, aerodynamic parameters, and equipment, of the aircraft that uses it. You generally cannot just copy the air file from one aircraft to another without making adjustments. Some adjustments are easy and some are not. Just to make it more interesting, some air file parameters are overriden by those specified in the cfg file. Working with the air files is not easy or trivial - folks who can do it well are much respected. It takes a lot of time, effort, and study.

DJ

**lnuss** · 03-02-2005, 10:27 PM

Or to put it in different words, the .air file and the .cfg file together specify aircraft handling, engine power, weights, performance, and almost everything else that's not visible about the aircraft.

The .air file is not documented by Microsoft (there are bits and pieces around the web, though), and the SDK (software development kit) has only brief documentation of the .cfg file.

As DJ says, you cannot just willy-nilly copy the .air (or the .cfg) from one aircraft to another, since some things wouldn't work correctly, some things may not work at all, aircraft type, call sign, and many, many other things wouldn't be right.

**scott967** · 03-03-2005, 04:39 AM

It doesn't seem like the FSEdit program included in the sdk is that helpful in playing with the .air file. I believe the best tool is the program AirEd. If you want a nicer user interface, you could check out aircraft airfile manager (AAM).

scott s.
.

**lazlo123** · 03-03-2005, 09:15 AM

Thanks, now i get it!

**bbmyster_1** · 03-03-2005, 05:18 PM

Speaking of Air and Config. Files...and before i go " Willy Nilly " anything...lol... Is there a way to tap into the config file and take out the " Experimental " Call sign that are assigned to some Aircraft ? . I have 2 Air Canada 767's, one a 200 , and the other , a 300 and when i talk initially to the ATC , my cohort second in command says that we are " Type Experimental " .....driving me bananas !

**scott967** · 03-03-2005, 08:50 PM

IIRC you need tolook in the file aircraft.cfg. There should be lines in there (probably in the /General/ section:
atc_type=BOEING
atc_model=B762 (or B763)
I think if these are not in the list "known" to atc they call you "experimental".

scott s.
.