Flight Models

Editing flight models really involves three parts - the first part is the basic dimesions/weights/gear positions. Next is are the performance data. Lastly, is the supplemental data. Editing FMs is rather easy to do as long as you don't touch the Performance data. Editing FMs to be accurate is more difficult.

Doghouse utility is created by Julian “Codec” Onions who present time works for LeadPursuit (LP). FM Doghouse is readily available. If anyone wants a copy just PM Ranger822.

Aircraft FlightModels can be found inside Zip/simdata.zip/sim/ACDATA file.

If you unzip the simdata file to main directory (creating the inner sim folder there), all files there will override the same files existing in simdata.zip… means you can edit this files straight from the folder with no need to zip/unzip each time you change something and want to test it.

The .dat files themselves holds not only flight data but also lots of other data with variables. At least that's true for BMS based versions like RV and OF.

A good resource for FlightModels variables for F4 are located in the RP5 manual. You can also find some interesting data on the other variables introduced by BMS back then, here on this Frugals topic.

Ranger's Notes Regarding performance curves/data - this is where FM Doghouse is useful. It provides a graphic output of the curves - so you can compare relative performances - - This will allow anyone, to simply tweak the curves to more closely simulate a given flight performacne desired. The main problem I have with the FM's in Falcon is with regard to having some sort of measureable standard or normalizing of performance values across all models. This may be a source of frustration for the user because sometimes the FMs attributed to a given aircraft may not be realistic and either the a/c has a better or worse performance than it actually should have.

Regarding FM variables. The best way figure out the varibles and what they do is to compare various models. You can tell right away by comparing FMs with their LOD counterparts there are signficant differences. In most cases a [0] value means something is “off” and and “1” is either “on” or set to the first position. Most FM variable only have a one or two positions. Experimentation is pretty easy.

Testing FM changes. Cobra/RV allow you to unpack the Simdata folder in the zips folder and then by default it will use the unzipped folder first. This saves some time in switching out FMs that you want to test. In the near future I will post up a detailed FM and we can walk thru each of the variables and you can then cut and paste this “explantory” FM for future referrence.