flight_model.cfg
The flight_model.cfg
file is an optional aircraft file for defining the flight model of the aircraft. In general, you'll want to prepare this file using the DevMode tools (see here for more information) and then tweak the values if required in the CFG file.
Below you can find information on the different sections used in the flight_model.cfg
file as well as what parameters and values are expected within them. You can also find an in-depth explanation of the physics behind the flight model from the following page:
NOTE: To help with the configuration of the Flight Model (and the engines.cfg
) we have included an *.xlsx
file with the documentation that can be used to generate the required values for many of the parameters based on a small number of inputs (these inputs are marked in blue in the file): PlanePerformance.xlsx
[Version]
The [Version]
section provides version information for the configuration file. In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, major versions should always be at least equal to 1.
Note that this section information is mandatory and should always be included.
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
major |
Major CFG file version number, values must be greater than 0. | Integer | Yes |
minor |
Minor CFG file version number, values must be greater than 0. | Integer | Yes |
[WEIGHT_AND_BALANCE]
This section is used to define the weight and balance of the aircraft. Most position parameters in this section are given relative to the Datum Reference Point for the aircraft, which is itself specified in this section. The convention for positions is that a positive value equals forward, to the right, or vertically upward, and note that all units are in ft, unless mentioned otherwise. Any 3D coordinates are given with respect to this referential in the following order:
z
(longitudinal) coordinatex
(lateral) coordinatey
(vertical) coordinate
The only parameters that are not relative to the datum reference are the parameters for the manual longitudinal positioning of the CoL, compute_aero_center
and aero_center_lift
.
The available parameters for this section are:
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
max_gross_weight |
The maximum total weight of the aircraft when fully loaded, in lbs. | Float | Yes |
max_zero_fuel_weight |
The maximum weight of the aircraft when fully loaded but with empty fuel tanks, in lbs. Defaults to the max_gross_weight value if not supplied. |
Float | No |
max_takeoff_weight |
The maximum permitted takeoff weight of the aircraft, as defined by the aircraft manufacturer, in lbs. Defaults to the |
Float | No |
max_landing_weight |
The maximum permitted landing weight of the aircraft, as defined by the aircraft manufacturer, in lbs. Defaults first to |
Float | No |
empty_weight |
The empty weight of the aircraft, in lbs. | Float | Yes |
reference_datum_position |
The position of the Datum Reference Point relative to the model center. A three value list - z, x, y - with values in ft. IMPORTANT! The reference datum position should always be defined in the common folder of the modular aircraft, and it should not be changed by presets or attachments. Setting or changing the datum in presets or attachments may cause issues with multiple simulation systems. |
List of 3 Floats |
Yes |
empty_weight_CG_position |
The position of airplane empty weight CG relative to the Datum Reference Point. A three value list - z, x, y - with values in ft. |
List of 3 Floats |
Yes |
CG_forward_limit |
Forward limit of the CG as a Percent Over 100. For example, 0.11 is equal to 11% MAC. NOTE: This parameter is only valid for airplanes. |
Float | Yes |
CG_aft_limit |
Aft limit of the CG as a Percent Over 100. For example, 0.4 is equal to 40% MAC. NOTE: This parameter is only valid for airplanes. |
Float | Yes |
CG_feet_forward_limit |
The forward limit (longitudinal offset) of the CG expressed in ft from the Datum Reference Point. NOTE: This parameter is only valid for helicopters. |
Float | Yes |
CG_feet_aft_limit |
The aft limit (longitudinal offset) of the CG expressed in ft from the Datum Reference Point. NOTE: This parameter is only valid for helicopters. |
Float | Yes |
CG_feet_lateral_right_limit |
The right-side (lateral offset) limit of the CG expressed in ft from the Datum Reference Point. NOTE: This parameter is only valid for helicopters. |
Float | Yes |
CG_feet_lateral_left_limit |
The left-side (lateral offset) limit of the CG expressed in ft from the Datum Reference Point. NOTE: This parameter is only valid for helicopters. |
Float | Yes |
empty_weight_pitch_MOI |
The empty pitch MOI, in Slug sqft. | Float | Yes |
empty_weight_roll_MOI |
The empty roll MOI, in Slug sqft. | Float | Yes |
empty_weight_yaw_MOI |
The empty yaw MOI, in Slug sqft. | Float | Yes |
empty_weight_coupled_MOI |
The empty transverse MOI, in Slug sqft. | Float | Yes |
activate_mach_limit_based_on_cg |
When set to TRUE (1) this activates mach limitation depending on CG position. Default for most aircraft is FALSE (0). |
Bool | Yes |
activate_cg_limit_based_on_mach |
When set to TRUE (1) this activate CG limitation depending on the mach value. Default for most aircraft is FALSE (0). |
Bool | Yes |
max_number_of_stations |
The maximum number of payload stations. | Integer | Yes |
station_load.N |
This parameter can be used multiple times to define each of the payload stations up to the maximum defined by the
The weight is in lbs, (x, y, z) is the offset from the Datum Reference Point and in ft, and the name is a localisable string. Note that for legacy aircraft, there is an additional parmeter, type:
The type can be one of the following integer values:
|
List of 6 Values |
No (Unless max_number_of_stations is greater than 0)
|
station_name.N |
This parameter defines a name that will be used in the payload dialog, and has a 15 character limit. Omission of this will result in a generic station name being used. This parameter can be used multiple times to define names for each of the payload stations up to the maximum defined by the |
String | No (Unless max_number_of_stations is greater than 0)
|
[CONTACT_POINTS]
This section is for defining the points on the aircraft body referential frame which are likely to come in contact with the ground. These parameters are used for aircraft positioning on the ground and also for crash simulations. Contact points should be added through the SimObject Editor, and only tweaked if required through the flight_model.cfg
file.
This section has the following parameters:
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
static_pitch |
The pitch when at rest on the ground, in degrees, where a positive value is "up" and a negative value is "down". IMPORTANT: Static pitch is only used when the physics simulation for the aircraft is not active: for example in the Hangar or in ready-to-take-off RTCs. |
Float | Yes |
static_cg_height |
The altitude of the CG when at rest on the ground, in ft. IMPORTANT: Static CG height is only used when the physics simulation for the aircraft is not active: for example in the Hangar or in ready-to-take-off RTCs. |
Float | |
tailwheel_lock |
Sets whether the tailwheel lock is available (TRUE, 1) or not (FALSE, 0). | Bool | |
gear_system_type |
Sets the gear system type for the aircraft. |
Integer:
|
|
emergency_extension_type |
Sets the type of emergency extension system that can be used. |
Integer:
|
|
gear_locked_on_ground |
Defines whether or not the landing gear handle is locked to down when the plane is on the ground (TRUE, 1) or not (FALSE, 0). | Bool | |
gear_locked_above_speed |
Defines the speed at which the landing gear handle becomes locked in the up position, in ft per second. Note that a value of -1 can be used to disable this option. | Float | |
locked_tailwheel_max_range |
This defines the maximum angle of the tailwheel when locked, in radians. Default is 0. |
Float | |
allow_stopped_steering |
This can be used to enable (TRUE, 1) steering when the aircraft is stopped or not (FALSE, 0). | Bool | |
max_speed_full_steering |
Defines the speed under which the full angle of steering is available, in ft per second. | Float | |
max_speed_decreasing_steering |
Defines the speed above which the angle of steering stops decreasing, in ft per second. | Float | |
min_available_steering_angle_pct |
Defines the percentage of steering which will always be available even above max_speed_decreasing_steering , in Percent Over 100 |
Float | |
max_speed_full_steering_castering |
Defines the speed under which the full angle of steering is available for free castering wheels, in ft per second. | Float | |
max_speed_decreasing_steering_castering |
Defines the speed above which the angle of steering stops decreasing for free castering wheels, in ft per second. | Float | |
min_castering_angle |
Defines the minimum angle a free castering wheel can take (in radians). | Float | |
max_castering_angle |
Defines the maximum angle a free castering wheel can take (in radians). | Float | |
hyd_need_power_to_function |
Sets whether the hydraulic systems for the landing gear require power to function (1, TRUE) or not (0, FALSE). Default value is 1, TRUE. NOTE: This parameter is only taken into consideration when the |
Bool | |
set_max_compression |
This can be used to change the way how the 10th parameter in the Default value is 0 (false). |
Boolean | No |
spring_exponential_fix |
This parameter is only required to fix a potential issue related to the 17th parameter in the Default value is 0 (FALSE). |
Bool | No |
water_longitudinal_friction_scalar |
This parameter is a scalar used to modify the water friction for all contact points on the Z axis. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
water_lateral_friction_scalar |
This parameter is a scalar used to modify the water friction for all contact points on the X axis. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
water_steering_friction_scalar |
This parameter is a scalar used to modify the water friction on the X axis for water rudders. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
point.N |
Hashmap used to give the contact point a name and properties. This parameter can be used multiple times to define each of the contact points (note that counting starts at 0, so for 5 points N would be from 0 to 4). For the actual keys and values required, please see below. | No (Unless max_number_of_points is greater than 0)
|
point.N
The point
parameter is a hash map with the following keys:
Key | Value | Description | Required |
---|---|---|---|
Name |
String | This is a name string that is used as an alias to identify the contact point. It will also be used as the reference index for SimVars, and note that the name is the only guaranteed reference to the component due to the fact that the Modular Aircraft Merging process may change the index. The name cannot contain special characters or spaces. | Yes |
Properties |
List |
Table that contains all the information about the interactive point. |
Yes |
The Properties
key is a list of 18 values, as shown in the following example:
point.0 = Name: wheel1 #Properties: 1, -13, 0, -0.65, 750, 0, 0.523, 90, 0.296, 2.5, 0.794, 0, 0, 0, 165, 165, 1, 1
Each of these property values is for a specific piece of information about the contact point, which we list in the table below for reference:
List Position | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
0 |
This sets the type of contact point being defined. Please refer to the following notes for additional information that will be important depending on the type contact point being defined: |
Integer:
|
Yes |
1 | Longitudinal position z relative to Datum Reference Point, in ft. | Float | Yes |
2 | Lateral position x relative to Datum Reference Point, in ft. | Float | Yes |
3 | Vertical position y relative to Datum Reference Point, in ft. | Float | Yes |
4 | Impact damage threshold crash velocity, in ft per minute. | Float | Yes |
5 | The brake type the wheel contact uses. |
Integer:
|
Yes if the position 0 contact value is 1 (for a wheel). |
6 | The wheel radius, in ft. | Float | Yes if the position 0 contact value is 1 (for a wheel). |
7 | Wheel max steering angle, in degrees, between -90 and 90. | Float | Yes if the position 0 contact value is 1 (for a wheel). |
8 |
The static compression coefficient constant (which is used to compute spring reaction when on the ground), in ft. If the contact point is rigid, then set this to 0. Please see Notes On Spring/Damping Factors for more information. |
Float | Yes |
9 |
If the Please see Notes On Spring/Damping Factors for more information. |
Float | No |
10 |
The damping ratio constant (used to compute ground reaction damping). A value between 0.0 (un-damped) and 1.0 (critically damped) Please see Notes On Spring/Damping Factors for more information. |
Float | Yes |
11 | Extension time, in seconds. This is the time required to fully extend wheels/water rudder/skis/floats. | Float | Yes |
12 | Retraction time, in seconds. This is the time required to fully retract wheels/water rudder/skis/floats. | Float | Yes |
13 | Identifies the type of sound that is going to be played for the contact point. |
Integer:
|
Yes |
14 | The airspeed limit for gears retraction, in kias. | Float | No |
15 |
Airspeed above which gear is damaged, in kias. For more information see here: Landing Gear Damage. |
Float | No |
16 | The exponential constant for springs (if in doubt, omit or set to 1). For more information, see Notes On The Exponential Constant. | Float | No |
17 |
The extension mode to use for landing gear. This parameter defines how an extendable contact point should react to the gear handle moving, which can be one of the following values:
If omitted then the default behaviour will be automatic (1). |
Bool | No |
[COLLISION_DAMAGE]
This section is for defining the points on the aircraft body referential frame which are likely to come in contact with the ground. These parameters are used for aircraft positioning on the ground and also for crash simulations. Contact points should be added through the SimObject Editor, and only tweaked if required through the flight_model.cfg
file. You can find additional information on how the wear and tear and collision damage parameters work from the following section:
This section has the following parameters:
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
CollisionDamage.N |
This parameter is used to set up a collision "profile" which can be used elsewhere. This profile is comprised of the following key/value pairs:
For example:
Once you have this profile, you can assign it to various parts (as listed here) and if the contact point is involved in a collision, then damage will be propagated to the parts that reference the profile based on the factor used in the profile. A factor of 1 means that 100% of the damage will be propagated, and 0 means no damage will be propagated. |
No | |
AileronLeft |
This is used to assign one or more damage profiles to the left aileron. The information is given as a hash map with the following key:
For example:
|
No | |
AileronLeftCable |
This is used to assign one or more damage profiles to the left aileron control cable. The information is given as a hash map with the following key:
For example:
|
No | |
AileronRight |
This is used to assign one or more damage profiles to the right aileron. The information is given as a hash map with the following key:
For example:
|
No | |
AileronRightCable |
This is used to assign one or more damage profiles to the right aileron control cable. The information is given as a hash map with the following key:
For example:
|
No | |
Rudder |
This is used to assign one or more damage profiles to the rudder. The information is given as a hash map with the following key:
For example:
|
No | |
RudderCable |
This is used to assign one or more damage profiles to the rudder control cable. The information is given as a hash map with the following key:
For example:
|
No | |
Elevator |
This is used to assign one or more damage profiles to the elevator. The information is given as a hash map with the following key:
For example:
|
No | |
ElevatorCable |
This is used to assign one or more damage profiles to the elevator control cable. The information is given as a hash map with the following key:
For example:
|
No | |
FlapsLeft |
This is used to assign one or more damage profiles to the left flaps. The information is given as a hash map with the following key:
For example:
|
No | |
FlapsLeftCable |
This is used to assign one or more damage profiles to the left flaps control cable. The information is given as a hash map with the following key:
For example:
|
No | |
FlapsRight |
This is used to assign one or more damage profiles to the right flaps. The information is given as a hash map with the following key:
For example:
|
No | |
FlapsRightCable |
This is used to assign one or more damage profiles to the right flaps control cable. The information is given as a hash map with the following key:
For example:
|
No | |
LandingGear.N |
This parameter permits you to assign a damage profile to one or more landing gear. The parameter is indexed from 1, and indices must be consecutive. Indices refer to a contact point of the type wheel where index 1 is the first one defined in the contact point section, regardless of it's position in the contact point list. Index 2 wll be the second defined wheel, 3 the third, etc...
The information for each landing gear is given as a hash map with the following key:
For example:
|
No | |
Engine.N |
This parameter permits you to assign a damage profile to one or more engines. The parameter is indexed from 1, and indices must be consecutive. Indices refer to the engine the profile should be applied to, counting from left to right.
The information for each engine is given as a hash map with the following key:
For example:
|
No | |
EngineOilTank.N |
This parameter permits you to assign a damage profile to one or more engine oil tank. The parameter is indexed from 1, and indices must be consecutive. Indices refer to the engine the profile should be applied to.
The information for each oil tank is given as a hash map with the following key:
For example:
|
No |
[FUEL]
This section is for defining a simplified fuel system that will reflect on the flight model. In general this section is where you'd define fuel systems for basic aircraft, but for more complex aircraft you have the [FUEL_SYSTEM]
section which permits you to setup how fuel will be distributed and used within the aircraft on a much more detailed level.
This section has the following parameters:
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
LeftMain |
Comma separated list of values that defines the tank. List values are:
(z, x, y) is offset from the Datum Reference Point and in ft, and the fuel capacity values are in Gallons. If any tank is not used, simply supply the list with all values set to 0. |
List of 5 Values |
Yes |
RightMain |
|||
Center1 |
|||
Center2 |
|||
Center3 |
|||
LeftAux |
|||
LeftTip |
|||
RightAux |
|||
RightTip |
|||
External1 |
|||
External2 |
|||
fuel_type |
The fuel type for the engines. |
Integer:
|
Yes |
number_of_tank_selectors |
The number of tank selectors available, between 1 and 4 only. | Integer | Yes |
electric_pump |
Whether there is an electric pump (TRUE, 1) or not (FALSE, 0). | Bool | No |
engine_driven_pump |
Whether there is an engine driven pump (TRUE, 1) or not (FALSE, 0). | Bool | No |
manual_transfer_pump |
Whether there is a manual transfer pump (TRUE, 1) or not (FALSE, 0). | Bool | No |
manual_pump |
Whether there is a manual pump (TRUE, 1) or not (FALSE, 0). | Bool | No |
anemometer_pump |
Whether there is an anemometer pump (TRUE, 1) or not (FALSE, 0). | Bool | No |
fuel_dump_rate |
The fuel dump rate, as a Percent Over 100. | Float | No |
max_pressure_auto_pump |
The maximum pressure for the auto pump, in psi. | Float | No |
fuel_transfer_pump.N |
Defines a fuel transfer pump N, where N starts at 0. Table contents are:
Source and Destination are one of the values given here for the different tanks: Fuel Tank Selection. The Pump ID is an integer value used to identify the pump and link it to a circuit. To toggle the pump on or off you need to have first created a circuit of the type The pump can then be toggled on/off using the |
List of 4 Values |
No |
default_fuel_tank_selector |
The default fuel selector used in case of autostart, which will override default_fuel_tank_selector.N . |
Integer:
|
No |
default_fuel_tank_selector.N |
Default fuel selector used in case of autostart for engine N, where N corresponds to an engine (between 1 and 4). This will be ignored if default_fuel_tank_selector is defined. |
Yes | |
fuel_tank_priority |
This is a table of fuel tanks to indicate the order in which they should be used. You list the highest priority first, and then subsequent priorities, for example:
As you can see, dashes can be used to indicate 2 (or more) fuel tanks sharing the same priority, and in this example both the left and right main tanks are priority 1, then Center1 is priority 2. The following strings can be used to indicate the fuel tanks you want to assign a priority to:
|
List of Values |
No |
[FUEL_SYSTEM]
This section is for defining the aircraft's fuel system in detail. In general, the fuel system should be set up through the SimObject Editor, and only tweaked if required through the flight_model.cfg
file using the parameters on this page.
The [FUEL_SYSTEM]
section is primarily for use in complex aircraft models where the simple [FUEL]
system doesn't give enough control or flexibility for the aircraft systems. The parameters within the [FUEL]
section should be used for simple aircraft or those that require a basic fuel system setup, or for maintaining old aircraft (like ones imported from FSX).
This section only has a few parameters, but each parameter can be repeated a number of times if required, where N
in the parameter name corresponds to a new item of that parameter type. For example, the Engine
parameter can go from Engine.1
to Engine.4
and each one can be defined separately.
The available fuel system parameters are:
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
Version |
This value corresponds to the various versions of the modern fuel system and is used to permit you to maintain compatibility with already published aircraft as the modern fuel system evolves. The following values are currently accepted:
|
String | Yes |
fuel_type |
Sets the fuel type to be used by the engine or burner. This can be one of the following:
|
Integer | Yes |
Burner.N |
Defines one or more burners (up to a maximum of 16) that form a part of the fuel system. Details on the burner map contents are given here: Note that burners require that the |
No | |
APU.N |
This defines an APU for the fuel system. You can have multiple APU's per system, numbered from 1 upwards. Details on the APU map contents are given here: |
||
Engine.N |
Defines one or more engines (up to a maximum of 16) that form a part of the fuel system. Details on the engine map contents are given here: |
||
Tank.N |
Defines one or more fuel tanks that form a part of the fuel system. Details on the tank map contents are given here: |
||
Line.N |
Defines one or more lines that form a part of the fuel system. Details on the line map contents are given here: |
||
Junction.N |
Defines one or more junctions that form a part of the fuel system. Details on the junction map contents are given here: |
||
Valve.N |
Defines one or more valves that form a part of the fuel system. Details on the valve map contents are given here: |
||
Pump.N |
Defines one or more fuel pumps that form a part of the fuel system. Details on the pump map contents are given here: |
||
Trigger.N |
Defines one or more triggers that will be used to change components within the fuel system based on certain conditions. Details on the trigger map contents are given here: Trigger.N |
||
Curve.N |
A list of values. You can define multiple curves for a fuel system, starting at N = 1, and the curves may be used in multiple different parameters. Details on the list contents are given here: Curve.N |
List of Values |
No |
NOTE: For all parameters, the "Title" key is localisable, but it is also optional and can be omitted in most cases. Currently only the Tank.N
title is visible in the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 UI.
[AIRPLANE_GEOMETRY]
This section is for defining the geometry of an aircraft, which is an important part of the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 engine, since the flying physics will use, in a large part, the aircraft geometry to simulate the interaction between the SimObject and the physical world. In general, the geometry of the aircraft should be created and edited through the SimObject Editor, and only tweaked if required through the flight_model.cfg
file.
NOTE: This section is not required if you are creating a Helicopter SimObject.
Note that you can find further information on the physics behind this section from the following page:
You can also find a helpful tutorial on the basics of setting up the aircraft geometry from the following page:
The available parameters for the [AIRPLANE_GEOMETRY]
section are:
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
wing_area |
Total area of the top surface of the wing from tip-to-tip, in sqft. The wing area impacts the target lift and drag forces. For example it directly impacts lift proportionally to the area: \(L = 0.5 \times p \times v \times v \times WingArea \times C_L\) |
Float | Yes |
wing_span |
The horizontal distance between the two wing tips, in ft. The wing span impacts the distribution of the forces over the aircraft, and the larger the wing span the greater the increase in the roll and yaw moment of ailerons and also the resistance to the roll movement of the aircraft. |
Float | Yes |
wing_root_chord |
Length of the wing Chord at the intersection of the wing and the fuselage, in ft. The chord over the wing will be automatically computed based on the area, the span and the chord at the root. To get a rectangle shaped wing, enter the average chord into the root chord. To get a triangle shaped wing enter a root chord larger than the average chord. |
Float | Yes |
wing_camber |
The wing Camber, in degrees. Wing camber here means the difference in virtual incidence or slope between the back region of the wing and the front region of the wing. A wing with a lot of camber has a big curve while a wing with less camber is more streamlined. Wing camber mostly has an impact on the pitch moment generated at various wing incidences as well as on the position of the aerodynamic center. | Float | Yes |
wing_thickness_ratio |
The wing local thickness, calculated as: \({\textrm{local\_chord}} (x) \times \textrm{wing\_thickness\_ratio}\) where \(x = \textrm{lateral coord}\) Value is in ft. |
Float | Yes |
wing_dihedral |
This is the angle between the wing leading edge and a horizontal line parallel to the ground, as seen when looking at the front of an aircraft. Technically defined as the dihedral angle Lambda, in degrees. The wing dihedral impacts secondary effects such as induced roll and adverse yaw. |
Float | Yes |
wing_virtualdihedral |
Sets the "virtual" dihedral. This values is added to the actual dihedral value, but without moving the surface, proportional to the vertical position of the wing. Note that high wings have more positive virtual dihedral, and low wings have more negative virtual dihedral. You can use this parameter to simulate the pressure build up between wing and fuselage when side slipping. Default value is 5.0. |
Float | No |
wing_incidence |
This is the angle (in degrees) the mean wing Chord makes with a horizontal line parallel to the ground, as seen when looking at the side of an aircraft from the wing tip. This base wing incidence is calculated when the aircraft surfaces are initially "built" in the simulation and before the normalization of the lift table. The base incidence impacts the zero AoA lift and should be set as closely as possible to the real wing incidence so that the normalization has as little work to do in order to reach the target lift polar. The normalization will readjust this incidence in order to match the target lift coefficient. |
Float | Yes |
wing_twist |
This is the difference in wing incidence from the root Chord and the tip Chord of the wing (in degrees). Technically defined as the wing twist epsilon. Most aircraft have twisted wings in order to increase aileron authority close to and during a stall. This also causes higher incidences towards the root of the wing and will cause these regions to stall earlier, which will cause more symmetrical stalls. |
Float | Yes |
oswald_efficiency_factor |
The wing Oswald Efficiency Factor (non dimensional) measures the aerodynamic efficiency of the wing, where a theoretically perfect wing will have a factor of 1.0. This is the "e" in: \(C_{Di} = \frac {(C_L)^2} {pi \times AR \times e}\) While the aspect ratio is defined by the geometry, this factor impacts the induced drag, and most planes have an oswald factor in the order of 0.7. |
Float | Yes |
wing_winglets_flag |
Sets whether the aircraft has winglets (TRUE, 1) or not (FALSE, 0). This parameter is not directly used to define the aircraft geometry, however if the aircraft goes through the normalization process that normalizes the performance to the desired drag, then that drag value will include the winglet drag if it is enabled using this parameter. |
Bool | Yes |
wing_sweep |
The angle of the wing with the lateral axis. This is the angle the leading edge of the wing makes with a horizontal line perpendicular to the fuselage, as seen when looking down on top of an aircraft (expressed in degrees). Wing sweep has an important impact on secondary effects but also on the location of the wing on the longitudinal axis. The wing will be positioned to align the default 25% aerodynamic center with the |
Float | Yes |
wing_pos_apex_vert |
Vertical (y) distance of the wing apex - as measured at the centerline of the aircraft - from the Datum Reference Point in ft. This distance is measured positive in the "up" direction. |
Float | Yes |
wing_mindragincidence |
This sets the aircraft AoA at which the wing's parasitic drag is minimal (lift induced drag is always minimal when lift is minimal). Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
htail_area |
Area of the static part of the horizontal stabilizer (not counting the elevator area), in sqft. The horizontal stabilizer and elevator will be simulated as a single wing with surfaces positioned in a way that the overall incidence matches the current control surface deflection. This single surface will have the area of |
Float | Yes |
htail_span |
The horizontal span of the htail and elevator surface, in ft. A large htail span will impact the roll moment of the propeller wash but also resist the aircraft roll movement. |
Float | Yes |
htail_pos_lon |
Longitudinal (z) distance of the horizontal tail apex and elevator surface - as measured at the centerline of the aircraft - from the Datum Reference Point in ft. This distance is measured positive in the forward (aircraft nose) direction. The longitudinal position of the htail impacts the pitch moment of the htail and elevator surfaces. The htail force vectors should be aligned with the real surface. |
Float | Yes |
htail_pos_vert |
Vertical (y) distance of the horizontal tail apex and elevator surface - as measured at the centerline of the aircraft - from the Datum Reference Point in ft. This distance is measured positive in the "up" direction. Depending on the vertical position of the htail, it can get into turbulences created by the wing located in front of it. In extreme situations this can create a deep and unrecoverable stall. |
Float | Yes |
htail_incidence |
The default incidence of the htail and elevator surface combination. This is the angle the mean horizontal tail Chord makes with a horizontal line parallel to the ground, as seen when looking at the side of an aircraft from the horizontal tail tip (in degrees). The aircraft surfaces will be build with this default incidence setting and all performance normalization will be calculated with this incidence. This means that the target lift and drag coefficients will match the aircraft with this We recommend setting the \({C_D} = {C_{D0}} + K(C_L - C_{L0})^{2}\) However, it is possible to chose a different speed than cruise and set the |
Float | Yes |
htail_sweep |
This is the angle the horizontal tail leading edge makes with a horizontal line perpendicular to the fuselage, as seen when looking down on top of an aircraft (in degrees). | Float | Yes |
htail_thickness_ratio |
The horizontal tail local thickness, calculated as: \({\textrm{local\_chord}} (x) \times \textrm{htail\_thickness\_ratio}\) where \(x = \textrm{lateral coord}\) Value is in ft. |
Float | Yes |
vtail_area |
The fuselage-to-tip area of the static part of the vertical stabilizer (not counting the rudder area), in sqft. The vertical stabilizer and rudder will be simulated as a single wing with surfaces positioned in a way such that the overall incidence matches the current control surface deflection. This single surface will have the area of |
Float | Yes |
vtail_span |
The vertical tail span is the vertical distance from the vertical tail-fuselage intersection to the tip of the vertical tail, in ft. A large vtail span will impact the roll moment of the propeller wash but also resist the aircraft roll movement. It will also counter adverse yaw and counter induced roll during rudder inputs. |
Float | Yes |
vtail_sweep |
This is the angle the vertical tail leading edge makes with a vertical line perpendicular to the fuselage, as seen when looking at the side of the vertical tail (in degrees). | Float | Yes |
vtail_pos_lon |
Longitudinal (z) position of the vtail and rudder surface - as measured at the centerline of the aircraft - from the Datum Reference Point in ft. This distance is measured positive in the forward (aircraft nose) direction. The longitudinal position of the vtail impacts the yaw moment of the vtail and rudder surfaces. The vtail force vectors should be aligned with the real surface. |
Float | Yes |
vtail_pos_vert |
Vertical position of the vtail and rudder surface - as measured at the centerline of the aircraft - from the Datum Reference Point in ft. This distance is measured positive in the "up" direction. Depending on the vertical position of the vtail, it can get into turbulences created by the wing located in front of it. The vertical position of the vtail will impact the roll moment created by the surface. |
Float | Yes |
vtail_thickness_ratio |
The vertical tail local thickness, calculated as: \({\textrm{local\_chord}} (x) \times \textrm{vtail\_thickness\_ratio}\) where \(x = \textrm{lateral coord}\) Value is in ft. |
Float | Yes |
fuselage_length |
The fuselage length from nose to tail, in ft. | Float | Yes |
fuselage_diameter |
The approximate fuselage diameter, in ft. This value is used to limit the the drone camera and for other things like POI notification placement, etc... If this parameter is not included in the file, then the diameter will be inferred from the wing mean chord length and other data. |
Float | No |
fuselage_center_pos |
The fuselage center from the Datum Reference Point, in ft. |
List of 3 Floats |
Yes |
fuselage_mindragincidence |
Aircraft AoA at which the fuselage's drag is minimal. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
cockpit_width |
The approximate width of the cockpit area, in ft. If you include this parameter then you should also include the |
Float | No |
cockpit_height |
The approximate height of the cockpit area, in ft. If you include this parameter then you should also include the |
Float | No |
elevator_area |
Area of the moving part of the horizontal stabilizer (not counting the htail area), in sqft. The horizontal stabilizer and elevator will be simulated as a single wing with surfaces positioned in a way that the overall incidence matches the current control surface deflection. This single surface will have the area of |
Float | Yes |
aileron_area |
The top surface aileron area, in sqft. | Float | Yes |
aileron_to_elevator_gain |
Scales the elevator deflection angle in relation to the aileron deflection angle. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
rudder_area |
Area of the moving part of the vertical stabilizer (not counting the vtail area),in sqft. The vertical stabilizer and rudder will be simulated as a single wing with surfaces positioned in a way that the overall incidence matches the current control surface deflection. This single surface will have the area of |
Float | Yes |
elevator_up_limit |
Upper angular limit of the elevator and htail combined control surface, in degrees. This should be the maximum elevator deflection angle possible and will be scaled down by the elasticity table and the |
Float | Yes |
elevator_down_limit |
Lower angular limit of the elevator and htail combined control surface, in degrees (absolute values only). This should be the maximum elevator deflection angle possible and will be scaled down by the elasticity table and the |
Float | Yes |
aileron_up_limit |
Upper angular limit of the aileron and wing combined control surface, in degrees. This should be the maximum aileron deflection angle possible and will be scaled down by the elasticity table and the |
Float | Yes |
aileron_down_limit |
Lower angular limit of the aileron and wing combined control surface, in degrees (absolute values only). This should be the maximum aileron deflection angle possible and will be scaled down by the elasticity table and the |
Float | Yes |
aileron_to_rudder_scale |
The aileron to rudder ratio, used to link the two. If set to a value other than 0, the rudder will be controlled by the aileron controller axis instead of the rudder controller axis. The scale defines the ratio between the aileron input applied to the rudder and the original aileron input. |
Float | Yes |
aileron_span_outboard |
The outboard aileron span, expressed as a Percent Over 100. This is the ratio of wing length from the tip to the end of the aileron surface. A larger aileron will increase the roll moment of aileron deflection, but it will also increase the local drag generated by aileron deflection. |
Float |
Yes |
rudder_limit |
Angular limit in degrees (absolute values only) of the rudder and vtail combined control surface. This should be the maximum rudder deflection angle possible and will be scaled down by the elasticity table and the |
Float | Yes |
rudder_trim_limit |
Angular limit in degrees (absolute values only) of the rudder trim. This deflection adds to the rudder deflection. This should be the maximum rudder trim deflection angle possible and will be scaled down by the elasticity table and the |
Float | Yes |
elevator_trim_limit |
Angular limit in degrees of the elevator trim. This deflection adds to the elevator deflection. This should be the maximum elevator trim deflection angle possible and will be scaled down by the elasticity table and the If this value is omitted and the |
Float | No |
elevator_trim_neutral |
For many aircraft this will be the take off trim setting. The aircraft will start with this trim setting when starting on the ground. This trim setting is not used for performance normalizations nor to achieve the target lift and drag values, and is used for indicators only. The |
Float | Yes |
elevator_trim_up_limit |
Set the upper limit of the elevator trim deflection that makes the aircraft pitch up, in degrees (absolute values only). Note that this will override the value set in If this parameter is omitted, then the |
Float | No |
elevator_trim_down_limit |
Set the lower limit of the elevator trim deflection that makes the aircraft pitch down, in degrees (absolute values only). Note that this value cannot be greater than the value set in If this parameter is omitted, then the |
Float | No |
spoiler_limit |
This sets the angular limit of the wing spoilers on an aircraft, in degrees (absolute values only), when the spoiler is in ground configuration. If this limit is 0, no spoilers exist for the aircraft. flight_model_cfg.htm# |
Float | Yes |
air_spoiler_limit |
Angular limit in degrees of the spoiler and wing combined control surface, in degrees (absolute values only) when the spoiler is in the air configuration. If this value is not set, then it will default to the |
Float | Yes |
spoilerons_available |
Indicates whether the spoilers also behave as spoilerons for roll control (if spoilers are available): 0 = FALSE (no spoilerons) or 1 = TRUE. Spoilerons will add spoiler deflection to aileron deflection based on |
Bool | Yes |
aileron_to_spoileron_gain |
Scales the spoileron deflection angle in relation to the aileron deflection angle set with min_ailerons_for_spoilerons (if spoilerons_available is TRUE). |
Float | Yes |
min_ailerons_for_spoilerons |
This value is used to indicate at what minimum aileron deflection angle the spoilers become active for roll control, in degrees (absolute values only). Based on |
Float | Yes |
min_flaps_for_spoilerons |
This value is used to indicate the minimum flap handle position where the spoilerons become active, in degrees (absolute values only). | Float | Yes |
spoiler_extension_time |
Time, in seconds, necessary to fully extend the spoilers. | Float | Yes |
spoiler_handle_available |
This is used to configure the airplane with manual controls for the spoiler deflections (TRUE, 1) or not (FALSE, 0). |
Bool | Yes |
spoiler_disabled_by_flaps |
If TRUE (1), the spoilers will automatically retract when the flaps are extended. Default is FALSE (0). | Bool | Yes |
auto_spoiler_auto_retracts |
If TRUE (1), the spoilers will automatically retract when the plane speed goes below auto_spoiler_min_speed . Default is TRUE (1). |
Bool | Yes |
auto_spoiler_available |
Sets whether auto spoilers are available (TRUE, 1) or not (FALSE, 0). | Bool | Yes |
auto_spoiler_min_speed |
The minimum speed (in Knots) at which auto spoiler can activate. Defaults to 0. | Float | Yes |
positive_g_limit_flaps_up |
Flap positive load limit when up. This is the positive limit - in G's - that is imposed on the aircraft when the flaps are up. The supplied value is multiplied by the Note that if this parameter is not included, then none of the G-Limit flaps parameter will be read and will simply use the default values. Default value is 4. The aircraft will crash if the load factor reaches the G limit calculated using this parameter (For more information please see here: Overstress Damage). An aircraft with a load factor hold fly by wire system, will respect these limits as load factor limits. |
Float | Yes |
positive_g_limit_flaps_down |
Flap positive load limit when down. This is the positive limit - in G's - that is imposed on the aircraft when the flaps are down. The supplied value is multiplied by the Note that this parameter is only read when the Default value is 2. The aircraft will crash if the load factor reaches the G limit calculated using this parameter (For more information please see here: Overstress Damage). An aircraft with a load factor hold fly by wire system, will respect these limits as load factor limits. |
Float | Yes |
negative_g_limit_flaps_up |
Flap negative load limit when up. This is the negative limit - in G's - that is imposed on the aircraft when the flaps are up. The supplied value is multiplied by the Note that this parameter is only read when the Default value is 1.5. The aircraft will crash if the load factor reaches the G limit calculated using this parameter (For more information please see here: Overstress Damage). An aircraft with a load factor hold fly by wire system, will respect these limits as load factor limits. |
Float | Yes |
negative_g_limit_flaps_down |
Flap negative load limit when down. This is the negative limit - in G's - that is imposed on the aircraft when the flaps are down. The supplied value is multiplied by the Note that this parameter is only read when the Default value is 1.5. The aircraft will crash if the load factor reaches the G limit calculated using this parameter (For more information please see here: Overstress Damage). An aircraft with a load factor hold fly by wire system, will respect these limits as load factor limits. |
Float | Yes |
load_safety_factor |
The load safety factor value. | Float | Yes |
load_g_limiter_g |
This is the multiplier on top of the design limits before which damage will begin to accrue. It is used by the autopilot and FBW systems as part of the pitch control limiter. Default value is 7.5. |
Float | No |
flap_to_aileron_scale |
The scale defines the ratio of aileron deflection based on flap deflection. Will deflect ailerons when flaps are extended. | Float | Yes |
fly_by_wire |
Sets whether fly-by-wire is available (TRUE, 1) or not (FALSE, 0). A fly by wire control system disconnects the direct connection between yoke and rudder inputs and the control surfaces and adds a computer in between. This allows to activate control modes such as load factor hold. NOTE: When enabled your aircraft may use the |
Bool | Yes |
fly_by_wire_from_flaps |
Set's the fly-by-wire mode. When set to 0 (FALSE), the fly-by-wire will be in load factor hold mode above 50ft and in direct mode below 50ft. When set to 1 (TRUE), the fly-by-wire will be in load factor hold mode when flaps are retracted and in direct mode when flaps are extended. Default is 0 (FALSE). |
Bool | No |
elevator_elasticity_table |
A table that allows you to scale down the elevator control surface deflection angle depending on the current dynamic pressure. The table has a maximum of 5 values and has the following format: dynamic_pressure:correction_factor, dynamic_pressure:correction_factor, etc... Pressure is expressed as psf and the yoke correction factor is a Percent Over 100. The dynamic pressure being airspeed dependent, this allows to reduce deflection based on speed. The [Dev Mode] aircraft debugging tools allow you to get the current dynamic pressure from the Speed debug window. The dynamic pressure can also be obtained with the following formula: $$\textrm{dynamicpressure} = 0.5 \times \textrm{airdensity} \times \textrm{airspeed} \times \textrm{airspeed}$$ Default value is: |
1D Curve of Floats |
No |
aileron_elasticity_table |
A table that allows you to scale down the aileron control surface deflection angle depending on the current dynamic pressure. The table has a maximum of 5 values and has the following format: dynamic_pressure:correction_factor, dynamic_pressure:correction_factor, etc... Pressure is expressed as psf and the yoke correction factor is a Percent Over 100. The dynamic pressure being airspeed dependent, this allows you to reduce deflection based on speed. The [Dev Mode] aircraft debugging tools allow you to get the current dynamic pressure from the Speed debug window. The dynamic pressure can also be obtained with the following formula: $$\textrm{dynamicpressure} = 0.5 \times \textrm{airdensity} \times \textrm{airspeed} \times \textrm{airspeed}$$ Default value is: |
1D Curve of Floats |
No |
rudder_elasticity_table |
A table that allows you to scale down the rudder control surface deflection angle depending on the current dynamic pressure. The table has a maximum of 5 values and has the following format: dynamic_pressure:correction_factor, dynamic_pressure:correction_factor, etc... Pressure is expressed as psf and the yoke correction factor is a Percent Over 100. The dynamic pressure being airspeed dependent, this allows to reduce deflection based on speed. The [Dev Mode] aircraft debugging tools allow you to get the current dynamic pressure from the Speed debug window. The dynamic pressure can also be obtained with the following formula: $$\textrm{dynamicpressure} = 0.5 \times \textrm{airdensity} \times \textrm{airspeed} \times \textrm{airspeed}$$ Default value is: |
1D Curve of Floats |
No |
elevator_trim_elasticity_table |
A table that allows you to scale down the elevator control surface deflection angle depending on the current dynamic pressure. The table has a maximum of 5 values and has the following format: dynamic_pressure:correction_factor, dynamic_pressure:correction_factor, etc... Pressure is expressed as psf and the yoke correction factor is a Percent Over 100. The dynamic pressure being airspeed dependent, this allows to reduce deflection based on speed. The [Dev Mode] aircraft debugging tools allow you to get the current dynamic pressure from the Speed debug window. The dynamic pressure can also be obtained with the following formula: $$\textrm{dynamicpressure} = 0.5 \times \textrm{airdensity} \times \textrm{airspeed} \times \textrm{airspeed}$$ Default value is: |
1D Curve of Floats |
No |
controls_reactivity_scalar |
The reactivity scalar for all controls, which can be used to adjust - at a global level - the responsiveness and behaviour of the control system. This value is clamped to a maximum of 1, regardless of what the actual input is set to. |
Float | Yes |
control_aileron_forcebased |
If set to 1 (True), the control surface deflection will be based on an optional force simulation. When this simulation is on, use the elasticity table only for actual elasticity simulation, not to also simulate input force limit, or there will be a redundancy. Default value is 0. |
Boolean | No |
control_aileron_maxforce_student |
Defines the maximum input force (in lbs) a student pilot is capable to hold. Default value is 10. |
Float | No |
control_aileron_minforce_student |
Defines the minimum input force (in lbs) below a student pilot will input to work against input lag causing motion resisting forces in the input. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
control_aileron_maxforce_pilot |
Defines the maximum input force (in lbs) a pilot is capable to hold. Default value is 20. |
Float | No |
control_aileron_minforce_pilot |
Defines the minimum input force (in lbs) below a pilot will input to work against input lag causing motion resisting forces in the input. Default value is 2. |
Float | No |
control_aileron_maxforce_testpilot |
Defines the maximum input force (in lbs) a testpilot is capable to hold. Default value is 40. |
Float | No |
control_aileron_minforce_testpilot |
Defines the minimum input force (in lbs) below a test pilot will input to work against input lag causing motion resisting forces in the input. Default value is 4. |
Float | No |
control_aileron_still_force_at_max |
Defines the holding force (in lbs) required for a maximum deflection at zero airspeed. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
control_aileron_still_force_to_move |
Defines the moving force (in lbs/ratio/second) required for change the control surface deflection at zero airspeed. Default value is 2. |
Float | No |
control_aileron_dynpres_ratio_force_at_max |
Defines ratio of the dynamic pressure that will be added to the required holding force in lbs. Example: With a ratio of 1.0 and a dynamic pressure of 100, 100lbs of holding force will be required to maintain a 100% deflection. Default value is 0.66. |
Float | No |
control_aileron_dynpres_ratio_force_to_move |
Defines ratio of the dynamic pressure that will be added to the required moving force in lbs/ration/second. Example: With a ratio of 0.1 and a dynamic pressure of 100, 10lbs of moving force will be required over 1 second to move the deflection to 100% over 1 second. Default value is 0.1. |
Float | No |
control_aileron_neutral_return_force_scalar |
Float | No | |
control_elevator_forcebased |
If set to 1 (TRUE), the control surface deflection will be based on an optional force simulation. When this simulation is on, use the elasticity table only for actual elasticity simulation, not to also simulate input force limit, or there will be a redundancy. Default value is 0. |
Boolean | No |
control_elevator_maxforce_student |
Defines the maximum input force (in lbs) a student pilot is capable to hold. Default value is 20. |
Float | No |
control_elevator_minforce_student |
Defines the minimum input force (in lbs) below a student pilot will input to work against input lag causing motion resisting forces in the input. Default value is 2. |
Float | No |
control_elevator_maxforce_pilot |
Defines the maximum input force (in lbs) a pilot is capable to hold. Default value is 40. |
Float | No |
control_elevator_minforce_pilot |
Defines the minimum input force (in lbs) below a pilot will input to work against input lag causing motion resisting forces in the input. Default value is 4. |
Float | No |
control_elevator_maxforce_testpilot |
Defines the maximum input force (in lbs) a testpilot is capable to hold. Default value is 80. |
Float | No |
control_elevator_maxforce_testpilot |
Defines the minimum input force (in lbs) below a test pilot will input to work against input lag causing motion resisting forces in the input. Default value is 8. |
Float | No |
control_elevator_still_force_at_max |
Defines the holding force (in lbs) required for a maximum deflection at zero airspeed. Default value is 2. |
Float | No |
control_elevator_still_force_to_move |
Defines the moving force (in lbs/ratio/second) required for change the control surface deflection at zero airspeed. Default value is 4. |
Float | No |
control_elevator_dynpres_ratio_force_at_max |
Defines ratio of the dynamic pressure that will be added to the required holding force in lbs. Example: With a ratio of 1.0 and a dynamic pressure of 100, 100lbs of holding force will be required to maintain a 100% deflection. Default value is 1.33. |
Float | No |
control_elevator_dynpres_ratio_force_to_move |
Defines ratio of the dynamic pressure that will be added to the required moving force in lbs/ratio/second. Example: With a ratio of 0.1 and a dynamic pressure of 100, 10lbs of moving force will be required over 1 second to move the deflection to 100% over 1 second. Default value is 0.2. |
Float | No |
control_elevator_neutral_return_force_scalar |
|
Boolean | No |
control_rudder_forcebased |
If set to 1 (TRUE), the control surface deflection will be based on an optional force simulation. When this simulation is on, use the elasticity table only for actual elasticity simulation, not to also simulate input force limit, or there will be a redundancy. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
control_rudder_maxforce_student |
Defines the maximum input force (in lbs) a student pilot is capable to hold. Default value is 40. |
Float | No |
control_rudder_minforce_student |
Defines the minimum input force (in lbs) below a student pilot will input to work against input lag causing motion resisting forces in the input. Default value is 4. |
Float | No |
control_rudder_maxforce_pilot |
Defines the maximum input force (in lbs) a pilot is capable to hold. Default value is 80. |
Float | No |
control_rudder_minforce_pilot |
Defines the minimum input force (in lbs) below a pilot will input to work against input lag causing motion resisting forces in the input. Default value is 8. |
Float | No |
control_rudder_maxforce_testpilot |
Defines the maximum input force (in lbs) a testpilot is capable to hold. Default value is 160. |
Float | No |
control_rudder_minforce_testpilot |
Defines the minimum input force (in lbs) below a test pilot will input to work against input lag causing motion resisting forces in the input. Default value is 16. |
Float | No |
control_rudder_still_force_at_max |
Defines the holding force (in lbs) required for a maximum deflection at zero airspeed. Default value is 4. |
Float | No |
control_rudder_still_force_to_move |
Defines the moving force (in lbs/ratio/second) required for change the control surface deflection at zero airspeed. Default value is 8. |
Float | No |
control_rudder_dynpres_ratio_force_at_max |
Defines ratio of the dynamic pressure that will be added to the required holding force in lbs. Example: With a ratio of 1.0 and a dynamic pressure of 100, 100lbs of holding force will be required to maintain a 100% deflection. Default value is 2.66. |
Float | No |
control_rudder_dynpres_ratio_force_to_move |
Defines ratio of the dynamic pressure that will be added to the required moving force in lbs/ration/second. Example: With a ratio of 0.1 and a dynamic pressure of 100, 10lbs of moving force will be required over 1 second to move the deflection to 100% over 1 second. Default value is 0.4. |
Float | No |
control_rudder_neutral_return_force_scalar |
Float | No |
[AERODYNAMICS]
This section is for defining the aerodynamics of an aircraft. In general, the aerodynamics of the aircraft should be created and edited through the SimObject Editor, and only tweaked if required through the flight_model.cfg
file.
NOTE: This section is not required if you are creating a Helicopter SimObject.
Note that you can find further information on the physics behind this section from the following page:
You can also find a helpful tutorial on the basics of setting up the aircraft geometry from the following page:
The available parameters in the [AERODYNAMICS]
section are:
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
CFD_EnableSimulation |
This can be used to enable (1, TRUE) or disable (0, FALSE) the use of CFD within the simulation. Default value is 0 (FALSE). For more information, please see here: Debug Aircraft CFD. |
Boolean | No |
CFD_ReinjectBody |
This can be used to enable (1, TRUE) or disable (0, FALSE) the reinjection of the CFD output with that of the flight model, specifically affecting the airframe surface. Note that this needs to be set to 1 (TRUE) for Default value is 0 (FALSE). For more information, please see here: Debug Aircraft CFD. |
Boolean | No |
CFD_ReinjectRotors |
This can be used to enable (1, TRUE) or disable (0, FALSE) the re-injection of the CFD output with that of the flight model for rotors/propellers. Note that this parameter will have no effect if the Default value is 0 (FALSE). For more information, please see here: Debug Aircraft CFD. |
Boolean | No |
CFD_ReinjectVTailX |
This can be used to enable (1, TRUE) or disable (0, FALSE) the re-injection of the CFD output with that of the flight model, specifically affecting the tail control surfaces. Note that this parameter will have no effect if the Default value is 0 (FALSE). For more information, please see here: Debug Aircraft CFD. |
Boolean | No |
CFD_ReinjectHTailY |
This can be used to enable (1, TRUE) or disable (0, FALSE) the re-injection of the CFD output with that of the flight model, specifically affecting the tail control surfaces. Note that this parameter will have no effect if the Default value is 0 (FALSE). For more information, please see here: Debug Aircraft CFD. |
Boolean | No |
CFD_AirViscosity |
Set the air viscosity when the CFD simulation is active. This is essentially the viscosity term of the Navier Stokes equations used by the CFD simulation, and it sets the rate at which the airspeed of a voxel will tend to the average airspeed of the surrounding voxels. Default value is 0.05, and the value will only be used when the For more information, please see here: Debug Aircraft CFD. |
Float | No |
CFD_AirInCompressibility |
Set the air incompressibility when the CFD simulation is active. This is essentially the divergence term of the the Navier Stokes equations used by the CFD simulation, and sets the rate at which the pressure of a voxel will be impacted by the local divergence. Default value is 1.0, and the value will only be used when the For more information, please see here: Debug Aircraft CFD. |
Float | No |
CFD_VoxelSizeScale |
Set the scale of the voxel volume for CFD simulation. At 1, this will create a volume that is 150% that of the aircraft wingspan, and the volume will be comprised of n³ voxels (where n is set by the Default value is 1.0, and the value will only be used when the For more information, please see here: Debug Aircraft CFD. |
Float | No |
CFD_VoxelNbVoxels |
This can be used to set the number of voxels that will be cubed to make the sample volume for the CFD simulation. IMPORTANT! This may have a serious impact on performance if set to values greater than the default value, due to it currently having a time complexity of Default value is 20.0, and the value will only be used when the For more information, please see here: Debug Aircraft CFD. |
Float | No |
CFD_GroundCollisionVoxelOffset |
This parameter allows you to offset the ground collision vertically by N voxels. With a value of 0 voxels, the ground collision lets the air penetrate up to 1 voxel into the ground, ie: the ground is a "soft collision layer" of about 1 voxel thickness that starts at ground level and ends 1 voxel into the ground. By setting this to 1 voxel, the soft ground collision starts 1 voxel above the ground and stops airflow before it touches the ground. Adjusting this value will have an impact on the strength of the ground effect that is applied on the aircraft. It is worth noting that ground effect is calculated taking into account the ground conditions, so things like icing will have an effect on the drag and lift. Default value is 0.0, and the value will only be used when the For more information, please see here: Debug Aircraft CFD. |
Float | No |
lift_coef_pitch_rate |
Defines how much lift will be added to the overall lift formula based on the current pitch rotation speed. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
lift_coef_daoa |
Defines how much lift will be added to the overall lift formula based on the current angle of attack variation rate. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
lift_coef_delta_elevator |
Defines how much lift will be added to the overall lift formula based on the current elevator deflection angle. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
lift_coef_horizontal_incidence |
Defines how much lift will be added to the overall lift formula based on the current yaw angle of the aircraft. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
lift_coef_flaps |
Defines the lift coefficient that will be added to the target lift coefficient obtained with the lift_coef_aoa_table of the airplane when at maximum flap expansion. |
Float | Yes |
lift_coef_spoilers |
Defines the lift coefficient that will be added to the target lift coefficient obtained with the
The lift value is multiplied by the spoiler deflection in radians, so this coefficient is necessary to compensate for the scale by the deflection angle (also in radians), in order to reach 100%. NOTE: This value will also be used when the aircraft is airborne, unless the |
Float | Yes |
lift_coef_air_spoilers |
Defines the lift coefficient that will be added to the target lift coefficient obtained with the NOTE: This value overrides the value set by |
Float | No |
drag_coef_zero_lift |
Defines the target drag of the airplane in clean configuration (ie: no propeller, no turbulence, no engine wash, no gears, no flaps, no spoilers, no deflections...), when there is zero lift. This is usually also called the \(C_{D0}\) or \(C_{DZeroLift}\). Zero lift may occur at an angle of attack of zero - reason for which \(C_{D0}\) is sometimes the drag at an AoA of 0 - but most of the time, zero lift occurs at an angle of attack that is negative and the \(C_{D0}\) does not correspond to the drag at AoA 0. In the legacy FSX flight model, this defines the actual \(C_{D0}\). In the modern flight model, this defines the target \(C_{D0}\) that will be distributed over all the surfaces of the aircraft when building the airplane used in the aerodynamic surface simulation. Once the aircraft is built, it will then be normalized to match exactly the target \(C_{D0}\). |
Float | Yes |
drag_coef_flaps |
Defines the target drag added when flaps are fully extended. In the legacy FSX flight model, this defines the actual flap drag. In the modern flight model, this defines the target flap drag that will be distributed over all the flap surfaces of the aircraft when building the airplane used in the aerodynamic surface simulation. Once the aircraft is built, it will then be normalized to match exactly the target flap drag. | Float | Yes |
drag_coef_gear |
Defines the drag of the gears that will be applied at the location of the gear contact points and create the appropriate angular moment. If the aircraft features retractable gears, this coefficient will be zero once the gears are retracted. For non retractable gears this will always be present. All aircraft which feature gears, retractable or not, should define a drag coefficient for gears. This drag coefficient should not be baked into the |
Float | Yes |
drag_coef_spoilers |
Defines the target drag added when spoilers are fully extended on the ground, where there is very strong drag and very strong loss in lift. The drag value is multiplied by the spoiler deflection in radians, so this coefficient is necessary to compensate for the scale by the deflection angle (also in radians), in order to reach 100%. NOTE: This value will also be used when the aircraft is airborne, unless the |
Float | Yes |
drag_coef_air_spoilers |
Defines the target drag added when spoilers are fully extended in the air, where you have strong drag, and little loss in lift. The drag value is multiplied by the spoiler deflection in radians, so this coefficient is necessary to compensate for the scale by the deflection angle (also in radians), in order to reach 100%. NOTE: This value overrides the value set by |
Float | Yes |
StallDef_StartRatio |
Ratio of the stall AoA at which the airflow will start detaching from the wing. Default value is: 0.9 |
Float | No |
StallDef_EndRatio |
Ratio of the stall AoA at which the airflow will be completely detached from the wing. Default value is: 1.1 |
Float | No |
StallDef_CurvePower |
Power of the ratio curve that controls the airflow detaching from the wing between start and end. Default value is: 0.8 |
Float | No |
StallDef_minTransition |
In Radians, minimum angle between the stall AoA at which the airflow starts detaching and at which it is fully detached. Default value is: 0.025 |
Float | No |
StallDef_airflowdetachspeed |
In ratios per second, speed at which the airflow will be detaching. Default value is: 1.0 |
Float | No |
StallDef_airflowattachspeed |
In ratios per second, speed at which the airflow will be attaching. Default value is: 1.0 |
Float | No |
Stall_AileronAddIncidence |
Degrees added to the stall AoA at the ailerons. Default value is: 0.0 |
Float | No |
Stall_TipAddIncidence |
Degrees added to the stall AoA at the wingtips. Default value is: 2.0 |
Float | No |
Stall_TipAddTwist |
Virtual added wing twist to reduce stall at the wingtips. Default value is: 2.5 |
Float | No |
Stall_TipTwistScaleRatio |
Scale ratio of the virtual added wing twist. Default value is: 0.9 |
Float | No |
stallalpha |
Defines the theoretical average alpha (AoA) at which the aircraft will stall, in degrees. If the parameter is omitted from the file, then - when the aircraft is first instantiated - the stall alpha is measured on the actual flight model by performing lift measures at various AoA to find the point where the lift goes down when the AoA goes up. This precalculated value will be used as the default value. |
Float | No |
stallalpha_ff |
Defines the theoretical average alpha (AoA) at which the aircraft will stall in full-flap configuration, in degrees. If the parameter is omitted from the file, then - when the aircraft is first instantiated - the stall alpha is measured on the actual flight model by performing lift measures at various AoA to find the point where the lift goes down when the AoA goes up. This precalculated value will be used as the default value. |
Float | No |
fuselage_rigidity |
This parameter sets the rigidity of the fuselage. If set to -1 then the fuselage will be considered as having "infinite" rigidity, while values greater than 0 will mean that applied forces will affect the airframe. The approximate value for this parameter can be calculated as follows:
Note that low rigidity will increase the aircraft oscillations, and if the rigidity is low enough for the time accumulation to correspond to the oscillation frequency, then you can even get a situation of resonance that will cause the entire airframe to "flutter" wildly. Default value is -1, and the value is in ft. |
Float | No |
fuselage_inertia |
This parameter sets the inertia for the fuselage, and works in harmony with the Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
presspt_fwd_Alpha0_pMAC |
Defines an additional forward offset applied to the overall pressure center of the wing when the wing surface is at an AoA of 0. The offset is defined as a ratio of the local Mean Aerodynamic Chord and negative values indicate a backwards offset. | Float | No |
presspt_fwd_AlphaStall_pMAC |
Defines an additional forward offset applied to the overall pressure center of the wing when the wing surface is at an the stall AoA. The offset is defined as a ratio of the local Mean Aerodynamic Chord and negative values indicate a backwards offset. | Float | No |
presspt_fwd_AlphaHiStall_pMAC |
Defines an additional forward offset applied to the overall pressure center of the wing when the wing surface is at high above the stall AoA (during a stall). The offset is defined as a ratio of the local Mean Aerodynamic Chord, and negative values indicate a backwards offset. | Float | No |
side_force_slip_angle |
Defines how much side force will be generated when the yaw angle is non zero (during a side slip). This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes |
side_force_roll_rate |
Defines how much side force will be generated when the aircraft has some roll speed (during a roll). This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
side_force_yaw_rate |
Defines how much side force will be generated when the yaw angle is changing. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
side_force_delta_rudder |
Defines how much side force will be generated when the rudder is deflected. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_horizontal_incidence |
Defines how much pitch moment will be generated when the aircraft is yawing. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_delta_elevator |
Defines how much pitch moment will be generated when the elevator is deflected. This is a legacy FSX parameter and the actual value here is not normally used in the modern flight model, but the sign of the value is used and it is necessary to set a value other than 0 for the autopilot (see the notes below). In the modern flight model the effect that this parameter is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the NOTE: The absolute value of this parameter is ignored by the modern flight model but it's sign is used to invert the elevator input angle when it is negative. This may be useful for aircraft that need an inverted elevator (elevator in the front). NOTE: Even in the modern flight model, the autopilot system may still use this variable to calculate the elevator deflection necessary to find a required pitch moment. The PID will usually compensate for wrong values, but this variable cannot be set to zero or very far off and must be relatively close to reality. You can use the legacy flight model tool to calculate the correct value that will then usually work with the autopilot. |
Float | Yes |
pitch_moment_delta_trim |
Defines how much pitch moment will be generated when the elevator trim is deflected. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_pitch_damping |
Defines how much the pitch velocity will be dampened when the plane is pitching. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_aoa_0 |
Defines how much the pitch moment will be generated at AoA 0. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_daoa |
Defines how much the alpha velocity will be dampened when the plane is changing incidence. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_flaps |
Defines how much pitch moment will be generated when the flaps will be deflected. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_gear |
Defines how much the pitch moment will be generated because of the gears. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_spoilers |
Defines how much pitch moment will be generated when the spoilers will be deflected. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_delta_elevator_propwash |
Defines how much pitch moment will be generated when the elevator is deflected and there is a propeller spinning (prop wash). This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_pitch_propwash |
Defines how much pitch moment will be generated when the plane is pitching and there is a propeller spinning (prop wash). This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
roll_moment_slip_angle |
Defines how much roll moment will be generated when the aircraft is yawing or side slipping. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
roll_moment_roll_damping |
Defines how much the roll speed will be dampened based on the current roll speed. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
roll_moment_yaw_rate |
Defines how much roll moment will be generated when the aircraft is rotating around the yaw axis.
This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
roll_moment_spoilers |
Defines how much roll moment will be generated when the spoilers will be deflected. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
roll_moment_delta_aileron |
Defines how much roll moment will be generated when the ailerons are deflected. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
roll_moment_delta_rudder |
Defines how much roll moment will be generated when the rudder is deflected. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
roll_moment_delta_aileron_trim_scalar |
Defines how much roll moment will be generated when the aileron trim is are deflected. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
yaw_moment_slip_angle |
Defines how much yaw moment will be generated when the aircraft is yawing or side slipping. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
yaw_moment_roll |
Defines how much yaw moment will be generated when the aircraft has some roll speed (during a roll). This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
yaw_moment_yaw_damping |
Defines how much the yaw speed will be dampened based on the current yaw speed. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
yaw_moment_yaw_propwash |
Defines how much yaw moment will be generated when the plane is yawing and there is a propeller spinning (prop wash). This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
yaw_moment_delta_aileron |
Defines how much yaw moment will be generated when the ailerons are deflected. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
yaw_moment_delta_rudder |
Defines how much yaw moment will be generated when the rudder is deflected. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
yaw_moment_delta_rudder_propwash |
Defines how much yaw moment will be generated when the plane rudder is deflected and there is a propeller spinning (prop wash). This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
yaw_moment_delta_rudder_trim_scalar |
Defines how much yaw moment will be generated when the rudder trim is are deflected. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
Float | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
compute_aero_center |
Defines if the aerodynamic center longitudinal position should be placed computationally or manually. In legacy FSX, the aerodynamic center was in a constant position and computed based on the pitch moment data and moment of inertia values. This would still work with the modern flight model, but we recommend disabling the computation of the aerodynamic center - setting it to 0 (FALSE) - and positioning this manually with |
Float | Yes |
aero_center_lift |
When IMPORTANT! This is positioned relative to the (0,0,0) position in the 3D model reference, not the Reference Datum position. |
Float | Yes |
aileron_up_drag_coef |
Defines the drag added by upwards aileron deflection. This parameter has a significant impact on adverse yaw. Reduce upward deflection drag to get more adverse yaw. This parameter is multiplied by the aileron deflection angle and internal coefficients. Default is 0.5. This can be scaled with the |
Float | No |
aileron_down_drag_coef |
Defines the drag added by upwards aileron deflection. This parameter has a significant impact on adverse yaw. Increase downward deflection drag to get more adverse yaw. This parameter is multiplied by the aileron deflection angle. Default is 1. This can be scaled with the |
Float | No |
elevator_lift_coef |
Defines the lift coefficient slope of the elevator control surface. This will have a direct impact on elevator authority and pitch stability. The elevator lift coefficient slope is usually dependent on the elevator aspect ratio. Default is 5.0, and generally values will always fall between 1.0 and 5.0, with a theoretical maximum of 2𝝅 and a recommended value between 2.0 (for less authority and stability) and 5.0 (for more authority and stability). This can be scaled with the |
Float | No |
rudder_lift_coef |
Defines the lift coefficient slope of the rudder control surface. This will have a direct impact on rudder authority, yaw stability, adverse yaw and induced roll. The rudder lift coefficient slope is usually dependent on the rudder aspect ratio. Default is 5.0, and generally values will always fall between 1.0 and 5.0, with a theoretical maximum of 2𝝅 and a recommended value between 2.0 (for less authority and stability) and 5.0 (for more authority and stability). This can be scaled with the |
Float | No |
lift_coef_aoa_table |
This table allows you to define the AoA polar (in radians) against the clean aircraft lift coefficient. The AoA vs. lift table defines how much lift the aircraft generates at various AoAs. The table has a maximum of 47 entries with the following format: AoA_alpha:lift_coef, AoA_alpha:lift_coef, AoA_alpha:lift_coef, etc... In the modern flight model, this is used during the aircraft surfaces construction as a lift target that the aircraft should achieve at various angles of attack. This will impact the wing surfaces only, but the total lift will consider all surfaces. It describes the lift in clean configuration (ie: zero slip, no propeller, no gears, no control surface deflection). Once the aircraft is created, if will be normalized so that the effective lift coefficients measured actually match the target lift coefficients. NOTE: The lift coefficients are only matched between AoAs 0 and the stall AoA. For other AoAs all around the 360° of the polar, it will be a natural consequence of the setup of the aerodynamic surfaces and other parameters. The polar does not need to be accurately defined in detail for AoAs outside of the -10° to stall +10° range in this table. |
1D Curve of Floats | Yes |
lift_coef_ground_effect_mach_table |
This table allows you to scale the ground effect intensity. This defines the maximum ground effect on the lift component but will impact the maximum effect on the induced drag component proportionally as well. Even though this table allows you to define the ground effect at various mach levels, it is the primary way to set the ground effect intensity. The table has a maximum of 11 entries and the format: mach:lift_coef, mach:lift_coef, mach:lift_coef, etc... |
1D Curve of Floats | Yes |
lift_coef_mach_table |
Scales the lift coefficient based on the mach level. The table permits a maximum of 17 entries and has the following format: mach:lift_coef, mach:lift_coef, mach:lift_coef, etc... This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
1D Curve of Floats |
Yes |
lift_coef_delta_elevator_mach_table |
Scales the delta elevator lift coefficient based on the mach level. The table has a maximum of 17 entries and the format: mach:lift_coef, mach:lift_coef, mach:lift_coef, etc... This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
1D Curve of Floats |
Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
lift_coef_daoa_mach_table |
Scales the lift coefficient impacted by the change in AoA based on the mach level. The table has a maximum of 17 entries and the format: mach:lift_coef, mach:lift_coef, mach:lift_coef, etc... This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
1D Curve of Floats |
Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
lift_coef_pitch_rate_mach_table |
Scales the lift coefficient impacted by the change in pitch based on the mach level. The table has a maximum of 17 entries and the format: mach:lift_coef, mach:lift_coef, mach:lift_coef, etc... This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
1D Curve of Floats |
Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
lift_coef_horizontal_incidence_mach_table |
Scales the lift coefficient impacted by the change in yaw based on the mach level. The table has a maximum of 17 entries and the format: mach:lift_coef, mach:lift_coef, mach:lift_coef, etc... This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model this effect is natively obtained through aerodynamic simulation of the surfaces defined in the |
1D Curve of Floats |
Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
drag_coef_zero_lift_mach_tab |
Adds drag based on the mach level. In the modern flight model, the drag coefficient at higher mach levels is automatically impacted by a progressive detaching of the laminar airflow over the surfaces. However this table allows to add more drag at specific mach levels to simulate a mach wall or specific effects of drag due to turbulence at specific drag levels. Drag walls are not natively simulated yet and will need to be defined with this table. The table has a maximum of 17 entries and the format: mach:drag_coef, mach:drag_coef, mach:drag_coef, etc... |
1D Curve of Floats |
Yes |
side_force_slip_angle_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. |
1D Curve of Floats |
Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
side_force_delta_rudder_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. |
1D Curve of Floats |
Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
side_force_yaw_rate_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. |
1D Curve of Floats |
Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
side_force_roll_rate_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. |
1D Curve of Floats |
Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_aoa_table |
Influence CoL computation if not prescribed Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. |
1D Curve of Floats |
Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_delta_elevator_aoa_table |
AoA(alpha) is given in DEGREES Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. |
1D Curve of Floats |
Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_horizontal_incidence_aoa_table |
AoA(alpha) is given in DEGREES Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. |
1D Curve of Floats |
Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_daoa_aoa_table |
AoA(alpha) is given in DEGREES Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. |
1D Curve of Floats |
Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_pitch_alpha_table |
AoA(alpha) is given in DEGREES Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. |
1D Curve of Floats |
Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_delta_elevator_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_daoa_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_pitch_rate_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_horizontal_incidence_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
pitch_moment_aoa_0_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
roll_moment_aoa_table |
\({C_L}\) (roll moment coefficient) versus AoA Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. |
1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
roll_moment_slip_angle_aoa_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
roll_moment_roll_rate_aoa_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
roll_moment_delta_aileron_aoa_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
roll_moment_slip_angle_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
roll_moment_delta_rudder_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
roll_moment_delta_aileron_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
roll_moment_yaw_rate_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
roll_moment_roll_rate_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
yaw_moment_aoa_table |
\({C_n}\) (yaw moment coef) versus AoA. Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. |
1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
yaw_moment_slip_angle_aoa_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
yaw_moment_delta_rudder_aoa_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
yaw_moment_slip_angle_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
yaw_moment_delta_rudder_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
yaw_moment_delta_aileron_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
yaw_moment_yaw_rate_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
yaw_moment_roll_rate_mach_table |
Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. | 1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
elevator_scaling_table |
Allows you to define a non linear elevator deflection curve on top of the input curve settings possible in the simulator. The table defines how the input value is scaled for each range of input values. The table has the following format (maximum 17 value pairs): elevator_angle:scale, elevator_angle:scale, elevator_angle:scale, etc... Default is to scale all input values by 1, and that the angles should be expressed in radians. |
1D Curve of Floats | Yes |
aileron_scaling_table |
Allows to define a non linear aileron deflection curve on top of the input curve settings possible in the simulator. The table defines how the input value is scaled for each range of input values. The table has the following format (maximum 17 value pairs): aileron_angle:scale, aileron_angle:scale, aileron_angle:scale, etc... Default is to scale all input values by 1, and that the angles should be expressed in radians. |
1D Curve of Floats | Yes |
rudder_scaling_table |
Allows to define a non linear rudder deflection curve on top of the input curve settings possible in the simulator. The table defines how the input value is scaled for each range of input values. The table has the following format (maximum 17 value pairs): rudder_angle:scale, rudder_angle:scale, rudder_angle:scale, etc... Default is to scale all input values by 1, and that the angles should be expressed in radians. |
1D Curve of Floats | Yes |
aileron_load_factor_effectiveness_table |
Scaling of Legacy FSX table, not used in the modern flight model. |
1D Curve of Floats | Yes if using legacy flight model, No otherwise. |
lift_coef_at_drag_zero |
When building the surfaces of the aircraft, the modern flight model allows us to use the following drag formula: \({C_D} = {C_{D0}} + K(C_L - C_{L0})^{2}\) This parameter represents the \({C_{L0}}\) parameter of this formula in the clean configuration. The aircraft is built trying to match this drag polar and then a normalization pass is done on all surfaces to perfectly match the target polar. This parameter has also been added to the legacy FSX flight model that now also allows \({C_{D0}}\) to not be always zero. |
Float | Yes |
lift_coef_at_drag_zero_flaps |
When building the surfaces of the aircraft, the modern flight model allows us to use the following drag formula: \({C_D} = {C_{D0}} + K(C_L - C_{L0})^{2}\) This parameter represents the \({C_{L0}}\) parameter of this formula in the landing configuration with flaps fully deployed. The aircraft is built trying to match this drag polar and then a normalization pass is done on all surfaces to perfectly match the target polar. This parameter has also been added to the legacy FSX flight model that now also allows \({C_{D0}}\) to not be always zero. |
Float | Yes |
fuselage_lateral_cx |
Defines the perpendicular drag coefficient of the fuselage, which occurs when the airflow is going perpendicular to the front axis (ie: sideways - left to right or right to left) but also going up and down. This coefficient has an impact on drag when side slipping, as well as a general impact on yaw stability and pitch stability. Faster aircraft with a larger reynolds number should usually have a larger lateral fuselage \(C_x\). Please note that the drag calculation supposes that the fuselage shape seen from the side has the shape of a rectangle with skewed front and rear tips. A larger or smaller \(C_x\) may be necessary to compensate for different fuselage shapes. If the fuselage has edges and is different from a perfect cylinder, the \(C_x\) should be higher. If the fuselage's area, when seen from the side, is smaller than the area of a skewed rectangle, the \(C_x\) should be smaller to compensate. A longer aircraft, with a higher l/d ratio, will have a higher \(C_x\). A shorter aircraft with a smaller l/d ratio, will have a smaller \(C_x\). Therefore, when chosing a \(C_x\) it is important to consider the reynolds number and l/d ratio of the fuselage. Default is 0.4 - which is approximately the lateral drag of a cylinder with a reynolds number of a small aircraft and a l/d ratio of about 5, compensated for the shape of most small aircraft fuselages. The value should usually fall between 0.2 and 1.2 for most aircraft (with a "soft" limit of 2, which would essentially be a box). |
Float | No |
[FLIGHT_TUNING]
This section is for tuning various aspects of the flight model for an aircraft.
NOTE: This section is not required if you are creating a Helicopter SimObject.
The available parameters are:
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
modern_fm_only |
This can be set to 1 (true) to force the aircraft to use the modern flight model, regardless of what the user may have selected in the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 options. Default value is 0 (false). |
Boolean | No |
legacy_fm_only |
This can be set to 1 (true) to force the aircraft to use the legacy flight model, regardless of what the user may have selected in the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 options. Default value is 0 (false). |
Boolean | No |
legacy_fm_new_integration |
This is only applicable to those aircraft that are using the legacy Flight Model. It was discovered that there was an issue with the acceleration integration calculations for the legacy flight model, and so this parameter exists to fix that. When set to 1 (true) the calculations will be correct, which may affect the handling of aircraft that have been calibrated using the "broken" flight model. When set to 0, the flight model will be the original one without the fix. Default value is 0 (false). |
Boolean | No |
empty_CG_deviation_limit |
This value allows you to define - in ft - a limit to the maximum deviation that will be allowed in the weight & balance UI menu (where users can change the empty CG position). Default value is infinite, and it can also can accept 0. |
Float | No |
icing_scalar |
With this value you can scale up or down the effects of icing on the plane. This will affects the effect of icing on lift and on the weight. The default value is 1.0 (100% of the effect). Can accept 0.0 to remove all effects of icing. |
Float | No |
cruise_lift_scalar |
Scales the target lift coefficient as looked up from Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
parasite_drag_scalar |
Scales the target drag coefficient as defined in Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
induced_drag_scalar |
Scales the induced drag target as defined by the target induced drag formula: \({C}_{Di} = \frac {{C_l} ^{2}} {pi \times AR \times e}\) This scalar applies to the FLAP 0 configuration (in clean configuration, ie: no propeller, no turbulence, no engine wash, no gears, no flaps, no spoilers, no deflections...). Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
flap_induced_drag_scalar |
Scales the induced drag target as defined by the target induced drag formula: \({Cd}_{i} = \frac {Cl ^{2}} {pi \times AR \times e}\) This scalar applies to the FULL FLAP configuration (ldg). Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
clcd_normalization_aoa_deg_low |
Lower AoA at which the aircraft's lift & drag is normalised to the theory curve. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
clcd_normalization_aoa_deg_high |
Higher AoA at which the aircraft's lift & drag is normalized to the theory curve. Default value is 12.4. |
Float | No |
elevator_effectiveness |
This scalar scales the Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
elevator_maxangle_scalar |
Scales the deflection angle of the elevator control surface up to the max deflection indicated in elevator_xxx_limit and already scaled by the The default value is 1.0, yet if the limit angles are matching the real aircraft, this scalar should be smaller than one as the effective deflection will be aligned with the overall htail and elevator chord. A value between 0.5 and 0.75 will work with most airplanes. |
Float | No |
elevator_chordangle_scalar |
Used to re-scale the elevator effectiveness using the following formula: ratio = elevator_chordangle_scalar * elevator_area / (elevator_area + htail_area) The ratio is then applied to the Default value is -1. |
Float | No |
aileron_effectiveness |
Scales the elevator lift coefficient slope as defined in Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
rudder_effectiveness |
This scalar scales the Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
rudder_maxangle_scalar |
Scales the deflection angle of the rudder control surface up to the max deflection indicated in The default value is 1, and if the limit angles are matching the real aircraft, this scalar should be less than 1 as the effective deflection will be aligned with the overall vtail and rudder chord. A value between 0.5 and 0.75 will work with most airplanes. |
Float | No |
rudder_chordangle_scalar |
Used to re-scale the rudder effectiveness using the following formula: ratio = elevator_chordangle_scalar * elevator_area / (elevator_area + htail_area) The ratio is then applied to the Default value is -1. |
Float | No |
htail_maxangle_scalar |
This scalar is used in the calculations that define the orientation of the elevator aerodynamic surfaces. Default value is -1. |
Float | No |
vtail_maxangle_scalar |
This scalar is used in the calculations that define the orientation of the rudder aerodynamic surfaces. Default value is -1. |
Float | No |
pitch_stability |
Sets a target value for aerodynamic resistance to pitch rotation for the plane. In the legacy flight model, this will scale the NOTE: Aerodynamic resistance to rotation is relative to the local air mass. If the local airmass is turbulent, increasing rotation resistance will make turbulence impact more on the aircraft.Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
roll_stability |
Sets a target value for aerodynamic resistance to roll rotation for the plane. In the legacy flight model, this will scale the NOTE: Aerodynamic resistance to rotation is relative to the local air mass. If the local airmass is turbulent, increasing rotation resistance will make turbulence impact more on the aircraft.Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
yaw_stability |
Sets a target value for aerodynamic resistance to yaw rotation for the plane. In the legacy flight model, this will scale the NOTE: Aerodynamic resistance to rotation is relative to the local air mass. If the local airmass is turbulent, increasing rotation resistance will make turbulence more impacting on the aircraft.Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
pitch_gyro_stability |
This variable controls pitch gyroscopic stability. Unlike aerodynamic stability - which is relative to the local airmass - gyroscopic stability is world relative and will not make the aircraft more sensitive to turbulence. It will have the opposite effect in reality: making the aircraft more stable relative to the world, it will become less sensitive to turbulent air. Gyroscopic stability in an aircraft is caused by turning parts such as the propellers or engine axis or turbines. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
roll_gyro_stability |
This variable controls roll gyroscopic stability. Unlike aerodynamic stability - which is relative to the local airmass - gyroscopic stability is world relative and will not make the aircraft more sensitive to turbulence. It will have the opposite effect in reality: making the aircraft more stable relative to the world, it will become less sensitive to turbulent air. Gyroscopic stability in an aircraft is caused by turning parts such as the propellers or engine axis or turbines. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
yaw_gyro_stability |
This variable controls yaw gyroscopic stability. Unlike aerodynamic stability - which is relative to the local airmass - gyroscopic stability is world relative and will not make the aircraft more sensitive to turbulence. It will have the opposite effect in reality: making the aircraft more stable relative to the world, it will become less sensitive to turbulent air. Gyroscopic stability in an aircraft is caused by turning parts such as the propellers or engine axis or turbines. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
elevator_trim_effectiveness |
Scales the elevator trim deflection angle and maximum trim deflection angle as defined in Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
aileron_trim_effectiveness |
Scales the aileron trim deflection angle and maximum trim deflection angle. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
rudder_trim_effectiveness |
Scales the rudder trim deflection angle and maximum trim deflection angle as defined in Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
aileron_up_drag_scalar |
Scales the drag added by upwards aileron deflection as defined in Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
aileron_down_drag_scalar |
Scales the drag added by downwards aileron deflection as defined in Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
hi_alpha_on_roll |
Multiplier on the effects on roll at high angles of attack. This parameter is used in the legacy FSX flight model only to define the stall characteristics of the aircraft. It is not used anymore in the modern flight model. The default value is 1. |
Float | No |
hi_alpha_on_yaw |
Multiplier on the effects on yaw at high angles of attack. This parameter is used in the legacy FSX flight model only to define the stall characteristics of the aircraft. It is not used anymore in the modern flight model. The default value is 1. |
Float | No |
p_factor_on_yaw |
Scales the amount of p-factor induced yaw. P-factor is the result of the propeller providing asymmetric thrust when the propeller is not aligned with the trajectory. The default value is 1. |
Float | No |
torque_on_roll |
Scales the amount of torque that is transmitted from the engine onto the aircraft. When the engine starts to roll into one direction, it will cause the aircraft to roll into the other direction. The default value is 1. |
Float | No |
gyro_precession_on_pitch |
Scales the amount of gyroscopic precession the engine causes on the aircraft's pitch. The default value is 1. |
Float | No |
gyro_precession_on_yaw |
Scales the amount of gyroscopic precession the engine causes on the aircraft's yaw. The default value is 1. |
Float | No |
engine_wash_on_roll |
Scales the impact that the engine wash will have on the control surfaces of the aircraft that causes the aircraft to roll. The default value is 0. |
Float | No |
wing_engine_wash |
Scales the amount of propeller wash that will affect the lift of the part of the wing right behind the propeller. The default value is 1. |
Float | No |
rudder_engine_wash_on_roll |
Scales the amount of added rudder trim compensating engine wash impact on roll. This parameter is separated from the actual rudder trim because it will be disabled with the engine wash on roll depending on piloting assistance's. The default value is 1. |
Float | No |
wingflex_scalar |
Wingflex is based on realistic lift force and gravity computations and default elasticity parameters for a standard wing. This scalar allows to scale the amount of wingflex written to the Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
wingflex_surface_scalar |
This scalar can be used to modify how the actual aerodynamic surfaces are being flexed by the wingflex force. Set to 1, it should approximately do the correct wingflex, but it will depend on the aircraft wing stiffness. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
wingflex_offset |
Wingflex is based on realistic lift force and gravity computations and default elasticity parameters for a standard wing. This offset allows to offset the amount of wingflex written to the WING_FLEX_PCT SimVar.
Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
stallpitchscalar |
This parameter cuts off some of the stalling ability in the modern flight model. In general we don't recommend using anything other than the default value for this parameter, except for aircraft that can fly at extreme AoAs, like delta-wings, for example. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
predicted_moi_density_scalar_fuselage |
In the Weight debug window, this parameter will impact the predicted MOI that is displayed and can be used to help configure the MOI. IMPORTANT! This parameter is provided for debug information only and editing it will not affect the flight model. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
predicted_moi_density_scalar_wings |
In the Weight debug window, this parameter will impact the predicted MOI that is displayed and can be used to help configure the MOI. IMPORTANT! This parameter is provided for debug information only and editing it will not affect the flight model. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
disable_assistances |
When set to 1 (TRUE) this will disable all available assistance for the aircraft. Default value is 0 (FALSE). |
Bool | No |
prop_moment_transfer_on_roll |
This parameter allows you to scale how much of the propeller acceleration moment is transferred back to the aircraft body. Note that this does not apply to the absorbed torque, only to the RPM acceleration moment. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
ground_crosswind_effect_zero_speed |
This parameter represents the world speed (in ft per second) at which 0% of the crosswind effect is applied to the aircraft. This parameter will work in two different ways:
Note that this value can be set to -1000 to have a 100% realistic simulation where the crosswind is never cancelled out. Default value is 5. |
Float | No |
ground_crosswind_effect_max_speed |
This parameter represents the world speed (in ft per second) at which 100% of the crosswind effect is applied to the aircraft. Note that this value can be set to -1000 to have a 100% realistic simulation where the crosswind is never cancelled out. Default value is 80. |
Float | No |
ground_high_speed_steeringwheel_static_friction_scalar |
At high speeds, tires are rolling and - depending on their shape and width and how much they are inflated - they will more or less resist rotation or sideways motion. This parameter allows you to define how much a movable wheel resists static friction which goes sideways or resists rotation around the vertical axis. Essentially, it allows you to control how much the aircraft will move into the crosswind when rolling at higher speeds, and reducing the scalar will reduce the friction, so the aircraft is more likely to slide. Note that only the lateral forces are impacted by this value, so rolling friction and braking when your aircraft is rolling straight will not be influenced. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
At high speeds, tires are rolling and - depending on their shape and width and how much they are inflated - they will more or less resist rotation or sideways motion. This parameter allows you to define how much a non-movable wheel resists static friction which goes sideways or resists rotation around the vertical axis. Essentially, it allows you to control how much the aircraft will move into the crosswind when rolling at higher speeds, and reducing the scalar will reduce the friction, so the aircraft is more likely to slide. Note that only the lateral forces are impacted by this value, so rolling friction and braking when your aircraft is rolling straight will not be influenced. Default value is 1. |
Float | No | |
stall_coef_at_min_weight |
This coefficient is used as part of the calculations involved with defining the predicted stall speed that will be used to guide the auto-pilot and FBW systems. The actual calculation is as follows: stallSpeed = flapStallSpeed * (stall_coef_at_min_weight + (1 - stall_coef_at_min_weight) * weightPercent) Default value is 0.5. |
Float | No |
ground_new_contact_model_gear_flex |
This defines the added compliance (ie: the inverse of the "stiffness") of the landing gears when the soft contact simulation physics is active. It is measured in ft per pound of force. For more information, please see the Note On Ground Contact Model. Default value is 0.0 |
Float | No |
ground_new_contact_model_gear_flex_damping |
This defines the added damping (energy dispersion in heat) of the landing gears with the new soft contact simulation physics enabled. It is measured in lbs per ft per second. For more information, please see the Note On Ground Contact Model. Default value is 0.0 |
Float | No |
ground_new_contact_model_rolling_stickyness |
This can be used to further reduce the sideways friction on wheels due to the effects of the rolling wheel. Value is expressed as a ratio where 1 is no effect. For more information, please see the Note On Ground Contact Model. Default value is 1 |
Float | No |
ground_new_contact_model_up_to_speed_lateral |
This defines the lateral speed, in ft per second, up to which the new contact model will be used for all non-steering wheels. Speeds greater than this will revert to the legacy contact model. For more information, please see the Note On Ground Contact Model. Default value is 0.1 |
Float | No |
ground_new_contact_model_up_to_speed_lateral_steering |
This defines the lateral speed, in ft per second, up to which the new contact model will be used on all steering wheels only. Speeds greater than this will revert to the legacy contact model. For more information, please see the Note On Ground Contact Model. Default value is 0.1 |
Float | No |
ground_new_contact_model_up_to_speed_longitudinal |
This defines the longitudinal speed, in ft per second, up to which the new contact model will be used. Speeds greater than this will revert to the legacy contact model. For more information, please see the Note On Ground Contact Model. Default value is 1.0 |
Float | No |
enable_high_accuracy_integration |
This option enables the high accuracy world physics integration for the aircraft. When enabled, the simulation will take into account multiple sources of physics interactions that create oscillating/vibrating micro-movements in the aircraft, for example engine shaking, wind resonance, etc... when the aircraft is on the ground. If this is disabled, then these micro-movements are not accounted for. For more information, please see the Note On Ground Contact Model. Default value is 0 |
Float | No |
[REFERENCE SPEEDS]
This section contains various reference speed values used in different systems across the sim like the Flight Assistant, the Aircraft Selection UI, notifications, or overspeed triggers. Most of these parameters will have no direct effect on the flight model.
The available parameters are:
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
full_flaps_stall_speed |
Speed at which the aircraft will stall when flaps are at full, in kias. Used in the Flight Assistant. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
flaps_up_stall_speed |
Speed at which the aircraft will stall when flaps are up, in kias. Used in the Flight Assistant. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
cruise_speed |
The aircraft cruise speed, in ktas. Used in aircraft selection UI Default value is 0. NOTE: For gliders, this value will also affect the launch winch speed. The winch will accelerate at 1G until the aircraft reaches 75% of the design cruise speed, and then progressively reduce power once the glider has passed 30°. |
Float | No |
cruise_mach |
The aircraft cruise speed, in Mach. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
crossover_speed |
The aircraft crossover speed, in kias. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
max_mach |
The maximum speed for the aircraft, in Mach. Used in aircraft selection UI. NOTE: Only valid for Jet and Turboprop engines. Default value is 0.9. |
Float | No |
max_indicated_speed |
The maximum speed indicated in the aircraft UI, in kias. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
max_flaps_extended |
The maximum aircraft speed with flaps extended, in kias. Used in the Flight Assistant. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
normal_operating_speed |
The normal operating speed of the aircraft, in kias. Used in aircraft selection UI. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
airspeed_indicator_max |
The maximum airspeed indicator value in the UI, in kias. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
rotation_speed_min |
The minimum rotation speed required, in Knots. Default value is -1. |
Float | No |
climb_speed |
The aircraft climb speed, in Knots. Used to define spawning conditions. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
cruise_alt |
The aircraft cruise altitude, in ft. Default value is 1500. |
Float | No |
takeoff_speed |
The aircraft takeoff speed, in Knots. Default value is 55. |
Float | No |
spawn_altitude |
The spawn altitude, in ft. Default value is 1500.
|
Float | No |
spawn_cruise_altitude |
The spawn cruise altitude, in ft. Used to define spawning conditions. Default value is 1500. |
Float | No |
spawn_descent_altitude |
The spawn descent altitude, in ft. Used to define spawning conditions. Default value is 500. |
Float | No |
best_angle_climb_speed |
The best angle climb speed, in Knots. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
approach_speed |
The required approach speed, in Knots. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
best_glide |
The best glide speed, in Knots. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
max_gear_extended |
The maximum speed with landing gear extended, in Knots. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
best_single_engine_rate_of_climb_speed |
This is the best single-engine rate of climb speed (the Blue line speed, \(V_{yse}\) ), in Knots. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
minimum_control_speed |
This is the speed below which aircraft control cannot be maintained if the critical engine fails under a specific set of circumstances (generally known as the \(V_{mc}\) ). Value is in Knots. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
fly_assistant_use_dynamic_speeds |
This parameter refers to how the UI will display the relevant reference speeds for takeoff, climb, etc... When set to 1 (TRUE), the values will by dynamically generated by the simulation, and when set to 0 (FALSE) the values in the CFG file will be used. Note that this has no effect on the flight model. Default is 0 (FALSE). |
Bool | No |
[STALL PROTECTION]
Stall protection is a system which prevents the AoA from getting too high. This is done by software monitoring the plane's angle of attack sensor, and when a high alpha situation is detected, the software lowers the nose of the plane to maintain a high - but still safe - AoA. This system is designed to prevent pilots from stalling the aircraft and to allow them to get the best possible performance in emergency e.g. in a wind-shear.
NOTE: This section is required when the fly_by_wire
parameter is checked for active stall protection. However if fly_by_wire
is not checked, the values here will still be used to generate the simulation stall warnings.
NOTE: This section is not required if you are creating a Helicopter SimObject.
The following parameters can be used to control this system:
[FLAPS.N]
This section is for tuning the different flaps for the aircraft. You can have multiple [FLAPS.N]
sections where N
relates to the flap being defined from 0
up to the number of flaps - 1
. For example, if you have two flaps you would have two sections, [FLAPS.0]
and [FLAPS.1]
.
NOTE: This section is not required if you are creating a Helicopter SimObject.
The available parameters are:
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
type |
Defines the flaps type. |
Integer:
|
Yes |
system_type |
Defines the type of electrical system that drives the flaps to deflect. |
Integer:
|
Yes |
system_type_index |
If using electrical flaps, this parameter specifies the index of the flaps motor circuit. Default is 0. |
Integer | No |
span-outboard |
Outboard span area, as a Percent Over 100 This is how far out from the wing-root that the flaps stretch (the total span is considered as the distance between wing root and wing tip). On most planes this will be Default value is 0.75, and note that any input value given is clamped between 0.4 and 1.0. IMPORTANT! Despite the flaps span being defined in each flap section, the span is common to all the simulation will take the maximum span value defined in flap sections and clamp it between 0.4 and 1.0 |
Float | No |
extending-time |
Time it takes for the flap set to extend to the fullest deflection angle specified (in seconds). Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
flaps-sequence-increasing |
If set, this specifies that these flaps should only start moving towards the down position when the flaps with the corresponding index have finished moving. Default is -1, which means no such restriction should be applied. |
Integer | No |
flaps-sequence-decreasing |
If set, this specifies that these flaps should only start moving towards the up position when the flaps with the corresponding index have finished moving. Default is -1, which means no such restriction should be applied. |
Integer | No |
damaging-speed |
Speed above which the flaps begins to get damaged, if extended, in Knots. For more information please see here: Flaps Damage and Blowout. Default value is 0, which means no damage will be applied, regardless of the speed. |
Float | No |
blowout-speed |
Speed above which the flaps are blown out, in Knots. For more information please see here: Flaps Damage and Blowout. Default value is 0, which means no blowouts will occur, regardless of the speed. |
Float | No |
maneuvering_flaps |
Sets whether maneuvering flaps are available (TRUE, 1) or not (FALSE, 0). Default value is 0 (FALSE). |
Bool | No |
delay_between_flap_index |
Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
lift_scalar |
Scalar that allows you to scale the lift contribution of a specific flap system. This is necessary to compensate for the scale by the deflection angle in radians, in order to reach 100%, ie: the computed lift coefficient is multiplied by the surface deflection, so you need to compensate for this deflection if it's inferior to 1 radian to reach 100% of your lift coefficient. total_flap_lift = lift_coef_flaps * (system1.lift_scalar * system1.deflectionangleradians + system2.lift_scalar * system 2.deflectionangleradians...) Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
drag_scalar |
Scalar that allows you to scale the drag contribution of a specific flap system. It is necessary to compensate for the scale by the deflection angle in radians, in order to reach 100%, ie: the computed drag coefficient is multiplied by the surface deflection, so you need to compensate for this deflection if it's inferior to 1 radian to reach 100% of your drag coefficient. total_flap_drag = drag_coef_flaps * (system1.drag_scalar * system1.deflectionangleradians + system2.drag_scalar * system 2.deflectionangleradians...) Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
pitch_scalar |
The percentage of total pitch due to flap deflection that this flap set is responsible for at full deflection. This is a legacy FSX parameter not used in the modern flight model. In the modern flight model, the pitch generated by flaps will depend on the lift added and the longitudinal position of the wings. The parameters of each flap level allow to move the wing longitudinally for each flap level to adjust the amount of pitch. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
max_on_ground_position |
The maximal flap extension stage available when an aircraft is on the ground. This must be a value between 0 and the maximal stage described (see flaps-position.N ). |
Integer | No |
altitude-limit |
Specifies an altitude (in ft) above which the flaps cannot be extended. Default is -1, which disables the feature. |
Float | No |
FlapSurface_Left |
This parameter provides one or more references to a damage profile that has been defined in the The information is given as a hash map with the key FlapSurface_Left = WearAndTearCollision:LeftWingLight For more information, please see here: Note On Collision Damage / Wear And Tear |
No | |
FlapSurface_Right |
This parameter provides one or more references to a damage profile that has been defined in the [COLLISION_DAMAGE] section of the flight model CFG file, and will be used to gauge the quantity of damage applied to the right flaps surfaces.
The information is given as a hash map with the key FlapSurface_Right = WearAndTearCollision:LeftWingRight For more information, please see here: Note On Collision Damage / Wear And Tear |
No | |
FlapCable_Left |
This parameter provides one or more references to a damage profile that has been defined in the [COLLISION_DAMAGE] section of the flight model CFG file, and will be used to gauge the quantity of damage applied to the left flaps control cable.
The information is given as a hash map with the key FlapCable_Left = WearAndTearCollision:LeftWingHeavy For more information, please see here: Note On Collision Damage / Wear And Tear |
No | |
FlapCable_Right |
This parameter provides one or more references to a damage profile that has been defined in the [COLLISION_DAMAGE] section of the flight model CFG file, and will be used to gauge the quantity of damage applied to the right flaps control cable.
The information is given as a hash map with the key FlapCable_Right = WearAndTearCollision:RightWingHeavy For more information, please see here: Note On Collision Damage / Wear And Tear |
No | |
flaps-position.i |
This is a flap stage description, and you can have multiple definitions (starting at
|
List of Floats |
Yes |
Alias :
|
This is a comma separated table of conditions which - if any of them are valid - will inhibit the flaps settings from affecting the flaps at position
By default this is set to |
List of Strings |
No |
flaps-position-inhibit-and.i |
This is a coma separated table of conditions which - if all of them are valid - will inhibit the flaps settings from affecting the flaps at position
By default this is set to |
List of Strings |
No |
flaps-position-autoretract.i |
This parameter sets the auto-retract rules for flaps. There can be multiple entries for this parameter, one for each flaps position, with |
List of Floats |
Yes |
flaps-position-maneuvering.i |
When set to 1 (TRUE) flaps position |
Boolean | No |
flaps-position-speed-factor.i |
This parameter requires a table of values that set the correspondence between the speed (in Knots) of the plane and a factor (from 0 - 1) on the max angle of the flaps position
Here, between 0 and 150 you get the full flaps position, but above 150 it starts getting reduced linearly until 240 at which point it's 0. There can be multiple entries for this parameter, one for each flaps position, with |
1D Curve of Floats |
No |
flaps-position-speed-override-above.i |
This parameter sets the override rules for flaps at the given position when above a certain speed. There can be multiple entries for this parameter, one for each flaps position, with
|
List of Floats |
No |
flaps-position-speed-override-below.i |
This parameter sets the override rules for flaps at the given position when below a certain speed. There can be multiple entries for this parameter, one for each flaps position, with
|
List of Floats |
No |
[DESIGN_ACTIVATION]
The flight model in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 permits more granularity when it comes to creating the features of an aircraft. This granularity starts in this section, where you can select specific parts of the "standard" flight model to activate or deactivate, and then continue on to define your own sections for the deactivated parts. For example, it may be that you want to have more control over how the aircraft fuselage is created, since the standard simulation fuselage is low detail, always centered and there are not a lot of ways to control the shape. So you may have something like this in this section:
[DESIGN_ACTIVATION]
enable_aircraft_geometry_vtail = 1
enable_aircraft_geometry_htail = 1
enable_aircraft_geometry_fuselage = 0
enable_aircraft_geometry_wing = 1
enable_aircraft_geometry_gears = 1
enable_aircraft_geometry_exttank = 1
enable_aircraft_geometry_blades = 1
This tells the simulation that you do not wish to use the standard fuselage definition, and will be adding in an [OBJ_EA1_FUSELAGE.N]
section with the details of the more advanced custom fuselage (note that you may add in multiple sections if, for example, the aircraft has a dual fuselage like the F-82 Twin Mustang).
The parameters available in this section are as follows:
[OBJ_EA1_FUSELAGE.N]
COMING SOON!
[OBJ_EA1_SURFACE.N]
COMING SOON!
[OBJ_EA1_BALLOON.N]
COMING SOON!
[OBJ_EA1_ANCHORROPE.N]
COMING SOON!
[OBJ_EA1_PITOTFLAG.N]
THis is used to define a physics object that is used to display the "Remove Before Flight" warning hanging from many of the preflight check items. You can have multiple of these sections where the appended number N
corresponds to its unique ID (starting at 0, and incrementing by 1 for each flag that you wish to add). Full instructions on setting up this item are given on the following page:
The parameters available in this section are as follows:
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
position |
This is the position of the object relative to the Datum Reference Point, expressed as X, Y, Z values, in ft. This is the point where the flag will be attached to the protective cover object. | List of Floats | Yes |
size |
This is used to define the size of the flag that will display the warning text. The size is expressed in meters as width, length, thickness. Note that thickness should be 0 and is not used by this object. | List of Floats | Yes |
linked_behavior_index |
This defines the interaction that is to be used for the flag. Since the flag can be attached to various different protective covers, you need to specify the behavior to use when the cover is removed so that it matches the cover type. |
Enum:
|
Yes |
surface_relative_position |
The warning flag object is is created with physical properties which means that it will move around based on the wind and airflow around the aircraft. To prevent the object "clipping" into anything it shouldn't this parameter is used to set the relative position of the nearest collision surface. For example, you may have this flag on a static cover on the aircraft fuselage, and since it should not pass through the airframe model, you would set the position of the collision surface to be where the fuselage is. This surface plane position is relative to the |
List of Floats | Yes |
surface_angle |
This sets the angle of the collision surface at the position defined by the surface_relative_position . This angle is expressed as three values (in degrees): pitch, bank, and heading. |
List of Floats | Yes |
material_guid |
Here you give the unique GUID of the material to use for the warning flag. For consistency, we recommend that you use the default Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 material which has the following GUID: E48F59B9-94E0-4CA2-B261-8E5FFFF3CB03 |
String | Yes |
[OBJ_EA1_YAWSTRING.N]
COMING SOON!
[OBJ_EA1_ROPECRATE.N]
COMING SOON!
[OBJ_EA1_BANNER.N]
COMING SOON!
[OBJ_EA1_SIMPLEGEAR.N]
COMING SOON!
[INTERACTIVE POINTS]
Interactive Points in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 are used to define the position of various doors of the aircraft - regular, emergency, and cargo doors - as well as some other points to interact with Apron Services, such as the end of a fuel hose to interact with a FuelTruck, or the end of an electrical cable to interact with a GroundPowerUnit vehicle. Interactive points should be added through the SimObject Editor, and only tweaked if required through the flight_model.cfg
file.
NOTE: While interactive points are currently stored in the flight_model.cfg file, they have no relationship with the actual Flight Model for an aircraft. Future updates to the SDK may move this data to another file.
The [INTERACTIVE POINTS]
section should contain one or more interactive_point.i = <DATA>
definitions, where i
is a value between 0
and N - 1
. , and <DATA>
is a list of values that set up the interactive point. Below you can see an example of interactive points being defined:
[INTERACTIVE POINTS]
interactive_point.0 = Name:pDoorFrontL #Properties: 0.4, 27.93, -6.05, 3.02, 0, 0, 0, -86, 72, 16, 85, 3, -2, 33, -1
interactive_point.1 = Name:pDoorFrontR #Properties: 0.4, 27.93, 6.05, 3.02, 0, 0, 0, 86, 85, 3, 72, 16, -2, 33, -1
interactive_point.2 = Name:pDoorCentreL #Properties: 0.4, -53, -5.2, 3, 0, 0, 0, -103, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, -1
interactive_point.3 = Name:pDoorCentreR #Properties: 0.4, -53, 5.2, 3, 0, 0, 0, 103, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, -1
interactive_point.4 = Name:pDoorBackL #Properties: 0.4, -29.5, 2, -1.8, 1, 0, 0, 90, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, -1
interactive_point.5 = Name:pDoorBackR #Properties: 0.4, 18, 1.93, -1.9, 1, 0, 0, 90, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, -1
interactive_point.6 = Name:pEmergencyL #Properties: 0.4, -4, -6, 6.2, 2, 0, 0, -90, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, -1
interactive_point.7 = Name:pEmergencyR #Properties: 0.4, -4, 6, 6.2, 2, 0, 0, 90, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, -1
interactive_point.8 = Name:pCargo1 #Properties: 0, 36.3, 10.78, -5.18, 4, 0, 0, 45, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, -1
interactive_point.9 = Name:pCargo2 #Properties: 0, 0, -54.59, -7.57, 3, 0, 0, -90, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, -1
The available parameters for the [INTERACTIVE POINTS]
section are:
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
interactive_point.N |
A hash map that defines the name and properties of an interactive point. |
No |
Each interactive point definition requires a hash map with the following keys:
Key | Value | Description | Required |
---|---|---|---|
Name |
String | This is a name string that is used as an alias to identify the interactive point. It will also be used as the reference index for SimVars, and note that the name is the only guaranteed reference to the component due to the fact that the Modular Aircraft Merging process may change the index. The name cannot contain special characters or spaces. | Yes |
Properties |
List |
List that contains all the information about the interactive point. |
Yes |
For the properties, you need to supply a list of 15 different values. The table below explains what each one of the values represents, as well as the Interactive Points SimVar associated with it (if it has one):
Position | Position Name | Description | Type | SimVar |
---|---|---|---|---|
0 | Open Close Rate | Percent Over 100 per second of animation of the interactive point (used mostly for doors). | Float |
|
1 | Pos - Z | Coordinate in ft of the point relative to aircraft , on the back-to-front (Z) axis. | Float | |
2 | Pos - X | Coordinate in ft of the point relative to aircraft , on the left-to-right (X) axis. | Float | |
3 | Pos - Y | Coordinate in ft of the point relative to aircraft , on the bottom-to-top (Y) axis. | Float | |
4 | Type | Integer corresponding to an enum, determining the type of the point (see the Type, Position, and Orientation section for more details). |
Integer:
|
|
5 | Orientation - Pitch | Pitch, in degrees, of the point orientation, where 0° means horizontal. | Float | |
6 | Orientation - Bank | Bank, in degrees, of the point orientation (currently unused, please set 0 here). | Float | |
7 | Orientation - Heading | Heading, in degrees, of the point orientation (0° means same heading as the aircraft). | Float | |
8 | Jetway Left Bend | A percentage value for the jetway left bend. See the Jetway Values section for more information. | Float | |
9 | Jetway Left Deployment | A value, in degrees, for the jetway left deployment. See the Jetway Values section for more information. | Float | |
10 | Jetway Right Bend | A percentage value for the jetway right bend. See the Jetway Values section for more information. | Float | |
11 | Jetway Right Deployment | A value, in degrees, for the jetway right deployment. See the Jetway Values section for more information. | Float | |
12 | Jetway Top Horizontal | A value, between -100 and 100, for the jetway horizontal line. See the Jetway Values section for more information. | Float | |
13 | Jetway Top Vertical | A value, between -100 and 100, for the jetway vertical line. See the Jetway Values section for more information. | Float | |
14 | Exit Open Failure Speed | A value which corresponds to the speed at which the aircraft will have a failure if an exit is open, in ft per second. This is only valid if the interactive point is of the type 0 (Exit). If set to -1, failures of this type will be disabled, and if not included then the default speed is 50 ft per second | Float | - |
[yaw_string]
This section is for setting up a yaw string on the aircraft. The available parameter is:
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
yaw_string_available |
Sets whether the simulation should generate the appropriate values for a yaw-string or not. Enabling this does nothing visually, but enables the SimVars For yaw-strings in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 please see: |
Boolean | No |
[HELICOPTER]
This section is for setting up the various helicopter-specific components of the flight model. If you are modelling a helicopter then this section is essential, and is used - along with the [FUSELAGE_AERODYNAMICS]
, [MAINROTOR]
and [SECONDARYROTOR]
sections - to define the flight model, and including these sections usually means there is no need to include data for the [FLIGHT_TUNING]
, [AERODYNAMICS]
and [AIRPLANE_GEOMETRY]
sections. It is worth noting, however, that you will need to set up the [TURBOPROP_ENGINE]
and [TURBINEENGINEDATA]
sections (those that are not flagged as "jet only") of the engines.cfg file as well.
The available parameters are:
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
enable_custom_throttles_control |
When this parameter is set to 1 (TRUE) you may control the engine throttles directly using the appropriate SimVars, therefor bypassing (essentially disabling) the default internal simulation functionality. Default value is 0 (FALSE). |
Bool | No |
reference_length |
The overall length of the helicopter fuselage (excluding rotors), in ft. | Float | Yes |
reference_frontal_area |
The front facing area of the helicopter fuselage (excluding rotors), in sqft. | Float | Yes |
reference_side_area |
The lateral facing area of the helicopter fuselage (excluding rotors), in sqft. | Float | Yes |
right_trim_scalar |
This value scales the lateral cyclic trim position. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
front_trim_scalar |
This value scales the longitudinal cyclic trim position. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
right_trim_step |
The right trim increment value. Default value is 0.005. |
Float | No |
front_trim_step |
The front trim increment value. Default value is 0.005. |
Float | No |
governed_pct_rpm_ref |
This is the ratio of the rated RPM that the rotor RPM governor will try to achieve, expressed as a Percent Over 100. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
governed_pct_rpm_min |
This is the ratio of the rated RPM above which the governor will be enabled, expressed as a Percent Over 100. Note that this value must be positive and negative values will be clamped at 0. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
governor_speed_limit |
This sets the limit on the maximum speed of throttle movement by the governor. The value given here is a a ratio between 0 and 1, where the limit is calculated as Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
rotor_brake_scalar |
With this parameter you can scale the rotor braking torque. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
rotor_brake_torque |
This value adjusts the rotor braking torque. The value is in ftlbs per ft. Default value is 600. |
Float | No |
rotor_brake_bleed_rate |
This defines the decay per second (as a Percent Over 100) of the brake type. Value must be be greater or equal to 0 Default value is 0.5. |
Float | No |
rotor_friction_torque |
This value adjusts the speed at which the rotors will slow down after shutting off the engine. The value is in ftlbs per ft. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
rotor_node.n |
This parameter is used to give the nodes for the center of each rotor, where n increments by 1 for each engine with a node. This will be used to generate the blurring effect when the rotor is spinning. For example:
It is also possible to configure more than one node per engine (this allows to have 2 versions of a rotor with low or high detail), for example:
If the node is not part of the base model in a modular SimObject, then you can also supply an
|
No | |
torque_scalar |
With this parameter you can scale the rotor torque effect. NOTE: This parameter will only be used when the use_modern_surfaces parameter is set to 0.Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
tail_rotor_translating_scalar |
This parameter scales the tail rotor thrust.NOTE: This parameter will only be used when the use_modern_surfaces parameter is set to 0.Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
disk_roll_animation_scalar |
This parameter scales the rotor disk roll animation angle. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
disk_pitch_animation_scalar |
This parameter scales the rotor disk pitch animation angle. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
cyclic_roll_control_scalar |
This parameter scales the roll cyclic controls. Note that this will be applied to both the positive and negative input, unless Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
cyclic_roll_control_scalar_negative |
This parameter scales the roll cyclic controls. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
cyclic_pitch_control_scalar |
This parameter scales the pitch cyclic controls. Note that this will be applied to both the positive and negative input, unless Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
cyclic_pitch_control_scalar_negative |
This parameter scales the pitch cyclic controls. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
pedal_control_scalar |
This parameter scales the pedal controls. This is a legacy parameter, and should only be used when Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
pedal_yaw_control_scalar |
This parameter scales the pedal controls. This should only be used when NOTE: This parameter can be used on legacy aircraft as well, but it will be cummulative with Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
collective_increment |
The size of the increments for the collective when using the Defaults value is 0.05. |
Float | No |
collective_on_rotor_torque_scalar |
This parameter scales the collective impact on rotor torque.NOTE: This parameter will only be used when the use_modern_surfaces parameter is set to 0.Default value is 1. | Float | No |
collective_to_throttle_correlator |
Defines the ratio - from 0 to 1 - with which the collective lever control position is added to the twist grip throttle control position. This will then be applied to the engine(s). The actual equation looks like this: throttle = throttle_control + collective_control * collective_to_throttle_correlator Note that if the parameter is set to 0 or is omitted (and all other collective-to-throttle parameters are also omitted) then the engine throttle will work as a simple throttle twist grip control. IMPORTANT: If you use this parameter, then you cannot use |
Float | No |
collective_to_throttle_correlator_1d |
This defines the relationship between the collective control position and the twist grip throttle. In this case the throttle applied to the engine(s) is calculated as the sum of the twist grip throttle control position and the result of linear interpolation from this table, depending on the collective control position: throttle = throttle_control + f (collective_control) There can be between 2 to 7 pairs of values in this table, and if the dimensions of the table are outside of these bounds, this parameter will be ignored. Values should be between 0 and 1. Note that if the parameter has all values set to 0 or it is omitted (and all other collective-to-throttle parameters are also omitted) then the engine throttle will work as a simple throttle twist grip control. IMPORTANT: If you use this parameter, then you cannot use |
List of Floats |
No |
collective_to_throttle_correlator_2d |
This is a 2D table where
Together they define the throttle control for all helicopter engines using a 2D linear interpolation of the given values. This can be used to help maintain nominal rotor RPM when the pilot moves the collective lever. For example: throttle_correlator_table = 0.0 :0.0 :0.5 :1, 0.0 :0.0 :0.18 :0.36, 0.25 :0.0 :0.26 :0.52, 0.5 :0.0 :0.34 :0.68, 0.75 :0.0 :0.42 :0.84, 1 :0.0 :0.5 :1 ; This parameter has no default values, but if it is omitted from the CFG file (and all other collective-to-throttle parameters are also omitted), or the size of the table exceeds the maximum permitted size (see the note below) then the engine throttle will work as a simple throttle twist grip control. NOTE: |
2D Table of Floats |
No |
collective_move_rate_limit |
This sets the limit on the maximum speed of movement by the collective. The value given here is a ratio that must be 0 or greater, where the limit is calculated as Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
cyclic_move_rate_limit |
Sets the maximum speed of cyclic movement. The value given here is a ratio that must be 0 or greater, where the limit is calculated as ratio / sec . If set to 0, then there is no limit imposed.
Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
rudder_pedals_move_rate_limit |
Sets the maximum speed of movement for the rudder pedals. The value given here is a ratio that must be 0 or greater, where the limit is calculated as ratio / sec . If set to 0, then there is no limit imposed.
Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
stabilizer_cyclic_scale |
If a stabilizer is present and enabled, this is the ratio of assistance it will provide the cyclic. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
stabilizer_rudder_scale |
If a stabilizer is present and enabled, this is the ratio of assistance it will provide the rudder. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
engine_internal_moi |
This is the internal moment of inertia of the moving parts of one engine for the clutch simulation and the unclutched simulation, in lbs per ft2. Default value is 0.25. |
Float | No |
clutch_maximum_torque_up |
This is the clutch simulation maximum clutch torque when the engine RPM is pulled up, in lbf * ft. Default value is 1000. |
Float | No |
clutch_maximum_torque_down |
This is the clutch simulation maximum clutch torque when the engine RPM is pulled down, in lbf * ft. Default value is 1000. |
Float | No |
clutch_unclutch_time |
The time - in seconds - it takes for the clutch to go from 0% to 100% or from 100% to 0%. Default value is 20. |
Float | No |
engine_trim_min |
Sets the minimum ratio of the engine rated RPM that can be set by the trimmer. Value is between 0 and 1. Note that this value will be used by the As an example: if your rated rotor RPM is 1000RPM, setting the min to 0.9 and the max to 1.1 will allow you to set the trimmer to a value between 900RPM and 1100RPM. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
engine_trim_max |
Sets the maximum ratio of the engine rated RPM that can be set by the trimmer. Value must be 1 or greater (up to "inifnity"). Note that this value will be used by the As an example: if your rated rotor RPM is 1000RPM, setting the min to 0.9 and the max to 1.1 will allow you to set the trimmer to a value between 900RPM and 1100RPM. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
engine_trim_rate |
Sets the speed of change of the ratio of the engine rated RPM, calculated as Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
assistance_cyclic_pitch_stability_centre |
This is used to center the assistance neutral input for the pitch cyclic, in degrees. NOTE: See the Note On Flight Assistance for additional information. Default value is -1.15. |
Float | No |
assistance_cyclic_bank_stability_centre |
This is used to center the assistance neutral input for the bank cyclic, in degrees. NOTE: See the Note On Flight Assistance for additional information. Default value is -5.7. |
Float | No |
assistance_pedal_yaw_stability_centre |
This ratio is used to center the assistance neutral input for the pedal. NOTE: See the Note On Flight Assistance for additional information.Default value is 0.15. |
Float | No |
assistance_pedal_yaw_rotation |
This is the ratio of the yaw rotation velocity countering the proportional force. NOTE: See the Note On Flight Assistance for additional information.Default value is 10. |
Float | No |
assistance_pedal_yaw_maxinput |
This is the maximum input ratio for all assistance rudder input. NOTE: See the Note On Flight Assistance for additional information.Default value is 0.5. |
Float | No |
assistance_pedal_yaw_integralmax |
This is the maximum input ratio for the integral part of the assistance rudder input. NOTE: See the Note On Flight Assistance for additional information.Default value is 0.2. |
Float | No |
assistance_pedal_yaw_integralspeed |
This is the ratio of the yaw rotational velocity countering the integral force. NOTE: See the Note On Flight Assistance for additional information.Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
assistance_cyclic_drotation |
This is the ratio of the pitch and bank rotational velocity countering the proportional force. NOTE: See the Note On Flight Assistance for additional information.Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
assistance_cyclic_pitch_rotation |
This is the ratio of the pitch and pitch angle countering the proportional force. NOTE: See the Note On Flight Assistance for additional information.Default value is 2. |
Float | No |
assistance_cyclic_bank_rotation |
This is the ratio of the pitch and bank angle countering the proportional force. NOTE: See the Note On Flight Assistance for additional information.Default value is 2. |
Float | No |
assistance_cyclic_forwardspeed |
This is the ratio of the forward speed countering the proportional force. NOTE: See the Note On Flight Assistance for additional information.Default value is 0.01. |
Float | No |
assistance_cyclic_sidespeed |
This is the ratio of the side speed countering the proportional force. NOTE: See the Note On Flight Assistance for additional information.Default value is 0.01. |
Float | No |
assistance_cyclic_integralmax |
This parameter defines the maximum stabilization bank or pitch angle integral - in degrees - for horizontal motion, countering the bank angle integral. NOTE: See the Note On Flight Assistance for additional information.Default value is 5. |
Float | No |
assistance_cyclic_integralspeed |
This is the ratio of the horizontal speed for horizontal motion countering the bank angle integral. NOTE: See the Note On Flight Assistance for additional information.Default value is 0.2. |
Float | No |
assistance_cyclic_maxinput |
This is the maximum input ratio for all assistance cyclic input. NOTE: See the Note On Flight Assistance for additional information.Default value is 0.15. |
Float | No |
assistance_cyclic_maxspeed |
This is the maximum speed - in ft per second - for the cyclic assistance. At a speed of 0 ft per second, the assistance works at 100%. At the specified maxspeed, or above, the assistance is disabled, and in between it gradually decreases. NOTE: See the Note On Flight Assistance for additional information.Default value is 100. |
Float | No |
assistance_pedal_maxspeed |
This is the maximum speed - in ft per second - for the pedal assistance. At a speed of 0 ft per second, the assistance works at 100%. At the specified maxspeed, or above, the assistance is disabled, and in between it gradually decreases. NOTE: See the Note On Flight Assistance for additional information.Default value is 133. |
Float | No |
governor_pid |
The PID to control the auto throttle governor. The table requires the following 5 inputs: Proportional factor, Integral factor, Derivative factor, I boundary, D boundary Default values are: 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
For more information on these PID controller parameters, please see the section on PID Parameters. |
List of 5 Floats (see Data Types for more information). |
No |
Note On Flight Assistance
The different assistance_ parameters are provided to pre-initialise the PID that is used for assistance, and will only be used when flight assistance is enabled. The way the PID works is that it will converge towards a value which makes it possible to stabilize the helicopter in hover, and it's the assistance_xxxx_xxxx_stability_centre
that you can use to pre-initialise the PID. This will make it start directly at the value that stabilizes the helicopter, so it doesn't "search" as much before stabilizing and is more quickly stable. Note too that there are limits to stabilisation, and if you are too off-center it sometimes does not stabilise at all.
[FUSELAGE_AERODYNAMICS]
This section is for setting up the aerodynamics of a helicopter fuselage.
The available parameters are:
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
use_modern_surfaces |
When this is set to 0, it will tell the simulation to use the "legacy" helicopter flight model. However setting this to 1 will select the modern flight model, based on surfaces and CFD calculations. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
drag_force_cf |
This is the drag coefficient of the front facing fuselage. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
side_drag_force_cf |
This is the drag coefficient of the side facing fuselage. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
pitch_damp_cf |
The pitch damping coefficient. NOTE: This parameter will only be used when the |
Float | No |
pitch_stability_cf |
The pitch stability coefficient. NOTE: This parameter will only be used when the |
Float | No |
roll_damp_cf |
The roll damping coefficient. NOTE: This parameter will only be used when the |
Float | No |
yaw_damp_cf |
The yaw damping coefficient. NOTE: This parameter will only be used when the |
Float | No |
yaw_stability_cf |
The yaw stability coefficient. NOTE: This parameter will only be used when the |
Float | No |
hstab_pos_lon |
This sets the relative longitudinal position of the horizontal stabiliser, in ft, relative to the Datum Reference Point. Default value is -20. |
Float | No |
hstab_pos_vert |
This sets the relative vertical position of the horizontal stabilizer, in ft, relative to the Datum Reference Point. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
hstab_span |
This sets the span of the horizontal stabiliser, in ft. Default value is 5. |
Float | No |
hstab_area |
The area of the horizontal stabiliser, in sqft. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
hstab_incidence |
The angle of incidence of the horizontal stabiliser, in degrees. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
hstab_lift_coef |
This is the coefficient of the slope of lift over the AoA for the horizontal stabiliser. Default value is 3. |
Float | No |
vstab_pos_lon |
This sets the longitudinal position of the vertical stabiliser, in ft, relative to the Datum Reference Point. Default value is -20. |
Float | No |
vstab_pos_vert |
This sets the relative vertical position of the vertical stabiliser, in ft, relative to the Datum Reference Point. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
vstab_span |
This sets the span of the vertical stabaliser, in ft. Default value is 5. |
Float | No |
vstab_area |
The area of the vertical stabiliser, in sqft. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
vstab_incidence |
The angle of incidence of the vertical stabiliser, in degrees. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
vstab_lift_coef |
This is the coefficient of the slope of lift over the AoA for the vertical stabiliser. Default value is 3. |
Float | No |
fuselage_rear_diam_scale |
This is the scale of the rear end of the fuselage in relation to the main section. Default value is 0.25. |
Float | No |
fuselage_rear_pos_vert |
The vertical position of the rear end of the fuselage in relation to the main section. Default value is 3. |
Float | No |
fuselage_position |
The position of the fuselage centre - in ft - relative to the Datum Reference Point. The table requires the following 3 inputs: z, x, y Default values are: 0, 0, 0. |
List of 3 Floats (see Data Types for more information). |
No |
[MAINROTOR]
This section is for setting up the main rotor of a helicopter.
The available parameters are:
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
TailRotor |
Sets whether the rotor is a main rotor or a tail rotor. When set to 0, it's a horizontal lifting rotor, and when set to 1 this defines a secondary vertical stabilization rotor. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
Position |
The position of the rotor center - in ft - relative to the Datum Reference Point. The table requires the following 3 inputs: z, x, y Default values are: 0, 0, 0. |
List of 3 Floats (see Data Types for more information). |
No |
max_disc_angle |
This parameter will work in two different ways depending on the
Default value is 5. |
Float | No |
Radius |
The radius of the rotor, in ft. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
RatedRpm |
The rated rotation speed of the rotor, in RPM. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
number_of_blades |
The number of blades of the rotor. Default value is 2. |
Float | No |
weight_per_blade |
This is the weight of a single blade of the rotor, in lbs. Default value is 10. |
Float | No |
weight_to_moi_factor |
This defines the weight to MOI ratio for a single blade depending on the mass distribution of the blade. Default value is 0.577. |
Float | No |
inflow_vel_reference |
This defines the reference speed of airflow through the rotor, in ft per second. NOTE: This parameter will only be used when the Default value is 20. |
Float | No |
BrakeCircuit |
The name - or index - of the electrical Circuit (of the type Default is -1. |
String (or Integer) |
No |
blade_ang_offset |
This parameter permits you to align the simulated rotor to the model's visual mesh rotor. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
blade_aspect_ratio |
This is the aspect ratio of the rotor blade length over width. This is used to determine the width of the rotor within the simulation. Default value is 20. |
Float | No |
blade_AOA0_lift_slope |
This is the slope of the lift coefficient over the AoA for each blade. Default value is 6. |
Float | No |
blade_AOAStall_lift_slope |
This is the slope of the lift coefficient over the AoA for each blade when the blade is stalled. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
blade_tip_to_root_lineartwist |
This parameter sets the blade twist between tip and root, in degrees. Default value is 7. |
Float | No |
blade_AOAStall_scaler |
This value inversely scales the AoA angle at which the blade will stall, in degrees. Default value is 1.69. |
Float | No |
blade_AOAStall_power |
This value inversely exponentiates the AoA angle at which the blade will stall. Default value is 2. |
Float | No |
blade_AOA0_inddrag_efficiency |
This value defines the lift induced drag coefficient. Default value is 0.1. |
Float | No |
blade_AOA0_parasiticdrag |
This value defines the blade parasitic drag coefficient. Default value is 0.005. |
Float | No |
blade_thickness_ratio |
This defines the rotor blade width over thickness aspect ratio, and permits the simulation to determine the blade thickness. Default value is 0.05. |
Float | No |
blade_beta_input_max |
This value sets the rotor beta at maximum collective input. Default value is 10. |
Float | No |
blade_beta_input_min |
This value sets the rotor beta at minimum collective input. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
blade_flap_rigidity |
This value defines the blade rigidity coefficient for flapping dynamics, and will be used to generate phase lag. Default value is 50. |
Float | No |
blade_flap_inertia |
This value defines the blade inertia coefficient for flapping dynamics, and will be used to generate phase lag. Default value is 0.1. |
Float | No |
blade_lowAOADragAddAng |
This value defines the angle of AoA below which there will be an increase of drag. Default value is -100. |
Float | No |
blade_lowAOADragAddForce |
This value defines the intensity of the increase of drag at low AoA angles. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
blade_hiAOADragAddAng |
This value defines the angle of AoA above which there will be an increase of drag. Default value is 100. |
Float | No |
blade_hiAOADragAddForce |
This value defines the intensity of the increase of drag at high AoA angles. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
blade_tip_liftscale |
This value defines the ratio of the remaining lift at blade tips because of lift lost for induced drag. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
coning_ratio_load_factor_one |
This value sets the rotor coning ratio when the load factor is one (a load factor of one represents conditions in straight and level flight, where the lift is equal to the weight). Default value is 0.1. |
Float | No |
coning_ratio_load_factor_two |
This value sets the rotor coning ratio when the load factor is two (a load factor of two approximates the load factor during a maneuver like a turn with a 60º bank angle). Default value is 0.25. |
Float | No |
coning_angle_at_ratio_one |
This value defines the rotor coning angle when the coning factor is 1 (in degrees). Default value is 6. |
Float | No |
input_to_disk_angle_scale |
scale of the input on the disc angle to allow for dead zones and trim countering Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
gyro_precession_scalar |
This value permits you to scale the gyroscopic precession of the rotor. Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
Reverse_rotation |
A value of 0 (FALSE) here will maintain the default rotational direction of the helicopter blades, which is clockwise (when viewed from above). Setting this to 1 (TRUE) will reverse that rotation, so anti-clockwise. Default value is 0. |
Bool | No |
static_pitch_angle |
This parameter defines the neutral static pitch angle, in degrees. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
static_bank_angle |
This parameter defines the neutral static bank angle, in degrees. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
cyclic_pitch_centre |
This parameter describes the rotor axis default deflection, according to the helicopter design. This affects not only the tendency of the helicopter to pitch or roll when hands are free, but also the angular position of its body under the rotor in the flight. Values should be between -1 and 1. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
cyclic_bank_centre |
This parameter describes the neutral point the of cyclic control (like a default "trimmer"), which basically only affects the tendency of a helicopter to pitch or roll when hands are free. Values should be between -1 and 1. Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
cycl_y_on_cycl_y |
This parameter allows you to reduce how much the cyclic input adjusts the pitch of the rotor blades. By reducing NOTE: This parameter is only used when your helicopter has the TailRotor parameter set to 0 (FALSE). Default value is 1. |
Float | No |
cycl_y_on_collective |
This parameter allows you to increase how much the cyclic input will adjust the collective setting of the rotor blades. By reducing NOTE: This parameter is only used when your helicopter has the TailRotor parameter set to 0 (FALSE). Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
pedal_on_bank |
When set to a value greater than 0, this parameter will allow the pilot to control the bank of the rotor, with the pedals in order to make the helicopter yaw. NOTE: This parameter is only used when your helicopter has the TailRotor parameter set to 0 (FALSE). Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
pedal_on_cycl_x |
When set to a value greater than 0, this parameter will allow the pilot to control the pitch of the rotor, with the pedals in order to make the helicopter yaw (For helicopters that have 2 main rotors that are one over the other>, creating more drag on one rotor while reducing drag on the rotor spinning in the opposite direction, will yaw the helicopter). NOTE: This parameter is only used when your helicopter has the TailRotor parameter set to 0 (FALSE). Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
pedal_on_collective |
When set to a value greater than 0, this parameter will allow the pilot to yaw the helicopter using rotor drag. NOTE: This parameter is only used when your helicopter has the TailRotor parameter set to 0 (FALSE). Default value is 0. |
Float | No |
[SECONDARYROTOR]
This section is for setting up the secondary rotor of a helicopter. The parameters in this section are the exact same as those listed for the [MAINROTOR]
section, above.
[BALLOON]
This section is used to setup some parameters that are only relevant when the aircraft you are creating is a hot air ballon of some kind.
The available parameters are:
Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
---|---|---|---|
balloon_volume |
This value defines the volume of the balloon's envelope, in ft³. | Float | Yes (if aircraft Category is "HotAirBalloon") |
balloon_area |
This value defines the volume of the balloon's envelope, in ft². | Float | Yes (if aircraft Category is "HotAirBalloon") |