In this folder you will find an AFCAD airport file (ROSS AFCAD.txt), a ROSSPARK_AFD.bgl file, and an AFCAD map of Ross Airpark. The text file and map were compiled in Lee Swordy's AFCAD program, which makes AI traffic movements possible at an airport. The ROSSPARK_AFD.bgl was externally compiled in SCASM.
The ROSSPARK_AFD.bgl file contains the invisible airport map of AI traffic movements, plus related items. The text file contains the same information in text form. The map shows 14 parking positions, plus the taxiways to/from them. Runways 16/34 alone are available for AI traffic. The Ross control tower was included purely to enable AI aircraft at the airpark, and the scenery tower was added to make this appear more realistic.
The ROSSPARK_AFD.bgl file is an Airport Facilities Data file. In addition to the above data, it contains all the tower, etc, comms frequencies, names all the movement areas, and enables ATC to give you directions using the "pink" taxiway line.
You can use these files in several ways:
1. If you want to make AI traffic AVAILABLE at the Airpark, you simply BACKUP AND ARCHIVE the original ROSSPARK_AFD.bgl located in the Ross scenery folder, then replace it with the modified ROSSPARK_AFD.bgl file in this folder. If you don't like the result, you can simply replace the modified AFD.bgl with the original.
NOTE: This will not automatically introduce AI aircraft movements to and from Ross. See 'AI Traffic Movements' below.
2. If you want to MODIFY the ROSS AFCAD files, you will need Lee Swordy's AFCAD program, downloadable from most major flightsim websites. With it you can either . . .
A. IMPORT the ROSS AFCAD text file, and alter the map as you please, OR
B. OPEN Ross Airpark in your FS2002 Addon Scenery folder, which will contain one of the 2 AFD files you've installed. You can then modify this file as you please.
CAUTION: Prior to modifying AFD files, be sure to back-up and archive (preferably 2 copies on external media) the original ROSSPARK_AFD.bgl file, located in the Ross Airpark\Scenery folder.
As noted above, if you know how to use AFCAD, you can alter this file at your leisure. However, if you publish your innovation, ensure that you identify it as a ALTERNATIVE to the original, and it is wise to fully test it prior to publication.
SUGGESTION: If you decide to install more taxiways and parking points, ensure you have both AFCAD and FS2002 simultaneously open. Choose DENSE scenery complexity, to show all scenery objects. Then slew around in FS, and avoid placing taxiways or parking points where they will collide with the scenery, especially static aircraft.
IMPORTING THE TEXT FILE:
You do not need a working knowledge of AFCAD in order to import the ROSS AFCAD.txt file.
1. Install AFCAD.
2. Open the Help file.
3. In the Contents, click on item 34: Installing Downloaded Airports.
4. Follow the directions.
ADDING PARKING POINTS, ETC:
1. Install AFCAD.
2. Open the Help file.
3. In the Contents, click on item 37: Adding Parking to an Airport.
4. Follow the directions.
If you wish to simultaneously run AFCAD and FS2002, Lee Swordy suggests that you obtain Peter Dowson's FSUIPC.DLL file, available from most flightsim websites. Read item 7 in the Help file.
AI TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS
If you elect to introduce AI traffic to Ross Airpark, you will need Lee Swordy's Traffic Tools. This enables you to prepare flight plans to and from the airport. Download TTools.zip and (if you are a new user) read the instructions. The program produces 3 text files which you then modify and recompile (see 'Ross AI Flightplans' below).
The Ross airport data you need to add to the Traffic Tool's Airports.text file are:
YROS,S42* 8.63',E147* 30.06',1001
AI AIRCRAFT
In the Ross AFCAD map (jpeg) you will see that 14 parking points have been established. These are:
NE Ramp: 2 for GA Medium aircraft, 2 for GA Small;
Terminal Gates: 2 for Heavy, 1 for Medium, 1 for Small;
SE Ramp: 1 for GA Medium, 5 for GA Small.
The largest aircraft I have flown into and from Ross is the B737-400 (see photo). There is no ILS at Ross, so the heavy metal has to be hand-flown down Final, and it requires accuracy. The 16/34 radials provide fairly good approach indicators for final approach, provided the latter commences 20-15nm from touchdown. I have not experimented with the large AI jets into and from Ross, but I will be interested to hear how they fare. AI Learjets and Dash-8s evidently can use the runway.
ROSS AI FLIGHTPLANS
To install the following flight plans, you will need to have installed the ROSSPARK_AFD file located in the EXTRAS folder. Remember to first back-up the original before replacing it. If you don't like the result, simply replace the modified AFD with the original.
If you are unfamiliar with using Lee Swordy's Traffic Tools to add AI aircraft to/from airports, follow these simple steps:
1. Install Traffic Tools.
2. Click on TDecompiler.exe
This will decompile the ATC files in FS2002's SCENEDB/ATC folder. It won't change anything there . . . yet.
3. TTools will produce 3 text files: Aircraft.txt, Airports.txt, and FlightPlans.txt.
4. Copy the following Ross airport location to the end of your Airports.txt file:
YROS,S42* 8.63',E147* 30.06',1001
This provides ATC with the location of Ross Airpark.
5. Copy the following flightplans to the end of your (very long) FlightPlans.txt file:
6. All of the aircraft in the above are defaults--Dash-8s, Learjets, Skylane 183RGs, and the Mooney. I have given them Australian callsigns. If you wish to add other airports, aircraft or flight plans to the FS2002 ATC system, read the simple instructions in Traffic Tools.
7. Click TCompiler.exe.
This will recompile your 3 TTools documents and incorporate the new information in FS2002's ATC database.
That's it.
I have tested the above and found them workable. Scenery Complexity should be set to Normal. The Dense (or greater) setting is simply too much work for the average CPU. Also, the above flights (10) are about maximal for the Airpark--any more, and you will fly endless go-arounds.
