Weight And Balance Computer Release 2 beta 1 (28 January 01)
Thanks for downloading. Please read the documentation before beginning.
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1. GETTING STARTED
NOTE: This is a beta version meaning that not 100% off the features will work as you
would expect. If you run into problems please let me know. Send an email
stating what the nature of the problem was. What operating system you are
using and version of the software you are using. See the end of the document
for the email address.
*INSTALATION*
Run SETUP for automated installation. Just chose a directory and go. Automatic uninstallation is also included with the package.
*RUNNING*
Start the program "Weight & Balance.exe"
*CHOOSE YOUR AIRCRAFT*
Load the list of available aircraft by going to FILE/LOAD AIRCRAFT.
NOTE: Before making modifications to FS2000 default aircraft or aircraft
which already have extensive weight and balance sections already,
please make a backup to ensure no permanent loss takes place.
NOTE: Weight And Balance Calculator works by editing the aircraft's aircraft.cfg file.
*MODIFY THE AIRCRAFT*
Your aircraft data will be loaded (name, weight, etc..) if you have not modified this
aircraft before, you will need to select to select the aircraft TYPE by clicking on
the <all the aircraft types currently available. Select the aircraft type you wish to set and
press OK.
At this point you will have all your passenger and cargo loading data loaded into the
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION AND CAPACITIES section.
To add passengers, simply type in the number of passengers you wish to load in the PASSENGERS TO LOAD window. This will update the weight of aicraft. You can let
the program randomly select a passenger load by clicking on the RANDOM LOAD>> button.
The 3-way selector to the right (1 class, 2 class, 3 class) will determine which
passenger configuration your aircraft is in. You can modify this by selecting one of
the three selectors.
Cargo is loaded in a similar manner, either input a percentage of cargo to be loaded into the CARGO TO LOAD window or press the RANDOM LOAD button.
*FUEL MANAGEMENT*
This area may apear at first glance to be complicated, but it is rather simple in nature.
To load fuel you have two options. First you can manually enter the percentage of total
fuel to load by inputing a number into the FUEL TO LOAD window. Second you can let the
software determine the maximum fuel load you can fly with based off your current loading.
To have the software perform this calculation for you, press the PUSH FOR AUTOMATIC
button. To go back to manual entry mode press the PUSH FOR MANUAL button. Only one of
these buttons will be displayed at a time.
The final option in the fuel management section is the check box to USE FUEL LOAD IN
WEIGHT CALCULATIONS. This simply allows you to see the true aircraft weight at takeoff.
If this box is NOT checked, the TOTAL AIRCRAFT WEIGHT will be the basic aircraft weight
(Zero fuel weight) + passenger weight + cargo weight.
NOTE: If the sofware tells you at any time that you will have to manually
change the starting fuel weight once you are running FS2000, be sure to
do this - otherwise you may not make it off the ground becuase you are
over your maximum takeoff weight. You can change the starting fuel load
of your FS2000 aircraft once in FS2000 by going to AIRCRAFT|FUEL and
playing with the percentages. You will need to do this EVERY time
you load the aircraft in FS2000!
*SAVING YOUR CHANGES*
*VERY IMPORTANT - YOU MUST DO THIS TO SEE YOUR CHANGES IN FS2000!!*
This step is very simple. Simply go to FILE|SAVE DATA. The changes will be saved
and you will be warned if you need to modify the start fuel in your FS2000 aircraft.
*MODIFYING CG and STATION LOADING*
These sections are self explanitory and really don't need to be changed unless you are just having fun.
NOTE: Modifying to CG Positions of your aircraft can have unpredictable
results...use caution.
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2. WHAT'S NEW
This program has been largely rewritten to include support for Center-of-Gravity (CG)
modifications, individual station loading, random loading of passengers and cargo, easier display and modifications to the aircraft type, and many more features which you will
discover through using the software.
For me to continue modifying this program I need your help. If there are features which
you would like to see added to the program, let me know. If it is feasible, they will be
added into future updates.
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3. KNOWN PROBLEMS
None known at this time.
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4. IN THE WORKS
Possible internal internet updates for STANDARD.cfg and main program EXE.
Continued updating of features currently available in the program.
**FS2000 module to all for the automatic changing of the aircraft fuel quantity based
on the allowable fuel load last saved for the aircraft.
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5. HISTORY
29 APR 00 - First release to Beta Testers.
2 May 00 - Version 1.03 released for evaluation. Added:
+ "Over MTW" warning, updated icons, and worked on the system menus.
7 May 00 - Version 1.0 released to the public. Updated:
+ README.txt.
19 may 00 - Version 1.2 released to the public. Added:
+ support for automatic installation/uninstall
+ updated STANDARD.cfg for standardized aircraft configurations.
+ Manual Fuel Load entry option.
28 Jan 01 - Beta release of Version 2. Major modification. Added:
+ General redesign of the main screen to show all main functions at once
+ Components of a random seat filling program
+ Random filling of the cargo capacity
+ Support for Center-of-Gravity modifications
+ Support for station loading
+ Other small items through out the program
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6. CONTACT INFORMATION
Mike Lyons
Website: http://communities.msn.com/WeightandBalanceComputerWebsite/homepage
Email: m_j_lyons@hotmail.com
