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# Adding Catapult or Arrester zones #
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The area's in which a catapult lauch or cable trap is possible, are defined in
files dsd_catapult_zones.ini resp. dsd_arrester_zones.ini.
The format of a zone definition is compatible with the definitions for the
FS2002 ArresterCables program.
So you can easily add your own zones by editing these .ini files with Notepad.

As far as I know, the default FS9 scenery does not include any landable aircraft
carriers. But there are a few great freeware sceneries available:

- The Waikato aircraft carrier, by Savern Reweti.
Great visual model and dynamic scenery.
File: waikato1.zip (at www.SurClaro and www.SurClaro.com)

- The USS Saragota, by Paul Clawson.
Simple visual model, but with a big advantage: it's relocatable anywhere you like
Files: SaraV2.zip and Saraupt.zip update (both at www.SurClaro)

- Miscellaneous Carriers, by Rich Hogen (packaged for FS2004 by Alejandro Villa).
Not tested myself.
File: car2004a.zip (at www.SurClaro)

The default .ini files only contain the zones I use myself:
- for the "Waikato" carrier.
- for the "USS Saragota" (at default location near Pearl Harbour)
- for my test areas on TFFG airport.
But you can easily add others yourself.


Example from dsd_catapult_zones.ini :
[Zone00]
CarrierIdent=HMNZS Waikato, Catapult-1
FrontRightCornerLat =-36.500580
FrontRightCornerLon=174.918852
FrontLeftCornerLat=-36.500578
FrontLeftCornerLon=174.918899
BackLeftCornerLat=-36.500527
BackLeftCornerLon=174.918895
BackRightCornerLat=-36.500530
BackRightCornerLon=174.918858
RunwayHeadingInDegreesMag=157
DeckAltInFeet=70.3

Each zone must have a unique zone number (00 - 49), so you can define 50 zones
in each .ini file.

In the .ini files, you'll see the lines
[Config]
CourseTolerance=3 (max: 180)
This means that the aircraft heading must be within -3 and +3 degrees of the zone
heading (as defined by RunwayHeadingInDegreesMag). If not, the Catapult is disarmed
resp. the aircraft is not arrested.

To help you to define new zones accurately (or check existing zones), I included
a gauge PositionDisplay.xml.
You can add this gauge to a panel.cfg, as follows:

- In section [Window Titles], add:
window**=PositionDisplay

- Add a new window section, as:
[Window**]
size_mm=180,90
position=2
visible=0
background_color=16,16,16
gauge00=rcb-miljet!PositionDisplay,5,5,170,80

NOTE: replace ** by the next free window number.

Now, to define an area, do the following:
- Start FS9
- Create/Select a flight (using an aircraft with this gauge) that positions the
aircraft near a zone you want to define.
- Activate SlewMode.
- Set FS into TopDown view via menu Views - ViewMode - TopDown view.
- Zoom in/out as appropriate, using the +/- keys.
- Via menu Views - Instrument Panel, open the PositionDisplay window.
This should appear in the top-right corner.
- With the aircraft in the exact zone heading, slew to the 4 corners of the zone
you want to define, and make a note of the coordinates.
- Read the Altitude and zone heading, and copy this info as well.
- Exit FS9.
- Edit the .ini file(s) and save them.
- Start FS9 again and check the new zone.
The PositionDisplay gauge turns:
- GREEN: If aircraft within a defined zone.
- RED: if not.

If you want to use the catapult/arrester the "old" (V1.1) way, or if you want to
make launches/landings easier, you can effectively disable the zones check, by
adding a zone that covers the whole world.
Add to file dsd_arrester_zones.ini and/or dsd_catapult_zones.ini:

CourseTolerance=180
and
[Zone48]
CarrierIdent=NO ZONE CHECK
FrontRightCornerLat=89
FrontRightCornerLon=179
FrontLeftCornerLat=89
FrontLeftCornerLon=-179
BackLeftCornerLat=-89
BackLeftCornerLon=-179
BackRightCornerLat=-89
BackRightCornerLon=179
RunwayHeadingInDegreesMag=0
DeckAltInFeet=0



Enjoy ...

Rob Barendregt



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