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MSFS20 Can't start at Heliport

F

frankturley

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unitedkingdom
Today I had a very encouraging session on this forum, I found I had to have runway start points, otherwise the sim would CTD.

I decided to extract a simple heliport that I had created for FSX, and install it in MSFS2020, I duly copied the project file across, and added a start point (other, not runway). When I select the heliport as a start point, I can see the surrounding scenery, but when I click the fly now button, it moves me to the nearest airfield with a runway. I have tried adding a pukka helipad (in FSX I just used a grass apron), but it still refuses to start at the heliport.

Any ideas?
 

Attachments

You have to have a runway, but it can be very small. ;)

Just don't leave any extra parking, or you might get uninvited guests.

rHxWdufP.jpg
 
=rk= said:
You have to have a runway, but it can be very small. ;)

Just don't leave any extra parking, or you might get uninvited guests.

rHxWdufP.jpg
Click to expand...
You are right - FSX didn't need starts, but MSFS2020 needs runway starts. I found the runway length needed to be at least 1 metre, so I set the width likewise, its working but the start currently misses the centre of the helipad, I need to do some adjusting. Thanks for your help.
 
Hi Frank:

If it is not mission-critical to have the Helipad listed in the airport directory, one can otherwise: :idea:

* place a Helipad scenery object

* position the helicopter on the pad

* save a flight

The saved flight can be used to browse / select and launch a flight from the World Map by pressing < Spacebar > key

The Helicopter to be used for that flight can then be changed if desired, via the DevMode Menu > Window > Aircraft selector list.

Just another option, if you're inclined. :)

GaryGB
 
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GaryGB said:
Hi Frank:

If it is not mission-critical to have the Helipad listed in the airport directory, one can otherwise: :idea:

* place a Helipad scenery object

* position the helicopter on the pad

* save a flight

The saved flight can be used to browse / select and launch a flight from the World Map by pressing < Spacebar > key

The Helicopter to be used for that flight can then be changed if desired, via the DevMode Menu > Window > Aircraft selector list.

Just another option, if you're inclined. :)

GaryGB
Click to expand...
Thanks for that Gary, I do like to see my creations in the airport list.

I should add a postscript to my previous remarks - with the runway dimensions set at 1 metre square, landing on the pad resulted in a [Vicinity] entry in my log book, resetting it to a six metre square got rid of the [Vicinity] when landing on the pad.
 
I also found out the hard way that you had to have a runway. I simply made the runway material transparent. I also added a parking circle and named it Parking 1. When I search for my helipad in the main map, it defaults to one of my runway numbers, but if I drop down the runway dropbox, I can choose "Parking 1". By using the Taxiway Parking entry, I can orient the aircraft as I wish and have it appear just where I want it - might need to move it backwards or forwards a bit. However, then I needed to put taxiway points on the runway, link them and then link one of them to the parking ring. This allows me, by choosing Parking 1, to start cold and dark.
I'm still working the scenery part, but the starting point works well. Just have to ignore the runway designation in the main map search.
Anybody have any ideas on how to make the runway numbers disappear in the departure choices so only the parking is available?
Forum Photo.jpg

Edit: Here's a new wrinkle: I tried this again with an elevated hospital heliport that's already a scenery object. Everything worked just fine (found it in the departure search using its ICAO, dropped down the runway list and chose the parking spot) and my helicopter got there cold and dark just fine - except it was under the elevated platform. I could raise the runway, but there was no way to raise the Taxiway Parking ring. Any ideas would be appreciated. I am aware of the "saved flight" workaround, but that's inelegant. I'd like it to be searchable for inclusion in a flight plan at minimum.
 
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