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How to control final approach speed of an ai aircraft.

jparnold

jparnold

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311
Country
australia
Hello
I have created AI 'versions' of the standard FSX DHC2 Beaver and also the PAD Premier Aircraft DHC3 Otter and both work well.
I note that the final approach speed of the DHC3 Otter seems much slower than the DHC2 Beaver and in fact when I 'flew' 'in formation' with the DHC3 I noted that it's speed during the last 500 feet descent is only around only 50 ias which is way too slow. It's just an aesthetics issue but I wondered what I could change in the aircraft.cfg file which might speed up my AI DHC3 aircraft during final approach.

Would this thread be better in the Aircraft Design forum?

Thanks

John
 
Thanks Guenther
Actually you are probably correct as the second web site you gave a link to states the stall speed is 58mph which is 50 knotts which is about the speed showing on the ASI in the aircraft I was using to 'tag along' with my AI aircraft landing. My AI version of the FSX DHC2 approaches noticably faster.
Regards
John
 
Last edited:
The major factor that determines approach speed is the empty_weight value. Wingspan, full_flaps_stall_speed, and other aerodynamics can also have a (usually) smaller effect.
 
Thanks Tom
I will try changing empty_weight and watch for a change.
I find it a little odd that both the DHC2 and DHC3 are a little difficult to get the airspeed down when flying them yet with my AI versions the DHC2 approaches and lands much faster than the DHC3 so those other parameters are probably having an effect too.
 
Hi,

Other than the empty_weight value they really don't have a major effect. The AI landing routine in FS appears to be "hard coded" and just does its thing.

BTW, flaps drag also has an effect in the later stages of the approach.
 
Tom
I think the flaps drag should have an effect. I will 'play around' with that setting the drag a bit lower.
John
 
Hi Tom
I decreased the drag_scaler for [flaps.0] and increased the empty_weight for [weight_and_balance] (which was only 2790 yet the real aircraft is 5287) by 1000 and tested. The AI aircraft does not approach and land any noticeably faster but lands further down the 'runway'. Maybe it's time to just accept what it is.
Thanks again
John
 
Thanks Roby,
I increased both stall speeds by 10 and it appears to have made an effect.

I meant to mention in my last post that after I increased the empty weight and drag_scaler for flaps, takeoffs were then a little strange. The AI aircraft would climb for a while then seemed to level out for a short while, climb again for a short while and then level out for a short while and then continue to climb.
Made me remember that at Sydney International airport many years ago in an effort to try and sooth those living under flight paths departing aircraft would climb for a few minutes then decrease power and fly level for some minutes and then climb again.
 
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