As mentioned in my last post, not all default nor third-party aircraft come with an aircraft reference file. If needed, to create a missing one isn’t difficult at all.
The Aircraft Reference is basically an html-formatted file with a name containing “aircraft model” + “_REF“ and a filename extension of “.htm” It is located in the aircraft folder under “SimObjects/Airplanes“.
If you don’t have much knowledge about html, you could simply:
- Copy an existing aircraft reference file that is similar to what you want;
- Place the duplicate to the folder of the aircraft for which you want to create the reference;
- Rename the file in the format of “aircraft model_REF.htm“;
- Then follow the format of the original file to include your information; and
- Save the file when it is done.
It may take a few rounds of editing to make the file displaying what you need properly, but the process shouldn’t be difficult.
If you don’t want to spend too much time on formatting the file, you could create a simple text file with the information of the aircraft. Then:
- Put a <html> at the start of the file;
- Put a <br> at the end of EACH line, including the empty lines;
- Put a </html> at the end of the file; then
- Save the file and rename its extension from “txt” to “htm“.
Surely this Aircraft Reference won’t look as nice as a properly formatted reference file but it still serves the needs adequately.
Following is a sample Aircraft Reference I converted for the RealAir Simulation’s Duke B60.
<html> Realair Simulations Beechcraft Duke B60 Reference<br> <br> _______________________________________________________________<br> ENGINES<br> <br> Max Continuous power 2900 rpm at 41.5 in. hg<br> Normal Max Climb/Cruise power 2750 rpm at 35.5 in. hg<br> <br> _______________________________________________________________<br> SPEED RESTRICTIONS<br> <br> Max allowable dive in smooth air 235 knots (IAS)<br> Caution range 208 to 235 knots<br> Normal operating range 85 knots to 208 knots<br> Minimum single engine control speed 85 knots <br> Single engine best rate of climb 112 knots<br> Max gear operation/extended speed 175 knots<br> Max flap extension speed - stage 1 175 knots<br> Max flap extension speed - stage 2 134 knots<br> <br> _______________________________________________________________<br> FLIGHT LOAD FACTORS<br> <br> At gross weight of 6775 lbs<br> <br> Flaps and gear up 3.5 positive G<br> Flaps down 2.0 postive G<br> <br> _______________________________________________________________<br> WEIGHTS<br> <br> Max take off weight 6775 lbs<br> Max landing weight 6600 lbs<br> Maximum ramp weight 6819 lbs<br> Maximum Baggage Load 315 lbs<br> _______________________________________________________________<br> APPROACH SPEED<br> <br> Recommended Approach 98 knots<br> <br> _______________________________________________________________<br> PRESSURISATION<br> <br> Max cabin pressure differential 4.7 psi<br> Fuselage pressure structural life 15,000 hours<br> <br> _______________________________________________________________<br> PERFORMANCE<br> <br> Best rate of climb 1601 fpm<br> Ceiling 30,000 feet <br> Max Cruise speed at 25,000 ft 239 knots TAS<br> Max level speed at 23,000 ft 240 knots TAS<br> Max range 1020 nautical miles </html>
Should you want to use the file, simply copy all the text to a new text file; then place the file into the Duke B60 folder; and then rename the file with a proper filename, such as RASDukeB60_REF.htm. That will do.
FS Times 