Choppers in GA AI flights?

[Adamski]

Having just got the stunning Milford Sound scenery to work in FSX (thanks to another thread here), I couldn't help noticing the row of *empty* heli-pads alongside the runway. Then it occurred to me that I've never seen any choppers flying around in AI - yet NZ is full of them!

Do they ever "happen" in default GA AI traffic - in either FS9 or FSX? Or are their flight plans too different/difficult to program?

I'm running WOAI in FSX now and I don't think anyone's created any GA chopper traffic packages. Weird thing is, I *hate* choppers but they're such a common sight all over NZ, it's a shame not to have them in FS.

[Alex]

You name it, Charl has done it.

Alex

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Alex @ Dec 1 2008, 02:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You name it, Charl has done it.

Dang ... that was *fast*! Thanks! I suppose even a *minimal* search on my part would have found that one!

[slopit12]

Yeah I downloaded the 10 Squirrels package and managed to get it working in FSX basically fine.

A few problems that I found with it though. Because the places where the helicopters land have to be 'airports' you get quite a few new 'airports'. This did become a bit of a problem for me when helipads were created at existing airports. For example, it also made me start at the helipad and I was always tuned to the helipad tower radio. With FSX the 'airport' helipads can create some elevation irregularities, but most of the time its ok.

One of the benefits I found from the package (other than having lots of Helicopters flying around NZ!!!) was that it created 'hard' landing spots at Mechanics bay Heliport and even on the ASB tower, something that I've always wanted for Robins Auckland scenery.

[Adamski]

QUOTE (slopit12 @ Dec 1 2008, 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah I downloaded the 10 Squirrels package and managed to get it working in FSX basically fine.

A few problems that I found with it though. Because the places where the helicopters land have to be 'airports' you get quite a few new 'airports'. This did become a bit of a problem for me when helipads were created at existing airports. For example, it also made me start at the helipad and I was always tuned to the helipad tower radio. With FSX the 'airport' helipads can create some elevation irregularities, but most of the time its ok.

One of the benefits I found from the package (other than having lots of Helicopters flying around NZ!!!) was that it created 'hard' landing spots at Mechanics bay Heliport and even on the ASB tower, something that I've always wanted for Robins Auckland scenery.

I'm just about to look for/grab those squirrels ... did you have to do much to get them to work in FSX? Can you remember? I also have Robin's Auckland City installed. I seem to remember one screenshot with a new volcano in the CBD!

[slopit12]

QUOTE (Adamski @ Dec 1 2008, 10:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm just about to look for/grab those squirrels ... did you have to do much to get them to work in FSX? Can you remember? I also have Robin's Auckland City installed. I seem to remember one screenshot with a new volcano in the CBD!

Yeah you should get them, I think overall, its worth it, and you can just remove the .bgl's if you don't like the changes!

From what I can remember, it was really pretty straightforward, just moving a couple of things around from where they would have gone in FS9, to where they should go in FSX, the usual...

I don't remember any volcanes. The Mechanics bay heliport has a small raised platform for where the helicopter lands, but with Robin's scenery, its pretty much invisible. The heli doesn't land in the exact right place for the heliport, but its good enough, and when the AI heli isn't there, its nice being able to land on the helipad properly, instead of that sinking through the ground thing. The ASB tower is also sort of landable with no volcano effects. Although I did get a weird slightly visible line near the tower, in the air, some sort of texture error. The helipad isn't totally landable, but I have done it.

[Charl]

QUOTE (slopit12 @ Dec 1 2008, 11:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...The ASB tower is also sort of landable with no volcano effects. Although I did get a weird slightly visible line near the tower, in the air, some sort of texture error. The helipad isn't totally landable, but I have done it.

The differences would be in the way FSX places scenery - I know it's not the same as FS9, just surprised it's as close as you seem to indicate.
Robin has previously mentioned the unique NZ mapping preferences which can cause various mismatch problems.
Interesting that there is no "Volcano" in FSX, I suppose that occurs because of the way FS9 RealNZ Auckland handles its textures.
(It was an oversight to include the ASB pad in the final release, incidentally).
But I'm pleased they run in FSX - the visible line is the zero-width runway in the original AFCAD.
I imagine you'd crash if you flew into it.
There is a better rotor texture for the AS350 available at the usual suspects, BTW.