My Traffic X

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Charl @ Nov 26 2008, 09:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What - ALL other traffic, or just at the miltary fields?
If the latter, it may just be a lack of parking spaces - AI disappears on landing if no parking.
It certainly should not interfere with civilian traffic.
FWIW did you read this thread?

Charl - it knocked out *all* traffic. But then, Ultimate Traffic often states that it has problems with "additional" traffic files.

I looked at that thread (thanks) ... here's what I did (pasted from that thread):

AFCADs =>Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Addon Scenery\scenery - YES
Aircraft =>Microsoft Flight Simulator X\SimObjects\Airplanes - YES
Flights =>Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Flights ... no flights in the package <??>
Traffic =>Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Scenery\World\Scenery - YES

Sounds =>Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Sound

I didn't bother installing the voice pack add-on, in case it was FS9 specific. That wouldn't affect my other traffic, though would it?

I have other (little) local traffic files in \scenery for some of Rob's sceneries and they work fine ...

[Adamski]

QUOTE (FlyingKiwi @ Nov 26 2008, 01:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Adamski - Regarding World of AI, it does take a bit of time (especially if you have a slower internet connection) because you have to download all the packages individually, but it's very straightforward - just a simple case of downloading the installer, and then downloading the packages and dragging and dropping them into the installer. Their forums are very helpful too - after I upgraded my PC recently I had a small problem with installing the WoAI packages (thanks Vista!) but on enquiring in the forums I got a helpful solution within an hour.

The one downside is that there are some noticeable "gaps" in the traffic - not all major airlines have been done yet, but as I said in my previous post they are constantly adding new ones, and there is a good mix of the major airlines that everyone knows, and many of the much more obscure ones, so you get a nice surprise sometimes when you're visiting airports. (they've just added the Antonov AN-12 to their lineup of aircraft and are making lots of packages for some of the more obscure cargo charter airlines of the world that have AN-12s, for example)

Basically, if I could sum it up:

+ Free
+ Easy
+ Constant updates
+ Fully compatible with both FS9 and FSX
+ Big variety of airlines, including some GA and military packages
+ Models all look great and behave properly (can't say I've noticed the window problem BigBird mentioned but maybe I haven't been paying attention)

- Somewhat time/bandwidth consuming
- Some noticeable aircraft and airline omissions, although I'm sure most will be added in future
- I've noticed a couple of strange flightplan errors, such as an Air New Zealand A320 on the ground at Auckland requesting IFR clearance to Auckland - that's certainly not a common problem though

Well ... I have to say I'm IMPRESSED!

I grabbed the base installer and the basic 2 or 3 packages set up for NZ. Installation couldn't be easier.

OK ... next step .. grabbed all the airlines flying into NZAA (a fair few). This bit was a little time-consuming ... downloading (max three at a time from Avsim) then the install. But what the heck ... it's free. I have more available time than money!

Jumped into my trusty old C182 (DAD) on the AKL tarmac. Wow!!! Most of the airlines I grabbed seemed there ... maybe more arrive later in the day. The models are *way* better than my Ultimate Traffic equivalents. Framerates seemed better than with UT.

I haven't played with it for long enough yet to see if there are obvious "gotchas" and I haven't installed airlines for Wellie or any other International NZ airports. I'm no purist though - and don't know enough about NZ airlines in general to argue - but for the casual flier like myself, the instant immersion WOAI produces is amazing. I'll put off spending $70 on TrafficX for a little while!

For anyone with FSX considering what to do with AI - I'd seriously recommend WOAI. There may be better packages out there but for simplicity, I shouldn't think you could beat WOAI. Honestly, I was up and running in no time. The problem is if you fancy flying all over the world. Though installation is easy, finding and grabbing all the various airline files could take time.

As for the main reason for this exercise .. MILITARY traffic for NZ, I was a little disappointed. The only package I could find for WOAI had one lonely Herc (which I haven't managed to get working properly yet because of a mix up of mine on install). Maybe there are others out there. Still ... I didn't have ANY military traffic with UT so I'm not complaining!! Also, I'm unsure how easy it is to do your own schedules - nothing apparent from what I installed - but I haven't trawled the forums yet.

[Charl]

Good to hear there are no problems with FSX and WOAI.
Not really surprising, given those guys are probably the state of the art.
If you've kept the RNZAF install, it should work fine with WOAI too.

One thing people often find disappointing is an apparent lack of AI when they go to an airport.
But it's more of a background thing - drive past RW Whenuapai and you don't exactly see wall to wall P-3's and C-130's!
Try these (GMT) times in the sim at NZWP:
03:00:00
19:30:00
1/06:59:14 (This is Monday in FS9 but I think FSX calls this Tuesday)
1/18:00:00 (ditto)
1/05:58:57 (ditto)

That's the full complement of RNZAF Herks!

As you fly about the skies, it's always a nice surprise to come across some or other AI on its way.
If it's done properly, you go : "Ah yes, that makes sense!"

[Timmo]

QUOTE (Adamski @ Nov 26 2008, 09:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

if Iwanted to add 30 or so daily military flights to our few remaining air bases

30 a day?! hehe, knowing the funding that our Airforce gets 30 flights a day would be very unrealistic

[FlyingKiwi]

Glad to hear you are pleased with WoAI - they add 10-20 new packages per week on average too. I agree the military traffic selection they have is a bit limited, but it's better than nothing at all.

[Adamski]

QUOTE (FlyingKiwi @ Nov 27 2008, 10:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Glad to hear you are pleased with WoAI - they add 10-20 new packages per week on average too. I agree the military traffic selection they have is a bit limited, but it's better than nothing at all.

That's a lot of updates! All to the good - but it means you have to keep an eye on it! By contrast, I actually had to ask in the Ultimate Traffic forums whether something had "broken" in my auto-installer, as I hadn't had any updates for months. One of the admins kindly put up a few (which duly appeared) - but he did admit that there just weren't that many. Draw your own conclusions!

I manged to add some extra parking slots to the FSX default Whenuapai and noticed that the two scheduled Hercs appear in random slots each time I restart. Is this how multiple traffic files (from different sources) can co-exist? The aircraft get placed in a free slot (if any available)?

My next bit of fun will be to "roll my own" FSX plan for Whenuapai ... but I think I'll start another thread for that ... I'll do a search to see if one already covers it.

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Timmo @ Nov 27 2008, 08:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

30 a day?! hehe, knowing the funding that our Airforce gets 30 flights a day would be very unrealistic

Hehe .. yes ... I realised after posting it that the RNZAF just don't fly *that* much. The only time NZWP gets busy is when some poor blighter is doing circuits and bumps. When I lived in Beach Haven (across the water from Hobsonville) there used to be loads of chopper activity ... but they went away

Interesting thought, though - because it shows that we don't always want *realism* in a sim ... we just want the "exciting" bits!

EDIT: Did I say "poor blighter"? I meant **lucky b*stard**!

[Naki]

I have been following this thread closely - I have moved from a PAI install to a full blown WOAI (except some NZ and Aussie airlines which is covered by VOZ) install. Installing WOAI takes a lot time but it is worth the effort!

[Timmo]

QUOTE (Adamski @ Nov 27 2008, 01:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My next bit of fun will be to "roll my own" FSX plan for Whenuapai ... but I think I'll start another thread for that ... I'll do a search to see if one already covers it.

I have updated the 'AFCAD' for Whenuapai as the first stage in a scenery release (a long way down the track)......I think I had to delete all the parking spaces because of an annoying problem with FSXPlanner but can re-add them and share it with you if you wanted to match the parking codes etc?

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Timmo @ Nov 27 2008, 04:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have updated the 'AFCAD' for Whenuapai as the first stage in a scenery release (a long way down the track)......I think I had to delete all the parking spaces because of an annoying problem with FSXPlanner but can re-add them and share it with you if you wanted to match the parking codes etc?

Yes please, Timmo ... that'd be great. I used "Airport Design Editor" after following a link off the WOAI utilities page. I grabbed most of the other (FSX related) design freeware while I was at it. However ... this for me is a huge step into "the black art" of scenery design - and I'm not altogether sure I "want to go there". So many people on NZFF alone are way better qualified to do all this stuff. At least they *sound* as if they know what they're doing ... I don't even know the difference between "topo" and "landclass"!

While I have your attention (this'll teach you to reply to my posts!!) ... is there a half decent freeware editor/compiler for flightplans? I've looked at a few and they seem to be of FS2004 vintage - and I've never been sure whether they work OK in FSX. I've exported the odd flight plan bgl into text format and tried to make sense out of the numbers, but I get lost about half way!

Maybe I should stick to doing barrel rolls in the Dak

BTW - would you want my AFX file? I just plonked as many military cargo ramp spots as I could in the little grey bits ... but hey ... I saw TWO Hercs beam down into them from a parallel universe, so I'm stoked!

Wait ... don't you fly from NZWN occasionally? Want someone to play with the autopilot while you concentrate on all those 1,000's of digital pics you'll need to have? I promise not to hit a Herc (on purpose, anyway)! I gotta nice little certicificate from Mr. Gates to say that I'm A1 quality and *safe*. Something about "as long as he stays in his living room" in the small print ... DRAT!

[FlyingKiwi]

The PAI setup I had in FS9 was still by far the best air traffic I've ever had in FS, but it took such an epic amount of time to get it all setup the manual way that when I installed FSX I just couldn't be bothered doing it all again. WoAI saves a lot of time, even if I don't have the variety of traffic I used to have.

[jastheace]

hey guys,

on my fsx setup i have the voz ai for all nz, oz and some of the island flights, gnzlap for the lightys and world of ai for all others, i agree with what has been said, world of ai is great, nice and frame rate friendly aircraft, but having said that, i am finding i am doing more online flight than before so i am notcing the lack of traffic, although i did have ai aircraft around flying when i was connected before i had to reformat and start again.

i always used ti use PAI, but it seems very hard to get files from them now, not sure why

[happytraveller]

Just to add my two pennyworth...... I recently installed JustFlights TrafficX and it seems ok, but limited for NZ. One thing to watch is that it takes about 15-20 minutes to build up, so if you launch into the air rapidly then you will find the airports and skies rather empty.

Thanks for the info on the other AI packages, might try them as well,

smooth landings.