ORBX FTX NA PNW GA AI

[speedbird591]

If you don't know what ORBX FTX NA PNW GA AI means ... then this post isn't for you

If you've got FTX Pacific North West, then it's very good news. ORBX have just released a very nice AI package of GA aircraft covering the area. It's already comprehensive but there are more updates to come. And they say it's easier on frames than the default AI. It's a one click installer that will also disable the individual AI packs that come with PNW and the Payware airports as the new pack supersedes them.

And it's FREE!

http://www.orbxsystems.com/forum/index.php

It's got a dual installer for FSX/P3D but the problem with VFR AI flights in P3D remains. They will only show if the entry in the config file reads IFROnly=0. But whenever you change the settings the bug resets the value to a random number and the VFR flights disappear.

There's no answer until LM update the sim but in the meantime you could put a shortcut to the config file on the desktop and quickly change the value back whenever you change the settings. I know it's a pain but nobody's come up with anything better yet

Ian

[Paul K]

Just installed it and I've seen a Learjet take off from Boeing Field Seattle.

I see what you mean about IFROnly=0, but when does the edit affect the sim ? The reason I ask is that I have tried going the other way - altering settings in the sim, such as whether the aircraft casts a shadow on the ground, and it doesn't seem to alter the cfg. at all.

So does a .cfg edit affect the sim straight away, or does the sim need to be restarted before it takes effect ?

[speedbird591]

It's confusing me at the moment, Paul. I can't see a pattern

Yesterday, I was sitting at Bowerman watching a couple of aircraft leaving and arriving and I changed something (time or weather or something) and they all disappeared. The IFROnly value had changed and I had to change it back and restart the sim. I've just tried to repeat it but when I made a change the active aircraft disappeared leaving a couple of static ones.

So, in answer to your questions, I haven't the foggiest Nice AI when it's out, though I guess we'll have to wait for v2.0 to see the benefits (or use FSX ).

I bought Aerosoft Anchorage btw and very nice it is, too. But a bit bare as there isn't even any static traffic so I'm rounding up a bit of WoAI to fill in the gaps before we see any screenies.

Ian

[Paul K]

Ian, similar things have been happening here. I was at Boeing Field, and a Learjet was taxying towards me. I changed to Spot view to get a better look at it, and it had vanished. I sometimes momentarily get that 'scenery library rebuilding' ( or whatever it is ) splash screen, which might be caused by an AI flight being generated ( or that could be the reason why the AI Learjet vanished ). Another thing is that although I have the AI GA traffic slider set to 100%, very little is going on, even at a supposedly busy airport such as Boeing Field.

I shall keep an eye on the Orbx forum, and see if anyone else is having problems.

[speedbird591]

Orbx is pleased to announce the release of the first stage of our GA AI traffic package for North America. This package will provide GA traffic from small Cessnas and Pipers up to the larger Gulfstreams and Bombardiers. Airports covered with this package include all the modified airports within the Orbx PNW region plus all the Orbx payware and freeware airports released to date.

By modified, I think they mean airports that they've upgraded to fit in with their scenery plus their own airports. So there won't be much traffic, if any at Boeing Field. Perhaps the Lear isn't one of theirs

Bowerman would be a better place to look!

I've had much better luck with the IFR World of AI traffic at PANC. It looks the business now

Ian

[Paul K]

I'll have a look tomorrow.

[Paul K]

Sat at Vashon Muni ( 2S1 ) for twenty minutes, IFR=0, GA traffic slider at 100% and not a sausage.

EDIT: Things are a bit more lively at Bowerman, with one arrival, one departure and plenty flying around nearby, so it looks like everything is working after all. Actually this is my first ever visit to Bowerman either in FSX or P3D, and what a delight it is. Also saw the return of an old friend - the FSX Goose, which I think was one of the best MSFS default aircraft ever. Great to have it back, and I'll go get those OzX HD repaints for it. Meanwhile, FSUIPC assignments and calibration continues...

[speedbird591]

I can't believe you haven't visited Bowerman before Because it's part of the free ORBX demo it was their first airport that I'd visited. It's still one of my favourites.

As for the AI. I seem to have lost it again! It comes and goes ... I don't think I'll bother with VFR AI until LM sort out the sim. It's too distracting.

I've had a very frustrating weekend with FS. Apart from this I've been installing Aerosoft Anchorage and Fairbanks, some freeware British Columbia airfields, a BC AI pack that goes with them and a full set of World of AI traffic for Alaska (which also has to be converted to FSX ). I've had mixed success and decided to call it a day and watch the telly with a glass of wine

Ian

[Paul K]

I'm pretty certain I never had Bowerman installed in FSX anyway; the only NA freeware airport I had was Vashon Muni 2S1. I installed it to P3D but ever since, I've been fiddling around with settings and controls at Ketchikan ( PAKX ), followed by a quick couple of circuits to check the results. Its only now, with the basic assignments of buttons and axis in FSUIPC completed, that I am exploring a bit more. By the way, I also installed Orbx's freeware West Wind 7WA3 today, and enjoyed looking round the strips included in that package. Also installed the OzX Goose expansion up to v1.3 , which transforms the aircraft's appearance inside and out, and comes with a new FDE. Oh and I put a couple of new textures into the Aerosoft Catalina.

Ian, have you got FSUIPC ? The registered version I mean..

[speedbird591]

Great stuff, Paul. I've got all the free airports including Vashon and West Wind. They're all nicely within range of Bowerman so I can get back in time for a beer at the cafe!

Yes I've got a registered copy of the latest FSUIPC but apart from the auto save feature I'm not sure what to do with it

I've finalised my weekend's update. I've abandoned Fairbanks as I can't get all the buildings to show in P3D. They are OK in FSX, but then it IS an FSX program! I've been trying a couple of things recommended from the Aerosoft forum but with no luck. Anchorage is wonderful, very realistic and it looks great with the snow. The WoAI traffic finishes it off nicely. Lake Hood is frozen and I can now use my ski bush plane on it!

I've also installed Victoria Intl airport by the guy who created the AI Flight Planner program. He lives in BC so has done half a dozen airports in that area and some nice local AI to go with it. It's got a museum there next to the runway with an Air Canada Viscount so my 748 and 1-11 will fit in nicely. He gives you the option of blending it with other sceneries including ORBX which is a nice touch. So Anchorage will become my big jet base from now on and I'm really looking forward to FTX Southern Alaska to give it a perfect setting.

Ian