Historically, the .air file and the aircraft.cfg file worked together to describe the flight dynamics of the aircraft. The conversions I’ve been working on still use this setup and seem to fly ok, but maybe not quite the same as before.
The .cfg was a simple text file so easy to edit. The .air file was not easy to edit and required one of several programs to modify.
In MSFS, they decided to take the data from what was the .air file and ‘expose’ it as simple text just like the .cfg. I believe they also changed some of the parameters to match their new aerodynamic methods. Hence the change.
While the program may have been somewhat ambitously named, it doesn’t really convert anything. It simply packages FSX structured airplanes so they can be loaded into MSFS as is. Most aircraft have some issues, e.g. it appears that only 3D gauges work, since they don’t use a generated texture.
It’s currently unlikely that the program will see further development as a converter, as I don’t see how it could resolve any of the issues I’ve seen so far.
I think a Discord channel would be cool for us to interact, this thread is getting a bit messy. I joined a SDK Discord channel the other day. I have requested them to create separate channels dedicated to aircraft but they also have other sections for scenery etc. More the merrier so feel free to join and invite people The Flight SDK
Sorry, but I know yet that MSFS provides support for MDL.
So if my question is not understandable I reformulate a glTF file needs an aircraft.cfg and a fligh_model.cfg (the data of the old air files are distributed between the aircraft and the flight_model). when using the FSX compatibility mode with an MDL, is the seated air file recognized and used or does it have to be dispatched between an aircraft file and a flight_model created from scratch?
Thanks for your answer.
PS: I am the webmaster of http://frenchvfr.free.fr and I create aircraft (Gmax, 3DS and Blender) since 2008 for FS9, FSX and all versions of P3D so I am not a newbie.
Lots of people are reading who don’t have the same background. I was just trying to explain some context for the wider audience
Like I said, my conversions (except jets) are working and flying using only the aircraft.cfg and .air file taken straight from FSX. So it can work that way. I have not flown any of them enough to fully understand the flight dynamics. I can tell that they fly differently from FSX but only in a general sense so far.
I got jets working Layout JSON, make sure the entries include one for engines.cfg. Then copy the Asobo C4 engines.cfg into your jet. Then, open up the manifest JSON and copy the “Dependencies” from the C4 into your jet. Save everything, and remember to up the thrust in the engines .cfg for fighters - got the F-18 at 600 knots down low. They won’t take off on their own though, so you have to slew up into the air to get the engines to start for some reason.
do you mind sharing the f18 files? i sure would love to build an app, and go through some steps but if you already have it done it would be nice to have it
