The ones without arrows or sheds are auxiliary beacons. I think they tried keeping the distance between the main beacons with arrows kinda constant and then if there were gaps or hard to see spots they’d slap down some aux beacons to assist with navigation.
Here’s a strip map of the route from Salt Lake City to Boise which shows the beacons with arrows, aux beacons and relief air strips 135 - Salt Lake City UT to Boise ID - 1936.pdf - Google Drive
And another strip map from Boise up to Pasco covering the rest of the route:
The section in-between the north coast of the lake and Strevell:
There’s actually more aux beacons on the map than in the mod. The put a lot down in that stretch for some reason. Not many elsewhere. In the next release which covers route 32 from Portland to Pasco and then up to Spokane there’s a bunch of green and red flashing aux beacons either side of the Columbia River gorge to help you not fly into the sides of the gorge at night.
Misaligned flashing beacons are a constant pain. They are positioned slightly above the model because otherwise the model itself would block the light from certain angles and sometimes appear slightly off for some reason despite the co-ords being dead centre. It’s a weird one. Also missing beacons is another weird issue that happens in some places like at #10. Sometimes it shows and sometimes it doesn’t. It’s pretty baffling.
2 Likes
That’s really strange. I have no idea why that would happen. Sorry I can’t offer any help 
@draftingscotch glad you are enjoying it and thanks for the feedback.
Picking up from @Megadyptes7635 , the standard separation between arrow and beacon sites was 10 miles. In flat areas like the one between Beacon 9 on the edge of the Salt Lake and 10 at Strevell, smaller auxilliary beacons were placed every three miles as it was easier to navigate. These were shorter beacons, with no arrow or generator shed.
We started out with all of the Aux beacons on that stretch in place but it caused some issues so we reduced it. We have also had intermittent problems with the lights either not showing or only showing when you get close to them. Thanks for letting us know that it is still a problem - we can have a look at it and see what we can do before we release the update.
On that, the next update will include Locomotive Springs and Strevell landing fields (shown on the strip map). The landing field lights should also make it easier to navigate that stretch.
1 Like
Glad you are enjoying it but afraid I am not sure what might be causing the problem either as there are no settings for the mod. Could it be conflicting with something else in your set up?
Going to tag team @RobCap1966 in, in case he has any thoughts.
Sorry, I have no idea either. Should work. All other mods work on both installs of MSFS?
Hopefully our update will solve the issue.
Glad you like it. I think you will like the update even more. 
The main beacons had their own power supply by means of a generator.
The aux beacons had a light system based on on acythelene gas. Hence no shed.
We think the not showing, or mis alignment, is a MSFS bug. But very carefull placement seems to reduce the problem a bit. It seems in the update, so far, most issues were resolved. 
2 Likes
Thanks, I’ll definitely keep this thread on Watch. It’s all been very interesting, and I can’t wait to see where you take the project next.
1 Like
Thanks, once we have v2 out, how about flying up the west coast from San Francisco to Seattle by arrow and beacon?
2 Likes
Any rough ETA for the next version?
I tried flying the route three times but always got lost two or three beacons north of the salt lake because the lights would not show (although they flickend on for a few seconds on the last try).
@NixieLion Very soon, we are just finalising things and getting some documentation together.
We are aware of a problem with auxiliary beacons between Beacons 8 & 10 but as @RobCap1966 says above we are trying to mitigate the bug that seems to cause it. In addition, the new Intermediate Landing Fields in v2 at Locomotive Springs on the edge of the Great Salt Lake and thirty miles on at Strevell should help with navigation.
In the meantime, if I understand where you are having a problem, as you approach the north edge of the Great Salt Lake you should see Beacon 8. Head for the gap in the mountains on a heading of 330, pick up Highway 81 and you should be on track for No 10 at Strevell.
The “Strevell Gap” with the Strevell beacon on the horizon (the generator seems to be working today).
Once you have that one in sight 11 and 12 should pop into view pretty quickly. Keep heading north and then turn west at 14A following the Snake River.
If the problem is further on, let us know and we will investigate.
Will we also see it on the Xbox later?
Yes; as soon as MS / Asobo confirm how community mods can be brought across for Xbox simmers then we would want to see how we can make ours available to you.
2 Likes
Quick update. Because we cannot help ourselves, the update will now include a custom hangar, with night lighting, based on photos from air mail fields.
And a 25 page “manual” with info about the routes and landing fields, some history, some stories about some air mail pilots and some links that we hope you find interesting.
Not long now…
11 Likes
And now it looks as though there might also be a special Varney Air Lines livery for all you Stearman drivers out there…wip shots.
6 Likes
Flying the air mail is the place to be!
3 Likes
It’s a shame that Asobo didn’t get behind this project and work with you guys toward incorporating it in the 40th anniversary edition of the sim.
They included a mail route activity for the JN4, but the route has no beacon towers or any special scenery. Your project is better and has more features.
5 Likes
Thanks for that; perhaps we can get them interested for the 45th anniversary - we should have lots of routes up and running by then!
5 Likes
Nice. Puts my amateur efforts to shame!
Nope, yours is looking great already, and will only get better!
3 Likes
