How to build Aerofly / FMS / Reflex Models (Part 1)?

ATTENTION: This workshop is not valid for current versions of the programs (AFPD etc.)

Hello,

to support you with your start up in Aerofly / FMS / Reflex model building I like to provide you this “Online course”. Everybody who is familiar with the handling of a PC can take part; you don’t need to be a programmer.

Prerequisites:

- A clean, error-free installation of FMS, Aerofly or Reflex (Aerofly with patch 1.2F, Reflex with update 4.01.4)
- MAD (Model-Aircraft-Designer), I would recommend to register the program, otherwise you can not save bigger projects.
- MD would be an alternative, but this workshop is for MAD
- A Bitmap-Editor (e.g. Paint)
- A Sound-Editor (e.g. Audio-recorder of Windows)
- A lot of time and patience

For question concerning Sim-Model programming I have also established a Forum. Don’t hesitate to ask your questions there.


Ok. Now let’s start:
AT first you have to decide which model you like to build. In our example we take the SU 26.
Now try to get as much as possible photos from all directions of view from your model (Internet, catalogues). It would be great to have a 3-view.

Then take an existing model (Extra), copy the following files and rename them for your new model.

- extra.dat -> su26.dat
- extra.wav -> su26.wav
- extra.bmp -> su26.bmp

If you Guild a model for FMS copy also a .par file from a similar model and rename it.

All files should be placed in the Aerofly / Aircraft folder (FMS / Modell for FMS).

The original model should have similar flight characteristics than the one you like to build. For the moment you don’t need to care about the flight behaviour, this we will manage later. For the moment just think about how you model will look.

Then start MAD.
It should look like this:

At first enter the following data in the “edit –> Aerofly Parameter” menu:

-Headertext: Author (your name), 1. Line
- Modell name: The name of your new model (here Su26)

Then define the desired functions (C1= engine, C2= aileron, C3= elevator etc.)

Now the sound (we have renamed it before) su26.wav. Just keep the values for the moment, we can adjust it later.
Check “Shadows” because we like to have shadows on our model and enter a value in ”max. Distance” (this defines how far we can hear the model).

Now save everything. The MAD-file (su26.rca) is the “heart” of our model. Without this file you cannot make any changes in the .geo file. Therefore make backups of this file regularly (also under new name).
The standard path for *.rca files should be set to “Aerofly/Aircraft” (or the “Model” folder in FMS), because then MAD will store the files directly in this folder and they can be loaded in Aerofly.

“File / Save as”:

Under “edit -> Aerofly Parameter” create the *.geo:
Click on “Create 3D” and enter the name (su26.geo).

OK, now we can have a look on our model in Aerofly, Reflex etc.
I must admit, that it does not look too great, but you have just build your first model!


We have taken the first barrier (and the most difficult) and we can start with the design (fuselage, wings etc), unless you like to fly a “green cigar”.

Continue with part 2 ….

From now on you should have a registered version of MAD, otherwise it wiil not work anymore.