Aeromatic

version 0.8
This form can be used to create aircraft configuration files for use with the JSBSim Flight Dynamics Model, the default FDM for the FlightGear flight simulator. The configuration file format is version 2.0, and is incompatable with older formats because of an extensive overhaul of JSBSim's XML code that occured in December of 2004.

You will need at least two files for a complete configuration, an aero file containing information on the aircraft's aerodynamic properties, an engine file describing the engine(s), and in the case of a propeller-driven aircraft you will need a prop file. Aeromatic will generate plausible configuration files for your aircraft using some simplifying assumptions. Note that Aeromatic allows only one type of engine to be defined per aircraft. If you want to mix engine types you'll have to make the necessary changes by hand. Also note that all turbine, turboprop and rocket engines use the default "direct" thruster.

For more detailed instructions see the How-to


Step 1: The Engine configuration ... This step is not necessary if you are using an already existing engine configuration file. In any case you will have to edit the propulsion section of the aero configuration file to ensure that the engine name is the same as the name of the engine configuration file.


Engine Name
 
Engine Type
  piston  turbine  turboprop  rocket 
Engine Power or Thrust (per engine, without afterburning)
 
  horsepower  kw  pounds  newtons 
Augmentation (afterburning) Installed?
  yes no
Water Injection Installed?
  yes no


You are now ready to have Aeromatic generate your file. Aeromatic will create a file called engine.php, which is your engine configuration file. You will need to save this file with a filename of the form engine_name.xml.





Step 2: The Prop configuration (if applicable)...

Engine Power (per engine)
 
  horsepower  kw 
Maximum Engine RPM
   
Pitch
  fixed  variable 
Propeller Diameter
 
  feet  inches  meters 


You are now ready to have Aeromatic generate your file. Aeromatic will create a file called prop.php, which is your propeller configuration file. You will need to save this file with a filename of the form prop_name.xml.





Step 3: The Aero configuration ...

Chose a system of measurement
  English (feet, pounds)   Metric (meters, kilograms)
Name of aircraft 
Type of aircraft (Select closest aerodynamic type)
  Glider
  Light Single
  Light Twin
  WWII Fighter (or subsonic racer/aerobatic)
  Single-engine Transonic or Supersonic Fighter
  Two-engine Transonic or Supersonic Fighter
  Two-engine Transonic Transport
  Three-engine Transonic Transport
  Four+-engine Transonic Transport
  Multi-engine Prop Transport
 
Maximum Takeoff Weight
 
Wing span
 
Length
 
Wing area (Enter 0 to use estimated value)
 
Landing Gear Layout
  tricycle  taildragger
Is the Landing Gear Retractable?
  yes  no
Number of Engines
  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8
Engine Type
  piston  turbine  turboprop  rocket 
Engine Layout
  fwd_fuselage  mid_fuselage  aft_fuselage  wings  wings and tail  wings and nose 
Yaw Damper Installed? (Almost all jets will need one)
  yes  no


You are ready to have Aeromatic generate your file. Aeromatic will create a file called aero.php which is your configuration file. Save this file with a suitable filename, such as spitfireIX.xml. You will need to edit the propulsion section of this file so that the engine name is the same as the engine configuration file name, and the propeller name (if applicable) is the same as the propeller configuration file name.



29 Oct 2003 [.]