VERSION 2.00 FLIGHT DYNAMICS FILES FOR FFX/SGA B727-200 FREEWARE AIRCRAFT
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July 21, 2003

FS2002 only. These flight dynamics files were specifically designed for use on the following model:

- All GMax FS2002 Boeing 727-200 models from FFX/SGA.

These files may or may not operate correctly on other FS2000/2002 B727-200 models not listed above.  It is unknown at this time if these files will be compatible with MS FS2004.  If these files are used with other models, the most common problem will be gear height visual problems and/or lighting placement will be off.

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INSTALLATION:
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FOR USE WITH FS2002 ONLY:

YOU MUST HAVE FS2002 INSTALLED ALONG WITH ANY FFX/SGA B727-200 AIRCRAFT MODEL TO USE THIS FILE SET.

THE LATEST VERSION OF "FSUIPC.dll" SHOULD BE INSTALLED IN YOUR "FS2000\MOUDLES" FOLDER.  At the time of this writing, FSUIPC v2.975 was the latest version.  You can download FSUIPC directly from Peter Dowson's website: 

http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.html

FSUIPC is optional but I strongly recommend it.  This utility addresses and fixes several MSFS issues and bugs.  If you have any complaints about the performance of the flight dynamics files, one of the first questions I would ask is if this utility has been installed.  For those that do not have FSUIPC, I have included my own copy of the FSUIPC.ini file in the FSUIPC files folder.  This will save you a great deal of time in setting-up FSUIPC if you are new to the FSUIPC module (FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FSUIPC AND IT'S INSTALLATION, VISIT THE PETER DOWSON'S WEBSITE). 
    
1)  Unzip the contents of this ZIP file to a temporary folder.

2)  After unzipping this file, you will find a folder listed as "ffx-sga".  Open this folder to find 6 different weight configuration models for the B727-200 models from FFX/SGA. 

    - "153k" = 153,000 lbs MTOW model
    - "173k" = 173,000 lbs MTOW model
    - "185k" = 184,800 lbs MTOW model
    - "191k" = 190,500 lbs MTOW model
    - "197k" = 197,000 lbs MTOW model
    - "210k" = 209,500 lbs MTOW model

3)  Each aircraft.cfg file is custom-built for the specific weight.  The AIR file "cf722v2-J17R.air" is used for all weight settings in this new version (unlike my previous version that had several matching air files).  There is also a NOTES file inside the FFX/SGA folder that explains what each file set is, including some notes on how to realistically fly the B727-200.  
4)  Select the weight you want to fly from one of the folders.  If you are new to flying, or if you are going to operate out of airports with runways of <6,500' in length, I recommend the "173K" model to start with. 

5)  OPTIONAL - At this time, you may want to create a backup of your original flight dynamics files in the event you want to change the model back to it's original setting.  To do this, create a new folder in the 727's aircraft folder.  You can name the new folder any name you want, but I use "OrigFD".  You should now have the following folders listed in the aircraft folder: "model", "OrigFD", "panel", "sound", and "texture".  Now, move the existing file with the extension "*.air" into the "OrigFD" folder along with the original, existing "aircraft.cfg" file.  You are now ready to install the new flight dynamics files.

6)  Open the unzipped folder for the weight you selected (such as the "173K" folder), and move the "aircraft.cfg" file to your "FS2002/Aircraft/B727-200" folder.  Make sure the new file you are moving doesn't go inside the "model", "panel", "sound", or "texture" folders.  Also move the file "cf722v2-J17R.air" to the same location.  

By default, each aircraft.cfg file set will display the aircraft as an American Airlines, flight #1418, Reg #N889AA.  The following model can be downloaded from AVSIM which will fit these flight dynamics files without modification:

    - For the FFX/SGA B727-200 American Airlines model: "jp_ffx727_american.zip"

If you are using this model, skip to STEP 7 below - otherwise, the newly unzipped aircraft.cfg file you have choosen will need to be modified for the B727-200 livery you are using.  This is very easy to do and an example of how to do this is provided below in "CUSTOMIZING THE AIRCRAFT.CFG FILE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR AIRCRAFT" 

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CUSTOMIZING THE AIRCRAFT.CFG FILE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR AIRCRAFT:
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To help in cutomizing the aircraft.cfg file, I have presented an example of how to change the file to a United Airlines B727-200:

- The FFX/SGA United Airlines B727-200 used in this example can be found at AVSIM: "jp_ffx727_united.zip"

- Open the newly unzipped aircraft.cfg file you want to modify with a text editor such as MS Notepad or MS Word - DO NOT USE THE FS EDIT PROGRAM THAT CAME WITH FS2002 OR THE AIRCRAFT.CFG FILE WILL BE CORRUPTED!  Once you open the aircraft.cfg file, you will find the following lines of text at the top of the file:

[fltsim.0]
title=Boeing 727-200 American   <- (Change this to "Boeing 727-200 United")
sim=cf722v2-J17R
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=
panel_alias=
sound_alias=
kb_checklists=
kb_reference=
atc_id=N889AA   <- (Change this to the tail number of the aircraft - in this case, "N7463U") *See Note Below
atc_id_color=0xffffffff
atc_airline=American   <- (Change this to "United")
atc_flight_number=1418   <- (Change this to any number you want, or leave as is) *See Note Below
ui_manufacturer=Boeing
ui_type=727-200
ui_variation=American Airlines   <- (Change this to "United Airlines")


* Note on tail and flight numbers: 

Tail numbers can sometimes be found by opening the files in the "texture" folder with MS Paint and locating the number painted on the aircraft.  You can also find the tail number by running FS2002 and zooming in the exterior view to locate the number.  

Flight numbers are usually 3 or 4 digits long and this will be the call number that ATC calls you by during the flight.

- Save the file then close.  DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING ELSE IN THE AIRCRAFT.CFG FILE EXCEPT WHAT IS LISTED!!!

END OF MODIFICATION EXAMPLE
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RESUME INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

7) Move the new and/or modified air file and aircraft.cfg file to the desired aircraft folder.  When finished you should have something that looks like this:

-B727-200 American
  -model folder
  -OrigFD folder
  -panel folder
  -sound folder
  -texture folder
    -aircraft.cfg file
    -cf722v2-J17R.air file

8) Open the downloaded "Effects" folder and move the 6 contained "*.fx" files from this folder to your "FS2002/Effects" folder.  If you already have these files in your "FS2002/Effect" folder, there is no need to overwrite the originals - these files are provided in the event you don't already have them installed. 

YOU'RE FINISHED!  Start up FS2002 and enjoy some realistic B727-200 flights!

If you are satisfied with the flight performance of the new files, you can safely delete the "OrigFD" folder that contains the old flight dynamics files you saved during this installation.

Be sure to read the "Notes.txt" file.  There are many up-to-date recommendations and tips included in the notes!


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KNOWN ISSUES
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- DO NOT open any of the aircraft.cfg files with the FS EDIT program that came with FS2002.  FS Edit will automatically add it's own lines of text into aircraft.cfg file - corrupting the file.  If you must open the aircraft.cfg file to edit it, use ONLY a text editor such as MS Word or MS Notepad.

- Once you switch on the Heading Hold in the Probst panel for the first time, the aircraft will make a very brief, slight right bank, then turn to the heading shown on the bug in the HSI.  This a FS2002 bug and is caused by using the "no_default_pitch" and "no_default_bank" parameters - which prevents automatic wing leveler function.  This is by design.  If you remove the no_default_pitch and no_default_bank text lines, the turn knob will no longer operate.  In short, don't mess with it!

- I made a rather unusual adjustment to the [Flaps.1] parameter in the aircraft.cfg file to obtain the correct flap drag factors in the FD package.  In some panel gauges, it may be possible the flaps gauge will not display, or point at the correct flap setting.  This will occur if the flap gauge is programmed to register anything other than the [Flaps.0] parameter - which would be unlikely.  If you are using the Probst v3 or v4 panel, this will not be an issue. 

THERE IS NOTHING IN THESE FILES THAT WILL HARM YOUR COMPUTER IN ANY WAY.  IN THE EVENT YOU DO ENCOUNTER A COMPUTER PROBLEM, THE FILES CONTAINED DID NOT CAUSE THE ISSUE AND I ACCEPT NO LIABILITY AS A RESULT.


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CREDIT:
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- Many thanks go to Richard Probst for his invaluable assistance in the building of these files.  Rich and I spent 18 months designing and testing these files before we finally declared them worthy of release.  Hundreds of hours went into designing, testing, and then re-testing these files.  Several parameters of FS2002 flight dynamics design were pushed to the limit during this time.  Thanks also go to Stan Lenox for beta-testing the countless versions over the past year.

- Special thanks go out to the FFX/SGA group for making a really great freeware GMax B727-200.

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CONTACT:
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PLEASE READ ALL THE README TEXT FILES BEFORE SENDING A COMPLAINT - THE ANSWERS TO ALMOST ANY QUESTION CAN USUALLY BE FOUND IN THIS TEXT FILE AND THE ATTACHED TEXT FILES INSIDE THE FLIGHT DYNAMICS FOLDERS.

Charles Fox
[email protected]
Texas, USA