Swamp Boat starting issues

[FSX68]

I recently noticed that when you shutdown the air boat and the prop has come to a complete stop, it will not start for me using CTRL + E.
I found that odd. When you select this boat to "FLY" in FSX and selected you scenery to "FLY" this boat the motor is automatically running.
I had this boat in a saved flt mode and it was already running and so I decided to do a complete shut-down then fire it up again and....nothing...

I sent an email to the author and am awaiting response. But for the time being, I was wondering if anyone else is/has experienced same issue?

I got this boat from here:

http://return.mistymoorings.com/moorings/#d

[Firekitten]

Battery didn't die did it?

[FSX68]

Battery didn't die did it?

Wish that was the fix but alas and alack 'tis not the battery.

To reiterate, the boat runs (read: engine is on and prop is spinning) after you have selected this thing and the scenery. As long as you don't turn it off everything is just ducky.

The issue is, if you shut it off (completely) then you can not restart it, i.e. (CTRL + E) That is the conundrum here. capisce?

[Firekitten]

does it have gauges for starting the engine? a popup or vc? is there a manual with a procedure? not to sound silly but did you read it?

[napamule]

OK. Here is what I wanted to put in an update. Should clear up several things. I hope you like.

For the boat sinking, we needed new cnt pts (floats) and changes to the values for compression. (Yes, floats have 'compression'). I fiddled with them and here is a set that seems to 'act right'. Nothing to do with model or weight or balance. All cnt pts.

For the engine start, we need a 'full power' (Electrical) section in the aircraft cfg. Nothing to do with air file. Copy this and paste into aircraft cfg. Now go do start. And here is a tip: If the prop keeps spinning (forever) the trick I use to stop it is to hit F1 (full throttle). That seems to act like prop brake. Try it. Life if too short to be sitting there for 3 minutes watching a prop spin-down. (Ask me how I know -hehe).

If you are going to use a different panel, you need to add the (GPWS) section I include in this update. I used another panel and I did hear 'Don't Sink' (which to me is the most irritating feature of Flt Sims. Hate that sh*t with a passion.

I think the boats look best without the spray? I include the modified (Effects) so it does not spray water all over. The spray goes thru the bottom of boat and doesn't look right. Right? Right! But, I LIKE the splash sound that goes with it, so I put up with splash thru metal and get nice effect (ie: crash sound). It's a trade off. I include 'fx_McCoy2Low' in (Effects) folder (under (Docs & PIcs)). Your choice.

You said you saw a dog in VC. Well, I used the panel from the Bubba Blue for the Gator Bait boat, that's why. It is added to panel cfg. If you downloaded 'the other' version (M. A. Richards version) named 'FSX_Air_Boat.zip' you can install THAT panel for your Gator Bait boat and no dog will show in VC. Don't know about 'shift+1' as I don't ever do that (yeah right-just kidding).

And if you go 2D or VC and click the AP 'on' and then 'off' you will hear the dog (a Doberman) panting (slobber and all). It's a hidden 'egg'. It's so 'Micro-Soft-ish'. (So how's the FDEs? Exactly).

As far as TEXTURE, I did notice he included '*.psd' files. Those are Photo Shop type and not used by FSX. I removed them and it made no difference. I did not do anything else. I get good textures day and night. So if you did the 'dxt' thing, then more power to you. Me? I see no need. I get good frames so why bother.

There are 2 files that might perplex you (it did me). One is the 'panel.vo' file. That is nothing more than a 'panel.cfg' file, dated back to 2006 and modified 2010. You can delete it. The other is 'Air Boat 1 Gator Bait.jpg.backup'. That is a jpg with text saying 'No Thumbnail Found' with sky background. You can't 'use' it, so you can delete that one too. That's 'junk' files left in due to 'bad work ethic'. :-)

A reminder: you have SPOILER that works as a 'water brake'. It 'almost' stops you when you extend it. To do 'full stop' you turn (aprox) into the wind. Sim limitation? You also have regular brakes, differential brakes and parking brake (so sue me).

So, had enough? No? Then bring it on (hehe) and we can re-invent this sucker to where even the author won't recognize it (ha). All in a days work for me so nothing new. Hope these changes work for you. But keep me posted. I might have missed a thing or two. I always do. Cheers.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[contact_points] // for Gator Bait AND Bubba Bluee, 13Oct14
point.0=1, 6.250, -4.600, -4.820, 14500, 0, 1.000, 42.0, 0.400, 2.5, 0.900, 1.000, 1.000, 0.000
point.1=1, 6.250, 4.600, -4.820, 14500, 0, 1.000, 42.0, 0.400, 2.5, 0.900, 1.000, 1.000, 0.000
point.2=1, -8.550, -4.200, -4.800, 14500, 1, 1.000, 0.0, 0.400, 2.5, 0.900, 1.000, 1.000, 2.000
point.3=1, -8.550, 4.200, -4.800, 14500, 2, 1.000, 0.0, 0.400, 2.5, 0.900, 1.000, 1.000, 3.000
point.4=4, 6.000, -4.400, -4.620, 14500, 0, 0.512, 0.0, 0.100, 4.5, 1.000, 0.000, 0.000, 1.000
point.5=4, 6.000, 4.400, -4.620, 14500, 0, 0.512, 0.0, 0.100, 4.5, 1.000, 0.000, 0.000, 1.000
point.6=4, -8.300, -4.000, -4.600, 14500, 0, 0.512, 40.0, 0.100, 4.5, 1.000, 0.000, 0.000, 1.000
point.7=4, -8.300, 4.000, -4.600, 14500, 0, 0.512, 40.0, 0.100, 4.5, 1.000, 0.000, 0.000, 1.000
max_number_of_points=14
static_pitch=0.000
static_cg_height=4.180 //o=0.000000
gear_system_type=0

[electrical]
max_battery_voltage = 24
generator_alternator_voltage = 28
max_generator_alternator_amps = 160
electric_always_available = 1
flap_motor = 0, 5, 17
gear_motor = 0, 5, 17
autopilot = 0, 5, 17
avionics_bus = 0, 10, 17
avionics = 1, 5, 17
pitot_heat = 0, 2, 17
additional_system = 0, 20, 17
marker_beacon = 1, 2, 17
gear_warning = 0, 2, 17
fuel_pump = 0, 5, 17
starter1 = 0, 20, 17
starter2 = 0, 20, 17
starter3 = 0, 20, 17
starter4 = 0, 20, 17
light_nav = 0, 5, 17
light_beacon = 0, 5, 17
light_landing = 0, 5, 17
light_taxi = 0, 5, 17
light_strobe = 0, 5, 17
light_panel = 0, 5, 17
prop_sync = 0, 15, 17
auto_feather = 0, 15, 17
auto_brakes = 0, 15, 17
standby_vacuum = 0, 15, 17
hydraulic_pump = 0, 2, 17
fuel_transfer_pump = 0, 5, 17
propeller_deice = 0, 5, 17
light_recognition = 0, 5, 17
light_wing = 0, 5, 17
light_logo = 0, 5, 17

[EFFECTS]
wake=fx_wake
water=fx_spray.boo //ok=fx_McCoy2Low
dirt=fx_tchdrt.boo
concrete=fx_sparks.boo
touchdown= fx_tchdwn_s,1.boo

[GPWS]
//This Diables the 'don't sink', 'too low-flaps', etc call outs
//Courtesy of & Thanks to Rob Barendgret.
max_warning_height= 0
sink_rate_fpm= -9999
excessive_sink_rate_fpm= -9999
climbout_sink_rate_fpm= -9999
flap_and_gear_sink_rate_fpm= -9999

Chuck B
Napamule

[FSX68]

Chuck,


Glad you chimed in here as I figured you had the wherewithal to bring this to a successful conclusion.
I will now go forth and try out all these fixes. Thanks Chuck.

Firekiten: I did read the manual:Thanks for suggesting thatand your help.

FSX_Air_Boat.zip contains an gmax model of an Air Boat (Swamp Boat).

Author: M. Allen Richards -(mikrco@hotmail.com)

************************************************** ********************************

This is "FREEWARE". These files are strictly for your own personal, non-commercial use. Modification, Decompiling, Recompiling, Relocating and Redistribution of these files or the objects therein is expressly prohibited. DO NOT UPLOAD THESE FILES TO OTHER WEB SITES-IF I WANT TO MAKE THEM AVAILABLE ON OTHERS SITES I WILL UPLAOD THEM MYSELF. Reselling of these files, in any form, is expressly prohibited, without my written permission. All RIGHTS RESERVED.

Installation:

1. Place the folder FS_Air_Boat in the C:\..\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\SimObjects\Airplanes folder of FSX.


************************************************** ********************************
Additional Credits:

1. Aircraft.cfg and .air file by Dobro and M, Allen Richards

************************************************** *******************************

That's all she wrote. Nada about batteries or other instruction on how to start it. That was all I had to go on. I instictively used CTRL + E to start it (like most FSX addons that fly) and
it wouldn't start.

[FSX68]

Chuck,

I made all the changed you mentioned and to my pleasant surprise, it all works brilliantly.

The boats that I had in a save fight now start with the engines off and I can restart them with no issues.

Thanks a butt-ton.

I am going to sort out these changes and rezip it all so that if I should have to reinstall, It will all work as intended.

Thanks again.

[napamule]

No problemo. That is what I do. It might take me a week, but....eventually... I 'get er done'. (Used a bigger hammer this time). Cheer.s
Chuck B
Napamule

[FSX68]

No problemo. That is what I do. It might take me a week, but....eventually... I 'get er done'. (Used a bigger hammer this time). Cheer.s
Chuck B
Napamule

One question I forgot to ask.....

How do you get the dog to bark and the mosquito sounds. I noticed you had those sounds in there and was curious as to how you can make them work.

[FSX68]

Chuck,

The boat has a slight tendency to bounce a little high abouve the surface of the water