Read all of this before you do anything.

Getting Started:
To do this, first go download AirEd from here:
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/hsors/FS_Soft/fsairfile.html

Now go download TrafficTools by Lee Swordy.  This is an essential file if you are even thinking of adding any aircraft or flightplans to your AI system.  It decompiles a file called traffic.bgl, which contains all the information the AI uses.  This is explained in more detail in the TrafficTools info.  Download it here:
http://www.simviation.com/fs2002utilities_ess1.htm

If it doesn't already have an interface, or you don't like the one you have, I recomend Traffic Magician, available at www.avsim.com. ; Just search for Traffic Magician.

Okay, now you're ready to convert the aircraft.  Remember, doing this will mean it won't show up in your aircraft database, but it will be available to the AI.  Likewise, you can do this with the Dash 8 that is already an AI aircraft.

Open the *.air file of the aircraft with AirEd.  Look at the structure.  You have a list of different places in the airfile that are available to put in information.  Search down the list for "aircraft type=".  This is what specifies whether the aircraft is AI or flyable.  To make the aircraft AI useable only, enter 2 here.  To make it flyable, enter 0 here.  That is all you have to do for the conversion.

Now, if you made an aircraft flyable, you will notice in that aircraft's folder there is probably no panel folder.  To fix this, come over here to SimV and perform a search for that aircraft's panel.  For the Dash 8, search for "Dash 8 panels", or something similar.

Allright, you can now add this aircraft to the AI system, although for future reference, it is in no way necessary to switch an aircraft from flyable to AI for it to work for the AI.

Just follow the directions for Traffic Tools to add it in.

Good luck, and I hope you haven't gotten bored with this long-winded explanation!

This all seems a tad confusing if you don't mind me saying so.
AirEd is posted at SimV. http://www.simviation.com/fsutilities_gen2.htm

Use it to open the AIR file of the aircraft you wish to convert & change Section 105 "Aircraft Type" from 0 to 2.

Done.

Quote:

This will only remove the particular aircraft (+ repaints in the same folder) from the selection menu.

PS. It might be convenient to duplicate some aircraft & convert them into AI Only drones as Microlight suggests. I don't see the point if you also wish to fly the aircraft.

Hmmmm...So you are saying that it's not enough to just change the arcraft type in the AIR file. I have to have a program (ttools) to convert and compile it?? ???

I also have PAI wich I have not loaded yet. I wanted to try this first.

sorry im a newbie!
bit off the topic but if you down load a plane i doesnt become AI? so your still left with soar pacifica landmark orbit airwave and american pacific even if you have 400+ a/c?
This cant be true boys and m/s shud think about this first!

What if I just wanted to change the textures of the AI aircraft? I'll leave the aircraft and their flight plans. I just want to change the textures on them. Is that similar to what was said three posts above? ??? Just change the texture= line? ???

Here's what I did. I changed the texture= line in fltsim.1 to "max" (a scheme I had).

I did not make this change to fltsim.0 because I though it would affect the default model and give me problems. I mean, ftlsim.0 is for the default (non AI) flight model...right? .1 and .2 are for the AI aircraft.....I think? ???

Am I on the right track with my logic?? I think I am getting warmer.

Or if that's over your head, which it is mine, you can just go to www.projectai.com and use the PAI installers.  Couldn't be easier!