Simviation Forum - FSX Accelleration/ Tailhook Question

Nov 12^th, 2007 at 4:33pm

Camel_Moe Offline
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Ok, I am looking at the SDK that comes with Accelleration, and it makes reference to a [tailhook] entry in aircraft.cfg files. I basically followed the SDK syntax and added a tailhook section to my default Cessna 172 with the idea of landing it on the new carrier without having to slam on the brakes and kick the tail around to keep from rolling off the deck again.
Thing is, adding the section didn't seem to give me a tailhook, no mater what length and location parameters I give it.
Then I looked in the Accel F-18 cfg file, and noticed it doesn't have a tailhook section at all.
Now I am confused. Is the tailhook section something that's been phased out/no longer works, or what?
Do I need a visible tailhook on the model to make it work?
Anybody know how this is handled since Accelleration, and how I can get other planes to work? I am bored with the f-18.

Thanks in advance.

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Reply #1 - Nov 13^th, 2007 at 1:38pm

Gypsy_Baron Offline
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Camel_Moe wrote on Nov 12^th, 2007 at 4:33pm:

Ok, I am looking at the SDK that comes with Accelleration, and it makes reference to a [tailhook] entry in aircraft.cfg files. I basically followed the SDK syntax and added a tailhook section to my default Cessna 172 with the idea of landing it on the new carrier without having to slam on the brakes and kick the tail around to keep from rolling off the deck again.
Thing is, adding the section didn't seem to give me a tailhook, no mater what length and location parameters I give it.
Then I looked in the Accel F-18 cfg file, and noticed it doesn't have a tailhook section at all.
Now I am confused. Is the tailhook section something that's been phased out/no longer works, or what?
Do I need a visible tailhook on the model to make it work?
Anybody know how this is handled since Accelleration, and how I can get other planes to work? I am bored with the f-18.

Thanks in advance.

This thread will answer your questions:

http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=bookmark&forum=121&topic_id=423154

Paul

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Reply #2 - Nov 13^th, 2007 at 5:05pm

Camel_Moe Offline
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Hey thanks!

That confirms my thoughts on the f-18. Now I Just have to figure out what I am doing wrong with my tailhook entry, as it appears that it works for others. I'm going to print that stuff out and take it home with me tonite, and play with it.
Basically, I just mess with things, and am no expert, but I have looked at the sdk a few times. lol, This is dangerous for me as it leads to tampering with the sim on my part. Hehe, yes, I am one of those people that will take anything apart, just to see how it works. Thankfully, I can ussually get things back together again also.
Anyhow, Thanks again for the link. It must be something I am doing wrong I guess.

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Reply #3 - Nov 13^th, 2007 at 6:29pm

Gypsy_Baron Offline
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Camel_Moe wrote on Nov 13^th, 2007 at 5:05pm:

Hey thanks!

That confirms my thoughts on the f-18. Now I Just have to figure out what I am doing wrong with my tailhook entry, as it appears that it works for others. I'm going to print that stuff out and take it home with me tonite, and play with it.
Basically, I just mess with things, and am no expert, but I have looked at the sdk a few times. lol, This is dangerous for me as it leads to tampering with the sim on my part. Hehe, yes, I am one of those people that will take anything apart, just to see how it works. Thankfully, I can ussually get things back together again also.
Anyhow, Thanks again for the link. It must be something I am doing wrong I guess.

The tailhook length needs to be correct for the aircraft in question. It should extend BELOW the
main gear when in the air.

One way to check it's length if it's a "phantom hook" ( not physically modeled ) is to use the
RCBCO-30 package. When sitting on the deck and extending the hook it should give you and
indication of whether or not the hook is long enough. I believe the documentation that comes
with that package addresses this issue, AIR.

Paul

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Reply #4 - Nov 13^th, 2007 at 7:05pm

Camel_Moe Offline
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Yah, I've got the RCBCO-30 installed allready. What's interesting is when I try to test, it acts like there isn't a tailhook entry at all. I activate the tailhook and instead of getting an angle readout (from the window that opens when you cklick on the zones button from RCBCO-30 ), it just says zero, and the tailhook button on the included gauge acts dead. No indication of too long or too short. That's why I was wondering if M$ had dissabled the tailhook entry and just forgotten to update the SDk.

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Reply #5 - Nov 13^th, 2007 at 7:45pm

Gypsy_Baron Offline
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Camel_Moe wrote on Nov 13^th, 2007 at 7:05pm:

Yah, I've got the RCBCO-30 installed allready. What's interesting is when I try to test, it acts like there isn't a tailhook entry at all. I activate the tailhook and instead of getting an angle readout (from the window that opens when you cklick on the zones button from RCBCO-30 ), it just says zero, and the tailhook button on the included gauge acts dead. No indication of too long or too short. That's why I was wondering if M$ had dissabled the tailhook entry and just forgotten to update the SDk.

I've used FS9 imported aircraft with RCBCO-30 in FSX Accelleration\Sp2 without a problem.
Double check your entry for some overlooked error or copy the tailhook section from
another aircraft that has one and check that out.

EDIT:Oh, make sure you have an engine running. I just checked using an old FS9 A6E and
it wasn't indicatiing until I started an engine. The the hook operated and if I held
the cursor over the RCBCO strip ( 3rd light from the left ) it showed the hook status.

Paul

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Reply #6 - Nov 14^th, 2007 at 7:38am

Camel_Moe Offline
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Thank you,Thank you, Thank you! Grin

It was actually your edit about the engines that solved it for me. It got me thinking about possible engine dependant systems, so I looked at the config again, and noticed that the 172 lacked hydraulic or pneumatic pumps.
Added both, and now my hook works. I'm going to go home tonite and disable one or the other again to see which it actually needed (suspect it just needs the hydraulic), and then I'm going to start adding hooks to some of my older navy planes that don't have em allready.
Even got a launch bar "working" on the 172, allthough it needs tweaking. As it stands now, the catapult just throws it down the deck in a shower of sparks, ending with a forcefull toss directly towards the ocean waves, lol. Just need to get the bar's position correct I'm hoping.
Thanks again, I probably wouldn't have figured it out last night if it wasn't for your help. Especially the last edit about the A6E.

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Reply #7 - Nov 14^th, 2007 at 2:16pm

Gypsy_Baron Offline
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Camel_Moe wrote on Nov 14^th, 2007 at 7:38am:

Thank you,Thank you, Thank you! Grin

No problem. Glad I could help.

Quote:

-SNIP-
As it stands now, the catapult just throws it down the deck in a shower of sparks, ending with a forcefull toss directly towards the ocean waves, lol.

Well, at least the "fire" from the "shower of sparks" gets put out with that ending

Paul

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