About "start in air" and cold start

[FranzWolfert]

Hi Patrick,

 

There are some questions about the engine cold start option in the missions created by PWCG. As the "Always Air Start" in advanced config is set to 0, it means the player will appear on the runway and take off every time. But the engine is already started and warmed up. Actually I'd like to start a mission from the parking apron with a cold engine. I deselect the option "Warmed up engine" in Realism before the mission, but there is no effect. I still get a plane with a started and warmed up engine.

 

I turn to the mission file created by PWCG, I find some lines:

 

 

...

AILevel = 0;

  CoopStart = 0;

  NumberInFormation = 0;

  Vulnerable = 1;

  Engageable = 1;

  LimitAmmo = 1;  StartInAir = 1;

  Time = 60;

...

 

I think the "StartInAir =" is controlled by the "Always Air Start" option, am I right? But it is set to "1" though the player will start on the ground. Then I set "StartInAir = 0", I get what I want. Once the mission begin, I have a stopped and cold engine. 

 

I don't know much about the structure of the mission files, but it seems that this line "StartInAir =" defines whether the engine is warmed up or not. However, it is not controlled by the in-game realism config. I'm puzzled. Is there any switch in PWCG to define this option? 

[PatrickAWlson]

I have not yet figured out cold start and how to make that work with the AI.  

If you cold start and you are not the leader, will the AI takes off and leave you behind?

If you cold start and you are the leader, will the AI wait for you or fly right up your hind end?

[FranzWolfert]

I have not yet figured out cold start and how to make that work with the AI.  

If you cold start and you are not the leader, will the AI takes off and leave you behind?

If you cold start and you are the leader, will the AI wait for you or fly right up your hind end?

 

I'm pretty sure that "StartInAir =0/1" is the cold start switch. About the AI behaviors, I will do some try tomorrow.

 

By the way, could you tell me which value in mission file is controlled by "Always Air Start" option in PWCG config? 

[PatrickAWlson]

I'm pretty sure that "StartInAir =0/1" is the cold start switch. About the AI behaviors, I will do some try tomorrow.

 

By the way, could you tell me which value in mission file is controlled by "Always Air Start" option in PWCG config? 

 

If you "always air start" then your flight will start in the air.  It will be closer to your mission with no takeoff or climb pattern.

[FranzWolfert]

I have done some tests on the behaviors of AI planes (AI planes in my flight) and the results are interesting...

 

First, looking into the .mission file in \data\missions folder, there is a statement "StartInAir = 0/1" in every plane's description. To my flight only, if "always air start" in PWCG is set to 0 (means player will start on the ground), this statement defines the engine state. "StartInAir = 0" is for cold engine, and "StartInAir = 1" is for warmed up and started engine.

 

a. If the player is the flight leader, set "StartInAir = 0" for the AI wingmans. AI will start their engines as soon as the mission begins, no matter whether player's engine is started. Once AI finishes the starting procedure, it will follow to do what the player do. If the player is still in starting procedure, AI will wait. If the player is taxing, AI will follow the player.

 

b. If the player is NOT the flight leader, set "StartInAir = 0" for the AI planes. AI will also start their engines at the beginning. However, the AI flight leader will NEVER take off even it finishes the starting procedure. AI planes prior to you will follow the flight leader, but the AI planes after you will follow your action.

 

In summary, "StartInAir = 0" for AI would cause some confusions if you are NOT the flight leader. But if you ARE the flight leader or you like playing lone wolf missions (just as I do), setting "StartInAir = 0" for the player and AI planes would make the missions more realistic. 

Edited September 5, 2016 by HelmutRahn

[FranzWolfert]

I have tested again, there is a few differences to the previous testing.

 

If we set "StartInAir = 0" for both player and AI, no matter whether player is the flight leader, AI won't take off. I've no idea what is the reason. However, if we set "StartInAir = 1" for AI, everything goes ordinarily. 

 

So may I ask, dear Pat, to add an option to PWCG, to control the "StartInAir = " value only for the player's plane, that we could start a mission from the cold start procedure? 

 

MANY THANKS!

 

Helmut