How is a new plane modeled?

[Getback]

I see we have so many planes and yet there are so many yet to be introduced. How do you model the real flight characteristics of such planes? Is there a way to get such data?

I'm just curious.

[SlapShot]

I see we have so many planes and yet there are so many yet to be introduced. How do you model the real flight characteristics of such planes? Is there a way to get such data?

I'm just curious.

Taking a stab here ...

If you have all the correct dimensions for a plane ... and then applying those dimensions to aeronautical mathematical equations along with proprietary algorithms ... you can properly "model" the flight of a plane ... once you have that completed, I believe that HTC would then compare their virtual model data to data that was collected "back in the day".

[Getback]

Taking a stab here ...

If you have all the correct dimensions for a plane ... and then applying those dimensions to aeronautical mathematical equations along with proprietary algorithms ... you can properly "model" the flight of a plane ... once you have that completed, I believe that HTC would then compare their virtual model data to data that was collected "back in the day".

Now that is cool!

[macleod01]

I know nothing in this subject, but I have heard that one of the reasons it takes so long to model a new plane, is that they gather contemporary sources, actual data from WW2. For example, to model the BF 109, they read through test data (or what survives of it) for that aircraft, pilots reports etc. It takes a long time to compile the data.
This is just what I've heard though, so I may be waaaay off the mark. But I believe thats the reason for the RV8 being in Game. HT has a real RV8, and he uses the model to tweak the FM in game.

[Westy]

After it has been created it needs to be tried out by the HTC test pilot.
Only problem is that between naps, feeding and play dates the window
for flight ops is slim to none.  Here is the first AH WWI model on it's way
to being wring out and put thru the ropes...

[NoBaddy]

Taking a stab here ...

If you have all the correct dimensions for a plane ... and then applying those dimensions to aeronautical mathematical equations along with proprietary algorithms ... you can properly "model" the flight of a plane ... once you have that completed, I believe that HTC would then compare their virtual model data to data that was collected "back in the day".

Last I heard, when Pyro can find the data...they model the plane. The "model" is generic.

[Murdr]

I think what NB means to say is that the "flight model" is the universal rules that all the planes operate within.  Adding a plane involves assigning values for quite a bit of varibles that are required for the flight model to simulate flight accurately.  Brooke has a few papers regarding applying mathmatical equations to predict physical performance.  The math behind turning is a good example.  That's without even mentioning building an accurate 3d model to scale, accurate art, assigning values for the damage model, and debugging any problems with a plane hitting a large number of performance data points in flight.  Plus other issues I probably couldn't begin to guess at.

[BaDkaRmA158Th]

And all this is why they are the "Makers" are we are the "Players".

[Becinhu]

I thought Pyro and HiTech goto the local airplane bar posing as WWII historic photographers. The find an aircraft that has already had a few too many and that they haven't used before and strike up a conversation.  They keep feeding the plane drinks and saying that the work for a famous historic society and ask if they can take some pictures.  They take the plane to a warehouse somewhere and snap some provocative pictures of the aircraft in compromising poses.  Then they tell the hapless aircraft that the have to go and get the money to pay for the shoot.  The aircraft never sees them again and a few months later sees the "modeling" pictures of itself on the internet.  The aircraft is soon found facedown in its own oil in a dive hotel while HTC rakes in the dough generated by exploiting the poor young aircraft model.   

[NoBaddy]

I thought Pyro and HiTech goto the local airplane bar posing as WWII historic photographers. The find an aircraft that has already had a few too many and that they haven't used before and strike up a conversation.  They keep feeding the plane drinks and saying that the work for a famous historic society and ask if they can take some pictures.  They take the plane to a warehouse somewhere and snap some provocative pictures of the aircraft in compromising poses.  Then they tell the hapless aircraft that the have to go and get the money to pay for the shoot.  The aircraft never sees them again and a few months later sees the "modeling" pictures of itself on the internet.  The aircraft is soon found facedown in its own oil in a dive hotel while HTC rakes in the dough generated by exploiting the poor young aircraft model.   

Hmmm, did your Super Bowl party start a bit early???

[BnZs]

Is the AHII flight engine similar to the one in the X-Plane series of sims?

[Becinhu]

Hmmm, did your Super Bowl party start a bit early???

nope, just being a wizeazz. ie taking how is an airplane "modeled" and turning it around into internet airplane pr0n. 

you missed the sarcasm I guess.

[SmokinLoon]

A lot of what they do is like throwing darts.  Sometimes I think they hit somewhere on the dartboard, but more often than not they miss.  The thing is so much can not be modelled due to the lack of real life models to test and try out and push the envelope like we do in the game.

The other thing is when they make a model, they seem to blend a few different versions together and "puuf" they have their own hybrid.  Evidently ther Spit5 and 109G-10 were those aircraft at one point in time for this game (that was prior to my time).  Also, when they pick a model for whatever reason they dont seem to pay attention to which one was more popular, more used, etc.  Case in point: the AH2 Mossie FB Mk VI has "exhaust/flame dampeners", when in fact less than %20 the real deal FB Mk VI had them installed for night fighting.  Those dempeners slow down the Mossie 5-10mph (iirc) depending on alt robbing the Mossie of one of its biggest assets: speed.  According to the real speed charts, a Mossie Mk6 should be able to outrun the Spit16 at 15k... but it cant, at least not in AH2.  I've not outrun a Spit16 yet.

While we're on the subject of the Spit16... talk about something FAR over-modelled... THAT plane is it.     

[Bodhi]

looks above....

there are always "those" people that know so much better.

[Cthulhu]

Taking a stab here ...

If you have all the correct dimensions for a plane ... and then applying those dimensions to aeronautical mathematical equations along with proprietary algorithms ... you can properly "model" the flight of a plane ... once you have that completed, I believe that HTC would then compare their virtual model data to data that was collected "back in the day".

I doubt that they go to the trouble of actually creating an accurate CFD model and then use it to define all flight characteristics. That's a lot of work. I'm guessing they use some basic kinematic expressions for the inertial aspects and then lump in known wind tunnel and flight test data (i.e. Widewing's moldy old charts  ) to fully characterize a plane. Then it's test test test.
Kudo's to Pyro and HiTech though. We probably have the best flight model of any sim out there.