Creating a New Aircraft for Flight Gear 1.0 (A simple WORKING template)

The first thing to do is to create a template aircraft.  The usual method is to copy an existing aircraft, but this keeps the dependecies on the airctraft intact. For example, the Cessan 182 will not load without the Cessna 172p, the c172p folder inside the LFight Gear Aircraft folder. Obviously it is using some files from that one.

The first line of reference is the Flight Gear pages itself:

https://wiki.flightgear.org/Howto:Make_an_aircraft 

Wiki 

11 Feb 2026 - 12 Feb 2026

Step 1: 

Create the aircraft folder.  For example, the cessna 172p aircraft folder is named c172p.  So we will create a folder called exampleac

Step 2: 

Copy the model into a folder called Models.  You will have to create this folder.  Into this folder copy the .3ds file you will use to represent the model graphically.  In this case I call it exampleac.3ds

Step 3: 

Next, we need the model xml file that is used to specify the 3d file used for the aircraft as well as interior and panels.

Lets keep it simple this time: the exampleac.xml  file inside the model file will have the following code:

<?xml version="1.0"?>

<PropertyList>

 <path>exampleac.3ds</path>

</PropertyList>

Step 4: 

Copy the entire Engines folder (contains engine and pro settings) to the aircraft folder. In this case we are using the Cessna 182 model engine folder as it is without any changes.

Step 5: 

We need the flight dynamics model.  We use the c182 file as it is,  it is a JBSim configuration file,  copy it to the examapleac folder and rename it exampleacfdm.xml.  I prefer to call the fdm model with an fdm at the end to make it crystal clear what it is.  The simulator works with this naming convention so it is ok to change.

Step 6: 

The final step is the -set file as in c172p-set or in this case exampleac-set.xml.   I use the c182-set file with the following changes made.  

The final file looks like this,  with only the basic information that will allow the taking off and flying of the aircraft.

Step 5: 

Load the model and test fly it. It works!

Subtraction Method:

1.  Take a working model, say the Cessna 182.

2. Open c182-set.xml

3. Remove all references to animations

4. Open c182-dpm.xml  and remove all text except the following:  

<?xml version="1.0"?>

<PropertyList>

<path>c182.ac</path>

</PropertyList>

5.  Copy all the files and folders to a folder named TEMP except for the following files:

6. The Models folder should only have the following files: lights and so on moved to a folder called TEMP

7. Load the model, it should be working but with a static propeller since propeller animation is removed.  The interior is blank and internal controls have

no animations attached.  The model flies,  however, this is the basic model.

The c182-set.xml file at the time of writing is as follows:

<?xml version="1.0"?>

<!--

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

Cessna 182 simulation config. This files ties together all the components

used by FGFS to represent the C182. Components include the flight data 

model, instrument panel, and external 3D model.

Maintainer: Stuart Buchanan stuart_d_buchanan -at- yahoo.co.uk

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

-->

<PropertyList>

 <sim>

  <description>Cessna 182</description>

  <author>Stuart Buchanan</author>

  <status>beta</status>

  <rating>

    <FDM type="int">3</FDM>

    <systems type="int">3</systems>

    <cockpit type="int">2</cockpit>

    <model type="int">4</model>

  </rating>

  <flight-model>jsb</flight-model>

  <aero>c182</aero>

  <!--

<systems>

    <autopilot>

      <path>Aircraft/c182/Systems/KAP140.xml</path>

    </autopilot>

    <electrical>

      <path>Aircraft/c182/c182-electrical.xml</path>

    </electrical>

  </systems>

-->

  <sound>

   <path>Aircraft/c182/c182-sound.xml</path>

  </sound>

  <panel>

   <visibility archive="y">false</visibility>

  </panel>

  <model>

   <path archive="y">Aircraft/c182/Models/c182-dpm.xml</path>

    <hide-yoke>false</hide-yoke>

  </model>

  <view>

   <internal archive="y">true</internal>

   <config>

     <x-offset-m archive="y">-0.24</x-offset-m>

     <y-offset-m archive="y">0.2</y-offset-m>

     <z-offset-m archive="y">0.48</z-offset-m>

     <pitch-offset-deg>-12</pitch-offset-deg>

   </config>

  </view>

  <help>

   <title>Cessna 182s</title>

   <line>Velocities</line>

   <line>  Va1 (maneuvering)   : 110 KIAS</line>

   <line>  Vno (max cruise)    : 140 KIAS</line>

   <line>  Vne (never exceed)  : 175 KIAS</line>

   <line>  Vx (angle of climb) : 63 KIAS</line>

   <line>  Vy (rate of climb)  : 80 KIAS</line>

   <line>  Stall, no flaps     : 56 KIAS</line>

   <line>  Stall, full flaps   : 50 KIAS</line>

   <line></line>

   <line>Maximum Flap Extension Speeds</line>

   <line>  10 degrees : 140 KIAS</line>

   <line>  20 degrees : 120 KIAS</line>

   <line>  30 degrees : 100 KIAS</line>

   <line></line>

   <line>Performance</line>

   <line>  Cruise, 80% power,  6,000 ft: 140 kt</line>

   <line>  Cruise, 65% power,  8,000 ft: 130 kt</line>

   <line>  Cruise, 55% power, 10,000 ft: 121 kt</line>

   <line></line>

   <line>  Range,  75% power,  6,000 ft: 820 nm</line>

   <line>  Range,  65% power,  8,000 ft: 910 nm</line>

   <line>  Range,  55% power, 10,000 ft: 968 nm</line>

   <line></line>

   <line>  Best Climb: 924fpm</line>

   <line>  Service Ceiling: 18,100ft</line>

   <line>  Takeoff ground roll: 795ft  over 50ft obstacle: 1,514ft</line>

   <line>  Landing ground roll: 590ft  over 50ft obstacle: 1,390ft</line>

   <key>

    <name>n/N</name>

    <desc>Propeller finer/coarser</desc>

   </key>

   <key>

    <name>Y</name>

    <desc>Toggle yoke visibility</desc>

   </key>

   <key>

    <name>L</name>

    <desc>Cockpit illumination</desc>

   </key>

  </help>

 </sim>

 <consumables>

  <fuel>

   <tank n="0">

    <level-gal_us>40</level-gal_us>

   </tank>

   <tank n="1">

    <level-gal_us>40</level-gal_us>

   </tank>

  </fuel>

 </consumables>

 <autopilot>

   <config>

     <min-climb-speed-kt type="float">70.0</min-climb-speed-kt>

     <best-climb-speed-kt type="float">95.0</best-climb-speed-kt>

     <target-climb-rate-fpm type="float">800.0</target-climb-rate-fpm>

     <target-descent-rate-fpm type="float">1000.0</target-descent-rate-fpm>

<!--     <elevator-adj-factor type="float">6000.0</elevator-adj-factor>

     <integral-contribution type="float">0.004</integral-contribution> 

-->

     <elevator-adj-factor type="float">2000.0</elevator-adj-factor>

     <integral-contribution type="float">0.004</integral-contribution>

     <zero-pitch-throttle type="float">0.45</zero-pitch-throttle>

     <zero-pitch-trim-full-throttle type="float">0.07</zero-pitch-trim-full-throttle>

   </config>

 </autopilot>

 <controls>

  <engines>

   <engine n="0">

    <magnetos>3</magnetos>

   </engine>

  </engines>

 </controls>

 <instrumentation>

  <attitude-indicator>

   <config>

    <tumble-flag>true</tumble-flag>

   </config>

  </attitude-indicator>

  <encoder>

   <serviceable type="bool">true</serviceable>

  </encoder>

 </instrumentation>

 <engines>

  <engine>

   <rpm>900</rpm>

  </engine>

 </engines>

 <limits>

   <max-flap-extension-speed>

     <flaps>0.3</flaps>

     <speed>140</speed>

   </max-flap-extension-speed>

   <max-flap-extension-speed>

     <flaps>0.6</flaps>

     <speed>120</speed>

   </max-flap-extension-speed>

   <max-flap-extension-speed>

     <flaps>0.9</flaps>

     <speed>100</speed>

   </max-flap-extension-speed>

   <max-positive-g>3.5</max-positive-g>

   <max-negative-g>-1.52</max-negative-g>

   <vne>175</vne>

 </limits>

<!-->

 <nasal>

  <kap140>

   <file>Aircraft/Generic/kap140.nas</file>

  </kap140>

  <failures> 

    <file>Aircraft/Generic/limits.nas</file>

  </failures>

 </nasal>

-->

</PropertyList>

10. Now we remove the TEMP folders completely and see if the model loads.

11. Now we attempt to create a copy of the c182 and rename it as a different aircraft with a different 3d model altogether

First,  replace the 3D model

12. Make a copy of the c182 and then archive the original

12.  Rename the files and folders in the c182 as ac template and see if it all works

The .3ds file loads,  though it has to be rotated 90 degrees to the right to show up correctly.

WORKING...