Adding AI aircraft to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 (FS9) can be a great way to enhance the realism of your virtual flying experience. With a few simple steps, you can populate your virtual skies with a variety of realistic AI aircraft, making your flights more immersive and dynamic. In this article, we will guide you through the process of adding AI aircraft to FS9.
1. Find AI Aircraft Models:
The first step in adding AI aircraft to FS9 is to find the aircraft models you want to use. There are many websites and forums dedicated to flight simulation where you can find a wide range of AI aircraft models. Look for models that are specifically designed for use as AI traffic, as these models are optimized for performance and do not require detailed cockpit views or complex systems.
2. Download AI Aircraft Models:
Once you have identified the AI aircraft models you want to use, download the model files to your computer. These files typically come in a compressed format, such as ZIP or RAR. After downloading, extract the files to a location on your computer where you can easily access them.
3. Install Aircraft Models:
After extracting the model files, you will need to install them into FS9. To do this, navigate to the “Aircraft” folder within your FS9 directory. Create a new folder within the “Aircraft” folder and name it according to the aircraft model you are installing. For example, if you are installing a Boeing 737 model, you would create a folder named “AI_Boeing737”. Copy the model files into this newly created folder.
4. Edit Aircraft.cfg File:
In order for FS9 to recognize the AI aircraft models you have installed, you will need to edit the “aircraft.cfg” file. This file can be found within the “Aircraft” folder in your FS9 directory. Open the “aircraft.cfg” file using a text editor such as Notepad.
Within the “aircraft.cfg” file, you will need to add a new entry for the AI aircraft model you have installed. This entry will include information such as the aircraft title, model folder, and flight dynamics file. You can typically find the necessary information to add to the “aircraft.cfg” file in the documentation that comes with the AI aircraft model you have downloaded.
5. Compile AI Traffic:
Once you have installed the AI aircraft models and edited the “aircraft.cfg” file, you will need to compile the AI traffic using a tool such as Traffic Tools by Lee Swordy. This software allows you to create traffic schedules and compile them into a format that FS9 can recognize.
After compiling the AI traffic, you can launch FS9 and navigate to the AI traffic settings to customize the density and variety of AI aircraft in your virtual skies. You should now see the AI aircraft models you installed flying around your virtual airports and airspace.
By following these steps, you can easily add AI aircraft to FS9 and enhance the realism of your virtual flying experience. Whether you’re flying online with VATSIM or offline in single-player mode, populating your virtual skies with AI traffic adds another layer of immersion to your flight simulation adventures.
