aircraft.cfg updates by Topcat or MCDU

[michael1508]

I was comparing the aircraft.cfg file before and after sending TOPCAT W&B data and also after further changes in the MCDU Init B page. I wanted to understand, what is happening to the aircraft.cfg. But I was surprised, that all 3 versions were identical.

So then I was checking the Topcat manual and realized, that I have used the Topcat export function for fuel and W&B data all the years in a wrong way. I was always sending the W&B data after the flight has been loaded. However the Topcat manual says, after export the aircraft has to be reloaded for the changes to take effect!

Now I am wondering, what happens, if I only enter the data manually in the MCDU instead of the Topcat export? There is also no reloading of the aircraft.

Can someone share more light on this?

Thanks!

[bbruechmann]

Michael, the weight and balance data including the fuel figures do not influence the aircraft.cfg at all. The W&B modul of the sim is an internal stand alone part which is loaded (and stored) within the Situation file. in clear words, the W&B data are NOT part of the aicraft-cfg.

[michael1508]

Hi Bernd, interesting - I wonder, why Topcat says, it exports to aircraft.cfg?

So, if I understand you right, the W&B entries in the MCDU and also the fuel figures will be read and stored in that situation file.
Good to know - Thanks!

[bbruechmann]

Yea, it´s a little bit misleading, maybe. The data of the aircraft.cfg provide the "frame" for the W&B data in the matter of how big are the tanks, max weight for pax and freight, etc. and is used to add the W&B figures in that situation for the sim calculations. Me myself thought a long time in the same way as you, but once i noticed that the cfg file doesn´t changed, i asked LM how it works and they given me this explanation.

[pe_martin]

Hello!
You see at the aircraft that it will move on changing the aircraft.cfg (changing fuel) etc.
Best regards
peter

[michael1508]

Thanks guys!