1. Unzip the archive directly into your main FS9 Aircraft folder. You should have four folders:
   
   AI Lockheed Martin F-16C
   AI Lockheed Martin F-16C Drag Chute
   AI Lockheed Martin F-16D
   AI Lockheed Martin F-16D Drag Chute
   
   
2. Place all the effects files in your main FS9 effects folder.
   
   fx_f16_ab.fx
   fx_f16_navgrem.fx
   fx_f16_navredm.fx
   fx_f16_navwhih.fx
   fx_f16_strobeh.fx
   
   
3. To include the model in your AI traffic, you need to assign it to flight plans using utilities such as Lee Swordy's "Traffic Tools". This is a freeware utility available at most major flight sim web sites.

Features included with this model:

• Animated Landing Gear
• Animated Flaps
• Animated Air Brakes
• Animated LANTIRN Navigation Pod
• Realistic Afterburner Effect
• Conditionally Open and Closed Canopy
• Conditionally Appearing Pilot
• 10 Levels of Detail

I designed this model to be as detailed as possible while at the same time keeping the overall polygon count as low as possible. It has been specifically designed to be used as an AI model in FS2004. The flight dynamics are optimized to be used as an FS2004 AI aircraft. Any attempt to fly this as a user aircraft will end up in unpredictable results. This model has not been tested in FS2002. The afterburner effect will not work properly in FS2002.

LOD Information:

Loadouts:

The F-16C and F-16C Drag Chute models each have 7 different loadout options. The single f16c.bmp file has the ability to cover all 14 available model combinations for the F-16C and F-16C Drag Chute aircraft. The F-16D and F-16D Drag Chute models each have 3 different loadout options. The single f16d.bmp file has the ability to cover all 6 available model combinations for the F-16D and F-16D Drag Chute aircraft. In order to change the loadout for any particular repaint, simply change the model= line in the aircraft.cfg file to match the appropriate model loadout you desire.

F-16C and F-16C Drag Chute loadout options:

model=Clean

• All stations empty

model=Normal

• Stations 1 and 9 - AIM-9
• Stations 2 and 8 - Empty
• Stations 3 and 7 - Empty
• Stations 4 and 6 - External Drop Tanks
• Station 5 - Empty

model=Fuel

• Stations 1 and 9 - AIM-9
• Stations 2 and 8 - Empty
• Stations 3 and 7 - Empty
• Stations 4 and 6 - External Drop Tanks
• Station 5 - External Drop Tank

model=Air

• Stations 1 and 9 - AIM-120 AAMRAM
• Stations 2 and 8 - AIM-120 AAMRAM
• Stations 3 and 7 - Empty
• Stations 4 and 6 - External Drop Tanks
• Station 5 - Empty

model=Mk84

• Stations 1 and 9 - AIM-9
• Stations 2 and 8 - AIM-120 AAMRAM
• Stations 3 and 7 - 2,000 lb. Mk.84 Bombs
• Stations 4 and 6 - External Drop Tanks
• Station 5 - Empty

model=JDAM

• Stations 1 and 9 - AIM-9
• Stations 2 and 8 - Empty
• Stations 3 and 7 - 2,000 lb. JDAMs
• Stations 4 and 6 - External Drop Tanks
• Station 5 - Empty
• Station 5L - AN/AAQ-13 LANTIRN Navigation Pod
• Station 5R - AN/AAQ-14 LANTIRN Targeting Pod

model=AGM65

• Stations 1 and 9 - AIM-9
• Stations 2 and 8 - Empty
• Stations 3 and 7 - LAU-88 Triple Launcher with AGM-65 Maverick Missiles
• Stations 4 and 6 - External Drop Tanks
• Station 5 - Empty
• Station 5L - AN/AAQ-13 LANTIRN Navigation Pod
• Station 5R - AN/AAQ-14 LANTIRN Targeting Pod

F-16D and F-16D Drag Chute loadout options:

model=Clean

• All stations empty

model=Normal

• Stations 1 and 9 - AIM-9
• Stations 2 and 8 - Empty
• Stations 3 and 7 - Empty
• Stations 4 and 6 - External Drop Tanks
• Station 5 - Empty

model=Fuel

• Stations 1 and 9 - AIM-9
• Stations 2 and 8 - Empty
• Stations 3 and 7 - Empty
• Stations 4 and 6 - External Drop Tanks
• Station 5 - External Drop Tank

Included with this model is a realistic looking afterburner effect file for use with AI fighter jets. It will only work in FS2004 due to the way the lights are handled in FS2002. The effect is based on the original afterburner effect by Jan Rosenberg for Kirk Olsson's F-16. I highly modified this effect in order to get to work with FS2004 AI traffic.

The afterburner effect is tagged as a strobe light in the aircraft.cfg file. When the plane receives take-off clearance, the strobe lights are turned on and this starts a count down timer within the effect file of 39 seconds. This is the approximate time that it takes the aircraft to taxi into position and begin its take-off roll. This setting can be adjusted by editing the fx_f16_ab.fx file with any text editor and adjusting the following line for each [emitter.x] section:

Delay=39.xxx, 39.xxx

The afterburner effect is designed to last for 44 seconds. This setting can also be adjusted by editing the following line for each [particle.x] section:

Lifetime=44.00, 44.00

Since this effect is tied to the strobe lights, it will only work for the initial take-off and will not be seen on go-arounds or touch and go's.

• Note: When an AI aircraft first enters the local AI sector either during a transition flight, or to begin an approach to a nearby airport, or anytime all the AI traffic is reloaded, this will also begin the 39 second afterburner count down timer and the afterburner effect will be visible with the aircraft in flight for the lifetime setting of 44 seconds. If anyone creates an improved version of this afterburner effect, please send me a copy so that I can include it in future updates.

This model was built from scratch with FSDS version 2.24, primarily for use as an AI model in FS2004's AI traffic. It's simple, low-polygon design, and LODs make it ideal for AI traffic use. This model is currently in development and I'll make more updates to it as I get reports from people who use it. Reflections and lightmap for night lighting are activated. User is welcome to repaint the model in any livery(s) desired. Uploads of repainted models are also welcome. No prior permission is required. If anyone makes any improvements to the flight model which lets it fly more realistically as a Lockheed Martin F-16, please send me a copy and I'll include it in a future update.

God - Everything
My wife - For not asking me where I've been the past two and a half months.
Dee Waldron - FSDS technical support, unlimited patience, and for getting me started in FS modeling.

This project would have taken even longer than it already has if not for the wonderful contributions of:

Graham King - Paintkit Details, Beta Testing, Magic Light Bulb
Michael MacIntyre - Beta Tester Extraordinaire

I'd also like to thank:

Dexter Eadie - F-16 Exterior Lighting Information
Kirk Olsson - Miscellaneous Paintkit Textures
Jan Rosenberg - Original Afterburner Effect

Legal Stuff:

Copyright 2005, Henry Tomkiewicz. All rights reserved.

This aircraft model is freeware. All repaints, enhancements or modifications are welcome, but must remain free. No exceptions. User accepts all risk of use.

USAF Link Fact Sheet for the F-16

email: ht [at] retroai [dot] net