ACLoader: Aircraft Loader & Revenue allows the user to pick an aircraft that he or she will fly, and assign a passenger and cargo load to it, then writes that information to an aircraft.cfg file. The result is an FS2000/FS2002 aircraft that acts differently each flight due to the changing weight and balance from each time the program is run. ACLoader will also display and write a report file with the cost and revenue of a flight using that aircraft, based on flight and other information. An FS200x Flight Plan file, with the Aircraft Data File and Routes Data Record, is used to provide all the information necessary to calculate the profit or loss of each flight, as well as placemment of passengers and baggage/cargo.

With the "Loading Only" function, ACLoader can also be used to just load the aircraft without the need for a Route Data Record and flight plan. Just a single click and any aircraft is ready to go. This option also allows for manual fuel and food loading.

ACLoader can auto-calculate flight time and fuel needed based on FS200x flight plan files and aircraft data table (most aircraft provided with the program). ACLoader can also use pre-defined fare and cargo charges and flight costs based on user-defined Route Data Records.

ACLoader does its best to zero the balance of the aircraft. It does this by moving cargo to the forward or aft holds (if present) and shifting balance point. However, ACLoader cannot calculate where fuel goes, since that is part of the air file, so the user can shift weight forward or back manually as needed, either by adjusting cargo placement, or by adjusting CoG offset.

Although ACLoader can only write an FS200x Aircraft.cfg file to modify the aircraft behavior, the program can be used to report income and costs for a flight regardless of the FS version, or with no Flight Simulator at all.

The revenue section calculates the number of flight personnel, cost of fuel, overflight, landing, and gate fees, misc and scalar fees, and overhead, then compares the revenue from the number of tickets and cargo sold, and reports if this flight makes or loses money. The report file is saved in the selected aircraft directory. If the user is using FS98, ACLoader won't write the aircraft.cfg file, but it still writes the report.

The data that ACLoader uses is provided in text and tables format, and is all editable from the program.

If the aircraft is overweight ACLoader gives you the option to unload passengers, cargo, and/or fuel. And with the ability to lower the Maximum Take-0ff Weight (MTOW) and Maximum Zero Fuel Weight (MZFW), it can get even more challenging. Do you risk running out of fuel before reaching your destination, or do you lose revenue by removing cargo, or do you risk losing passengers by bumping them? You have only so much weight you can load. Why would you lower the MTOW/MZFW? If you're flying out of a high-altitude airport, the maximum weight is reduced significantly.

For those who want to fill the aircraft with a specific load of passengers and cargo, that's as easy as changing the numbers in the program! Just generate a load, make the changes, and save!

So with a lot of flexibility, you will be able to load your aircraft and see how profitable (or money-losing) your flights are.

Whether you are flying a Piper Cub or a 747-400, it's all completely configurable. Once everything is defined for your uses, it's all done with the click of three buttons! It's THAT easy!

Now GA and Virtual Airline operations are "As Real As It Gets".

Copyright © 1998-2007 Scott Campbell. All Rights Reserved.