Right now, the game calculates flight time as a simple Distance/Speed. The issue with this is it assumes the aircraft is at cruising speed for 100% of the distance of the flight, which depending on the length of the flight leads to inaccurate flight times. For example IAH-DFW is ~60 minute flight in real life, however in-game it is a 26 minute flight. JFK-CLT is ~2 hrs, however in-game it is 1 hr 2 mins.
I need to come up with some type of formula that calculates a lower speed for the beginning and end of the flight to account for takeoff and landing. I could do something like 1/2 the aircraft speed for the first 50 miles and last 50 miles of the flight, and then for the middle portion of the flight it would be cruise speed. I don't know how accurate that would really be though. And then you have the issue of flights that are less than 100 miles.
Additionally I could also add a few miles to the flight distance to account for turns and such to line up for landing. It's never a straight shot from takeoff to landing.
Any ideas?
I need to come up with some type of formula that calculates a lower speed for the beginning and end of the flight to account for takeoff and landing. I could do something like 1/2 the aircraft speed for the first 50 miles and last 50 miles of the flight, and then for the middle portion of the flight it would be cruise speed. I don't know how accurate that would really be though. And then you have the issue of flights that are less than 100 miles.
Additionally I could also add a few miles to the flight distance to account for turns and such to line up for landing. It's never a straight shot from takeoff to landing.
Any ideas?