Flight simulator enthusiasts, are you tired of those empty airports and generic AI traffic that breaks immersion? Do you long for a virtual sky teeming with realistic airline liveries and accurate flight plans? If you answered "YES!" with a resounding cheer, then you've come to the right place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of installing Alpha India Group (AIG) AI Traffic, a game-changer for bringing your flight simulator world to life.
AIG AI Traffic is widely regarded as one of the best freeware solutions for realistic AI traffic in Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) and other platforms. It injects real-world airline models, liveries, and flight schedules, transforming your static airports into bustling hubs of activity. Get ready to experience a level of realism that will make you feel like you're truly part of the global aviation network!
AIG AI Traffic: A Deep Dive into Realism
Before we jump into the installation, let's briefly understand why AIG stands out:
Authentic Liveries: Say goodbye to generic aircraft. AIG provides thousands of accurately reproduced liveries for airlines worldwide.
Real-World Flight Plans: AIG utilizes actual flight data, meaning aircraft will be flying real routes at realistic times. You'll see airlines operating their usual schedules, adding immense immersion.
Dynamic Traffic: Watch aircraft push back, taxi, take off, land, and even go around, just like in real life.
Community-Driven: AIG is a passion project by a dedicated community, constantly updated with new aircraft, liveries, and flight plans.
Now, let's get you set up!
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| How To Install Aig Traffic |
Step 1: Prepare Your System and Downloads
Alright, intrepid aviator, let's kick things off! The first and most crucial step is to ensure your system is ready and you have all the necessary files. Don't skip this part, as proper preparation will save you headaches down the line.
1.1 Essential Software Requirements
Before downloading, make sure you have:
Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS 2020/2024): AIG primarily supports MSFS. While there might be legacy support or community efforts for other sims, this guide focuses on MSFS.
Enough Disk Space: AIG's extensive library of aircraft models and liveries can take up a significant amount of space. Ensure you have at least 50-100 GB free for all the flight plans and models you might want to install.
A Stable Internet Connection: You'll be downloading large files, so a reliable connection is a must.
1.2 Creating Your AIG Folder
To keep your simulator tidy and prevent any conflicts, it's highly recommended to create a dedicated folder for your AIG installation outside of your simulator's main installation directory.
Choose a location: A good place would be directly on your C: drive (e.g.,
C:\AIG) or in your Documents folder (e.g.,C:\Users\YourUser\Documents\AIG). Avoid placing it inside your Community folder directly.Create the folder: Right-click in your chosen location, select "New," then "Folder," and name it AIG.
1.3 Downloading AIG AI Manager and Traffic Controller
AIG consists of two main applications: the AI Manager (for managing aircraft and liveries) and the Traffic Controller (for injecting traffic into the sim).
Tip: Reread slowly for better memory.
Visit the Official AIG Website: Navigate to the Alpha India Group website (alpha-india.net).
Go to the "Software" section: You'll find links for the AI Manager and Traffic Controller.
Download AI Manager: Look for the latest stable or public beta version, often specifically marked for MSFS support (e.g., "Public Beta 1.1 including MSFS support"). Download the ZIP file.
Download Traffic Controller: Do the same for the Traffic Controller. Download its ZIP file.
Remember where you save these ZIP files, as you'll need them in the next step.
Step 2: Extract and Organize Your AIG Files
Now that you have the essential AIG software downloaded, it's time to get them organized within your newly created AIG folder.
2.1 Extracting the Downloaded Files
Locate your downloaded ZIP files: These will typically be in your "Downloads" folder.
Extract AI Manager: Right-click on the
aig_aim.zip(or similar) file and choose "Extract All" or use your preferred unzipping software (like 7-Zip or WinRAR). When prompted for a destination, navigate to theC:\AIGfolder you created earlier (or your chosen location) and extract the contents directly into it.Extract Traffic Controller: Repeat the same process for the
aig_traffic_controller.zipfile, extracting its contents into the sameC:\AIGfolder.
After extraction, your C:\AIG folder should contain subfolders for both AI Manager and Traffic Controller, along with their executable files. It's crucial that you do not move these files after this step, as AIG relies on their fixed location.
Step 3: Configure AIG AI Manager
The AI Manager is your control center for all things AIG traffic. This step involves initial setup and downloading the vast library of aircraft and liveries. This is often the most time-consuming part, so be patient!
3.1 First Launch and Initial Setup
Run AI Manager as Administrator: Navigate to your
C:\AIGfolder, find theAI Manager.exe(orai_manager.exe), right-click on it, and select "Run as administrator". This is important for proper permissions.Initial Updates: On the first launch, AI Manager might prompt you for updates. Click "OK" and let it download any necessary internal files. A command prompt window might appear and disappear – this is normal.
Select your Simulator: The AI Manager will likely ask you to select your flight simulator (e.g., "MSFS 2020"). Choose the correct option.
RAM Usage Prompt (MSFS): For MSFS users, you might get a prompt about RAM usage. It's generally recommended to choose "No" for using less RAM, but you can experiment if you have ample system resources.
3.2 Configuring Settings
Once the AI Manager interface loads, you'll need to set up some crucial paths.
Navigate to "Settings": In the AI Manager window, click on the "Settings" tab.
OCI-Settings (MSFS Community Folder): This is vital. Under "OCI-Settings," you need to tell AIG where your MSFS Community folder is located.
Click on the "Browse" button next to "MSFS 2020 Community Folder" (or similar).
Navigate to your MSFS Community folder. Its location can vary depending on where you installed MSFS (e.g., for Microsoft Store/Game Pass users, it's often in
C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Community). For Steam users, it's usually inC:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages\Community.Select the
Communityfolder itself, then click "Select Folder" or "OK".Crucially, ensure the "AIGTC Directory" path points to the
AIG Traffic Controllerfolder within your main AIG installation (e.g.,C:\AIG\AIG Traffic Controller). If it's not set correctly, manually browse and select it.
Login to AIG Forum/AVSIM (Optional but Recommended): In the "Cookies" tab within Settings, you might see options to log in to the AIG Forum and AVSIM. While not strictly mandatory for OCI installation, it's good practice and may be required for some manual downloads later.
Save Settings: After configuring everything, click "Save settings".
3.3 Downloading AI Traffic via OCI (One Click Installer)
QuickTip: Return to sections that felt unclear.
This is where the magic happens and your traffic library begins to grow! The One Click Installer (OCI) automates the download and installation of aircraft models and liveries.
Go to "Flightplans" tab: In the AI Manager, click on the "Flightplans" tab.
Select "Verify Setup": Click the "Verify Setup" button first. This will check for any missing components or issues. Rectify any problems it identifies.
Start OCI: Click on "OCI - Online (Aircraft and Flightplans)".
Select Airlines: A window will appear with a massive list of airlines. You can:
Select all: Click "Select All" to download every available airline. Be warned, this will take a very, very long time and consume a lot of disk space!
Select specific regions/airlines: Scroll through the list and select the airlines you frequently fly with, or those operating in regions you often visit. This is a more manageable approach.
Begin Installation: Once you've made your selections, click "Install selected".
Patience is Key: The AI Manager will now start downloading and compiling the aircraft models and liveries. This process can take anywhere from a few hours to multiple days depending on your internet speed and the number of airlines you selected. Do not close the AI Manager during this process. It will show progress bars and status updates.
Compiling Traffic Files: After downloading, AIG will compile the traffic files. This is also an automated process. Let it complete.
Step 4: Configure Microsoft Flight Simulator Settings
For AIG to work optimally and deliver the best visual experience, you need to adjust some settings within Microsoft Flight Simulator itself.
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4.1 In-Game Traffic Settings
Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Navigate to Options: Once in the main menu, go to
Options->General Options->Traffic.Adjust "Aircraft Traffic Type": Set this to "AI Offline Traffic". This ensures that MSFS uses AIG's injected traffic rather than its own default live traffic or online models.
Turn off "Use generic models for AI and multiplayer": This is crucial. Make sure this option is OFF. This forces the simulator to use the AIG liveries and models you've downloaded. If left ON, you'll still see generic aircraft.
Turn off "Keep traffic variety": Set this to OFF to ensure AIG's models are prioritized.
Adjust "AI Aircraft Traffic Density": This slider controls how many AI aircraft appear. Start with a moderate setting (e.g., 50-70%) and adjust based on your system's performance and preference. Setting it too high can impact your frame rates, especially at busy airports.
Ground Aircraft Density: It's generally recommended to set "Ground Aircraft Density" to 0%. AIG injects its own ground aircraft, so leaving this at default can result in duplicate or strange behavior.
Save your changes before exiting the options menu.
Step 5: Injecting AIG Traffic into the Simulator
With everything configured and downloaded, it's time to bring your virtual airports to life!
5.1 Launching the Simulator and Traffic Controller
Start Microsoft Flight Simulator first. Load into your desired airport, either on the runway or at a gate.
Once in the simulator (in-game): Now, navigate to your
C:\AIG\AIG Traffic Controllerfolder (or where you extracted it).Run Traffic Controller: Double-click on
AIG Traffic Controller.exe.Optional: Create a Shortcut with Parameter (Recommended for MSFS): For MSFS, it's highly recommended to create a shortcut for the Traffic Controller and add a parameter for direct MSFS integration.
Right-click on
AIG Traffic Controller.exeand select "Create shortcut".Right-click on the new shortcut and select "Properties".
In the "Target" field, at the very end of the existing path, add a space and then
-msfs20(e.g.,"C:\AIG\AIG Traffic Controller\AIG Traffic Controller.exe" -msfs20).Click "Apply" and "OK". Use this shortcut to launch the Traffic Controller from now on.
5.2 Connecting and Injecting Traffic
Traffic Controller Window: The AIG Traffic Controller window will appear.
Verify OCI Directory: Ensure the "OCI Directory" path in the Traffic Controller settings points to the correct
aig-aitraffic-ocifolder within your MSFS Community folder (e.g.,C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Community\aig-aitraffic-oci). This should have been set by the AI Manager, but it's good to double-check.Click "Connect": In the Traffic Controller, click the "Connect" button. You should see a status message indicating a successful connection to the simulator.
Click "Inject Traffic": Finally, click the "Inject Traffic" button.
Observe the Magic: Give it a few moments. You should start seeing aircraft appearing around your airport, taxiing, taking off, and landing with realistic liveries! The Traffic Controller window will display statistics about injected aircraft.
Keep the AIG Traffic Controller running in the background while you are flying to maintain the injected AI traffic. If you close it, the AIG traffic will disappear.
Troubleshooting and Important Notes
QuickTip: Revisit key lines for better recall.
Performance Impact: AIG injects a significant amount of detailed traffic. While highly optimized, it will inevitably have some impact on your frame rates, especially at very busy airports or with high traffic density settings. Experiment with the "AI Aircraft Traffic Density" slider in MSFS options to find a balance that works for your system.
Missing Liveries/Models: If you see generic aircraft, double-check that "Use generic models for AI and multiplayer" is OFF in your MSFS settings. Also, ensure you've downloaded the relevant airline flight plans through the AIG AI Manager's OCI.
No Traffic Showing:
Verify AI Manager and Traffic Controller are running as administrator.
Check your MSFS traffic settings as outlined in Step 4.
Ensure the "OCI Directory" is correctly set in both AI Manager and Traffic Controller.
Confirm the Traffic Controller is connected and actively injecting (look for "Inject Traffic" button to be pressed and traffic count increasing).
Updates: AIG frequently releases updates for the AI Manager and new flight plans/liveries. Periodically check the AIG website and run the "Verify Setup" and "OCI - Online (Aircraft and Flightplans)" in AI Manager to keep your traffic up-to-date.
VATSIM/IVAO: AIG is also widely used for model matching on online networks like VATSIM and IVAO. You'll typically need to download a separate
.vmrfile (Virtual Mixer Rules) and configure it in your online client (e.g., vPilot for VATSIM) to ensure other players' aircraft are displayed with accurate AIG models and liveries. Search flightsim.to or the AIG forums for updated.vmrfiles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to AIG AI Traffic, with quick answers:
How to check if AIG AI Traffic is working?
You can verify it by launching MSFS, loading into an airport, and then starting the AIG Traffic Controller. If you see aircraft with real airline liveries taxiing, taking off, and landing, and the Traffic Controller shows a count of injected aircraft, then it's working!
How to update AIG AI Traffic?
Launch the AIG AI Manager, go to the "Flightplans" tab, click "Verify Setup", and then click "OCI - Online (Aircraft and Flightplans)" to check for and install new or updated flight plans and liveries.
How to improve AIG AI Traffic performance?
Reduce the "AI Aircraft Traffic Density" slider in your MSFS General Options -> Traffic settings. You can also deselect less frequently used airlines in the AIG AI Manager OCI to reduce the number of installed models.
How to ensure AIG liveries show up instead of generic ones?
In MSFS General Options -> Traffic, set "Aircraft Traffic Type" to "AI Offline Traffic" and make sure "Use generic models for AI and multiplayer" is OFF.
How to get AIG AI Traffic to work with VATSIM/IVAO?
Tip: Read aloud to improve understanding.
You'll need a compatible AIG model matching .vmr file for your online client (e.g., vPilot for VATSIM). Download the latest .vmr file from reputable sources like flightsim.to and add it to your client's model matching settings.
How to fix "No Traffic Showing" issues with AIG?
Ensure AIG AI Manager and Traffic Controller are run as administrator, verify all paths (especially the MSFS Community folder and AIGTC Directory) in their settings, and double-check your in-game MSFS traffic settings (especially turning off generic models).
How to install AIG AI Manager and Traffic Controller in a custom location?
Create your desired folder (e.g., C:\AIG) and extract both downloaded AIG ZIP files directly into this single folder. Do not move these files once extracted.
How to remove specific airlines or flight plans from AIG?
In the AIG AI Manager, go to the "Flightplans" tab, select the installed airline you wish to remove, and click "Uninstall selected".
How to troubleshoot AIG AI Manager stuck on "Preparing SimObjects"?
This usually indicates a problem with the OCI directory path. Revisit the "Settings" tab in AIG AI Manager and ensure the "MSFS 2020 Community Folder" and "AIGTC Directory" paths are absolutely correct. Restart AI Manager as administrator if necessary.
How to get ground aircraft to show up with AIG?
Set your "Ground Aircraft Density" in MSFS General Options -> Traffic to 0%. AIG injects its own ground aircraft, and setting the in-game slider to zero prevents conflicts and ensures AIG's models are used.
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