Customizing X-Plane Taxi Lines: Editing Nodes In Wed

You cannot edit X-Plane taxi line nodes in WED. However, you can create taxi routes using the taxi route tool.

Taxiway nodes cannot cross each other unless they are connected by a common node

Taxi route segments cannot cross each other unless they are connected by a common node. This is a rule that must always be true for taxi routes to function correctly. WED prevents this from happening by automatically placing a node where two crossing taxi route segments overlap.

In the context of X-Plane ATC, a taxi route is a collection of line segments. Each taxiway segment can be defined as departure/arrival hot zones. These are locations on an airport with a potential risk of collision or runway incursion, requiring heightened attention from pilots and drivers.

To create a new taxi route, select the taxi routes tool and set the name and other properties in the toolbar. Then, click on the map pane to place the taxi route segments. It is important to note that the taxi route tool does not support bezier curves, so short segments should be used to approximate curves.

If an existing taxi route segment is crossed while creating a new one, WED will automatically insert a node at the intersection. This ensures that taxi route segments do not cross each other unless they share a common node.

The entire grid of taxi routes must be connected

Every runway that is used in any flow needs to have a taxi route on it so aircraft can get from and to the runway.

Every runway that is used in any flow needs to have a taxi route on it

Taxi routes are used by X-Plane ATC to provide navigation guidance around the airport. For a taxi route to function correctly, a few things must always be true. Taxi route segments cannot cross each other unless they are connected by a common node. The entire grid of taxi routes must be connected – there should be a continuous path from any one route to any other route.

To make a new taxi route, select the taxi routes tool and set the name and other properties in the toolbar, then click in the map pane to place the taxi route segments. The taxi route tool does not support bezier curves, so use short segments to approximate curves.

Taxi routes are color-coded when viewed in the ATC Taxi + Flow tab, to provide an immediate sense of the properties assigned to each segment

Taxi routes are color-coded when viewed in the ATC Taxi + Flow tab. This provides an immediate sense of the properties assigned to each segment. The most basic taxi route segment is for taxiways on the pavement surrounding an airport. These are typically drawn over the line markings that guide aircraft around the airport. They are a collection of nodes and segments that are color-coded yellow in the map pane. These segments are usually named to match the real-world route letters. You can leave the name blank for very small connectors and routes along the gate line. They can also be defined as one-way routes if planes always use them in only one direction.

Runway taxi route segments are typically color-coded blue in the WED map pane but may also be purple if portions of that runway are also hot zones for other runways. Taxi route nodes must be inside the runway's bounds, with only a small overflow zone past the ends of the runways allowed. Taxi routes must be parallel to and as close as possible to the runway's centreline.

Hot zones are a location on an airport with a potential risk of collision or runway incursion. They are usually a segment of the taxiway closest to the runway or where runways overlap and are color-coded red or purple in the map pane. All taxi route segments inside the hold short lines of the real airport should be marked as hot zones. The presence of the hot zone will cause the AI aircraft to correctly hold short at those hold short lines.

ILS critical zones are designated areas of an airport that all physical obstructions must remain clear of when one or more Instrument Landing Systems are in use. They are color-coded orange in the WED map pane.

Taxi routes are functional as well as visible scenery elements that define areas that aircraft are intended to move on

Taxi routes are an essential part of airport functionality, providing aircraft with a designated path to navigate the airport grounds. These routes are defined by taxiways, which are marked paths that connect runways to aprons, hangars, terminals, and other facilities. Taxiways are typically made of asphalt or concrete, although smaller airports may use gravel or grass.

The design of taxi routes is crucial for efficient and safe aircraft movement. Taxiways are marked with various types of lines and signs to guide pilots. For example, taxiway centerlines, usually painted yellow, provide a visual cue for pilots to follow during taxiing. Runway holding position markings indicate where aircraft must stop when approaching a runway, consisting of solid and dashed lines extending across the taxiway or runway. Taxi routes may also include enhanced centerlines, which are used at larger airports to warn pilots they are approaching a runway holding position.

When creating taxi routes, it is important to consider factors such as radius, connectivity, and intersection design. Taxi routes should have a small radius of 15-30 meters for "one turn" or "corner" sections. For BIG-radius exits from runways, taxi routes should be designed as "tangent" lines. Ensuring connectivity throughout the taxi route grid is crucial, providing a continuous path between any two routes. Additionally, careful consideration should be given to intersections to avoid ambiguity in instructions and ensure smooth aircraft movement.

In X-Plane, ATC Taxi routes are used by the ATC to provide navigation guidance around the airport. The ATC does not consider the actual location of concrete and asphalt but relies solely on the designated taxi routes. Taxi routes in X-Plane are created using WED, allowing users to define segments, nodes, and connections. However, it is important to note that the taxi route tool in WED does not support bezier curves, requiring users to use short segments to approximate curves.

Frequently asked questions