BlueSky TrafScript commands

BlueSky gives complete control over the simulation through its own 'scripting language' called TrafScript. The provided commands can be used in three ways:

  • In scenario files. These consist of a time-stamped list of TrafScript commands, which together can be run as a complete scenario.
  • For network communication to/from BlueSky. BlueSky can be connected over TCP to send it simulation commands.
  • Directly in the interface. The BlueSky interface has a command line, that can be used to interact with the simulation using TrafScript commands.

Command arguments

Bluesky supports different types of argument formats. Follow the hyperlinks to learn about the different options for each argument type.

Command reference

This page gives a complete overview of the available commands in the following table. Below it is a table that lists the commands that have synonyms.

Command Description
ADDNODES Add a simulation instance/node
ADDWPT Add a waypoint to route of aircraft
AFTER After waypoint, add a waypoint to route of aircraft
ALT Altitude command
AREA Define experiment area
ASAS Airborne Separation Assurance System switch
AT Edit, delete or show constraints at a waypoint
BATCH Start a scenario file as batch simulation
BENCHMARK Run benchmark
BOX Define a box-shaped area
CALC Simple in-line math calculator
CDMETHOD Set conflict detection method
CIRCLE Define a circle-shaped area
CRE Create an aircraft
CRECONFS Create an aircraft that is in conflict with an existing aircraft
DATAFEED Select an ADS-B data source for traffic
DEFWPT Define a waypoint only for this run
DEL Delete command
DELAY Delay a command by a specified time
DELRTE Delete the complete route/dest/orig
DELWPT Delete a waypoint from a route
DEST Set destination airport
DIRECT Go direct to specified waypoint in route
DIST Distance and direction calculation between two coordinates positions
DT Set simulation time step
DTLOOK Set lookahead time in seconds for conflict detection
DTMULT Sel multiplication factor for fast-time simulation
DTNOLOOK Set interval for conflict detection
DUMPRTE Write route to output
ECHO Show a text in command window for user to read
ENG Specify a different engine type
FF Fast forward the simulation
FIXDT Fix the time step
GETWIND Get wind at a specified position
HDG Heading command
HELP Show help on a command, show pdf or write list of commands to file
HOLD Pause the simulation
IC Revert to initial conditions of scenario
INSEDIT Insert text op edit line in command window
INSTLOG Turn instant data logging on
LINE Draw a line on the radar screen
LISTRTE Show list of route in window per page of 5 waypoints
LNAV LNAV switch for autopilot
MCRE Multiple random create of n aircraft in current view
METRIC Complexity metrics module
MOVE Move an aircraft to a new position
ND Show navigation display with CDTI
NOISE Turbulence/noise switch
NOM Set nominal acceleration for this aircraft
NORESO Switch off conflict resolution for this aircraft
OP Start simulation or continue after hold
ORIG Set origin airport of aircraft
PAN Move view to a location
PCALL Call commands in another scenario file
POLY Define a polygon-shaped area
POLYALT Define a polygon-shaped area in 3D
POS Get info on aircraft
PRIORULES Define priority rules for conflict resolution
QUIT Quit program/Stop simulation
RESET Reset simulation
RESO Set resolution method
RESOOFF Switch for conflict resolution module
RFACH Set resolution factor horizontal
RFACV Set resolution factor vertical
RMETHH Set resolution method to be used horizontally
RMETHV Set resolution method to be used vertically
RSZONEDH Set half of vertical dimension of resolution zone in ft
RSZONER Set horizontal radius of resolution zone in nm
RUNWAYS List available runways on an airport
SAVEIC Save current situation as IC
SCEN Give current situation a scenario name
SCHEDULE Define a time when a command is executed
SEED Set seed for all functions using a randomizer
SKYLOG SKYLOG data logging on
SNAPLOG SNAPLOG data logging on
SPD Speed command
SSD Show conflict prevention display
SWRAD Switch on/off elements and background of map/radar view
SYMBOL Toggle aircraft symbol
SYN Macro for generating geometric traffic scenarios
TAXI Switch on/off ground/low altitude mode, prevents auto-delete at 1500 ft
TIME Set simulated clock time
TRAIL Toggle aircraft trails on/off
VNAV Switch on/off VNAV mode, the vertical FMS mode
VS Vertical speed command
WIND Define a wind vector as part of the 2D or 3D wind field
ZONEDH Set half of the vertical protected zone dimensions in ft
ZONER Set the radius of the horizontal protected zone dimensions in nm
ZOOM Zoom display in/out, you can also use +++ or -----

Command synonyms

To maintain full compatibility with the TMX simulator, several commands can also be called by their synonym. The following table lists the currently available synonyms.

Synonym Original function Description
? HELP Show help on a command, show pdf or write list of commands to file
CLOSE QUIT Quit program/Stop simulation
CONTINUE OP Start/Run simulation or continue after hold
CREATE CRE Create an aircraft
DELETE DEL Delete command (aircraft, wind, area)
DELWP DELWPT Delete a waypoint from a route (FMS)
DELROUTE DELRTE Delete for this a/c the complete route/dest/orig (FMS)
DIRECTTO DIRECT Go direct to specified waypoint in route (FMS)
DIRTO DIRECT Go direct to specified waypoint in route (FMS)
DISP SWRAD Switch on/off elements and background of map/radar view
END QUIT Quit program/Stop simulation
EXIT QUIT Quit program/Stop simulation
FWD FF Fast forward the simulation
HEADING HDG Heading command (autopilot)
HMETH RMETHH Set resolution method to be used horizontally
HRESOM RMETHH Set resolution method to be used horizontally
HRESOMETH RMETHH Set resolution method to be used horizontally
LOAD IC Initial condition: (re)start simulation and open scenario file
OPEN IC Initial condition: (re)start simulation and open scenario file
PAUSE HOLD Pause(hold) simulation
Q QUIT Quit program/Stop simulation
RESOFACH RFACH Set resolution factor horizontal (to add a margin)
RESOFACV RFACV Set resolution factor vertical (to add a margin)
RUN OP Start/Run simulation or continue after hold
SAVE SAVEIC Save current situation as IC
SPEED SPD Speed command (autopilot)
START OP Start/Run simulation or continue after hold
STOP QUIT Quit program/Stop simulation
TURN HDG Heading command (autopilot)
VMETH RMETHV Set resolution method to be used vertically
VRESOM RMETHV Set resolution method to be used vertically
VRESOMETH RMETHV Set resolution method to be used vertically