Transport Aircraft are not available

[DorianGray]

Build Version - 1.07.13

Same game and game turn as previous thread, different target hex and different group of transports.

In order to clear any previous air units selected, I deactivated air transport mode, selected a different German Air Base unit (containing a different group of German Transports), reactivated air transport mode, moved cursor over different target hex (shown in the attached screen shot), and attempted to conduct an air transport mission.

In this case, no air transport missions could be activated. Despite the tooltip displaying 72 transport AIRCRAFT IN RANGE, I only get a "Transport Aircraft are not available" message. Not even any of the other 206 bombers (in range) can be prompted to drop supplies.

[Oshawott]

Is the airbase with the transports no more then 5 MP away from railhead?

[morvael]

Look at this thread, perhaps it will help you to find the problem
tm.asp?m=3446309

Analysis of why air supply isn't working takes severe effort, for which currently I have no time, so maybe that thread will be enough to determine the problem. If not, please post you findings (and report air unit oob).

[DorianGray]

ORIGINAL: Oshawott

Is the airbase with the transports no more then 5 MP away from railhead?

At first I was going to say yes, but I double checked these 2 specific examples.

While they were within 4 & 5 hexes of a railhead, one was 6 MPs and the other was 9 MPs.

It is peculiar that a 5 MP railhead restriction would appear to only apply to Transports flying air supply missions, but not Bombers as well, as the Bombers that were auto-selected were 1 or 2 hexes further out from the railhead.

I cannot find anything documenting a 5 MP railhead restriction either, but it may have gone undocumented.

I will play around with it some more and see if a 5 MP railhead restriction was contributing to the problem.

[Oshawott]

Your problem is definitely caused by the 5 MP rule which is stated on page 54 of the updated manual.

v1.06.22 - November 29, 2012
Air transport missions may only be flown by air groups that are located on airbases within 5 MPs of a supply source (rail net).

[DorianGray]

Moved the Air Base unit back one hex and now the Transports are able to drop air fuel/supplies.

This should really be better documented. Not sure why this restriction does not apply to Bombers as well.

[DorianGray]

ORIGINAL: Oshawott

Your problem is definitely caused by the 5 MP rule which is stated on page 54 of the updated manual.

v1.06.22 - November 29, 2012
Air transport missions may only be flown by air groups that are located on airbases within 5 MPs of a supply source (rail net).

I see it now. Unfortunately, I did not think to look under Game Interface - Air Transport Mode but was looking in the manual specific to Air Transport of Supplies and Fuel, which is surprising does not mention the 5 MP restriction.

16.3.4. Air Transport of Supplies and Fuel
Supplies and fuel can be airdropped to units by transport and level bomber air group units and this mission can be escorted by fighter air group units. Level bomber air group units can only conduct air transport as their first mission during the phase and must be manually selected by the player to participate in such missions. Level bombers pay four times the normal miles flown when they fly air transport missions. The player can choose to airdrop either supplies or fuel. If a unit being resupplied by air reaches 125 percent of a type of supply, the remaining supply delivered will be of another type. German air transport missions cannot take place north of Leningrad.
v1.04.22 - May 19, 2011
Added the ability to select the destination unit for a supply air drop when using the manual air group selection. If nothing is selected automatic delivery will be used.
Improved automatic unit selection when dropping fuel to the hex with multiple units. Unit with higher requirements vs stock will have priority. Added level 3 combat message to display which unit is getting supply/fuel.

[BJP III]

The other thing to check is your Air Doctrine settings. It is easy for the JU-52s to go under 50% in ready AC, so if you have your AD set at 50+, they won't fly.