reference a variable betw. classes of same package

[miiiriam]

when I access the additionalClass's variable _aTextFields from my documentClass, I get errors.

trace("output:"+additionalClass._aTextFields);
// this line of code causes this error:

1119: Access of possibly undefined property _aTextFields through a reference with static type Class.
// if I am referencing the additionalClass alone it seems to work

trace("output:"+additionalClass);
//output: [class additionalClass]
both classes are in the same package.

this is the code on the additionalClass.as:


...
public class additionalClass extends Sprite {
var _aTextFields:Array;
private var _XMLCont:Loadxml;
var fontFormat2:TextFormat;
var _holder:MovieClip;

public function additionalClass() {
var names:Array = new Array("veranst1", "veranst2", "veranst3", "veranst4");
_aTextFields = new Array();
....}}