FlightGear Newsletter September 2018: Difference between revisions

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FlightGear Newsletter September 2018 (view source)

Revision as of 10:52, 25 September 2018

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* addition of a state system compatible with auto state in 2018.2
* addition of a state system compatible with auto state in 2018.2


==== F-14 / F-15 ====
==== F-15 ====
Richard's F-14 and F-15 received an update on FGADDON:
[[File:F-15-IAF-alps.JPG|thumb|F-15 V1.8 IAF Livery with conformal fuel tanks in flight over the alps]]


'''The F-15 version 1.8 was released:'''
The F-15 (V1.8, 2018-08) has improved aerodynamics, can be fitted with Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFT), and has some long standing faults in the mass properties fixed. Noticeable changes will include better handling with heavy stores, increased drag from stores. Also in this version of the F-15 is support for air to ground guided missiles, i.e. the MK-84.  


Flight model:
A focus of this version of the F-15 is optimisation of resource usage which will hopefully improve the framerate on all systems, I've seen an improvement of upto 100% (i.e. from 30fps to 60fps). For the technically inquisitive this extra performance has been achieved by merging the entire cockpit interior into a single 3d model and texture; together with use of the props.UpdateManager to improve the canvas rendering, and reduction of the aircraft Nasal rate to a maximum of 30hz.
* mass properties: fixed station positions, added pylon mass
* use correct axes system (body)
* use correct mass for Stores
* more drag from stores.


Armaments / weapons:
The autopilot has been improved Autopilot by Josh (it0uchpods), this new autopilot more closely models the actual autopilot in terms of both modes and how it functions.
* Air to ground mode (MK-84)
* fixed payload dialogs (standard, model specific) to work when both open


3D:
The version version is available directly within the launcher or as a download from FGADDON.
* Added conformal fuel tanks; based on livery for appropriate squadrons (Alaska, IAF)


Performance optimisations:  
==== F-14 ====
* single model for interior (merged, with single texture atlas)
[[File:F-14-carrier-launch.png|thumb|F-14 Kneeling for cat launch on the Nimitz]]
* Nasal runs at fixed 30hz, canvas displays optimisations


Autopilot improvements (help from Josh):
My main focus on the F-14 has been to improve the low-speed handling; particularly to aid Case 1 (daytime) carrier recoveries. This has resulted in revision to the aerodynamic model, including new data for the flaps, slats, spoilers now have yaw moments and are more effective at higher alpha based on pilot reports. The APC will now aim to hold alpha rather than airspeed, it works reasonably well however if you are too low or descending too quickly it is wise to take control of the throttles. Indicated alpha (units) as displayed on the indexer has been adjusted based on the touchdown geometry of the hook a 15degrees indicated. Also improved is the initialisation code for starting on a carrier, the positions have been adjusted for the FG carrier fleet, this was a particular problem when starting on the Truman.
* complete rework of AFCS modes
* will alpha limit to reasonable values on alt-hold
* variable limits and rates based on airspeed
* use of airspeed instead of mach
* reworked autothrottle
* route manager next waypoint following improved (no longer has a roll spasm just before reaching waypoint)


The F-15's bugfixes since the release include:
The wingsweep, wing bend and wing damage are now better modelled, with a long standing bug fixed that caused the wings to sweep instantly to the oversweep position. Manual sweep will work better (and can also be bound from the new joystick configuration dialogs)
* Props.UpdateManager used to update the display;
* use Emesary Exec loop
* Update text at slowest rate
* Targets update every 4th frame


'''The F-14 version 1.8 is also now available:'''
The Cockpit model has had some bug fixes, the disappearing HSD displays are fixed, together with a general tidy up of materials and textures.


Flight Model
The external model has now got the AOA indexer repeat on the nose gear.
* Improved low speed handling.
* Flaps tuned base on OpenVSP data
* spoiler aero added for yaw, adjusted effectivity at higher alpha based on pilot reports and OpenVSP analysis
* APC now holds alpha rather than airspeed.
* Wingsweep (oversweep) now modelled correctly (JSBSim system rather than Nasal)
* alpha indicated has been aligned based on the touchdown geometry of the hook; optimised for 15degrees indicated.
* new reposition for case 1 inbound
* use of execrate on auxiliary systems to reduce CPU load (a very tiny bit)


Cockpit / 3d model changes.
Finally the F-14 will be able to replay carrier landings (and tanker refuellings) properly. Although note that after the replay stops it is possible that the carrier will become unsolid.
* General tidy up of all of the 3d models that make up the cockpit.
* adjusted to use generally material 15 (AC3d)
* Texture fixes
* remove (some 2sided shapes)
* Move all of the external stores into a single 3d model, with a single texture atlas.
* Add animated AOA indexer to nose gear
* Front HSD no longer becomes obscured when moved (due to z-buffering issues)
* reworked all screens to have more consistent colours and CRT fitting into available space.


General
The version version is available directly within the launcher or as a download from FGADDON.
* Added cold and dark.
* Carrier (with Battle Group) included in Replay
* Air to air refuelling tanker included in Replay
* Improved carrier init; better with 2018.3, but should work with Trumann
 
Fixes to the f-14 since version 1.8 include:
* restructure Nasal loops to use Emesary rtExec; reduce frequency of Nasal execution
* change settimer loops to be maketimer() loops
* fix gear always down on reposition
* change adverse.nas into JSBSim system
* fix spoilers still working for roll control when using manual sweep
* fix manual sweep and CADC sweep
 
As always these changes are available from FGADDON or directly in the launcher.


=== Liveries ===
=== Liveries ===
Richard H
308

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