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FlightGear Newsletter July 2010: Difference between revisions
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==Newsletter history== | ==Newsletter history== | ||
One year ago, in June 2009, [[FlightGear]]-head Curt proposed his newsletter-idea | One year ago, in June 2009, [[FlightGear]]-head Curt proposed his newsletter-idea {{forum link|t=5201|text=at the forum}}. With multiple (failed) efforts in the past, those involved were extremely eager to get it up and going this time. Stuart was the one that wrote most of the first issue(s). At the time of the second issue, more people were involved and wrote a paragraph or two. | ||
Today, the newsletter is written by a bunch of people, with different interests and relations to FlightGear. It provides an easy way to keep up-to-date with the ongoing developments; both in FlightGear itself and in the community around it. | Today, the newsletter is written by a bunch of people, with different interests and relations to FlightGear. It provides an easy way to keep up-to-date with the ongoing developments; both in FlightGear itself and in the community around it. | ||
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* summarize all related discussions, and document them here in the wiki | * summarize all related discussions, and document them here in the wiki | ||
At the moment, we are collecting ideas for answering the various questions in the application: | At the moment, we are collecting ideas for answering the various questions in the application: {{forum link|t=8857|text=Why should FlightGear participate in GSoC?}} | ||
If you have any questions or other feedback related to GSoC, please use the forum to get in touch: | If you have any questions or other feedback related to GSoC, please use the forum to get in touch: {{forum link|f=38}} | ||
==Development news== | ==Development news== | ||
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So far, all related information has been collected here in the wiki: [[GSoC]]. | So far, all related information has been collected here in the wiki: [[GSoC]]. | ||
But to ease the planning and organization process, there has now been a new sub forum set up for talking about anything that is one way or another related to this effort. | But to ease the planning and organization process, there has now been a new sub forum set up for talking about anything that is one way or another related to this effort. | ||
The forum can be found at: | The forum can be found at: {{forum url|f=38}} | ||
This should make it much easier for all community members to participate in all related discussions, without necessarily having to be subscribed to the mailing lists. | This should make it much easier for all community members to participate in all related discussions, without necessarily having to be subscribed to the mailing lists. | ||
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===Local weather system update=== | ===Local weather system update=== | ||
The local weather system is moving towards dynamical weather. Version v0.8 is released (see more information | The local weather system is moving towards dynamical weather. Version v0.8 is released (see more information {{forum link|t=7358|text=here}})and includes: | ||
* Drift of clouds, thermals and other weather effects in the wind, enabling for example a realistic soaring experience in strong winds. | * Drift of clouds, thermals and other weather effects in the wind, enabling for example a realistic soaring experience in strong winds. | ||
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===Troubleshooting ''triangleintersect, QNaN'' etc.=== | ===Troubleshooting ''triangleintersect, QNaN'' etc.=== | ||
Last month, the infamous [http://wiki.flightgear.org/index.php/Howto:_Get_rid_of_common_errors#Warning:_Picked_up_TriangleIntersect QNaN errors] that may cause FlightGear to become [[Showstoppers|unresponsive]] have been linked to potential issues in the Nasal interpreter (and more generally Nasal code) by flug, for more details please see: | Last month, the infamous [http://wiki.flightgear.org/index.php/Howto:_Get_rid_of_common_errors#Warning:_Picked_up_TriangleIntersect QNaN errors] that may cause FlightGear to become [[Showstoppers|unresponsive]] have been linked to potential issues in the Nasal interpreter (and more generally Nasal code) by flug, for more details please see: {{forum link|p=83701|text="Nasal source of Dreaded Triangle Error-source of many probs?"}}. | ||
For the time being, you will want to look out for any Nasal code that contains unchecked divisions with unvalidated divisors. | For the time being, you will want to look out for any Nasal code that contains unchecked divisions with unvalidated divisors. | ||
==In the hangar== | ==In the hangar== | ||
===Airbus A320=== | ===Airbus A320=== | ||
After months of dormancy, [[Airbus A320|A320]] development has been picked up by ''skyop''. The aircraft has been updated with [[thrust reversal]], [[pushback]], [[Howto: Add contrails|contrails]], [[Howto: Implement generic tyre smoke|tire smoke]], [[Howto: Create custom splash screens|a new splash screen]], a new interior, animated clickable doors and cargo holds, [[Howto: Add aircraft lights|lights]], separate models for different winglet types, and a few bugs fixed here and there. Future plans include improvements to the cockpit and spoilers/speedbrakes. You can follow further A320 development at | After months of dormancy, [[Airbus A320|A320]] development has been picked up by ''skyop''. The aircraft has been updated with [[thrust reversal]], [[pushback]], [[Howto: Add contrails|contrails]], [[Howto: Implement generic tyre smoke|tire smoke]], [[Howto: Create custom splash screens|a new splash screen]], a new interior, animated clickable doors and cargo holds, [[Howto: Add aircraft lights|lights]], separate models for different winglet types, and a few bugs fixed here and there. Future plans include improvements to the cockpit and spoilers/speedbrakes. You can follow further A320 development at {{forum link|t=5759|text=its forum thread}}. | ||
===Bell P59 Airacomet and Bell 222 X=== | ===Bell P59 Airacomet and Bell 222 X=== | ||
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===DeHavilland Canada DHC-7-150 Dash 7=== | ===DeHavilland Canada DHC-7-150 Dash 7=== | ||
''Quadunit404'' has announced | ''Quadunit404'' has announced {{forum link|t=8805|text=intentions}} to produce his first aircraft, the De Havilland Canada DHC-7-150 Dash 7, adding yet another member of the De Havilland Canada family to to FlightGear fleet after active development begins. Currently he is learning how to model using [[Blender]], and [[nickyivyca]] has offered and been accepted to write a [[YASim]] [[FDM]]. | ||
===Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor=== | ===Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor=== | ||
''simbabeat'' and ''jackmermod'' are working to bring the F-22 Raptor to FlightGear. The fuselage and fdm are finished. The fuselage has been brought into the sim and animations have begun. Sadly, ''simbabeat'' suffered a computer crash and it is yet to be known if what was done will be recovered. For more information, see | ''simbabeat'' and ''jackmermod'' are working to bring the F-22 Raptor to FlightGear. The fuselage and fdm are finished. The fuselage has been brought into the sim and animations have begun. Sadly, ''simbabeat'' suffered a computer crash and it is yet to be known if what was done will be recovered. For more information, see {{forum link|t=8960|text=the forum thread}}. | ||
===BAE Hawk and T-45 Goshawk=== | ===BAE Hawk and T-45 Goshawk=== | ||
''Intel-Qube'' | ''Intel-Qube'' {{forum link|t=8960|text=is currently improving}} the BAE Hawk and the T-45 Goshawk. The model is done, and to be done are the cockpit and other parts of the aircraft. Currently (until approximately the second week of August), the development is on hiatus. | ||
===SpaceShipOne and White Knight=== | ===SpaceShipOne and White Knight=== | ||
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===Animated jetways=== | ===Animated jetways=== | ||
[[File:Movable_Jetway.jpg|thumb|A Jetway connecting to a [[Boeing 737-300|737-300]].]] | [[File:Movable_Jetway.jpg|thumb|A Jetway connecting to a [[Boeing 737-300|737-300]].]] | ||
''skyop'' and ''Gijs'' are currently working on animated jetways for FlightGear that can be activated with a click of the mouse. At the moment they are very primitive and only fit [[Boeing 737|737s]]. Planned features include automatic attachment to your airplane's door and even multiple jetways for wide-body airliners and [[Airbus A380|A380s]]. See | ''skyop'' and ''Gijs'' are currently working on animated jetways for FlightGear that can be activated with a click of the mouse. At the moment they are very primitive and only fit [[Boeing 737|737s]]. Planned features include automatic attachment to your airplane's door and even multiple jetways for wide-body airliners and [[Airbus A380|A380s]]. See {{forum link|t=8728|text=this thread}} for more information. | ||
[[Image:Dubai_v0_vs_cs-osm.png|thumb|270px|Dubai, with the new custom scenery data with OSM roads (left) and old vmap0 data.]] | [[Image:Dubai_v0_vs_cs-osm.png|thumb|270px|Dubai, with the new custom scenery data with OSM roads (left) and old vmap0 data.]] | ||
===Dublin scenery=== | ===Dublin scenery=== | ||
''eag1e'' created new terrain and buildings for Dublin airport (EIDW). For more details, see | ''eag1e'' created new terrain and buildings for Dublin airport (EIDW). For more details, see {{forum link|t=8874|text=this link}}. | ||
===Detailed terrain for Dubai=== | ===Detailed terrain for Dubai=== | ||
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===Night flying at London Gatwick=== | ===Night flying at London Gatwick=== | ||
The new version of [[London Gatwick Airport]] (EGKK) is available and has improved textures and features. It claims to be one of the few ''(two?)'' major international airports in [[FlightGear]] suitable for night flying with full lighting textures on all buildings, hazard lights and approximately one hundred lighting masts. The tower even has lit instrumentation visible in the control room. Images are shown at | The new version of [[London Gatwick Airport]] (EGKK) is available and has improved textures and features. It claims to be one of the few ''(two?)'' major international airports in [[FlightGear]] suitable for night flying with full lighting textures on all buildings, hazard lights and approximately one hundred lighting masts. The tower even has lit instrumentation visible in the control room. Images are shown at {{forum link|t=8363|text=the forum topic}}. | ||
The taxiways at night are complex but made easier if the official charts are downloaded from [http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com]. Many taxiway and runway signs have been included to help you on your way. Additional [[AI]] ground network and AI traffic have made this into a very busy airport and a single gate at each pier has been thoughtfully reserved so you can find a parking space when you land here (see the readme file for details). | The taxiways at night are complex but made easier if the official charts are downloaded from [http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com]. Many taxiway and runway signs have been included to help you on your way. Additional [[AI]] ground network and AI traffic have made this into a very busy airport and a single gate at each pier has been thoughtfully reserved so you can find a parking space when you land here (see the readme file for details). | ||
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===Los Angeles International Airport=== | ===Los Angeles International Airport=== | ||
[[Image:KLAX_newvsold.png|thumb|left|250px|New KLAX terminal 5 by Skyop vs. the old terminal 6 by MaverickAlex]] | [[Image:KLAX_newvsold.png|thumb|left|250px|New KLAX terminal 5 by Skyop vs. the old terminal 6 by MaverickAlex]] | ||
''skyop'' has remodeled the terminals, roadways, and parking garages for KLAX Los Angeles International Airport. Improvements include more realistic textures, more accurate gates, the addition of terminals 7 and 8, and more accurate placement of buildings. The original Encounter building, control tower, and welcome pylons by ''MaverickAlex'' have been retained. The new models are available through [[Terrasync]] or by direct download from | ''skyop'' has remodeled the terminals, roadways, and parking garages for KLAX Los Angeles International Airport. Improvements include more realistic textures, more accurate gates, the addition of terminals 7 and 8, and more accurate placement of buildings. The original Encounter building, control tower, and welcome pylons by ''MaverickAlex'' have been retained. The new models are available through [[Terrasync]] or by direct download from {{forum link|t=8862|text=the project forum thread}}. | ||
===Improvement of Eastfrisian Islands, North Sea=== | ===Improvement of Eastfrisian Islands, North Sea=== | ||
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===TransGear founder leaves=== | ===TransGear founder leaves=== | ||
Rob Shearman (MD-Terp), known by many as the founding father of the monthly [[TransGear]] events, | Rob Shearman (MD-Terp), known by many as the founding father of the monthly [[TransGear]] events, {{forum link|t=8809|text=announced}} his "retirement" at the forum. Although many Transgear Airlines pilots were surprised at the news, and feared that Transgear events would stop, some former participants are working to continue organizing the event. | ||
On behalf of everyone in the Flightgear community, we would like to thank Rob for all he has done, and wish him well in his retirement. | On behalf of everyone in the Flightgear community, we would like to thank Rob for all he has done, and wish him well in his retirement. | ||