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When you first start FlightGear, whether from the command line or the graphical interface of the launchers, you may wonder how to determine what airports are available. The launcher displays a list of airports, but you will not see details such as tower or [[ILS]] frequencies. You will not find a map showing [[VOR]]s and their frequencies. What can you do? See [[Getting aeronautical charts]]. | When you first start FlightGear, whether from the command line or the graphical interface of the launchers, you may wonder how to determine what airports are available. The launcher displays a list of airports, but you will not see details such as tower or [[ILS]] frequencies. You will not find a map showing [[VOR]]s and their frequencies. What can you do? See [[Getting aeronautical charts]]. | ||
In-sim, there is a map you can use in ''Main Menu'' > ''Equipment'' > ''Map'', which will allow you to see navigation data and the position of airports and aids. For more help with navigation see [[Understanding navigation]]. | In-sim, there is a map you can use in ''Main Menu'' > ''Equipment'' > ''Map'', which will allow you to see navigation data and the position of airports and aids. For more help with navigation see [[Understanding navigation]]. | ||
=== Flying using the autopilot === | ===Flying using the autopilot=== | ||
Some aircraft require you to use the [[autopilot]] available from the ''Autopilot'' menu, which is the original FlightGear autopilot. This is a ''generic'' autopilot and as such, many aircraft come with their own ''specific'' autopilot, frequently a model of the real life one. | Some aircraft require you to use the [[autopilot]] available from the ''Autopilot'' menu, which is the original FlightGear autopilot. This is a ''generic'' autopilot and as such, many aircraft come with their own ''specific'' autopilot, frequently a model of the real life one. | ||
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The Cessna 172 comes with a [[Bendix/King KAP140 Autopilot]] in its virtual cockpit. You cannot use the ''Autopilot'' dialog from the menu with this aircraft. You must use the autopilot device in the panel. | The Cessna 172 comes with a [[Bendix/King KAP140 Autopilot]] in its virtual cockpit. You cannot use the ''Autopilot'' dialog from the menu with this aircraft. You must use the autopilot device in the panel. | ||
== The FlightGear community == | ==The FlightGear community== | ||
=== Getting help === | ===Getting help=== | ||
This page is designed to give the user the essential things they need to know about using FlightGear for the first time. Besides the [[Portal:User|User portal]] of this wiki, there are other pages you may want to read: | This page is designed to give the user the essential things they need to know about using FlightGear for the first time. Besides the [[Portal:User|User portal]] of this wiki, there are other pages you may want to read: | ||
* [[Troubleshooting problems]] to help you with the most common issues; | *[[Troubleshooting problems]] to help you with the most common issues; | ||
* [[Frequently asked questions]]; | *[[Frequently asked questions]]; | ||
...and communication channels that can be used to obtain information or request help: | ...and communication channels that can be used to obtain information or request help: | ||
* The [[FlightGear Manual]], a ''must read'' for beginners; | *The [[FlightGear Manual]], a ''must read'' for beginners; | ||
* {{forum link|text=FlightGear Forum}} and its subforums; | *{{forum link|text=FlightGear Forum}} and its subforums; | ||
* [[FlightGear IRC channel]], the quickest way to get help; | *[[FlightGear IRC channel]], the quickest way to get help; | ||
* [[Mailing list|FlightGear users mailing list]], biggest chance to get in contact with core developers; | *[[Mailing list|FlightGear users mailing list]], biggest chance to get in contact with core developers; | ||
* Documents bundled with the release package. | *Documents bundled with the release package. | ||
=== Customizing FlightGear without compiling it === | ===Customizing FlightGear without compiling it=== | ||
[http://www.flightgear.org/download/ Our website] offers precompiled binaries for download and install on Windows and Mac OSX, while most Linux distributions provide a packaged version in their repositories. | [http://www.flightgear.org/download/ Our website] offers precompiled binaries for download and install on Windows and Mac OSX, while most Linux distributions provide a packaged version in their repositories. | ||
Although the install is binary, most of FlightGear's systems are open to configuration through [[XML]] files and [[NASAL scripting]]. You are free ''and encouraged'' to make changes to aircraft flight models, scenery, textures, OpenGL [[shader]]s and any other feature you wish to change for your personal satisfaction or to share with other FlightGear users. If this is what you intend to do, take a look at the [[Portal:Developer|Developer portal]]. | Although the install is binary, most of FlightGear's systems are open to configuration through [[XML]] files and [[NASAL scripting]]. You are free ''and encouraged'' to make changes to aircraft flight models, scenery, textures, OpenGL [[shader]]s and any other feature you wish to change for your personal satisfaction or to share with other FlightGear users. If this is what you intend to do, take a look at the [[Portal:Developer|Developer portal]]. | ||
=== How you can help === | ===How you can help=== | ||
{{Main article|Volunteer}} | {{Main article|Volunteer}} | ||
FlightGear is an open source, volunteer based project. That means that whatever you find here comes from passion, spare time and nothing else. This includes the simulator, the scenery, the aircraft, the wiki, the {{forum link|text=forum}} and everything else. Volunteers, in essence ''people that do things'', are fundamental to this project. Without them, it would not make a single step forward. So it is essential that contributors have fun in what they do. | FlightGear is an open source, volunteer based project. That means that whatever you find here comes from passion, spare time and nothing else. This includes the simulator, the scenery, the aircraft, the wiki, the {{forum link|text=forum}} and everything else. Volunteers, in essence ''people that do things'', are fundamental to this project. Without them, it would not make a single step forward. So it is essential that contributors have fun in what they do. | ||
If you plan to contribute to this project, you should take a look at some articles that will give you some hints: | If you plan to contribute to this project, you should take a look at some articles that will give you some hints: | ||
* [[Howto:Understand the FlightGear development process]] | *[[Howto:Understand the FlightGear development process]] | ||
* [[Implementing new features for FlightGear]] | *[[Implementing new features for FlightGear]] | ||
* [[How the FlightGear project works]] | *[[How the FlightGear project works]] | ||
There are never enough people contributing, and the fields where their help would be appreciated are many: | There are never enough people contributing, and the fields where their help would be appreciated are many: | ||
;Testing : | ;Testing: | ||
* [[Building FlightGear|Build]] the latest Git code or download snapshots from the [[FlightGear Build Server]] | *[[Building FlightGear|Build]] the latest Git code or download snapshots from the [[FlightGear Build Server]] | ||
* [https://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/codetickets/ File bug reports] | *[https://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/codetickets/ File bug reports] | ||
* Running FlightGear via valgrind to track down memory leaks | *Running FlightGear via valgrind to track down memory leaks | ||
;Support : | ;Support: | ||
* Help new users with downloading, compiling, installing and running FlightGear ({{forum link|text=on the forum}} or on IRC) | *Help new users with downloading, compiling, installing and running FlightGear ({{forum link|text=on the forum}} or on IRC) | ||
* Provide ideas & suggestions, see: [[Feature Requests / Proposals / Ideas]] | *Provide ideas & suggestions, see: [[Feature Requests / Proposals / Ideas]] | ||
* Help clean up this wiki | *Help clean up this wiki | ||
* Help provide new contents for missing wiki pages | *Help provide new contents for missing wiki pages | ||
;Development : | ;Development: | ||
* C/C++ Coding: | *C/C++ Coding: | ||
** Provide source code cleanups (in essence help in the process of migrating over to a primarily smart pointer-based memory management approach using SGSharedPtr) | **Provide source code cleanups (in essence help in the process of migrating over to a primarily smart pointer-based memory management approach using SGSharedPtr) | ||
** Provide bug fixes [[Bugs]] or new features | **Provide bug fixes [[Bugs]] or new features | ||
** Get involved in any of the other FlightGear-affiliated projects | **Get involved in any of the other FlightGear-affiliated projects | ||
* Aircraft development (3D modelling, textures, FDMs, scripting) | *Aircraft development (3D modelling, textures, FDMs, scripting) | ||
* Scenery development (terrain, model, weather) | *Scenery development (terrain, model, weather) | ||
[[Category:FlightGear]] | [[Category:FlightGear]] | ||