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FlightGear Newsletter January 2011: Difference between revisions
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'''FlightGear Newsletter January 2011''' | |||
== | == Development news == | ||
The | ===2.2.0 Release Status=== | ||
The next stable FlightGear release is being assembled, with many bugs being fixed by various contributors, in different areas of the simulator - especially relating to JSBSim and resetting the simulator. Lots of work has been done to automate producing release builds (including installers) in a reliable, repeatable way, which will accelerate the release schedule in the future. | |||
The | The remaining task is gluing the 'base package' tarball into the installers for Windows and Mac, so they form a complete, finished installer. To this end, a release branch now exists for the 'fgdata' repository, and the final pieces of automation are being worked upon. Even with most of the aircraft removed, the base package for 2.2.0 has grown somewhat, coming in at around 400MB compressed - mostly thanks to improved scenery models, aircraft and sounds. | ||
===Important FGRun memory fix=== | ===Important FGRun memory fix=== | ||
[[FGRun]] used to keep all loaded aircraft (in one session) in cache for quick re-view on the aircraft selection page. There were cases reported in which the memory usage reached 1GB; slowing down the entire computer tremendously! Since FGRun must stay open during your FlightGear flights, it decreased in-sim framerates. With the fix, FGRun only uses necessary resources. | [[FGRun]] used to keep all loaded aircraft (in one session) in cache for quick re-view on the aircraft selection page. There were cases reported in which the memory usage reached 1GB; slowing down the entire computer tremendously! Since FGRun must stay open during your FlightGear flights, it decreased in-sim framerates. With the fix, FGRun only uses necessary resources. | ||
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===JSBSim: NaN Fixes=== | ===JSBSim: NaN Fixes=== | ||
=== | === Mouse acceleration === | ||
Syd and Torsten implemented a mouse acceleration feature. This allows aircraft developers to make their levers/switches controllable by the click&drag principle. Extremely useful for thrust levers for example, where one can click on the lever and drag the mouse forward in order to advance thrust. Allowing for the most realistic simulations with a simple mouse. Amongst example aircraft that currently make use of this new feature are the [[SenecaII]] and [[Boeing 777-200ER]] | |||
== New software tools and projects == | == New software tools and projects == | ||
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Curt Olson recently leveraged the perl scripting language and a simple spline module to generate a 3d model of a UAV design that would have been hard to model with more traditional approaches | Curt Olson recently leveraged the perl scripting language and a simple spline module to generate a 3d model of a UAV design that would have been hard to model with more traditional approaches | ||
[http://www.flightgear.org/blogs/curt/uas/misc/3d-modelling-with-perl/ Details and pictures can be found at Curt's blog.] | [http://www.flightgear.org/blogs/curt/uas/misc/3d-modelling-with-perl/ Details and pictures can be found at Curt's blog.] | ||
== In the hangar == | == In the hangar == | ||
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====Spitfire Vb==== | ====Spitfire Vb==== | ||
[[File:SpifireVb-snapshot_001.jpg|thumb]]A new version of the Spitfire has been added to the hanger. The Spitfire V, although a stopgap version, became the second most numerous variant to be produced. It was widely exported to foreign airforces both during and after WWII. The version | [[File:SpifireVb-snapshot_001.jpg|thumb]]A new version of the Spitfire has been added to the hanger. The Spitfire V, although a stopgap version, became the second most numerous variant to be produced. It was widely exported to foreign airforces both during and after WWII. The version modeled here is the B version with 2 20mm cannon and 4 .303 machine guns. The cannon ammunition was carried in drums, limiting the supply to 60 rounds per gun, and necessitating blisters on top and underneath the wing. The particular aircraft depicted is preserved, and is still flying today. You can see a walkround here: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEOab7KiDlc] | ||
==== Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA ==== | ==== Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA ==== | ||
[[File:PAK-FA.png|thumb]]Ummon and pjedvaj have started the PAK-FA project. The PAK FA, also known as the T-50, is a fifth generation jet fighter prototype developed by Sukhoi OKB in Russia. It is scheduled to enter service by 2014. The | [[File:PAK-FA.png|thumb]]Ummon and pjedvaj have started the PAK-FA project. The PAK FA, also known as the T-50, is a fifth generation jet fighter prototype developed by Sukhoi OKB in Russia. It is scheduled to enter service by 2014. The FlightGear version features a new high-poly model and set of animations, along with three liveries. The FDM has been redone in JSBSim and features thrust vectoring control and fly by wire stability augmentation. Cockpit instruments are not modeled yet. | ||
=== Updated aircraft === | === Updated aircraft === | ||
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[[File:M18B_Dromader-cockpit_20110131.png|thumb|The PZL M18B Dromader new cockpit]] | [[File:M18B_Dromader-cockpit_20110131.png|thumb|The PZL M18B Dromader new cockpit]] | ||
The popular AG plane received a big update this month. An improved FDM with load & weight balance, a nice detailed cockpit almost complete, custom flight instruments, new systems, customs sounds taken from a real Dromader, and much more. Read the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9929 topic in the official forums] for more information. | The popular AG plane received a big update this month. An improved FDM with load & weight balance, a nice detailed cockpit almost complete, custom flight instruments, new systems, customs sounds taken from a real Dromader, and much more. Read the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9929 topic in the official forums] for more information. | ||
== Scenery corner == | == Scenery corner == | ||
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=== Airports === | === Airports === | ||
====Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (KCHO)==== | ====Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (KCHO)==== | ||
[[File:KCHOdevJan.png|200px|thumb|left|KCHO under development]]I admit that I've taken a couple of weeks off, but I have made some | [[File:KCHOdevJan.png|200px|thumb|left|KCHO under development]]I admit that I've taken a couple of weeks off, but I have made some significant progress since December. I have made the rain canopy (or whatever it's called) almost completely accurate, I've made the building more realistic (height-wise), and I've added the cylinder part of the airport. My goals to get to by February are completing the doors, add-in the second waiting room (external of course), and add the windows to the cylinder. | ||
====Samedan Engiadina Airport (LSZS)==== | ====Samedan Engiadina Airport (LSZS)==== | ||
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For those not using Terrasync the files (including the .stg file) are available for download at | For those not using Terrasync the files (including the .stg file) are available for download at | ||
http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg | http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg | ||
== Suggested flights == | == Suggested flights == | ||
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British Airways, US Airways and American Airlines, among others, all fly into St. Kitts' Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (TKPK) in real life. | British Airways, US Airways and American Airlines, among others, all fly into St. Kitts' Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (TKPK) in real life. | ||
Take off from TKPK in a [[Piper Cub]] and make a northward, clockwise circle of the island. Start your descent on the east side of the island, and focus on the small hill which separates the north from the south. Start hugging the coast near the beach and look to the west - as soon as the railroad heads to the southwest, you're about ready to turn for final. Make your right hand turn for final and taxi to the terminal. | Take off from TKPK in a [[Piper J3 Cub|Piper Cub]] and make a northward, clockwise circle of the island. Start your descent on the east side of the island, and focus on the small hill which separates the north from the south. Start hugging the coast near the beach and look to the west - as soon as the railroad heads to the southwest, you're about ready to turn for final. Make your right hand turn for final and taxi to the terminal. | ||
If you want to fully explore this whole country, take off in a [[De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver|Beaver]], which has a little more speed, and fly a figure eight. Take off from TKPK and circle the airport to the north like in the Cub. Then instead of landing, perform a touch-and-go and turn left over the boat terminal and make for the west coast of Nevis. Enjoy the beauty of the south coast of St. Kitts before circling Nevis. Over Nevis, you have several options - cut your flight short and land at TKPN on the island of Nevis, complete the "figure eight" by heading back to TKPK, or check your fuel and head east across the Caribbean to Antigua (which does not have custom land cover). | If you want to fully explore this whole country, take off in a [[De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver|Beaver]], which has a little more speed, and fly a figure eight. Take off from TKPK and circle the airport to the north like in the Cub. Then instead of landing, perform a touch-and-go and turn left over the boat terminal and make for the west coast of Nevis. Enjoy the beauty of the south coast of St. Kitts before circling Nevis. Over Nevis, you have several options - cut your flight short and land at TKPN on the island of Nevis, complete the "figure eight" by heading back to TKPK, or check your fuel and head east across the Caribbean to Antigua (which does not have custom land cover). | ||
== Community news == | == Community news == | ||
=== FlightGear on Facebook === | === FlightGear on Facebook === | ||
Since early December, FlightGear has an [http://www.facebook.com/FlightGear official Facebook page]. | Since early December, FlightGear has an [http://www.facebook.com/FlightGear official Facebook page]. By the end of January 2011, over 1600 people had "liked" it. Please feel free to join the page, if you have a Facebook account. | ||
=== FlightGear on YouTube === | === FlightGear on YouTube === | ||
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* Albicop simulated the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo4oO7KqPlE Hudson River Landing in FlightGear]. Although the New York scenery is far from accurate (it is being worked at, as you can [[#New York City|read elsewhere]] in this newsletter), the video is quite a good resemblance with the actual flight. | * Albicop simulated the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo4oO7KqPlE Hudson River Landing in FlightGear]. Although the New York scenery is far from accurate (it is being worked at, as you can [[#New York City|read elsewhere]] in this newsletter), the video is quite a good resemblance with the actual flight. | ||
* HHS and ot-666 continuously improve the LOJO heliport, showcased in a video featuring the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTn2PIcRz1g movable helipads]. | * HHS and ot-666 continuously improve the LOJO heliport, showcased in a video featuring the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTn2PIcRz1g movable helipads]. | ||
* Active road vehicles are something FlightGear lacks compared to other sims. Luckily there are people trying various methods to implement traffic. One of them is Tuxklok, who [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTJnbuxdWtQ placed some nice traffic] near Insbruck, | * Active road vehicles are something FlightGear lacks compared to other sims. Luckily there are people trying various methods to implement traffic. One of them is Tuxklok, who [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTJnbuxdWtQ placed some nice traffic] near Insbruck, Germany. Definitely something we'll hear more of in the future! | ||
*A look back at last month: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqED3XM4KxU Christmas! A FlightGear Movie] by Oscar. | *A look back at last month: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqED3XM4KxU Christmas! A FlightGear Movie] by Oscar. | ||
=== Forum news === | === Forum news === | ||
The [http://flightgear.org/forums FlightGear forum] was updated with a new addon that allows topic starters to mark their topics as "solved". Solved topics receive a little green icon next to their titles. Clicking these icons will bring you directly to the post that contains the answer/solution to the main problem of the topic. | The [http://flightgear.org/forums FlightGear forum] was updated with a new addon that allows topic starters to mark their topics as "solved". Solved topics receive a little green icon next to their titles. Clicking these icons will bring you directly to the post that contains the answer/solution to the main problem of the topic. | ||
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More info on how to use this new feature is available in [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=10805 the announcement topic] (recommended to read before using!). | More info on how to use this new feature is available in [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=10805 the announcement topic] (recommended to read before using!). | ||
===FlightGear Flying Club=== | |||
The [[FlightGear Flying Club]] (FGFC) released a promo video; in the search for new members. Details are available at [[FlightGear Flying Club]]. | The [[FlightGear Flying Club]] (FGFC) released a promo video; in the search for new members. Details are available at [[FlightGear Flying Club]]. | ||
{{#ev:youtube|pMmYPbW0zl4}} | {{#ev:youtube|pMmYPbW0zl4}} | ||
== And finally ... == | == And finally ... == | ||
=== Contributing === | === Contributing === | ||
One of the regular thoughts expressed on the FlightGear forums is "I'd like to contribute but I don't know how to program, and I don't have the time". Unfortunately, there is a common | One of the regular thoughts expressed on the FlightGear forums is "I'd like to contribute but I don't know how to program, and I don't have the time". Unfortunately, there is a common misconception that contributing requires programming and lots of free time. In fact, there are a huge range of ways to contribute to the project without needing to write code or spending days working on something. | ||
For ideas on starting to contribute to FlightGear, you may want to check out: [[Volunteer]]. | For ideas on starting to contribute to FlightGear, you may want to check out: [[Volunteer]]. | ||
=== Call for volunteers === | |||
The [[OpenRadar]] project is looking for a new maintainer. | |||
The [[TerraGear GUI]] project is looking for programmers to help create a GUI frontend for [[TerraGear]] [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7485#p102005]. | |||
The [[FGFSPM]] (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer. | |||
=== Reminder: Google's Summer of Code 2011 === | === Reminder: Google's Summer of Code 2011 === | ||
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So all users are invited to help us progress further with our preparations for GSoC 2011. If you have any questions or other feedback, please use the forum to [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=38 get in touch]. | So all users are invited to help us progress further with our preparations for GSoC 2011. If you have any questions or other feedback, please use the forum to [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=38 get in touch]. | ||
''Thanks for reading FlightGear Newsletter January 2011!'' | |||
[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2011 01]] | [[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2011 01]] | ||