FlightGear Newsletter August 2014: Difference between revisions

A big milestone has been achieved in the ongoing development of the EF2000, which FGUK's Algernon has been project managing since branching from the Eurofighter Typhoon project some years back: finally, a completely computerised Flight Control System which can simulate its real-life counterpart, with surface control fully autonomous and with an autopilot-based processor interpreting pilot input and commanding the system to fly its maximum performance envelope to obey, but not exceed safety or design limits. While a lot of these features are not yet implemented, we have established a working practice for the core system which allows extra elements to be introduced simply and effectively. I have heard it said that FG is incapable of simluating such systems - I hope here we have proved otherwise, and indeed that maybe this will be the first truly fly-by-wire aircraft in FlightGear!

Particular thanks for this milestone go to StuartC, who designed the basis of the FDM, and Tomaskom, whose help in fields where I am not much of a master (like mathematics) has been invaluable. Many updates are planned for the EF2000, including a whole new custom paintjob with many liveries, and it is hoped a final, V2.0 release may be available in the later part of the year. You can also get hold of a pre-release copy if you visit the [http://fguk.eu/index.php/forum/index FGUK Forum] and register your interest, for testing purposes - your feedback will be appreciated. Pre-releases will probably not be available until at least September 2014.