FlightGear Newsletter August 2017: Difference between revisions

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(It's August now!)
m (Small improvements to layout, typo, no Screeenshot of the month, Changes after 2017.2(as 2017.3 release delayed))
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[[#FlightGear logos|FlightGear logos]]<br>
[[#FlightGear logos|FlightGear logos]]<br>
[[#Screenshots|Screenshots]]<br>
[[#Screenshots|Screenshots]]<br>
<small>[[#Screenshot of the Month|Screenshot of the Month]]</small>
|}</div>
|}</div>


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=== MapGear.py Improvement ===
=== MapGear.py Improvement ===


-MapGear now automatically displays the animated .GIF of the flightpath once you exit FlightGear. Just run:
*MapGear now automatically displays the animated .GIF of the flightpath once you exit FlightGear. Just run:


'fgfs --launcher  && python MapGear.py' in order to start the simulator and MapGear.
:'<code>fgfs --launcher  && python MapGear.py</code>' in order to start the simulator and MapGear.


-MeapGear will automatically save the fg_log.csv files of all your flights. It does this by saving the log files as fg_log-1.csv, fg_log-2.csv, fg_log-3.csv,... You don't have to manually rename the files ever again and you get to keep a record of all the your flightpaths (provided you enable '''debug>logging''').
*MeapGear will automatically save the fg_log.csv files of all your flights. It does this by saving the log files as fg_log-1.csv, fg_log-2.csv, fg_log-3.csv,... You don't have to manually rename the files ever again and you get to keep a record of all the your flightpaths (provided you enable '''debug>logging''').


Screenshot of MapGear:
Screenshot of MapGear:
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{{#ev:youtube|aXNy1r5UDEE}}
{{#ev:youtube|aXNy1r5UDEE}}
The code listens to the websocket, converts it to pandas time series objects, and then updates some plots.
The code listens to the websocket, converts it to pandas time series objects, and then updates some plots.
This could be useful for aircraft developers trying to analye the performance of their aircraft. Also, for a lot of good aircraft, the information for Vx, Vy, best glide speed etc are missing, maybe this could become a good way to benchmark these parameters.<ref>{{cite web
This could be useful for aircraft developers trying to analyse the performance of their aircraft. Also, for a lot of good aircraft, the information for Vx, Vy, best glide speed etc are missing, maybe this could become a good way to benchmark these parameters.<ref>{{cite web
   |url    =  https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?p=271257#p271257  
   |url    =  https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?p=271257#p271257  
   |title  =  <nowiki> Streaming FlightGear properties to Python </nowiki>  
   |title  =  <nowiki> Streaming FlightGear properties to Python </nowiki>  
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== In the hangar ==
== In the hangar ==
=== New version of the extra500 ===  
=== New version of the extra500 ===  
Version 4.4.0 is out! This version is for the upcoming Flightgear 2017.3 release, so you will be able to download/update it through the [[FlightGear Qt launcher|Launcher]] when the time comes. For those who want to try it out now, use the download links on our [[Extra EA-500#Download|our wiki page]].
Version 4.4.0 is out! This version is for the upcoming Flightgear 2017.3 release, so you will be able to download/update it through the [[FlightGear Qt launcher|Launcher]] when the time comes. For those who want to try it out now, use the download links on our [[Extra EA-500#Download|our wiki page]].<br>
Improvements/ changes include:
Improvements/ changes include:
* [[Extra EA-500/failure dialog|Failure dialog]]: reduce thrust (a lot) when propeller is damaged or (a little) when it has icing on it.
* [[Extra EA-500/failure dialog|Failure dialog]]: reduce thrust (a lot) when propeller is damaged or (a little) when it has icing on it.
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Truman03.jpg | Taxiing across the flightdeck with the Hawkeye
Truman03.jpg | Taxiing across the flightdeck with the Hawkeye
Truman04.jpg | Taxiing across the flightdeck with the Hawkeye
Truman04.jpg | Taxiing across the flightdeck with the Hawkeye
Truman05.jpg | Early-morning takeoff with the EC-135
Truman05.jpg | Early-morning takeoff with the [[Eurocopter EC135|EC-135]]
Truman06.jpg | Early-morning takeoff with the EC-135
Truman06.jpg | Early-morning takeoff with the [[Eurocopter EC135|EC-135]]
Truman07.jpg | Catapult launch of the F-14b
Truman07.jpg | Catapult launch of the [[F-14b]]
Truman08.jpg | Approach with deck lights on
Truman08.jpg | Approach with deck lights on
Truman09.jpg | Rain on the flightdeck
Truman09.jpg | Rain on the flightdeck
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=== Screenshots ===
=== Screenshots ===
The FlightGear project always needs screenshots, which show features that were added since the last release. These should be of good quality, especially in content and technical image properties. It is therefore recommended to use the best viable filter settings ([[anti-aliasing]], texture sharpening, etc.). More info at [[Howto:Make nice screenshots]].
The FlightGear project always needs screenshots, which show features that were added since the last release. These should be of good quality, especially in content and technical image properties. It is therefore recommended to use the best viable filter settings ([[anti-aliasing]], texture sharpening, etc.). More info at [[Howto:Make nice screenshots]].
==== Screenshot of the Month ====
Entries for this month's best screenshot can be submitted to [ this] <!-- link to SOTM topic --> forum topic. Be sure to see the [ first post] <!-- link to first post of SOTM topic --> for participation rules. For purposes of convenience and organization, after all the entries have been submitted, a new forum topic will be started containing all shots in an easy-to-view layout. The voting will then take place there. Once the voting has finished, the best screenshot will be presented on this page. --> <!-- Edit this when the SOTM topic for this month has been created -->
<!-- FlightGear's Screenshot of the Month May 2016 is ''TITLE'' by AUTHOR
[[File:|900px|center|TITLE]] --> <!-- Uncomment/edit this when the winner is chosen -->
<!-- If you want to participate in the screenshot contest of *NEXTMONTH*, you can submit your candidate to [ this] forum topic. Be sure to see the [ first post] for participation rules. For purposes of convenience and organization, after all the entries have been submitted, a new forum topic will be started containing all shots in an easy-to-view layout. The voting will then take place there. Once the voting has finished, the best screenshot will be presented in the Newsletter edition of *NEXTMONTH*. --> <!-- Uncomment/edit this when the SOTM topic for the following month has been created -->


[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2017 08]]
[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2017 08]]
[[Category:Changes after 2017.3]]
[[Category:Changes after 2017.2]]
 
[[de:FlightGear Newsletter {{#time: F Y | 2017-08 | de }}]]
[[de:FlightGear Newsletter {{#time: F Y | 2017-08 | de }}]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{Appendix}}
{{Appendix}}

Revision as of 11:29, 8 September 2017

Magagazine.png
Enjoy reading the latest edition!
Please help us write the coming edition!
August 2017

Development news
MapGear.py Improvement
Streaming FlightGear data to a Jupyter Notebook
In the hangar
New version of the extra500
New aircraft carrier

Scenery Corner
Caribbean Scenery Update
Community News
UAV Simulation

Contributing
Translators required
FlightGear logos
Screenshots

Development news

MapGear.py Improvement

  • MapGear now automatically displays the animated .GIF of the flightpath once you exit FlightGear. Just run:
'fgfs --launcher && python MapGear.py' in order to start the simulator and MapGear.
  • MeapGear will automatically save the fg_log.csv files of all your flights. It does this by saving the log files as fg_log-1.csv, fg_log-2.csv, fg_log-3.csv,... You don't have to manually rename the files ever again and you get to keep a record of all the your flightpaths (provided you enable debug>logging).

Screenshot of MapGear:

MapGear-screenshot.png


For screenshots and news/feature requests visit the FG forum: https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=31741&p=305873#p305873

For short youtube tutorial:

Streaming FlightGear data to a Jupyter Notebook

This is a demo of streaming live data from Flightgear to a Jupyter notebook:

The code listens to the websocket, converts it to pandas time series objects, and then updates some plots. This could be useful for aircraft developers trying to analyse the performance of their aircraft. Also, for a lot of good aircraft, the information for Vx, Vy, best glide speed etc are missing, maybe this could become a good way to benchmark these parameters.[1]

The github url as well: https://github.com/akloster/jupyter-flightgear The instructions are in the Readme and the notebook file. And yes, the combination of Python, Jupyter, Pandas, Matplotlib and Bokeh beats GNUPlot/csv by several orders of magnitude[2]

In the hangar

New version of the extra500

Version 4.4.0 is out! This version is for the upcoming Flightgear 2017.3 release, so you will be able to download/update it through the Launcher when the time comes. For those who want to try it out now, use the download links on our our wiki page.
Improvements/ changes include:

  • Failure dialog: reduce thrust (a lot) when propeller is damaged or (a little) when it has icing on it.
  • Exterior: procedural navigation and strobe lights, ALS landing light
  • Interior: "MakeHuman" occupants, baggage, some small cosmetic changes to the panel
  • General: added more catalog tags

New aircraft carrier

With the USS Harry S. Truman, there's now a highly detailed aircraft carrier model in Flightgear which takes the carrier ops experience to a new level.

  • Approaching USS Harry S. Truman

    Approaching USS Harry S. Truman

  • Inside the hangar deck

    Inside the hangar deck

  • Taxiing across the flightdeck with the Hawkeye

    Taxiing across the flightdeck with the Hawkeye

  • Taxiing across the flightdeck with the Hawkeye

    Taxiing across the flightdeck with the Hawkeye

  • Early-morning takeoff with the EC-135

    Early-morning takeoff with the EC-135

  • Early-morning takeoff with the EC-135

    Early-morning takeoff with the EC-135

  • Catapult launch of the F-14b

    Catapult launch of the F-14b

  • Approach with deck lights on

    Approach with deck lights on

  • Rain on the flightdeck

    Rain on the flightdeck

  • Using the elevator

    Using the elevator

Scenery corner

Caribbean Scenery Update

D-ECHO is reworking a big part of the Caribbean islands, namely

  • Saba
  • Montserrat
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Guadeloupe
  • Dominica
  • Martinique
  • St Lucia
  • St Vincent and Grenadines
  • Barbados
  • Grenada

The islands get new terrain based on OSM data and the latest airports from gateway.x-plane.com, partly reworked by D-ECHO. Parts of the big scenery update are already available, once it's considered more or less "completed", the scenery will be sent to TS (terrasync).

For those wanting to use it now, here are the compiled scenery packages:

while the uncompiled scenery data is available here:

Community news

UAV Simulation

Here is a video Curt shot recently of a real world UAV flight. Curt uses computer vision and augmented reality techniques to overlay a HUD that shows what the onboard EKF is thinking (the EKF is fancy math that estimates roll, pitch, yaw, velocities, positions, sensor biases, etc.) It also draws what the autopilot is doing using intuitive symbology. Finally it draws the flight path back into the video so you can see where you've flown. The video shows a hand launch in manual mode, switch over to autonomous flight, then fades to a portion of a the circle hold (showing the path repeatability/variation), then fades to an autonomous landing, and finally Curt picks up the aircraft, walks back to the runway center and pan the camera around to show (using augmented reality) where the aircraft has been flying and what the approach looked like[3]


Contributing

Translators required

En.gif The FlightGear Wiki still needs help for translating it into various languages. If you are interested in making the FlightGear Wiki multilingual, you can start by looking at Help:Translate.
Fr.gif Le wiki de FlightGear a toujours besoin d'aide pour être traduit en différentes langues. Si vous êtes intéressé par le rendre multilingue, commencez par lire Help:Traduire.
De.gif Das FlightGear Wiki benötigt immer noch Hilfe bei der Übersetzung in verschiedene Sprachen. Wenn Du Interesse daran hast, das FlightGear Wiki mehrsprachig zu machen, dann fang mit dem Help:Übersetzen an.
Nl.gif De FlightGear Wiki kan nog steed hulp gebruiken bij het vertalen van artikelen. Als je interesse hebt om de wiki meertalig te maken, raden we je aan om een kijkje te nemen bij Help:Vertalen.
Es.gif La wiki de FlightGear todavía necesita ayuda para traducirla a varios lenguajes. Si estás interesado en hacer la FlightGear wiki multilingüe, entonces comienza en Help:Traducir.
Cat.gif La wiki de FlightGear encara necessita ajuda per traduir-la a diverses llengües. Si esteu interessat en fer la wiki de FlightGear multilingüe, llavors comenceu a Help:Traduir.
Pt.gif A wiki de FlightGear ainda necessita de ajuda para traduzi-la em vários idiomas. Se estás interessado em tornar a wiki de FlightGear multi-lingual, por favor começa em Help:Traduzir.
Zh.gif FlightGear 百科仍然需要志愿者将其翻译为各种语言。如果你有兴趣让FlightGear百科支持更多语言, 你可以查看 Help:Translate.

FlightGear logos

If you want some graphic elements for your FlightGear-related site (such as a hangar or YouTube channel), please feel free to visit FlightGear logos for a repository of logos. And if you have some art skills, please don't hesitate to contribute with your own design creations.

Screenshots

The FlightGear project always needs screenshots, which show features that were added since the last release. These should be of good quality, especially in content and technical image properties. It is therefore recommended to use the best viable filter settings (anti-aliasing, texture sharpening, etc.). More info at Howto:Make nice screenshots.

References

References
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