FlightGear Newsletter December 2016

This newsletter is a draft. Please feel free to add content that you think will be of interest to the FlightGear community. You can read the latest newsletter at FlightGear Newsletter November 2016.

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December 2016

Development news ALS chute animation effect ALS model shader options for glossy surfaces In the hangar Aérospatiale / Westland Gazelle Bobcat Volanti

Scenery Corner Community News Article on FlightSim.com

Contributing Translators required FlightGear logos Screenshots Screenshot of the Month

Development news

ALS chute animation effect

The ALS effect suite has been expanded by an animation effect for parachutes. The effect simulates the deformation of a round parachute under stresses. The chute changes form and behavior dependent on how much drag it supplies, and can even be made to go through a plausible series of motions when jettisoned.

Read more... on the ALS effect wiki page.

ALS model shader options for glossy surfaces

The model shader has some issues with preserving the colors when using environment reflections. In particular, a white glossy fuselage might appear grey when adding reflections (left). Using the new 'grain merge' option, the color can be preserved much better (right).

In addition, the reflection has been augmented by a small-angle configurable Fresnel enhancement.

Read more... on the ALS effect wiki page.

In the hangar

Aérospatiale / Westland Gazelle

The FGUK Development team are absolutely ecstatic to be able to announce the release of our Gazelle for FlightGear. Encompassing not only the Westland but also the Aerosptiale models with the differences modelled between them this is a real delight for anyone with an interest in these fantastic helicopters.

DOWNLOAD HERE: FGUK Download Hangar - Gazelle

Preview video:-

https://youtu.be/aog0ZqMbDlc

Flight Gear Gazelle V1.0

'RELEASE NOTES:-'

V1.0

• Extensive FDM rework to provide a more realistic Gazelle flight performance.
• Cockpit textures reworked.
• Both versions have realistic flight instruments. Westland version is based on the British Armed forces version.
• Light switches now located on the Main panel. landing light switch is located on the Collective.
• Collective, Cyclic, Pedals, Rotor brake and Engine power lever all animated.
• Manual start / shut down possible ( see help file ).
• Both support Multiplayer passenger modes so you can take your friends for a flight.
• All cabin doors are animated ( Click to open / close )
• Updated sound pack.
• Configuration options. Westland has the Military kit option, the Aérospatiale has Onions ( try the onions ! )

17 Liveries available between both versions

Browser based Help file available in the "Gazelle" menu option in sim.

More photos on the Flight Gear UK Facebook Page

Bobcat Volanti

Bobcat Volanti has been released. It is a fictional helicopter and body is based off GTA Vice City Bobcat.

Community news

Article on FlightSim.com

Thorsten published a very interesting article on FlightSim.com where he describes some features of Atmospheric light scattering like among others haze, sun phenomena, sunrise, aurora borealis and some aircraft effects. This article also shows some very beautiful screenshots which have been never published anywhere else.

Contributing

Translators required

	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.

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.

Screenshot of the Month

FlightGear's Screenshot of the Month December 2016 is Morning patrol over Coblenz, November 1944 by Jonathan S.