FlightGear Newsletter May 2011: Difference between revisions

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=== New plan for a FlightGear release ===
=== New plan for a FlightGear release ===
Good news: finally, a new FlightGear is planned again. We're aiming to release FlightGear '''2.4.0''' in mid August 2011.
Good news: finally, a new FlightGear release is planned again. We're aiming to release FlightGear '''2.4.0''' in mid August 2011.


Several people have now agreed to restart working on a new release and a new [[Release_Plan | release plan]] for more regular releases has been prepared. We're now aiming to have two releases per year - one in mid February and one in mid August.
Several people have now agreed to restart working on a new release and a new [[Release Plan|release plan]] for more regular releases has been prepared. We're now aiming to have two releases per year - one in mid February and one in mid August.


The current development branch will be used the base for a new release - which will be versioned as 2.4.0.
The current development branch will be used the base for a new release - which will be versioned as 2.4.0.
Original plans to release FlightGear 2.2.0 in February got stalled when a number of the developers involved became too busy/blocked with RL commitments. A 2.2.0 source branch had already been created, but has now been abandoned, since it hadn't been maintained for several months. FG2.2.0 will ''not'' be announced officially, and ''no'' installers/binaries/downloads will be prepared - though the last snapshot of 2.2.0 sources remains available in the source repository.
Original plans to release FlightGear 2.2.0 in February got stalled when a number of the developers involved became too busy/blocked with RL commitments. A 2.2.0 source branch had already been created, but has now been abandoned, since it hadn't been maintained for several months. FG2.2.0 will ''not'' be announced officially, and ''no'' installers/binaries/downloads will be prepared - though the last snapshot of 2.2.0 sources remains available in the source repository.


Preparations for the next release (FG 2.4.0) have already started. The release process will involve a phase of two months for beta testing, starting on June 17th. During this phase several release candidates (complete FlightGear installers) will be provided for testing. Our existing build automation (Hudson) has already been prepared to provide regular installers for Mac and Windows - as well as binaries for certain Linux distros. And of course - sources are available for any supported platform.
Preparations for the next release (FG 2.4.0) have already started. The release process will involve a phase of two months for beta testing, starting on June 17th. During this phase several release candidates (complete FlightGear installers) will be provided for testing. Our existing build automation (Hudson) has already been prepared to provide regular installers for Mac and Windows - as well as binaries for certain Linux distros. And of course - sources are available for any supported platform. Throughout this period, everyone is invited to test bug(-fixes) and report such things at [http://code.google.com/p/flightgear-bugs/ our bug tracker].


For more details see [[Release Plan | here]].
For more details see the [[Release Plan|release plan]].


== Nasal for newbies ==
== In the hangar ==
== New software tools and projects ==
 
=== Rating System ===
After a series of discussions on the -dev list and IRC, a simple rating system has been implemented. Based upon objective scoring of 4 criteria (FDM, Systems, Cockpit and External Model), the aim is to provide a straightforward way for aircraft developers to "rate" their aircraft in the aircraft-set.xml file, and provide an accurate "status" tag.
 
Aircraft developers are strongly encouraged to take the 5 minutes it will take to rate their aircraft. Hopefully enough developers will rate their aircraft in time for the upcoming release so that the 2.4.0 download page can be filtered in rating, allowing new (and old!) users to identify the hidden gems.
 
Details can be found on the wiki at [[Formalizing Aircraft Status]].


== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
=== New aircraft ===
=== New aircraft ===
==== Bombardier CRJ700 series ====
[[User:Skyop|Skyop]] has started constructing the Bombardier CRJ700 series, which will include the CRJ700, CRJ900, and CRJ1000. The original [[Bombardier CRJ-900|CRJ900]] will be phased out as a result. The exterior model, cockpit, and interior will be entirely redone with new skills and techniques he has learned. Currently the flight instruments are being rebuilt; at press time, the PFD ''(primary flight display)'' and MFD ''(multi-function display)'' have been completed and feature a new [[TCAS]] and radar display. The finished product will hopefully set a new standard for regional airliners in [[FlightGear]].
{{Gallery|
The United Express livery|CRJ700-devel-1.jpg|
The PFD and MFD in the flight deck|CRJ700-devel-2.jpg|
An Air Canada Jazz CRJ700|CRJ700-devel-3.jpg
}}
=== Updated aircraft ===
=== Updated aircraft ===


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[[Image:Airbus1.png|200px]] [[Image:Airbus.png|200px]]
[[Image:Airbus1.png|200px]] [[Image:Airbus.png|200px]]


=== Liveries ===
== Scenery corner ==
=== New animated jetways ===
[[User:Skyop|Skyop]] has completed a major overhaul of FlightGear's [[animated jetways]]. A long-standing limitation, the inability for each gate to interact independently, has finally been solved- as is the limitation that jetways do not know their position relative to the aircraft and thus must connect based on precalculated angles and positions. Also, several AI aircraft and MP aircraft can now connect to animated jetways. The generic model has also been updated, and several more models have been added. The result is that FlightGear finally has animated jetways more advanced than certain commercial flight simulators! The jetways are compatible with FlightGear 2.0.0, but a few source code changes were made in [[FlightGear and Git|Git]] that makes them easier to use on the Git version of FlightGear. Unlike the old system, the jetways are no longer completely contained within scenery- a few core files in [[$FG_ROOT]] must be modified and special definition files must be created. However, an editor and static STG file converter have been written to make this process easier.
 
{{Gallery|
A [[Boeing 777-200ER|777]] connected to gate A11A at KSFO|Animated-jetways-KSFO.jpg|
An overview of the new animated jetways at EHAM|Animated-jetways-EHAM.jpg|
Jetways at EGKK; note the connected AI aircraft|Animated-jetways-EGKK.jpg
}}
As of time of writing, the following airports support the new system:
* KSFO
* PANC
* EGKK
* EHAM
* KDEN
* KLAS
 
The following aircraft have support:
* AI 737
* AI 747-400
* AI A320
* AI MD-80
* Bombardier CRJ700 (see above)
* [[Boeing 717]]
* [[Boeing 777-200ER]]
 
Download aircraft support packages, download the base package, view development, and discuss at {{forum link|t=8728|text=the animated jetway project thread}}.
 
A YouTube video of the new system in action can be viewed [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18Icll91V2Y here].


== Scenery corner ==
=== TerraGear GUI: a first release ===
=== TerraGear GUI: a first release ===
[[File:TerraGearGUI.jpg|thumb|The last step: FGFS construct]]
[[File:TerraGearGUI.jpg|thumb|The last step: FGFS construct]]
After over a year of slow (and most of the time stalled) development, Gijs released a first full-feature version of his [[TerraGear GUI]]. The name explains it all: it is a graphical interface that allows users to generate scenery.  
After over a year of slow (and most of the time stalled) development, Gijs released a first full-feature version of his [[TerraGear GUI]]. The name explains it all: it is a graphical interface that allows users to generate scenery.  


It works comparable to FGRun, as it generates a commandline based on the user's settings and drives one of the TerraGear tools through that. Through a serie of tabs, the user is guided through the process of creating scenery. Steps include: downloading data, processing elevation data, generating airports, assigning materials and in the end, the actual scenery construction. Making changes in one of those steps will result in different scenery. The GUI allows users to easily finetune their scenery.
It works comparably to FGRun, as it generates a commandline based on the user's settings and drives one of the TerraGear tools through that. Through a series of tabs, the user is guided through the process of creating scenery. Steps include: downloading data, processing elevation data, generating airports, assigning materials and in the end, the actual scenery construction. Making changes in one of those steps will result in different scenery. The GUI allows users to easily finetune their scenery.


There are still lots of bugs to be solved, features to be added and improvements to be made. But, now that there's a useable GUI, more and more people will (be able to) discover the magic world of building scenery. And I'm sure that, if all those people give some feedback in the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7485 forum topic], the GUI will improve rapidly!
There are still lots of bugs to be solved, features to be added and improvements to be made. But, now that there's a useable GUI, more and more people will (be able to) discover the magic world of building scenery. And I'm sure that, if all those people give some feedback in the {{forum link|t=7485|text=forum topic}}, the GUI will improve rapidly!


===Seoul===
===Seoul===
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In addition to that, about 150 generic buildings have been added in Yeouido island, one of Seoul's main business districts. All of this is available through [[TerraSync]].
In addition to that, about 150 generic buildings have been added in Yeouido island, one of Seoul's main business districts. All of this is available through [[TerraSync]].


=== Airports ===
== Aircraft of the month ==
== Airport of the month ==
== Screenshot of the month ==
== Screenshot of the month ==
[[File:Winner.jpg|400px|]]


[[File:Winner.jpg|400px|]]<br>
Screenshot which won Contest for the Best Screenshot of 2011 on Polish FlightGear forum.<br>
Screenshot which won Contest for the Best Screenshot of 2011 on Polish FlightGear forum.<br>
Congratulations for viper29!
Congratulations for viper29!


== Suggested flights ==
== Aircraft reviews ==
== Aircraft reviews ==


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Jentron extended our JSBSim documentation, mainly working on [[JSBSim GroundReactions]] and [[JSBSim Engines]]. A great source for information if you're working on a [[JSBSim]] model.
Jentron extended our JSBSim documentation, mainly working on [[JSBSim GroundReactions]] and [[JSBSim Engines]]. A great source for information if you're working on a [[JSBSim]] model.
===New articles===
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===New aircraft articles===
<DynamicArticleList>
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  categoryRoot=Aircraft
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===Most popular newsletters===
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  type=hot
  count=5
  categoryRoot=FlightGear Newsletter
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== Community news ==
== Community news ==
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* http://www.flickr.com/groups/flightgear_simulator/
* http://www.flickr.com/groups/flightgear_simulator/
* http://www.flickr.com/groups/flightgear/
* http://www.flickr.com/groups/flightgear/
=== New tutorials and screencasts ===
 
=== Forum news ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===
=== FlightGear events ===
=== FlightGear events ===


== Useful links ==
==== TransGear: Horizontal Europe ====
[[TransGear]] is a monthly event, aimed at gathering a group of enthusiastic pilots around certain airports and routes. All of this is guided by realistic (vocal) ATC, via the [[FGCom]] software. In June, the 22nd event will be organised. It will involve 9 airports spread horizontally across central and western Europe. Such events are a great oppurtunity to polish up both your flying and communication skills. But above all it's a lot of fun to be part of a pretty realistic simulation, instead of the notorious KSFO crowd!
 
More details at the:
* {{forum link|t=12240|text=forum topic}}
* [http://transgear.treborlogic.com/ official website]
 
 
== And finally ... ==
== And finally ... ==
=== On this day in aviation history ===
If you're looking for a good reason to fly a plane, fly over a place, organize a special event etc. Well, just a 'valuable excuse' for launching FlightGear on your PC: check the FlightGear [http://www.sites.google.com/site/flightgearotdia dedicated site] 'On This Day in Aviation History' or the {{forum link|t=11613|text=dedicated topic} in the forum. Both show historical aviation-related events that wrote part of worldwide history.
=== 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 mis-conception 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.  
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 mis-conception 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.  
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* The [[FGFSPM]] (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer.
* The [[FGFSPM]] (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer.


=== Did you know ===
[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2011 05]]

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