FlightGear Newsletter May 2012: Difference between revisions

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== Development news ==
== Development news ==
=== Preparing a new release ===
=== Preparing a new release ===
In preperation for the next FlightGear release, repositories will be frozen as of June 17. This means that no new features or major changes shall be pushed onto the development streams (neither source nor data). The repository remains open for aircraft developments till the day of the release, with the exception of base package aircraft that should not receive major changes from June 17 onwards.
In preperation for the next [[FlightGear]] release, repositories will be frozen as of June 17. This means that no new features or major changes shall be pushed onto the development streams (neither source nor data). The repository remains open for aircraft developments till the day of the release, with the exception of base package aircraft that should not receive major changes from June 17 onwards.


See our [[release plan]] for more details.
See our [[release plan]] for more details.


=== Language Support ===
=== Language support ===
For a long time, FlightGear's multi-language support for the menus was broken. The language feature has been restored now, so it is again possible to translate the menu into different languages. Currently, only plain [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_Standard_Code_for_Information_Interchange&section=5#ASCII_printable_characters ASCII] characters and its [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin1 Latin1/ISO-8859-1] extension are supported though, which covers Western European languages only (Portuguese to German, Italian to Norwegian).
For a long time, FlightGear's multi-language support for the menus was broken. The language feature has been restored now, so it is again possible to translate the menu (not the submenus, yet) and the command line options into different languages. Currently, only plain [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_Standard_Code_for_Information_Interchange&section=5#ASCII_printable_characters ASCII] characters and its [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin1 Latin1/ISO-8859-1] extension are supported though, which covers Western European languages only (Portuguese to German, Italian to Norwegian).


Please see [[Howto:Translate FlightGear]] if you are interested in helping to translate FlightGear. We're currently looking for someone volunteering to update the existing, but incomplete '''Spanish''', '''French''' and '''Italian''' language resources. Also, you're welcome to add support for additional languages (e.g. Portuguese, Swedish, ...).
Please see [[Howto:Translate FlightGear]] if you are interested in helping to translate FlightGear. We're currently looking for someone volunteering to update the existing, but incomplete '''Spanish''' and '''Italian''' language resources. Also, you're welcome to add support for additional languages (e.g. Portuguese, Swedish, ...).


If your language isn't supported by FlightGear's limited character set yet (i.e. Japanese, Chinese, Russian, ...) then please be patient - a rework of the GUI library, which will also improve support for arbitrary fonts and character sets, is already in progress.
If your language isn't supported by FlightGear's limited character set yet (i.e. Japanese, Chinese, Russian, ...) then please be patient - a rework of the GUI library, which will also improve support for arbitrary fonts and character sets, is already in progress.
=== Canvas: Improved 2D drawing support ===
[[File:Cessna 172P Canvas Demo.png|thumb|270px|Demonstration of the new Canvas drawing API on the [[Cessna 172P]].]]
Tom is currently working on a 2D drawing API. The basic idea is to draw arbitrary 2D shapes and text to a texture and place it somewhere in the scene, like for example on virtual displays or as a HUD. This so called canvas should be controlled only by using the property tree, and will among other advantages, greatly simplify the creation of complex instruments which can be found in todays glass cockpits.
Currently it is possible to draw text, transform it, change it's style (color, background, font, etc.) and all of this through the property tree. To simplify the usage there also exists an experimental Nasal API which provides an object orientated wrapper around the property tree interface to the canvas.
The code is available in the latest development versions of FlightGear. The long term (after FlightGear 2.8) idea is to eventually port some other 2D elements to this backend (eg the HUD and 2D panels) so they use OSG (and osgText) natively, and hence reduce the amount of C++ code we have for these jobs. (And increase our chances of working with never OpenGL versions that forbid old style GL calls).
In the meantime the more testing and feedback we can get the better. In particular this system should offer a much more efficient way to build CDU interfaces than many text animations, but as always it needs people to experiment and report what features are missing to make their life easier. The video below shows what can be achieved without using tons of predefined text animations, but instead just some Nasal code.
As this system stablizes creating a 'fgcanvas' client analogous to [[FGPanel|'fgpanel']] should be doable too, which will allow to run a canvas in a standalone application.
Please see [[Canvas Properties]] for more details.
{{#ev:youtube|A7j-B0LgV-A}}
=== STG files: pitch and roll support ===
A patch has been applied to [[SimGear]] in order to support pitch and roll in [[File Formats#*.stg|STG files]]. Pitch and roll values are optional. A patch will be applied as soon as possible to the UFO in order to export these two new parameters.
This is an example of a new STG line :
OBJECT_SHARED Models/Effects/RedLight10000.xml -63.22143912 17.64412605 45.6715 0.0 10.0 45.0
Where 10.0 is pitch in degrees and 45.0 is roll in degrees.
=== Getting involved as a programmer ===
Please see [[Howto:Start core development]]


== Interview with a contributor (Jon Berndt) ==
== Interview with a contributor (Jon Berndt) ==
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* '''What is your background in Flight Simulation?
* '''What is your background in Flight Simulation?
I was graduated from the University of Minnesota (as was FlightGear Development Coordinator Curt Olson). I earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering there and in 1987 I went to work for Link Flight Simulation. I wrote the flight control simulation code for the F-16 as it was migrating from an analog control system to a digital control system. In the years following that I supported the Engineering Directorate at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, working with flight simulators almost continuously since then. Most recently, I went to work for Sierra Nevada Corporation to do simulation and analysis work, as well as supporting some wind tunnel testing, all for the Dream Chaser lifting body project. I have been a member of the AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technical Committee along with Bruce Jackson, author of LaRCSim.
I was graduated from the University of Minnesota (as was FlightGear Development Coordinator Curt Olson). I earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering there and in 1987 I went to work for Link Flight Simulation. I wrote the flight control simulation code for the F-16 as it was migrating from an analog control system to a digital control system. In the years following that I supported the Engineering Directorate at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, working with flight simulators almost continuously since then. Most recently, I went to work for Sierra Nevada Corporation to do simulation and analysis work, as well as supporting some wind tunnel testing, all for the Dream Chaser lifting body project. I have been a member of the AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technical Committee along with Bruce Jackson, author of LaRCSim.
 
* '''What else do you enjoy doing, besides coding in C++ late at night?
I enjoy playing acoustic guitar (fingerstyle), photography, hiking along the Colorado Front Range, playing catch/fetch with my dogs, tending to a 150 gallon saltwater aquarium, and doing various home remodeling projects. But what I really need is more sleep!
'''[http://www.flightgear.org/contributors/ Read previous interviews at our website's archive].'''
'''[http://www.flightgear.org/contributors/ Read previous interviews at our website's archive].'''
== Snapshot releases ==
Every now and then, easy-to-install development snapshots are created (usually, twice montlhy). These snapshos depict a recent state of the development version of FlightGear. By using them users can test out features that will be included in the upcoming release. Testers are encouraged to file bugs at [http://code.google.com/p/flightgear-bugs/ the issue tracker].
The snapshot can be download via the links at the bottom of this page: http://www.flightgear.org/download/. Updates and feedback can be found [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=10488&p=144233&hilit=snapshot#p144233 at the forum].
== Nasal for newbies ==


== New software tools and projects ==
== New software tools and projects ==
[[File:FlightGearMap map and simple panel at KSFO.png|thumb|270px|FlightGearMap with [[OpenStreetMap]] map and simple panel at [[San Francisco International Airport|KSFO]].]]
=== FlightGearMap ===
[[FlightGearMap]] is a new Android application that displays live FlightGear data in the form of some basic instruments and a moving map. User can choose between various [[OpenStreetMap]] maps and different display styles (just the map/panel, or both). It's still under development, but already worth downloading from [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.juanvvc.flightgear Google Play] (Android app store).


== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== FlightGear addons and mods ==
=== YASim engine feather ===
With a tiny modification of the <tt>propeller.ccp</tt> file, it is possible to feather engines on [[YASim]] aircraft. You can download a beta version of the modification for testing via this link: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18438878/propellersource.zip


== In the hangar ==
A video of engine feathering and unfeathering on the Pond Racer is available [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NVQJJ36yCg at YouTube].
All the way back in May 2011, we addopted a new status-rating system for aircraft. So far, only a few have actually been rated, as can be seen in the list 'hockenberry' set up at [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApzphjA4w05ndF94Y2F0bzJTbHQ5QTJXZXJRcUVRbWc&hl=en_US Google Docs]. If you're an aircraft developer and your aircraft is/are not on the list, please consider rating their status. All you'll need to know/do is described at [[Formalizing Aircraft Status]]. If you'd just like to get started contributing to FlightGear, this would also seem like an excellent way to get started.


=== New aircraft ===
[[File:Pondfeather.png|800px]]


=== Updated aircraft ===
== Liveries ==
The [[livery database]] got a search engine implemented, allowing users to find that specific livery they've been looking for. Searches can be filtered per aircraft, airline and/or author.


=== Liveries ===
Check it out at http://liveries.flightgear.org/search.php


== Scenery corner ==
== Scenery corner ==
=== Airports ===
=== V.C. Bird International Airport ===
V.C. Bird International Airport (TAPA) is the only airport on the island of Antigua. More information and a download link can be found in [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=16413 the forum topic].


== Aircraft of the month ==
[[File:TAPA 1.jpg|400px|The terminal of TAPA]] [[File:TAPA 4.png|400px|The terminal at night]]
== Airport of the month ==
[[File:TAPA 3.png|400px|In front of the terminal]] [[File:TAPA 10.jpg|400px|The LIAT hangar/head office]]
== Screenshot of the month ==


== Suggested flights ==
== Suggested flights ==
== Aircraft reviews ==
===Origin of the Amazon River===
For this [[IFR]] tour (with [[VFR]] parts) in Peru, we take off from the highest airfield in the world to discover the origin of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_River Amazon river] in South America. I promise spectacular mountains and valleys. The total length of this trip is about 175 NM.


== Wiki updates ==
Place your aircraft on the airfield SPRF, San Rafael. FlightGear will show snow all around you but that is not very realistic so let's clean up. View > Rendering Options > Snow line > Set to max (5,000 m).
===New articles===
 
<DynamicArticleList>
Equipment preparation:
  type=new
* Set [[NAV1]] to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arequipa Arequipa] VOR-DME at 113.7 with a radial of 176° (magnetic).
  count=10
* Set [[NAV2]] to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cusco Cusco] VOR-DME at 114.9 also with a radial of 176°.
</DynamicArticleList>
* Set [[QNH]] and during flight keep correcting it, it's a bad idea to use [[Pressure altitude]] during this flight.
===New aircraft articles===
* Set the [[heading bug]] to 250°. Arm the [[autopilot]] and set the initial [[altitude]] to 16,000 feet.
<DynamicArticleList>
 
  type=new
The airfield SPRF, San Rafael has an [[elevation]] of 14,422 feet. That altitude will cause problems during take-off. It takes a lot longer for the aircraft to gain sufficient speed for take-off, also the take-off speed that is needed is higher as you would expect. Perhaps an additional notch of flaps is needed.
  count=10
 
  categoryRoot=Aircraft
Take-off, avoid the bumps (there are plenty) and fly a course of 250°. After about 80 NM you will fly over the radial of NAV1. Intercept the radial towards Arequipa. At a distance of 75 NM towards NAV1 you will have to increase altitude to 19,000 feet.
</DynamicArticleList>
 
===Most popular newsletters===
At a distance of 50 NM towards NAV1 and 118 NM from NAV2 you will see and cross over the mountain [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevado_Mismi Nevado Mismi] with an altitude of 18,362 ft. The rains and water on the area to the right until Nevado Mismi will leave towards the Atlantic ocean through the Amazon river. Anything to the left and after Nevado Mismi will leave towards the Pacific ocean.
<DynamicArticleList>
 
  type=hot
[[Image:SPRF-002.png|400px|Cruising]] [[Image:SPRF-001.png|400px|Cruising]]
  count=5
 
  categoryRoot=FlightGear Newsletter
After Nevado Mismi you are tempted to descend. Don't. Just before the airfield is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chachani Mt.Chachani] with an altitude of 19,872 feet and to the East is the active volcano [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Misti El Misti] with an altitude of 19,101 feet. You can either increase the altitude and fly over the airfield or keep the altitude, even descend and fly between the mountains, your choice depends on the visibility.
</DynamicArticleList>
 
Fly using the heading bug and set NAV1 to [[ILS]] 109.7 with a radial of 93.2°. We will land at airfield [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodr%C3%ADguez_Ball%C3%B3n_International_Airport SPQU, Rodriguez ballon], that has an elevation of 8,405 feet. There is a reason this airfield has just one ILS. The area South-West of the airfield is below 11,405 feet and is safe to navigate.
 
[[Image:SPQU-001.png|400px|Pre-landing]] [[Image:SPQU-002.png|400px|Landed]]
 
Position the aircraft in front of the runway at an altitude of 11,405 feet, catch the [[glidescope]] at a distance of 9.5 NM and land your aircraft. After landing and parking your aircraft crawl into the tower to look around.
 
Happy flying!
 
For more amazing flights see [[Suggested Flights]].
 
====Airports and coordinates====
[[Image:World-SPRF.png|thumb|right|Latitude: -14.267 Longitude: -70.467]]
* [[SPRF|SPRF - San Rafael]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/SPRF.pdf chart]
* [[SPQU|SPQU - Rodriguez Ballon]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/SPQU.pdf chart]
Required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w020s80.tar.gz
 
====Suggested aircraft====
I recomend a powerful jet angine airplane, but not too heavy! The [[Cessna 550 Citation II]] is a good choice.
 
====Launching FlightGear====
fgfs --airport=SPRF --aircraft=Citation-II


== Community news ==
== Community news ==
=== FlightGear on YouTube ===
=== FlightGear on YouTube ===
* In [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHwbw04bKjI this video] you can see a cockpit landing with an [[Airbus A330-200]] at Tenerife North (GCXO).
* Tristan visited the [http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL099B2FFAD1D2A866&feature=plcp 10 most improved airports] in FlightGear and made a video of each visit.


=== New tutorials and screencasts ===
=== Forum news ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===
=== FlightGear events ===
== Useful links ==
== And finally ... ==
== And finally ... ==
=== Contributing ===
=== Contributing ===
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* The [[OpenRadar]] project is looking for a new maintainer.
* The [[OpenRadar]] project is looking for a new maintainer.
* 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|2012 05]]
[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2012 05]]
[[fr:Newsletter Mai 2012]]

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