FlightGear Newsletter October 2011

Welcome to the FlightGear Newsletter! Please help us write the next edition! Enjoy reading the latest edition!

We would like to emphasize that the monthly newsletter can not live without the contributions of FlightGear users and developers. Everyone with a wiki account (free to register) can edit the newsletter and every contribution is welcome. So if you know about any FlightGear related projects such as for example updated scenery or aircraft, please do feel invited to add such news to the newsletter.

Interview with a developer (NAME)

• How long have you been involved in FlightGear?
• What are your major interests in FlightGear?
• What project are you working on right now?
• What do you plan on doing in the future?
• Are you happy with the way the FlightGear project is going?
• What do you enjoy most about developing for FlightGear?
• Are there any "hidden features" you have worked on in FlightGear that new users may miss?
• What advice can you give to new developers who want to get started on their first aircraft/new feature/Nasal script?

Screenshot of the month

• Learjet 35-A and Mount Everest viewed from West towards East. Atlas image of the route to VNTR. I could see the direction of NDB and knew the altitude of the RW. The RW was not visible till the absolute last moment racing down with airbrakes at max. The landing was a success but I had to change underwear and clean the seat.

Suggested flights

It's cold where we will go so dress up warm and if we are lucky we might see whales during our flight. Don't fly too high to enjoy the amazing views, and there is a small challenge at the end. The runways we will use are long enough for bigger aircraft (7000+). Total length of the trip will be around 245 NM.

Alaska, here we come! Enjoy!

1. Park your aircraft on PAKT, Ketchikan International, runway 11. The wind is coming from South, change the weather if needed (SE is ok too).
2. Fly North towards NDB Fredericks Point on 372.0 for 94 NM.
3. Fly towards NDB Five Fingers on 295.0 for 39 NM.
4. Fly towards NDB Gustavus on 219.0 for 77 NM.
5. Fly towards NDB Coghlan Island on 212.0 for 32 NM.
6. Set the ILS on 109.9 and land your aircraft (after 4 NM) on PAJN, Juneau International, runway 08.

If you feel warm after this landing, you just crossed a NORAD microwave site, so that is why.

• More amazing flights can be found at places to fly.

Community news

New tutorials and screencasts

Icecode's and Star's hangar which was created on February 2011, is now bringing a new Tutorials section where a new tutorial will be uploaded each week (sometimes more often). Starting with this week's tutorial "VOR navigation". The tutorials are not going to be only limited on how to fly aircrafts but also we'll be showing you tips on how to develop aircrafts, scenery, liveries and many other things. Have fun reading and enjoy your flights!

And finally ...

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.

For ideas on starting to contribute to FlightGear, you may want to check out: Volunteer.

Call for volunteers

• The OpenRadar project is looking for a new maintainer.
• The FGFSPM (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer.