FlightGear Newsletter October 2011

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Revision as of 19:41, 19 October 2011 by Hooray (talk | contribs) (→‎In the hangar: copy/paste from previous newsletter)
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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.

Development news

FGdata split

Move to CMake

New Replay System

The Instant Replay system has received a major overhaul. The existing system worked well with specific types of aircraft only, since it relied on a hard-coded set of properties to be recorded/replayed, mainly covering propeller aircraft. Jet engines (thrust-reversers, N1/N2 rpm), or non-standard gears (i.e. a Concorde with 4 landing gears) were not working well though. The new system can be adapted to any kind of aircraft and any kind of custom property or animation.

The new instant replay dialog.

Most obvious change is probably an improved replay dialog: the video player-like GUI provides play/pause/skip buttons and also controls replay speed. During replay use the 4 arrow keys as controls (left/right to skip, up/down to speed-up/slow-down). Also new: slow-motion playback is now supported!

Another new feature is the option of taking controls at any point during replay. Use the Instant Replay to go back in time, then hit the "My controls!" button to regain controls and continue the flight from the current position. You may find this to be useful to train particular flight phases, such as flying the same approach again and again, maybe using different weather/wind conditions. Even if you messed up an approach: go back, try again, until you're getting better! :) Currently this particular feature is only available for YASim aircraft - except helicopters. JSBSim support is likely to be available soon.

The first step to adapt an aircraft to the improved recording system is to pick one of the ready-to-use configuration files, depending on aircraft/engine/.. type. The configuration file only needs to be included in the aircraft's ...-set.xml file. As an optional second step, you can add more custom properties to cover aircraft-specific effects. For more details, see the README.flightrecorder in the fgdata/Docs folder.

A few adapted aircraft examples showing different levels of customization are already present in current git/fgdata:

  • ASK13 (glider)
  • c172p (propeller/piston)
  • b1900d (turboprop)
  • UH-1 (helicopter)
  • 777-200ER (jet).

Furthermore, the replay system's buffers are now fully configurable (see /sim/replay/buffer properties). If you have enough memory, you could increase the buffer recording durations and rates.

Work on the replay system isn't finished yet. However, have a test flight with the current state in current git ;-).

Interview with a developer: Gijs de Rooy

  • How long have you been involved in FlightGear? What was it that made you join?

According to the forum software I joined all the way back in July 2007. One year earlier I was one of the first users of Google SketchUp, free 3D modelling software. After modelling several buildings in my home town, Amsterdam (and placing them in Google Earth) I started working on Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. By then, Google Earth had a (simple) built-in flight simulator. Amsterdam would be the first airport to be modelled especially for that, that was my plan at least...

While modelling Schiphol, I stumbled across this free flight sim, called FlightGear, that wasn't a game, unlike Google's. In one of my first posts on the FlightGear forum I asked for someone to place my models into FlightGear's scenery. Georg (Heliflyer) placed my first buildings. I took some effort, but I finally managed to place buildings myself. Sadly the guy that introduced me to FlightGear and gave me a hobby that would last up till today, passed away in 2009.

  • What are your major interests in FlightGear?

One of the things I like about FlightGear is the wide range of things one can get involved with: modelling, texturing, writing manuals, collecting data etc. and of course flying itself. Therefore I have a very long list of interests. However, there are three key parts that I particularly enjoy. Being the development of scenery and aircraft and helping others by writing wiki articles and replying to questions at the forum.

  • What project(s) are you working on right now?

My main development projects right now are the Boeing 747-400 and Dutch scenery.

  • What do you plan on doing in the future?

I'd really like to bring the 744 to a state where a real pilot cannot spot a thing that is missing in the simulation.

  • What advice can you give to new developers who want to get started on their first aircraft/new feature/Nasal script?

Starting something new is easy, completing it is much harder. I could have never guessed I would still be working on the 744, three years after I started!

I've always been telling newcomers to start improving existing features. It's a great way to familiarize yourself with the project. By looking into existing aircraft's files for example, you will quickly find out how those files are linked together and what their purpose is.

  • Do you have real world connections with aviation or IT?

Since two months I'm studying Aerospace Engineering at the University of Delft. So far I really like this mix of hobby and study.

Snapshot releases

Nasal for newbies

New software tools and projects

FlightGear addons and mods

In the hangar

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 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

Updated aircraft

Livery database reaches 600

On October 8, the FlightGear livery database welcomed its 600th livery! Thanks to 70 authors, the virtual skies are more colourful than ever.

At the moment the contribution system is being rewritten. For the time being, new liveries are only accepted via direct email to Gijs.

Scenery corner

Airports

Aircraft of the month

Diamond DA42 Twin Star

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_DA42

Glider of the month

Jean Astir Grob G102

Astir.png Fgfs-screen-026.png

Airport of the month

FJDG.jpg

The nearest airport is about 700 NM away. Around us are about 30 small islands, none with radio beacons, none with an airport but some with a small beach. This Airport has four odd looking pillboxes. If you click they will open, very slowly. Now if you would have a B2 bomber you could park your aircraft in it. If you don't have a B2 you are allowed to land, but only in an emergency. Fake an emergency and get here, bring piña colada and have a party on the beach!

Screenshot of the month

Mount Everest VNTR.jpg

  • 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.

Aircraft reviews

Wiki updates

Flug and Hooray revamped the Nasal documentation, to make it hopefully more comprehensive and more accessible to new programmers. If you think, anything is unclear or missing, please leave a remark at the article's talk page, or just use the forum.

New articles

  • The article about altitude has received an update and a fresh lick of paint. Please help to correct the German version.
  • Aircraft speed is a bit more up-to speed now.

New aircraft articles

Most popular newsletters

Community news

Reminder: FSweekend

A team of FlightGear developers will promote FlightGear to the public at the FSweekend (5 and 6 November 2011), the largest flight simulator event in the world. They highly appreciate it if you are able to stop by. If you are unable to visit Lelystad Airport (EHLE) in real life, make sure you pay a virtual visit!

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FSweekend banner 2011.jpg

More information can be found at the event's wiki page: FSweekend 2011.

FlightGear on youtube

Vodoun da Vinci has uploaded a new movie complete with music soundtrack to demonstrate the latest Bombable addon. This one primarily features head on attacks by custom P-51D Mustangs over Sochi, Russia.

The code in the Mustangs has been hacked to make them aggressive in attacking head on. My favorite style with my FW-190 D9 Dora supplied by Detlef Faber. The clips have been recorded with time set to evening and morning (dusk and dawn) as this provides the kind of dark and contrasting sky that best suits me for hunting.

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!

Forum news

Multiplayer

Virtual airlines

FlightGear events

FlightGear in the news

FlightGear was featured in the October edition of MicroSim, a French flight simulation magazine. The two paged article (click images below to open larger versions) discussed our latest release 2.4.0. Altough MSFS and X-Plane have better graphics and more complete aircraft, the writer considers FlightGear a worthwhile alternative.

The next edition of MicroSim will include a tutorial, to guide new users through the program.

MicroSim oct2011 1.png MicroSim oct2011 2.png

Useful links

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.

Did you know