Flight Dynamics Model: Difference between revisions

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(Update since not all FDMs are built by default; +-heading: Splitting up in sections with current historical and other FDMs; +-template: Forum → Forum link; + Link to source code)
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'''Flight Dynamics Models''' are how the flight for an [[aircraft]] is simulated in the program. [[FlightGear]] uses a variety of internally written and imported flight model projects. Any aircraft must be programmed to use one of these models. Currently FlightGear is the only flight graphical flight simulator all the FDM are used for, and UIUC and YASim were developed specifically for FlightGear.
A '''Flight Dynamics Model''' (FDM) is a set of math equations used to calculate the physical forces acting on a simulated [[aircraft]], such as thrust, lift, and drag. Every aircraft simulated by FlightGear must use one of these models. [[FlightGear]] supports several different types of flight dynamics models.


Early version used a FDM based on LaRCsim by NASA, which was replaced with more flexible FDM.
== Flight Dynamic Models ==
=== Integrated FDMs ===
Currently (March 2020) FlightGear comes with these FDMs:


* [[JSBSim]] - the default flight dynamics model software since 2000.  
; [[JSBSim]]
* [[YASim]] - another FDM using different calculation method. Introduced starting in 0.7.9 in 2002.  
: Was originally developed specifically for FlightGear, and has been the default FlightGear flight dynamics model since 2000.
* [[UIUC]] - another included FDM, developed by the UIUC Applied Aerodynamics Group at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, also made use of LaRCsim.[5]
: In addition to airplanes JSBSim also supports rockets, helicopters and [[Aerostat|lighter than air aircraft]].
* FlightGear can also be setup to render using inputs from an external FDM source, such as from Matlab.  
; [[YASim]]
* Other custom FDM for a specific aircraft type have been written, such as for lighter then air aircraft.
: Is yet another FDM using different calculation methods. YASim supports airplanes and helicopters.  It was introduced in FlightGear version 0.7.9 in 2002.
 
=== Historical FDMs ===
Historically FlightGear have also been able to use these FDMs, but while the source code is still there they are no longer built by default:
 
; [[LaRCsim]]
: Was originally developed by NASA, and was the first FlightGear FDM, now replaced by JSBSim and YASim.
; [[UIUC]]
: Was developed by the UIUC Applied Aerodynamics Group at University of Illinois, based on LaRCsim.
: It includes additional features, such as the ability to simulate aircraft icing. UIUC lacks ground interaction.
 
=== Other FDMs ===
There are also other ways to set up an FDM:
 
; External FDMs:
: FlightGear can also be set up to render using inputs from an external FDM source, such as from [[MATLAB]].  
; Custom FDMs
: Other custom FDM have been written for specific aircraft types, such as for hot air balloons.
; [[SpaceFDM]]
: Suggested by several people
 
== Related content ==
=== Forum topics ===
* {{forum link|s=49|title=Flight Dynamics Model}}
 
=== Wiki articles ===
* [[FDM engine feature standardization]]
* [[FGPlot]], for built-in runtime plotting of FlightGear properties (including FDM properties) (available in FlightGear 2.11 and later).
 
=== Source code ===
* {{flightgear source|path=src/FDM}}
 
{{FDM}}
 
[[Category:Flight Dynamics Model]]
 
[[es:FDM]]

Revision as of 08:55, 29 March 2020

A Flight Dynamics Model (FDM) is a set of math equations used to calculate the physical forces acting on a simulated aircraft, such as thrust, lift, and drag. Every aircraft simulated by FlightGear must use one of these models. FlightGear supports several different types of flight dynamics models.

Flight Dynamic Models

Integrated FDMs

Currently (March 2020) FlightGear comes with these FDMs:

JSBSim
Was originally developed specifically for FlightGear, and has been the default FlightGear flight dynamics model since 2000.
In addition to airplanes JSBSim also supports rockets, helicopters and lighter than air aircraft.
YASim
Is yet another FDM using different calculation methods. YASim supports airplanes and helicopters. It was introduced in FlightGear version 0.7.9 in 2002.

Historical FDMs

Historically FlightGear have also been able to use these FDMs, but while the source code is still there they are no longer built by default:

LaRCsim
Was originally developed by NASA, and was the first FlightGear FDM, now replaced by JSBSim and YASim.
UIUC
Was developed by the UIUC Applied Aerodynamics Group at University of Illinois, based on LaRCsim.
It includes additional features, such as the ability to simulate aircraft icing. UIUC lacks ground interaction.

Other FDMs

There are also other ways to set up an FDM:

External FDMs
FlightGear can also be set up to render using inputs from an external FDM source, such as from MATLAB.
Custom FDMs
Other custom FDM have been written for specific aircraft types, such as for hot air balloons.
SpaceFDM
Suggested by several people

Related content

Forum topics

Wiki articles

Source code

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