Howto:Add instruments to a cockpit: Difference between revisions

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== Adding Instruments to existing models ==
This is one way '''how to add instruments to a cockpit'''.  While many of the aircraft for FlightGear have both rather detailed and completely instrumented cockpits, many aircraft either only have the most basic instruments or even none at all.


Many of the aircraft offerred for download on the Flight Gear Aircraft Download page are detailled and complete. Some models, however lack instrumentation, and in many cases only the basic instruments are available.
Fortunately, adding already existing instruments to a cockpit is a relatively easy task.  The biggest difficulty is actually placing them accurately.


Fortunately, adding new instruments is a relatively easy task. I have done this a few times myself, and the biggest difficulty is actually placing the instrument accurately, not to get it working. I have added a DME unit to the Beech 1900D and also an ASI to the DHC-8-300Q.
For aircraft that are licensed under the [[GNU GPL]] (all aircraft on the official download page are), instruments can be re-used in other aircraft when released under the same license.


For aircraft that are already released under the GPL licence, instruments can be re-used in other aircraft. (Check this )
== Workflow ==
Adding instruments consists of a few major steps:
 
# Locate an FG aircraft with a similar instrument.
# Copy XML tags relevant to the instrument files into XML file of the aircraft you want to update.
# Edit the updated aircraft file to place the instrument.
 
== Example ==
Let's update the instruments of the [[Bombardier Dash 8|Dash 8-300Q]] for a start.
 
The existing aircraft, version v20101217 from the version 2.6 aircraft download page has the following set of basic flight instruments.
* Air Speed Indicator (ASI)
* Altimeter
* Artificial Horizon
 
[[File:dhc8300q.jpg|thumb|270px|Cockpit of the Dash 8 with some instruments missing.]]
 
We can see that our aircraft is lacking the following:
* Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)
* Electronic Flight Systems Information (EFSI)
* Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI)
* Radio Magnetic Indicator (RMI)
* VOR instrument


Adding instruments consists of a few major steps:
First let's add the VSI (Vertical Speed Indicator) . Locate the tags for the ASI in a similar aircraft config file, the Beech 1900D (B1900D). These appear in the B1900D.xml file as follows:
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
    <model>
        <name>VSI 1 gauge</name>
        <path>Aircraft/b1900d/Models/Instruments/vsi.xml</path>
        <offsets>
            <x-m>-4.860</x-m>
            <y-m>-0.280</y-m>
            <z-m>-0.082</z-m>
            <pitch-deg>-10</pitch-deg>
        </offsets>
    </model>
</syntaxhighlight>
 
Copy this set of tags as shown above into the Dash8 300Q xml file in the models folder.  The file is named dhc8-300Q.xml
 
The instrument now has to be placed in position.
We will use an existing instrument, the Air Speed Indicator of the DHC8 as a reference. The DHC 8 pilot ASI has the following settings.
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
    <model>
    <name>Pilot asi</name>
        <path>Aircraft/dhc8/Models/Instruments/asi300-3d.xml</path>
        <offsets>
            '''<x-m>-8.927</x-m>
            <y-m>-0.702</y-m>
            <z-m>2.382</z-m>'''
            <pitch-deg>0</pitch-deg>
        </offsets>
    </model>
</syntaxhighlight>
 
Copy the <code>&lt;offsets&gt; ... &lt;/offsets&gt;</code> section and paste it into the offsets section of the VSI instrument, replacing the existing settings.
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
    <model>
        <name>VSI 1 gauge</name>
        <path>Aircraft/b1900d/Models/Instruments/vsi.xml</path>
        <offsets>
            '''<x-m>-8.927</x-m>
            <y-m>-0.702</y-m>
            <z-m>2.382</z-m>'''
            <pitch-deg>0</pitch-deg>
        </offsets>
    </model>
</syntaxhighlight>
 
You will find that the VSI, the new instrument, will appear on top of the existing one. This confirms that the instrument appears in the cockpit.
 
To place the instrument in a correct location, use the following adjustments:
 
* <code>&lt;x-m&gt;</code>  Distance of the instrument from the pilot (depth)
* <code>&lt;y-m&gt;</code>  Sideways location of the instrument
* <code>&lt;z-m&gt;</code>  Vertical location of the instrument
 
Using the offsets for an existing instrument, the altimeter, ALT, the VSI can be placed directly on top of the altimeter. The Y value for the altimeter is  <code>&lt;y-m&gt;-0.44&lt;/y-m&gt;</code>. To move the VSI down, experiment with different values of the z value, 2.182, 2.282, 2.382 etc.
 
Finally, adjust the depth of the instrument (x - value)
 
== A shortcut: multiple copies of an instrument==
FlightGear allows the creation of the same instrument copies in different locations in the cockpit. We can use this to our advantage: placing copies of the same instrument in different locations in the cockpit and selecting the right one.


1. Identify the instrument needed to be added. Search the web for images and descriptions of instruments, there are many, some with the exact model numbers and manufacturer's name.
[[File:MultipleVSI.jpg|thumb|VSI in multiple locations. Choose the best. ]]


2. Locate an aircraft with a similar instrument
== Instrument path ==
The path can be left as follows, or the instrument related files (.ac, xml and image files) can be copied to the DHC8 folder and the reference can be changed to that folder:


3. Copy the instrument files into the folder of the aircraft you want to update
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
<path>Aircraft/b1900d/Models/Instruments/vsi.xml</path>
</syntaxhighlight>


4. Edit the file that specifies the instrument and its location.
can be changed to


== A Real life example ==
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
<path>Aircraft/dhc8/Models/Instruments/vsi.xml</path>
</syntaxhighlight>


Let's update the instruments of the Dash8-300Q for a start.  
[[File:dhc8addedinstruments.jpg|thumb|270px|Several instruments added. Fine adjustment needed.]]


The existing aircraft, version v20101217 from the version 2.6 aircraft download page has the following set of basic instruments ( Radios will be covered later)
== Related content ==
=== Wiki articles ===
* [[Avionics and instruments]]


* Air Speed Indicator (ASI)
== External links ==
* Altimeter
* {{wikipedia|Flight instruments}}
* Artificial Horizon


We can see that our aircraft is lacking the following
* [http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/instrument_flying_handbook/media/FAA-H-8083-15A%20-%20Chapter%2003.pdf FAA Instrument Flying Handbook] (Free e-book)


* Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)
[[Category:Aircraft enhancement]]
* (certain other instruments that will be covered later)
[[Category:Howto]]

Latest revision as of 09:45, 13 June 2015

This is one way how to add instruments to a cockpit. While many of the aircraft for FlightGear have both rather detailed and completely instrumented cockpits, many aircraft either only have the most basic instruments or even none at all.

Fortunately, adding already existing instruments to a cockpit is a relatively easy task. The biggest difficulty is actually placing them accurately.

For aircraft that are licensed under the GNU GPL (all aircraft on the official download page are), instruments can be re-used in other aircraft when released under the same license.

Workflow

Adding instruments consists of a few major steps:

  1. Locate an FG aircraft with a similar instrument.
  2. Copy XML tags relevant to the instrument files into XML file of the aircraft you want to update.
  3. Edit the updated aircraft file to place the instrument.

Example

Let's update the instruments of the Dash 8-300Q for a start.

The existing aircraft, version v20101217 from the version 2.6 aircraft download page has the following set of basic flight instruments.

  • Air Speed Indicator (ASI)
  • Altimeter
  • Artificial Horizon
Cockpit of the Dash 8 with some instruments missing.

We can see that our aircraft is lacking the following:

  • Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)
  • Electronic Flight Systems Information (EFSI)
  • Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI)
  • Radio Magnetic Indicator (RMI)
  • VOR instrument

First let's add the VSI (Vertical Speed Indicator) . Locate the tags for the ASI in a similar aircraft config file, the Beech 1900D (B1900D). These appear in the B1900D.xml file as follows:

    <model>
        <name>VSI 1 gauge</name>
        <path>Aircraft/b1900d/Models/Instruments/vsi.xml</path>
        <offsets>
            <x-m>-4.860</x-m>
            <y-m>-0.280</y-m>
            <z-m>-0.082</z-m>
            <pitch-deg>-10</pitch-deg>
        </offsets>
    </model>

Copy this set of tags as shown above into the Dash8 300Q xml file in the models folder. The file is named dhc8-300Q.xml

The instrument now has to be placed in position.

We will use an existing instrument, the Air Speed Indicator of the DHC8 as a reference. The DHC 8 pilot ASI has the following settings.

    <model>
     	<name>Pilot asi</name>
        <path>Aircraft/dhc8/Models/Instruments/asi300-3d.xml</path>
        <offsets>
            '''<x-m>-8.927</x-m>
            <y-m>-0.702</y-m>
            <z-m>2.382</z-m>'''
            <pitch-deg>0</pitch-deg>
        </offsets>
    </model>

Copy the <offsets> ... </offsets> section and paste it into the offsets section of the VSI instrument, replacing the existing settings.

    <model>
        <name>VSI 1 gauge</name>
        <path>Aircraft/b1900d/Models/Instruments/vsi.xml</path>
        <offsets>
            '''<x-m>-8.927</x-m>
            <y-m>-0.702</y-m>
            <z-m>2.382</z-m>'''
            <pitch-deg>0</pitch-deg>
        </offsets>
    </model>

You will find that the VSI, the new instrument, will appear on top of the existing one. This confirms that the instrument appears in the cockpit.

To place the instrument in a correct location, use the following adjustments:

  • <x-m> Distance of the instrument from the pilot (depth)
  • <y-m> Sideways location of the instrument
  • <z-m> Vertical location of the instrument

Using the offsets for an existing instrument, the altimeter, ALT, the VSI can be placed directly on top of the altimeter. The Y value for the altimeter is <y-m>-0.44</y-m>. To move the VSI down, experiment with different values of the z value, 2.182, 2.282, 2.382 etc.

Finally, adjust the depth of the instrument (x - value)

A shortcut: multiple copies of an instrument

FlightGear allows the creation of the same instrument copies in different locations in the cockpit. We can use this to our advantage: placing copies of the same instrument in different locations in the cockpit and selecting the right one.

VSI in multiple locations. Choose the best.

Instrument path

The path can be left as follows, or the instrument related files (.ac, xml and image files) can be copied to the DHC8 folder and the reference can be changed to that folder:

 <path>Aircraft/b1900d/Models/Instruments/vsi.xml</path>

can be changed to

 <path>Aircraft/dhc8/Models/Instruments/vsi.xml</path>
Several instruments added. Fine adjustment needed.

Related content

Wiki articles

External links