FlightGear Newsletter July 2015
Development news
FlightGear 3.6 release candidates
Due to an outage at SourceForge, lasting from 16 till 27 July, the creation of the release branches had to be postponed. Due to this unexpected outage, the release candidate period is shortened to no more than three weeks. The 3.6 release is still planned around August 17.
In order to provide a stable release with as little bugs as possible, everyone is encouraged to install and test the 3.6 release candiates from http://download.flightgear.org/builds/nightly/ (3.6.0-nightly, note: the 3.7 version is the next development version, not the upcoming release). Bugs can be reported in our bug tracker or discussed at the special forum.
See our release plan for details on the release procedures.
ATC-pie r5 release
A new release (r5) of ATC-pie is now out, featuring path conflict detection and easier (mouse-based) routing changes. This is quite a step forward as it enables en-route centre control on the FG network. Controllers can now attend a large airspace and easily edit IFR routes, assign altitudes and be alerted when any of those intersect.
NB: The Git repository is up, but the project page is still missing a downloadable tarball because of a persisting SourceForge file upload service outage. See the forum announcement post for a work-around link.
In the hangar
F-15 release
Richard Harrison has been working tirelessly for the past 8 months on a new McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle for FlightGear, and has now released a completed version that will be available in the upcoming 3.6 release. Before the release of 3.6 the F-15 can be downloaded from the development site.
The F-15 has a wind tunnel derived aerodynamic model, with detailed photo realistic cockpit, full systems modelling and support for air to air missiles. The new ALS thruster and interior effects (glass, frost, shadow, backlit panels) are supported.
Two variants have been modeled — the single-seat F-15C, and the two-seater F-15D, which can be ridden by a multiplayer passenger.
DHC-6 Twin Otter update
Thanks to lanbo64 and dg-505, the Twin Otter has been updated with the most recent ALS interior effects. It now contains interior shadows, glass reflections, a flashlight, rain effect, frost patterns and fog on windows, and a realistic window heating system to solve the problem with frost and fog on the windows. Download the updated version from GitHub.
Space Shuttle development
A flight-tested milestone aimed for the 3.6 release has been pushed to FGAddon. In the mean time, Space Shuttle development continues - we are currently adding the capability to handle payloads with the RMS manipulator arm, unlatch them from the payload bay and transfer them into space, or latch them back into the payload bay.
New version of the Extra EA-500
A new version (v3.0.0) of the Extra 500 developed by D-EKEW, D-LEON, D-STHO has been released. The update includes many features from FlightGear 3.6: ALS interior and outside shadows, rain, ice and fog on the windows. Besides that the fuel system has been remodelled in JSBSim (was previously in NASAL), and the battery model and many other things have been improved. Check out the Development thread on the Forum and the wiki page.
Scenery corner
New building "A+" at Frankfurt Airport (EDDF)
The building is 800m long and has space for 7 "heavy" class airliners like the 747 and A380. [1]
![[1]](http://www.23hq.com/16171062/21226637_fb06c8253774348f7f00034c9a2a3c58_large.jpg){kind=link}
Photovoltaic power stations
Photovoltaic power stations (aka solar parks) can be seen at EDLV and EDDL. The smaller one is a shared model so you can place it easily at other locations.
Highway bridges near EDDL and EDLE
1830m Mintarder Ruhrtalbrücke and Flughafenbrücke(1286m) with special low pylon design.
Community news
Around the world in the footsteps of Amelia Earhart
User Legoboyvdlp is planning to fly the route of Amelia Earhart's 
ill-fated trip around the world nearly 80 years ago on July 9th. After editing the FDM to match the modifications made to Amelia's Electra, he will be following her exact route in the Lockheed Model 10 Electra. This endeavor will be tracked daily as the route is travelled.
World tour
On July 6th, user Turnit will commence another around-the-world flight in a Boeing 737-100. The flight will be conducted on multiplayer, so all are free to join in with him. More details are to be released shortly. His route will start from KSEA and head west, the full route being shown below.
Contributing
Translators required
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The FlightGear Wiki still needs help for translating it into various languages. If you are interested in making the FlightGear Wiki multi-language then start at Help:Translate. |
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Das FlightGear Wiki benötigt immer noch Hilfe bei der Übersetzung in verschiedene Sprachen. Wenn Du Interesse daran hast, das FlightGear Wiki Mehrsprachig zu machen, dann fang doch mit Help:Übersetzen an. |
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De FlightGear Wiki kan nog steed hulp gebruiken bij het vertalen van artikelen. Als je interesse hebt om de wiki meertalig te maken, raden we je aan om een kijkje te nemen bij Help:Vertalen. |
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La wiki de FlightGear todavía necesita ayuda para traducirla a varios lenguajes. Si estás interesado en hacer la FlightGear wiki multilingüe, entonces comienza en Help:Traducir. |
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La wiki de FlightGear encara necessita ajuda per traduir-la a diverses llengües. Si esteu interessat en fer la wiki de FlightGear multilingüe, llavors comenceu a Help:Traduir. |
FlightGear logos
If you want some graphic elements for your FlightGear-related site (such as a hangar or YouTube channel), please feel free to visit FlightGear logos for a repository of logos. And if you have some art skills, please don't hesitate to contribute with your own design creations.
For example this month we have two new creations The F of FlightGear, and FGType. Two graphic adventures using free software under the GPL like Inkscape-FontForge, and a inkleaking blue pelican cartridge fully charged on a 1976 Waterman "Stylo" plume.
Both versions in low and high resolution, under the Theme Spread the word, in order to say thanks to our youngest pilots and dear coders enriching their FGExperience, for those who day by day spreading that:
FLIGHTGEAR IS THE FREE AND OPEN FLIGHT SIMULATOR UNDER THE GPL.
Fly Free!
The F of FlightGear
- FGSuperHero
- Author: Michat LaFontaine. Dedicated to Roland and Marc kraus. Lake of constance Racing Team.
- License: OFFGU. Only for FG (Flightgear) users. FlightGear users only.
FGType Logo Motive
- Claim: FG is the Free and Open Flight Simulator
- FGType with a Waterman "inkLeak Stylo", an Inkscape adventure to the conquer of the FontForge
- Author: Michat LaFontaine
- License: OFFGU. Only for FG (Flightgear) users. FlightGear users only.
Screenshots
The FlightGear project always needs screenshots, which show features that were added since the last release. These should be of good quality, especially in content and technical image properties. It is therefore recommended to use the best viable filter settings (anti-aliasing, texture sharpening, etc.). More info at Howto:Make nice screenshots.
Screenshot of the month
User Mig29pilot (wiki: Adam) revived the screenshot of the month in June. Suggestions for this months best screenshot can be submitted to this forum topic. Be sure to see the first post for participation rules. Later in the month, there will be a vote on the best screenshot, which will be presented on this page. This month's winner is:
