FlightGear Newsletter July 2018
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) is welcome to contribute to the newsletter. If you know about any FlightGear related news or projects such as for example updated scenery or aircraft, please do feel invited to add such news to the newsletter.
Development news
Fallback models for MP
Stuart implemented a fallback model for MP aircraft. Aircraft can now set a /sim/model/fallback-model-index property that is transmitted over the MP network. Receiving clients use this as an index into AI/Aircraft/fallback_models.xml to determine a model to use if the model path (/sim/model/path) cannot be found under Aircraft or AI/Aircraft. This allows aircraft developers to identify a suitable fallback model to be used for those who do not have their aircraft installed. Stuart populated the current fallback_models.xml file with all the aircraft in AI/Aircraft (selecting a single livery for each aircraft). If other aircraft models are added to AI/Aircraft they can easily be added to the file, as it's split into sections. More information can be found at MP Fallback models.
In the hangar
Updated aircraft
Seneca
The Seneca received an update this month, adding auxiliary fuel tanks available from Tom's Aircraft in real life. Additionally, the max weight in the front and aft baggage holds was corrected to 100 pounds each (instead of 200).
In "Equipment > Fuel and Payload", you can watch the nacelle tanks slowly empty themselves into the main tanks during flight. There is no other way to know how much fuel remains in these tanks, just like in reality.
Also, note that these tanks occupy space that was formerly available for cargo in reality, but was never implemented in FlightGear. And obviously, filling these tanks must be at the expense of payload. Like in most aircraft, one cannot take max fuel and max payload at the same time; it's a tradeoff.
The fuel in these tanks increases the range of the SenecaII from 800 to 970 nmi.
The Seneca also received improvements to the interior lighting - the overhead light switch is now a two-position switch and activates the overhead lights, which now illuminate the non-backlit areas of the cockpit: the charts on the copilot's seat, the instrument panel, the throttle/RPM/mixture levers, coil flap levers, flap lever, etc.
The left-hand electrical buttons (main battery, magnetos, start button, etc.) and the instrument and radio light dimmers are no longer back-lit and no longer controlled by the instrument light; instead they are dimly lit only by the overhead light. The NAV1, NAV2, ADF and DME instruments use the radio light dimmer (which was previously inoperative) and have the same color; white, since NAV1 and NAV2 are not specific to the Seneca II but are shared between various aircraft. Most importantly, the knobs are lit, too, and therefore visible at night even without Ctrl+C.
These updates are available from FGADDON.
Citation II
Sascha Reißner made various improvements to the Citation II: these include a rework of the flight director panel, improvements to the textures of the Collins radio, and improvements to the DME instrument, altitude alerter and magnetic compass. These updates are available from FGADDON.
DHC-2
The dhc2 received an update, fixing the water rudders and animating them correctly, also available from FGADDON.
AI
Interactive Traffic
July has been another busy month with additions including:
- The newly renamed A220-300 (C Series 300) by Ian
- Traffic updates to BulgariaAir, SDM (Rossiya Airlines), and Travel Service by SP-KOK
- Updates to Air Baltic by Ian (including A220-300)
- New traffic for Ellinair, AirCanadaRouge, AstraAirlines, BekAir, Arkia Israeli Airlines, Israir Airlines, and AirCanadaExpress by SP-KOK
- New liveries for Pobeda 738, OnurAir, AirCanadaExpress E157, AstraAirlines (AT7 and AT5).
- New 3D model for the Tiger Moth (WIP) by Gooneybird
The AI team makes FlightGear more realistic, colorful and lively every month. You can support the important development of Interactive Traffic and contribute at the FlightGear AI forums.
Helicopter aerial refueling AI Scenario
User Raptor has created an AI Scenario for air refueling using Helicopters. It puts an KC-130 aerial tanker flying at speed 120 Kts at 4000 ft ASL. Its at least a challenge for pilots although no helicopter has that feature implemented using aar.nas and there for fuel quantity does not change. Take a look at the forum thread.
Scenery corner
Airports
Cologne Airport
ThomasS uploaded objects for Cologne Airport made by pommesschranke to TerraSync. While they are not yet available due to a pending move to the AWS cloud by TerraSync, these objects will improve the experience of flying at Cologne considerably.
Community news
FlightGear on YouTube
FlightGear on Facebook
Since early December 2010, FlightGear has an official Facebook page. If you have a Facebook account please feel free to join the page.
FlightGear on Google+
Since November 2011 there is a FlightGear page on Google+. If you haven't done so already, please add us to your circle and stay up to date on the latest FlightGear news, cool screenshots and release info.
FlightGear on Instagram
In January 2018 the @flightgear_sim Instagram account was brought back to life. If you've got nice screenshots to be featured, feel free to contact the maintainer.
FlightGear on FlightSim.com
Flightgear has now also a sub-forum on flightsim.com - just like the commercial flightsims. It is an opportunity to showcase what FG can do, get people curious and answer any questions they may have with regard to the software or the project.
Multiplayer events
Upcoming events
4th August, 8pm UK time - Montegegro Chopper Cruise
FGUK will meet at 8PM London time at ICAO: LYTV - Tivat, Montegegro. Please bring your choice of helicopter being certain that it can maintain a cruise speed of approximately 110 KIAS up to 7000'. Please link to any aircraft not in the FGUK Hangar. Portions of this Flight will be at tree top height following the nap of the Earth.
Waypoints are LAGJ, LATI - where we will break shortly for fuel and refreshment. Then on the LAKV and finally LGKR, Kerkira Airport on the isle of Crete in Greece.
There is terrain and lots of water, hills, mountains and hazards await. We hope to see as many as possible.
All voice comms will be using TS3 (we don't type flying helicopters!)
Event main thread: see the FGUK forums
Contributing
Translators needed
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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 multilingual, you can start by looking at Help:Translate. |
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Le wiki de FlightGear a toujours besoin d'aide pour être traduit en différentes langues. Si vous êtes intéressé par le rendre multilingue, commencez par lire Help:Traduire. |
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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 mit dem 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. |
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A wiki de FlightGear ainda necessita de ajuda para traduzi-la em vários idiomas. Se estás interessado em tornar a wiki de FlightGear multi-lingual, por favor começa em Help:Traduzir. |
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FlightGear 百科仍然需要志愿者将其翻译为各种语言。如果你有兴趣让FlightGear百科支持更多语言, 你可以查看 Help:Translate. |
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.
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
FlightGear's Screenshot of the Month July 2018 is On the Way to the HMS Iron Duke by Timi
If you want to participate in the screenshot contest of August 2018, you can submit your candidate to this forum topic. Be sure to see the first post for participation rules. For purposes of convenience and organization, after all the entries have been submitted, a new forum topic will be started containing all shots in an easy-to-view layout. The voting will then take place there. Once the voting has finished, the best screenshot will be presented in the Newsletter edition of August 2018.
Thanks for reading FlightGear Newsletter July 2018!