FlightGear Newsletter November 2025
We would like to emphasize that the monthly newsletter cannot 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.
The new Visual Editor makes editing the wiki as simple as using a Word-processor, and even easier than using the forum as you don't even need to know the syntax for a url. Just hit the 'edit' link and start.
Development news
Related Software tools and projects
Julia photoscenery generator
Photoscenery-GUI
Adriano Bassignana has begun writing the manual for the Photoscenery GUI, which has been published Julia photoscenery generator GUI. The manual currently contains the essential information for correct installation.
New features in the latest version include:
The tool, which already managed the rational downloading of tiles in various resolutions, now includes additional features accessible via its web interface to increase operational utility. The program's initialization has been modified to enable faster startup.
A new functionality has been introduced to read airports and radio navigation aids from files updated weekly—the same data sources used by FlightGear itself. This resolves the previous issue of airport misalignment between the tool and the simulator.
Route management has been improved. When loading a route for display on the map, the system now simultaneously loads data on local scenery to prevent unnecessary downloads. For users with a fast internet connection, real-time image downloading is possible. A fast, low-resolution preload feature also provides a valid overview of the surrounding area's coverage.
The interface allows users to view radio navigation aids and airports, along with their key information.
The [create route] mode enables users to generate a flight path by clicking on map points, airports, and navigation aids. Created routes can be saved and later imported into FlightGear for use.
Many other features will be documented on the Wiki in the future.
Source code: https://github.com/abassign/Photoscenery-GUI
For more information, see the discussion on the FG Forum: https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=39066&start=390
Photoscenery-CLI
For all users of the Julia photoscenery in terminal in its pre-GUI version, it is a pleasure to report that the previously released "beta 5" version of Adriano Bassignana's Julia/Photoscenery (before development began on the GUI version, ver. 6) continues to work well on Flightgear installations in a Windows 10 (and possibly 11) environment. More info. on that may be found under this post on the FG forum.
Framework for Canvas Add-on
Roman Ludwicki (PlayeRom on the forum) created a framework for creating add-ons based on Canvas dialog boxes. After creating numerous add-ons, he realized he needed to separate the common code base. This led to the creation of a separate Framework project that could be attached to any add-on. The framework includes the following features:
- Automatic recognition and loading of add-on Nasal files into the appropriate namespaces (with an exclusion list if necessary).
- Ability to add a menu for restarting add-on Nasal files without having to change repository files.
- Ability to define keys for the multi-key command to restart add-on Nasal files without having to change repository files.
- A mechanism for checking whether there is a new version of your add-on to inform users about it.
- Base classes for Canvas windows that are created and destroyed on demand (Transient dialog), as well as created once during simulator startup (Persistent dialog).
- Ability to create Nasal unit tests and run them using multi-key command.
An example project using the Framework is the Canvas Skeleton project, which can be used as a basis for creating a new add-on.
You can also see how his other add-ons are written, all based on the Framework (main branches):
Add-ons Menu Aggregator
Roman Ludwicki has created a new "Add-ons Menu Aggregator" add-on. The "Add-ons Menu Aggregator" add-on solves the problem of increasing menu clutter in FlightGear, which occurs after installing multiple add-ons. Each add-on can add its own items to the main menu, causing it to become very large and, at low resolutions, extend beyond the screen. This makes it difficult for users to find functions related to specific add-ons, and the menu itself becomes unreadable.
The "Add-ons Menu Aggregator" automatically aggregates menu entries from all installed add-ons and places them into one common menu item – "Add-ons." Each add-on receives its own submenu here, containing its original items while maintaining full functionality and layout.
In the hangar
Aircraft reviews
Laminar 13 Hang Glider for FlightGear
Flight Test & Personal Tweaks by VonS
Having recently become interested in gliding and soaring in FG, VonS thought to go a (simpler) step further and merely strapped a wing to themselves (or themselves to a wing). That of course was also a good opportunity to harmonize further a few of the control inputs on the Laminar 13 for their rig/setup, as well as (subtly) to modify some of the weight shifts, drag and lift values, etc. Representative clip below for those who enjoy hang gliders, both real ones and in the world of FG.
If you're interested in seeing the flight test results and accessing the latest tweaks, visit the FG forum page at: https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=42893&start=45#p436600
Additional Tweaks Information
FlightGear users interested in these custom tweaks may also want to check the recent gliders updates (October and November 2025) for the ASK 13 tweaks and ASG 29 tweaks
Review the posts carefully before downloading. Many of these adjustments, including lift, drag, and control harmonization values, were later applied to the Laminar hang glider as subtle improvements.
These tweaks were tested in FG 2020.3.19 and should be compatible with current versions. All mentioned gliders use JSBSim flight dynamics models (FDM).
For YASim-based tweaks by VonS, please contact him directly via PM on the FG forum, as most were not publicly released. Some exceptions are included in recent updates to Emmanuel Baranger's aircraft at the "Helijah FG Hangar."
Links to various modifications can be found at the bottom of the contributor's forum posts "Von S Various Mods". For a broader overview, see the VonS Various Mods thread in "Hangar Talk."
VonS began FDM tweaking in the mid-2010s, focusing on early 1900s and WWI aircraft, and has contributed significantly to FlightGear's open-source flexibility. For early aviation examples, see the Sopwith Camel thread (November 2025) which also includes detailed technical posts by S&J, Lester-Boffo, Alant, and himself.
Scenery corner
Community news
Multiplayer events
Finished events
Independence Day Event 2025
To celebrate Poland's Independence Day, the Polish Discord channel organized an Air Show with several performances. Clips are included in the video:
Screenshot of the Month
If you want to participate in the screenshot contest, you can submit your candidate to the this subforum
. Be sure to see the first post for participation rules. For purposes of convenience and organization, at the end of the month or after 20 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.
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