Howto:Add instruments to a cockpit: Difference between revisions

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Howto:Add instruments to a cockpit (view source)

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== Adding Instruments to existing models ==
Many of the [[aircraft]] offerred for download on the [[FlightGear]] aircraft download page are detailled and complete. Some models, however lack instrumentation, and in many cases only basic instruments are available. Fortunately, '''adding new instruments''' is a relatively easy task. The biggest difficulty is actually placing the instrument accurately, not to get it working.


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.
For aircraft that are licensed under the [[GNU GPL]] (all aircraft on the official downlaod page are), instruments can be re-used in other aircraft when released under the same license.
 
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 already released under the GPL licence, instruments can be re-used in other aircraft. (Check this )


== Adding instruments to existing models ==
Adding instruments consists of a few major steps:
Adding instruments consists of a few major steps:
# Identify the instrument needed to be added. Search the web for images and descriptions.
# Locate an aircraft with a similar instrument.
# Copy the instrument files into the folder of the aircraft you want to update.
# Edit the file that specifies the instrument and its location.


1. Identify the instrument needed to be added. Search the web for images and descriptions.
== An example ==
 
Let's update the instruments of the [[Bombardier Dash 8|Dash 8-300Q]] for a start.  
2. Locate an aircraft with a similar instrument
 
3. Copy the instrument files into the folder of the aircraft you want to update
 
4. Edit the file that specifies the instrument and its location.
 
== An example ==
 
Let's update the instruments of the Dash8-300Q for a start.  
 
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)


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):
* Air Speed Indicator (ASI)  
* Air Speed Indicator (ASI)  
* Altimeter
* Altimeter
* Artificial Horizon
* Artificial Horizon


[[File:dhc8300q.jpg|thumb|270px]]
[[File:dhc8300q.jpg|thumb|270px|Cockpit of the Dash 8.]]
 
We can see that our aircraft is lacking the following


We can see that our aircraft is lacking the following:
* Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)
* Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)
* (certain other instruments that will be covered later)
* (certain other instruments that will be covered later)
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You will find that the VSI, the new instrument will appear on top of the existing one. This shows that the instrument at least appears in the cockpit. It has to be located, next.
You will find that the VSI, the new instrument will appear on top of the existing one. This shows that the instrument at least appears in the cockpit. It has to be located, next.


In Flight Gear, the x- direction specifies the depth, and in this case is a negative value. The increase in the value, say from -2.330 to -2.430 means the instrument will move away from you into the panel, towards the nose of the aircraft.
* '''X:''' specifies the depth, and in this case is a negative value. The increase in the value, say from -2.330 to -2.430 means the instrument will move away from you into the panel, towards the nose of the aircraft.
 
* '''Y:''' is the simplest, here, and simply specifies left/right values. The pilot ASI is listed with an Y value of -xxx. The value of zero means it is centre in the panel. You will notice the the co-pilot's ASI has a positive value of xxx.  
The Y- value is the simplest, here, and simply specifies left- right values. The Pilot ASI is listed with a Y value of - xxx . The value of zero means it is centre in the panel. You will notice the the co-piots ASI has a positive value of xxx.  
* '''Z:''' gives the position of the instrument in the vertical direction. For example 2.223 will place the instrument higher than 2.123 in the panel.
 
The Z value gives the position of the instrument from the floor, for example 2.223 will place the instrument higher that 2.123 in the panel.
 
FG 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.  


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.


==External Links==
== External link ==
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_instruments
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_instruments Flight instruments] (Wikipedia)


[[Category:Aircraft enhancement]]
[[Category:Howto]]
[[Category:Howto]]
Retrieved from "https://wiki.flightgear.org/Special:MobileDiff/50507"

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