FlightGear wiki - User contributions [en]

Virtual airlines

2012-04-06T21:34:07Z

Armchair Ace: Removing stylistically unacceptable section - this is a wiki, not a letter to a close friend.

A '''virtual airline''' (VA) is a dedicated hobby organization that uses flight simulation to model the operations of an airline. Virtual airlines generally have a presence on the internet, similar to a real airline. There are over 100 virtual airlines of significance currently active in the internet (supporting a number of flightsims), with thousands of participants involved at any one time each using different simulator platforms.

== Purpose ==
Virtual airlines were started to give a sense of purpose to activities conducted within a flight simulator. This basic premise has evolved over time, along with available technology, to provide increasing levels of immersion but always with the same core purpose. When combined with increasingly powerful personal computers, advancing flight simulation software, and communications networks, virtual airlines are often able to provide compelling, realistic, experiences similar to operations inside a real airline. Virtual airlines also provide an avenue for members to gain access to additional content, such as aircraft and scenery, for use with their simulator. The appeal varies; for younger members, virtual airlines provide a sandbox environment where they can experience the corporate environment of commercial business in the airline industry, without the risk of financial loss. These organizations also provide an outlet for those who are interested in aviation but unable to fly themselves in real life due to financial, health, or other reasons.
Most of all, its one step closer to enthusiasts feeling more involved in an airline environment and share their interests with others.
Virtual Airlines also benefit the flight simulator community by providing valuable services such as ATC, events, and general help and knowledge.

== Common elements ==
There are several elements that are common across many virtual airlines:
* A website as the focal point of the community
* Internet forum where discussion and social interaction can occur
* Customized livery that users can download together with aircraft and install in their flight simulator
* Route schedules for members to fly in their simulators
* Multiplayer events, often on a game network such as VATSIM or IVAO
* Less common elements include:
* An Online database for recording and reporting flights and membership statistics
* Dedicated game server hosting to provide private areas for members to complete flights
* Award, rank and recognition systems
* Voice over Internet Protocol servers for members to communicate freely by voice

== Current Flightgear Virtual Airlines ==
Currently the FlightGear community have four widely recognized virtual airlines in operation, consisting of the following airlines:

* [[Atlas Virtual Airlines]]
* [[BRT Virtual Airlines]]
* [[Merlion Virtual Airlines]]
* [http://tsavirtual.fr.nf/index.php/ TSA - Tristar Airlines]

=== Current Alliances ===
Alliances point to groups of airlines working with each other in joint operations. Currently, the following are active:
* [[Virtual Star Alliance]]

== Former Virtual Airlines ==
Before the merger of most virtual airlines into Atlas and gradual declines of airlines following that event, several independent virtual airlines were active. These airlines, as well as airlines proposed but never actually created include the following:
[[File:virtualairlines.jpg|thumb|430px|Logo of most virtual airlines as of February 2010.]]

=== Airlines Merged into merlion ===
* Seasonal Airlines - This branch now operates in Australia, New Zealand and the south Pacific as 'Aerosuperb' as well as longhaul flights to Dubai, Osaka and Santiago de Chile on behalf of Merlion.
* Dot Airways - This branch now operaties in the United States of America, the Carribean and Canada as "cloud9"

Both Cloud9 and Aerosuperb are subsidiaries of merlion.

=== Airlines Merged into Atlas Virtual ===
* [[Japan Pacific Airlines]]
* Skynet International Airlines

=== Defunct Airlines ===
* AirLink
* Air San Francisco
* Americair
* Coastal Air Systems
* Detra Virtual Airlines
* Euroair (Aurelen Virtual)
* [[Europe Airlines]]
* Gisi Airlines
* [[Cresder Nixrof Airways]]

== Controversies ==
=== Copyright Issues ===
When a virtual airline is created in the image of a real world airline legal issues can arise out of copyright violations. In 2003, a real world airline, Qantas Airways Ltd., announced a new low-cost carrier by the name of Jetstar Airways. However, a virtual airline named Jetstar International Airlines already existed, complete with a web site. As part of their startup promotion, Qantas sold 100,000 airline tickets at a discount price, and the virtual airline's web site was swamped with would-be customers, job-seekers, and prospective vendors. The virtual airline sued Qantas, claiming that Qantas stole the virtual airline's livery and trademark.
If you wish to create a virtual airline- Which Flightgear would be eager for you to do, Please do not base it on real life airlines to save copyright issues!

=== Misuse ===
Claims have been made of the use of both flight simulators and virtual airlines as training devices for criminal activities, although to date no conclusive link has ever been provided to indicate a situation where a virtual airline has provided flight simulation training to anyone involved in a terrorist activity.
Jermaine Lindsay, one of the four 7 July 2005 London bombings, may have used flight simulators to practice flying an airliner, with an accusation that he was registered with a virtual airline. A person of the same name listed his nearest major airport as Heathrow and clocked up 30 hours in two months with SimAirline.net. The website later denied the member's linking with the bombing, and indicated it was working with the Metropolitan Police to establish whether its former member was the bomber. The website stated that it provides information about airlines and free add-on software for Microsoft Flight Simulator and does not provide flight instruction to its members.
The 9/11 Commission in the US concluded in 2004 that those responsible for flying the planes into World Trade Center and Pentagon had used PC-based flight simulators for training. Despite the initial concerns of the involvement of virtual airlines in these terrorist activities, largely little has come from these claims to date and no changes have been noted as occurring in their operation as a result.

== FlightGear Virtual Air Forces ==
For more information, check [[Virtual Air Forces]]
=== Current Virtual Air Forces in FlightGear ===
*[[European Air Force]] (international)
*[[1/7e Provence]] (French)

[[Category:Virtual airlines|Virtual airlines]]

Talk:Virtual airlines

2012-03-31T09:30:41Z

Armchair Ace:

===Underpopulation===
So far, a mere estimate of one hundred people use the FlightGear multiplayer community. Despite this, more and more virtual airlines are emerging and cannot collect as many people as it wishes. Theories of "college students wanting power" and other ideas have been brought up several times inside the FlightGear forum, but has not been dealt with yet in the present. The underpopulation and overorganization issue has made the multiplayer networks confusing to use, possibly scaring users away to other simulators such as X-Plane and Microsoft Flight Simulator, where virtual airlines and multiplayer services are more organized and population-managed. Due to underpopulation, some airlines were forced to close due to hardship of management, including former major airline Euroair.

'''Suggestions to address the underpopulation issue:'''
* Administration and management should be carefully controlled. For instance promoting ranks amongst members. Another management idea is to keep people in charge of certain sectors of the airline, for instance: route management, fleet management, advertising management, application/enrollment management, or whatever else is felt required for an airline. Over-administration is a big issue; In the past the main problem has been that the only people involved in a virtual airline was the creators, and one or two in-active users who didn't bother recruiting or flying- i.e. it was a "ghost airline" and nothing more. It is very important that the airline is not inundated with administrators and actually has a few pilots.
* Fleet size should be kept to the bare minimum, and suited to their routes and serving airports. Real life operators typically use a small fleet size to suit their operations. Ryanair for example operates a total of 146 Boeing 737-800's, as their only aircraft type. This suits their short-haul European destinations and therefore do not require additional fleet models.
* Routes should be also kept to a minimum, accurately maintained, well informed and carefully chosen. A rough guideline would be about five pilots for every route, so an airline with 15 pilots would be suited to an airline with three routes. Once an airline grows rapidly, routes can expand and increase when necessary (or decrease if you lose pilots), which is all part of the fun of expanding a network carefully and sufficiently. Try not to be over-enthusiastic and create a network of say 20 routes when you only have a small number of some 6 pilots, for instance.
* Airports should be chosen for their location, and to suit the fleet using it. Using a large amount of airport's clustered together in a small region is not a good idea, as it would (in real life) mean high airport charges, when airports should be shared and codeshared.
* Hub airports should not be used too often, 1 hub is suitable and looks better over the Multiplayer servers, if it is well used. ATC should be used at the hub airport, at least. This should be a well-modeled base for your flights.
* The website should contain detailed information, accurate maps, Weather data, Navigation data, Airport details, Fleet and suitably house community discussions. It should of course have simple instructions on how to join your airline, as well as an up-to-date list of pilots. It should be intended to attract as many budding pilots as possible!

== Proposal to merge all the various VA pages to this page ==

This is the FlightGear Wiki. While VAs are an integral part of some users' virtual experience, this proliferation of pages reporting by the hour what the *CEO* might do, or noting someone's personal issues with said *CEO*, or the virtual office space they got in their virtual HQ, isn't helping anyone.

The various VAs should be listed on this page, with a short one paragraph description, and links to their external resources (homepages, forums, wikis etc.; they can setup their own wikis and list the entire history and flamewars there, but that content's place is surely somewhere else than on this wiki.)

Also the lists of active/dormant/former VA's could remain and could be updated.

[[User:I4dnf|I4dnf]] 08:20, 30 March 2012 (EDT)

:That would probably not be a bad idea. Many VAs have their own web site and forum. I think however that just one short paragraph might be to little for those who want to compare the different VAs. How about this:
:* One section each.
:* One very simple (probably non-graphical) template showing the status of the VA. (For example Startup|Active|Dormant|Abandoned.)
:* A few standard short one paragraph subsections if information is available (otherwise just a single short paragraph summing it up):
:** History and purpose
:** Fleet
:** Hubs and network
:* One or two external links to website, forum and such. No link lists!
:As abbreviations are often used, as well as some common part in the callsign, those might need to be represented in a standardised way as well, possibly also the logotype.
:—[[User:Johan G|Johan G]] ([[User_talk:Johan_G|Talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Johan_G|contribs]]) 17:45, 30 March 2012 (EDT)

::I agree with most of that. With the folowing:
::*History: Just founding date, dissolution date, eventual mergers. E.G.: "MyVA was founded by ME in 2020 given a lack of VA's for dog owners. HisVA was merged into MyVa in 2021. MyVA ceased operations in 2022 due to boredom."
::*Fleet should be just about the types available (no numbers, no "purchase plans", each VA's internal economics is their own issue), and this should be an informative page, not a descriptive one.
::*Hubs and network, same as above just the bare basics, not the plans for expansion, how many virtual cubits they made on the here-to-there route, or such trivia.
::*Logotypes, status, callsign format, website/forum link.. etc maybe grouped nicely in an infobox?
::[[User:I4dnf|I4dnf]] 18:36, 30 March 2012 (EDT)

:::You more or less read my mind. I could have elaborated a bit on what I meant.

:::I quite agree that presenting their internal economics and expansion plans etc. do not fit all to well on the wiki. Also, most of the VAs with more elaborated and more well thought trough economics, networks and fleets tend to have their own web sites, so presenting it all here isn't all that necessary. Keeping the info on the wiki updated probably mostly add extra work to the staff of those VAs.

:::When it comes to the networks, presenting only their hubs would probably be enough, as some of them both have and actually fly to a very large number of destinations, that would clutter this page considerably. Maybe a small map of the network would be in place. The question is how one would standardise one.

:::As for the template, using one template for each VA containing all info is probably not only possible, but the best way to do present them.

:::And thinking of it, the military VAs/Virtual Air Forces (VAFs?) could probably fit on this page as well under a separate section. :-) They might need a separate template though.

:::—[[User:Johan G|Johan G]] ([[User_talk:Johan_G|Talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Johan_G|contribs]]) 05:10, 31 March 2012 (EDT)

::::I like the infobox idea i4dnf put forward, but I think one thing we'll have to watch here is the page length. If we put in more than, say, 10 lines of text and a small table for each airline, that should be okay for now, but any more than that and we could well end up with a page that is quite difficult to navigate and read due to its length.

::::--<span style="text-shadow: Palegreen -0.6em -0.6em -0.1em; class=texhtml">[[User Talk:Armchair Ace|<font color="ForestGreen" face="georgia"> Armchair Ace</font>]]</span> 05:30, 31 March 2012 (EDT)

FlightGear Flying Club

2012-03-29T21:12:45Z

Armchair Ace:

=== Club & Activities ===

The Flying Club is a collection of FG enthusiasts who band together and fly impromptu flights and organize more formal get-togethers which are announced on the FlightGear Forum and on various IRC channels in advance. Virtual fly-ins and training flights are also carried out by the club.

The most regular event is the 'Saturday Night Flyin' - where all users online and available on the #FlyingClub channel on a Saturday evening (UTC) pick an aircraft, pick a destination, and fly there.

[[File:FGFC Tarmac.jpg|400px|right|thumb|Preparing for takeoff during one event (note the diversity of aircraft present)]]

=== Requirements? ===

To fully enjoy flights, one should be a fairly competent simulation pilot, able to follow a flight plan and navigate in strange territory. It is also recommended that you are capable of flying various different types of aircraft, [[Aircraft#Warbirds|warbirds]] like the [[Bf109]], utility aicraft like the [[PC-6]] and jets like the [[Cessna Citation II]] are examples of types flown by the club.

Those who wish to join can do so by joining the IRC channel and turning up to events.

=== IRC Channel ===

The #FlyingClub IRC channel is on the FlightGear IRC server, currently hosted on mpserver12.flightgear.org. This server has a ChanServ and Nickserv (Channel Server and Nick server) which greatly enhances the IRC experience by controlling the use of IRC nicknames and channels. Those not experienced with IRC, try the [[FlightGear IRC channel]] for further tips and information, as well as not forgetting to use the "/help" command!

=== Club Website ===

[http://flyingclub.tk Flying Club Website] has information about members, memberships and photos from past events. (NOTE : For latest information, see the IRC channel topic)

=== Club Aircraft Liveries ===
A set of liveries are available on the website.

[[Category:Community]]
[[Category:Multiplayer]]

File:FGFC Tarmac.jpg

2012-03-29T21:11:35Z

Armchair Ace: Four aircraft on the runway during an FGFC (Flightgear Flying Club) event.

== Summary ==
Four aircraft on the runway during an FGFC (Flightgear Flying Club) event.
== Licensing ==
{{self|cc-by-sa-3.0}}

FlightGear Flying Club

2012-03-29T21:05:42Z

Armchair Ace:

=== Club & Activities ===

The Flying Club is a collection of FG enthusiasts who band together and fly impromptu flights and organize more formal get-togethers which are announced on the FlightGear Forum and on various IRC channels in advance. Virtual fly-ins and training flights are also carried out by the club.

The most regular event is the 'Saturday Night Flyin' - where all users online and available on the #FlyingClub channel on a Saturday evening (UTC) pick an aircraft, pick a destination, and fly there.

=== Requirements? ===

To fully enjoy flights, one should be a fairly competent simulation pilot, able to follow a flight plan and navigate in strange territory. It is also recommended that you are capable of flying various different types of aircraft, [[Aircraft#Warbirds|warbirds]] like the [[Bf109]], utility aicraft like the [[PC-6]] and jets like the [[Cessna Citation II]] are examples of types flown by the club.

Those who wish to join can do so by joining the IRC channel and turning up to events.

=== IRC Channel ===

The #FlyingClub IRC channel is on the FlightGear IRC server, currently hosted on mpserver12.flightgear.org. This server has a ChanServ and Nickserv (Channel Server and Nick server) which greatly enhances the IRC experience by controlling the use of IRC nicknames and channels. Those not experienced with IRC, try the [[FlightGear IRC channel]] for further tips and information, as well as not forgetting to use the "/help" command!

=== Club Website ===

[http://flyingclub.tk Flying Club Website] has information about members, memberships and photos from past events. (NOTE : For latest information, see the IRC channel topic)

=== Club Aircraft Liveries ===
A set of liveries are available on the website.

[[Category:Community]]
[[Category:Multiplayer]]

FlightGear Flying Club

2012-03-29T20:59:38Z

Armchair Ace:

=== Club & Activities ===

The Flying Club is a collection of FG enthusiasts who band together and fly impromptu flights and organize more formal get-togethers which are announced on the FlightGear Forum and on various IRC channels in advance. We also host virtual fly-ins and one-on-one help flights for newer pilots still learning, among other things.

Our most regular event is the 'Saturday Night Scramble' - where all those on the #FlyingClub channel who are around on a Saturday evening (UTC) pick an aircraft, pick a destination, and all fly there.

=== Requirements? ===

To keep up in flights, one should be a fairly competent simulation pilot, able to follow a flight plan and navigate in strange territory, though the Club won't knowingly leave anyone behind. If you're not sure, contact someone in the club and ask. It is also recommended that you are capable of flying various different types of aircraft, [[Aircraft#Warbirds|warbirds]] like the [[Bf109]], utility aicraft like the [[PC-6]] and jets like the [[Cessna Citation II]] are examples of types flown by the club.

=== IRC Channel ===

The #FlyingClub IRC channel is on the FlightGear IRC net, currently hosted on mpserver12.flightgear.org. If you're experienced with IRC, this net has a ChanServ and Nickserv (Channel Server and Nick server) which greatly enhances the IRC experience by controlling the use of IRC nicknames and channels. If you're not experienced with IRC, try the [[FlightGear IRC channel]] for further tips and information.

=== Club Website ===

[http://flyingclub.tk Flying Club Website] has information about members, memberships and upcoming activities.

=== Club Aircraft Liveries ===
A set of liveries are available on the website.

[[Category:Community]]
[[Category:Multiplayer]]

FlightGear Flying Club

2011-11-25T20:35:43Z

Armchair Ace: We changed websites - again - this time due to trouble with bandwidth

=== Club & Activities ===

The Flying Club is a collection of FG enthusiasts who band together and fly impromptu flights, and organize more formal get-togethers which are announced on the FlightGear Forum and on various IRC channels in advance. We also host virtual fly-ins, one-on-one help flights for newer pilots still learning, and other exciting events such as disaster simulations where you can ''go to the rescue!!''

Our most regular event is the 'Saturday Night Scramble' - where all those on the #FlyingClub channel who are around on a Saturday evening (UTC) pick an aircraft, pick a destination, and all fly there. However, this does not mean that scheduled events are a rarity!

=== Requirements? ===

To keep up in flights, one should be a fairly competent simulation pilot, able to follow a flight plan and navigate in strange territory, though the Club won't knowingly leave anyone behind. If you're not sure, contact someone in the club and ask. It is also recommended that you are capable of flying various different types of aircraft, from [[Aircraft#Warbirds|warbirds]] like the [[Bf109]] to light jets.

=== IRC Channel ===

The #FlyingClub IRC channel is on the FlightGear IRC net, currently hosted on mpserver12.flightgear.org. If you're experienced with IRC, this net has a ChanServ and Nickserv (Channel Server and Nick server) which greatly enhances the IRC experience by controlling the use of IRC nicknames and channels. If you're not experienced with IRC, try the [[FlightGear IRC channel]] for further tips and information.

=== Club Website ===

[http://flyingclub.tk Flying Club Website] has information about members, memberships and upcoming activities.

=== Club Aircraft Liveries ===
A set of liveries are available on the website.
[[Category:Community]]

FlightGear Flying Club

2011-11-25T19:56:05Z

Armchair Ace:

=== Club & Activities ===

The Flying Club is a collection of FG enthusiasts who band together and fly impromptu flights, and organize more formal get-togethers which are announced on the FlightGear Forum and on various IRC channels in advance. We also host virtual fly-ins, one-on-one help flights for newer pilots still learning, and other exciting events such as disaster simulations where you can ''go to the rescue!!''

Our most regular event is the 'Saturday Night Scramble' - where all those on the #FlyingClub channel who are around on a Saturday evening (UTC) pick an aircraft, pick a destination, and all fly there. However, this does not mean that scheduled events are a rarity!

=== Requirements? ===

To keep up in flights, one should be a fairly competent simulation pilot, able to follow a flight plan and navigate in strange territory, though the Club won't knowingly leave anyone behind. If you're not sure, contact someone in the club and ask. It is also recommended that you are capable of flying various different types of aircraft, from [[Aircraft#Warbirds|warbirds]] like the [[Bf109]] to light jets.

=== IRC Channel ===

The #FlyingClub IRC channel is on the FlightGear IRC net, currently hosted on mpserver12.flightgear.org. If you're experienced with IRC, this net has a ChanServ and Nickserv (Channel Server and Nick server) which greatly enhances the IRC experience by controlling the use of IRC nicknames and channels. If you're not experienced with IRC, try the [[FlightGear IRC channel]] for further tips and information.

=== Club Website ===

[http://fgfc.tk Flying Club Website] has information about members, memberships and upcoming activities.

=== Club Aircraft Liveries ===
A set of liveries are available on the website.
[[Category:Community]]

Talk:FlightGear Flying Club

2011-11-25T19:54:21Z

Armchair Ace: Blanked the page

FlightGear Flying Club

2011-11-25T19:53:57Z

Armchair Ace:

==Flight Gear Flying Club==

=== Club & Activities ===

The Flying Club is a collection of FG enthusiasts who band together and fly impromptu flights, and organize more formal get-togethers which are announced on the FlightGear Forum and on various IRC channels in advance. We also host virtual fly-ins, one-on-one help flights for newer pilots still learning, and other exciting events such as disaster simulations where you can ''go to the rescue!!''

Our most regular event is the 'Saturday Night Scramble' - where all those on the #FlyingClub channel who are around on a Saturday evening (UTC) pick an aircraft, pick a destination, and all fly there. However, this does not mean that scheduled events are a rarity!

=== Requirements? ===

To keep up in flights, one should be a fairly competent simulation pilot, able to follow a flight plan and navigate in strange territory, though the Club won't knowingly leave anyone behind. If you're not sure, contact someone in the club and ask. It is also recommended that you are capable of flying various different types of aircraft, from [[Aircraft#Warbirds|warbirds]] like the [[Bf109]] to light jets.

=== IRC Channel ===

The #FlyingClub IRC channel is on the FlightGear IRC net, currently hosted on mpserver12.flightgear.org. If you're experienced with IRC, this net has a ChanServ and Nickserv (Channel Server and Nick server) which greatly enhances the IRC experience by controlling the use of IRC nicknames and channels. If you're not experienced with IRC, try the [[FlightGear IRC channel]] for further tips and information.

=== Club Website ===

[http://fgfc.tk Flying Club Website] has information about members, memberships and upcoming activities.

=== Club Aircraft Liveries ===
A set of liveries are available on the website.

=== Come Discover the Flight Gear World With Us ===
Friendship, mutual interest in flying and fun are the goals of the FGFC; come and discover the FG world with us. '''''See you in the air!! '''''

[[Category:Community]]

FlightGear Flying Club

2011-11-25T19:53:06Z

Armchair Ace:

==Flight Gear Flying Club==

=== Club & Activities ===

The Flying Club is a collection of FG enthusiasts who band together and fly impromptu flights, and organize more formal get-togethers which are announced on the FlightGear Forum and on various IRC channels in advance. We also host virtual fly-ins, one-on-one help flights for newer pilots still learning, and other exciting events such as disaster simulations where you can ''go to the rescue!!''

Our most regular event is the 'Saturday Night Scramble' - where all those on the #FlyingClub channel who are around on a Saturday evening (UTC) pick an aircraft, pick a destination, and all fly there. However, this does not mean that scheduled events are a rarity!

=== Requirements? ===

To keep up in flights, one should be a fairly competent simulation pilot, able to follow a flight plan and navigate in strange territory, though the Club won't knowingly leave anyone behind. If you're not sure, contact someone in the club and ask. It is also recommended that you are capable of flying various different types of aircraft, from warbirds like the [[Bf109]] to light jets.

=== IRC Channel ===

The #FlyingClub IRC channel is on the FlightGear IRC net, currently hosted on mpserver12.flightgear.org. If you're experienced with IRC, this net has a ChanServ and Nickserv (Channel Server and Nick server) which greatly enhances the IRC experience by controlling the use of IRC nicknames and channels. If you're not experienced with IRC, try the [[FlightGear IRC channel]] for further tips and information.

=== Club Website ===

[http://fgfc.tk Flying Club Website] has information about members, memberships and upcoming activities.

=== Club Aircraft Liveries ===
A set of liveries are available on the website.

=== Come Discover the Flight Gear World With Us ===
Friendship, mutual interest in flying and fun are the goals of the FGFC; come and discover the FG world with us. '''''See you in the air!! '''''

[[Category:Community]]

Talk:FlightGear Flying Club

2011-11-22T23:01:15Z

Armchair Ace: All edit conflicts will be resolved within the next few days.

FlightGear Flying Club

2011-11-22T23:00:30Z

Armchair Ace:

==Flight Gear Flying Club==

=== Club & Activities ===

The Flying Club is a collection of FG enthusiasts who band together and fly impromptu flights, and organize more formal get-togethers which are announced on the FlightGear Forum and on various IRC channels in advance. We also host virtual fly-ins, one-on-one help flights for newer pilots still learning, and other exciting events such as disaster simulations where you can ''go to the rescue!!''

Our most regular event is the 'Saturday Night Scramble' - where all those on the #fgfc channel who are around on a Saturday evening (UTC) pick an aircraft, pick a destination, and all fly there. However, this does not mean that scheduled events are a rarity!

=== Requirements? ===

To keep up in flights, one should be a fairly competent simulation pilot, able to follow a flight plan and navigate in strange territory, though the Club won't knowingly leave anyone behind. If you're not sure, contact someone in the club and ask. It is also recommended that you are capable of flying various different types of aircraft, from warbirds like the Bf109 to light jets.

=== IRC Channel ===

The #fgfc IRC channel is on the FlightGear IRC net, currently hosted on mpserver12.flightgear.org. If you're experienced with IRC, this net has a ChanServ and Nickserv (Channel Server and Nick server) which greatly enhances the IRC experience by controlling the use of IRC nicknames and channels. If you're not experienced with IRC, try the [[FlightGear IRC channel]] for further tips and information.

=== Club Website ===

[http://fgfc.tk Flying Club Website] has information about members, memberships and upcoming activities.

=== Club Aircraft Liveries ===
A set of liveries are available on the website.

=== Come Discover the Flight Gear World With Us ===
Friendship, mutual interest in flying and fun are the goals of the FGFC; come and discover the FG world with us. '''''See you in the air!! '''''

[[Category:Community]]

FlightGear Flying Club

2011-11-22T22:58:39Z

Armchair Ace:

FlightGear Flying Club

2011-11-22T21:54:58Z

Armchair Ace: Undo revision 37253 by Trennor (talk)

==Flight Gear Flying Club==

=== Club & Activities ===

The Flying Club is a collection of FG enthusiasts who band together and fly impromptu flights, and organize more formal get-togethers which are announced on the FlightGear Forum and on various IRC channels in advance. We also host virtual fly-ins, one-on-one help flights for newer pilots still learning, and other exciting events such as disaster simulations where you can ''go to the rescue!!''

Our most regular event is the 'Saturday Night Scramble' - where all those on the #fgfc channel who are around on a Saturday evening (UTC) pick an aircraft, pick a destination, and all fly there. However, this does not mean that scheduled events are a rarity!

=== Requirements? ===

To keep up in flights, one should be a fairly competent simulation pilot, able to follow a flight plan and navigate in strange territory, though the Club won't knowingly leave anyone behind. If you're not sure, contact someone in the club and ask. It is also recommended that you are capable of flying various different types of aircraft, from warbirds like the Bf109 to light jets.

=== IRC Channel ===

The #fgfc IRC channel is on the FlightGear IRC net, currently hosted on mpserver12.flightgear.org. If you're experienced with IRC, this net has a ChanServ and Nickserv (Channel Server and Nick server) which greatly enhances the IRC experience by controlling the use of IRC nicknames and channels. If you're not experienced with IRC, try the [[FlightGear IRC channel]] for further tips and information.

=== Club Website ===

[http://fgfc.tk Flying Club Website] has information about members, memberships and upcoming activities.

=== Club Aircraft Liveries ===
A set of liveries are available on the website.

=== Come Discover the Flight Gear World With Us ===
Friendship, mutual interest in flying and fun are the goals of the FGFC; come and discover the FG world with us. '''''See you in the air!! '''''

[[Category:Community]]

FlightGear Flying Club

2011-11-22T21:54:39Z

Armchair Ace: Undo revision 37254 by Trennor (talk)

==Flight Gear Flying Club==

=== Club & Activities ===

The Flying Club is a collection of FG enthusiasts who band together and fly impromptu flights, and organize more formal get-togethers which are announced on the FlightGear Forum and on various IRC channels in advance. We also host virtual fly-ins, one-on-one help flights for newer pilots still learning, and other exciting events such as disaster simulations where you can ''go to the rescue!!''

Our most regular event is the 'Saturday Night Scramble' - where all those on the #fgfc channel who are around on a Saturday evening (UTC) pick an aircraft, pick a destination, and all fly there. However, this does not mean that scheduled events are a rarity!

=== Requirements? ===

To keep up in flights, one should be a fairly competent simulation pilot, able to follow a flight plan and navigate in strange territory, though the Club won't knowingly leave anyone behind. If you're not sure, contact someone in the club and ask. It is also recommended that you are capable of flying various different types of aircraft, from warbirds like the Bf109 to light jets.

=== IRC Channel ===

The #FlyingClub IRC channel is on the FlightGear IRC net, currently hosted on mpserver12.flightgear.org. If you're experienced with IRC, this net has a ChanServ and Nickserv (Channel Server and Nick server) which greatly enhances the IRC experience by controlling the use of IRC nicknames and channels. If you're not experienced with IRC, try the [[FlightGear IRC channel]] for further tips and information.

=== Club Website ===

[http://fgfc.tk Flying Club Website] has information about members, memberships and upcoming activities.

=== Club Aircraft Liveries ===
A set of liveries are available on the website.

=== Come Discover the Flight Gear World With Us ===
Friendship, mutual interest in flying and fun are the goals of the FGFC; come and discover the FG world with us. '''''See you in the air!! '''''

[[Category:Community]]

FlightGear Flying Club

2011-11-22T21:54:15Z

Armchair Ace: Undo revision 37252 by Trennor (talk)

==Flight Gear Flying Club==

=== Club & Activities ===

The Flying Club is a collection of FG enthusiasts who band together and fly impromptu flights, and organize more formal get-togethers which are announced on the FlightGear Forum and on various IRC channels in advance. We also host virtual fly-ins, one-on-one help flights for newer pilots still learning, and other exciting events such as disaster simulations where you can ''go to the rescue!!''

Our most regular event is the 'Saturday Night Scramble' - where all those on the #fgfc channel who are around on a Saturday evening (UTC) pick an aircraft, pick a destination, and all fly there. However, this does not mean that scheduled events are a rarity!

=== Requirements? ===

To keep up in flights, one should be a fairly competent simulation pilot, able to follow a flight plan and navigate in strange territory, though the Club won't knowingly leave anyone behind. If you're not sure, contact someone in the club and ask. It is also recommended that you are capable of flying various different types of aircraft, from warbirds like the Bf109 to light jets.

=== IRC Channel ===

The #FlyingClub IRC channel is on the FlightGear IRC net, currently hosted on mpserver12.flightgear.org. If you're experienced with IRC, this net has a ChanServ and Nickserv (Channel Server and Nick server) which greatly enhances the IRC experience by controlling the use of IRC nicknames and channels. If you're not experienced with IRC, try the [[FlightGear IRC channel]] for further tips and information.

=== Club Website ===

[ Flying Club Website] has information about members, memberships and upcoming activities.

=== Club Aircraft Liveries ===
A set of liveries are available on the website.

=== Come Discover the Flight Gear World With Us ===
Friendship, mutual interest in flying and fun are the goals of the FGFC; come and discover the FG world with us. '''''See you in the air!! '''''

[[Category:Community]]

FlightGear Flying Club

2011-11-20T19:06:50Z

Armchair Ace: Spelling mistakes.

==Flight Gear Flying Club==

=== Club & Activities ===

The Flying Club is a collection of FG enthusiasts who band together and fly impromptu flights, and organize more formal get-togethers which are announced on the FlightGear Forum and on various IRC channels in advance. We also host virtual fly-ins, one-on-one help flights for newer pilots still learning, and other exciting events such as disaster simulations where you can ''go to the rescue!!''

Our most regular event is the 'Saturday Night Scramble' - where all those on the #fgfc channel who are around on a Saturday evening (UTC) pick an aircraft, pick a destination, and all fly there. However, this does not mean that scheduled events are a rarity!

=== Requirements? ===

To keep up in flights, one should be a fairly competent simulation pilot, able to follow a flight plan and navigate in strange territory, though the Club won't knowingly leave anyone behind. If you're not sure, contact someone in the club and ask. It is also recommended that you are capable of flying various different types of aircraft, from warbirds like the Bf109 to light jets.

=== IRC Channel ===

The #fgfc IRC channel is on the FlightGear IRC net, currently hosted on mpserver12.flightgear.org. If you're experienced with IRC, this net has a ChanServ and Nickserv (Channel Server and Nick server) which greatly enhances the IRC experience by controlling the use of IRC nicknames and channels. If you're not experienced with IRC, try the [[FlightGear IRC channel]] for further tips and information.

=== Club Website ===

[http://fgfc.tk Flying Club Website] has information about members, memberships and upcoming activities.

=== Club Aircraft Liveries ===
A set of liveries are available on the website.

=== Come Discover the Flight Gear World With Us ===
Friendship, mutual interest in flying and fun are the goals of the FGFC; come and discover the FG world with us. '''''See you in the air!! '''''

[[Category:Community]]

Places to fly

2011-10-16T16:55:42Z

Armchair Ace: /* Khorog, Tajikistan */

{{Mergefrom|Suggested Flights}}
[[FlightGear]] has accurate and realistic terrain. Here are some interesting places where you can do virtual sight seeing.

If you are starting with [[FGRun]] - the FlightGear launcher - you can enter the [[airport]] id and select the runway on the appropriate screen in the startup wizard.
If you are starting from the command line you can use the options: <tt>--airport=ABCD</tt> and <tt>--runway=12L</tt>.

*Remember to give a look at the [[Suggested Airports]] page, where you can find a comprensive list of high quality airports in FlightGear.
*If you enjoy these flights, please consider recording a flight and posting a link to it at the [[Suggested Prerecorded Flights]] page.

'''Remove before flight!'''

Before you start flying into one of the suggested flights, you should add both the terrain and the Objects to you FlightGear installation; This is well explained on the [[Howto: Install scenery|installing scenery]] page.

p.s. charts are generated using FlightGear data only.

{{TOC limit|3}}

=North America=
==Round Valley Airport==
[[Image:O09-002.png|thumb|left|right after take off]]
[[Image:O09-003.png|thumb|right|Valley]]
Covalis, CA. The airport is at the West edge of a 7 mile across valley.<BR/>
The predominant wind is a cross wind. Take-offs to the west (if they use the full runway length) often have to fly between 2 small hills and over another valley while gaining altitude. Most pilots take off to the west.<BR/>
It is a paved runway and quite long. It was designated as an emergency recovery field during the Cold War and was used twice that I know of by military aircraft that could not take off again from the field.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-O09.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 39.790156 Longitude: -123.266403]]
* [[O09|O09 - Round valley]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/O09.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n40.tar.gz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
I have tried this trip using a p38, quite powerful airplane
* [[Lockheed-P38|P38]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=O09 --runway=28 --aircraft=p38
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Half Moon Bay==
[[Image:KHAF-001.png|thumb|left|right after take off]]
[[Image:KHAF-002.png|thumb|right|Bridge]]
Start at [[KHAF|Half Moon Bay]], Runway 30, with 32km visibility; Takeoff in the C172 and climb to 1000 feet, then continue north over the water, near the shoreline. Look out the right window frequently. Fly up the coast, overfly the Golden Gate Bridge, continue around the top of the peninsula past downtown SF, then fly on to [[KSFO]] for a landing. We now have lots to see.

If you cannot see the runway in the default 172, you must be flying too high or too slowly. You can start by practicing a bit with a good setup:

'''fgfs --offset-distance=1.5 --altitude=500 --vc=70'''

As soon as Flight Gear starts, cut the power to 1500 rpm and drop two notches of flap. Maintain 70 kt. Now, pick your landing spot (a bit down the runway) and try to hold it in the same spot on your windshield. If your landing spot starts moving down, you are too high, and should cut another 100 rpm; if it starts moving up, you are too low, and should add another 100 rpm. Adjust the nose to keep your speed at 70 kt all the way down until you're right above the numbers, then cut power to idle, drop the last notch of flaps, flare, and land.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:KHAF-003.png|thumb|left|surroundings]]
[[Image:World-KHAF.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 37.513333 Longitude: -122.501111]]
* [[KHAF|KHAF - Half Moon Bay]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/KHAF.pdf chart]

no required scenery tile.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:KSFO-001.png|thumb|left|Before landing]]
Use the default c172 airplane
* [[Cessna C172P]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=KHAF --runway=30 --visibility=32000 --aircraft=c172
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Author===
April 2006 [[User:Hellosimon|Hellosimon]], format and extended by [[User:Francescobrisa|Francescobrisa]]

==Hell's Canyon==
[[Image:25U-001.png|thumb|left|right after take off]]
[[Image:25U-004.png|thumb|right|Valley]]
Hell's Canyon, Imnaha, OR. This airport is located just west of "Hell's Canyon National Park" which has the Snake River running through it.<br/>
Supposedly it's a 5500 foot drop from the top of the canyon to the river.<BR/>
The airport is located on the brink of this canyon.

See the remarks on the airport page (click on the airport id) ... DOWNDRAFTS, SHEER DROP IN TERRAIN, LIVESTOCK, etc. Don't go here on your first solo x-country. :-)
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:25U-005.png|thumb|left|Landing]]
[[Image:World-25U.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 45.427861 Longitude: -116.693889]]
* [[25U|25U - Round valley]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/25U.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n40.tar.gz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:25U-006.png|thumb|left|Landing 2]]
I have tried this trip using a pilatus PC-9M, powerful airplane
* [[PC-9M|PC-9M]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=25U --aircraft=PC-9M
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Crater Lake National Park Tour==
[[Image:64s-003.png|thumb|left|Approaching the lake]]
[[Image:64s-002.png|thumb|right|Direction 40 degrees]]
Prospect, OR.<br/>

Take off and fly at a heading of about 40 degrees until you cross the first distinct ridge in front of you. (several minutes of flight in the navion ... just climb as fast as you can, it will be a close squeek to get over :-)<br/>

Once you clear the ridge and can see beyond it, turn right and fly a heading of about 70 degrees. You should see two shallow peaks off in the distance. Head right between these -- they are the two sides of the crater. As you get closer the shape of the crater will come into view. There's a lake there in real life, hopefully it will be there in flight gear too before long.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:64s-001.png|thumb|left|Leaving the 64S airfield]]
[[Image:World-64S.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 42.743183 Longitude: -122.488092]]
* [[64S|64S - Prospect State]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/64S.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w130n40.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:64s-004.png|thumb|left|Lake view 1]]
[[Image:64s-005.png|thumb|right|Lake view 2]]

* [[Ryan_Navion|Navion]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=64S --runway=02 --aircraft=navion
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Grand Canyon Tour==
[[Image:KGCN-001.png|thumb|left|Grand Canyon]]
[[Image:KGCN-002.png|thumb|right|Grand Canyon]]
These airports are in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon. From [[KGCN]] head north. From [[1Z1]] head south. From [[1G4]] head north (I think.) From AZ38 head north.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:KGCN-003.png|thumb|left|Grand Canyon]]
[[Image:World-KGCN.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 35.952361 Longitude: -112.146972]]
* [[KGCN|KGCN - GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/KGCN.pdf chart]
* [[1Z1|1Z1 - GRAND CANYON BAR TEN AIRSTRIP]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/1Z1.pdf chart]
* [[1G4|1G4 - GRAND CANYON WEST]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/1G4.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n30.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:KGCN-004.png|thumb|left|Grand Canyon]]

................

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=KGCN
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Ranger Creek Airport==
[[Image:6WA8-002.png|thumb|left|landing 1]]
[[Image:6WA8-008.png|thumb|right|landing 2]]
Greenwater, WA. This airport is wedged into the bottom of a steep canyon. You definitely need to be on your toes to get in and out of here. I'd hate to think about what the wind would do to you in real life.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-6WA8.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 47.01305555 Longitude: -121.534444451]]

* [[6WA8|6WA8 - Ranger Creek]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/6W8A.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w130n40.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:6WA8-009.png|thumb|left|landing 3]]
* [[Piper PA-18 Super Cub|pa 18]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=6WA8 --aircraft=pa18
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Mount Rainier Tour==
[[Image:WA20-002.png|thumb|left|The mountain from far away]]
[[Image:WA20-006.png|thumb|right|external view]]
Eatonville, WA. Start out at Swanson Airport in Eatonville, WA. Take off and fly a heading of about 90 degrees. You will need to fly for 5-10 minutes before the mountain comes into view. Be patient if you don't see it right away, it will dwarf everything in it's vicinity.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-WA20.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 46.87588502 Longitude: -122.25733500]]

* [[WA20|WA20 - Swanson]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/WA20.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w130n40.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:WA20-007.png|thumb|left|external near view]]
[[Image:WA20-009.png|thumb|right|external near view]]
* [[mosquito]]

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=WA20 --aircraft=mosquito
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Death Valley Tour==
[[Image:L06-001.png|thumb|left|in the air]]
[[Image:Furnace-creek.jpg|thumb|left|real life view of Furnace Creek Airfield]]
[[Image:L06-002.png|thumb|right|in the air]]
Furnace Creek, CA. This starts you right in the middle of Death Valley which runs north & south. If you head south about 15 miles you'll hit the lowest point in the USA, 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-L06.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 36.46451100 Longitude: -116.88139422]]
* [[L06|L06 - Furnace Creek]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/L06.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n30.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:L06-003.png|thumb|left|in the air]]
[[Image:L06-004.png|thumb|right|in the air]]
* [[rallye-MS893]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=L06 --aircraft=rallye-MS893
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Utah==
!!! Work in progress !!!<BR/>

Escalante Muni Airport, Escalante, UT. This airport is east and a bit north of Bryce Canyon National park. If you head mostly south and a bit east you'll eventually hit the Grand Canyon. It is sandwiched between the Dixie National forest to the north and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to the south. There should be interesting stuff to see no matter which direction you head.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-1L7.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 37.75054400 Longitude: -111.57578300]]
* [[1L7|1L7 - Escalante Muni]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/1L7.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n30.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=1L7 --aircraft=pa18
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Lake County Airport (CO)==
[[Image:KLXV-001.png|thumb|left|Adjust mixture !]]
[[Image:KLXV-002.png|thumb|right|The terrain will be covered by snow]]
Lake County Airport, Leadville, CO. This airport is at an elevation of 9927 making it a bit of a challenge to get into and out of with a standard C172.<BR/>
Make sure you lean out your engine before taking off and read up on density altitude before you try this one in real life.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:KLXV-003.png|thumb|left|The airport]]
[[Image:World-KLXV.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 39.22812500 Longitude: -106.31835600]]
* [[KLXV|KLXV - Lake Co]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/KLXV.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w110n30.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:KLXV-004.png|thumb|left|I like this panorama]]
[[Image:KLXV-005.png|thumb|right|The nearby lake]]
* [[Cessna C172P]]

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
[[Image:KLXV-006.png|thumb|left|Landing...]]
fgfs --airport=KLXV --aircraft=c172p
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Caribbean - Saint Martin and St. Kitts==
[[Image:TNCM-003.png|thumb|left|just after the take off]]
[[Image:TNCM-004.png|thumb|right|some nearby island]]
Pilots of the Caribbeans is an informal FlightGear community of users who fly around the small Caribbean islands, many of which have custom scenery and improved landclass data. (For details see [[Pilots of the Caribbean]])<BR/>

[[TNCM|Princess Juliana International Airport (TNCM)]] at the isle of Saint Martin, is one of the most popular airports in FlightGear. In large part due to the custom objects and land cover. However, St. Marten is only one of several detailed airports in the region - and, while the approach for TNCM is one of the most memorable in the whole world, the land cover for St. Kitts and Nevis makes it a lovely place to fly.

British Airways, US Airways and American Airlines, among others, all fly into St. Kitts' [[TKPK|Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (TKPK)]] in real life.

Take off from TKPK in a [[Piper_J3_Cub|Piper Cub]] and make a northward, clockwise circle of the island. Start your descent on the east side of the island, and focus on the small hill which separates the north from the south. Start hugging the coast near the beach and look to the west - as soon as the railroad heads to the southwest, you're about ready to turn for final. Make your right hand turn for final and taxi to the terminal.

If you want to fully explore this whole country, take off in a Beaver, which has a little more speed, and fly a figure eight. Take off from TKPK and circle the airport to the north like in the Cub. Then instead of landing, perform a touch-and-go and turn left over the boat terminal and make for the west coast of Nevis. Enjoy the beauty of the south coast of St. Kitts before circling Nevis. Over Nevis, you have several options - cut your flight short and land at [[TKPN]] on the island of Nevis, complete the "figure eight" by heading back to TKPK, or check your fuel and head east across the Caribbean to Antigua (which does not have custom land cover).<BR/>
<BR/>
Check out the [[Pilots of the Caribbean]] page, for further informations.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-TNCM.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 18.040953 Longitude: -63.108900]]

* [[TNCM|TNCM - Princess Juliana International Airport]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TNCM.pdf chart]
* [[TKPK|TKPK - Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TKPK.pdf chart]
* [[TKPN|TKPN - Vance Winkworth Amory Intl]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TKPN.pdf chart]
others interesting airports in the area:
* [[TFFF|TFFF - Le Lamentin]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TFFF.pdf chart]
* [[MDPP|MDPP - Gregorio Luperon Intl]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/MDPP.pdf chart]
* [[TJSJ|TJSJ - Luis Munoz Marin Intl]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TJSJ.pdf chart]
* [[FMEE|FMEE - St Denis Gillot]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/FMEE.pdf chart]
* [[TFFG|TFFG - Grand Case]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TFFG.pdf chart]

required scenery tile:
* ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w070n10.tgz
* ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w080n10.tgz
* ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w080n20.tgz
* ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w090n20.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:TNCM-005.png|thumb|left|amazing]]
[[Image:TNCM-006.png|thumb|right|landing]]
* [[Piper_J3_Cub|Piper Cub]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=TKPK --aircraft=Cub
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Author===
[[FlightGear Newsletter January 2011]] by [[User:Statto|Statto]], format and extended by [[User:Francescobrisa|Francescobrisa]].

==Friedman Memorial Airport (Idaho)==
[[Image:KSUN-001.png|thumb|left|take off]]
[[Image:KSUN-002.png|thumb|right|nearby]]
Friedman Memorial Airport, Hailey, Idaho. This airport is nestled in a valley surrounded by significant terrain. It's one that shows up quite often in accident investigations.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-KSUN.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 43.51223900 Longitude: -114.30376100]]
* [[KSUN|KSUN - Friedman Mem]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/KSUN.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n40.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:KSUN-003.png|thumb|left|landing]]
[[Image:KSUN-004.png|thumb|right|landing]]
* [[FK9MK2]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=KSUN --aircraft=fk9mk2
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

== Wyoming - Grand Teton ==
Jackson Hole (KJAC) airport is located at around 6,400ft right next to the Teton range of mountains. The Tetons rise straight out of the plains, gaining over 5,000ft in 2 miles.

You will need the w120n40 scenery.

Tower frequency at KJAC is 118.07. Due to the high altitude, you will need to lean non-turbocharged piston aircraft before take-off. Don't forget that take-off distances will also be longer.

After take-off head to the North East. Grand Teton is the highest of the three peaks that rise straight from the flat-lands. Follow the line of mountains to the East, passing over Jenny Lake. After a couple of miles you will reach a huge lake. The large bulk of a mountain to the East is Mount Moran.

The Teton Mountain range is surprisingly thin - really just a string of mountains running SW-NE. Flying fast jets down the steep valleys is recommended.
* September 2006 by [[User:Stuart|Stuart]].

== Virginia Eastern Shore, Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel Sightseeing ==
Take a short VFR trip from Tangier Island to view the famous Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connecting Cape Charles to Cape Henry. Depart historic Tangier Island (KTGI) situated in the Chesapeake Bay and land at Norfolk International Airport (KORF), Norfolk, Virginia. The scenic character of the flight is enhanced by leaving the island at dusk. The flight is both scenic and challenging. Frequently, when flying with real weather, you will have a steady wind blowing across the bay. Starting out quiet Tangier and arriving at busy, glittering Norfolk International (KORF) gives the flight some contrast.

'''fgfs --airport=KTGI --runway=20 --timeofday=dusk'''

Before leaving Tangier: Set your altimeter to the prevailing barometric temperature. Set your communications radio to the Norfolk Intl. (KORF) ATIS frequency of 127.150 MHz to listen for weather reports in the destination area. Set your navigation radio to 112.20 MHz to pick up the Cape Charles (CCV) VOR. Set your heading bug to the runway heading, 200.

Takeoff straight, flying the runway heading. Climb to 2000ft and maintain.

Shortly, you should see the VOR assigned to NAV1 display receive a steady signal (the OFF flag will disappear). The DME should also settle down and display the distance to the Cape Charles VOR station. The flight to CCV will be about 26 nautical miles. As you fly, it will show your airspeed and time to arrival. It should take about ten minutes.

Turn the OBS knob until the VOR displays the TO flag and 190 degrees, the heading you should now turn to.

Fly south from Tangier, crossing an expanse of water, about ten miles until you see the Virginia Eastern Shore. You'll come upon the grass airstrip of Chance (VA89) a few minutes out from Tangier. Beyond are two flashing tower beacons. You may catch a glimpse of Weirwood/Kellam (W08) on the ocean shore, recognizable by two crossing dirt strips.

If you look carefully, you may see the little white building that is the Cape Charles VOR station. As you fly over VOR the flag will change from TO to FROM and the needle will deflect. Do not try to follow the needle. Wait until you are past the VOR. As you cross the VOR station, you should see a highway slanting across your path toward the south west. Turn to follow this highway. You'll come across a lone tower with beacon along the roadside. You'll see an access road stretching from the tower complex to the main road.

If the sky conditions permit, you may try your hand at wayfinding by following the road. If visiblity is poor, set the VOR to 180 degrees to parallel the road to the end of the peninsula. Or you can continue to fly outbound from the VOR on 190 by maintaining the same heading. The VOR needle should return to center with the FROM flag displaying. This will put you west of the bridge with a good view and the option to turn towards KORF near the initial approach fix. If you follow the highway you will need to overfly the airport, but if you stay on the 190 heading, you will be in a position to make a straight in landing.

As you fly down the peninsula you'll pass Cherrystone, Eagle's Nest, Scott and Bull Farm grass airstrips. Bull Farm is the last strip before the mouth of the Chesapeake. Just past Scott Farm you should see the first glimmer of the northern leg of the bridge. The grass strips can be very difficult to see.

As you reach the end of the peninsula, be careful to avoid the tower on Fisherman's Island at the north end of the north leg of the bridge (Note the bridge is not modeled by FlightGear...but I hope to work up one eventually). Next comes the north middle leg. Turn right a few degrees to follow the south middle leg. Watch as the deck plunges beneath the waves to allow ships to navigate the north and south channels.

As Cape Henry approaches, you'll see the Norfolk International airport to the right and the southern leg of the bridge touching the shore.

If you intend to land at KORF, you will want to start your approach soon. Otherwise, you may continue to follow the bridge to the end. Make the approach to KORF by contacting the tower for vectors. Or use the ILS.

This is a good flight to practice VOR flying on. It is a very straight flight path to the VOR requiring little adjustment and there are no other VORs in the area to confuse you.
*June 2006 by [[User:Sek|Sek]].

===Prince George to Calgary Springbank===
A beautiful flight is from Prince George (CYXS), to Calgary Springbank (CYBW). Route created by reed, which can be seen at [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=9772 the forums]
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter November 2010]] By [[User:Cael|Cael]].

=South America=
==Southern Tip of Chile==
[[Image:Scgz-001.png|thumb|left|right after take off]]
[[Image:Scgz-004.png|thumb|right|Some part of the scenery]]
Gary Carvell: Here is a suggestion for the FlightGear Places to Fly page. I don't have any particular routes, just fly around and enjoy the gorgeous scenery.<BR/>
These three airports are in the same region of the very southern tip of Argentina. This area is a scenic wonderland - a maze of islands, mountains, and ocean channels. Hours of entertainment.<BR/>
SCGZ - Puerto Williams Guardiamarina Zanartu Airport, Chile Located on the north coast of Isla Navarino facing the Beagle Channel. At 55 deg S. longitude, Puerto Williams is considered the southernmost town in the world.<BR/>
SAWH - Ushuaia Islas Malvinas Airport
SAWO - Ushuaia Est Aeronaval Airport
Ushuaia, on the south coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, on the the Beagle Channel.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:Sawh-004.png|thumb|left|Approaching Ushumaia Malvinas Argentinas]]
[[Image:World-scgz.png|thumb|right|Latitude: -54.931072 Longitude: -67.626261]]

* [[SCGZ|SCGZ - Guardiamarina Zanartu]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/SCGZ.pdf chart]
* [[SAWH|SAWH - Ushuaia Malvinas Argentinas]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/SAWH.pdf chart]
* [[SAWO|SAWO - Ushuaia Est Aeronaval]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/SAWO.pdf chart]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:Scgz-002.png|thumb|left|Just left the scgz airport]]
I personally like to fly this area in the [[Consolidated_Aircraft_PBY_Catalina|Catalina]], it's a great sightseeing plane with the advantage that you can take off and land just about anywhere.
* [[Consolidated_Aircraft_PBY_Catalina|Catalina]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=SCGZ --aircraft=Catalina
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

=Middle East=
==Israel to Jordan over the Dead Sea==
[[Image:LLBS-001.png|thumb|left|take off]]
[[Image:LLBS-002.png|thumb|right|flat land]]
Dead Sea is the lowest water elevation on the Earth. Take off from the Beer-Sheva Teyman airport and head East-North-East. About half way there, after the southern Hebron mountains ridge, there'll be a sharp drop-off down to the Dead Sea --- the lowest exposed point on the Earth.<br/>
<br/>
It's really fun to descend and explore the beautiful coastline. In the real life, you wouldn't like to fly low over this water there of your own will --- while you don't need a life vest in the Dead Sea, the water is pretty caustic there for one's eyes. Once you're done marvelling the sights, continue on to the Queen Alia airport.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:LLBS-006.png|thumb|left|landing in the dead sea, notice the altitude !]]
[[Image:OJAI-007.png|thumb|right|landing at Queen Alia Intl.]]
[[Image:World-LLBS.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 31.29037800 Longitude: 34.71922500]]
* [[LLBS|LLBS - Teyman]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/LLBS.pdf chart]
* [[OJAI|OJAI - Queen Alia Intl]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/OJAI.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/e030n30.tar.gz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:LLBS-003.png|thumb|left|approaching the dead sea]]
[[Image:LLBS-004.png|thumb|right|there is also a minor airport]]
* [[Albatross]]

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=LLBS --aircraft=Albatross
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

=Europe=
==Edinburgh to Oban==
See article: [[Edinburgh to Oban]].

==Oban to Prestwick==
The west coast of Scotland offers some stunning scenery and a number of small airfields and airports to land at on both the mainland and the small islands the dot the coast. The distances between the various airfields are quite small, and some of the runways are on the short side, so STOL or GA aircraft are ideal. The tour suggested here follows part of a microlight trip I made this month, photos of which can be found [http://www.nanjika.co.uk/photos/gigha/ here].

Oban airport (EGEO) lies on the west coast of Scotland, and offers fuel (both AVGAS and AVTUR) and a North/South tarmac runway.

From Oban it is just a 10 minute flight west to the grass airfield of Glenforsa (EG45), on the north-east coast of the island of Mull. Due to the hills and water channel, this airfield often gets quite strange wind patterns - the weather can be perfect in Oban, but much gustier and windier at Glenforsa. At times the windsocks at either end of the runway can blow in completely opposite directions!

Some distance north of Oban lie the airfields of the Isle of Skye (EG57) and Plockton (EG81). This is an excellent place from which to explore the mountains of the Isle of Skye, known as the Cuilins.

Heading south from Oban, one can follow the coast to the island of Jura, with it's distinctive hills (The Paps of Jura). From Jura one can head south to the island of Islay with its numarous malt whisky distilleries (many of which are modelled in FG). Islay Airport (EGPI) has extensive runways. From Islay head north east to the tiny island of Gigha. Despite it's small size, it too has an airfield (EG44), though the FG version is tarmac rather than grass.

From Gigha head east over the Mull of Kintyre, to the hilly isle of Arran, then north east to the Isle of Bute. Both islands have very small grass airstrips, which are sadly not present in FG. From Bute you can head south east to Prestwick International (EGPK), famous for being the only place Elvis touched down in the UK, and a fine place to end our tour.
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter July 2011]] by [[User:Stuart|Stuart]]

== Edinburgh to Dundee ==
Edinburgh Airport (EGPH) is located to the West of the city of Edinburgh and south of the Forth rail and road bridges. You'll need the w010n50 scenery and the latest set of objects from the scenery DB which include a number of models for the Edinburgh area.

From Edinburgh Airport, head north and circle the bridges, then follow the coast on the south eastwards past Edinburgh (watch out for the Castle!) and to East Lothian and Bass Rock - a volcanic plug in the sea that is host to thousands of sea-birds.

There are a number of sights in East Lothian, include a distillery.

If you wish to continue your tour, head back North, crossing the Firth of Forth to the Kingdom of Fife. Head approximated North West, tracking towards the Perth VOR (110.4). There is an airport here (Perth Scone, EGPT), but instead we will now track out on the 090 radial and pick up the ILS to Dundee Airport (108.10) landing beside the sea.
* September 2006 by [[User:Stuart|Stuart]].

==Austrian alps==
Using the AI subsystem, discover the Austrian alps with a glider. [[Pinzgauer Spaziergang]]
== Sightseeing the Alps in a C172 ==
This tour will guide you to many of the most famous mountains, valleys, glaciers, snowfields, winter and summer vacation areas, etc. in the European Alps. In addition there are several hints to visit nearby areas of interest. On the tour you will visit Switzerland, Italy and France.
See the detailed description in: http://www.emmerich-j.de/FGFS/Alp-flying.pdf
*February 2011 by [[User:Jomo|Jomo]].

==Grenoble Le-Versoud==

[[Image:LFLG.jpg|800px]]

France : '''LFLG''' ( Grenoble Le-Versoud ) airport : border of Alps
*P.A.F. home base [http://equipe-flightgear.forumactif.com/ link]
*Scenery : http://clemaez.fr/flightgear/flightgearfrance_05062011.tar.gz
*Texture : http://clemaez.fr/flightgear/pattentextures_maj24082011.tar.gz

* Take-off from Grenoble le Versoud (LFLG). Head south following the general direction of the Alps. Bearing left (East) will take you into high alpine territory, while towards the West lie the plains of the Rhône valley. Once you reach the Mediterranean coast, follow it to land in Marseilles (LFML), Nice (LFMN), or another smaller airport serving the French Riviera.
*Published in [[Custom France Scenery]].

==Gulf of Finland sightseeing tour==
Take a VFR sightseeing tour over the Gulf of Finland from Helsinki to Tallinn! Estonia's landmarks are all recent additions, while Helsinki was one of the first cities to have original models in the scenery model database.

Take off from the smaller EFHF airfield in Helsinki, or try your luck fighting the virtual traffic at Vantaa, and head toward the port of Helsinki. Look for the Hartwall Arena, the Pasila tower, the railway station and the Olympic Stadium along the way. Make your way out over the Gulf flying just west of south - a heading of 190 should set you up nicely for a sightseeing tour of Tallinn. Try to come in from the west and do a sweeping left turn over the capital of Estonia, looking out for the Swissotel, Olympic Hotel, the Television tower, and other important landmarks in the capital city of Estonia. Make sure you look out for St. Olaf's Church, the tallest building in the capital city. Make your way over the Ulemiste Jarv (lake) to land on runway 09 at Tallinn's main airport.

If you desire, you can do a touch-and-go at Tallinn and set your course southeastward, landing at Tartu Airport, which is also modelled in FlightGear.

The distance between Helsinki and Tallinn is about 50 miles or 80 kilometres, while Tartu is twice the distance from Tallinn at 100 miles/160 kilometres. Fly a heading of 135 to get to Tartu from Tallinn.
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter October 2010]] by [[User:Statto|Statto]].

==Azores==
The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azores Azores], set in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, has had many names. Fortunate Isles, the Blue Islands, the Islands of Tin and Silver, the Islands of the Seven Cities. We can add, the Islands of Amazing Sights and Flights.

Our flight is to celebrate the amazing views FlightGear can give us.

Start your plane at Lajes Field (LPLA). This once was an emergency landing site for the space shuttle so you will have plenty of room to take off.
We will have to fly an odd pattern. The reason for that: if you don't fly too high (stick around 3000 while you can) you will have some amazing views.

Next, fly towards and over LPPD. Look out the window and enjoy the view. Then head out towards LPHR. If you feel LPHR coming near, look out the window good, you might have to pull your plane up.

Happy flying!
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter August 2011]] by [[User:PH-JBO|PH-JBO]]

==Gibraltar==
Traffic lights turn red, gates are closed. The only busy main road to the peninsula is closed and all the cars and trucks are waiting patiently. Waiting for a train to pass? No. Waiting for a plane to pass since the main road crosses a busy runway.

On both sides water and being crossed by a busy main road can only be one runway: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibraltar_Airport Gibraltar airport]!

One would expect an ILS installed on such a tricky runway but no, you will have to guess where it is and how far away it is. Not even an ADF points to it.

Take off from LEMG (Malaga). Go South-West and find the runway of LXGB somewhere to the right of the rock. Happy guessing!
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter September 2011]] by [[User:PH-JBO|PH-JBO]]

=Asia=
==Khorog, Tajikistan==

[[File:Fw190HinduKush.jpeg|left|thumb|Approaching a bank of snow-covered mountains in the south of the Hindu Kush]]
Surrounded by spectacular mountains and nestled in the end of a valley, Khorog Airfield (UT1C) makes an interesting place to land. It can only be approached by flying down the curved valley that snakes in from the North. Flying from here to OPCH (Chitral, Pakistan) at around 500ft AGL all the way is a wonderful way to explore the Hindu Kush mountains.

If you bring a piston engined aircraft, be prepared to adjust the mixture as you climb - at the highest point in the flight, you will be at around 22000ft. Also, don't forget to carry plenty of fuel - there are very few airfields in the Hindu Kush that exist in FlightGear. This is a scenery bug that will hopefully be fixed in the future.

*October 2011 by [[User:Armchair Ace| Armchair Ace]].

=Africa=
==Ngorngoro==
For this [[VFR]] trip we need a strong machine since we will go up to about 10,000 feet and since we are in Africa, Tanzania , what better choice is there as the Cessna 208 Caravan, on wheels. We will take off from HTLM, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Manyara Lake Manyara], runway 12 (124.5 deg), that has an elevation of 4150 feet. Hit Shift-B so we don't drop off the runway.

We will have to change some settings before we take off. There is no snow where we are so: View=> Rendering Options=> Snow line=> Set to max. (5000M). We need a reasonable clear sky since there are quite a few bumps we could hit: Environment=> Global weather=> METAR source=> Fair weather.

Give full throttle and take off. Bank left and make a full circle so we gain some altitude and make a mental note of the airstrip, since this is the only one nearby. Look at the road West towards the airfield.
You will notice that the airstrip is at the edge of a mountain ridge, the lake to the East is quite a lot lower.

We pass over the airstrip towards lake Manyara and turn left keeping the mountains to our left side, on an initial course of about 30 deg. We keep the mountains to our left and follow our path, our heading will slowly go from 30 to North and takes about 15 mins. During our path we should slowly gain altitude.
[[File:Ol Doinyo Lengai.jpg|thumb|250px]]
On the image we see two distinct mountains. The nearest is Mt.Kerimasi, a fun place for hang-gliders, and North Mt.Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano. We are heading straight towards [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ol_Doinyo_Lengai Mt.Ol Doinyo Lengai]. Just before we would collide we take a sharp left turn heading 225. You will see why we need the altitude now.

The mountain ahead, Mt.Embagai, we see does not appear to be anything spectacular. Aim towards it since we have to go over it.
Coming nearer, if you are high enough, 9000 feet, you will see why this mountain is well worth a visit. It is a crater with a lake inside, lake Embagai (Empakaai). Enter the crater and look around, careful not to loose any height since we'll have to get out again, 10 000 feet. Mesmerized we grab our compass and take a course of 225 again. To get out we might skim against a cloud, be careful. If you don't see a way out take a turn again to wait for the clouds to move out of sight.

After you managed to get out of the crater keep on course 225 while descending slowly for about 9 mins. There are some bumps to avoid, like Mt.Olmoti we keep to the right and Mt.Losirua on the left.

After a small hill we enter one of the most amazing places in Africa, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngorongoro_Conservation_Area Ngorngoro Crater], the second biggest crater in the world. A micro climate and amazing wildlife.
Examine the crater and you will notice two lakes, head towards the biggest lake, lake Magadi. When you are above it take a course of 123 to get out of the crater.

After leaving the crater it takes some time before we are near the airstrip again. After about 5 mins we will see a river (left) and a road (right). Follow the road since it will lead us to the airstrip again.

Don't scare the wildebeast!

Notecard:
<tt>
#Fair weather, no snow
#HTLM RW 12 4150 feet
#Course 30 to 0 deg 15 mins, mountains close left
#Head towards volcano
#Sharp left turn course 225 deg altitude 9000 feet
#Volcano, lake, 10 000 feet
#Course 225 deg, slow descend 9 min
#Large lake, course 123 deg 5 mins
#River left, road right. Follow road
#Landing 124.5 deg 4150 feet.</tt>

*October 2011 by [[User:PH-JBO|PH-JBO]].

=Australia and Oceania=

==Hawai'i==
[[Image:Maui03.jpg|thumb|250px]]
Do you use [[TerraSync]]? If so, try a flight around Hawaii! Take off from PHNL in a light aircraft and head west until you hit Pearl Harbor; a right turn north will take you post the USS Arizona Memorial, and the Punchbowl Crater will be to your right. Or, fly east from PHNL past volcanic craters Diamond Head and Koko Head. If you follow the O'ahu coastline north from Koko Head, you can land at either old World War II airbase Bellows Field (now a wildlife reserve in real life) or at Keahole MCAS.

For a potentially more scenic route, fly east toward Molokai, and stay to the north (left) of the island. The northern part of Molokai features huge sea cliffs and a tiny airstrip on the Kalaupapa peninsula - the peninsula being the only respite from the cliffs. A former leper colony existed near the airstrip!

Also of interest are the volcanoes on Maui and the 'Big Island' of Hawai'i - flying VFR in a small plane from PHTO to PHKO over the plateau between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa can be a challenge, as you have to take off from sea level, fly through a pass of 6500 feet, and then drop back down to sea level to land! The Hana coast of northern Maui is also a nice flight - a circumnavigation of Haleakala, starting and ending at PHOG, is quite a nice flight.

The islands will be available through the download center with the next major scenery release, but for now, fire up [[TerraSync]] and your favorite VFR aircraft and have a blast.
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter September 2010]] by [[User:Statto|Statto]].

==Brisbane International Airport to Sydney International Airport==
Going from Brisbane International Airport to Sydney International Airport. You should have a heading of about 203. Might take sometime to arrive to this section. Maybe 10-30 mins into the flight. Can't really say but don't give up, you will eventually reach this section of the flight. '''''Your eyes will be rewarded!''''' .

[[Image:Fgfs-screen-020.png|200px]]
[[Image:Fgfs-screen-016.png|200px]]
[[Image:Fgfs-screen-012.png|200px]]
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter April 2011]] by [[User:Vin|Vin]]

=Antarctica=

<nowiki>
{{Suggested}}

[[Category:List]]
</nowiki>

Places to fly

2011-10-16T16:52:56Z

Armchair Ace: /* Khorog, Tajikistan */

{{Mergefrom|Suggested Flights}}
[[FlightGear]] has accurate and realistic terrain. Here are some interesting places where you can do virtual sight seeing.

If you are starting with [[FGRun]] - the FlightGear launcher - you can enter the [[airport]] id and select the runway on the appropriate screen in the startup wizard.
If you are starting from the command line you can use the options: <tt>--airport=ABCD</tt> and <tt>--runway=12L</tt>.

*Remember to give a look at the [[Suggested Airports]] page, where you can find a comprensive list of high quality airports in FlightGear.
*If you enjoy these flights, please consider recording a flight and posting a link to it at the [[Suggested Prerecorded Flights]] page.

'''Remove before flight!'''

Before you start flying into one of the suggested flights, you should add both the terrain and the Objects to you FlightGear installation; This is well explained on the [[Howto: Install scenery|installing scenery]] page.

p.s. charts are generated using FlightGear data only.

{{TOC limit|3}}

=North America=
==Round Valley Airport==
[[Image:O09-002.png|thumb|left|right after take off]]
[[Image:O09-003.png|thumb|right|Valley]]
Covalis, CA. The airport is at the West edge of a 7 mile across valley.<BR/>
The predominant wind is a cross wind. Take-offs to the west (if they use the full runway length) often have to fly between 2 small hills and over another valley while gaining altitude. Most pilots take off to the west.<BR/>
It is a paved runway and quite long. It was designated as an emergency recovery field during the Cold War and was used twice that I know of by military aircraft that could not take off again from the field.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-O09.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 39.790156 Longitude: -123.266403]]
* [[O09|O09 - Round valley]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/O09.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n40.tar.gz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
I have tried this trip using a p38, quite powerful airplane
* [[Lockheed-P38|P38]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=O09 --runway=28 --aircraft=p38
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Half Moon Bay==
[[Image:KHAF-001.png|thumb|left|right after take off]]
[[Image:KHAF-002.png|thumb|right|Bridge]]
Start at [[KHAF|Half Moon Bay]], Runway 30, with 32km visibility; Takeoff in the C172 and climb to 1000 feet, then continue north over the water, near the shoreline. Look out the right window frequently. Fly up the coast, overfly the Golden Gate Bridge, continue around the top of the peninsula past downtown SF, then fly on to [[KSFO]] for a landing. We now have lots to see.

If you cannot see the runway in the default 172, you must be flying too high or too slowly. You can start by practicing a bit with a good setup:

'''fgfs --offset-distance=1.5 --altitude=500 --vc=70'''

As soon as Flight Gear starts, cut the power to 1500 rpm and drop two notches of flap. Maintain 70 kt. Now, pick your landing spot (a bit down the runway) and try to hold it in the same spot on your windshield. If your landing spot starts moving down, you are too high, and should cut another 100 rpm; if it starts moving up, you are too low, and should add another 100 rpm. Adjust the nose to keep your speed at 70 kt all the way down until you're right above the numbers, then cut power to idle, drop the last notch of flaps, flare, and land.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:KHAF-003.png|thumb|left|surroundings]]
[[Image:World-KHAF.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 37.513333 Longitude: -122.501111]]
* [[KHAF|KHAF - Half Moon Bay]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/KHAF.pdf chart]

no required scenery tile.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:KSFO-001.png|thumb|left|Before landing]]
Use the default c172 airplane
* [[Cessna C172P]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=KHAF --runway=30 --visibility=32000 --aircraft=c172
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Author===
April 2006 [[User:Hellosimon|Hellosimon]], format and extended by [[User:Francescobrisa|Francescobrisa]]

==Hell's Canyon==
[[Image:25U-001.png|thumb|left|right after take off]]
[[Image:25U-004.png|thumb|right|Valley]]
Hell's Canyon, Imnaha, OR. This airport is located just west of "Hell's Canyon National Park" which has the Snake River running through it.<br/>
Supposedly it's a 5500 foot drop from the top of the canyon to the river.<BR/>
The airport is located on the brink of this canyon.

See the remarks on the airport page (click on the airport id) ... DOWNDRAFTS, SHEER DROP IN TERRAIN, LIVESTOCK, etc. Don't go here on your first solo x-country. :-)
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:25U-005.png|thumb|left|Landing]]
[[Image:World-25U.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 45.427861 Longitude: -116.693889]]
* [[25U|25U - Round valley]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/25U.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n40.tar.gz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:25U-006.png|thumb|left|Landing 2]]
I have tried this trip using a pilatus PC-9M, powerful airplane
* [[PC-9M|PC-9M]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=25U --aircraft=PC-9M
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Crater Lake National Park Tour==
[[Image:64s-003.png|thumb|left|Approaching the lake]]
[[Image:64s-002.png|thumb|right|Direction 40 degrees]]
Prospect, OR.<br/>

Take off and fly at a heading of about 40 degrees until you cross the first distinct ridge in front of you. (several minutes of flight in the navion ... just climb as fast as you can, it will be a close squeek to get over :-)<br/>

Once you clear the ridge and can see beyond it, turn right and fly a heading of about 70 degrees. You should see two shallow peaks off in the distance. Head right between these -- they are the two sides of the crater. As you get closer the shape of the crater will come into view. There's a lake there in real life, hopefully it will be there in flight gear too before long.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:64s-001.png|thumb|left|Leaving the 64S airfield]]
[[Image:World-64S.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 42.743183 Longitude: -122.488092]]
* [[64S|64S - Prospect State]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/64S.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w130n40.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:64s-004.png|thumb|left|Lake view 1]]
[[Image:64s-005.png|thumb|right|Lake view 2]]

* [[Ryan_Navion|Navion]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=64S --runway=02 --aircraft=navion
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Grand Canyon Tour==
[[Image:KGCN-001.png|thumb|left|Grand Canyon]]
[[Image:KGCN-002.png|thumb|right|Grand Canyon]]
These airports are in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon. From [[KGCN]] head north. From [[1Z1]] head south. From [[1G4]] head north (I think.) From AZ38 head north.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:KGCN-003.png|thumb|left|Grand Canyon]]
[[Image:World-KGCN.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 35.952361 Longitude: -112.146972]]
* [[KGCN|KGCN - GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/KGCN.pdf chart]
* [[1Z1|1Z1 - GRAND CANYON BAR TEN AIRSTRIP]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/1Z1.pdf chart]
* [[1G4|1G4 - GRAND CANYON WEST]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/1G4.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n30.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:KGCN-004.png|thumb|left|Grand Canyon]]

................

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=KGCN
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Ranger Creek Airport==
[[Image:6WA8-002.png|thumb|left|landing 1]]
[[Image:6WA8-008.png|thumb|right|landing 2]]
Greenwater, WA. This airport is wedged into the bottom of a steep canyon. You definitely need to be on your toes to get in and out of here. I'd hate to think about what the wind would do to you in real life.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-6WA8.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 47.01305555 Longitude: -121.534444451]]

* [[6WA8|6WA8 - Ranger Creek]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/6W8A.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w130n40.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:6WA8-009.png|thumb|left|landing 3]]
* [[Piper PA-18 Super Cub|pa 18]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=6WA8 --aircraft=pa18
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Mount Rainier Tour==
[[Image:WA20-002.png|thumb|left|The mountain from far away]]
[[Image:WA20-006.png|thumb|right|external view]]
Eatonville, WA. Start out at Swanson Airport in Eatonville, WA. Take off and fly a heading of about 90 degrees. You will need to fly for 5-10 minutes before the mountain comes into view. Be patient if you don't see it right away, it will dwarf everything in it's vicinity.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-WA20.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 46.87588502 Longitude: -122.25733500]]

* [[WA20|WA20 - Swanson]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/WA20.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w130n40.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:WA20-007.png|thumb|left|external near view]]
[[Image:WA20-009.png|thumb|right|external near view]]
* [[mosquito]]

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=WA20 --aircraft=mosquito
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Death Valley Tour==
[[Image:L06-001.png|thumb|left|in the air]]
[[Image:Furnace-creek.jpg|thumb|left|real life view of Furnace Creek Airfield]]
[[Image:L06-002.png|thumb|right|in the air]]
Furnace Creek, CA. This starts you right in the middle of Death Valley which runs north & south. If you head south about 15 miles you'll hit the lowest point in the USA, 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-L06.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 36.46451100 Longitude: -116.88139422]]
* [[L06|L06 - Furnace Creek]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/L06.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n30.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:L06-003.png|thumb|left|in the air]]
[[Image:L06-004.png|thumb|right|in the air]]
* [[rallye-MS893]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=L06 --aircraft=rallye-MS893
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Utah==
!!! Work in progress !!!<BR/>

Escalante Muni Airport, Escalante, UT. This airport is east and a bit north of Bryce Canyon National park. If you head mostly south and a bit east you'll eventually hit the Grand Canyon. It is sandwiched between the Dixie National forest to the north and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to the south. There should be interesting stuff to see no matter which direction you head.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-1L7.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 37.75054400 Longitude: -111.57578300]]
* [[1L7|1L7 - Escalante Muni]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/1L7.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n30.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=1L7 --aircraft=pa18
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Lake County Airport (CO)==
[[Image:KLXV-001.png|thumb|left|Adjust mixture !]]
[[Image:KLXV-002.png|thumb|right|The terrain will be covered by snow]]
Lake County Airport, Leadville, CO. This airport is at an elevation of 9927 making it a bit of a challenge to get into and out of with a standard C172.<BR/>
Make sure you lean out your engine before taking off and read up on density altitude before you try this one in real life.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:KLXV-003.png|thumb|left|The airport]]
[[Image:World-KLXV.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 39.22812500 Longitude: -106.31835600]]
* [[KLXV|KLXV - Lake Co]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/KLXV.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w110n30.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:KLXV-004.png|thumb|left|I like this panorama]]
[[Image:KLXV-005.png|thumb|right|The nearby lake]]
* [[Cessna C172P]]

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
[[Image:KLXV-006.png|thumb|left|Landing...]]
fgfs --airport=KLXV --aircraft=c172p
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Caribbean - Saint Martin and St. Kitts==
[[Image:TNCM-003.png|thumb|left|just after the take off]]
[[Image:TNCM-004.png|thumb|right|some nearby island]]
Pilots of the Caribbeans is an informal FlightGear community of users who fly around the small Caribbean islands, many of which have custom scenery and improved landclass data. (For details see [[Pilots of the Caribbean]])<BR/>

[[TNCM|Princess Juliana International Airport (TNCM)]] at the isle of Saint Martin, is one of the most popular airports in FlightGear. In large part due to the custom objects and land cover. However, St. Marten is only one of several detailed airports in the region - and, while the approach for TNCM is one of the most memorable in the whole world, the land cover for St. Kitts and Nevis makes it a lovely place to fly.

British Airways, US Airways and American Airlines, among others, all fly into St. Kitts' [[TKPK|Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (TKPK)]] in real life.

Take off from TKPK in a [[Piper_J3_Cub|Piper Cub]] and make a northward, clockwise circle of the island. Start your descent on the east side of the island, and focus on the small hill which separates the north from the south. Start hugging the coast near the beach and look to the west - as soon as the railroad heads to the southwest, you're about ready to turn for final. Make your right hand turn for final and taxi to the terminal.

If you want to fully explore this whole country, take off in a Beaver, which has a little more speed, and fly a figure eight. Take off from TKPK and circle the airport to the north like in the Cub. Then instead of landing, perform a touch-and-go and turn left over the boat terminal and make for the west coast of Nevis. Enjoy the beauty of the south coast of St. Kitts before circling Nevis. Over Nevis, you have several options - cut your flight short and land at [[TKPN]] on the island of Nevis, complete the "figure eight" by heading back to TKPK, or check your fuel and head east across the Caribbean to Antigua (which does not have custom land cover).<BR/>
<BR/>
Check out the [[Pilots of the Caribbean]] page, for further informations.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-TNCM.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 18.040953 Longitude: -63.108900]]

* [[TNCM|TNCM - Princess Juliana International Airport]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TNCM.pdf chart]
* [[TKPK|TKPK - Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TKPK.pdf chart]
* [[TKPN|TKPN - Vance Winkworth Amory Intl]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TKPN.pdf chart]
others interesting airports in the area:
* [[TFFF|TFFF - Le Lamentin]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TFFF.pdf chart]
* [[MDPP|MDPP - Gregorio Luperon Intl]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/MDPP.pdf chart]
* [[TJSJ|TJSJ - Luis Munoz Marin Intl]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TJSJ.pdf chart]
* [[FMEE|FMEE - St Denis Gillot]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/FMEE.pdf chart]
* [[TFFG|TFFG - Grand Case]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TFFG.pdf chart]

required scenery tile:
* ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w070n10.tgz
* ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w080n10.tgz
* ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w080n20.tgz
* ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w090n20.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:TNCM-005.png|thumb|left|amazing]]
[[Image:TNCM-006.png|thumb|right|landing]]
* [[Piper_J3_Cub|Piper Cub]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=TKPK --aircraft=Cub
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Author===
[[FlightGear Newsletter January 2011]] by [[User:Statto|Statto]], format and extended by [[User:Francescobrisa|Francescobrisa]].

==Friedman Memorial Airport (Idaho)==
[[Image:KSUN-001.png|thumb|left|take off]]
[[Image:KSUN-002.png|thumb|right|nearby]]
Friedman Memorial Airport, Hailey, Idaho. This airport is nestled in a valley surrounded by significant terrain. It's one that shows up quite often in accident investigations.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-KSUN.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 43.51223900 Longitude: -114.30376100]]
* [[KSUN|KSUN - Friedman Mem]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/KSUN.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n40.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:KSUN-003.png|thumb|left|landing]]
[[Image:KSUN-004.png|thumb|right|landing]]
* [[FK9MK2]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=KSUN --aircraft=fk9mk2
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

== Wyoming - Grand Teton ==
Jackson Hole (KJAC) airport is located at around 6,400ft right next to the Teton range of mountains. The Tetons rise straight out of the plains, gaining over 5,000ft in 2 miles.

You will need the w120n40 scenery.

Tower frequency at KJAC is 118.07. Due to the high altitude, you will need to lean non-turbocharged piston aircraft before take-off. Don't forget that take-off distances will also be longer.

After take-off head to the North East. Grand Teton is the highest of the three peaks that rise straight from the flat-lands. Follow the line of mountains to the East, passing over Jenny Lake. After a couple of miles you will reach a huge lake. The large bulk of a mountain to the East is Mount Moran.

The Teton Mountain range is surprisingly thin - really just a string of mountains running SW-NE. Flying fast jets down the steep valleys is recommended.
* September 2006 by [[User:Stuart|Stuart]].

== Virginia Eastern Shore, Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel Sightseeing ==
Take a short VFR trip from Tangier Island to view the famous Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connecting Cape Charles to Cape Henry. Depart historic Tangier Island (KTGI) situated in the Chesapeake Bay and land at Norfolk International Airport (KORF), Norfolk, Virginia. The scenic character of the flight is enhanced by leaving the island at dusk. The flight is both scenic and challenging. Frequently, when flying with real weather, you will have a steady wind blowing across the bay. Starting out quiet Tangier and arriving at busy, glittering Norfolk International (KORF) gives the flight some contrast.

'''fgfs --airport=KTGI --runway=20 --timeofday=dusk'''

Before leaving Tangier: Set your altimeter to the prevailing barometric temperature. Set your communications radio to the Norfolk Intl. (KORF) ATIS frequency of 127.150 MHz to listen for weather reports in the destination area. Set your navigation radio to 112.20 MHz to pick up the Cape Charles (CCV) VOR. Set your heading bug to the runway heading, 200.

Takeoff straight, flying the runway heading. Climb to 2000ft and maintain.

Shortly, you should see the VOR assigned to NAV1 display receive a steady signal (the OFF flag will disappear). The DME should also settle down and display the distance to the Cape Charles VOR station. The flight to CCV will be about 26 nautical miles. As you fly, it will show your airspeed and time to arrival. It should take about ten minutes.

Turn the OBS knob until the VOR displays the TO flag and 190 degrees, the heading you should now turn to.

Fly south from Tangier, crossing an expanse of water, about ten miles until you see the Virginia Eastern Shore. You'll come upon the grass airstrip of Chance (VA89) a few minutes out from Tangier. Beyond are two flashing tower beacons. You may catch a glimpse of Weirwood/Kellam (W08) on the ocean shore, recognizable by two crossing dirt strips.

If you look carefully, you may see the little white building that is the Cape Charles VOR station. As you fly over VOR the flag will change from TO to FROM and the needle will deflect. Do not try to follow the needle. Wait until you are past the VOR. As you cross the VOR station, you should see a highway slanting across your path toward the south west. Turn to follow this highway. You'll come across a lone tower with beacon along the roadside. You'll see an access road stretching from the tower complex to the main road.

If the sky conditions permit, you may try your hand at wayfinding by following the road. If visiblity is poor, set the VOR to 180 degrees to parallel the road to the end of the peninsula. Or you can continue to fly outbound from the VOR on 190 by maintaining the same heading. The VOR needle should return to center with the FROM flag displaying. This will put you west of the bridge with a good view and the option to turn towards KORF near the initial approach fix. If you follow the highway you will need to overfly the airport, but if you stay on the 190 heading, you will be in a position to make a straight in landing.

As you fly down the peninsula you'll pass Cherrystone, Eagle's Nest, Scott and Bull Farm grass airstrips. Bull Farm is the last strip before the mouth of the Chesapeake. Just past Scott Farm you should see the first glimmer of the northern leg of the bridge. The grass strips can be very difficult to see.

As you reach the end of the peninsula, be careful to avoid the tower on Fisherman's Island at the north end of the north leg of the bridge (Note the bridge is not modeled by FlightGear...but I hope to work up one eventually). Next comes the north middle leg. Turn right a few degrees to follow the south middle leg. Watch as the deck plunges beneath the waves to allow ships to navigate the north and south channels.

As Cape Henry approaches, you'll see the Norfolk International airport to the right and the southern leg of the bridge touching the shore.

If you intend to land at KORF, you will want to start your approach soon. Otherwise, you may continue to follow the bridge to the end. Make the approach to KORF by contacting the tower for vectors. Or use the ILS.

This is a good flight to practice VOR flying on. It is a very straight flight path to the VOR requiring little adjustment and there are no other VORs in the area to confuse you.
*June 2006 by [[User:Sek|Sek]].

===Prince George to Calgary Springbank===
A beautiful flight is from Prince George (CYXS), to Calgary Springbank (CYBW). Route created by reed, which can be seen at [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=9772 the forums]
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter November 2010]] By [[User:Cael|Cael]].

=South America=
==Southern Tip of Chile==
[[Image:Scgz-001.png|thumb|left|right after take off]]
[[Image:Scgz-004.png|thumb|right|Some part of the scenery]]
Gary Carvell: Here is a suggestion for the FlightGear Places to Fly page. I don't have any particular routes, just fly around and enjoy the gorgeous scenery.<BR/>
These three airports are in the same region of the very southern tip of Argentina. This area is a scenic wonderland - a maze of islands, mountains, and ocean channels. Hours of entertainment.<BR/>
SCGZ - Puerto Williams Guardiamarina Zanartu Airport, Chile Located on the north coast of Isla Navarino facing the Beagle Channel. At 55 deg S. longitude, Puerto Williams is considered the southernmost town in the world.<BR/>
SAWH - Ushuaia Islas Malvinas Airport
SAWO - Ushuaia Est Aeronaval Airport
Ushuaia, on the south coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, on the the Beagle Channel.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:Sawh-004.png|thumb|left|Approaching Ushumaia Malvinas Argentinas]]
[[Image:World-scgz.png|thumb|right|Latitude: -54.931072 Longitude: -67.626261]]

* [[SCGZ|SCGZ - Guardiamarina Zanartu]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/SCGZ.pdf chart]
* [[SAWH|SAWH - Ushuaia Malvinas Argentinas]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/SAWH.pdf chart]
* [[SAWO|SAWO - Ushuaia Est Aeronaval]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/SAWO.pdf chart]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:Scgz-002.png|thumb|left|Just left the scgz airport]]
I personally like to fly this area in the [[Consolidated_Aircraft_PBY_Catalina|Catalina]], it's a great sightseeing plane with the advantage that you can take off and land just about anywhere.
* [[Consolidated_Aircraft_PBY_Catalina|Catalina]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=SCGZ --aircraft=Catalina
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

=Middle East=
==Israel to Jordan over the Dead Sea==
[[Image:LLBS-001.png|thumb|left|take off]]
[[Image:LLBS-002.png|thumb|right|flat land]]
Dead Sea is the lowest water elevation on the Earth. Take off from the Beer-Sheva Teyman airport and head East-North-East. About half way there, after the southern Hebron mountains ridge, there'll be a sharp drop-off down to the Dead Sea --- the lowest exposed point on the Earth.<br/>
<br/>
It's really fun to descend and explore the beautiful coastline. In the real life, you wouldn't like to fly low over this water there of your own will --- while you don't need a life vest in the Dead Sea, the water is pretty caustic there for one's eyes. Once you're done marvelling the sights, continue on to the Queen Alia airport.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:LLBS-006.png|thumb|left|landing in the dead sea, notice the altitude !]]
[[Image:OJAI-007.png|thumb|right|landing at Queen Alia Intl.]]
[[Image:World-LLBS.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 31.29037800 Longitude: 34.71922500]]
* [[LLBS|LLBS - Teyman]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/LLBS.pdf chart]
* [[OJAI|OJAI - Queen Alia Intl]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/OJAI.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/e030n30.tar.gz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:LLBS-003.png|thumb|left|approaching the dead sea]]
[[Image:LLBS-004.png|thumb|right|there is also a minor airport]]
* [[Albatross]]

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=LLBS --aircraft=Albatross
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

=Europe=
==Edinburgh to Oban==
See article: [[Edinburgh to Oban]].

==Oban to Prestwick==
The west coast of Scotland offers some stunning scenery and a number of small airfields and airports to land at on both the mainland and the small islands the dot the coast. The distances between the various airfields are quite small, and some of the runways are on the short side, so STOL or GA aircraft are ideal. The tour suggested here follows part of a microlight trip I made this month, photos of which can be found [http://www.nanjika.co.uk/photos/gigha/ here].

Oban airport (EGEO) lies on the west coast of Scotland, and offers fuel (both AVGAS and AVTUR) and a North/South tarmac runway.

From Oban it is just a 10 minute flight west to the grass airfield of Glenforsa (EG45), on the north-east coast of the island of Mull. Due to the hills and water channel, this airfield often gets quite strange wind patterns - the weather can be perfect in Oban, but much gustier and windier at Glenforsa. At times the windsocks at either end of the runway can blow in completely opposite directions!

Some distance north of Oban lie the airfields of the Isle of Skye (EG57) and Plockton (EG81). This is an excellent place from which to explore the mountains of the Isle of Skye, known as the Cuilins.

Heading south from Oban, one can follow the coast to the island of Jura, with it's distinctive hills (The Paps of Jura). From Jura one can head south to the island of Islay with its numarous malt whisky distilleries (many of which are modelled in FG). Islay Airport (EGPI) has extensive runways. From Islay head north east to the tiny island of Gigha. Despite it's small size, it too has an airfield (EG44), though the FG version is tarmac rather than grass.

From Gigha head east over the Mull of Kintyre, to the hilly isle of Arran, then north east to the Isle of Bute. Both islands have very small grass airstrips, which are sadly not present in FG. From Bute you can head south east to Prestwick International (EGPK), famous for being the only place Elvis touched down in the UK, and a fine place to end our tour.
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter July 2011]] by [[User:Stuart|Stuart]]

== Edinburgh to Dundee ==
Edinburgh Airport (EGPH) is located to the West of the city of Edinburgh and south of the Forth rail and road bridges. You'll need the w010n50 scenery and the latest set of objects from the scenery DB which include a number of models for the Edinburgh area.

From Edinburgh Airport, head north and circle the bridges, then follow the coast on the south eastwards past Edinburgh (watch out for the Castle!) and to East Lothian and Bass Rock - a volcanic plug in the sea that is host to thousands of sea-birds.

There are a number of sights in East Lothian, include a distillery.

If you wish to continue your tour, head back North, crossing the Firth of Forth to the Kingdom of Fife. Head approximated North West, tracking towards the Perth VOR (110.4). There is an airport here (Perth Scone, EGPT), but instead we will now track out on the 090 radial and pick up the ILS to Dundee Airport (108.10) landing beside the sea.
* September 2006 by [[User:Stuart|Stuart]].

==Austrian alps==
Using the AI subsystem, discover the Austrian alps with a glider. [[Pinzgauer Spaziergang]]
== Sightseeing the Alps in a C172 ==
This tour will guide you to many of the most famous mountains, valleys, glaciers, snowfields, winter and summer vacation areas, etc. in the European Alps. In addition there are several hints to visit nearby areas of interest. On the tour you will visit Switzerland, Italy and France.
See the detailed description in: http://www.emmerich-j.de/FGFS/Alp-flying.pdf
*February 2011 by [[User:Jomo|Jomo]].

==Grenoble Le-Versoud==

[[Image:LFLG.jpg|800px]]

France : '''LFLG''' ( Grenoble Le-Versoud ) airport : border of Alps
*P.A.F. home base [http://equipe-flightgear.forumactif.com/ link]
*Scenery : http://clemaez.fr/flightgear/flightgearfrance_05062011.tar.gz
*Texture : http://clemaez.fr/flightgear/pattentextures_maj24082011.tar.gz

* Take-off from Grenoble le Versoud (LFLG). Head south following the general direction of the Alps. Bearing left (East) will take you into high alpine territory, while towards the West lie the plains of the Rhône valley. Once you reach the Mediterranean coast, follow it to land in Marseilles (LFML), Nice (LFMN), or another smaller airport serving the French Riviera.
*Published in [[Custom France Scenery]].

==Gulf of Finland sightseeing tour==
Take a VFR sightseeing tour over the Gulf of Finland from Helsinki to Tallinn! Estonia's landmarks are all recent additions, while Helsinki was one of the first cities to have original models in the scenery model database.

Take off from the smaller EFHF airfield in Helsinki, or try your luck fighting the virtual traffic at Vantaa, and head toward the port of Helsinki. Look for the Hartwall Arena, the Pasila tower, the railway station and the Olympic Stadium along the way. Make your way out over the Gulf flying just west of south - a heading of 190 should set you up nicely for a sightseeing tour of Tallinn. Try to come in from the west and do a sweeping left turn over the capital of Estonia, looking out for the Swissotel, Olympic Hotel, the Television tower, and other important landmarks in the capital city of Estonia. Make sure you look out for St. Olaf's Church, the tallest building in the capital city. Make your way over the Ulemiste Jarv (lake) to land on runway 09 at Tallinn's main airport.

If you desire, you can do a touch-and-go at Tallinn and set your course southeastward, landing at Tartu Airport, which is also modelled in FlightGear.

The distance between Helsinki and Tallinn is about 50 miles or 80 kilometres, while Tartu is twice the distance from Tallinn at 100 miles/160 kilometres. Fly a heading of 135 to get to Tartu from Tallinn.
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter October 2010]] by [[User:Statto|Statto]].

==Azores==
The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azores Azores], set in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, has had many names. Fortunate Isles, the Blue Islands, the Islands of Tin and Silver, the Islands of the Seven Cities. We can add, the Islands of Amazing Sights and Flights.

Our flight is to celebrate the amazing views FlightGear can give us.

Start your plane at Lajes Field (LPLA). This once was an emergency landing site for the space shuttle so you will have plenty of room to take off.
We will have to fly an odd pattern. The reason for that: if you don't fly too high (stick around 3000 while you can) you will have some amazing views.

Next, fly towards and over LPPD. Look out the window and enjoy the view. Then head out towards LPHR. If you feel LPHR coming near, look out the window good, you might have to pull your plane up.

Happy flying!
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter August 2011]] by [[User:PH-JBO|PH-JBO]]

==Gibraltar==
Traffic lights turn red, gates are closed. The only busy main road to the peninsula is closed and all the cars and trucks are waiting patiently. Waiting for a train to pass? No. Waiting for a plane to pass since the main road crosses a busy runway.

On both sides water and being crossed by a busy main road can only be one runway: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibraltar_Airport Gibraltar airport]!

One would expect an ILS installed on such a tricky runway but no, you will have to guess where it is and how far away it is. Not even an ADF points to it.

Take off from LEMG (Malaga). Go South-West and find the runway of LXGB somewhere to the right of the rock. Happy guessing!
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter September 2011]] by [[User:PH-JBO|PH-JBO]]

=Asia=
==Khorog, Tajikistan==

Surrounded by spectacular mountains and nestled in the end of a valley, Khorog Airfield (UT1C) makes an interesting place to land. It can only be approached by flying down the curved valley that snakes in from the North. Flying from here to OPCH (Chitral, Pakistan) at around 500ft AGL all the way is a wonderful way to explore the Hindu Kush mountains.

[[File:Fw190HinduKush.jpeg|thumb|Left|Approaching a bank of snow-covered mountains in the south of the Hindu Kush]]

If you bring a piston engined aircraft, be prepared to adjust the mixture as you climb - at the highest point in the flight, you will be at around 22000ft!

*October 2011 by [[User:Armchair Ace| Armchair Ace]].

=Africa=
==Ngorngoro==
For this [[VFR]] trip we need a strong machine since we will go up to about 10,000 feet and since we are in Africa, Tanzania , what better choice is there as the Cessna 208 Caravan, on wheels. We will take off from HTLM, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Manyara Lake Manyara], runway 12 (124.5 deg), that has an elevation of 4150 feet. Hit Shift-B so we don't drop off the runway.

We will have to change some settings before we take off. There is no snow where we are so: View=> Rendering Options=> Snow line=> Set to max. (5000M). We need a reasonable clear sky since there are quite a few bumps we could hit: Environment=> Global weather=> METAR source=> Fair weather.

Give full throttle and take off. Bank left and make a full circle so we gain some altitude and make a mental note of the airstrip, since this is the only one nearby. Look at the road West towards the airfield.
You will notice that the airstrip is at the edge of a mountain ridge, the lake to the East is quite a lot lower.

We pass over the airstrip towards lake Manyara and turn left keeping the mountains to our left side, on an initial course of about 30 deg. We keep the mountains to our left and follow our path, our heading will slowly go from 30 to North and takes about 15 mins. During our path we should slowly gain altitude.
[[File:Ol Doinyo Lengai.jpg|thumb|250px]]
On the image we see two distinct mountains. The nearest is Mt.Kerimasi, a fun place for hang-gliders, and North Mt.Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano. We are heading straight towards [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ol_Doinyo_Lengai Mt.Ol Doinyo Lengai]. Just before we would collide we take a sharp left turn heading 225. You will see why we need the altitude now.

The mountain ahead, Mt.Embagai, we see does not appear to be anything spectacular. Aim towards it since we have to go over it.
Coming nearer, if you are high enough, 9000 feet, you will see why this mountain is well worth a visit. It is a crater with a lake inside, lake Embagai (Empakaai). Enter the crater and look around, careful not to loose any height since we'll have to get out again, 10 000 feet. Mesmerized we grab our compass and take a course of 225 again. To get out we might skim against a cloud, be careful. If you don't see a way out take a turn again to wait for the clouds to move out of sight.

After you managed to get out of the crater keep on course 225 while descending slowly for about 9 mins. There are some bumps to avoid, like Mt.Olmoti we keep to the right and Mt.Losirua on the left.

After a small hill we enter one of the most amazing places in Africa, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngorongoro_Conservation_Area Ngorngoro Crater], the second biggest crater in the world. A micro climate and amazing wildlife.
Examine the crater and you will notice two lakes, head towards the biggest lake, lake Magadi. When you are above it take a course of 123 to get out of the crater.

After leaving the crater it takes some time before we are near the airstrip again. After about 5 mins we will see a river (left) and a road (right). Follow the road since it will lead us to the airstrip again.

Don't scare the wildebeast!

Notecard:
<tt>
#Fair weather, no snow
#HTLM RW 12 4150 feet
#Course 30 to 0 deg 15 mins, mountains close left
#Head towards volcano
#Sharp left turn course 225 deg altitude 9000 feet
#Volcano, lake, 10 000 feet
#Course 225 deg, slow descend 9 min
#Large lake, course 123 deg 5 mins
#River left, road right. Follow road
#Landing 124.5 deg 4150 feet.</tt>

*October 2011 by [[User:PH-JBO|PH-JBO]].

=Australia and Oceania=

==Hawai'i==
[[Image:Maui03.jpg|thumb|250px]]
Do you use [[TerraSync]]? If so, try a flight around Hawaii! Take off from PHNL in a light aircraft and head west until you hit Pearl Harbor; a right turn north will take you post the USS Arizona Memorial, and the Punchbowl Crater will be to your right. Or, fly east from PHNL past volcanic craters Diamond Head and Koko Head. If you follow the O'ahu coastline north from Koko Head, you can land at either old World War II airbase Bellows Field (now a wildlife reserve in real life) or at Keahole MCAS.

For a potentially more scenic route, fly east toward Molokai, and stay to the north (left) of the island. The northern part of Molokai features huge sea cliffs and a tiny airstrip on the Kalaupapa peninsula - the peninsula being the only respite from the cliffs. A former leper colony existed near the airstrip!

Also of interest are the volcanoes on Maui and the 'Big Island' of Hawai'i - flying VFR in a small plane from PHTO to PHKO over the plateau between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa can be a challenge, as you have to take off from sea level, fly through a pass of 6500 feet, and then drop back down to sea level to land! The Hana coast of northern Maui is also a nice flight - a circumnavigation of Haleakala, starting and ending at PHOG, is quite a nice flight.

The islands will be available through the download center with the next major scenery release, but for now, fire up [[TerraSync]] and your favorite VFR aircraft and have a blast.
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter September 2010]] by [[User:Statto|Statto]].

==Brisbane International Airport to Sydney International Airport==
Going from Brisbane International Airport to Sydney International Airport. You should have a heading of about 203. Might take sometime to arrive to this section. Maybe 10-30 mins into the flight. Can't really say but don't give up, you will eventually reach this section of the flight. '''''Your eyes will be rewarded!''''' .

[[Image:Fgfs-screen-020.png|200px]]
[[Image:Fgfs-screen-016.png|200px]]
[[Image:Fgfs-screen-012.png|200px]]
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter April 2011]] by [[User:Vin|Vin]]

=Antarctica=

<nowiki>
{{Suggested}}

[[Category:List]]
</nowiki>

Places to fly

2011-10-16T16:51:57Z

Armchair Ace: /* Khorog, Tajikistan */

{{Mergefrom|Suggested Flights}}
[[FlightGear]] has accurate and realistic terrain. Here are some interesting places where you can do virtual sight seeing.

If you are starting with [[FGRun]] - the FlightGear launcher - you can enter the [[airport]] id and select the runway on the appropriate screen in the startup wizard.
If you are starting from the command line you can use the options: <tt>--airport=ABCD</tt> and <tt>--runway=12L</tt>.

*Remember to give a look at the [[Suggested Airports]] page, where you can find a comprensive list of high quality airports in FlightGear.
*If you enjoy these flights, please consider recording a flight and posting a link to it at the [[Suggested Prerecorded Flights]] page.

'''Remove before flight!'''

Before you start flying into one of the suggested flights, you should add both the terrain and the Objects to you FlightGear installation; This is well explained on the [[Howto: Install scenery|installing scenery]] page.

p.s. charts are generated using FlightGear data only.

{{TOC limit|3}}

=North America=
==Round Valley Airport==
[[Image:O09-002.png|thumb|left|right after take off]]
[[Image:O09-003.png|thumb|right|Valley]]
Covalis, CA. The airport is at the West edge of a 7 mile across valley.<BR/>
The predominant wind is a cross wind. Take-offs to the west (if they use the full runway length) often have to fly between 2 small hills and over another valley while gaining altitude. Most pilots take off to the west.<BR/>
It is a paved runway and quite long. It was designated as an emergency recovery field during the Cold War and was used twice that I know of by military aircraft that could not take off again from the field.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-O09.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 39.790156 Longitude: -123.266403]]
* [[O09|O09 - Round valley]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/O09.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n40.tar.gz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
I have tried this trip using a p38, quite powerful airplane
* [[Lockheed-P38|P38]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=O09 --runway=28 --aircraft=p38
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Half Moon Bay==
[[Image:KHAF-001.png|thumb|left|right after take off]]
[[Image:KHAF-002.png|thumb|right|Bridge]]
Start at [[KHAF|Half Moon Bay]], Runway 30, with 32km visibility; Takeoff in the C172 and climb to 1000 feet, then continue north over the water, near the shoreline. Look out the right window frequently. Fly up the coast, overfly the Golden Gate Bridge, continue around the top of the peninsula past downtown SF, then fly on to [[KSFO]] for a landing. We now have lots to see.

If you cannot see the runway in the default 172, you must be flying too high or too slowly. You can start by practicing a bit with a good setup:

'''fgfs --offset-distance=1.5 --altitude=500 --vc=70'''

As soon as Flight Gear starts, cut the power to 1500 rpm and drop two notches of flap. Maintain 70 kt. Now, pick your landing spot (a bit down the runway) and try to hold it in the same spot on your windshield. If your landing spot starts moving down, you are too high, and should cut another 100 rpm; if it starts moving up, you are too low, and should add another 100 rpm. Adjust the nose to keep your speed at 70 kt all the way down until you're right above the numbers, then cut power to idle, drop the last notch of flaps, flare, and land.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:KHAF-003.png|thumb|left|surroundings]]
[[Image:World-KHAF.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 37.513333 Longitude: -122.501111]]
* [[KHAF|KHAF - Half Moon Bay]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/KHAF.pdf chart]

no required scenery tile.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:KSFO-001.png|thumb|left|Before landing]]
Use the default c172 airplane
* [[Cessna C172P]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=KHAF --runway=30 --visibility=32000 --aircraft=c172
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Author===
April 2006 [[User:Hellosimon|Hellosimon]], format and extended by [[User:Francescobrisa|Francescobrisa]]

==Hell's Canyon==
[[Image:25U-001.png|thumb|left|right after take off]]
[[Image:25U-004.png|thumb|right|Valley]]
Hell's Canyon, Imnaha, OR. This airport is located just west of "Hell's Canyon National Park" which has the Snake River running through it.<br/>
Supposedly it's a 5500 foot drop from the top of the canyon to the river.<BR/>
The airport is located on the brink of this canyon.

See the remarks on the airport page (click on the airport id) ... DOWNDRAFTS, SHEER DROP IN TERRAIN, LIVESTOCK, etc. Don't go here on your first solo x-country. :-)
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:25U-005.png|thumb|left|Landing]]
[[Image:World-25U.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 45.427861 Longitude: -116.693889]]
* [[25U|25U - Round valley]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/25U.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n40.tar.gz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:25U-006.png|thumb|left|Landing 2]]
I have tried this trip using a pilatus PC-9M, powerful airplane
* [[PC-9M|PC-9M]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=25U --aircraft=PC-9M
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Crater Lake National Park Tour==
[[Image:64s-003.png|thumb|left|Approaching the lake]]
[[Image:64s-002.png|thumb|right|Direction 40 degrees]]
Prospect, OR.<br/>

Take off and fly at a heading of about 40 degrees until you cross the first distinct ridge in front of you. (several minutes of flight in the navion ... just climb as fast as you can, it will be a close squeek to get over :-)<br/>

Once you clear the ridge and can see beyond it, turn right and fly a heading of about 70 degrees. You should see two shallow peaks off in the distance. Head right between these -- they are the two sides of the crater. As you get closer the shape of the crater will come into view. There's a lake there in real life, hopefully it will be there in flight gear too before long.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:64s-001.png|thumb|left|Leaving the 64S airfield]]
[[Image:World-64S.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 42.743183 Longitude: -122.488092]]
* [[64S|64S - Prospect State]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/64S.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w130n40.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:64s-004.png|thumb|left|Lake view 1]]
[[Image:64s-005.png|thumb|right|Lake view 2]]

* [[Ryan_Navion|Navion]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=64S --runway=02 --aircraft=navion
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Grand Canyon Tour==
[[Image:KGCN-001.png|thumb|left|Grand Canyon]]
[[Image:KGCN-002.png|thumb|right|Grand Canyon]]
These airports are in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon. From [[KGCN]] head north. From [[1Z1]] head south. From [[1G4]] head north (I think.) From AZ38 head north.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:KGCN-003.png|thumb|left|Grand Canyon]]
[[Image:World-KGCN.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 35.952361 Longitude: -112.146972]]
* [[KGCN|KGCN - GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/KGCN.pdf chart]
* [[1Z1|1Z1 - GRAND CANYON BAR TEN AIRSTRIP]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/1Z1.pdf chart]
* [[1G4|1G4 - GRAND CANYON WEST]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/1G4.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n30.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:KGCN-004.png|thumb|left|Grand Canyon]]

................

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=KGCN
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Ranger Creek Airport==
[[Image:6WA8-002.png|thumb|left|landing 1]]
[[Image:6WA8-008.png|thumb|right|landing 2]]
Greenwater, WA. This airport is wedged into the bottom of a steep canyon. You definitely need to be on your toes to get in and out of here. I'd hate to think about what the wind would do to you in real life.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-6WA8.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 47.01305555 Longitude: -121.534444451]]

* [[6WA8|6WA8 - Ranger Creek]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/6W8A.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w130n40.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:6WA8-009.png|thumb|left|landing 3]]
* [[Piper PA-18 Super Cub|pa 18]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=6WA8 --aircraft=pa18
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Mount Rainier Tour==
[[Image:WA20-002.png|thumb|left|The mountain from far away]]
[[Image:WA20-006.png|thumb|right|external view]]
Eatonville, WA. Start out at Swanson Airport in Eatonville, WA. Take off and fly a heading of about 90 degrees. You will need to fly for 5-10 minutes before the mountain comes into view. Be patient if you don't see it right away, it will dwarf everything in it's vicinity.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-WA20.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 46.87588502 Longitude: -122.25733500]]

* [[WA20|WA20 - Swanson]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/WA20.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w130n40.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:WA20-007.png|thumb|left|external near view]]
[[Image:WA20-009.png|thumb|right|external near view]]
* [[mosquito]]

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=WA20 --aircraft=mosquito
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Death Valley Tour==
[[Image:L06-001.png|thumb|left|in the air]]
[[Image:Furnace-creek.jpg|thumb|left|real life view of Furnace Creek Airfield]]
[[Image:L06-002.png|thumb|right|in the air]]
Furnace Creek, CA. This starts you right in the middle of Death Valley which runs north & south. If you head south about 15 miles you'll hit the lowest point in the USA, 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-L06.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 36.46451100 Longitude: -116.88139422]]
* [[L06|L06 - Furnace Creek]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/L06.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n30.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:L06-003.png|thumb|left|in the air]]
[[Image:L06-004.png|thumb|right|in the air]]
* [[rallye-MS893]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=L06 --aircraft=rallye-MS893
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Utah==
!!! Work in progress !!!<BR/>

Escalante Muni Airport, Escalante, UT. This airport is east and a bit north of Bryce Canyon National park. If you head mostly south and a bit east you'll eventually hit the Grand Canyon. It is sandwiched between the Dixie National forest to the north and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to the south. There should be interesting stuff to see no matter which direction you head.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-1L7.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 37.75054400 Longitude: -111.57578300]]
* [[1L7|1L7 - Escalante Muni]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/1L7.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n30.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=1L7 --aircraft=pa18
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Lake County Airport (CO)==
[[Image:KLXV-001.png|thumb|left|Adjust mixture !]]
[[Image:KLXV-002.png|thumb|right|The terrain will be covered by snow]]
Lake County Airport, Leadville, CO. This airport is at an elevation of 9927 making it a bit of a challenge to get into and out of with a standard C172.<BR/>
Make sure you lean out your engine before taking off and read up on density altitude before you try this one in real life.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:KLXV-003.png|thumb|left|The airport]]
[[Image:World-KLXV.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 39.22812500 Longitude: -106.31835600]]
* [[KLXV|KLXV - Lake Co]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/KLXV.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w110n30.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:KLXV-004.png|thumb|left|I like this panorama]]
[[Image:KLXV-005.png|thumb|right|The nearby lake]]
* [[Cessna C172P]]

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
[[Image:KLXV-006.png|thumb|left|Landing...]]
fgfs --airport=KLXV --aircraft=c172p
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Caribbean - Saint Martin and St. Kitts==
[[Image:TNCM-003.png|thumb|left|just after the take off]]
[[Image:TNCM-004.png|thumb|right|some nearby island]]
Pilots of the Caribbeans is an informal FlightGear community of users who fly around the small Caribbean islands, many of which have custom scenery and improved landclass data. (For details see [[Pilots of the Caribbean]])<BR/>

[[TNCM|Princess Juliana International Airport (TNCM)]] at the isle of Saint Martin, is one of the most popular airports in FlightGear. In large part due to the custom objects and land cover. However, St. Marten is only one of several detailed airports in the region - and, while the approach for TNCM is one of the most memorable in the whole world, the land cover for St. Kitts and Nevis makes it a lovely place to fly.

British Airways, US Airways and American Airlines, among others, all fly into St. Kitts' [[TKPK|Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (TKPK)]] in real life.

Take off from TKPK in a [[Piper_J3_Cub|Piper Cub]] and make a northward, clockwise circle of the island. Start your descent on the east side of the island, and focus on the small hill which separates the north from the south. Start hugging the coast near the beach and look to the west - as soon as the railroad heads to the southwest, you're about ready to turn for final. Make your right hand turn for final and taxi to the terminal.

If you want to fully explore this whole country, take off in a Beaver, which has a little more speed, and fly a figure eight. Take off from TKPK and circle the airport to the north like in the Cub. Then instead of landing, perform a touch-and-go and turn left over the boat terminal and make for the west coast of Nevis. Enjoy the beauty of the south coast of St. Kitts before circling Nevis. Over Nevis, you have several options - cut your flight short and land at [[TKPN]] on the island of Nevis, complete the "figure eight" by heading back to TKPK, or check your fuel and head east across the Caribbean to Antigua (which does not have custom land cover).<BR/>
<BR/>
Check out the [[Pilots of the Caribbean]] page, for further informations.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-TNCM.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 18.040953 Longitude: -63.108900]]

* [[TNCM|TNCM - Princess Juliana International Airport]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TNCM.pdf chart]
* [[TKPK|TKPK - Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TKPK.pdf chart]
* [[TKPN|TKPN - Vance Winkworth Amory Intl]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TKPN.pdf chart]
others interesting airports in the area:
* [[TFFF|TFFF - Le Lamentin]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TFFF.pdf chart]
* [[MDPP|MDPP - Gregorio Luperon Intl]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/MDPP.pdf chart]
* [[TJSJ|TJSJ - Luis Munoz Marin Intl]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TJSJ.pdf chart]
* [[FMEE|FMEE - St Denis Gillot]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/FMEE.pdf chart]
* [[TFFG|TFFG - Grand Case]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TFFG.pdf chart]

required scenery tile:
* ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w070n10.tgz
* ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w080n10.tgz
* ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w080n20.tgz
* ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w090n20.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:TNCM-005.png|thumb|left|amazing]]
[[Image:TNCM-006.png|thumb|right|landing]]
* [[Piper_J3_Cub|Piper Cub]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=TKPK --aircraft=Cub
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Author===
[[FlightGear Newsletter January 2011]] by [[User:Statto|Statto]], format and extended by [[User:Francescobrisa|Francescobrisa]].

==Friedman Memorial Airport (Idaho)==
[[Image:KSUN-001.png|thumb|left|take off]]
[[Image:KSUN-002.png|thumb|right|nearby]]
Friedman Memorial Airport, Hailey, Idaho. This airport is nestled in a valley surrounded by significant terrain. It's one that shows up quite often in accident investigations.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-KSUN.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 43.51223900 Longitude: -114.30376100]]
* [[KSUN|KSUN - Friedman Mem]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/KSUN.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n40.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:KSUN-003.png|thumb|left|landing]]
[[Image:KSUN-004.png|thumb|right|landing]]
* [[FK9MK2]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=KSUN --aircraft=fk9mk2
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

== Wyoming - Grand Teton ==
Jackson Hole (KJAC) airport is located at around 6,400ft right next to the Teton range of mountains. The Tetons rise straight out of the plains, gaining over 5,000ft in 2 miles.

You will need the w120n40 scenery.

Tower frequency at KJAC is 118.07. Due to the high altitude, you will need to lean non-turbocharged piston aircraft before take-off. Don't forget that take-off distances will also be longer.

After take-off head to the North East. Grand Teton is the highest of the three peaks that rise straight from the flat-lands. Follow the line of mountains to the East, passing over Jenny Lake. After a couple of miles you will reach a huge lake. The large bulk of a mountain to the East is Mount Moran.

The Teton Mountain range is surprisingly thin - really just a string of mountains running SW-NE. Flying fast jets down the steep valleys is recommended.
* September 2006 by [[User:Stuart|Stuart]].

== Virginia Eastern Shore, Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel Sightseeing ==
Take a short VFR trip from Tangier Island to view the famous Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connecting Cape Charles to Cape Henry. Depart historic Tangier Island (KTGI) situated in the Chesapeake Bay and land at Norfolk International Airport (KORF), Norfolk, Virginia. The scenic character of the flight is enhanced by leaving the island at dusk. The flight is both scenic and challenging. Frequently, when flying with real weather, you will have a steady wind blowing across the bay. Starting out quiet Tangier and arriving at busy, glittering Norfolk International (KORF) gives the flight some contrast.

'''fgfs --airport=KTGI --runway=20 --timeofday=dusk'''

Before leaving Tangier: Set your altimeter to the prevailing barometric temperature. Set your communications radio to the Norfolk Intl. (KORF) ATIS frequency of 127.150 MHz to listen for weather reports in the destination area. Set your navigation radio to 112.20 MHz to pick up the Cape Charles (CCV) VOR. Set your heading bug to the runway heading, 200.

Takeoff straight, flying the runway heading. Climb to 2000ft and maintain.

Shortly, you should see the VOR assigned to NAV1 display receive a steady signal (the OFF flag will disappear). The DME should also settle down and display the distance to the Cape Charles VOR station. The flight to CCV will be about 26 nautical miles. As you fly, it will show your airspeed and time to arrival. It should take about ten minutes.

Turn the OBS knob until the VOR displays the TO flag and 190 degrees, the heading you should now turn to.

Fly south from Tangier, crossing an expanse of water, about ten miles until you see the Virginia Eastern Shore. You'll come upon the grass airstrip of Chance (VA89) a few minutes out from Tangier. Beyond are two flashing tower beacons. You may catch a glimpse of Weirwood/Kellam (W08) on the ocean shore, recognizable by two crossing dirt strips.

If you look carefully, you may see the little white building that is the Cape Charles VOR station. As you fly over VOR the flag will change from TO to FROM and the needle will deflect. Do not try to follow the needle. Wait until you are past the VOR. As you cross the VOR station, you should see a highway slanting across your path toward the south west. Turn to follow this highway. You'll come across a lone tower with beacon along the roadside. You'll see an access road stretching from the tower complex to the main road.

If the sky conditions permit, you may try your hand at wayfinding by following the road. If visiblity is poor, set the VOR to 180 degrees to parallel the road to the end of the peninsula. Or you can continue to fly outbound from the VOR on 190 by maintaining the same heading. The VOR needle should return to center with the FROM flag displaying. This will put you west of the bridge with a good view and the option to turn towards KORF near the initial approach fix. If you follow the highway you will need to overfly the airport, but if you stay on the 190 heading, you will be in a position to make a straight in landing.

As you fly down the peninsula you'll pass Cherrystone, Eagle's Nest, Scott and Bull Farm grass airstrips. Bull Farm is the last strip before the mouth of the Chesapeake. Just past Scott Farm you should see the first glimmer of the northern leg of the bridge. The grass strips can be very difficult to see.

As you reach the end of the peninsula, be careful to avoid the tower on Fisherman's Island at the north end of the north leg of the bridge (Note the bridge is not modeled by FlightGear...but I hope to work up one eventually). Next comes the north middle leg. Turn right a few degrees to follow the south middle leg. Watch as the deck plunges beneath the waves to allow ships to navigate the north and south channels.

As Cape Henry approaches, you'll see the Norfolk International airport to the right and the southern leg of the bridge touching the shore.

If you intend to land at KORF, you will want to start your approach soon. Otherwise, you may continue to follow the bridge to the end. Make the approach to KORF by contacting the tower for vectors. Or use the ILS.

This is a good flight to practice VOR flying on. It is a very straight flight path to the VOR requiring little adjustment and there are no other VORs in the area to confuse you.
*June 2006 by [[User:Sek|Sek]].

===Prince George to Calgary Springbank===
A beautiful flight is from Prince George (CYXS), to Calgary Springbank (CYBW). Route created by reed, which can be seen at [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=9772 the forums]
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter November 2010]] By [[User:Cael|Cael]].

=South America=
==Southern Tip of Chile==
[[Image:Scgz-001.png|thumb|left|right after take off]]
[[Image:Scgz-004.png|thumb|right|Some part of the scenery]]
Gary Carvell: Here is a suggestion for the FlightGear Places to Fly page. I don't have any particular routes, just fly around and enjoy the gorgeous scenery.<BR/>
These three airports are in the same region of the very southern tip of Argentina. This area is a scenic wonderland - a maze of islands, mountains, and ocean channels. Hours of entertainment.<BR/>
SCGZ - Puerto Williams Guardiamarina Zanartu Airport, Chile Located on the north coast of Isla Navarino facing the Beagle Channel. At 55 deg S. longitude, Puerto Williams is considered the southernmost town in the world.<BR/>
SAWH - Ushuaia Islas Malvinas Airport
SAWO - Ushuaia Est Aeronaval Airport
Ushuaia, on the south coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, on the the Beagle Channel.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:Sawh-004.png|thumb|left|Approaching Ushumaia Malvinas Argentinas]]
[[Image:World-scgz.png|thumb|right|Latitude: -54.931072 Longitude: -67.626261]]

* [[SCGZ|SCGZ - Guardiamarina Zanartu]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/SCGZ.pdf chart]
* [[SAWH|SAWH - Ushuaia Malvinas Argentinas]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/SAWH.pdf chart]
* [[SAWO|SAWO - Ushuaia Est Aeronaval]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/SAWO.pdf chart]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:Scgz-002.png|thumb|left|Just left the scgz airport]]
I personally like to fly this area in the [[Consolidated_Aircraft_PBY_Catalina|Catalina]], it's a great sightseeing plane with the advantage that you can take off and land just about anywhere.
* [[Consolidated_Aircraft_PBY_Catalina|Catalina]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=SCGZ --aircraft=Catalina
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

=Middle East=
==Israel to Jordan over the Dead Sea==
[[Image:LLBS-001.png|thumb|left|take off]]
[[Image:LLBS-002.png|thumb|right|flat land]]
Dead Sea is the lowest water elevation on the Earth. Take off from the Beer-Sheva Teyman airport and head East-North-East. About half way there, after the southern Hebron mountains ridge, there'll be a sharp drop-off down to the Dead Sea --- the lowest exposed point on the Earth.<br/>
<br/>
It's really fun to descend and explore the beautiful coastline. In the real life, you wouldn't like to fly low over this water there of your own will --- while you don't need a life vest in the Dead Sea, the water is pretty caustic there for one's eyes. Once you're done marvelling the sights, continue on to the Queen Alia airport.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:LLBS-006.png|thumb|left|landing in the dead sea, notice the altitude !]]
[[Image:OJAI-007.png|thumb|right|landing at Queen Alia Intl.]]
[[Image:World-LLBS.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 31.29037800 Longitude: 34.71922500]]
* [[LLBS|LLBS - Teyman]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/LLBS.pdf chart]
* [[OJAI|OJAI - Queen Alia Intl]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/OJAI.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/e030n30.tar.gz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:LLBS-003.png|thumb|left|approaching the dead sea]]
[[Image:LLBS-004.png|thumb|right|there is also a minor airport]]
* [[Albatross]]

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=LLBS --aircraft=Albatross
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

=Europe=
==Edinburgh to Oban==
See article: [[Edinburgh to Oban]].

==Oban to Prestwick==
The west coast of Scotland offers some stunning scenery and a number of small airfields and airports to land at on both the mainland and the small islands the dot the coast. The distances between the various airfields are quite small, and some of the runways are on the short side, so STOL or GA aircraft are ideal. The tour suggested here follows part of a microlight trip I made this month, photos of which can be found [http://www.nanjika.co.uk/photos/gigha/ here].

Oban airport (EGEO) lies on the west coast of Scotland, and offers fuel (both AVGAS and AVTUR) and a North/South tarmac runway.

From Oban it is just a 10 minute flight west to the grass airfield of Glenforsa (EG45), on the north-east coast of the island of Mull. Due to the hills and water channel, this airfield often gets quite strange wind patterns - the weather can be perfect in Oban, but much gustier and windier at Glenforsa. At times the windsocks at either end of the runway can blow in completely opposite directions!

Some distance north of Oban lie the airfields of the Isle of Skye (EG57) and Plockton (EG81). This is an excellent place from which to explore the mountains of the Isle of Skye, known as the Cuilins.

Heading south from Oban, one can follow the coast to the island of Jura, with it's distinctive hills (The Paps of Jura). From Jura one can head south to the island of Islay with its numarous malt whisky distilleries (many of which are modelled in FG). Islay Airport (EGPI) has extensive runways. From Islay head north east to the tiny island of Gigha. Despite it's small size, it too has an airfield (EG44), though the FG version is tarmac rather than grass.

From Gigha head east over the Mull of Kintyre, to the hilly isle of Arran, then north east to the Isle of Bute. Both islands have very small grass airstrips, which are sadly not present in FG. From Bute you can head south east to Prestwick International (EGPK), famous for being the only place Elvis touched down in the UK, and a fine place to end our tour.
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter July 2011]] by [[User:Stuart|Stuart]]

== Edinburgh to Dundee ==
Edinburgh Airport (EGPH) is located to the West of the city of Edinburgh and south of the Forth rail and road bridges. You'll need the w010n50 scenery and the latest set of objects from the scenery DB which include a number of models for the Edinburgh area.

From Edinburgh Airport, head north and circle the bridges, then follow the coast on the south eastwards past Edinburgh (watch out for the Castle!) and to East Lothian and Bass Rock - a volcanic plug in the sea that is host to thousands of sea-birds.

There are a number of sights in East Lothian, include a distillery.

If you wish to continue your tour, head back North, crossing the Firth of Forth to the Kingdom of Fife. Head approximated North West, tracking towards the Perth VOR (110.4). There is an airport here (Perth Scone, EGPT), but instead we will now track out on the 090 radial and pick up the ILS to Dundee Airport (108.10) landing beside the sea.
* September 2006 by [[User:Stuart|Stuart]].

==Austrian alps==
Using the AI subsystem, discover the Austrian alps with a glider. [[Pinzgauer Spaziergang]]
== Sightseeing the Alps in a C172 ==
This tour will guide you to many of the most famous mountains, valleys, glaciers, snowfields, winter and summer vacation areas, etc. in the European Alps. In addition there are several hints to visit nearby areas of interest. On the tour you will visit Switzerland, Italy and France.
See the detailed description in: http://www.emmerich-j.de/FGFS/Alp-flying.pdf
*February 2011 by [[User:Jomo|Jomo]].

==Grenoble Le-Versoud==

[[Image:LFLG.jpg|800px]]

France : '''LFLG''' ( Grenoble Le-Versoud ) airport : border of Alps
*P.A.F. home base [http://equipe-flightgear.forumactif.com/ link]
*Scenery : http://clemaez.fr/flightgear/flightgearfrance_05062011.tar.gz
*Texture : http://clemaez.fr/flightgear/pattentextures_maj24082011.tar.gz

* Take-off from Grenoble le Versoud (LFLG). Head south following the general direction of the Alps. Bearing left (East) will take you into high alpine territory, while towards the West lie the plains of the Rhône valley. Once you reach the Mediterranean coast, follow it to land in Marseilles (LFML), Nice (LFMN), or another smaller airport serving the French Riviera.
*Published in [[Custom France Scenery]].

==Gulf of Finland sightseeing tour==
Take a VFR sightseeing tour over the Gulf of Finland from Helsinki to Tallinn! Estonia's landmarks are all recent additions, while Helsinki was one of the first cities to have original models in the scenery model database.

Take off from the smaller EFHF airfield in Helsinki, or try your luck fighting the virtual traffic at Vantaa, and head toward the port of Helsinki. Look for the Hartwall Arena, the Pasila tower, the railway station and the Olympic Stadium along the way. Make your way out over the Gulf flying just west of south - a heading of 190 should set you up nicely for a sightseeing tour of Tallinn. Try to come in from the west and do a sweeping left turn over the capital of Estonia, looking out for the Swissotel, Olympic Hotel, the Television tower, and other important landmarks in the capital city of Estonia. Make sure you look out for St. Olaf's Church, the tallest building in the capital city. Make your way over the Ulemiste Jarv (lake) to land on runway 09 at Tallinn's main airport.

If you desire, you can do a touch-and-go at Tallinn and set your course southeastward, landing at Tartu Airport, which is also modelled in FlightGear.

The distance between Helsinki and Tallinn is about 50 miles or 80 kilometres, while Tartu is twice the distance from Tallinn at 100 miles/160 kilometres. Fly a heading of 135 to get to Tartu from Tallinn.
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter October 2010]] by [[User:Statto|Statto]].

==Azores==
The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azores Azores], set in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, has had many names. Fortunate Isles, the Blue Islands, the Islands of Tin and Silver, the Islands of the Seven Cities. We can add, the Islands of Amazing Sights and Flights.

Our flight is to celebrate the amazing views FlightGear can give us.

Start your plane at Lajes Field (LPLA). This once was an emergency landing site for the space shuttle so you will have plenty of room to take off.
We will have to fly an odd pattern. The reason for that: if you don't fly too high (stick around 3000 while you can) you will have some amazing views.

Next, fly towards and over LPPD. Look out the window and enjoy the view. Then head out towards LPHR. If you feel LPHR coming near, look out the window good, you might have to pull your plane up.

Happy flying!
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter August 2011]] by [[User:PH-JBO|PH-JBO]]

==Gibraltar==
Traffic lights turn red, gates are closed. The only busy main road to the peninsula is closed and all the cars and trucks are waiting patiently. Waiting for a train to pass? No. Waiting for a plane to pass since the main road crosses a busy runway.

On both sides water and being crossed by a busy main road can only be one runway: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibraltar_Airport Gibraltar airport]!

One would expect an ILS installed on such a tricky runway but no, you will have to guess where it is and how far away it is. Not even an ADF points to it.

Take off from LEMG (Malaga). Go South-West and find the runway of LXGB somewhere to the right of the rock. Happy guessing!
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter September 2011]] by [[User:PH-JBO|PH-JBO]]

=Asia=
==Khorog, Tajikistan==

Surrounded by spectacular mountains and nestled in the end of a valley, Khorog Airfield (UT1C) makes an interesting place to land. It can only be approached by flying down the curved valley that snakes in from the North. Flying from here to OPCH (Chitral, Pakistan) at around 500ft AGL all the way is a wonderful way to explore the Hindu Kush mountains.

[[File:Fw190HinduKush.jpeg|Left|Approaching a bank of snow-covered mountains in the south of the Hindu Kush]]

If you bring a piston engined aircraft, be prepared to adjust the mixture as you climb - at the highest point in the flight, you will be at around 22000ft!

*October 2011 by [[User:Armchair Ace| Armchair Ace]].

=Africa=
==Ngorngoro==
For this [[VFR]] trip we need a strong machine since we will go up to about 10,000 feet and since we are in Africa, Tanzania , what better choice is there as the Cessna 208 Caravan, on wheels. We will take off from HTLM, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Manyara Lake Manyara], runway 12 (124.5 deg), that has an elevation of 4150 feet. Hit Shift-B so we don't drop off the runway.

We will have to change some settings before we take off. There is no snow where we are so: View=> Rendering Options=> Snow line=> Set to max. (5000M). We need a reasonable clear sky since there are quite a few bumps we could hit: Environment=> Global weather=> METAR source=> Fair weather.

Give full throttle and take off. Bank left and make a full circle so we gain some altitude and make a mental note of the airstrip, since this is the only one nearby. Look at the road West towards the airfield.
You will notice that the airstrip is at the edge of a mountain ridge, the lake to the East is quite a lot lower.

We pass over the airstrip towards lake Manyara and turn left keeping the mountains to our left side, on an initial course of about 30 deg. We keep the mountains to our left and follow our path, our heading will slowly go from 30 to North and takes about 15 mins. During our path we should slowly gain altitude.
[[File:Ol Doinyo Lengai.jpg|thumb|250px]]
On the image we see two distinct mountains. The nearest is Mt.Kerimasi, a fun place for hang-gliders, and North Mt.Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano. We are heading straight towards [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ol_Doinyo_Lengai Mt.Ol Doinyo Lengai]. Just before we would collide we take a sharp left turn heading 225. You will see why we need the altitude now.

The mountain ahead, Mt.Embagai, we see does not appear to be anything spectacular. Aim towards it since we have to go over it.
Coming nearer, if you are high enough, 9000 feet, you will see why this mountain is well worth a visit. It is a crater with a lake inside, lake Embagai (Empakaai). Enter the crater and look around, careful not to loose any height since we'll have to get out again, 10 000 feet. Mesmerized we grab our compass and take a course of 225 again. To get out we might skim against a cloud, be careful. If you don't see a way out take a turn again to wait for the clouds to move out of sight.

After you managed to get out of the crater keep on course 225 while descending slowly for about 9 mins. There are some bumps to avoid, like Mt.Olmoti we keep to the right and Mt.Losirua on the left.

After a small hill we enter one of the most amazing places in Africa, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngorongoro_Conservation_Area Ngorngoro Crater], the second biggest crater in the world. A micro climate and amazing wildlife.
Examine the crater and you will notice two lakes, head towards the biggest lake, lake Magadi. When you are above it take a course of 123 to get out of the crater.

After leaving the crater it takes some time before we are near the airstrip again. After about 5 mins we will see a river (left) and a road (right). Follow the road since it will lead us to the airstrip again.

Don't scare the wildebeast!

Notecard:
<tt>
#Fair weather, no snow
#HTLM RW 12 4150 feet
#Course 30 to 0 deg 15 mins, mountains close left
#Head towards volcano
#Sharp left turn course 225 deg altitude 9000 feet
#Volcano, lake, 10 000 feet
#Course 225 deg, slow descend 9 min
#Large lake, course 123 deg 5 mins
#River left, road right. Follow road
#Landing 124.5 deg 4150 feet.</tt>

*October 2011 by [[User:PH-JBO|PH-JBO]].

=Australia and Oceania=

==Hawai'i==
[[Image:Maui03.jpg|thumb|250px]]
Do you use [[TerraSync]]? If so, try a flight around Hawaii! Take off from PHNL in a light aircraft and head west until you hit Pearl Harbor; a right turn north will take you post the USS Arizona Memorial, and the Punchbowl Crater will be to your right. Or, fly east from PHNL past volcanic craters Diamond Head and Koko Head. If you follow the O'ahu coastline north from Koko Head, you can land at either old World War II airbase Bellows Field (now a wildlife reserve in real life) or at Keahole MCAS.

For a potentially more scenic route, fly east toward Molokai, and stay to the north (left) of the island. The northern part of Molokai features huge sea cliffs and a tiny airstrip on the Kalaupapa peninsula - the peninsula being the only respite from the cliffs. A former leper colony existed near the airstrip!

Also of interest are the volcanoes on Maui and the 'Big Island' of Hawai'i - flying VFR in a small plane from PHTO to PHKO over the plateau between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa can be a challenge, as you have to take off from sea level, fly through a pass of 6500 feet, and then drop back down to sea level to land! The Hana coast of northern Maui is also a nice flight - a circumnavigation of Haleakala, starting and ending at PHOG, is quite a nice flight.

The islands will be available through the download center with the next major scenery release, but for now, fire up [[TerraSync]] and your favorite VFR aircraft and have a blast.
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter September 2010]] by [[User:Statto|Statto]].

==Brisbane International Airport to Sydney International Airport==
Going from Brisbane International Airport to Sydney International Airport. You should have a heading of about 203. Might take sometime to arrive to this section. Maybe 10-30 mins into the flight. Can't really say but don't give up, you will eventually reach this section of the flight. '''''Your eyes will be rewarded!''''' .

[[Image:Fgfs-screen-020.png|200px]]
[[Image:Fgfs-screen-016.png|200px]]
[[Image:Fgfs-screen-012.png|200px]]
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter April 2011]] by [[User:Vin|Vin]]

=Antarctica=

<nowiki>
{{Suggested}}

[[Category:List]]
</nowiki>

File:Fw190HinduKush.jpeg

2011-10-16T16:48:42Z

Armchair Ace:

Places to fly

2011-10-16T11:14:55Z

Armchair Ace: /* Asia */

{{Mergefrom|Suggested Flights}}
[[FlightGear]] has accurate and realistic terrain. Here are some interesting places where you can do virtual sight seeing.

If you are starting with [[FGRun]] - the FlightGear launcher - you can enter the [[airport]] id and select the runway on the appropriate screen in the startup wizard.
If you are starting from the command line you can use the options: <tt>--airport=ABCD</tt> and <tt>--runway=12L</tt>.

*Remember to give a look at the [[Suggested Airports]] page, where you can find a comprensive list of high quality airports in FlightGear.
*If you enjoy these flights, please consider recording a flight and posting a link to it at the [[Suggested Prerecorded Flights]] page.

'''Remove before flight!'''

Before you start flying into one of the suggested flights, you should add both the terrain and the Objects to you FlightGear installation; This is well explained on the [[Howto: Install scenery|installing scenery]] page.

p.s. charts are generated using FlightGear data only.

{{TOC limit|3}}

=North America=
==Round Valley Airport==
[[Image:O09-002.png|thumb|left|right after take off]]
[[Image:O09-003.png|thumb|right|Valley]]
Covalis, CA. The airport is at the West edge of a 7 mile across valley.<BR/>
The predominant wind is a cross wind. Take-offs to the west (if they use the full runway length) often have to fly between 2 small hills and over another valley while gaining altitude. Most pilots take off to the west.<BR/>
It is a paved runway and quite long. It was designated as an emergency recovery field during the Cold War and was used twice that I know of by military aircraft that could not take off again from the field.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-O09.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 39.790156 Longitude: -123.266403]]
* [[O09|O09 - Round valley]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/O09.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n40.tar.gz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
I have tried this trip using a p38, quite powerful airplane
* [[Lockheed-P38|P38]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=O09 --runway=28 --aircraft=p38
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Half Moon Bay==
[[Image:KHAF-001.png|thumb|left|right after take off]]
[[Image:KHAF-002.png|thumb|right|Bridge]]
Start at [[KHAF|Half Moon Bay]], Runway 30, with 32km visibility; Takeoff in the C172 and climb to 1000 feet, then continue north over the water, near the shoreline. Look out the right window frequently. Fly up the coast, overfly the Golden Gate Bridge, continue around the top of the peninsula past downtown SF, then fly on to [[KSFO]] for a landing. We now have lots to see.

If you cannot see the runway in the default 172, you must be flying too high or too slowly. You can start by practicing a bit with a good setup:

'''fgfs --offset-distance=1.5 --altitude=500 --vc=70'''

As soon as Flight Gear starts, cut the power to 1500 rpm and drop two notches of flap. Maintain 70 kt. Now, pick your landing spot (a bit down the runway) and try to hold it in the same spot on your windshield. If your landing spot starts moving down, you are too high, and should cut another 100 rpm; if it starts moving up, you are too low, and should add another 100 rpm. Adjust the nose to keep your speed at 70 kt all the way down until you're right above the numbers, then cut power to idle, drop the last notch of flaps, flare, and land.
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===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:KHAF-003.png|thumb|left|surroundings]]
[[Image:World-KHAF.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 37.513333 Longitude: -122.501111]]
* [[KHAF|KHAF - Half Moon Bay]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/KHAF.pdf chart]

no required scenery tile.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:KSFO-001.png|thumb|left|Before landing]]
Use the default c172 airplane
* [[Cessna C172P]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=KHAF --runway=30 --visibility=32000 --aircraft=c172
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Author===
April 2006 [[User:Hellosimon|Hellosimon]], format and extended by [[User:Francescobrisa|Francescobrisa]]

==Hell's Canyon==
[[Image:25U-001.png|thumb|left|right after take off]]
[[Image:25U-004.png|thumb|right|Valley]]
Hell's Canyon, Imnaha, OR. This airport is located just west of "Hell's Canyon National Park" which has the Snake River running through it.<br/>
Supposedly it's a 5500 foot drop from the top of the canyon to the river.<BR/>
The airport is located on the brink of this canyon.

See the remarks on the airport page (click on the airport id) ... DOWNDRAFTS, SHEER DROP IN TERRAIN, LIVESTOCK, etc. Don't go here on your first solo x-country. :-)
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:25U-005.png|thumb|left|Landing]]
[[Image:World-25U.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 45.427861 Longitude: -116.693889]]
* [[25U|25U - Round valley]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/25U.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n40.tar.gz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:25U-006.png|thumb|left|Landing 2]]
I have tried this trip using a pilatus PC-9M, powerful airplane
* [[PC-9M|PC-9M]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=25U --aircraft=PC-9M
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Crater Lake National Park Tour==
[[Image:64s-003.png|thumb|left|Approaching the lake]]
[[Image:64s-002.png|thumb|right|Direction 40 degrees]]
Prospect, OR.<br/>

Take off and fly at a heading of about 40 degrees until you cross the first distinct ridge in front of you. (several minutes of flight in the navion ... just climb as fast as you can, it will be a close squeek to get over :-)<br/>

Once you clear the ridge and can see beyond it, turn right and fly a heading of about 70 degrees. You should see two shallow peaks off in the distance. Head right between these -- they are the two sides of the crater. As you get closer the shape of the crater will come into view. There's a lake there in real life, hopefully it will be there in flight gear too before long.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:64s-001.png|thumb|left|Leaving the 64S airfield]]
[[Image:World-64S.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 42.743183 Longitude: -122.488092]]
* [[64S|64S - Prospect State]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/64S.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w130n40.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:64s-004.png|thumb|left|Lake view 1]]
[[Image:64s-005.png|thumb|right|Lake view 2]]

* [[Ryan_Navion|Navion]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=64S --runway=02 --aircraft=navion
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Grand Canyon Tour==
[[Image:KGCN-001.png|thumb|left|Grand Canyon]]
[[Image:KGCN-002.png|thumb|right|Grand Canyon]]
These airports are in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon. From [[KGCN]] head north. From [[1Z1]] head south. From [[1G4]] head north (I think.) From AZ38 head north.
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===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:KGCN-003.png|thumb|left|Grand Canyon]]
[[Image:World-KGCN.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 35.952361 Longitude: -112.146972]]
* [[KGCN|KGCN - GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/KGCN.pdf chart]
* [[1Z1|1Z1 - GRAND CANYON BAR TEN AIRSTRIP]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/1Z1.pdf chart]
* [[1G4|1G4 - GRAND CANYON WEST]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/1G4.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n30.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:KGCN-004.png|thumb|left|Grand Canyon]]

................

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=KGCN
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Ranger Creek Airport==
[[Image:6WA8-002.png|thumb|left|landing 1]]
[[Image:6WA8-008.png|thumb|right|landing 2]]
Greenwater, WA. This airport is wedged into the bottom of a steep canyon. You definitely need to be on your toes to get in and out of here. I'd hate to think about what the wind would do to you in real life.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-6WA8.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 47.01305555 Longitude: -121.534444451]]

* [[6WA8|6WA8 - Ranger Creek]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/6W8A.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w130n40.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:6WA8-009.png|thumb|left|landing 3]]
* [[Piper PA-18 Super Cub|pa 18]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=6WA8 --aircraft=pa18
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Mount Rainier Tour==
[[Image:WA20-002.png|thumb|left|The mountain from far away]]
[[Image:WA20-006.png|thumb|right|external view]]
Eatonville, WA. Start out at Swanson Airport in Eatonville, WA. Take off and fly a heading of about 90 degrees. You will need to fly for 5-10 minutes before the mountain comes into view. Be patient if you don't see it right away, it will dwarf everything in it's vicinity.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-WA20.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 46.87588502 Longitude: -122.25733500]]

* [[WA20|WA20 - Swanson]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/WA20.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w130n40.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:WA20-007.png|thumb|left|external near view]]
[[Image:WA20-009.png|thumb|right|external near view]]
* [[mosquito]]

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=WA20 --aircraft=mosquito
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Death Valley Tour==
[[Image:L06-001.png|thumb|left|in the air]]
[[Image:Furnace-creek.jpg|thumb|left|real life view of Furnace Creek Airfield]]
[[Image:L06-002.png|thumb|right|in the air]]
Furnace Creek, CA. This starts you right in the middle of Death Valley which runs north & south. If you head south about 15 miles you'll hit the lowest point in the USA, 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-L06.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 36.46451100 Longitude: -116.88139422]]
* [[L06|L06 - Furnace Creek]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/L06.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n30.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:L06-003.png|thumb|left|in the air]]
[[Image:L06-004.png|thumb|right|in the air]]
* [[rallye-MS893]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=L06 --aircraft=rallye-MS893
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Utah==
!!! Work in progress !!!<BR/>

Escalante Muni Airport, Escalante, UT. This airport is east and a bit north of Bryce Canyon National park. If you head mostly south and a bit east you'll eventually hit the Grand Canyon. It is sandwiched between the Dixie National forest to the north and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to the south. There should be interesting stuff to see no matter which direction you head.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-1L7.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 37.75054400 Longitude: -111.57578300]]
* [[1L7|1L7 - Escalante Muni]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/1L7.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n30.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=1L7 --aircraft=pa18
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Lake County Airport (CO)==
[[Image:KLXV-001.png|thumb|left|Adjust mixture !]]
[[Image:KLXV-002.png|thumb|right|The terrain will be covered by snow]]
Lake County Airport, Leadville, CO. This airport is at an elevation of 9927 making it a bit of a challenge to get into and out of with a standard C172.<BR/>
Make sure you lean out your engine before taking off and read up on density altitude before you try this one in real life.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:KLXV-003.png|thumb|left|The airport]]
[[Image:World-KLXV.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 39.22812500 Longitude: -106.31835600]]
* [[KLXV|KLXV - Lake Co]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/KLXV.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w110n30.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:KLXV-004.png|thumb|left|I like this panorama]]
[[Image:KLXV-005.png|thumb|right|The nearby lake]]
* [[Cessna C172P]]

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
[[Image:KLXV-006.png|thumb|left|Landing...]]
fgfs --airport=KLXV --aircraft=c172p
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Caribbean - Saint Martin and St. Kitts==
[[Image:TNCM-003.png|thumb|left|just after the take off]]
[[Image:TNCM-004.png|thumb|right|some nearby island]]
Pilots of the Caribbeans is an informal FlightGear community of users who fly around the small Caribbean islands, many of which have custom scenery and improved landclass data. (For details see [[Pilots of the Caribbean]])<BR/>

[[TNCM|Princess Juliana International Airport (TNCM)]] at the isle of Saint Martin, is one of the most popular airports in FlightGear. In large part due to the custom objects and land cover. However, St. Marten is only one of several detailed airports in the region - and, while the approach for TNCM is one of the most memorable in the whole world, the land cover for St. Kitts and Nevis makes it a lovely place to fly.

British Airways, US Airways and American Airlines, among others, all fly into St. Kitts' [[TKPK|Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (TKPK)]] in real life.

Take off from TKPK in a [[Piper_J3_Cub|Piper Cub]] and make a northward, clockwise circle of the island. Start your descent on the east side of the island, and focus on the small hill which separates the north from the south. Start hugging the coast near the beach and look to the west - as soon as the railroad heads to the southwest, you're about ready to turn for final. Make your right hand turn for final and taxi to the terminal.

If you want to fully explore this whole country, take off in a Beaver, which has a little more speed, and fly a figure eight. Take off from TKPK and circle the airport to the north like in the Cub. Then instead of landing, perform a touch-and-go and turn left over the boat terminal and make for the west coast of Nevis. Enjoy the beauty of the south coast of St. Kitts before circling Nevis. Over Nevis, you have several options - cut your flight short and land at [[TKPN]] on the island of Nevis, complete the "figure eight" by heading back to TKPK, or check your fuel and head east across the Caribbean to Antigua (which does not have custom land cover).<BR/>
<BR/>
Check out the [[Pilots of the Caribbean]] page, for further informations.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-TNCM.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 18.040953 Longitude: -63.108900]]

* [[TNCM|TNCM - Princess Juliana International Airport]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TNCM.pdf chart]
* [[TKPK|TKPK - Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TKPK.pdf chart]
* [[TKPN|TKPN - Vance Winkworth Amory Intl]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TKPN.pdf chart]
others interesting airports in the area:
* [[TFFF|TFFF - Le Lamentin]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TFFF.pdf chart]
* [[MDPP|MDPP - Gregorio Luperon Intl]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/MDPP.pdf chart]
* [[TJSJ|TJSJ - Luis Munoz Marin Intl]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TJSJ.pdf chart]
* [[FMEE|FMEE - St Denis Gillot]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/FMEE.pdf chart]
* [[TFFG|TFFG - Grand Case]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/TFFG.pdf chart]

required scenery tile:
* ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w070n10.tgz
* ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w080n10.tgz
* ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w080n20.tgz
* ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w090n20.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:TNCM-005.png|thumb|left|amazing]]
[[Image:TNCM-006.png|thumb|right|landing]]
* [[Piper_J3_Cub|Piper Cub]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=TKPK --aircraft=Cub
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Author===
[[FlightGear Newsletter January 2011]] by [[User:Statto|Statto]], format and extended by [[User:Francescobrisa|Francescobrisa]].

==Friedman Memorial Airport (Idaho)==
[[Image:KSUN-001.png|thumb|left|take off]]
[[Image:KSUN-002.png|thumb|right|nearby]]
Friedman Memorial Airport, Hailey, Idaho. This airport is nestled in a valley surrounded by significant terrain. It's one that shows up quite often in accident investigations.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:World-KSUN.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 43.51223900 Longitude: -114.30376100]]
* [[KSUN|KSUN - Friedman Mem]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/KSUN.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/w120n40.tgz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:KSUN-003.png|thumb|left|landing]]
[[Image:KSUN-004.png|thumb|right|landing]]
* [[FK9MK2]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=KSUN --aircraft=fk9mk2
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

== Wyoming - Grand Teton ==
Jackson Hole (KJAC) airport is located at around 6,400ft right next to the Teton range of mountains. The Tetons rise straight out of the plains, gaining over 5,000ft in 2 miles.

You will need the w120n40 scenery.

Tower frequency at KJAC is 118.07. Due to the high altitude, you will need to lean non-turbocharged piston aircraft before take-off. Don't forget that take-off distances will also be longer.

After take-off head to the North East. Grand Teton is the highest of the three peaks that rise straight from the flat-lands. Follow the line of mountains to the East, passing over Jenny Lake. After a couple of miles you will reach a huge lake. The large bulk of a mountain to the East is Mount Moran.

The Teton Mountain range is surprisingly thin - really just a string of mountains running SW-NE. Flying fast jets down the steep valleys is recommended.
* September 2006 by [[User:Stuart|Stuart]].

== Virginia Eastern Shore, Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel Sightseeing ==
Take a short VFR trip from Tangier Island to view the famous Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connecting Cape Charles to Cape Henry. Depart historic Tangier Island (KTGI) situated in the Chesapeake Bay and land at Norfolk International Airport (KORF), Norfolk, Virginia. The scenic character of the flight is enhanced by leaving the island at dusk. The flight is both scenic and challenging. Frequently, when flying with real weather, you will have a steady wind blowing across the bay. Starting out quiet Tangier and arriving at busy, glittering Norfolk International (KORF) gives the flight some contrast.

'''fgfs --airport=KTGI --runway=20 --timeofday=dusk'''

Before leaving Tangier: Set your altimeter to the prevailing barometric temperature. Set your communications radio to the Norfolk Intl. (KORF) ATIS frequency of 127.150 MHz to listen for weather reports in the destination area. Set your navigation radio to 112.20 MHz to pick up the Cape Charles (CCV) VOR. Set your heading bug to the runway heading, 200.

Takeoff straight, flying the runway heading. Climb to 2000ft and maintain.

Shortly, you should see the VOR assigned to NAV1 display receive a steady signal (the OFF flag will disappear). The DME should also settle down and display the distance to the Cape Charles VOR station. The flight to CCV will be about 26 nautical miles. As you fly, it will show your airspeed and time to arrival. It should take about ten minutes.

Turn the OBS knob until the VOR displays the TO flag and 190 degrees, the heading you should now turn to.

Fly south from Tangier, crossing an expanse of water, about ten miles until you see the Virginia Eastern Shore. You'll come upon the grass airstrip of Chance (VA89) a few minutes out from Tangier. Beyond are two flashing tower beacons. You may catch a glimpse of Weirwood/Kellam (W08) on the ocean shore, recognizable by two crossing dirt strips.

If you look carefully, you may see the little white building that is the Cape Charles VOR station. As you fly over VOR the flag will change from TO to FROM and the needle will deflect. Do not try to follow the needle. Wait until you are past the VOR. As you cross the VOR station, you should see a highway slanting across your path toward the south west. Turn to follow this highway. You'll come across a lone tower with beacon along the roadside. You'll see an access road stretching from the tower complex to the main road.

If the sky conditions permit, you may try your hand at wayfinding by following the road. If visiblity is poor, set the VOR to 180 degrees to parallel the road to the end of the peninsula. Or you can continue to fly outbound from the VOR on 190 by maintaining the same heading. The VOR needle should return to center with the FROM flag displaying. This will put you west of the bridge with a good view and the option to turn towards KORF near the initial approach fix. If you follow the highway you will need to overfly the airport, but if you stay on the 190 heading, you will be in a position to make a straight in landing.

As you fly down the peninsula you'll pass Cherrystone, Eagle's Nest, Scott and Bull Farm grass airstrips. Bull Farm is the last strip before the mouth of the Chesapeake. Just past Scott Farm you should see the first glimmer of the northern leg of the bridge. The grass strips can be very difficult to see.

As you reach the end of the peninsula, be careful to avoid the tower on Fisherman's Island at the north end of the north leg of the bridge (Note the bridge is not modeled by FlightGear...but I hope to work up one eventually). Next comes the north middle leg. Turn right a few degrees to follow the south middle leg. Watch as the deck plunges beneath the waves to allow ships to navigate the north and south channels.

As Cape Henry approaches, you'll see the Norfolk International airport to the right and the southern leg of the bridge touching the shore.

If you intend to land at KORF, you will want to start your approach soon. Otherwise, you may continue to follow the bridge to the end. Make the approach to KORF by contacting the tower for vectors. Or use the ILS.

This is a good flight to practice VOR flying on. It is a very straight flight path to the VOR requiring little adjustment and there are no other VORs in the area to confuse you.
*June 2006 by [[User:Sek|Sek]].

===Prince George to Calgary Springbank===
A beautiful flight is from Prince George (CYXS), to Calgary Springbank (CYBW). Route created by reed, which can be seen at [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=9772 the forums]
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter November 2010]] By [[User:Cael|Cael]].

=South America=
==Southern Tip of Chile==
[[Image:Scgz-001.png|thumb|left|right after take off]]
[[Image:Scgz-004.png|thumb|right|Some part of the scenery]]
Gary Carvell: Here is a suggestion for the FlightGear Places to Fly page. I don't have any particular routes, just fly around and enjoy the gorgeous scenery.<BR/>
These three airports are in the same region of the very southern tip of Argentina. This area is a scenic wonderland - a maze of islands, mountains, and ocean channels. Hours of entertainment.<BR/>
SCGZ - Puerto Williams Guardiamarina Zanartu Airport, Chile Located on the north coast of Isla Navarino facing the Beagle Channel. At 55 deg S. longitude, Puerto Williams is considered the southernmost town in the world.<BR/>
SAWH - Ushuaia Islas Malvinas Airport
SAWO - Ushuaia Est Aeronaval Airport
Ushuaia, on the south coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, on the the Beagle Channel.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:Sawh-004.png|thumb|left|Approaching Ushumaia Malvinas Argentinas]]
[[Image:World-scgz.png|thumb|right|Latitude: -54.931072 Longitude: -67.626261]]

* [[SCGZ|SCGZ - Guardiamarina Zanartu]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/SCGZ.pdf chart]
* [[SAWH|SAWH - Ushuaia Malvinas Argentinas]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/SAWH.pdf chart]
* [[SAWO|SAWO - Ushuaia Est Aeronaval]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/SAWO.pdf chart]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:Scgz-002.png|thumb|left|Just left the scgz airport]]
I personally like to fly this area in the [[Consolidated_Aircraft_PBY_Catalina|Catalina]], it's a great sightseeing plane with the advantage that you can take off and land just about anywhere.
* [[Consolidated_Aircraft_PBY_Catalina|Catalina]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=SCGZ --aircraft=Catalina
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

=Middle East=
==Israel to Jordan over the Dead Sea==
[[Image:LLBS-001.png|thumb|left|take off]]
[[Image:LLBS-002.png|thumb|right|flat land]]
Dead Sea is the lowest water elevation on the Earth. Take off from the Beer-Sheva Teyman airport and head East-North-East. About half way there, after the southern Hebron mountains ridge, there'll be a sharp drop-off down to the Dead Sea --- the lowest exposed point on the Earth.<br/>
<br/>
It's really fun to descend and explore the beautiful coastline. In the real life, you wouldn't like to fly low over this water there of your own will --- while you don't need a life vest in the Dead Sea, the water is pretty caustic there for one's eyes. Once you're done marvelling the sights, continue on to the Queen Alia airport.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Airports and coordinates===
[[Image:LLBS-006.png|thumb|left|landing in the dead sea, notice the altitude !]]
[[Image:OJAI-007.png|thumb|right|landing at Queen Alia Intl.]]
[[Image:World-LLBS.png|thumb|right|Latitude: 31.29037800 Longitude: 34.71922500]]
* [[LLBS|LLBS - Teyman]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/LLBS.pdf chart]
* [[OJAI|OJAI - Queen Alia Intl]] - [http://assistenza.larasrl.net/brisa/fgfs/suggested_flights/OJAI.pdf chart]

required scenery tile: ftp://ftp.sunsite.org.uk/sites/ftp.flightgear.org/flightgear-ftp/Scenery/e030n30.tar.gz
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Suggested aircraft===
[[Image:LLBS-003.png|thumb|left|approaching the dead sea]]
[[Image:LLBS-004.png|thumb|right|there is also a minor airport]]
* [[Albatross]]

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===FlightGear launching===
fgfs --airport=LLBS --aircraft=Albatross
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

=Europe=
==Edinburgh to Oban==
See article: [[Edinburgh to Oban]].

==Oban to Prestwick==
The west coast of Scotland offers some stunning scenery and a number of small airfields and airports to land at on both the mainland and the small islands the dot the coast. The distances between the various airfields are quite small, and some of the runways are on the short side, so STOL or GA aircraft are ideal. The tour suggested here follows part of a microlight trip I made this month, photos of which can be found [http://www.nanjika.co.uk/photos/gigha/ here].

Oban airport (EGEO) lies on the west coast of Scotland, and offers fuel (both AVGAS and AVTUR) and a North/South tarmac runway.

From Oban it is just a 10 minute flight west to the grass airfield of Glenforsa (EG45), on the north-east coast of the island of Mull. Due to the hills and water channel, this airfield often gets quite strange wind patterns - the weather can be perfect in Oban, but much gustier and windier at Glenforsa. At times the windsocks at either end of the runway can blow in completely opposite directions!

Some distance north of Oban lie the airfields of the Isle of Skye (EG57) and Plockton (EG81). This is an excellent place from which to explore the mountains of the Isle of Skye, known as the Cuilins.

Heading south from Oban, one can follow the coast to the island of Jura, with it's distinctive hills (The Paps of Jura). From Jura one can head south to the island of Islay with its numarous malt whisky distilleries (many of which are modelled in FG). Islay Airport (EGPI) has extensive runways. From Islay head north east to the tiny island of Gigha. Despite it's small size, it too has an airfield (EG44), though the FG version is tarmac rather than grass.

From Gigha head east over the Mull of Kintyre, to the hilly isle of Arran, then north east to the Isle of Bute. Both islands have very small grass airstrips, which are sadly not present in FG. From Bute you can head south east to Prestwick International (EGPK), famous for being the only place Elvis touched down in the UK, and a fine place to end our tour.
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter July 2011]] by [[User:Stuart|Stuart]]

== Edinburgh to Dundee ==
Edinburgh Airport (EGPH) is located to the West of the city of Edinburgh and south of the Forth rail and road bridges. You'll need the w010n50 scenery and the latest set of objects from the scenery DB which include a number of models for the Edinburgh area.

From Edinburgh Airport, head north and circle the bridges, then follow the coast on the south eastwards past Edinburgh (watch out for the Castle!) and to East Lothian and Bass Rock - a volcanic plug in the sea that is host to thousands of sea-birds.

There are a number of sights in East Lothian, include a distillery.

If you wish to continue your tour, head back North, crossing the Firth of Forth to the Kingdom of Fife. Head approximated North West, tracking towards the Perth VOR (110.4). There is an airport here (Perth Scone, EGPT), but instead we will now track out on the 090 radial and pick up the ILS to Dundee Airport (108.10) landing beside the sea.
* September 2006 by [[User:Stuart|Stuart]].

==Austrian alps==
Using the AI subsystem, discover the Austrian alps with a glider. [[Pinzgauer Spaziergang]]
== Sightseeing the Alps in a C172 ==
This tour will guide you to many of the most famous mountains, valleys, glaciers, snowfields, winter and summer vacation areas, etc. in the European Alps. In addition there are several hints to visit nearby areas of interest. On the tour you will visit Switzerland, Italy and France.
See the detailed description in: http://www.emmerich-j.de/FGFS/Alp-flying.pdf
*February 2011 by [[User:Jomo|Jomo]].

==Grenoble Le-Versoud==

[[Image:LFLG.jpg|800px]]

France : '''LFLG''' ( Grenoble Le-Versoud ) airport : border of Alps
*P.A.F. home base [http://equipe-flightgear.forumactif.com/ link]
*Scenery : http://clemaez.fr/flightgear/flightgearfrance_05062011.tar.gz
*Texture : http://clemaez.fr/flightgear/pattentextures_maj24082011.tar.gz

* Take-off from Grenoble le Versoud (LFLG). Head south following the general direction of the Alps. Bearing left (East) will take you into high alpine territory, while towards the West lie the plains of the Rhône valley. Once you reach the Mediterranean coast, follow it to land in Marseilles (LFML), Nice (LFMN), or another smaller airport serving the French Riviera.
*Published in [[Custom France Scenery]].

==Gulf of Finland sightseeing tour==
Take a VFR sightseeing tour over the Gulf of Finland from Helsinki to Tallinn! Estonia's landmarks are all recent additions, while Helsinki was one of the first cities to have original models in the scenery model database.

Take off from the smaller EFHF airfield in Helsinki, or try your luck fighting the virtual traffic at Vantaa, and head toward the port of Helsinki. Look for the Hartwall Arena, the Pasila tower, the railway station and the Olympic Stadium along the way. Make your way out over the Gulf flying just west of south - a heading of 190 should set you up nicely for a sightseeing tour of Tallinn. Try to come in from the west and do a sweeping left turn over the capital of Estonia, looking out for the Swissotel, Olympic Hotel, the Television tower, and other important landmarks in the capital city of Estonia. Make sure you look out for St. Olaf's Church, the tallest building in the capital city. Make your way over the Ulemiste Jarv (lake) to land on runway 09 at Tallinn's main airport.

If you desire, you can do a touch-and-go at Tallinn and set your course southeastward, landing at Tartu Airport, which is also modelled in FlightGear.

The distance between Helsinki and Tallinn is about 50 miles or 80 kilometres, while Tartu is twice the distance from Tallinn at 100 miles/160 kilometres. Fly a heading of 135 to get to Tartu from Tallinn.
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter October 2010]] by [[User:Statto|Statto]].

==Azores==
The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azores Azores], set in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, has had many names. Fortunate Isles, the Blue Islands, the Islands of Tin and Silver, the Islands of the Seven Cities. We can add, the Islands of Amazing Sights and Flights.

Our flight is to celebrate the amazing views FlightGear can give us.

Start your plane at Lajes Field (LPLA). This once was an emergency landing site for the space shuttle so you will have plenty of room to take off.
We will have to fly an odd pattern. The reason for that: if you don't fly too high (stick around 3000 while you can) you will have some amazing views.

Next, fly towards and over LPPD. Look out the window and enjoy the view. Then head out towards LPHR. If you feel LPHR coming near, look out the window good, you might have to pull your plane up.

Happy flying!
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter August 2011]] by [[User:PH-JBO|PH-JBO]]

==Gibraltar==
Traffic lights turn red, gates are closed. The only busy main road to the peninsula is closed and all the cars and trucks are waiting patiently. Waiting for a train to pass? No. Waiting for a plane to pass since the main road crosses a busy runway.

On both sides water and being crossed by a busy main road can only be one runway: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibraltar_Airport Gibraltar airport]!

One would expect an ILS installed on such a tricky runway but no, you will have to guess where it is and how far away it is. Not even an ADF points to it.

Take off from LEMG (Malaga). Go South-West and find the runway of LXGB somewhere to the right of the rock. Happy guessing!
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter September 2011]] by [[User:PH-JBO|PH-JBO]]

=Asia=
==Khorog, Tajikistan==

Surrounded by spectacular mountains and nestled in the end of a valley, Khorog Airfield (UT1C) makes an interesting place to land. It can only be approached by flying down the curved valley that snakes in from the north. Flying from here to OPCH (Chitral, Pakistan) at around 500ft AGL all the way is a wonderful way to explore the Hindu Kush mountains.

=Africa=
=Australia and Oceania=

==Hawai'i==
[[Image:Maui03.jpg|thumb|250px]]
Do you use [[TerraSync]]? If so, try a flight around Hawaii! Take off from PHNL in a light aircraft and head west until you hit Pearl Harbor; a right turn north will take you post the USS Arizona Memorial, and the Punchbowl Crater will be to your right. Or, fly east from PHNL past volcanic craters Diamond Head and Koko Head. If you follow the O'ahu coastline north from Koko Head, you can land at either old World War II airbase Bellows Field (now a wildlife reserve in real life) or at Keahole MCAS.

For a potentially more scenic route, fly east toward Molokai, and stay to the north (left) of the island. The northern part of Molokai features huge sea cliffs and a tiny airstrip on the Kalaupapa peninsula - the peninsula being the only respite from the cliffs. A former leper colony existed near the airstrip!

Also of interest are the volcanoes on Maui and the 'Big Island' of Hawai'i - flying VFR in a small plane from PHTO to PHKO over the plateau between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa can be a challenge, as you have to take off from sea level, fly through a pass of 6500 feet, and then drop back down to sea level to land! The Hana coast of northern Maui is also a nice flight - a circumnavigation of Haleakala, starting and ending at PHOG, is quite a nice flight.

The islands will be available through the download center with the next major scenery release, but for now, fire up [[TerraSync]] and your favorite VFR aircraft and have a blast.
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter September 2010]] by [[User:Statto|Statto]].

==Brisbane International Airport to Sydney International Airport==
Going from Brisbane International Airport to Sydney International Airport. You should have a heading of about 203. Might take sometime to arrive to this section. Maybe 10-30 mins into the flight. Can't really say but don't give up, you will eventually reach this section of the flight. '''''Your eyes will be rewarded!''''' .

[[Image:Fgfs-screen-020.png|200px]]
[[Image:Fgfs-screen-016.png|200px]]
[[Image:Fgfs-screen-012.png|200px]]
*Published in [[FlightGear Newsletter April 2011]] by [[User:Vin|Vin]]

=Antarctica=

<nowiki>
{{Suggested}}

[[Category:List]]
</nowiki>

FlightGear Flying Club

2011-10-03T11:15:33Z

Armchair Ace:

==Flight Gear Flying Club==

=== Club & Activities ===

The Flying Club is a collection of FG enthusiasts who band together and fly impromptu flights, and organize more formal get-togethers which are announced on the FlightGear Forum and on various IRC channels in advance. [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=381d9860a9183d143cd2fa8aee16099d|display Flight Gear Multiplayer Forum]. We also host virtual fly-ins, one-on-one help flights for newer pilots still learning, and other exciting events such as disaster simulations where you can ''go to the rescue!!''

=== Requirements? ===

'''''Interest and enthusiasm.'''''
To keep up in the weekly flights, one should be a fairly competent simulation pilot, able to follow a flight plan and navigate in strange territory, though the Club won't knowingly leave anyone behind. If you're not sure, contact someone in the club and ask. Most members subscribe to, ''"Fly Together - Organize Fly-Ins - Suggest New Areas to Fly - Helping Each Other Learn by Having Fun."'' We have all levels of pilots flying with us from seasoned VA pilots with hundreds of hours to beginners who are still learning the ropes. There's usually someone around to lend a hand when needed.

=== IRC Channel ===

The #FlyingClub IRC channel is on the FlightGear IRC net, servers are mpserver12.flightgear.org (Netherlands & Europe) or us1.connectedserver.com (Canada & USA) and uk1.connectedserver.com for the UK. Please pick one closest to where you are. If you're experienced with IRC, this net has a ChanServ and Nickserv (Channel Server and Nick server) which greatly enhances the IRC experience by controlling the use of IRC nicknames and channels. If you're not experienced with IRC, try the [[FlightGear IRC channel]] for further tips and information.

Reeed has also provided us with ''wxbot'', which provides a variety of information in-channel for us including: '''!wx city''' Display Google Weather for city; '''!taf icao''' Display TAF for airport (ICAO code); '''!metar icao''' Display METAR for airport (ICAO code); '''!aptinfo string''' List airports matching string (>4 characters), '''!aptinfo icao''' Display airport info (ICAO code); '''!mp''' List pilots on FlightGear multiplayer servers. Go ahead and give them a try.

=== Club Website ===

[http://fgfc.tk Flying Club Website] has information about members, memberships and upcoming activities.

=== Club Aircraft Liveries ===
A set of liveries are available on the website.

=== Come Discover the Flight Gear World With Us ===
Friendship, mutual interest in flying and fun are the goals of the FGFC; come and discover the FG world with us. '''''See you in the air!! '''''

[[Category:Community]]

FlightGear Flying Club

2011-10-02T10:27:46Z

Armchair Ace:

==Flight Gear Flying Club==

=== Club & Activities ===

The Flying Club is a collection of FG enthusiasts who band together and fly impromptu flights, and organize more formal get-togethers which are announced on the FlightGear Forum and on various IRC channels in advance. [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=381d9860a9183d143cd2fa8aee16099d|display Flight Gear Multiplayer Forum]. We also host virtual fly-ins, one-on-one help flights for newer pilots still learning, and other exciting events such as disaster simulations where you can ''go to the rescue!!''

=== Requirements? ===

'''''Interest and enthusiasm.'''''
To keep up in the weekly flights, one should be a fairly competent simulation pilot, able to follow a flight plan and navigate in strange territory, though the Club won't knowingly leave anyone behind. If you're not sure, contact someone in the club and ask. Most members subscribe to, ''"Fly Together - Organize Fly-Ins - Suggest New Areas to Fly - Helping Each Other Learn by Having Fun."'' We have all levels of pilots flying with us from seasoned VA pilots with hundreds of hours to beginners who are still learning the ropes. There's usually someone around to lend a hand when needed.

=== IRC CHANNEL ===

The #FlyingClub IRC channel is on the FlightGear IRC net, servers are mpserver12.flightgear.org (Netherlands & Europe) or us1.connectedserver.com (Canada & USA) and uk1.connectedserver.com for the UK. Please pick one closest to where you are. If you're experienced with IRC, this net has a ChanServ and Nickserv (Channel Server and Nick server) which greatly enhances the IRC experience by controlling the use of IRC nicknames and channels. If you're not experienced with IRC, try the [[FlightGear IRC channel]] for further tips and information.

Reeed has also provided us with ''wxbot'', which provides a variety of information in-channel for us including: '''!wx city''' Display Google Weather for city; '''!taf icao''' Display TAF for airport (ICAO code); '''!metar icao''' Display METAR for airport (ICAO code); '''!aptinfo string''' List airports matching string (>4 characters), '''!aptinfo icao''' Display airport info (ICAO code); '''!mp''' List pilots on FlightGear multiplayer servers. Go ahead and give them a try.

=== Club Website ===

[http://fgfc.tk Flying Club Website] has information about members, memberships and upcoming activities.

=== Club Aircraft Liveries ===
i4dnf has recently made a set of liveries for the club - they are still in development as of October 1st, 2011.

=== Come Discover the Flight Gear World With Us ===
Friendship, mutual interest in flying and fun are the goals of the FGFC; come and discover the FG world with us. '''''See you in the air!! '''''

[[Category:Community]]

FlightGear IRC channel

2011-09-24T01:17:45Z

Armchair Ace:

== Common ==

The '''FlightGear IRC Network''' is an online system that will allow you to talk to a lot of people around the world and is related to everything about [[FlightGear]]. It's mostly used by developers, but it is also a good place to ask for help if you are having a question.

It consists of localised servers that are all linked up to form a seamless chat network so if you are based in England you would connect to a nearby server in England and you would see exactly the same people as someone connecting to a server in the USA.

To connect to the IRCnet network you first need a suitable client. For users of Mozilla browsers (like Firefox), the plugin [https://addons.mozilla.org/de/firefox/addon/16 ChatZilla] is surely a good option. You can also use [http://www.xchat.org/ XChat] (Linux and Windows), [http://sourceforge.net/projects/xchataqua/ X-Chat Aqua] (X Chat Mac), [http://www.silverex.org/ SilverEx] (X Chat windows Free Build), [http://www.pidgin.im/ Pidgin], [http://colloquy.info/ Colloquy] (for Mac), [http://www.mirc.com/ mIRC] or any other client.

When you first login to the network you must pick yourself a unique nickname for the current chat session. Nicknames can be up to 31 characters in length and contain numbers and some punctuation characters. Some examples of nicknames you can use are:

* Fred
* BIG_fred
* ^Fred^
* Fred-
* ^Fred
* fred007

It doesn't matter about capital or lower case letters in the nickname since they are treated the same when people want to contact you and there are some weird and obscure rules about nicknames such as them not being able to begin with a "-" character. Most of these rules have no rhyme nor reason to them but we didn't write the software, we just have to try and tell people how to use it. Have an experiment and see what suits you best.

Once you found your personal unique nickname you may want to register it with '''NickServ''' (see below).

== Official hosts ==
{|
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" width="200px" | Host
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" | Location
|-
| nl.irc.flightgear.org
| Netherlands
|-
| uk.irc.flightgear.org
| United Kingdom
|-
| us.irc.flightgear.org
| United States
|-
| de.irc.flightgear.org
| Germany
|-
| irc.flightgear.org
| currently an alias for de.irc.flightgear.org
|}

These servers are interconnected to form the FlightGear IRC network. Please choose the host closest to you geographically.
The FlightGear IRC network has several channels, some of which are listed below. To obtain a real list, use the IRC command "/list".

{| Common channels
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" width="200px" | channel
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" |
|-
| #flightgear
| Main channel
|-
| #flightgear-blender
| [[Blender]]
|-
| #fg_school
| [[FlightGear Flight Academy|Flight School]]
|-
| #fgms
| [[fgms]] related stuff
|-
| #airliners
| IFR Navigation Squawk
|-
| #fg_canteen
| Off topic community
|-
| #fg-ru
| Russian Flightgear Community
|-
| #wiki
| Wiki
|-
| #flightgear-forum
| Forum
|-
| #help
| general help on IRC
|-
| #staffers
| Server Admins
|-
| #flyingclub
| [[Flight Gear Flying Club]]
|}

== Network Services ==
; '''NickServ'''
: Registration and identification of nicknames.
: NickServ allows you to "register" a nickname and prevent others from using it. The following
: commands allow for registration and maintenance of nicknames; to use them, type
: '''/msg NickServ <u>command</u>'''
: For more information on a specific command, type
: '''/msg NickServ HELP <u>command</u>'''.
: Common commands are
:: REGISTER Registers a nickname.
:: GROUP Adds a nickname to your account.
:: IDENTIFY Identifies to services for a nickname.
:: GHOST Reclaims use of a nickname.
: and many more.
: This service is intended to provide a way for IRC users to ensure their identity is not compromised.
: It is NOT intended to facilitate "stealing" of nicknames or other malicious actions. Abuse of NickServ
: will result in, at minimum, loss of the abused nickname(s).
; '''ChanServ'''
: Registration and management of IRC channels.
: ChanServ allows you to register and control various aspects of channels. ChanServ can often prevent
: malicious users from "taking over" channels by limiting who is allowed channel operator priviliges.
: Some vailable commands are listed below; to use them, type
: '''/msg ChanServ <u>command</u>'''.
: For more information on a specific command, type
: '''/msg ChanServ HELP <u>command</u>'''.
:: REGISTER Registers a channel.
:: RECOVER Regain control of your channel.
:: FLAGS Manipulates specific permissions on a channel.
: and many more.
; '''MemoServ'''
: Network Memo service, leave messages for other users.
: MemoServ is a utility allowing IRC users to send short messages to other IRC users, whether they are
: online at the time or not. Both the sender's nickname and the target nickname must be registered in
: order to send a memo.
: MemoServ's commands include:
:: READ Reads a memo.
:: SEND Sends a memo to a user.
:: SENDGROUP Sends a memo to all members on a group.
:: SENDOPS Sends a memo to all ops on a channel.
:: DELETE Deletes memos.
: Type '''/msg MemoServ HELP <u>command</u> for help on any of the above commands or
:: '''/msg MemoServ HELP''' to see a list of all available commands.
; '''HostServ'''
: VirtualHost network service.
: HostServ allows users to request a virtual hostname. Normally we only allow IPs to be shown on a users
: connection (so no dns lookups are made upon a new connection). To hide your host to other users you are
: free to select a vhost from a predefined list (or a uniquely requested one) via hostserv. In that case
: your selected hostname will be shown to others instead of your real IP.
: Type '''/msg HostServ HELP''' to see the list of all available commands.
: Some commands of interrest (for you :) are:
:: OFFERLIST Lists all available vhosts.
:: TAKE Take an offered vhost for use.
:: REQUEST Requests new virtual hostname for current nick.

For further help type "/msg SERVICE help" (replace SERVICE with the name of the service)

== Other hosts ==
{|
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" width="200px" | Network
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" | Channel
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" | Description
|-
| irc.freenode.net
| #flightgear
| Only for emergencies.
|}

== How to get in there with ChatZilla ==
[[File:IRC-ChatZilla.jpg|thumb|ChatZilla Client area]]
When using ChatZilla, go to your Mozilla/Firefox browser and enter [irc://mpserver12.flightgear.org irc://mpserver12.flightgear.org]. When ChatZilla has connected to the host, click "IRC" and "Join channel...". Pick the preferred channel.

To get directly to the main channel with ChatZilla, you can also enter [irc://mpserver12.flightgear.org/flightgear irc://mpserver12.flightgear.org/flightgear] in your browser.
== External links ==
* [http://www.ircbeginner.com/ General information about IRC]
* [http://www.ircbeginner.com/ircinfo/ircc-commands.html General IRC commands]

[[Category:FlightGear]]
[[Category:Community]]

FlightGear IRC channel

2011-09-05T01:19:49Z

Armchair Ace:

== Common ==

The '''FlightGear IRC Network''' is an online system that will allow you to talk to a lot of people around the world and is related to everything about [[FlightGear]]. It's mostly used by developers, but it is also a good place to ask for help if you are having a question.

It consists of localised servers that are all linked up to form a seamless chat network so if you are based in England you would connect to a nearby server in England and you would see exactly the same people as someone connecting to a server in the USA.

To connect to the IRCnet network you first need a suitable client. For users of Mozilla browsers (like Firefox), the plugin [https://addons.mozilla.org/de/firefox/addon/16 ChatZilla] is surely a good option. You can also use [http://www.xchat.org/ XChat] (Linux and Windows), [http://sourceforge.net/projects/xchataqua/ X-Chat Aqua] (X Chat Mac), [http://www.silverex.org/ SilverEx] (X Chat windows Free Build), [http://www.pidgin.im/ Pidgin], [http://colloquy.info/ Colloquy] (for Mac), [http://www.mirc.com/ mIRC] or any other client.

When you first login to the network you must pick yourself a unique nickname for the current chat session. Nicknames can be up to 31 characters in length and contain numbers and some punctuation characters. Some examples of nicknames you can use are:

* Fred
* BIG_fred
* ^Fred^
* Fred-
* ^Fred
* fred007

It doesn't matter about capital or lower case letters in the nickname since they are treated the same when people want to contact you and there are some weird and obscure rules about nicknames such as them not being able to begin with a "-" character. Most of these rules have no rhyme nor reason to them but we didn't write the software, we just have to try and tell people how to use it. Have an experiment and see what suits you best.

Once you found your personal unique nickname you may want to register it with '''NickServ''' (see below).

== Official hosts ==
{|
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" width="200px" | Host
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" | Location
|-
| nl.irc.flightgear.org
| Netherlands
|-
| uk.irc.flightgear.org
| United Kingdom
|-
| us.irc.flightgear.org
| United States
|-
| de.irc.flightgear.org
| Germany
|-
| irc.flightgear.org
| currently an alias for de.irc.flightgear.org
|}

These servers are interconnected to form the FlightGear IRC network. Please choose the host closest to you geographically.
The FlightGear IRC network has several channels, some of which are listed below. To obtain a real list, use the IRC command "/list".

{| Common channels
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" width="200px" | channel
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" |
|-
| #flightgear
| Main channel
|-
| #flightgear-blender
| [[Blender]]
|-
| #fg_school
| [[FlightGear Flight Academy|Flight School]]
|-
| #fgms
| [[fgms]] related stuff
|-
| #airliners
| IFR Navigation Squawk
|-
| #Cantene
| Off topic chat
|-
| #fg-ru
| Russian Flightgear Community
|-
| #wiki
| Wiki
|-
| #flightgear-forum
| Forum
|-
| #help
| general help on IRC
|-
| #staffers
| Server Admins
|-
| #flyingclub
| [[Flight Gear Flying Club]]
|}

== Network Services ==
; '''NickServ'''
: Registration and identification of nicknames.
: NickServ allows you to "register" a nickname and prevent others from using it. The following
: commands allow for registration and maintenance of nicknames; to use them, type
: '''/msg NickServ <u>command</u>'''
: For more information on a specific command, type
: '''/msg NickServ HELP <u>command</u>'''.
: Common commands are
:: REGISTER Registers a nickname.
:: GROUP Adds a nickname to your account.
:: IDENTIFY Identifies to services for a nickname.
:: GHOST Reclaims use of a nickname.
: and many more.
: This service is intended to provide a way for IRC users to ensure their identity is not compromised.
: It is NOT intended to facilitate "stealing" of nicknames or other malicious actions. Abuse of NickServ
: will result in, at minimum, loss of the abused nickname(s).
; '''ChanServ'''
: Registration and management of IRC channels.
: ChanServ allows you to register and control various aspects of channels. ChanServ can often prevent
: malicious users from "taking over" channels by limiting who is allowed channel operator priviliges.
: Some vailable commands are listed below; to use them, type
: '''/msg ChanServ <u>command</u>'''.
: For more information on a specific command, type
: '''/msg ChanServ HELP <u>command</u>'''.
:: REGISTER Registers a channel.
:: RECOVER Regain control of your channel.
:: FLAGS Manipulates specific permissions on a channel.
: and many more.
; '''MemoServ'''
: Network Memo service, leave messages for other users.
: MemoServ is a utility allowing IRC users to send short messages to other IRC users, whether they are
: online at the time or not. Both the sender's nickname and the target nickname must be registered in
: order to send a memo.
: MemoServ's commands include:
:: READ Reads a memo.
:: SEND Sends a memo to a user.
:: SENDGROUP Sends a memo to all members on a group.
:: SENDOPS Sends a memo to all ops on a channel.
:: DELETE Deletes memos.
: Type '''/msg MemoServ HELP <u>command</u> for help on any of the above commands or
:: '''/msg MemoServ HELP''' to see a list of all available commands.
; '''HostServ'''
: VirtualHost network service.
: HostServ allows users to request a virtual hostname. Normally we only allow IPs to be shown on a users
: connection (so no dns lookups are made upon a new connection). To hide your host to other users you are
: free to select a vhost from a predefined list (or a uniquely requested one) via hostserv. In that case
: your selected hostname will be shown to others instead of your real IP.
: Type '''/msg HostServ HELP''' to see the list of all available commands.
: Some commands of interrest (for you :) are:
:: OFFERLIST Lists all available vhosts.
:: TAKE Take an offered vhost for use.
:: REQUEST Requests new virtual hostname for current nick.

For further help type "/msg SERVICE help" (replace SERVICE with the name of the service)

== Other hosts ==
{|
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" width="200px" | Network
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" | Channel
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" | Description
|-
| irc.freenode.net
| #flightgear
| Only for emergencies.
|}

== How to get in there with ChatZilla ==
[[File:IRC-ChatZilla.jpg|thumb|ChatZilla Client area]]
When using ChatZilla, go to your Mozilla/Firefox browser and enter [irc://mpserver12.flightgear.org irc://mpserver12.flightgear.org]. When ChatZilla has connected to the host, click "IRC" and "Join channel...". Pick the preferred channel.

To get directly to the main channel with ChatZilla, you can also enter [irc://mpserver12.flightgear.org/flightgear irc://mpserver12.flightgear.org/flightgear] in your browser.
== External links ==
* [http://www.ircbeginner.com/ General information about IRC]
* [http://www.ircbeginner.com/ircinfo/ircc-commands.html General IRC commands]

[[Category:FlightGear]]
[[Category:Community]]

FlightGear Flying Club

2011-08-20T21:56:38Z

Armchair Ace:

==Flight Gear Flying Club==

=== Club & Activities ===

Flying flight simulation is all very well, but it soon gets boring if you're always alone; it's '''''always more fun with a friend!''''' That's why the '''''Flight Gear Flying Club''''' was formed. The Flying Club is a collection of FG enthusiasts who band together and fly impromptu flights, and organize more formal get-togethers such as our popular weekly three-to -four-hour tours in different parts of the FG world. Each week's flight is announced on the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=381d9860a9183d143cd2fa8aee16099d|display Flight Gear Multiplayer Forum]. We also host virtual fly-ins, one-on-one help flights for newer pilots still learning, and other exciting events such as disaster simulations where you can ''go to the rescue!!''

=== Requirements? ===

'''''Interest and enthusiasm.'''''
To keep up in the weekly flights, one should be a fairly competent simulation pilot, able to follow a flight plan and navigate in strange territory, though the Club won't knowingly leave anyone behind. If you're not sure, contact someone in the club and ask. Most members subscribe to, ''"Fly Together - Organize Fly-Ins - Suggest New Areas to Fly - Helping Each Other Learn by Having Fun."'' We have all levels of pilots flying with us from seasoned VA pilots with hundreds of hours to beginners who are still learning the ropes. There's usually someone around to lend a hand when needed.

=== IRC CHANNEL ===

The #FlyingClub IRC channel is on the FlightGear IRC net, servers are mpserver12.flightgear.org (Netherlands & Europe) or us1.connectedserver.com (Canada & USA) and uk1.connectedserver.com for the UK. Please pick one closest to where you are. If you're experienced with IRC, this net has a ChanServ and Nickserv (Channel Server and Nick server) which greatly enhances the IRC experience by controlling the use of IRC nicknames and channels. If you're not experienced with IRC, try the [[FlightGear IRC channel]] for further tips and information.

Reeed has also provided us with ''wxbot'', which provides a variety of information in-channel for us including: '''!wx city''' Display Google Weather for city; '''!taf icao''' Display TAF for airport (ICAO code); '''!metar icao''' Display METAR for airport (ICAO code); '''!aptinfo string''' List airports matching string (>4 characters), '''!aptinfo icao''' Display airport info (ICAO code); '''!mp''' List pilots on FlightGear multiplayer servers. Go ahead and give them a try.

=== Club Website ===

[http://fgflyingclub.wordpress.com/ Flying Club Website] has information about members, memberships and upcoming activities.

=== Club Aircraft Liveries ===
[[File:FGFC_PC7_Livery1.jpg|thumb|FG Flying Club Livery on a PC7, by Christopher ]]

There is currently one aircraft livery for the Pilotus PC7, and future plans include liveries for the b1900D and Aerostar 700. Come to the #FlyingClub IRC channel to find out how to get yours.
=== Come Discover the Flight Gear World With Us ===
Friendship, mutual interest in flying and '''''FUN''''' are the goals and hallmarks of FGFC; come and discover the FG world with us. '''''See you in the air!! '''''

[[Category:Community]]

User:Armchair Ace

2011-08-02T03:39:37Z

Armchair Ace:

{{User
|name = Tom
|location = Edinburgh, Scotland & Kizukuri, Japan
|job = Student & FlightGear user/'tinkerer' (I wouldn't consider myself to be much of a developer)
|interests = Aviation, Travel, FlightGear and Portal
|callsign = G-ATPF or JA-110
|favourite =
*F7F Tigercat
*Douglas DC-6,8,9 and 10
*McDonnell Douglas MD-81
*DHC2 Beaver
*Boeing 717
}}

User:Armchair Ace

2011-08-02T03:38:35Z

Armchair Ace:

{{User
|name = Tom
|location = Edinburgh, Scotland & Kizukuri, Japan
|job = Student & FlightGear user/'tinkerer' (I wouldn't consider myself to be much of a developer)
|interests = Aviation, Travel, FlightGear and Portal
|callsign = G-ATPF or JA-110
|favourite =
*McDonnell Douglas F-4II Phantom family
*F7F Tigercat
*Douglas DC-6,8,9 and 10
*McDonnell Douglas MD-81
*DHC2 Beaver
*Boeing 717
}}

User:Armchair Ace

2011-08-02T03:38:08Z

Armchair Ace:

{{User
|name = Tom
|location = Edinburgh, Scotland & Kizukuri, Japan
|job = Student & FlightGear user/'tinkerer' (I wouldn't consider myself to be much of a developer)
|interests = Aviation, Travel, FlightGear and Portal
|callsign = G-ATPF or JA-110
|favourite = *McDonnell Douglas F-4II Phantom family
*F7F Tigercat
*Douglas DC-6,8,9 and 10
*McDonnell Douglas MD-81
*DHC2 Beaver
*Boeing 717
}}

FlightGear hangars

2011-06-11T00:18:37Z

Armchair Ace: Clearing up obsolete links and spelling errors.

''See [[Links]] for an overall listing of FlightGear related external websites''

FlightGear has [[aircraft]] and other content available from 3rd-party hangars, some which are GPL compatible and also included in official distributions while others are independent. Aircraft versions range from requiring a developmental build, to being compatible with the latest primary release, to requiring an older version.

Be careful with external links!

=== Official hangars ===
* [http://www.flightgear.org/Downloads/aircraft-2.0.0/ FlightGear Official 2.0 Hangar]
* [http://gitorious.org/fg/fgdata/trees/master/Aircraft Git Hangar] (for [[Git]] builds)
* [http://liveries.flightgear.org FlightGear Liveries]

=== Hangars ===
* [http://alphashangar.co.nr/ Alpha-J's Hangar] (Aircraft, Liveries, Scenery, AI, etc.)
* [http://www.gidenstam.org/FlightGear/Airships/ Anders Lighter-than-air Hangar]
* <s>[http://bravosflightgear.yolasite.com/ Bravo's FlightGear] (Airbus A318-100) </s>
* [http://ltts.crlt.indiana.edu/grn/flightgear/ Buckaroo's Hangar] (Lockheed 1049H Constellation, Grumman Goose, McDonnell Douglas MD-81) (& a yasim intro)
* [http://members.cox.net/davidculp/hangar.html Dave's Hangar] (also [http://daveshangar.blogspot.com/ Dave's Hangar Blog])
* [http://www.sol2500.net/flightgear/aircraft.html DFaber Hangar] (Eurofighter, PC-6, Bf 109, Beufighter, F4U, Ju 52, DH Mosquito, G. Albatross, F-86, and more)
* [http://flier95-flightgear.blogspot.com/ Flier95's Hangar] (Blog format)
* [http://charles.ingels.free.fr/flightgear/ French FlightGear Hangar] (FR) (Aermacchi MB326, Dassault Mirage F1 Mikoyan Gurevitch Mig 31 Foxhound, and more)
* [http://fgnl.freehostia.com/ Gijs Hangar] (Aircraft, Liveries, Scenery, Vehicles)
* [http://pagesperso-orange.fr/GRTux/tux/index-en.html GRTux Hangar] (28+ aircraft and add-ons)
* [http://helijah.free.fr/flightgear/hangar.htm Helijah FlightGear Hangar] (156+ original aircraft)
* [http://hhfgfs.weebly.com/index.html Hellcat's FlightGear Hangar] (scenarios, skins, film inspired aerospace vehicles)
* [http://www.hoerbird.net/aircrafts.html Hoerbird Hangar] (misc. projects)
* [http://icestar-fghangar.web44.net/ Icecode's & Star's Hangar] (under development)
* [http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeuyecs/ Kent Esbenshade's Boneyard Hangar] (Classic aircraft)
* [http://flightgear.bplaced.de/ longfly's hangar] (not only German!)
** [http://www.flightgear.bplaced.de/filemanager/aircraft-list/index.html list of all aircrafts] (under development)
* [http://nickfg.blogspot.com/ Nick's FlightGear Hangar] (Blog, CRJ-200)
* [http://members.cox.net/scotsg8r/hangar/ N-SCOT's Hangar] (5+ liveries & mods)
* [http://theomegahangar.webs.com Omega Hangar] (Mobile Stairway)
* [http://sites.google.com/site/pjedvajflightgear/ pjedvaj's Hangar] (Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA,, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21bis, Pilatus PC-21, Pilatus PC-9M)
* [http://thefancyflightgearhangar.blogspot.com the fancy flight gear hangar] (a few well made aircraft)
* [http://presteshangar.wikidot.com/start Prestes Hangar] (many non-english aircraft articles)
* [http://riktov.synthasite.com/ Riktov's FlightGear Hangar] (BN-2 Islander, Giant Marshmallow Man)
* [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html Scighera's Hangar] (models & liveries)
* [http://skyopshangar.byethost17.com/ Skyop's FlightGear Hangar] (717, 757-200, A300, A320-family, A330-300, A340-300, ATR 72, CRJ900, Paper airplane, & scenery)
* [http://seahorseCorral.org/flightgear_aircraft.html Stewart's SEA-horse Aircraft Hanger]
* [http://sydhangar.daffodil.uk.com/ Syd's Hangar ] (older 1.9 versions) [https://sites.google.com/site/sydshangar/ Syd's Google Hangar ] (newer 2.0 versions)
* [http://macflightgear.sourceforge.net/home/aircraft Tat's Aircraft for FlightGear] (A6M2 "Zero", J7W, Ki-84, T-4, HondaJet, OH-1, K5Y1, RV-6A, YS-11)
* [http://vicmar.weebly.com/ VicMar] (Yanagisawa Gen H-4, Stung Biker, Quad Bikes, SRN4, Water Skier, G2 Thunderpack, Martin Jetpack)
* [http://www.treborlogic.com/fgfs/hangar/ Yourgod's Hangar: Douglas DC-8]
* [https://www.gitorious.org/airbus-aircraft Airbus Aircraft Development Git] (A320, A330, A340-300, A380 - various authors)

==== Livery hangars ====
* [http://berwickskins.yolasite.com/ Berwick-skins]
* [http://dliveryhangar.synthasite.com/ Dodger4's Livery Hangar]
* [http://jchnd.blogspot.com/ JcHnd's Liveries for FlightGear]
* [http://mojos-hangar.webs.com/ MOJO's Flightgear Livery Hangar]
* [http://simbabeathangar.webs.com/ Simbabeat's Livery Hangar]

==== Homepages, blogs, etc. ====

* [http://geoffmclane.com/fg/index.htm FlightGear Build Centre]
* [http://www.flightgearcanada.ca/ FlightGear Canada] (The home of everything Canadian for FlightGear)
* [http://www.fguk.eu/ FlightGear United Kingdom]
* [http://www.flightgear-germany.de/ FlightGear Germany] (DE)
* [http://flightgear2009.blogspot.com/ Flight Gear Brasil 2009] (non-english)
* [http://www.shialeweb.com/caballerosaguila/news.php Caballeros Aguila] (non-english)
* [http://www.emmerich-j.de/FGFS/index.html jomo's FlightGear Homepage]
* [http://tehwarlock.tk/ Tehwarlock Blog]
* [http://flightgearblog.blogspot.com/ FlightGear Blog] (Last post Dec. 2008)
* [http://www.jaunty.bplaced.net/flightgear/index.php a small FlightGear page]
* [http://www.vivefg.org/ Vive FlightGear!] Aircrafts, scenery, manuals and forum (non-english)
* [http://flightgear.mxchange.org/ Quix0r's FlightGear Website] Simple tutorials and fgdata.bundle

=== Other FlightGear repositories/mirrors ===
* [http://www.unitedfreeworld.com/ unitedfreeworld] (scenery, plane models, and livery)
* [http://www.flightgearplanes.com Flightgear Planes Website]
* [http://ftp.riken.go.jp/pub/FreeBSD/distfiles/flightgear-aircrafts/ Older versions of FlightGear aircraft]

=== Old Hangars ===
* [http://croo.murgl.org/fgfs/index.html A-10 and A-6 stuff]
* [http://www.ae.uiuc.edu/m-selig/apasim/Aircraft-uiuc.html UIUC Hangar] (for FGFS 0.7.8, last update 2002)

=== Related content ===
* [[Table of models]]
* [[Aircraft]] - [[Helicopter]] - [[Vehicle]]

[[Category:List]]

Talk:Release plan

2011-05-23T19:00:05Z

Armchair Ace: Created page with "==For the benefit of the unwashed masses...== Would it be acceptable to discuss this proposition on this page? I've never managed to use the dev list properly - it always ends u..."

==For the benefit of the unwashed masses...==

Would it be acceptable to discuss this proposition on this page? I've never managed to use the dev list properly - it always ends up being rather messy. --<span style="text-shadow: Palegreen -0.6em -0.6em -0.1em; class=texhtml">[[User Talk:Armchair Ace|<font color="ForestGreen" face="georgia"> Armchair Ace</font>]]</span> 15:00, 23 May 2011 (EDT)

Release plan

2011-05-23T18:58:04Z

Armchair Ace:

This page contains details about how to release a new version of [[FlightGear]] into the wild. It is a continous work in progress to be improved with every every new release.

[[File:ReleasePlan.jpg|thumb|250px|The original plan]]
This release plan was originally developed by Mathias Fröhlich, Martin Spott, Thorsten Brehm and Torsten Dreyer during LinuxTag 2011.

If you think you have something to contribute to the release process, feel free to <span class=plainlinks>[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:{{NAMESPACE}}:{{PAGENAME}}|action=edit}} edit this page]</span>. Please discuss this concept at the mailing-list.

=== General Release Concept ===
New FlightGear releases will be scheduled twice a year. The magic number to remember is 17 (we tried 42, but that didn't turn out so well. 17 is perfect: 1 is a prime, 7 is a prime and so is 17). On the 17th of January (1) and July (7) a new release branch will be created for SimGear, FlightGear and FGDATA.

After branching, we will allow one month for bug fixing in the release branch, so building and packing of the binaries and FGDATA will take place around February, 18th and August, 18th. Allowing a few days for distribution of the files, new versions should be publically available around the 20th of February and August.

The development stream of SimGear, FlightGear and FGDATA will be set into a frozen state one month before the branch-day (17th) to let the dust of development settle and to allow fixing the most annoying bugs in the code. During this period, developers are requested not to add any new features, subsystems or alike. Immediately after the stream has branched for the release, development in the main stream (next/master) is open for major changes until one month before the next branch-day. This results in a duty cycle of 5 month developing and 1 month thinking.

=== Version Numbers ===
Releases will have even version numbers (2.2.0, 2.4.0, 2.6.0), bugfix releases will increase their least significant digit (2.2.0, 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3).
The Development stream uses odd version numbers and is usually on number higher than the current release (Released is 2.4.0, development stream is 2.5.0, next release will be 2.6.0).

The Major version number will be increased after significant changes to the functionality of the software.

=== Detailed Time Schedule ===
# Dec/Jun 17th: Development stream is declared "frozen" or "red".
# Jan/Jul 17th: Create new Release branch, assign new version number to dev-stream
# declare dev-stream "open" or "green", create binaries for RC0 from release-branch
# Feb/Aug 17th: Create binaries/installers, pack fgdata, publish files, announce new version, declare release-branch "closed"

From step 1) to step 2), no new features or major changes shall be pushed onto the development stream (neither source nor data). This period is for preparing the code for the release and make sure there are no major issues.

After step 2) to the next step 1), development on the next/master stream is open again for any change. Bugfixes for this release go into the release branch only and gets a better fix in the dev-stream. Fixes that need to be in both branches go into the release branch and get backported into the next/master my merging, cherry-picking or whatever method applies (note: this needs to be discussed).

=== Bug Tracking ===
The [http://flightgear-bugs.googlecode.com bugtracker] will be our primary source for the bug fixing period. Bugs reported on the mailing list or forum will not be tracked! Reporters shall be requested to file a bug report at the bugtracker. Bugs shall be assigned a priority and a keyword to make the assignment to a developer easier. Bug reports that can't be confirmed or need more input from the reporter to get fixed will be assigned a new state "stalled" and only processed after more information has been provided. Bugs assigned a high priority will be downgraded, if no progress has been made over a certain amount of time. This is to prevent the release from being blocked by a bug that no developer is able (or willing) to fix. The only exception is "does not compile for one of the major platforms", which certainly is a release-blocker.

=== Legacy ===
The current branch for the never release version 2.2.0 will be left untouched. No release will be created from this branch. The next/master branches will receive a new development version number 2.3.0 soon. The first release branch will be created on Jul, 17th 2011. The first freeze for the branches will be announced on Jun, 17th 2011. If everything goes well, Version 2.4.0 will be available around Aug, 18th 2011.

=== Tasks and Owners ===
(taskowners not yet assigned)
* Announce the state-change of the dev-streams
* Create/maintain the git branches
* Track the bugs on the tracker, trigger developers, adjust bug-priorities
* Beta testing
* Update documentation
* Pack RC and final version of FGDATA
* Create the RC and final version (source-tarball)
* Create the RC and final version for Linux
* Create the RC and final version for Windows
* Create the RC and final version for MacOS
* Distribute files to download servers
* Make adjustments on the web-site
* Announce the new version to the public

=== Open Items, Questions ===
* <s>Can Hudson create binaries (RC) from the release branch?</s> Yes
* If not, how often will we create RC?
* Surely the beta testing rôle could/should be undertaken by selected members the community - selected based on their ability to write clearly and to write usefully. (computer specifications, errors from the console, and other pieces of useful objective information - no subjective rot such as "it doesn't work")

FlightGear Newsletter April 2011

2011-05-01T03:18:54Z

Armchair Ace: /* Gloster Meteor F.3 */

{{newsletter}}
{{TOC_right|limit=2}}

''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) can edit the newsletter and every contribution is welcome. So if you know about any FlightGear related projects such as for example updated scenery or aircraft, please do feel invited to add such news to the newsletter.''

== Development news ==
=== Atmospheric scattering shader ===
Zan has been working very hard on an experimental atmospheric scattering [[shader]]. The shaders makes use of [http://sponeil.net/ Sean O'Neil's algorithm]. Altough there are some issues with the shader, it looks like it will have a promising future! Some screenshots are available at the forum thread [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=11274#p117813].

The shader does some simplifications, but basically tries to recreate physical phenomenom, so the look could be easily modified depending on environmental conditions. But since the values are not so easy to figure out, some testing would be needed for creating nice looking sky for misty weather, rainy weather, cold winter etc. After that, proper equations could be written to transform weather values to scattering parameters.

The shader is not production ready; it has some bugs and terrain (especially fog at horizon) does not match the looks of the skydome. This is a work in process, but might take some time, because the terrain shader is much harder than the skydome shader.

Meanwhile the shader is available in Git, and the various adjustable parameters are accessible in the Gui under View=>Rendering Options=>Experimental Effects.

== Nasal for newbies ==
== New software tools and projects ==

=== LinuxTrack headtracking software ===
[http://code.google.com/p/linux-track/ LinuxTrack] is an open source project that allows Linux and Mac users to use head tracking. It aims to support webcams, wiimote and TrackIR 4/5 for this purpose. Features include:

* Six degrees of freedom
* GUI for configuration and testing
* Profiles for storing multiple configuration settings
* Runs on Linux and Mac (both 32 and 64 bit)
* Fast and precise tracking
* Output data can be used locally or sent to network

Recently a FlightGear support was added. At this time it was tested to work with FlightGear versions 1.9.1, 2.0 and from GIT. Instructions on how to run LinuxTrack with FlightGear are available in the README.ltr_pipe file located in the "doc" directory of the project's source tree. Source code is available from svn repository:

<pre>svn checkout http://linux-track.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/ linux-track-read-only</pre>

Project's home page: http://code.google.com/p/linux-track/

== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
=== New instruments ===
==== Airbus A340 moving map ====
[[File:A343-moving-map.jpg|thumb|The moving map on the Airbus A340-300.]]
Work on the [[Airbus A340|Airbus A340-300]] is going slowly but surely as [[User:Skyop|Skyop]] and Ampere progress on the model and cockpit. Skyop is currently developing a new instrument, a virtual moving map that displays [[multiplayer]] pilots, AI traffic, selected VORs, and terrain elevation! It is hoped that the instrument, which is designed to be reusable across more aircraft besides the A340, will eventually be a viable 3d alternative to the 2d "wxradar" instrument. [[TCAS]] and weather radar are on the roadmap to completion. When finished, the instrument will be committed to [[FlightGear and Git|Git]] under <tt>Aircraft/Instruments-3d</tt>.

Unfortunately, the terrain display has several drawbacks. It is very pixelated because [[FlightGear]] cannot handle very many [[Nasal#geodinfo.28.29|terrain elevation calculations]] at once. Therefore, the map has the ability to display "low-resolution" terrain mode (minimal FPS impact) and "high-resolution" terrain mode (severe FPS impact).

==== Boeing 777 chronometer ====
The [[Boeing 777-200ER]]'s chronometer has been moved to the generic instruments directory (<tt>Aircraft/Instruments-3d/chronometer</tt>). This allows aircraft developers to easily implement this clock in their aircraft. All related Nasal code was included in the model xml file, so there's really just one file to be linked to! Some aircraft already make use of this clock, including the [[Boeing 747-400]] and [[Boeing 757-200|757-200]].

There are several advantages in moving instruments to the generic directory, some of which are:
* Easy to be re-used in other aircraft, all you need to do is link to (and position) the model and on some instruments link to a Nasal file.
* If someone extents the functionality of a generic instrument, it will be automatically extended in all the aircraft that use it.

=== New aircraft ===
=== Vostok-1 ===
[[Image:Vostok-1-Carrier-News.png|thumb|Vostok-1 Carrier]]
[[Image:Vostok-1-News.png|thumb|Vostok-1 Spacecraft]]
[[Image:Vostok-1-Interior-News.png|thumb|Vostok-1 Interior]]
To celebrate Yury Gagarin's historical flight, [[Vostok-1]] carrier and spacecraft were added to FlightGear. In heavy development still, it already allows full orbital flight from lift-off to landing, making it perform the first spaceflight in FlightGear.

Things that make it possible:
*[[JSBSim]] centrifugal force addition made the whole flight available.
*JSBSim property driven point masses, tanks and engines, and aerodynamic coefficients implementation allow stages changing. Each single stage of the flight has an independent mass scheme, propulsion system, and aerodynamics reactions, so simulation is more or less realistic.
*Datcom+ with "little wing" approach resolves carrier and spacecraft aerodynamics accurately enough to make flights on real fuel and oxidizer capacities with real g forces, orbit and deorbit paths.
*[[FlightGear Newsletter April 2011#Atmospheric scattering shader|Zan's shader]] makes the earth look pretty enough from high altitudes.
*FG improvement shifted practical flight ceiling from 80 to 160 kilometers.

In real life, the first human spaceflight was fully automated. In FlightGear, instead controls are completely manual to make it interesting, and to make you understand how it really works.

Authors and developers, since orbital flight is possible in FlightGear from now on, you are invited to make a FlightGear driven Mercury-Atlas project. Low earth orbit flights can be more exact and eyecandy in FlightGear than in any current simulator. And you can be sure it will be free for you and users in any case.

=== BK 117 is progressing nicely ===
[[Image:Bk117cockpitdev.jpg|thumb|BK 117 cockpit in developement (Blender)]]
While work on the fdm is mostly finished and only small things on the exterior model have to be done, work on the cockpit of the
[[BK 117]] has begun and is making good progress. The cockpit will be detailed and make use of photorealistic textures and as
a lot of new instruments and panels will be created, this is mostly a modeling challenge. The b1900d-cockpit is guide for the developement to keep the aircraft framerate-friendly. Because of the complex cockpit a specific AI-model will be created to keep MP-Users happy.

This development is also a test for the upcoming [[EC135]]/635-project, which will also have a detailed and accurate cockpit with photorealistic textures.

The images for the textures are taken by the former user and developer heliflyer, who was an emergency doctor on [[Bo105]], BK117 and EC135 in Northern Germany.

=== Doctor Who TARDIS ===
[[Image:Tardis colour.png|thumb|Doctor Who TARDIS]]
Vinura has started work on developing a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TARDIS#The_Doctor.27s_TARDIS Doctor Who TARDIS] for FlightGear. The exterior model is almost complete in SketchUp. Click [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11738 here] for the development thread.

Currently, he still needs to get the TARDIS colours right as it is only allowed to use 'Named Colours' from Google SketchUp as they can't claim copyright on colours.

=== Updated aircraft ===

==== ATR 72-500 ====
[[File:ATR_72-500-cockpit.jpg|thumb|The 3d cockpit of the ATR 72.]]
After a long five months, [[User:Skyop|Skyop]] has completed the [[ATR 72-500]], which finally features a complete cockpit and aircraft systems. Highlights include an advanced autopilot, hydraulics system, tiller steering system, an interior cabin, and new documentation. The aircraft has been committed to [[FlightGear and Git|Git]] and will hopefully be available in the next release of FlightGear. It is now one of the most advanced turboprops for FlightGear, right behind the [[B1900d]].

==== A340-600 ====
Rumour has it that our A340-600 is now completely different... Users will get to see it in next months newsletter.

==== Gloster Meteor F.3 ====

[[File:Meteor_Cockpit.png|thumb|left|A view of the cockpit as of April 30th]]
As per a suggestion from Gooneybird, [[User:Armchair Ace|Armchair Ace]] has extensively developed the Gloster Meteor F.3's cockpit. At the same time, Jentron has started work on a highly detailed JSBsim FDM, using tools such as DATCOM.

=== Liveries ===
[[Image:Fgfs-screen-089.png|thumb|SriLankan Airlines' Boeing 767]]
* Some [http://liveries.flightgear.org/airlines.php?id=231 SriLankan Airlines] liveries have been made by Vinura for the [[Boeing 767]] and [[Airbus A320]].
* Brett created a lot of nice [http://liveries.flightgear.org/aircraft.php?id=52 Gloster Meteor liveries]. Altough we're slowly getting used to the quality of his liveries, they still amaze lots of users.
* Robert started painting (and remapping) the [[De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|DHC-6]], providing us some [http://liveries.flightgear.org/aircraft.php?id=57 excellent liveries].

== Scenery corner ==
=== Terrain Creation ===
There are a couple different ways of creating shapefiles for terrain. Here is an overview and hopefully it will help those understand the scenery process a little bit better.

==== Create the shapefiles by hand ====
{{Main article|Howto: Create custom scenery}}
This method has been used for St. Maarten in the World Scenery and Rio de Janeiro custom scenery. In this way, you download a satellite photo or an aerial photo and create the shapefiles by hand by "drawing" on top of the photo.

==== Create the shapefiles using land cover data ====
Land cover data can be either vector like CORINE or raster like NOAA. However if the files are raster you will have to convert them into vector using a similar way described below. European CORINE scenery and most large-scale custom United States scenery such as Hawai'i or the Pacific Northwest were created using available third-party land cover data.

==== Create the land cover data yourself ====
There is Switzerland land cover data available for both Bodensee and for most of Switzerland which has been created using land cover classification techniques. In this scenery, the developer takes a satellite photo and, using raster manipulation software such as GRASS, manually classifies each pixel in the satellite as a land cover type. After refining the data, the data is turned into a vector format and cleaned again, removing oddities such as cloud cover. This is probably the most difficult type of scenery to create, but can cover a large area most efficiently.

A mix of the last two approaches is usually the most beneficial unless you are using an end-product such as CORINE. For instance, in the new Pacific Northwest sceneries, there are some oddities where rivers start falling under 30m wide. These need to be fixed by hand and then merged which can be a time-consuming process.

If you have any questions about creating your own land cover scenery feel free to ask on the forums.

=== New terrain ===
New third-party scenery for the USA's Pacific Northwest (Seattle and Portland, OR) and Rio de Janeiro is now available for download at http://www.stattosoftware.com/flightgear

=== New buildings ===
Once again, there are new Eastern Asian buildings added to the scenery database, including:
*Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam
** Saigon Center
** Ben Thanh market
** Vincom Center
** Ho Chi Minh City Hall
** Reunification palace
** Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica

*Other Asian cities
** Mode Gakuen Coccoon Tower - Tokyo - Japan
** Trade Tower - Seoul - South Korea
** Koryo Hotel - Pyongyang - North Korea
** The Center - Hong Kong - China
** Central Plaza - Hong Kong - China
** Citic Plaza - Guangzhou - China
** Menara Telekom - Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia

=== New generic buildings ===

This month, 13 new generic buildings have been modeled and textured with a day and night image.

[[File:13_generic_buildings_noon.jpg|400px]]

Click on the image to enlarge.

[[File:13_generic_buildings_dawn.jpg|400px]]

The purpose is to use them as placeholders in your big city. They are simple, light and lot's of different colors are available, which i hope, fit your needs.

These buildings are actually used at Brussels, near the EBBR airport (north-west) which is currently under heavy development.

You can get these new generic buildings if you use the git version or terrasync.

=== Airports ===
The generic Concourse C at KDEN was recently replaced with a much better, realistic working model featuring animated jetways. Please enjoy.
KSFO was also improved with animated jetways.

=== Chubu Centrair - JAPAN: a new highly detailed airport in FlightGear===
[[File:RJGG_island.png|200px|thumb|left|Chubu Centrair island and airport]]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%ABbu_Centrair_International_Airport Chubu Centrair] (RJGG) is classified as a first class airport and is the main international gateway for the Chūbu ("central") region of Japan, and currently is counted among the Top-10 modern airports of the world. Chubu is an airport on an artificial island in Ise Bay, Tokoname City in Aichi Prefecture, 35 km (22 mi) south of Nagoya in central Japan.

[[File:RJGG_day01.png|200px|thumb|right|Chubu jetways and hangars]]

Originally a single runway in the middle of the ocean in the default FlightGear terrain, it has now been developed at a high level of detail and realism by Horacio, who has modeled the main terminal (shaped like a "T"), the ATC tower and main hangars surrounding the airport. A second step is to complete the rest of buildings present on the island. The terminal and main buildings have been animated with night textures, which complemented with lights and default 3D airplane models taken from FG package, give the airport a very realistic and fantastic night impression.

[[File:RJGG_night01.png|200px|thumb|right|Chubu jetways and hangars]]

The main windows have been treated using real pictures to get a photorealistic effect of glass reflection, which gives the model a new approach to 3D graphics in FlightGear development that points to precise and meticulous work to improve the simulation experience and realism in the models used, both aircraft and buildings. With the exception of the photographs used as an effect, all textures have been developed in a sole and exclusive work from scratch, adding bevels, shadows, lights, noise, color equalization and many other effects to get realism in each textures used.

The island terrain and surrounding coastline have been developed in an accordingly highly detailed level by Gijs to complete the necesary elements to provide a great new airport for FlightGear, containing all internal roads and railways, which leaves the way open for future works on bridge, parking and other details of vehicular transport to and from the island.

Details of development and future updates can be followed on the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11556 topic] specially created on [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/index.php forum]. The airport models and terrain will be available in a few days for to be downloaded in [http://www.grafikavirtual.com/fgfs Horacio's hangar], and later available on FG model database.

<gallery>
Image:RJGG_night02.png
Image:RJGG_day02.png
Image:RJGG_day03.png
Image:RJGG_day04.png
</gallery>

=== Brussel airports project ===
''It's all work in progress, and not yet available in the official FlightGear scenery (nor TerraSync). But of course, it's licensed under GNU GPL v2 and its goal is to be included into the official scenery, or at least stay GPL'ed. If you are curious you can look at the work in progress which is [https://gitorious.org/dvanmosselbeen/flightgear-custom-scenery available through Git]''

Due to its proximity, the EBBR project includes not only EBBR itself, but also the neighbouring Grimbergen (EBGB), Brussels South (EBCI) and some little stuff here and there around Brussels. As we should recognize, Belgium isn't that big however, EBBR is a big, well organized, high-traffic airport and also a key airport in Europe. The EBBR is a simple, but efficient airport with lots of other little cool-to-visit airfields around there. It could be a nice place for some touristic trips with a little aircraft.

There is also a hidden bonus at [https://gitorious.org/papillon81/flightgear-custom-scenery/ papillon81's git repo]: improved terrain including OSM data. This is really a must have! It includes the highways, rivers and much more accurate elevation and urban data. It just improves the overall graphics and makes the area look simply amazing!

Howto get this terrain? Copy at least the <tt>Terrain/e000n50/e004n50</tt> tree from papillon81's repo into the tree of the EBBR project. That's it!

Have fun and see you soon hanging around EBBR

<gallery>
Image:EBBR_overview_01.jpg
Image:EBBR_overview_02.jpg
Image:EBBR_cargo.jpg
Image:Brussels.jpg
Image:EBCI.jpg
Image:EBGB_01.jpg
Image:EBGB_02.jpg
Image:F16_landing_on_EBBR.jpg
</gallery>

== Screenshot of the month ==
SriLankan Airlines livery on an Airbus A320 taken at dusk.

[[File:Fgfs-screen-085.png|600px]]

== Suggested flights ==
Departing from Brisbane International Airport and heading towards Sydney International Airport at a heading of about 203, you will come across some beautiful scenery.
<gallery>
Image:Fgfs-screen-020.png
Image:Fgfs-screen-016.png
Image:Fgfs-screen-012.png
</gallery>

== Aircraft reviews ==

=== '''''The Good old Cessna Citation X''''' ===
I hope to do a monthly review of a specific aircraft. I can't guarantee that I will get to do it every month though because I do have other stuff to attend to.

The [[Cessna Citation X]] is by far one of my favourite little planes! Its reaction time is quite quick. The rudder control is very responsive, even the slightest move of your rudder pedals or the mouse and the aircraft's rudder moves. It accelerates quite fast down the runway, building up momentum and then, you lift your joystick up slightly and the nose lifts up just like you want it to.

Regarding the animations, they are extraordinary. They function quite well like for example the flaps, spoilers or the landing gear. The cockpit is quite well designed and has a lot of instruments, just like a real Citation would.

It has a tutorial system built in for people wanting to fly one. '''''This was the first jet plane that I could actually land properly in.''''' It also has several nice camera views, including views from the passenger seats.

<gallery>
Image:Cessna Citation X Cockpit.png
Image:Cessna Citation X Passenger View 1.png
Image:Cessna Citation X Passenger View 2.png
Image:Cessna Citation X - Screenshot 2.png
</gallery>

'''Recommendation:'''

I would recommend this plane to people who have already flown planes like the [[Cessna C172P]] or the [[Piper J3 Cub]] and want to progress into Jet aviation. This is a GREAT little starter plane to get you going.

This has to be one of the best planes that I have ever used in FlightGear!

Thanks for reading!

'''''Review by Vinura'''''

== Community news ==
=== FlightGear on youtube ===
* Skyop created a lovely video (for the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=11059 Linuxtag video contest], which was held at the forum) showcasing some of the latest and greatest developments in FlightGear. The video was uploaded in two parts: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTDgtDrabaA part 1], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-6xyxjom68 part 2]. It will be shown in Berlin, to attract new FlightGear users and developers.

=== FlightGear events ===
==== FlightGear at Linuxtag ====
From 11 till 14 May, FlightGear will be present at [http://www.linuxtag.org/2011/en.html Linuxtag 2011] in Berlin, Germany. A preview of what the FlightGear guys will be showing was posted at [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=11881 our forum]. If you are able to drop Berlin a visit, feel welcome to stop over at our booth.

==== FlyingClub Mayday 1 ====
The FGFC '''"Mayday 1: Manitoba Rescue"''' operation was held April 2nd, 2011 at CYAV, Winnipeg/St.Andrews, with seven pilots participating. The scenario stated two of Manitoba's major rivers were flooding, and people were stranded along both, so STOL and helicopter pilots were mustered at CYAV, received assignments from ATC, planned their flights, and notified ATC when they were ready to proceed. A total of twenty missions were assigned, sixteen of which were successfully completed in the space of three hours.

The scenario was based around the idea that pilots should have basic skills in addition to merely flying with an autopilot, and was designed to test both their actual flying ability by not having airports at their destinations, and providing no actual navigational data beyond a map or two. They were required to map their routes in territory unknown to them, then fly those routes in their chosen aircraft, land, report in, then return to CYAV to complete a "cycle." Points were awarded for cycle completion, and points deducted for aircraft crashes. FG Seg faults were not penalized.

Comments back about the operation from pilots have so far been positive. Watch the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=381d9860a9183d143cd2fa8aee16099d Multiplayer Forums] for the next one; there will be one, but at the time of writing, it has not yet been decided.

* [[FlightGear Flying Club]]
* [http://flightgearfans.wordpress.com/about/ FGFC WordPress Site ]
* [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=11551 Mayday 1 Forum Pages]

== Useful links ==
== And finally ... ==
=== Contributing ===
One of the regular thoughts expressed on the FlightGear forums is "I'd like to contribute but I don't know how to program, and I don't have the time". Unfortunately, there is a common misconception that contributing requires programming and lots of free time. In fact, there are a huge range of ways to contribute to the project without needing to write code or spending days working on something.

For ideas on starting to contribute to FlightGear, you may want to check out: [[Volunteer]].

=== Call for volunteers ===
* The [[OpenRadar]] project is looking for a new maintainer.
* The [[FGFSPM]] (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer.

=== Did you know ===
*...that you can fly backwards in a UFO? While holding the brake button down on your joystick or keyboard, increase engine throttle and you should start to fly backwards. A short video can be seen at [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7U1bsO7g-EYouTube]

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2011 04]]

File:Meteor Cockpit.png

2011-05-01T03:16:52Z

Armchair Ace:

FlightGear Newsletter April 2011

2011-05-01T03:14:47Z

Armchair Ace:

{{newsletter}}
{{TOC_right|limit=2}}

''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) can edit the newsletter and every contribution is welcome. So if you know about any FlightGear related projects such as for example updated scenery or aircraft, please do feel invited to add such news to the newsletter.''

== Development news ==
=== Atmospheric scattering shader ===
Zan has been working very hard on an experimental atmospheric scattering [[shader]]. The shaders makes use of [http://sponeil.net/ Sean O'Neil's algorithm]. Altough there are some issues with the shader, it looks like it will have a promising future! Some screenshots are available at the forum thread [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=11274#p117813].

The shader does some simplifications, but basically tries to recreate physical phenomenom, so the look could be easily modified depending on environmental conditions. But since the values are not so easy to figure out, some testing would be needed for creating nice looking sky for misty weather, rainy weather, cold winter etc. After that, proper equations could be written to transform weather values to scattering parameters.

The shader is not production ready; it has some bugs and terrain (especially fog at horizon) does not match the looks of the skydome. This is a work in process, but might take some time, because the terrain shader is much harder than the skydome shader.

Meanwhile the shader is available in Git, and the various adjustable parameters are accessible in the Gui under View=>Rendering Options=>Experimental Effects.

== Nasal for newbies ==
== New software tools and projects ==

=== LinuxTrack headtracking software ===
[http://code.google.com/p/linux-track/ LinuxTrack] is an open source project that allows Linux and Mac users to use head tracking. It aims to support webcams, wiimote and TrackIR 4/5 for this purpose. Features include:

* Six degrees of freedom
* GUI for configuration and testing
* Profiles for storing multiple configuration settings
* Runs on Linux and Mac (both 32 and 64 bit)
* Fast and precise tracking
* Output data can be used locally or sent to network

Recently a FlightGear support was added. At this time it was tested to work with FlightGear versions 1.9.1, 2.0 and from GIT. Instructions on how to run LinuxTrack with FlightGear are available in the README.ltr_pipe file located in the "doc" directory of the project's source tree. Source code is available from svn repository:

<pre>svn checkout http://linux-track.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/ linux-track-read-only</pre>

Project's home page: http://code.google.com/p/linux-track/

== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
=== New instruments ===
==== Airbus A340 moving map ====
[[File:A343-moving-map.jpg|thumb|The moving map on the Airbus A340-300.]]
Work on the [[Airbus A340|Airbus A340-300]] is going slowly but surely as [[User:Skyop|Skyop]] and Ampere progress on the model and cockpit. Skyop is currently developing a new instrument, a virtual moving map that displays [[multiplayer]] pilots, AI traffic, selected VORs, and terrain elevation! It is hoped that the instrument, which is designed to be reusable across more aircraft besides the A340, will eventually be a viable 3d alternative to the 2d "wxradar" instrument. [[TCAS]] and weather radar are on the roadmap to completion. When finished, the instrument will be committed to [[FlightGear and Git|Git]] under <tt>Aircraft/Instruments-3d</tt>.

Unfortunately, the terrain display has several drawbacks. It is very pixelated because [[FlightGear]] cannot handle very many [[Nasal#geodinfo.28.29|terrain elevation calculations]] at once. Therefore, the map has the ability to display "low-resolution" terrain mode (minimal FPS impact) and "high-resolution" terrain mode (severe FPS impact).

==== Boeing 777 chronometer ====
The [[Boeing 777-200ER]]'s chronometer has been moved to the generic instruments directory (<tt>Aircraft/Instruments-3d/chronometer</tt>). This allows aircraft developers to easily implement this clock in their aircraft. All related Nasal code was included in the model xml file, so there's really just one file to be linked to! Some aircraft already make use of this clock, including the [[Boeing 747-400]] and [[Boeing 757-200|757-200]].

There are several advantages in moving instruments to the generic directory, some of which are:
* Easy to be re-used in other aircraft, all you need to do is link to (and position) the model and on some instruments link to a Nasal file.
* If someone extents the functionality of a generic instrument, it will be automatically extended in all the aircraft that use it.

=== New aircraft ===
=== Vostok-1 ===
[[Image:Vostok-1-Carrier-News.png|thumb|Vostok-1 Carrier]]
[[Image:Vostok-1-News.png|thumb|Vostok-1 Spacecraft]]
[[Image:Vostok-1-Interior-News.png|thumb|Vostok-1 Interior]]
To celebrate Yury Gagarin's historical flight, [[Vostok-1]] carrier and spacecraft were added to FlightGear. In heavy development still, it already allows full orbital flight from lift-off to landing, making it perform the first spaceflight in FlightGear.

Things that make it possible:
*[[JSBSim]] centrifugal force addition made the whole flight available.
*JSBSim property driven point masses, tanks and engines, and aerodynamic coefficients implementation allow stages changing. Each single stage of the flight has an independent mass scheme, propulsion system, and aerodynamics reactions, so simulation is more or less realistic.
*Datcom+ with "little wing" approach resolves carrier and spacecraft aerodynamics accurately enough to make flights on real fuel and oxidizer capacities with real g forces, orbit and deorbit paths.
*[[FlightGear Newsletter April 2011#Atmospheric scattering shader|Zan's shader]] makes the earth look pretty enough from high altitudes.
*FG improvement shifted practical flight ceiling from 80 to 160 kilometers.

In real life, the first human spaceflight was fully automated. In FlightGear, instead controls are completely manual to make it interesting, and to make you understand how it really works.

Authors and developers, since orbital flight is possible in FlightGear from now on, you are invited to make a FlightGear driven Mercury-Atlas project. Low earth orbit flights can be more exact and eyecandy in FlightGear than in any current simulator. And you can be sure it will be free for you and users in any case.

=== BK 117 is progressing nicely ===
[[Image:Bk117cockpitdev.jpg|thumb|BK 117 cockpit in developement (Blender)]]
While work on the fdm is mostly finished and only small things on the exterior model have to be done, work on the cockpit of the
[[BK 117]] has begun and is making good progress. The cockpit will be detailed and make use of photorealistic textures and as
a lot of new instruments and panels will be created, this is mostly a modeling challenge. The b1900d-cockpit is guide for the developement to keep the aircraft framerate-friendly. Because of the complex cockpit a specific AI-model will be created to keep MP-Users happy.

This development is also a test for the upcoming [[EC135]]/635-project, which will also have a detailed and accurate cockpit with photorealistic textures.

The images for the textures are taken by the former user and developer heliflyer, who was an emergency doctor on [[Bo105]], BK117 and EC135 in Northern Germany.

=== Doctor Who TARDIS ===
[[Image:Tardis colour.png|thumb|Doctor Who TARDIS]]
Vinura has started work on developing a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TARDIS#The_Doctor.27s_TARDIS Doctor Who TARDIS] for FlightGear. The exterior model is almost complete in SketchUp. Click [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11738 here] for the development thread.

Currently, he still needs to get the TARDIS colours right as it is only allowed to use 'Named Colours' from Google SketchUp as they can't claim copyright on colours.

=== Updated aircraft ===

==== ATR 72-500 ====
[[File:ATR_72-500-cockpit.jpg|thumb|The 3d cockpit of the ATR 72.]]
After a long five months, [[User:Skyop|Skyop]] has completed the [[ATR 72-500]], which finally features a complete cockpit and aircraft systems. Highlights include an advanced autopilot, hydraulics system, tiller steering system, an interior cabin, and new documentation. The aircraft has been committed to [[FlightGear and Git|Git]] and will hopefully be available in the next release of FlightGear. It is now one of the most advanced turboprops for FlightGear, right behind the [[B1900d]].

==== A340-600 ====
Rumour has it that our A340-600 is now completely different... Users will get to see it in next months newsletter.

==== Gloster Meteor F.3 ====
As per a suggestion from Gooneybird, [[User:Armchair Ace|Armchair Ace]] has extensively developed the Gloster Meteor F.3's cockpit. At the same time, Jentron has started work on a highly detailed JSBsim FDM, using tools such as DATCOM.

=== Liveries ===
[[Image:Fgfs-screen-089.png|thumb|SriLankan Airlines' Boeing 767]]
* Some [http://liveries.flightgear.org/airlines.php?id=231 SriLankan Airlines] liveries have been made by Vinura for the [[Boeing 767]] and [[Airbus A320]].
* Brett created a lot of nice [http://liveries.flightgear.org/aircraft.php?id=52 Gloster Meteor liveries]. Altough we're slowly getting used to the quality of his liveries, they still amaze lots of users.
* Robert started painting (and remapping) the [[De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|DHC-6]], providing us some [http://liveries.flightgear.org/aircraft.php?id=57 excellent liveries].

== Scenery corner ==
=== Terrain Creation ===
There are a couple different ways of creating shapefiles for terrain. Here is an overview and hopefully it will help those understand the scenery process a little bit better.

==== Create the shapefiles by hand ====
{{Main article|Howto: Create custom scenery}}
This method has been used for St. Maarten in the World Scenery and Rio de Janeiro custom scenery. In this way, you download a satellite photo or an aerial photo and create the shapefiles by hand by "drawing" on top of the photo.

==== Create the shapefiles using land cover data ====
Land cover data can be either vector like CORINE or raster like NOAA. However if the files are raster you will have to convert them into vector using a similar way described below. European CORINE scenery and most large-scale custom United States scenery such as Hawai'i or the Pacific Northwest were created using available third-party land cover data.

==== Create the land cover data yourself ====
There is Switzerland land cover data available for both Bodensee and for most of Switzerland which has been created using land cover classification techniques. In this scenery, the developer takes a satellite photo and, using raster manipulation software such as GRASS, manually classifies each pixel in the satellite as a land cover type. After refining the data, the data is turned into a vector format and cleaned again, removing oddities such as cloud cover. This is probably the most difficult type of scenery to create, but can cover a large area most efficiently.

A mix of the last two approaches is usually the most beneficial unless you are using an end-product such as CORINE. For instance, in the new Pacific Northwest sceneries, there are some oddities where rivers start falling under 30m wide. These need to be fixed by hand and then merged which can be a time-consuming process.

If you have any questions about creating your own land cover scenery feel free to ask on the forums.

=== New terrain ===
New third-party scenery for the USA's Pacific Northwest (Seattle and Portland, OR) and Rio de Janeiro is now available for download at http://www.stattosoftware.com/flightgear

=== New buildings ===
Once again, there are new Eastern Asian buildings added to the scenery database, including:
*Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam
** Saigon Center
** Ben Thanh market
** Vincom Center
** Ho Chi Minh City Hall
** Reunification palace
** Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica

*Other Asian cities
** Mode Gakuen Coccoon Tower - Tokyo - Japan
** Trade Tower - Seoul - South Korea
** Koryo Hotel - Pyongyang - North Korea
** The Center - Hong Kong - China
** Central Plaza - Hong Kong - China
** Citic Plaza - Guangzhou - China
** Menara Telekom - Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia

=== New generic buildings ===

This month, 13 new generic buildings have been modeled and textured with a day and night image.

[[File:13_generic_buildings_noon.jpg|400px]]

Click on the image to enlarge.

[[File:13_generic_buildings_dawn.jpg|400px]]

The purpose is to use them as placeholders in your big city. They are simple, light and lot's of different colors are available, which i hope, fit your needs.

These buildings are actually used at Brussels, near the EBBR airport (north-west) which is currently under heavy development.

You can get these new generic buildings if you use the git version or terrasync.

=== Airports ===
The generic Concourse C at KDEN was recently replaced with a much better, realistic working model featuring animated jetways. Please enjoy.
KSFO was also improved with animated jetways.

=== Chubu Centrair - JAPAN: a new highly detailed airport in FlightGear===
[[File:RJGG_island.png|200px|thumb|left|Chubu Centrair island and airport]]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%ABbu_Centrair_International_Airport Chubu Centrair] (RJGG) is classified as a first class airport and is the main international gateway for the Chūbu ("central") region of Japan, and currently is counted among the Top-10 modern airports of the world. Chubu is an airport on an artificial island in Ise Bay, Tokoname City in Aichi Prefecture, 35 km (22 mi) south of Nagoya in central Japan.

[[File:RJGG_day01.png|200px|thumb|right|Chubu jetways and hangars]]

Originally a single runway in the middle of the ocean in the default FlightGear terrain, it has now been developed at a high level of detail and realism by Horacio, who has modeled the main terminal (shaped like a "T"), the ATC tower and main hangars surrounding the airport. A second step is to complete the rest of buildings present on the island. The terminal and main buildings have been animated with night textures, which complemented with lights and default 3D airplane models taken from FG package, give the airport a very realistic and fantastic night impression.

[[File:RJGG_night01.png|200px|thumb|right|Chubu jetways and hangars]]

The main windows have been treated using real pictures to get a photorealistic effect of glass reflection, which gives the model a new approach to 3D graphics in FlightGear development that points to precise and meticulous work to improve the simulation experience and realism in the models used, both aircraft and buildings. With the exception of the photographs used as an effect, all textures have been developed in a sole and exclusive work from scratch, adding bevels, shadows, lights, noise, color equalization and many other effects to get realism in each textures used.

The island terrain and surrounding coastline have been developed in an accordingly highly detailed level by Gijs to complete the necesary elements to provide a great new airport for FlightGear, containing all internal roads and railways, which leaves the way open for future works on bridge, parking and other details of vehicular transport to and from the island.

Details of development and future updates can be followed on the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11556 topic] specially created on [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/index.php forum]. The airport models and terrain will be available in a few days for to be downloaded in [http://www.grafikavirtual.com/fgfs Horacio's hangar], and later available on FG model database.

<gallery>
Image:RJGG_night02.png
Image:RJGG_day02.png
Image:RJGG_day03.png
Image:RJGG_day04.png
</gallery>

=== Brussel airports project ===
''It's all work in progress, and not yet available in the official FlightGear scenery (nor TerraSync). But of course, it's licensed under GNU GPL v2 and its goal is to be included into the official scenery, or at least stay GPL'ed. If you are curious you can look at the work in progress which is [https://gitorious.org/dvanmosselbeen/flightgear-custom-scenery available through Git]''

Due to its proximity, the EBBR project includes not only EBBR itself, but also the neighbouring Grimbergen (EBGB), Brussels South (EBCI) and some little stuff here and there around Brussels. As we should recognize, Belgium isn't that big however, EBBR is a big, well organized, high-traffic airport and also a key airport in Europe. The EBBR is a simple, but efficient airport with lots of other little cool-to-visit airfields around there. It could be a nice place for some touristic trips with a little aircraft.

There is also a hidden bonus at [https://gitorious.org/papillon81/flightgear-custom-scenery/ papillon81's git repo]: improved terrain including OSM data. This is really a must have! It includes the highways, rivers and much more accurate elevation and urban data. It just improves the overall graphics and makes the area look simply amazing!

Howto get this terrain? Copy at least the <tt>Terrain/e000n50/e004n50</tt> tree from papillon81's repo into the tree of the EBBR project. That's it!

Have fun and see you soon hanging around EBBR

<gallery>
Image:EBBR_overview_01.jpg
Image:EBBR_overview_02.jpg
Image:EBBR_cargo.jpg
Image:Brussels.jpg
Image:EBCI.jpg
Image:EBGB_01.jpg
Image:EBGB_02.jpg
Image:F16_landing_on_EBBR.jpg
</gallery>

== Screenshot of the month ==
SriLankan Airlines livery on an Airbus A320 taken at dusk.

[[File:Fgfs-screen-085.png|600px]]

== Suggested flights ==
Departing from Brisbane International Airport and heading towards Sydney International Airport at a heading of about 203, you will come across some beautiful scenery.
<gallery>
Image:Fgfs-screen-020.png
Image:Fgfs-screen-016.png
Image:Fgfs-screen-012.png
</gallery>

== Aircraft reviews ==

=== '''''The Good old Cessna Citation X''''' ===
I hope to do a monthly review of a specific aircraft. I can't guarantee that I will get to do it every month though because I do have other stuff to attend to.

The [[Cessna Citation X]] is by far one of my favourite little planes! Its reaction time is quite quick. The rudder control is very responsive, even the slightest move of your rudder pedals or the mouse and the aircraft's rudder moves. It accelerates quite fast down the runway, building up momentum and then, you lift your joystick up slightly and the nose lifts up just like you want it to.

Regarding the animations, they are extraordinary. They function quite well like for example the flaps, spoilers or the landing gear. The cockpit is quite well designed and has a lot of instruments, just like a real Citation would.

It has a tutorial system built in for people wanting to fly one. '''''This was the first jet plane that I could actually land properly in.''''' It also has several nice camera views, including views from the passenger seats.

<gallery>
Image:Cessna Citation X Cockpit.png
Image:Cessna Citation X Passenger View 1.png
Image:Cessna Citation X Passenger View 2.png
Image:Cessna Citation X - Screenshot 2.png
</gallery>

'''Recommendation:'''

I would recommend this plane to people who have already flown planes like the [[Cessna C172P]] or the [[Piper J3 Cub]] and want to progress into Jet aviation. This is a GREAT little starter plane to get you going.

This has to be one of the best planes that I have ever used in FlightGear!

Thanks for reading!

'''''Review by Vinura'''''

== Community news ==
=== FlightGear on youtube ===
* Skyop created a lovely video (for the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=11059 Linuxtag video contest], which was held at the forum) showcasing some of the latest and greatest developments in FlightGear. The video was uploaded in two parts: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTDgtDrabaA part 1], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-6xyxjom68 part 2]. It will be shown in Berlin, to attract new FlightGear users and developers.

=== FlightGear events ===
==== FlightGear at Linuxtag ====
From 11 till 14 May, FlightGear will be present at [http://www.linuxtag.org/2011/en.html Linuxtag 2011] in Berlin, Germany. A preview of what the FlightGear guys will be showing was posted at [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=11881 our forum]. If you are able to drop Berlin a visit, feel welcome to stop over at our booth.

==== FlyingClub Mayday 1 ====
The FGFC '''"Mayday 1: Manitoba Rescue"''' operation was held April 2nd, 2011 at CYAV, Winnipeg/St.Andrews, with seven pilots participating. The scenario stated two of Manitoba's major rivers were flooding, and people were stranded along both, so STOL and helicopter pilots were mustered at CYAV, received assignments from ATC, planned their flights, and notified ATC when they were ready to proceed. A total of twenty missions were assigned, sixteen of which were successfully completed in the space of three hours.

The scenario was based around the idea that pilots should have basic skills in addition to merely flying with an autopilot, and was designed to test both their actual flying ability by not having airports at their destinations, and providing no actual navigational data beyond a map or two. They were required to map their routes in territory unknown to them, then fly those routes in their chosen aircraft, land, report in, then return to CYAV to complete a "cycle." Points were awarded for cycle completion, and points deducted for aircraft crashes. FG Seg faults were not penalized.

Comments back about the operation from pilots have so far been positive. Watch the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=381d9860a9183d143cd2fa8aee16099d Multiplayer Forums] for the next one; there will be one, but at the time of writing, it has not yet been decided.

* [[FlightGear Flying Club]]
* [http://flightgearfans.wordpress.com/about/ FGFC WordPress Site ]
* [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=11551 Mayday 1 Forum Pages]

== Useful links ==
== And finally ... ==
=== Contributing ===
One of the regular thoughts expressed on the FlightGear forums is "I'd like to contribute but I don't know how to program, and I don't have the time". Unfortunately, there is a common misconception that contributing requires programming and lots of free time. In fact, there are a huge range of ways to contribute to the project without needing to write code or spending days working on something.

For ideas on starting to contribute to FlightGear, you may want to check out: [[Volunteer]].

=== Call for volunteers ===
* The [[OpenRadar]] project is looking for a new maintainer.
* The [[FGFSPM]] (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer.

=== Did you know ===
*...that you can fly backwards in a UFO? While holding the brake button down on your joystick or keyboard, increase engine throttle and you should start to fly backwards. A short video can be seen at [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7U1bsO7g-EYouTube]

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2011 04]]

FlightGear Newsletter January 2011

2011-01-24T20:16:44Z

Armchair Ace: /* DC-9-32 */

FlightGear Newsletter January 2011

2011-01-24T20:16:10Z

Armchair Ace: /* DC-9-32 */

File:DC9promo.png

2011-01-24T20:14:30Z

Armchair Ace:

FlightGear Newsletter January 2011

2011-01-24T20:01:29Z

Armchair Ace: /* ATR 72-500 */

Template:POTW/2010-49

2010-12-03T17:48:36Z

Armchair Ace: Created page with '{| class="prettytable" style="background-color:#efefef; width: 100%;" | align="center" |400px |- | align="left" | The Boeing [[C-17 Globemaster III…'

{| class="prettytable" style="background-color:#efefef; width: 100%;"
| align="center" |[[Image:C17inflight.png|400px]]
|-
| align="left" | The [[Boeing]] [[C-17 Globemaster III]] is a four-engined transport aircraft used by the United States and her allies.

<div style="text-align:right;">'''[http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7316|Read more...] | [[:Category:Picture of the week 2010|Archive]]'''</div>
|}

<noinclude>[[Category:Picture of the week 2010]]</noinclude>

File:C17inflight.png

2010-12-03T17:47:57Z

Armchair Ace: C-17 shortly after takeoff from Andrews AFB.

C-17 shortly after takeoff from Andrews AFB.

FlightGear Newsletter November 2010

2010-11-30T21:27:56Z

Armchair Ace: /* Douglas DC-8-73F */

{{newsletter}}
{{TOC_right}}
''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) can edit the newsletter and every contribution is welcome. So if you know about any FlightGear related projects such as for example updated scenery or aircraft, please do feel invited to add such news to the newsletter.''

== FlightGear events ==
== Call for volunteers ==
The [[OpenRadar]] project is looking for a new maintainer.

The [[TerraGear GUI]] project is looking for programmers to help create a GUI frontend for [[TerraGear]] [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7485#p102005].

== Development news ==
Anders Gidenstam has continued to develop Walkview which opens up all sorts of exciting possibilites. Here is a short video of Walkview being used to give a different perspective on starting the Sopwith Camel [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAQT2s7pFJs]. In addition to the rectangular plane that we have had for some time, we can now define the area in which we can "walk" as a line, polyline, or circle.

We use the new definitions in Multi Player Carrier Carl Vinson to move around the Goofer's deck while we are goofing, or to seek a more advantageous view from PriFly, or to inspect the Flight deck as the Flight Deck Officer, as seen in [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9MUT7GfzBs this video].

Meanwhile, in other news, Tim Moore has fixed the condition tag in the Material Animation. We can combine these two facilites to generate some more interesting views - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YmJN9o6TBc]. Alexis Bory has said that he will see if he can produce some more models with which to populate the hangar. Let's hope he finds something!

== Shader requests ==
We have added a new page to the wiki titled [[shader requests]]. This is intended to provide a place for people to post ideas related to new shaders for use in FlightGear. But this is also meant to be place for aspiring shader developers to find interesting ideas for new shaders. In the past, these ideas were often spread over many different places, such as forum or mailing list discussions, and often ended up getting hidden rather quickly. So if you have ideas related to improving existing shaders or creating completely new ones, please add your ideas to the [[Shader requests]] page. And if you are aware of any ongoing shader development efforts, please also add those there. Consequently, if you want to get started creating shaders for FlightGear, please make sure to check out this page.

== Known problems ==
Though working perfectly for years, the "live weather" feature in FlightGear 1.9.x and 2.0 is now broken. Unfortunately, the FlightGear code of past releases contains minor problem which so far remained undetected and without effect. Since early November, probably caused by a server upgrade at the weather services, the FlightGear weather requests are now being rejected due to this problem. To revive live weather you have the following options:
* As a workaround, configure a proxy-server on the fgfs command-line. Relaying the request through a proxy solves the issue (see [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10002 forum topic]).
** A description on "How To Fix (temporarily)" you can find under http://www.emmerich-j.de/FGFS/METAR-fix.html
* Experts being able to patch and recompile FlightGear may try to apply a patch (also see forum).
* Developers can use FlightGear's latest developer version from GIT, which already contains the required bugfix.
* Otherwise please stick with manual weather configuration and wait for the next FlightGear release (won't be too long).

== Nasal for newbies ==
== New software tools and projects ==

== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
=== New aircraft ===

====DC-8-63====
Isix and Armchair Ace have recently unveiled a DC-8-63. You can follow the progress on the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10228 development thread].
[[File:Fgfs-screen-178.png|thumb|left|The DC-8-63 in KLM colours.]]
=== Updated aircraft ===

[[File:ZF_Navy_free_balloon-2.jpg|thumb|The ZF Navy free balloon with the envelope shader enabled.]]
====ZF Navy free balloon====
The [[ZF Navy free balloon]] has been updated with a custom shader effect that changes the shape of the balloon envelope according to its gas content.

====IAR 80====
The [[IAR_80|IAR 80]] beta has seen some updates, with new features added in the eyecandy department, as well as some refining of the [[Nasal_scripting_language|Nasal]] code and a revamped [[FDM]].

====Boeing 757 and 717====
[[User:Skyop|Skyop]] has picked up development of the [[Boeing 757-200]] and the [[Boeing 717]]. New features included generic autostart systems, improved models, new instruments and new [[YASim]] [[FDM]]s. New and improved cockpits and aircraft systems are planned. Skyop is requesting livery makers to start painting their favorite airlines and submitting their textures to the [http://liveries.flightgear.org official FlightGear livery database].

Follow further progress at the [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9944 757-200 development thread] and the [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6145 717 development thread].

====Boeing 777-200====
The [[Boeing_777-200|777-200ER]] received a cockpit and systems upgrade.
Extensions by Syd Adams and ThorstenB include better [[GPWS]] integration, improvements for cockpit instruments, sounds, textures, key/mouse bindings and many bug fixes.
The upgraded 777-200ER also features brake temperature monitoring.
Pilots are advised to also use spoilers and thrust-reversers for deceleration to avoid overheated brakes - especially when landing a heavily loaded plane.
The new auto spoilers, automatically deploying on touch-down when armed, provide some assistance here.

[[File:B777-200_RTO.jpg|thumb|Smoking brakes after a 777-200ER had to execute a rejected takeoff.
The airline declined to comment on the reason for the takeoff problem, but assured no one on board was injured.]]

====Douglas DC-8-73F====
[[File:DC8pit.png|thumb|left|The cockpit as it was on the 29th of November.]]
[[User:Armchair Ace|Armchair Ace]] has been developing the DC-8-73's cockpit, which has also been used in the new DC-8-63.

=== Liveries ===

==Scenery corner==
===New Bangkok International Airport===
[[File:VTBD_wip01.jpg|thumb|Bangkok Int'l Airport - work in progress.]]
Mike (aka D-Sky1) is busy again. This time he is working on Suvarnabhumi Airport (VTBD, also known as New Bangkok International Airport) in Thailand) as the architecture of the airport buildings is very beautiful. It will sure take some time but a first glance at the work in progress is already possible. Discuss the progress with us in [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10075 the forum].
After the airport is finished, placed and available, AI traffic will follow (mainly Thai Airways).

AI traffic arrives at [[RPLL]] (Manila, Philippines): Mike created a comprehensive list of AI traffic of Cebu Pacific Airlines. Soon available via GIT, Cebu Pacific Airlines will provide domestic and international flights to the most important destinations. AI for the second big carrier of the Philippines (Philippine Airways) will follow later.

===Land cover updates===
Detailed land cover data for Vermont has been added to the map server. This state in the northeast United States will be a part of the next world scenery release.

Work continues on hand-created, detailed land cover data for northern Switzerland. Photos of landmark buildings or airport buildings in Switzerland would be welcome as we try to model this beautiful country.

===NASA Interactive Launch Complexes===
[[File:mercuryredstone3.png|thumb|Mercury Redstone 3 Rocket ready for launch.]]
Jack Mermod has released the first of many NASA Interactive Launch Complexes. This first release is based on Launch Complex 5 and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury-Redstone_3 Mercury-Redstone 3] launch. The model should be in the official database soon, for now you can download the scenery [http://alphashangar.co.nr/ here].

=== Jet d'Eau in Geneva ===
The Jet d'Eau in Geneva is with 140m height a recognisable landmark. Ot-666 created the fountain and the pier it is located on in the Lake Geneva.
The model features night illumination for the fountain.

=== Airports ===
Looking for new airports to visit? Try a Dublin (EIDW) to Aalesund (ENSD) flight! These two airports, along with Sandane airport in Anda, Norway (ENVA), have recently had models added to the database to make them a more interesting place to fly.

===I.C.E.J.A.W===
[[File:ICEJAW_snowcover.jpg|thumb|Demonstration of ICEJAW depicting buildings with and without snow cover.]]
In an effort to improve the cities in FlightGear, Daniel Strawn (aka "Intel-Qube") has modeled a simple "one size fits all" city. Affectionately codenamed "ICEJAW", the city, still in development, features tangible helipads to land on, billboards and snow cover for heavy snow-fall.
Follow development in the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10016 forum topic].

=== TerraGear-CS ===
After attempts to provide a new World Scenery build in sync with the 2.0 software release failed miserably (due to software deficiencies), some effort has been expended into investigations, experiments (some of which ended up in filing bug-reports for related software) and large-scale tests for replacing the entire polygon processing in TerraGear by the use of [http://grass.osgeo.org/ GRASS GIS]. Just to give an idea about the term "large scale": The procedure to turn the Europe-wide CORINE CLC2000 vector data set into a topologically consistent coverage is taking several weeks on a 3 GHz Xeon machine.

The "*-decode" commands and old-style work directories are affected by this change as well as all polygon-mangling routines in "construct". The GRASS toolbox provides all the features we need for ''reliable'', topologically correct polygon handling (cleaning, clipping and the like). Those (early) steps of the new toolchain which have proven to be rather stable are available [http://mapserver.flightgear.org/git/?p=terragear-cs;a=tree;f=gisscripts here] (GRASS7 required for certain features).

== Aircraft of the month ==
== Airport of the month ==
== Screenshot of the month ==

== Suggested flights ==
A beautiful flight is from Prince George, ICAO: CYXS, to Calgary Springbank, ICAO: CYBW, under the route created by reed, which can be seen at [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=9772 the forums]

== Aircraft review ==
[[Image:Beechcraft_B1900D.JPG|thumb|Cockpit of the B1900D]]
The [[Beechcraft B1900D]] is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft, designed to be an all-weather regional airliner. It's been used by U.S. military and many other governments. In total, 695 very produced until 2002, and it's one of the default aircrafts in FlightGear and has been available since version 0.9.8.

With a well-implemented cockpit and fully functional GPS, it is one of the better developed aircraft within FlightGear.

== Wiki updates ==
===New articles===
<DynamicArticleList>
type=new
count=10
</DynamicArticleList>
===New aircraft articles===
<DynamicArticleList>
type=new
count=10
categoryRoot=Aircraft
</DynamicArticleList>
===Most popular newsletters===
<DynamicArticleList>
type=hot
count=5
categoryRoot=FlightGear Newsletter
</DynamicArticleList>

== Community news ==

=== FSweekend ===
As in previous year's FlightGear organized a booth at the annual [[FSweekend]] event in Lelystad, the Netherlands. [[FSweekend 2010|This year's edition of FSweekend]] came and went by before we realized it. Although there was initially skepticism as to whether we would be able to top last year's presentation, we did so, by quite a large margin. Main attractions this year were our Thomas-Krenn sponsored server, driving 10 monitors, and our near continuous use of [[Anaglyph (3D)|anaglyphic 3D]]. Although we had considered it to be a neat gadget, running flightgear in 3D analglyphic mode turned out to be a brilliant move. Not only did it draw a lot of people to our booth who wanted to check it out, handing out 3D glasses also worked as an extremely good vehicle to start a conversation with them.

Some assorted highlights include:
*Our Thomas-Krenn AG machine has been running for 8 hours straight, on both days, without a single glitch. At one point Torsten ran out of fuel, because he hadn't realized that FlightGear had been running for so long continuously. The machine ran in three 3D mode most of the time, and the way the screens were set up gave the impression that the were just holes in a wall though which you could see a (virtual) reality known as FlightGear. Very nicely done.
*Very positive comments on the Lockheed Constellation's artwork, particularly because that model is really shining when presented in 3D (probably the best cockpit we have for a 3D demo).
*Also very postive comments on the advance copy of the 737NG (800) that Innis Cunningham sent me. Also in particular due to the fact that the switches on the overhead panel look very real in 3D.
*Booth members Gijs and Jorg trying to outperform each other in terms of their helicopter flying skills (trying to land it on a chimney, once they found the helipad to easy).
*A number of people claiming that our booth was the best one at FSWeekend this year.
*Our aerotowing demo involving all of our major demonstration machines (my machine as the glider, Jorg's computer as the tow plane, and our sponsor's machine as a joint (3D) model viewer.
*Some people just not believing that a single machine could drive 10 monitors and actively checking where all the monitor cables actually went to.
*Another opportunity to meet FlightGear developers (one expected encounter: Geoff McLane, and one totally unexpected meeting with Thorsten Brehm). Thanks guys for showing up!

And last, but not least, everybody involved in getting this year's booth organized. It's been a lot of fun. Some pictures of the event can be found [http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/7455889/1/FSWeekend2010?h=0e9825 here]

=== FlightGear on youtube ===
[http://www.flightgear.org/forums/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=8726 Sealbhach] has made an [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zveiKtooXs0 excellent video] showcasing the great scenery at LOWI.

=== New tutorials and screencasts ===
=== Forum news ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== Useful links ==
== And finally ... ==
===A christmas present for you===
[[File:Gerbrandytoren_christmas.jpg|thumb|World's largest Christmas tree.]]
Do not forget to pay a visit to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerbrandy_Tower Gerbrandytoren] in the Netherlands. With a height of 366.8m and 120 lights, it is the world's largest Christmas tree between December 11 and January 6. The tower is located 21 nm South East (HDG 120h) of [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol]] ([http://mpmap02.flightgear.org/?ll=52.009982,5.053582&z=15 location on MPMap]).

=== Contributing ===
One of the regular thoughts expressed on the FlightGear forum is "I'd like to contribute but I don't know how to program, and I don't have the time". Unfortunately, there is a common mis-conception that contributing requires programming and lots of free time. In fact, there are a huge range of ways to contribute to the project without needing to write code or spending days working on something.

For ideas on starting to contribute to FlightGear, you may want to check out: [[Volunteer]].

=== Reminder: Google's Summer of Code 2011 ===
We would like to remind all readers that the FlightGear project is planning to participate in [[GSoC]] 2011. However, doing that really requires a fair amount of work, planning and organizing. This is not something that can be done by a single person. It really needs a coordinated team effort, or otherwise FlightGear won't be able to apply/participate at all.

So all users are invited to help us progress further with our preparations for GSoC 2011. If you have any questions or other feedback, please use the forum to [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=38 get in touch].

=== Amateur Built Collimated Display ===
''Contributed by Gene Buckle''

A couple of months ago, my friend Wayne and I embarked on the development of a fully functional collimated display system for our DIY flight simulators. A collimated display has been the holy grail of DIY cockpit builders because of the image it generates. Collimated displays are also known as "infinity" displays. It's described that way because the focus point to your eye becomes "infinity" when you're located at the right spot when viewing the mirror. The exact details of how they work are beyond this article, but you can learn more at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_flight_simulator Wikipedia]; see the section marked "Collimated Cross-Cockpit Displays".

Building the display successfully is a pretty big deal. Up until we completed the proof-of-concept project, collimated displays were the sole domain of multi-million dollar flight simulators from the likes of CAE, FlightSafety and others. It was declared too complex and too costly by just about everyone that ever approached the problem. Fortunately for us, all the "experts" were wrong. Not only did we build a fully functional collimating display, but we did it with off the shelf materials and very, very little expenditure. Total material costs for the mirror and projection screen is under $100.

The test mirror was built using an 8 foot diameter spherical shape. The framework itself describes a 60 degree wide by 40 degree high "slice" of that shape. The mirror itself is made of a 48" wide, 2mm thickness of Mylar sheet. In order to properly stretch the mirror, a set of "ears" had to be added to the framework.

This shows the frame prior to the mirror being glued into place:

[[File:mirror_frame.jpg|200px|Collimating Mirror Framework]]

The framework itself is made from 12mm Baltic Birch and is under 36" tall. The arcs defined by the "inside" ribs show where the spherical section mirror will form. In order to form the mirror, vacuum must be applied. This will stretch the mirror into a spherical section shape.

Attaching the Mylar:

[[File:attaching_mylar.jpg|200px|Attaching the Mylar to the framework]]

The Mylar is attached to the oval ring by a high-tack spray on adhesive made by 3M.

In order to test the visual properties of the system, we set it up on a platform I'd built some time ago to use with racing games:

[[File:mirror_test.jpg|200px|Test setup]]

The mirror just reflects what is on the screen above it - the test screen in this case is just a bit less than half the radius of the mirror and is 17" tall. In order to start testing as soon as possible, Wayne skinned the screen with kraft paper. It's very wrinkly, but it did an adequate job of being a screen. It's also what we had handy at the time. :)

Here's the complete test configuration:

[[file:test_config.jpg|200px|Test configuration]]

We used a Fein Turbo III dust collector as our vac source and it pulls the mirror down very well! It's pulling about 5 PSI in order to force the Mylar into the correct shape. Below is a picture of the mirror after being pulled down.

[[file:formed_mirror.jpg|200px|Formed mirror]]

Photographs and video cannot do this justice! It's just incredible to look at!

Here's a pic of Wayne performing the first test flight:

[[file:test_flight.jpg|200px|Test Flight]]

...and thus was born the world's very first amateur built fully collimated display for DIY flight simulators. I can't stress enough how thankful I am for Wayne and his skills. Were it not for his deep understanding of the math involved, this would have never been built.

Here are a few YouTube videos of the system in operation:
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y67TAo9Lv5g First draw down of the mirror]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yaDnXYlf8k My badly narrated test flight]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zogFny49zrI A walk-around of the setup taken the next day]

The [http://www.diy-cockpits.org/coll/collimated_display.html project site] has more pictures and details on the current state of the project. Work has already begun on a 180 degree version!

=== Did you know ===
* You can act as an [[ATC|air traffic controller]] on the multiplayer servers by downloading the [[ATC-aircraft|ATC aircraft]]?
* That Luiz Jazbinsek, known as Cael in the FlightGear forums, is doing a [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10126 world circumnavigation] with the [[Beechcraft B1900D]]?

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 11]]

FlightGear Newsletter November 2010

2010-11-30T21:27:16Z

Armchair Ace:

{{newsletter}}
{{TOC_right}}
''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) can edit the newsletter and every contribution is welcome. So if you know about any FlightGear related projects such as for example updated scenery or aircraft, please do feel invited to add such news to the newsletter.''

== FlightGear events ==
== Call for volunteers ==
The [[OpenRadar]] project is looking for a new maintainer.

The [[TerraGear GUI]] project is looking for programmers to help create a GUI frontend for [[TerraGear]] [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7485#p102005].

== Development news ==
Anders Gidenstam has continued to develop Walkview which opens up all sorts of exciting possibilites. Here is a short video of Walkview being used to give a different perspective on starting the Sopwith Camel [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAQT2s7pFJs]. In addition to the rectangular plane that we have had for some time, we can now define the area in which we can "walk" as a line, polyline, or circle.

We use the new definitions in Multi Player Carrier Carl Vinson to move around the Goofer's deck while we are goofing, or to seek a more advantageous view from PriFly, or to inspect the Flight deck as the Flight Deck Officer, as seen in [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9MUT7GfzBs this video].

Meanwhile, in other news, Tim Moore has fixed the condition tag in the Material Animation. We can combine these two facilites to generate some more interesting views - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YmJN9o6TBc]. Alexis Bory has said that he will see if he can produce some more models with which to populate the hangar. Let's hope he finds something!

== Shader requests ==
We have added a new page to the wiki titled [[shader requests]]. This is intended to provide a place for people to post ideas related to new shaders for use in FlightGear. But this is also meant to be place for aspiring shader developers to find interesting ideas for new shaders. In the past, these ideas were often spread over many different places, such as forum or mailing list discussions, and often ended up getting hidden rather quickly. So if you have ideas related to improving existing shaders or creating completely new ones, please add your ideas to the [[Shader requests]] page. And if you are aware of any ongoing shader development efforts, please also add those there. Consequently, if you want to get started creating shaders for FlightGear, please make sure to check out this page.

== Known problems ==
Though working perfectly for years, the "live weather" feature in FlightGear 1.9.x and 2.0 is now broken. Unfortunately, the FlightGear code of past releases contains minor problem which so far remained undetected and without effect. Since early November, probably caused by a server upgrade at the weather services, the FlightGear weather requests are now being rejected due to this problem. To revive live weather you have the following options:
* As a workaround, configure a proxy-server on the fgfs command-line. Relaying the request through a proxy solves the issue (see [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10002 forum topic]).
** A description on "How To Fix (temporarily)" you can find under http://www.emmerich-j.de/FGFS/METAR-fix.html
* Experts being able to patch and recompile FlightGear may try to apply a patch (also see forum).
* Developers can use FlightGear's latest developer version from GIT, which already contains the required bugfix.
* Otherwise please stick with manual weather configuration and wait for the next FlightGear release (won't be too long).

== Nasal for newbies ==
== New software tools and projects ==

== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
=== New aircraft ===

====DC-8-63====
Isix and Armchair Ace have recently unveiled a DC-8-63. You can follow the progress on the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10228 development thread].
[[File:Fgfs-screen-178.png|thumb|left|The DC-8-63 in KLM colours.]]
=== Updated aircraft ===

[[File:ZF_Navy_free_balloon-2.jpg|thumb|The ZF Navy free balloon with the envelope shader enabled.]]
====ZF Navy free balloon====
The [[ZF Navy free balloon]] has been updated with a custom shader effect that changes the shape of the balloon envelope according to its gas content.

====IAR 80====
The [[IAR_80|IAR 80]] beta has seen some updates, with new features added in the eyecandy department, as well as some refining of the [[Nasal_scripting_language|Nasal]] code and a revamped [[FDM]].

====Boeing 757 and 717====
[[User:Skyop|Skyop]] has picked up development of the [[Boeing 757-200]] and the [[Boeing 717]]. New features included generic autostart systems, improved models, new instruments and new [[YASim]] [[FDM]]s. New and improved cockpits and aircraft systems are planned. Skyop is requesting livery makers to start painting their favorite airlines and submitting their textures to the [http://liveries.flightgear.org official FlightGear livery database].

Follow further progress at the [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9944 757-200 development thread] and the [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6145 717 development thread].

====Boeing 777-200====
The [[Boeing_777-200|777-200ER]] received a cockpit and systems upgrade.
Extensions by Syd Adams and ThorstenB include better [[GPWS]] integration, improvements for cockpit instruments, sounds, textures, key/mouse bindings and many bug fixes.
The upgraded 777-200ER also features brake temperature monitoring.
Pilots are advised to also use spoilers and thrust-reversers for deceleration to avoid overheated brakes - especially when landing a heavily loaded plane.
The new auto spoilers, automatically deploying on touch-down when armed, provide some assistance here.

[[File:B777-200_RTO.jpg|thumb|Smoking brakes after a 777-200ER had to execute a rejected takeoff.
The airline declined to comment on the reason for the takeoff problem, but assured no one on board was injured.]]

====Douglas DC-8-73F====
[[User:Armchair Ace|Armchair Ace]] has been developing the DC-8-73's cockpit, which has also been used in the new DC-8-63.
[[File:DC8pit.png|thumb|The cockpit as it was on the 29th of November.]]

=== Liveries ===

==Scenery corner==
===New Bangkok International Airport===
[[File:VTBD_wip01.jpg|thumb|Bangkok Int'l Airport - work in progress.]]
Mike (aka D-Sky1) is busy again. This time he is working on Suvarnabhumi Airport (VTBD, also known as New Bangkok International Airport) in Thailand) as the architecture of the airport buildings is very beautiful. It will sure take some time but a first glance at the work in progress is already possible. Discuss the progress with us in [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10075 the forum].
After the airport is finished, placed and available, AI traffic will follow (mainly Thai Airways).

AI traffic arrives at [[RPLL]] (Manila, Philippines): Mike created a comprehensive list of AI traffic of Cebu Pacific Airlines. Soon available via GIT, Cebu Pacific Airlines will provide domestic and international flights to the most important destinations. AI for the second big carrier of the Philippines (Philippine Airways) will follow later.

===Land cover updates===
Detailed land cover data for Vermont has been added to the map server. This state in the northeast United States will be a part of the next world scenery release.

Work continues on hand-created, detailed land cover data for northern Switzerland. Photos of landmark buildings or airport buildings in Switzerland would be welcome as we try to model this beautiful country.

===NASA Interactive Launch Complexes===
[[File:mercuryredstone3.png|thumb|Mercury Redstone 3 Rocket ready for launch.]]
Jack Mermod has released the first of many NASA Interactive Launch Complexes. This first release is based on Launch Complex 5 and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury-Redstone_3 Mercury-Redstone 3] launch. The model should be in the official database soon, for now you can download the scenery [http://alphashangar.co.nr/ here].

=== Jet d'Eau in Geneva ===
The Jet d'Eau in Geneva is with 140m height a recognisable landmark. Ot-666 created the fountain and the pier it is located on in the Lake Geneva.
The model features night illumination for the fountain.

=== Airports ===
Looking for new airports to visit? Try a Dublin (EIDW) to Aalesund (ENSD) flight! These two airports, along with Sandane airport in Anda, Norway (ENVA), have recently had models added to the database to make them a more interesting place to fly.

===I.C.E.J.A.W===
[[File:ICEJAW_snowcover.jpg|thumb|Demonstration of ICEJAW depicting buildings with and without snow cover.]]
In an effort to improve the cities in FlightGear, Daniel Strawn (aka "Intel-Qube") has modeled a simple "one size fits all" city. Affectionately codenamed "ICEJAW", the city, still in development, features tangible helipads to land on, billboards and snow cover for heavy snow-fall.
Follow development in the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10016 forum topic].

=== TerraGear-CS ===
After attempts to provide a new World Scenery build in sync with the 2.0 software release failed miserably (due to software deficiencies), some effort has been expended into investigations, experiments (some of which ended up in filing bug-reports for related software) and large-scale tests for replacing the entire polygon processing in TerraGear by the use of [http://grass.osgeo.org/ GRASS GIS]. Just to give an idea about the term "large scale": The procedure to turn the Europe-wide CORINE CLC2000 vector data set into a topologically consistent coverage is taking several weeks on a 3 GHz Xeon machine.

The "*-decode" commands and old-style work directories are affected by this change as well as all polygon-mangling routines in "construct". The GRASS toolbox provides all the features we need for ''reliable'', topologically correct polygon handling (cleaning, clipping and the like). Those (early) steps of the new toolchain which have proven to be rather stable are available [http://mapserver.flightgear.org/git/?p=terragear-cs;a=tree;f=gisscripts here] (GRASS7 required for certain features).

== Aircraft of the month ==
== Airport of the month ==
== Screenshot of the month ==

== Suggested flights ==
A beautiful flight is from Prince George, ICAO: CYXS, to Calgary Springbank, ICAO: CYBW, under the route created by reed, which can be seen at [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=9772 the forums]

== Aircraft review ==
[[Image:Beechcraft_B1900D.JPG|thumb|Cockpit of the B1900D]]
The [[Beechcraft B1900D]] is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft, designed to be an all-weather regional airliner. It's been used by U.S. military and many other governments. In total, 695 very produced until 2002, and it's one of the default aircrafts in FlightGear and has been available since version 0.9.8.

With a well-implemented cockpit and fully functional GPS, it is one of the better developed aircraft within FlightGear.

== Wiki updates ==
===New articles===
<DynamicArticleList>
type=new
count=10
</DynamicArticleList>
===New aircraft articles===
<DynamicArticleList>
type=new
count=10
categoryRoot=Aircraft
</DynamicArticleList>
===Most popular newsletters===
<DynamicArticleList>
type=hot
count=5
categoryRoot=FlightGear Newsletter
</DynamicArticleList>

== Community news ==

=== FSweekend ===
As in previous year's FlightGear organized a booth at the annual [[FSweekend]] event in Lelystad, the Netherlands. [[FSweekend 2010|This year's edition of FSweekend]] came and went by before we realized it. Although there was initially skepticism as to whether we would be able to top last year's presentation, we did so, by quite a large margin. Main attractions this year were our Thomas-Krenn sponsored server, driving 10 monitors, and our near continuous use of [[Anaglyph (3D)|anaglyphic 3D]]. Although we had considered it to be a neat gadget, running flightgear in 3D analglyphic mode turned out to be a brilliant move. Not only did it draw a lot of people to our booth who wanted to check it out, handing out 3D glasses also worked as an extremely good vehicle to start a conversation with them.

Some assorted highlights include:
*Our Thomas-Krenn AG machine has been running for 8 hours straight, on both days, without a single glitch. At one point Torsten ran out of fuel, because he hadn't realized that FlightGear had been running for so long continuously. The machine ran in three 3D mode most of the time, and the way the screens were set up gave the impression that the were just holes in a wall though which you could see a (virtual) reality known as FlightGear. Very nicely done.
*Very positive comments on the Lockheed Constellation's artwork, particularly because that model is really shining when presented in 3D (probably the best cockpit we have for a 3D demo).
*Also very postive comments on the advance copy of the 737NG (800) that Innis Cunningham sent me. Also in particular due to the fact that the switches on the overhead panel look very real in 3D.
*Booth members Gijs and Jorg trying to outperform each other in terms of their helicopter flying skills (trying to land it on a chimney, once they found the helipad to easy).
*A number of people claiming that our booth was the best one at FSWeekend this year.
*Our aerotowing demo involving all of our major demonstration machines (my machine as the glider, Jorg's computer as the tow plane, and our sponsor's machine as a joint (3D) model viewer.
*Some people just not believing that a single machine could drive 10 monitors and actively checking where all the monitor cables actually went to.
*Another opportunity to meet FlightGear developers (one expected encounter: Geoff McLane, and one totally unexpected meeting with Thorsten Brehm). Thanks guys for showing up!

And last, but not least, everybody involved in getting this year's booth organized. It's been a lot of fun. Some pictures of the event can be found [http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/7455889/1/FSWeekend2010?h=0e9825 here]

=== FlightGear on youtube ===
[http://www.flightgear.org/forums/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=8726 Sealbhach] has made an [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zveiKtooXs0 excellent video] showcasing the great scenery at LOWI.

=== New tutorials and screencasts ===
=== Forum news ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== Useful links ==
== And finally ... ==
===A christmas present for you===
[[File:Gerbrandytoren_christmas.jpg|thumb|World's largest Christmas tree.]]
Do not forget to pay a visit to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerbrandy_Tower Gerbrandytoren] in the Netherlands. With a height of 366.8m and 120 lights, it is the world's largest Christmas tree between December 11 and January 6. The tower is located 21 nm South East (HDG 120h) of [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol]] ([http://mpmap02.flightgear.org/?ll=52.009982,5.053582&z=15 location on MPMap]).

=== Contributing ===
One of the regular thoughts expressed on the FlightGear forum is "I'd like to contribute but I don't know how to program, and I don't have the time". Unfortunately, there is a common mis-conception that contributing requires programming and lots of free time. In fact, there are a huge range of ways to contribute to the project without needing to write code or spending days working on something.

For ideas on starting to contribute to FlightGear, you may want to check out: [[Volunteer]].

=== Reminder: Google's Summer of Code 2011 ===
We would like to remind all readers that the FlightGear project is planning to participate in [[GSoC]] 2011. However, doing that really requires a fair amount of work, planning and organizing. This is not something that can be done by a single person. It really needs a coordinated team effort, or otherwise FlightGear won't be able to apply/participate at all.

So all users are invited to help us progress further with our preparations for GSoC 2011. If you have any questions or other feedback, please use the forum to [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=38 get in touch].

=== Amateur Built Collimated Display ===
''Contributed by Gene Buckle''

A couple of months ago, my friend Wayne and I embarked on the development of a fully functional collimated display system for our DIY flight simulators. A collimated display has been the holy grail of DIY cockpit builders because of the image it generates. Collimated displays are also known as "infinity" displays. It's described that way because the focus point to your eye becomes "infinity" when you're located at the right spot when viewing the mirror. The exact details of how they work are beyond this article, but you can learn more at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_flight_simulator Wikipedia]; see the section marked "Collimated Cross-Cockpit Displays".

Building the display successfully is a pretty big deal. Up until we completed the proof-of-concept project, collimated displays were the sole domain of multi-million dollar flight simulators from the likes of CAE, FlightSafety and others. It was declared too complex and too costly by just about everyone that ever approached the problem. Fortunately for us, all the "experts" were wrong. Not only did we build a fully functional collimating display, but we did it with off the shelf materials and very, very little expenditure. Total material costs for the mirror and projection screen is under $100.

The test mirror was built using an 8 foot diameter spherical shape. The framework itself describes a 60 degree wide by 40 degree high "slice" of that shape. The mirror itself is made of a 48" wide, 2mm thickness of Mylar sheet. In order to properly stretch the mirror, a set of "ears" had to be added to the framework.

This shows the frame prior to the mirror being glued into place:

[[File:mirror_frame.jpg|200px|Collimating Mirror Framework]]

The framework itself is made from 12mm Baltic Birch and is under 36" tall. The arcs defined by the "inside" ribs show where the spherical section mirror will form. In order to form the mirror, vacuum must be applied. This will stretch the mirror into a spherical section shape.

Attaching the Mylar:

[[File:attaching_mylar.jpg|200px|Attaching the Mylar to the framework]]

The Mylar is attached to the oval ring by a high-tack spray on adhesive made by 3M.

In order to test the visual properties of the system, we set it up on a platform I'd built some time ago to use with racing games:

[[File:mirror_test.jpg|200px|Test setup]]

The mirror just reflects what is on the screen above it - the test screen in this case is just a bit less than half the radius of the mirror and is 17" tall. In order to start testing as soon as possible, Wayne skinned the screen with kraft paper. It's very wrinkly, but it did an adequate job of being a screen. It's also what we had handy at the time. :)

Here's the complete test configuration:

[[file:test_config.jpg|200px|Test configuration]]

We used a Fein Turbo III dust collector as our vac source and it pulls the mirror down very well! It's pulling about 5 PSI in order to force the Mylar into the correct shape. Below is a picture of the mirror after being pulled down.

[[file:formed_mirror.jpg|200px|Formed mirror]]

Photographs and video cannot do this justice! It's just incredible to look at!

Here's a pic of Wayne performing the first test flight:

[[file:test_flight.jpg|200px|Test Flight]]

...and thus was born the world's very first amateur built fully collimated display for DIY flight simulators. I can't stress enough how thankful I am for Wayne and his skills. Were it not for his deep understanding of the math involved, this would have never been built.

Here are a few YouTube videos of the system in operation:
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y67TAo9Lv5g First draw down of the mirror]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yaDnXYlf8k My badly narrated test flight]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zogFny49zrI A walk-around of the setup taken the next day]

The [http://www.diy-cockpits.org/coll/collimated_display.html project site] has more pictures and details on the current state of the project. Work has already begun on a 180 degree version!

=== Did you know ===
* You can act as an [[ATC|air traffic controller]] on the multiplayer servers by downloading the [[ATC-aircraft|ATC aircraft]]?
* That Luiz Jazbinsek, known as Cael in the FlightGear forums, is doing a [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10126 world circumnavigation] with the [[Beechcraft B1900D]]?

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 11]]

FlightGear Newsletter November 2010

2010-11-30T21:26:55Z

Armchair Ace: /* Updated aircraft */

{{newsletter}}
{{TOC_right}}
''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) can edit the newsletter and every contribution is welcome. So if you know about any FlightGear related projects such as for example updated scenery or aircraft, please do feel invited to add such news to the newsletter.''

== FlightGear events ==
== Call for volunteers ==
The [[OpenRadar]] project is looking for a new maintainer.

The [[TerraGear GUI]] project is looking for programmers to help create a GUI frontend for [[TerraGear]] [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7485#p102005].

== Development news ==
Anders Gidenstam has continued to develop Walkview which opens up all sorts of exciting possibilites. Here is a short video of Walkview being used to give a different perspective on starting the Sopwith Camel [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAQT2s7pFJs]. In addition to the rectangular plane that we have had for some time, we can now define the area in which we can "walk" as a line, polyline, or circle.

We use the new definitions in Multi Player Carrier Carl Vinson to move around the Goofer's deck while we are goofing, or to seek a more advantageous view from PriFly, or to inspect the Flight deck as the Flight Deck Officer, as seen in [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9MUT7GfzBs this video].

Meanwhile, in other news, Tim Moore has fixed the condition tag in the Material Animation. We can combine these two facilites to generate some more interesting views - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YmJN9o6TBc]. Alexis Bory has said that he will see if he can produce some more models with which to populate the hangar. Let's hope he finds something!

== Shader requests ==
We have added a new page to the wiki titled [[shader requests]]. This is intended to provide a place for people to post ideas related to new shaders for use in FlightGear. But this is also meant to be place for aspiring shader developers to find interesting ideas for new shaders. In the past, these ideas were often spread over many different places, such as forum or mailing list discussions, and often ended up getting hidden rather quickly. So if you have ideas related to improving existing shaders or creating completely new ones, please add your ideas to the [[Shader requests]] page. And if you are aware of any ongoing shader development efforts, please also add those there. Consequently, if you want to get started creating shaders for FlightGear, please make sure to check out this page.

== Known problems ==
Though working perfectly for years, the "live weather" feature in FlightGear 1.9.x and 2.0 is now broken. Unfortunately, the FlightGear code of past releases contains minor problem which so far remained undetected and without effect. Since early November, probably caused by a server upgrade at the weather services, the FlightGear weather requests are now being rejected due to this problem. To revive live weather you have the following options:
* As a workaround, configure a proxy-server on the fgfs command-line. Relaying the request through a proxy solves the issue (see [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10002 forum topic]).
** A description on "How To Fix (temporarily)" you can find under http://www.emmerich-j.de/FGFS/METAR-fix.html
* Experts being able to patch and recompile FlightGear may try to apply a patch (also see forum).
* Developers can use FlightGear's latest developer version from GIT, which already contains the required bugfix.
* Otherwise please stick with manual weather configuration and wait for the next FlightGear release (won't be too long).

== Nasal for newbies ==
== New software tools and projects ==

== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
=== New aircraft ===

====DC-8-63====
Isix and Armchair Ace have recently unveiled a DC-8-63. You can follow the progress on the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10228 development thread].
[[File:Fgfs-screen-178.png|thumb|left|The DC-8-63 in KLM colours.]]
=== Updated aircraft ===

[[File:ZF_Navy_free_balloon-2.jpg|thumb|The ZF Navy free balloon with the envelope shader enabled.]]
====ZF Navy free balloon====
The [[ZF Navy free balloon]] has been updated with a custom shader effect that changes the shape of the balloon envelope according to its gas content.

====IAR 80====
The [[IAR_80|IAR 80]] beta has seen some updates, with new features added in the eyecandy department, as well as some refining of the [[Nasal_scripting_language|Nasal]] code and a revamped [[FDM]].

====Boeing 757 and 717====
[[User:Skyop|Skyop]] has picked up development of the [[Boeing 757-200]] and the [[Boeing 717]]. New features included generic autostart systems, improved models, new instruments and new [[YASim]] [[FDM]]s. New and improved cockpits and aircraft systems are planned. Skyop is requesting livery makers to start painting their favorite airlines and submitting their textures to the [http://liveries.flightgear.org official FlightGear livery database].

Follow further progress at the [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9944 757-200 development thread] and the [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6145 717 development thread].

====Boeing 777-200====
The [[Boeing_777-200|777-200ER]] received a cockpit and systems upgrade.
Extensions by Syd Adams and ThorstenB include better [[GPWS]] integration, improvements for cockpit instruments, sounds, textures, key/mouse bindings and many bug fixes.
The upgraded 777-200ER also features brake temperature monitoring.
Pilots are advised to also use spoilers and thrust-reversers for deceleration to avoid overheated brakes - especially when landing a heavily loaded plane.
The new auto spoilers, automatically deploying on touch-down when armed, provide some assistance here.

[[File:B777-200_RTO.jpg|thumb|Smoking brakes after a 777-200ER had to execute a rejected takeoff.
The airline declined to comment on the reason for the takeoff problem, but assured no one on board was injured.]]

====Douglas DC-8-73F====
[[User:Armchair Ace|Armchair Ace]] has been developing the DC-8-73's cockpit, which has also been used in the new DC-8-63.
[[File:DC8pit.jpg|thumb|The cockpit as it was on the 29th of November.]]

=== Liveries ===

==Scenery corner==
===New Bangkok International Airport===
[[File:VTBD_wip01.jpg|thumb|Bangkok Int'l Airport - work in progress.]]
Mike (aka D-Sky1) is busy again. This time he is working on Suvarnabhumi Airport (VTBD, also known as New Bangkok International Airport) in Thailand) as the architecture of the airport buildings is very beautiful. It will sure take some time but a first glance at the work in progress is already possible. Discuss the progress with us in [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10075 the forum].
After the airport is finished, placed and available, AI traffic will follow (mainly Thai Airways).

AI traffic arrives at [[RPLL]] (Manila, Philippines): Mike created a comprehensive list of AI traffic of Cebu Pacific Airlines. Soon available via GIT, Cebu Pacific Airlines will provide domestic and international flights to the most important destinations. AI for the second big carrier of the Philippines (Philippine Airways) will follow later.

===Land cover updates===
Detailed land cover data for Vermont has been added to the map server. This state in the northeast United States will be a part of the next world scenery release.

Work continues on hand-created, detailed land cover data for northern Switzerland. Photos of landmark buildings or airport buildings in Switzerland would be welcome as we try to model this beautiful country.

===NASA Interactive Launch Complexes===
[[File:mercuryredstone3.png|thumb|Mercury Redstone 3 Rocket ready for launch.]]
Jack Mermod has released the first of many NASA Interactive Launch Complexes. This first release is based on Launch Complex 5 and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury-Redstone_3 Mercury-Redstone 3] launch. The model should be in the official database soon, for now you can download the scenery [http://alphashangar.co.nr/ here].

=== Jet d'Eau in Geneva ===
The Jet d'Eau in Geneva is with 140m height a recognisable landmark. Ot-666 created the fountain and the pier it is located on in the Lake Geneva.
The model features night illumination for the fountain.

=== Airports ===
Looking for new airports to visit? Try a Dublin (EIDW) to Aalesund (ENSD) flight! These two airports, along with Sandane airport in Anda, Norway (ENVA), have recently had models added to the database to make them a more interesting place to fly.

===I.C.E.J.A.W===
[[File:ICEJAW_snowcover.jpg|thumb|Demonstration of ICEJAW depicting buildings with and without snow cover.]]
In an effort to improve the cities in FlightGear, Daniel Strawn (aka "Intel-Qube") has modeled a simple "one size fits all" city. Affectionately codenamed "ICEJAW", the city, still in development, features tangible helipads to land on, billboards and snow cover for heavy snow-fall.
Follow development in the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10016 forum topic].

=== TerraGear-CS ===
After attempts to provide a new World Scenery build in sync with the 2.0 software release failed miserably (due to software deficiencies), some effort has been expended into investigations, experiments (some of which ended up in filing bug-reports for related software) and large-scale tests for replacing the entire polygon processing in TerraGear by the use of [http://grass.osgeo.org/ GRASS GIS]. Just to give an idea about the term "large scale": The procedure to turn the Europe-wide CORINE CLC2000 vector data set into a topologically consistent coverage is taking several weeks on a 3 GHz Xeon machine.

The "*-decode" commands and old-style work directories are affected by this change as well as all polygon-mangling routines in "construct". The GRASS toolbox provides all the features we need for ''reliable'', topologically correct polygon handling (cleaning, clipping and the like). Those (early) steps of the new toolchain which have proven to be rather stable are available [http://mapserver.flightgear.org/git/?p=terragear-cs;a=tree;f=gisscripts here] (GRASS7 required for certain features).

== Aircraft of the month ==
== Airport of the month ==
== Screenshot of the month ==

== Suggested flights ==
A beautiful flight is from Prince George, ICAO: CYXS, to Calgary Springbank, ICAO: CYBW, under the route created by reed, which can be seen at [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=9772 the forums]

== Aircraft review ==
[[Image:Beechcraft_B1900D.JPG|thumb|Cockpit of the B1900D]]
The [[Beechcraft B1900D]] is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft, designed to be an all-weather regional airliner. It's been used by U.S. military and many other governments. In total, 695 very produced until 2002, and it's one of the default aircrafts in FlightGear and has been available since version 0.9.8.

With a well-implemented cockpit and fully functional GPS, it is one of the better developed aircraft within FlightGear.

== Wiki updates ==
===New articles===
<DynamicArticleList>
type=new
count=10
</DynamicArticleList>
===New aircraft articles===
<DynamicArticleList>
type=new
count=10
categoryRoot=Aircraft
</DynamicArticleList>
===Most popular newsletters===
<DynamicArticleList>
type=hot
count=5
categoryRoot=FlightGear Newsletter
</DynamicArticleList>

== Community news ==

=== FSweekend ===
As in previous year's FlightGear organized a booth at the annual [[FSweekend]] event in Lelystad, the Netherlands. [[FSweekend 2010|This year's edition of FSweekend]] came and went by before we realized it. Although there was initially skepticism as to whether we would be able to top last year's presentation, we did so, by quite a large margin. Main attractions this year were our Thomas-Krenn sponsored server, driving 10 monitors, and our near continuous use of [[Anaglyph (3D)|anaglyphic 3D]]. Although we had considered it to be a neat gadget, running flightgear in 3D analglyphic mode turned out to be a brilliant move. Not only did it draw a lot of people to our booth who wanted to check it out, handing out 3D glasses also worked as an extremely good vehicle to start a conversation with them.

Some assorted highlights include:
*Our Thomas-Krenn AG machine has been running for 8 hours straight, on both days, without a single glitch. At one point Torsten ran out of fuel, because he hadn't realized that FlightGear had been running for so long continuously. The machine ran in three 3D mode most of the time, and the way the screens were set up gave the impression that the were just holes in a wall though which you could see a (virtual) reality known as FlightGear. Very nicely done.
*Very positive comments on the Lockheed Constellation's artwork, particularly because that model is really shining when presented in 3D (probably the best cockpit we have for a 3D demo).
*Also very postive comments on the advance copy of the 737NG (800) that Innis Cunningham sent me. Also in particular due to the fact that the switches on the overhead panel look very real in 3D.
*Booth members Gijs and Jorg trying to outperform each other in terms of their helicopter flying skills (trying to land it on a chimney, once they found the helipad to easy).
*A number of people claiming that our booth was the best one at FSWeekend this year.
*Our aerotowing demo involving all of our major demonstration machines (my machine as the glider, Jorg's computer as the tow plane, and our sponsor's machine as a joint (3D) model viewer.
*Some people just not believing that a single machine could drive 10 monitors and actively checking where all the monitor cables actually went to.
*Another opportunity to meet FlightGear developers (one expected encounter: Geoff McLane, and one totally unexpected meeting with Thorsten Brehm). Thanks guys for showing up!

And last, but not least, everybody involved in getting this year's booth organized. It's been a lot of fun. Some pictures of the event can be found [http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/7455889/1/FSWeekend2010?h=0e9825 here]

=== FlightGear on youtube ===
[http://www.flightgear.org/forums/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=8726 Sealbhach] has made an [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zveiKtooXs0 excellent video] showcasing the great scenery at LOWI.

=== New tutorials and screencasts ===
=== Forum news ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== Useful links ==
== And finally ... ==
===A christmas present for you===
[[File:Gerbrandytoren_christmas.jpg|thumb|World's largest Christmas tree.]]
Do not forget to pay a visit to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerbrandy_Tower Gerbrandytoren] in the Netherlands. With a height of 366.8m and 120 lights, it is the world's largest Christmas tree between December 11 and January 6. The tower is located 21 nm South East (HDG 120h) of [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol]] ([http://mpmap02.flightgear.org/?ll=52.009982,5.053582&z=15 location on MPMap]).

=== Contributing ===
One of the regular thoughts expressed on the FlightGear forum is "I'd like to contribute but I don't know how to program, and I don't have the time". Unfortunately, there is a common mis-conception that contributing requires programming and lots of free time. In fact, there are a huge range of ways to contribute to the project without needing to write code or spending days working on something.

For ideas on starting to contribute to FlightGear, you may want to check out: [[Volunteer]].

=== Reminder: Google's Summer of Code 2011 ===
We would like to remind all readers that the FlightGear project is planning to participate in [[GSoC]] 2011. However, doing that really requires a fair amount of work, planning and organizing. This is not something that can be done by a single person. It really needs a coordinated team effort, or otherwise FlightGear won't be able to apply/participate at all.

So all users are invited to help us progress further with our preparations for GSoC 2011. If you have any questions or other feedback, please use the forum to [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=38 get in touch].

=== Amateur Built Collimated Display ===
''Contributed by Gene Buckle''

A couple of months ago, my friend Wayne and I embarked on the development of a fully functional collimated display system for our DIY flight simulators. A collimated display has been the holy grail of DIY cockpit builders because of the image it generates. Collimated displays are also known as "infinity" displays. It's described that way because the focus point to your eye becomes "infinity" when you're located at the right spot when viewing the mirror. The exact details of how they work are beyond this article, but you can learn more at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_flight_simulator Wikipedia]; see the section marked "Collimated Cross-Cockpit Displays".

Building the display successfully is a pretty big deal. Up until we completed the proof-of-concept project, collimated displays were the sole domain of multi-million dollar flight simulators from the likes of CAE, FlightSafety and others. It was declared too complex and too costly by just about everyone that ever approached the problem. Fortunately for us, all the "experts" were wrong. Not only did we build a fully functional collimating display, but we did it with off the shelf materials and very, very little expenditure. Total material costs for the mirror and projection screen is under $100.

The test mirror was built using an 8 foot diameter spherical shape. The framework itself describes a 60 degree wide by 40 degree high "slice" of that shape. The mirror itself is made of a 48" wide, 2mm thickness of Mylar sheet. In order to properly stretch the mirror, a set of "ears" had to be added to the framework.

This shows the frame prior to the mirror being glued into place:

[[File:mirror_frame.jpg|200px|Collimating Mirror Framework]]

The framework itself is made from 12mm Baltic Birch and is under 36" tall. The arcs defined by the "inside" ribs show where the spherical section mirror will form. In order to form the mirror, vacuum must be applied. This will stretch the mirror into a spherical section shape.

Attaching the Mylar:

[[File:attaching_mylar.jpg|200px|Attaching the Mylar to the framework]]

The Mylar is attached to the oval ring by a high-tack spray on adhesive made by 3M.

In order to test the visual properties of the system, we set it up on a platform I'd built some time ago to use with racing games:

[[File:mirror_test.jpg|200px|Test setup]]

The mirror just reflects what is on the screen above it - the test screen in this case is just a bit less than half the radius of the mirror and is 17" tall. In order to start testing as soon as possible, Wayne skinned the screen with kraft paper. It's very wrinkly, but it did an adequate job of being a screen. It's also what we had handy at the time. :)

Here's the complete test configuration:

[[file:test_config.jpg|200px|Test configuration]]

We used a Fein Turbo III dust collector as our vac source and it pulls the mirror down very well! It's pulling about 5 PSI in order to force the Mylar into the correct shape. Below is a picture of the mirror after being pulled down.

[[file:formed_mirror.jpg|200px|Formed mirror]]

Photographs and video cannot do this justice! It's just incredible to look at!

Here's a pic of Wayne performing the first test flight:

[[file:test_flight.jpg|200px|Test Flight]]

...and thus was born the world's very first amateur built fully collimated display for DIY flight simulators. I can't stress enough how thankful I am for Wayne and his skills. Were it not for his deep understanding of the math involved, this would have never been built.

Here are a few YouTube videos of the system in operation:
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y67TAo9Lv5g First draw down of the mirror]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yaDnXYlf8k My badly narrated test flight]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zogFny49zrI A walk-around of the setup taken the next day]

The [http://www.diy-cockpits.org/coll/collimated_display.html project site] has more pictures and details on the current state of the project. Work has already begun on a 180 degree version!

=== Did you know ===
* You can act as an [[ATC|air traffic controller]] on the multiplayer servers by downloading the [[ATC-aircraft|ATC aircraft]]?
* That Luiz Jazbinsek, known as Cael in the FlightGear forums, is doing a [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10126 world circumnavigation] with the [[Beechcraft B1900D]]?

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 11]]

File:DC8pit.png

2010-11-30T21:26:01Z

Armchair Ace: The DC-8's Cockpit. It is still under active development, ans is likely to change. (as of 29-11-2010)

The DC-8's Cockpit. It is still under active development, ans is likely to change. (as of 29-11-2010)

FlightGear Newsletter November 2010

2010-11-30T21:22:04Z

Armchair Ace: Added the DC-8-63.

{{newsletter}}
{{TOC_right}}
''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) can edit the newsletter and every contribution is welcome. So if you know about any FlightGear related projects such as for example updated scenery or aircraft, please do feel invited to add such news to the newsletter.''

== FlightGear events ==
== Call for volunteers ==
The [[OpenRadar]] project is looking for a new maintainer.

The [[TerraGear GUI]] project is looking for programmers to help create a GUI frontend for [[TerraGear]] [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7485#p102005].

== Development news ==
Anders Gidenstam has continued to develop Walkview which opens up all sorts of exciting possibilites. Here is a short video of Walkview being used to give a different perspective on starting the Sopwith Camel [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAQT2s7pFJs]. In addition to the rectangular plane that we have had for some time, we can now define the area in which we can "walk" as a line, polyline, or circle.

We use the new definitions in Multi Player Carrier Carl Vinson to move around the Goofer's deck while we are goofing, or to seek a more advantageous view from PriFly, or to inspect the Flight deck as the Flight Deck Officer, as seen in [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9MUT7GfzBs this video].

Meanwhile, in other news, Tim Moore has fixed the condition tag in the Material Animation. We can combine these two facilites to generate some more interesting views - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YmJN9o6TBc]. Alexis Bory has said that he will see if he can produce some more models with which to populate the hangar. Let's hope he finds something!

== Shader requests ==
We have added a new page to the wiki titled [[shader requests]]. This is intended to provide a place for people to post ideas related to new shaders for use in FlightGear. But this is also meant to be place for aspiring shader developers to find interesting ideas for new shaders. In the past, these ideas were often spread over many different places, such as forum or mailing list discussions, and often ended up getting hidden rather quickly. So if you have ideas related to improving existing shaders or creating completely new ones, please add your ideas to the [[Shader requests]] page. And if you are aware of any ongoing shader development efforts, please also add those there. Consequently, if you want to get started creating shaders for FlightGear, please make sure to check out this page.

== Known problems ==
Though working perfectly for years, the "live weather" feature in FlightGear 1.9.x and 2.0 is now broken. Unfortunately, the FlightGear code of past releases contains minor problem which so far remained undetected and without effect. Since early November, probably caused by a server upgrade at the weather services, the FlightGear weather requests are now being rejected due to this problem. To revive live weather you have the following options:
* As a workaround, configure a proxy-server on the fgfs command-line. Relaying the request through a proxy solves the issue (see [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10002 forum topic]).
** A description on "How To Fix (temporarily)" you can find under http://www.emmerich-j.de/FGFS/METAR-fix.html
* Experts being able to patch and recompile FlightGear may try to apply a patch (also see forum).
* Developers can use FlightGear's latest developer version from GIT, which already contains the required bugfix.
* Otherwise please stick with manual weather configuration and wait for the next FlightGear release (won't be too long).

== Nasal for newbies ==
== New software tools and projects ==

== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
=== New aircraft ===

====DC-8-63====
Isix and Armchair Ace have recently unveiled a DC-8-63. You can follow the progress on the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10228 development thread].
[[File:Fgfs-screen-178.png|thumb|left|The DC-8-63 in KLM colours.]]
=== Updated aircraft ===

[[File:ZF_Navy_free_balloon-2.jpg|thumb|The ZF Navy free balloon with the envelope shader enabled.]]
====ZF Navy free balloon====
The [[ZF Navy free balloon]] has been updated with a custom shader effect that changes the shape of the balloon envelope according to its gas content.

====IAR 80====
The [[IAR_80|IAR 80]] beta has seen some updates, with new features added in the eyecandy department, as well as some refining of the [[Nasal_scripting_language|Nasal]] code and a revamped [[FDM]].

====Boeing 757 and 717====
[[User:Skyop|Skyop]] has picked up development of the [[Boeing 757-200]] and the [[Boeing 717]]. New features included generic autostart systems, improved models, new instruments and new [[YASim]] [[FDM]]s. New and improved cockpits and aircraft systems are planned. Skyop is requesting livery makers to start painting their favorite airlines and submitting their textures to the [http://liveries.flightgear.org official FlightGear livery database].

Follow further progress at the [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9944 757-200 development thread] and the [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6145 717 development thread].

====Boeing 777-200====
The [[Boeing_777-200|777-200ER]] received a cockpit and systems upgrade.
Extensions by Syd Adams and ThorstenB include better [[GPWS]] integration, improvements for cockpit instruments, sounds, textures, key/mouse bindings and many bug fixes.
The upgraded 777-200ER also features brake temperature monitoring.
Pilots are advised to also use spoilers and thrust-reversers for deceleration to avoid overheated brakes - especially when landing a heavily loaded plane.
The new auto spoilers, automatically deploying on touch-down when armed, provide some assistance here.

[[File:B777-200_RTO.jpg|thumb|Smoking brakes after a 777-200ER had to execute a rejected takeoff.
The airline declined to comment on the reason for the takeoff problem, but assured no one on board was injured.]]

=== Liveries ===

==Scenery corner==
===New Bangkok International Airport===
[[File:VTBD_wip01.jpg|thumb|Bangkok Int'l Airport - work in progress.]]
Mike (aka D-Sky1) is busy again. This time he is working on Suvarnabhumi Airport (VTBD, also known as New Bangkok International Airport) in Thailand) as the architecture of the airport buildings is very beautiful. It will sure take some time but a first glance at the work in progress is already possible. Discuss the progress with us in [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10075 the forum].
After the airport is finished, placed and available, AI traffic will follow (mainly Thai Airways).

AI traffic arrives at [[RPLL]] (Manila, Philippines): Mike created a comprehensive list of AI traffic of Cebu Pacific Airlines. Soon available via GIT, Cebu Pacific Airlines will provide domestic and international flights to the most important destinations. AI for the second big carrier of the Philippines (Philippine Airways) will follow later.

===Land cover updates===
Detailed land cover data for Vermont has been added to the map server. This state in the northeast United States will be a part of the next world scenery release.

Work continues on hand-created, detailed land cover data for northern Switzerland. Photos of landmark buildings or airport buildings in Switzerland would be welcome as we try to model this beautiful country.

===NASA Interactive Launch Complexes===
[[File:mercuryredstone3.png|thumb|Mercury Redstone 3 Rocket ready for launch.]]
Jack Mermod has released the first of many NASA Interactive Launch Complexes. This first release is based on Launch Complex 5 and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury-Redstone_3 Mercury-Redstone 3] launch. The model should be in the official database soon, for now you can download the scenery [http://alphashangar.co.nr/ here].

=== Jet d'Eau in Geneva ===
The Jet d'Eau in Geneva is with 140m height a recognisable landmark. Ot-666 created the fountain and the pier it is located on in the Lake Geneva.
The model features night illumination for the fountain.

=== Airports ===
Looking for new airports to visit? Try a Dublin (EIDW) to Aalesund (ENSD) flight! These two airports, along with Sandane airport in Anda, Norway (ENVA), have recently had models added to the database to make them a more interesting place to fly.

===I.C.E.J.A.W===
[[File:ICEJAW_snowcover.jpg|thumb|Demonstration of ICEJAW depicting buildings with and without snow cover.]]
In an effort to improve the cities in FlightGear, Daniel Strawn (aka "Intel-Qube") has modeled a simple "one size fits all" city. Affectionately codenamed "ICEJAW", the city, still in development, features tangible helipads to land on, billboards and snow cover for heavy snow-fall.
Follow development in the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10016 forum topic].

=== TerraGear-CS ===
After attempts to provide a new World Scenery build in sync with the 2.0 software release failed miserably (due to software deficiencies), some effort has been expended into investigations, experiments (some of which ended up in filing bug-reports for related software) and large-scale tests for replacing the entire polygon processing in TerraGear by the use of [http://grass.osgeo.org/ GRASS GIS]. Just to give an idea about the term "large scale": The procedure to turn the Europe-wide CORINE CLC2000 vector data set into a topologically consistent coverage is taking several weeks on a 3 GHz Xeon machine.

The "*-decode" commands and old-style work directories are affected by this change as well as all polygon-mangling routines in "construct". The GRASS toolbox provides all the features we need for ''reliable'', topologically correct polygon handling (cleaning, clipping and the like). Those (early) steps of the new toolchain which have proven to be rather stable are available [http://mapserver.flightgear.org/git/?p=terragear-cs;a=tree;f=gisscripts here] (GRASS7 required for certain features).

== Aircraft of the month ==
== Airport of the month ==
== Screenshot of the month ==

== Suggested flights ==
A beautiful flight is from Prince George, ICAO: CYXS, to Calgary Springbank, ICAO: CYBW, under the route created by reed, which can be seen at [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=9772 the forums]

== Aircraft review ==
[[Image:Beechcraft_B1900D.JPG|thumb|Cockpit of the B1900D]]
The [[Beechcraft B1900D]] is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft, designed to be an all-weather regional airliner. It's been used by U.S. military and many other governments. In total, 695 very produced until 2002, and it's one of the default aircrafts in FlightGear and has been available since version 0.9.8.

With a well-implemented cockpit and fully functional GPS, it is one of the better developed aircraft within FlightGear.

== Wiki updates ==
===New articles===
<DynamicArticleList>
type=new
count=10
</DynamicArticleList>
===New aircraft articles===
<DynamicArticleList>
type=new
count=10
categoryRoot=Aircraft
</DynamicArticleList>
===Most popular newsletters===
<DynamicArticleList>
type=hot
count=5
categoryRoot=FlightGear Newsletter
</DynamicArticleList>

== Community news ==

=== FSweekend ===
As in previous year's FlightGear organized a booth at the annual [[FSweekend]] event in Lelystad, the Netherlands. [[FSweekend 2010|This year's edition of FSweekend]] came and went by before we realized it. Although there was initially skepticism as to whether we would be able to top last year's presentation, we did so, by quite a large margin. Main attractions this year were our Thomas-Krenn sponsored server, driving 10 monitors, and our near continuous use of [[Anaglyph (3D)|anaglyphic 3D]]. Although we had considered it to be a neat gadget, running flightgear in 3D analglyphic mode turned out to be a brilliant move. Not only did it draw a lot of people to our booth who wanted to check it out, handing out 3D glasses also worked as an extremely good vehicle to start a conversation with them.

Some assorted highlights include:
*Our Thomas-Krenn AG machine has been running for 8 hours straight, on both days, without a single glitch. At one point Torsten ran out of fuel, because he hadn't realized that FlightGear had been running for so long continuously. The machine ran in three 3D mode most of the time, and the way the screens were set up gave the impression that the were just holes in a wall though which you could see a (virtual) reality known as FlightGear. Very nicely done.
*Very positive comments on the Lockheed Constellation's artwork, particularly because that model is really shining when presented in 3D (probably the best cockpit we have for a 3D demo).
*Also very postive comments on the advance copy of the 737NG (800) that Innis Cunningham sent me. Also in particular due to the fact that the switches on the overhead panel look very real in 3D.
*Booth members Gijs and Jorg trying to outperform each other in terms of their helicopter flying skills (trying to land it on a chimney, once they found the helipad to easy).
*A number of people claiming that our booth was the best one at FSWeekend this year.
*Our aerotowing demo involving all of our major demonstration machines (my machine as the glider, Jorg's computer as the tow plane, and our sponsor's machine as a joint (3D) model viewer.
*Some people just not believing that a single machine could drive 10 monitors and actively checking where all the monitor cables actually went to.
*Another opportunity to meet FlightGear developers (one expected encounter: Geoff McLane, and one totally unexpected meeting with Thorsten Brehm). Thanks guys for showing up!

And last, but not least, everybody involved in getting this year's booth organized. It's been a lot of fun. Some pictures of the event can be found [http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/7455889/1/FSWeekend2010?h=0e9825 here]

=== FlightGear on youtube ===
[http://www.flightgear.org/forums/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=8726 Sealbhach] has made an [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zveiKtooXs0 excellent video] showcasing the great scenery at LOWI.

=== New tutorials and screencasts ===
=== Forum news ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== Useful links ==
== And finally ... ==
===A christmas present for you===
[[File:Gerbrandytoren_christmas.jpg|thumb|World's largest Christmas tree.]]
Do not forget to pay a visit to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerbrandy_Tower Gerbrandytoren] in the Netherlands. With a height of 366.8m and 120 lights, it is the world's largest Christmas tree between December 11 and January 6. The tower is located 21 nm South East (HDG 120h) of [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol]] ([http://mpmap02.flightgear.org/?ll=52.009982,5.053582&z=15 location on MPMap]).

=== Contributing ===
One of the regular thoughts expressed on the FlightGear forum is "I'd like to contribute but I don't know how to program, and I don't have the time". Unfortunately, there is a common mis-conception that contributing requires programming and lots of free time. In fact, there are a huge range of ways to contribute to the project without needing to write code or spending days working on something.

For ideas on starting to contribute to FlightGear, you may want to check out: [[Volunteer]].

=== Reminder: Google's Summer of Code 2011 ===
We would like to remind all readers that the FlightGear project is planning to participate in [[GSoC]] 2011. However, doing that really requires a fair amount of work, planning and organizing. This is not something that can be done by a single person. It really needs a coordinated team effort, or otherwise FlightGear won't be able to apply/participate at all.

So all users are invited to help us progress further with our preparations for GSoC 2011. If you have any questions or other feedback, please use the forum to [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=38 get in touch].

=== Amateur Built Collimated Display ===
''Contributed by Gene Buckle''

A couple of months ago, my friend Wayne and I embarked on the development of a fully functional collimated display system for our DIY flight simulators. A collimated display has been the holy grail of DIY cockpit builders because of the image it generates. Collimated displays are also known as "infinity" displays. It's described that way because the focus point to your eye becomes "infinity" when you're located at the right spot when viewing the mirror. The exact details of how they work are beyond this article, but you can learn more at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_flight_simulator Wikipedia]; see the section marked "Collimated Cross-Cockpit Displays".

Building the display successfully is a pretty big deal. Up until we completed the proof-of-concept project, collimated displays were the sole domain of multi-million dollar flight simulators from the likes of CAE, FlightSafety and others. It was declared too complex and too costly by just about everyone that ever approached the problem. Fortunately for us, all the "experts" were wrong. Not only did we build a fully functional collimating display, but we did it with off the shelf materials and very, very little expenditure. Total material costs for the mirror and projection screen is under $100.

The test mirror was built using an 8 foot diameter spherical shape. The framework itself describes a 60 degree wide by 40 degree high "slice" of that shape. The mirror itself is made of a 48" wide, 2mm thickness of Mylar sheet. In order to properly stretch the mirror, a set of "ears" had to be added to the framework.

This shows the frame prior to the mirror being glued into place:

[[File:mirror_frame.jpg|200px|Collimating Mirror Framework]]

The framework itself is made from 12mm Baltic Birch and is under 36" tall. The arcs defined by the "inside" ribs show where the spherical section mirror will form. In order to form the mirror, vacuum must be applied. This will stretch the mirror into a spherical section shape.

Attaching the Mylar:

[[File:attaching_mylar.jpg|200px|Attaching the Mylar to the framework]]

The Mylar is attached to the oval ring by a high-tack spray on adhesive made by 3M.

In order to test the visual properties of the system, we set it up on a platform I'd built some time ago to use with racing games:

[[File:mirror_test.jpg|200px|Test setup]]

The mirror just reflects what is on the screen above it - the test screen in this case is just a bit less than half the radius of the mirror and is 17" tall. In order to start testing as soon as possible, Wayne skinned the screen with kraft paper. It's very wrinkly, but it did an adequate job of being a screen. It's also what we had handy at the time. :)

Here's the complete test configuration:

[[file:test_config.jpg|200px|Test configuration]]

We used a Fein Turbo III dust collector as our vac source and it pulls the mirror down very well! It's pulling about 5 PSI in order to force the Mylar into the correct shape. Below is a picture of the mirror after being pulled down.

[[file:formed_mirror.jpg|200px|Formed mirror]]

Photographs and video cannot do this justice! It's just incredible to look at!

Here's a pic of Wayne performing the first test flight:

[[file:test_flight.jpg|200px|Test Flight]]

...and thus was born the world's very first amateur built fully collimated display for DIY flight simulators. I can't stress enough how thankful I am for Wayne and his skills. Were it not for his deep understanding of the math involved, this would have never been built.

Here are a few YouTube videos of the system in operation:
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y67TAo9Lv5g First draw down of the mirror]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yaDnXYlf8k My badly narrated test flight]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zogFny49zrI A walk-around of the setup taken the next day]

The [http://www.diy-cockpits.org/coll/collimated_display.html project site] has more pictures and details on the current state of the project. Work has already begun on a 180 degree version!

=== Did you know ===
* You can act as an [[ATC|air traffic controller]] on the multiplayer servers by downloading the [[ATC-aircraft|ATC aircraft]]?
* That Luiz Jazbinsek, known as Cael in the FlightGear forums, is doing a [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10126 world circumnavigation] with the [[Beechcraft B1900D]]?

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 11]]

File:DC-8-63 KLM.png

2010-11-30T21:20:51Z

Armchair Ace: DC-8-63 in KLM colours.

DC-8-63 in KLM colours.

Template:POTW/2010-46

2010-11-09T22:31:34Z

Armchair Ace: Created page with '{| class="prettytable" style="background-color:#efefef; width: 100%;" | align="center" | 400px |- | align="left" | The '''Fokker 100''' is Dutch reg…'

{| class="prettytable" style="background-color:#efefef; width: 100%;"
| align="center" | [[File:Fgfs-screen-078i.png|400px]]
|-
| align="left" | The '''Fokker 100''' is Dutch regional [[:Category:Airliners|airliner]], and was the last aircraft to be made by the Fokker Company before it filed for Bankrupcy in 1996.

<div style="text-align:right;">'''[[Fokker 100|Read more...]] | [[:Category:Picture of the week 2010|Archive]]'''</div>
|}

<noinclude>[[Category:Picture of the week 2010]]</noinclude>