FlightGear wiki - User contributions [en]

Virtual airlines

2013-03-02T12:34:53Z

Frying: /* Current Flightgear Virtual Airlines */

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 ==

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = Air Lanaudière
|established =
|logo = Alqlogo.png
|status = Active
|niche =
|has-atc =
|callsign =
* ALQxxxx
* ALExxxx
* ALXxxxx
|history =
|fleet =
* Cessna Caravan
* ATR72-500
* Avro RJ100
* Embraer E-170LR
* Embraer E-190LR
* Airbus A318
* Airbus A319
* Airbus A330-300 Passenger
* Boeing 787-8
|main-hub = CYUL
|hubs =
* CSK3
* CSM5
* CYMX
* ENGM
|map =
|website = http://www.aviactu.info/airlanaudiere/
|forum =
}}

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = Atlas Virtual Airlines
|established = April 2010
|logo = Atlas_logo.gif
|status = Active
|niche =
|has-atc = YES, FGCom
|callsign =
* AVAxxxx (Atlas Virtual Airlines)
* AVCxxxx (Atlas Virtual Cargo)
* AVExxxx (Atlas Virtual Express)
* AVXxxxx (Atlas Virtual Executive)
|history =
|fleet =
* 777-200ER
* 747-8i
* 737-300
* 737-900
* MD-81
* CRJ700LR
* DHC6-300
* Il-96-400
|main-hub = EDDF
|hubs =
* KDEN
* TNCM
|map =
|website = http://atlasvirtualairlines.com/
|forum =
}}

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = BRT Virtual Airlines
|established = Nov 2010
|logo = LOGO_BRT_VIRTUAL_AIRLINE_big.png
|status = Active
|has-atc = Yes, FGCom / FlightGear
|callsign = BRT<pilot>
|history = Founded in Nov 2010, BRT has strived to achieve excellence in flying in FlightGear, and to create a quality community in flightsims.
|fleet =
*
* 737-300 (8)
* 747-800i (4)
* 777-200ER (17)
* 787-800 (8; all grounded)
* E190-200 (22)
* DHC6-300 (5)
*
|main-hub = UKBB
|hubs =
*
* VHHH
* KSFO
* NZAA
*
|map =
|website = brtvirtualairlines.com
|forum =
}}

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = Merlion Virtual Airlines
|established = November 2010
|logo = Merlionvalogo.png
|status = Active
|niche =
|has-atc =
|callsign = MIAxxxx
|history =
|fleet =
|main-hub =
|hubs =
* WSSS
* KLAX
* EGKK
|map =
|website = http://www.flymerlion.com/
|forum =
}}

== Defunct Flightgear Virtual Airlines ==

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = Cresder Nixrof
|established = November 2010
|logo = CNA_logo_with_hawk.png
|status = Defunct
|niche =
|has-atc = No
|callsign = CNAxxxx
|history = Dissolved January 2012
|fleet =
|main-hub =
|hubs =
* OLBA
* WMKK
* EGKK
* YSSY
* KSTL
* SBGR
|map =
|website = http://www.brtvirtualairlines.com
|forum =
}}

[[Category:Virtual airlines| ]]

Virtual airlines

2013-02-24T09:19:22Z

Frying: /* Current Flightgear Virtual Airlines */

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 ==

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = Air Lanaudière
|established =
|logo = Alqlogo.png
|status = Active
|niche =
|has-atc =
|callsign =
* ALQxxxx
* ALExxxx
* ALXxxxx
|history =
|fleet =
* Cessna Caravan
* ATR72-500
* Avro RJ100
* Embraer E-170LR
* Embraer E-190LR
* Airbus A318
* Airbus A319
* Airbus A330-300 Passenger
* Boeing 787-8
|main-hub = CYUL
|hubs =
* CSK3
* CSM5
* CYMX
* ENGM
|map =
|website = http://www.aviactu.info/airlanaudiere/
|forum =
}}

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = Atlas Virtual Airlines
|established = April 2010
|logo = Atlas_logo.gif
|status = Active
|niche =
|has-atc = YES, FGCom
|callsign =
* AVAxxxx (Atlas Virtual Airlines)
* AVCxxxx (Atlas Virtual Cargo)
* AVExxxx (Atlas Virtual Express)
* AVXxxxx (Atlas Virtual Executive)
|history =
|fleet =
* 777-200ER
* 747-8i
* 737-300
* 737-900
* MD-81
* CRJ700LR
* DHC6-300
* Il-96-400
|main-hub = EDDF
|hubs =
* KDEN
* TNCM
|map =
|website = http://atlasvirtualairlines.com/
|forum =
}}

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = BRT Virtual Airlines
|established = Nov 2010
|logo = LOGO_BRT_VIRTUAL_AIRLINE_big.png
|status = Active
|has-atc = Yes, FGCom / FlightGear
|callsign = BRT<pilot>
|history = Founded in Nov 2010, BRT has strived to achieve excellence in flying in FlightGear, and to create a quality community in flightsims.
|fleet =
*
* 737-300 (8)
* 747-800i (4)
* 777-200ER (17)
* 787-800 (8; all grounded)
* E190-200 (22)
* DHC6-300 (5)
*
|main-hub = UKBB
|hubs =
*
* VHHH
* KSFO
* NZAA
*
|map =
|website = brtvirtualairlines.com
|forum =
}}

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = Merlion Virtual Airlines
|established = November 2010
|logo = Merlionvalogo.png
|status = Active
|niche =
|has-atc =
|callsign = MIAxxxx
|history =
|fleet =
|main-hub =
|hubs =
* WSSS
* KLAX
* EGKK
|map =
|website = http://www.flymerlion.com/
|forum =
}}

== Defunct Flightgear Virtual Airlines ==

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = Cresder Nixrof
|established = November 2010
|logo = CNA_logo_with_hawk.png
|status = Defunct
|niche =
|has-atc = No
|callsign = CNAxxxx
|history = Dissolved January 2012
|fleet =
|main-hub =
|hubs =
* OLBA
* WMKK
* EGKK
* YSSY
* KSTL
* SBGR
|map =
|website = http://www.brtvirtualairlines.com
|forum =
}}

[[Category:Virtual airlines| ]]

FlightGear Newsletter December 2012

2013-01-04T14:22:37Z

Frying: /* FlightGear on Android */

{{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 news or projects such as for example updated scenery or aircraft, please do feel invited to add such news to the newsletter. Core developers are encouraged to add news about their latest work to the newsletter's development section and the changelog of the upcoming release.''

== Development news ==
Note to all contributors: Please also copy your newsletter additions to the changelog of the upcoming release: [[Changelog_3.0.0]].

=== Atmospheric Light Scattering ===

The atmospheric light scattering rendering framework received a major overhaul. Snow is now generated procedurally, which improves the performance if no snow is in the scene, but also allows the user to control the thickness of the snow layer - the shader can do a very light snow cover like in the winter textures all the way to a closed, thick snow layer.

A new runway effect shader, similar to the one in the default rendering scheme, shows a hires bumpmap for runway closeups and displays also snow drifts in high resolution on the runway if the terrain at this altiude is snow-covered. This is complemented by a high resolution grass texture for the green around the runway.

Major changes have been done to the ambient lighting of terrain and clouds in low light - the previous ambient light curve has been replaced by a light curve measured from a large set of photographs of sunsets. As a result, the color balance of cloud shadows in low sunlight is now much more realistic, and the effect of clouds casting a shadow on other clouds is now also effectively accounted for.

In the course of these changes, the framework is now also able to render moonlit scenes at night, however this is not currently integrated to be done automatically.

[[File:Light scattering dec12 10.jpg|300px|Procedural snow and hires snow drifts on the runway.]]
[[File:Light scattering dec12 05.jpg|300px|Early morning scene over the French Alps.]]
[[File:Light scattering dec12 13.jpg|300px|New color balance of clouds in low light]]

Combined and fully integrated with Advanced Weather, Atmospheric Light Scattering is now able to render highly realistic lighting and high-quality scenery texturing, rivaling the visual quality of FSX.

=== Random Buildings ===


=== Project Rembrandt ===
=== Canvas System ===

Recently the canvas system has received a basic event system similar to the DOM event handling used by JavaScript and HTML. This is an important step towards a fully canvas based GUI as it allows attaching mouse event handlers directly to any canvas element without a need to take care of any mouse intersection tests. Adding a mouse '''click''' handler to an element is now as simple as:

<syntaxhighlight lang="php">
my_element.addEventListener("click", func print('my_element clicked'));
</syntaxhighlight>

There exist much more event types like '''dblclick''', '''drag''', '''wheel''', '''mouseover''' and '''mouseout'''.

For all non-developers: this update is an important brick in building an improved GUI using the Canvas system :-)

=== High Level Architecture ===
=== FlightGear on Android ===

=== Usability Improvements ===

=== Mailing list digest ===

(by far the easiest option to populate the newsletter with contents is copying/pasting stuff from the forum and the mailing list or the git logs)

=== Forum digest ===

=== Git digest ===

=== Getting involved as a programmer ===

Please see [[Howto:Start core development]]

== Release ChangeLog ==
This section lists changes committed this month that will be available in the next release, these will be copied to the release changelog shortly before a release (for each month), so that we hopefully get a comprehensive list of new features.

== Interview with a contributor (NAME) ==
''In each edition we have an interview with a contributor. Suggestions for possible questions are available on [[interview questions]], you are invited to come up with new questions and interview ideas obviously! Anyone is free to write an interview (with him-/herself or others) for next month's newsletter! If you'd like to help interview a contributor or get interviewed, please do consider adding yourself to the [[list of interview volunteers]]! To keep this going and less awkward, we are currently trying to come up with the convention that former interviewees become next month's interviewers.''

* How long have you been involved in FlightGear?
* What are your major interests in FlightGear?
* What project are you working on right now?
* What do you plan on doing in the future?
* Are you happy with the way the FlightGear project is going?
* What do you enjoy most about developing for FlightGear?
* Are there any "hidden features" you have worked on in FlightGear that new users may miss?
* What advice can you give to new developers who want to get started on their first aircraft/new feature/Nasal script?

More questions are being collected here: [[Interview questions]].

Stay tuned for next month's interview, featuring FlightGear contributor XXXXXXXX

== Snapshot releases ==
Every now and then, easy-to-install development snapshots are created (usually, twice montlhy). These snapshos depict a recent state of the development version of FlightGear. By using them users can test out features that will be included in the upcoming release. Testers are encouraged to file bugs at [http://code.google.com/p/flightgear-bugs/ the issue tracker].

The snapshot can be download via the links at the bottom of this page: http://www.flightgear.org/download/. Updates and feedback can be found [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=10488&p=144233&hilit=snapshot#p144233 at the forum].

== Translators required ==
{|
|[[File:en.gif]]
|The FlightGear Wiki still needs help for translating it into various languages. If you are interested in making the FlightGear Wiki multi-language then start at [[Help:Translate]].
|-
|[[File:de.gif]]
|Das FlightGear Wiki benötigt immer noch Hilfe bei der Übersetzung in verschiedene Sprachen. Wenn Du Interesse daran hast, das FlightGear Wiki Mehrsprachig zu machen, dann fang doch mit [[:de:Help:Übersetzen|Help:Übersetzen]] an.
|-
|[[File:nl.gif]]
|De FlightGear Wiki kan nog steed hulp gebruiken bij het vertalen van artikelen. Als je interesse hebt om de wiki meertalig te maken, raden we je aan om een kijkje te nemen bij [[:nl:Help:Vertalen|Help:Vertalen]].
|-
|[[File:es.gif]]
|La FlightGear wiki todavía necesita ayuda para traducirla a varios lenguajes. Si estás interesado en hacer la FlightGear wiki multilingüe, entonces comienza en [[:es:Help:Traducir|Help:Traducir]].
|}

== Nasal for newbies ==

== New software tools and projects ==

== FlightGear addons and mods ==

== In the hangar ==

All the way back in May 2011, we adopted a new status-rating system for aircraft. So far, only a few have actually been rated, as can be seen in the list 'hockenberry' set up at [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApzphjA4w05ndF94Y2F0bzJTbHQ5QTJXZXJRcUVRbWc&hl=en_US Google Docs]. If you're an aircraft developer and your aircraft is/are not on the list, please consider rating their status. All you'll need to know/do is described at [[Formalizing Aircraft Status]]. If you'd just like to get started contributing to FlightGear, this would also seem like an excellent way to get started.

=== New aircraft ===

[[File:St10-splash.png|thumb|A small pleasant plane]]
[[File:Pc12-splash.png|thumb|A classic that was not yet in FG]]
[[File:Gannet-splash.png|thumb|Dual Turboprop. It should be noted]]
[[File:Whirlwind-splash.png|thumb|Aircraft without future due to engines]]
[[File:Yak-36-splash.png|thumb|Russian VTOL 1963]]
[[File:F19-splash.png|thumb|A canard of 1927]]
The Socata ST 10 Diplomate : A command of Samaliet that I modeled with a lot of fun. 
The Pilatus PC 12/47 : A request of C-VALL (a Canadian :) ) that I modeled for him. 
The Fairey Gannet : A rather ugly aircraft, but it takes all kinds to fly :) 
The Westland Whirlwind : An aircraft that had great potential, but the choice of engines was fatal :( 
The Yak 36 : A fantastic Russian VTOL modeled by Pierre Duval. 
The Focke Wulf F19 Ente : German experimental "tail-first" aircraft in the late 1920s.

=== Updated aircraft ===

==== Boeing 707-320C and 707-3J9C ====
[[File:707-320-flightdeck.png|thumb|707-320C flightdeck]]

The Boeing 707 has two new versions in Flightgear: [[Boeing_707-320|the 707-320C and the 3J19C]], which are downloaded and installed together as [[Boeing 707-320]]. The new version is based on the model of Innis Cunningham (already developed by Isaias Prestes). The gear and engines has been modified (with reversers), lights were added. The new versions have a detailed flightdeck, with working instruments, pedestal, etc. The FDM has ben re-writen in YASim.

=== Liveries ===

== Scenery corner ==
=== Airports ===

== Aircraft of the month ==
== Airport of the month ==
== Screenshot of the month ==

== Suggested flights ==
== Aircraft reviews ==

== 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 ==
=== FlightGear on Google+ ===
The [https://plus.google.com/+flightgear FlightGear Google+ page] welcomed its 1000th plus this month! Please +1 us if you haven't already.

=== FlightGear on YouTube ===
The Viper project, that we mentioned in the [[FlightGear Newsletter January 2012#FlightGear users|January edition]] of the newsletter, is on airborne! Now we can see their good results.
{{#ev:youtube|8wcEz9SfcYQ}}
You'll find more videos on the official [https://sites.google.com/site/mf2012theviper/ Viper cockpit website].

Congratulations for that awesome project.

=== New tutorials and screencasts ===
=== Forum news ===
=== Multiplayer ===
==== FGUK's Saturday Night Flights ====
[[File:FGUK-3rdNov12.jpg|270px|thumb|FGUK discovers there is nothing half so much worth doing than messing about in (flying) boats]]
[[File:FGUK-10thNov12.jpg|270px|thumb|Fast jets of FGUK leave the British winter behind for some fine-weather flying in Hawaii]]
[http://www.fguk.eu FGUK] rounded off November with four more memorable outings, forsaking the bleak winter scenery of the United Kingdom for the warmer climes of South and Pacific America before returning to the Lake District for some low flying exercises within easy flying distance of our home base of Llanbedr (EGOD).

We started the month by leaving the fast jets snug in their hangars and paddling out to board seaplanes and flying boats dating from the classic age of intercontinental flight to modern day transport and fire-fighting aircraft. The additional challenge of beginning our flight from Lake Titicaca, 12000 feet up on the Andean Altiplano, set regular FGUK fliers practicing hard during the preceding week, with some of the older aircraft requiring skill and patience to even start their engines in the thin air, and all pilots adjusting to the unusual and slightly tricky experience of taking off at altitude. Their efforts paid off, forming up around Flight Leader Algernon to skim the Andes before descending steadily down with the terrain to land in a flurry of surf off the Peruvian coast. This was almost certainly a collection of aircraft never seen flying together before, with a truly gargantuan Hughes H4 Hercules (the ''Spruce Goose'') joining Canopus, the first Short S.23 'Empire' flying boat, a Bombardier 415 water-bomber, classically-beautiful Consolidated Catalina PBY and Grumman Goose among others.

Next week saw a return to a more traditional FGUK theme, with assorted fast jets hammering across somebody else's airspace. Flight Leader Neilson chose Hawaii for this flight, in order to showcase the new scenery package included in FGFS 2.8; it attracted a varied selection of fighters and ground attack aircraft including several classics from Dave Culp's hangar, which FGUK now hosts and maintains. Two F4 Phantoms, two F-15s (one C and one E) and a brace of Tornado GR4s shattered the peace of the island for two hours, at speeds high enough to require a refueling at Hilo. As is becoming standard now for all flight planners, Neilson put a good deal of preparation into this flight, with an illustrated flight plan and a downloadable Route Manager route available in advance of the event, and as always, our multimedia artists got to work during the following week to collate and shape their collected stills and video clips into galleries and movies, which are available in the FGUK media forum (see the link below).

The chance to hone some slightly rusty skills came the following week, with a theme surround a single aircraft, and one which is both famously capable and notoriously tricky to handle - the physics-defying BaE Harrier. As one of the great British aircraft of all time, the Harrier is well represented in the FGUK hangar and the pilots had several incarnations to choose from for this high-speed, low-level, cross-continental mission from Chile to Port Stanley. Planned and led by N-SCOT, the flight plan had some tricky twists, including employing the Harrier's ace card feature: its ability to operate away from traditional flight infrastructure, in this case, a beach refueling. One vertical take-off later, and the squadron was skimming the waves, headed southeast for Stanley at 200ft AGL. Reports that the first round in the Victory public house was purchased by StuartC are apparently without substance.

The last week of November took us closer to home when Moli organised a flight to the Lake District in the North of England. Departing Walney Island airfield (coincidentally the site of the first ever FGUK flying event back in 2010) were Hawker Hunters, Vought F-8 Crusaders, and an FGR2 among others. The weather was typically damp and grey, but with cockpit heaters turned up the low-level blast through the valleys and over the lakes was a success.

FGUK welcomes pilots from all corners of the FG universe to fly with us on a Saturday at 2000hrs UTC. Please check the [http://www.fguk.eu/forum/saturday-night-flying Saturday Night Flying subforum on our website] to find out where we will be gathering and whether there are any recommendations or requirements for aircraft, and address any questions to us there. We hope to see you in the skies!

=== Virtual airlines ===
==== BRT Virtual Airlines ====

Thanks to the support of its community, BRT is still alive and has undergone some changes recently.

BRT now has an official video editor, Andrew Saha (BRT0082). Check out his latest video below:

{{#ev:youtube|L0Vi_CmO7ys}}

BRT also has released their 4th generation liveries, designed by Benson Wong(BRT0105). He has strived to keep the original spirit of the liveries, and meanwhile adding the "Metropolitan Waves" element in the livery and gradients in order to produce a more dynamic look for the planes. He is also the one who also made BRT's new official advertisement below.

{{#ev:youtube|Ux0D9lhHk1o}}

Again, thank you for your support to BRT to let us change for being better! :)

=== FlightGear events ===

== 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 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]].

To learn more about how the project works, please see [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=15267#p149971 this short essay] written by Thorsten.

=== Call for volunteers ===
* The [[Flightgear On Android]] team is looking for testers
* The [[Target4Today]] team is looking for volunteers to help improving FlightGear's combat support
* The [[FGFSPM]] (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer.

=== Did you know ===

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2012 12]]

FlightGear Newsletter December 2012

2013-01-04T14:18:23Z

Frying: /* BRT Virtual Airlines */

{{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 news or projects such as for example updated scenery or aircraft, please do feel invited to add such news to the newsletter. Core developers are encouraged to add news about their latest work to the newsletter's development section and the changelog of the upcoming release.''

== Development news ==
Note to all contributors: Please also copy your newsletter additions to the changelog of the upcoming release: [[Changelog_3.0.0]].

=== Atmospheric Light Scattering ===

The atmospheric light scattering rendering framework received a major overhaul. Snow is now generated procedurally, which improves the performance if no snow is in the scene, but also allows the user to control the thickness of the snow layer - the shader can do a very light snow cover like in the winter textures all the way to a closed, thick snow layer.

A new runway effect shader, similar to the one in the default rendering scheme, shows a hires bumpmap for runway closeups and displays also snow drifts in high resolution on the runway if the terrain at this altiude is snow-covered. This is complemented by a high resolution grass texture for the green around the runway.

Major changes have been done to the ambient lighting of terrain and clouds in low light - the previous ambient light curve has been replaced by a light curve measured from a large set of photographs of sunsets. As a result, the color balance of cloud shadows in low sunlight is now much more realistic, and the effect of clouds casting a shadow on other clouds is now also effectively accounted for.

In the course of these changes, the framework is now also able to render moonlit scenes at night, however this is not currently integrated to be done automatically.

[[File:Light scattering dec12 10.jpg|300px|Procedural snow and hires snow drifts on the runway.]]
[[File:Light scattering dec12 05.jpg|300px|Early morning scene over the French Alps.]]
[[File:Light scattering dec12 13.jpg|300px|New color balance of clouds in low light]]

Combined and fully integrated with Advanced Weather, Atmospheric Light Scattering is now able to render highly realistic lighting and high-quality scenery texturing, rivaling the visual quality of FSX.

=== Random Buildings ===


=== Project Rembrandt ===
=== Canvas System ===

Recently the canvas system has received a basic event system similar to the DOM event handling used by JavaScript and HTML. This is an important step towards a fully canvas based GUI as it allows attaching mouse event handlers directly to any canvas element without a need to take care of any mouse intersection tests. Adding a mouse '''click''' handler to an element is now as simple as:

<syntaxhighlight lang="php">
my_element.addEventListener("click", func print('my_element clicked'));
</syntaxhighlight>

There exist much more event types like '''dblclick''', '''drag''', '''wheel''', '''mouseover''' and '''mouseout'''.

For all non-developers: this update is an important brick in building an improved GUI using the Canvas system :-)

=== High Level Architecture ===
=== FlightGear an Android ===

=== Usability Improvements ===

=== Mailing list digest ===

(by far the easiest option to populate the newsletter with contents is copying/pasting stuff from the forum and the mailing list or the git logs)

=== Forum digest ===

=== Git digest ===

=== Getting involved as a programmer ===

Please see [[Howto:Start core development]]

== Release ChangeLog ==
This section lists changes committed this month that will be available in the next release, these will be copied to the release changelog shortly before a release (for each month), so that we hopefully get a comprehensive list of new features.

== Interview with a contributor (NAME) ==
''In each edition we have an interview with a contributor. Suggestions for possible questions are available on [[interview questions]], you are invited to come up with new questions and interview ideas obviously! Anyone is free to write an interview (with him-/herself or others) for next month's newsletter! If you'd like to help interview a contributor or get interviewed, please do consider adding yourself to the [[list of interview volunteers]]! To keep this going and less awkward, we are currently trying to come up with the convention that former interviewees become next month's interviewers.''

* How long have you been involved in FlightGear?
* What are your major interests in FlightGear?
* What project are you working on right now?
* What do you plan on doing in the future?
* Are you happy with the way the FlightGear project is going?
* What do you enjoy most about developing for FlightGear?
* Are there any "hidden features" you have worked on in FlightGear that new users may miss?
* What advice can you give to new developers who want to get started on their first aircraft/new feature/Nasal script?

More questions are being collected here: [[Interview questions]].

Stay tuned for next month's interview, featuring FlightGear contributor XXXXXXXX

== Snapshot releases ==
Every now and then, easy-to-install development snapshots are created (usually, twice montlhy). These snapshos depict a recent state of the development version of FlightGear. By using them users can test out features that will be included in the upcoming release. Testers are encouraged to file bugs at [http://code.google.com/p/flightgear-bugs/ the issue tracker].

The snapshot can be download via the links at the bottom of this page: http://www.flightgear.org/download/. Updates and feedback can be found [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=10488&p=144233&hilit=snapshot#p144233 at the forum].

== Translators required ==
{|
|[[File:en.gif]]
|The FlightGear Wiki still needs help for translating it into various languages. If you are interested in making the FlightGear Wiki multi-language then start at [[Help:Translate]].
|-
|[[File:de.gif]]
|Das FlightGear Wiki benötigt immer noch Hilfe bei der Übersetzung in verschiedene Sprachen. Wenn Du Interesse daran hast, das FlightGear Wiki Mehrsprachig zu machen, dann fang doch mit [[:de:Help:Übersetzen|Help:Übersetzen]] an.
|-
|[[File:nl.gif]]
|De FlightGear Wiki kan nog steed hulp gebruiken bij het vertalen van artikelen. Als je interesse hebt om de wiki meertalig te maken, raden we je aan om een kijkje te nemen bij [[:nl:Help:Vertalen|Help:Vertalen]].
|-
|[[File:es.gif]]
|La FlightGear wiki todavía necesita ayuda para traducirla a varios lenguajes. Si estás interesado en hacer la FlightGear wiki multilingüe, entonces comienza en [[:es:Help:Traducir|Help:Traducir]].
|}

== Nasal for newbies ==

== New software tools and projects ==

== FlightGear addons and mods ==

== In the hangar ==

All the way back in May 2011, we adopted a new status-rating system for aircraft. So far, only a few have actually been rated, as can be seen in the list 'hockenberry' set up at [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApzphjA4w05ndF94Y2F0bzJTbHQ5QTJXZXJRcUVRbWc&hl=en_US Google Docs]. If you're an aircraft developer and your aircraft is/are not on the list, please consider rating their status. All you'll need to know/do is described at [[Formalizing Aircraft Status]]. If you'd just like to get started contributing to FlightGear, this would also seem like an excellent way to get started.

=== New aircraft ===

[[File:St10-splash.png|thumb|A small pleasant plane]]
[[File:Pc12-splash.png|thumb|A classic that was not yet in FG]]
[[File:Gannet-splash.png|thumb|Dual Turboprop. It should be noted]]
[[File:Whirlwind-splash.png|thumb|Aircraft without future due to engines]]
[[File:Yak-36-splash.png|thumb|Russian VTOL 1963]]
[[File:F19-splash.png|thumb|A canard of 1927]]
The Socata ST 10 Diplomate : A command of Samaliet that I modeled with a lot of fun. 
The Pilatus PC 12/47 : A request of C-VALL (a Canadian :) ) that I modeled for him. 
The Fairey Gannet : A rather ugly aircraft, but it takes all kinds to fly :) 
The Westland Whirlwind : An aircraft that had great potential, but the choice of engines was fatal :( 
The Yak 36 : A fantastic Russian VTOL modeled by Pierre Duval. 
The Focke Wulf F19 Ente : German experimental "tail-first" aircraft in the late 1920s.

=== Updated aircraft ===

==== Boeing 707-320C and 707-3J9C ====
[[File:707-320-flightdeck.png|thumb|707-320C flightdeck]]

The Boeing 707 has two new versions in Flightgear: [[Boeing_707-320|the 707-320C and the 3J19C]], which are downloaded and installed together as [[Boeing 707-320]]. The new version is based on the model of Innis Cunningham (already developed by Isaias Prestes). The gear and engines has been modified (with reversers), lights were added. The new versions have a detailed flightdeck, with working instruments, pedestal, etc. The FDM has ben re-writen in YASim.

=== Liveries ===

== Scenery corner ==
=== Airports ===

== Aircraft of the month ==
== Airport of the month ==
== Screenshot of the month ==

== Suggested flights ==
== Aircraft reviews ==

== 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 ==
=== FlightGear on Google+ ===
The [https://plus.google.com/+flightgear FlightGear Google+ page] welcomed its 1000th plus this month! Please +1 us if you haven't already.

=== FlightGear on YouTube ===
The Viper project, that we mentioned in the [[FlightGear Newsletter January 2012#FlightGear users|January edition]] of the newsletter, is on airborne! Now we can see their good results.
{{#ev:youtube|8wcEz9SfcYQ}}
You'll find more videos on the official [https://sites.google.com/site/mf2012theviper/ Viper cockpit website].

Congratulations for that awesome project.

=== New tutorials and screencasts ===
=== Forum news ===
=== Multiplayer ===
==== FGUK's Saturday Night Flights ====
[[File:FGUK-3rdNov12.jpg|270px|thumb|FGUK discovers there is nothing half so much worth doing than messing about in (flying) boats]]
[[File:FGUK-10thNov12.jpg|270px|thumb|Fast jets of FGUK leave the British winter behind for some fine-weather flying in Hawaii]]
[http://www.fguk.eu FGUK] rounded off November with four more memorable outings, forsaking the bleak winter scenery of the United Kingdom for the warmer climes of South and Pacific America before returning to the Lake District for some low flying exercises within easy flying distance of our home base of Llanbedr (EGOD).

We started the month by leaving the fast jets snug in their hangars and paddling out to board seaplanes and flying boats dating from the classic age of intercontinental flight to modern day transport and fire-fighting aircraft. The additional challenge of beginning our flight from Lake Titicaca, 12000 feet up on the Andean Altiplano, set regular FGUK fliers practicing hard during the preceding week, with some of the older aircraft requiring skill and patience to even start their engines in the thin air, and all pilots adjusting to the unusual and slightly tricky experience of taking off at altitude. Their efforts paid off, forming up around Flight Leader Algernon to skim the Andes before descending steadily down with the terrain to land in a flurry of surf off the Peruvian coast. This was almost certainly a collection of aircraft never seen flying together before, with a truly gargantuan Hughes H4 Hercules (the ''Spruce Goose'') joining Canopus, the first Short S.23 'Empire' flying boat, a Bombardier 415 water-bomber, classically-beautiful Consolidated Catalina PBY and Grumman Goose among others.

Next week saw a return to a more traditional FGUK theme, with assorted fast jets hammering across somebody else's airspace. Flight Leader Neilson chose Hawaii for this flight, in order to showcase the new scenery package included in FGFS 2.8; it attracted a varied selection of fighters and ground attack aircraft including several classics from Dave Culp's hangar, which FGUK now hosts and maintains. Two F4 Phantoms, two F-15s (one C and one E) and a brace of Tornado GR4s shattered the peace of the island for two hours, at speeds high enough to require a refueling at Hilo. As is becoming standard now for all flight planners, Neilson put a good deal of preparation into this flight, with an illustrated flight plan and a downloadable Route Manager route available in advance of the event, and as always, our multimedia artists got to work during the following week to collate and shape their collected stills and video clips into galleries and movies, which are available in the FGUK media forum (see the link below).

The chance to hone some slightly rusty skills came the following week, with a theme surround a single aircraft, and one which is both famously capable and notoriously tricky to handle - the physics-defying BaE Harrier. As one of the great British aircraft of all time, the Harrier is well represented in the FGUK hangar and the pilots had several incarnations to choose from for this high-speed, low-level, cross-continental mission from Chile to Port Stanley. Planned and led by N-SCOT, the flight plan had some tricky twists, including employing the Harrier's ace card feature: its ability to operate away from traditional flight infrastructure, in this case, a beach refueling. One vertical take-off later, and the squadron was skimming the waves, headed southeast for Stanley at 200ft AGL. Reports that the first round in the Victory public house was purchased by StuartC are apparently without substance.

The last week of November took us closer to home when Moli organised a flight to the Lake District in the North of England. Departing Walney Island airfield (coincidentally the site of the first ever FGUK flying event back in 2010) were Hawker Hunters, Vought F-8 Crusaders, and an FGR2 among others. The weather was typically damp and grey, but with cockpit heaters turned up the low-level blast through the valleys and over the lakes was a success.

FGUK welcomes pilots from all corners of the FG universe to fly with us on a Saturday at 2000hrs UTC. Please check the [http://www.fguk.eu/forum/saturday-night-flying Saturday Night Flying subforum on our website] to find out where we will be gathering and whether there are any recommendations or requirements for aircraft, and address any questions to us there. We hope to see you in the skies!

=== Virtual airlines ===
==== BRT Virtual Airlines ====

Thanks to the support of its community, BRT is still alive and has undergone some changes recently.

BRT now has an official video editor, Andrew Saha (BRT0082). Check out his latest video below:

{{#ev:youtube|L0Vi_CmO7ys}}

BRT also has released their 4th generation liveries, designed by Benson Wong(BRT0105). He has strived to keep the original spirit of the liveries, and meanwhile adding the "Metropolitan Waves" element in the livery and gradients in order to produce a more dynamic look for the planes. He is also the one who also made BRT's new official advertisement below.

{{#ev:youtube|Ux0D9lhHk1o}}

Again, thank you for your support to BRT to let us change for being better! :)

=== FlightGear events ===

== 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 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]].

To learn more about how the project works, please see [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=15267#p149971 this short essay] written by Thorsten.

=== Call for volunteers ===
* The [[Flightgear On Android]] team is looking for testers
* The [[Target4Today]] team is looking for volunteers to help improving FlightGear's combat support
* The [[FGFSPM]] (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer.

=== Did you know ===

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2012 12]]

FlightGear Newsletter August 2012

2012-08-10T03:19:23Z

Frying: /* Flightgear On Android */