FlightGear wiki - User contributions [en]

Landmark Wish List

2011-12-04T23:40:18Z

Scighera: /* Europe */

This page provides a list of important landmarks which are not currently in FlightGear Scenery that the community would like to see modeled. If you are a FlightGear modeler and are looking for something to model, please consider something on this list.

Feel free to add to this list.

If you are modeling a landmark, please change the "Completed" column from "No" to "Claimed".

=== Africa ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" cellspacing="0"
|-
! style="background:#efefef" | Landmark
! style="background:#efefef" | City
! style="background:#efefef" | Country
! style="background:#efefef" | Completed
|-
| Victoria Falls || Victoria Falls || Zimbabwe || No
|-
|}

=== America ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" cellspacing="0"
|-
! style="background:#efefef" | Landmark
! style="background:#efefef" | City
! style="background:#efefef" | Country
! style="background:#efefef" | Completed
|-
|National Congress || Brasilia || Brazil || '''Yes'''
|-
|Christ the Redeemer || Rio de Janeiro || Brazil || '''Yes'''
|-
|Navy Pier || Chicago || USA || No
|-
|Adler Planetarium || Chicago || USA || No
|-
|Soldier Field || Chicago || USA || No
|-
|McCormick Place || Chicago || USA || No
|-
|U.S. Cellular Field || Chicago || USA || No
|-
|Wrigley Field || Chicago || USA || No
|-
|Shedd Aquarium || Chicago || USA || No
|-
|Union Station || Chicago || USA || No
|-
|Oglivie Transportation Center || Chicago || USA || No
|-
|Smurfit-Stone Building || Chicago || USA || No
|-
|Marina City || Chicago || USA || No
|-
|Millenium Park || Chicago || USA || No
|-
|United Center || Chicago || USA || No
|-
|Brooklyn Bridge || New York || USA || '''Claimed'''
|-
|Empire State Building || New York || USA || '''Yes'''
|-
|Chrysler Building || New York || USA || '''Claimed'''
|-
|United Nations Headquarters || New York || USA || '''Yes'''
|-
|Bank of America Tower || New York || USA || '''Yes'''
|-
|Verizon Center || Washington, D.C. || USA || No
|-
|White House || Washington, D.C. || USA || No
|-
|Space Needle || Seattle || USA || '''Yes'''
|-
|Milwaukee Art Museum || Milwaukee || USA || No
|-
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machu_Picchu Machu Picchu] || Aguas Calientes || Peru || No
|-
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazca_Lines Nazca Lines] || Estudiantes || Peru || No
|-
|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_canal Panama canal] and some boats pls|| Panama city - Colòn || Panama || No
|}

=== Asia ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" cellspacing="0"
|-
! style="background:#efefef" | Landmark
! style="background:#efefef" | City
! style="background:#efefef" | Country
! style="background:#efefef" | Completed
|-
|Bank of China Tower || Hong Kong || China || '''Yes'''
|-
|CCTV Tower || Beijing || China || '''Yes'''
|-
|Taj Mahal || Agra || India || '''Yes'''
|-
|Akashi Kaikyo bridge || Kobe || Japan || '''Yes'''
|-
|Petronas Towers || Kuala Lumpur || Malaysia || '''Yes'''
|-
|Ryugyong Hotel || Pyongyang || North Korea || '''Yes'''
|-
|Burj Khalifa || Dubai || UAE || '''Yes'''
|-
|Burj al Arab || Dubai || UAE || '''Yes'''
|-
|Bitexco Financial Tower || Ho Chi Minh City || Vietnam || '''Yes'''
|-
|Sigiriya || Matale District || Sri Lanka || '''No'''
|-
|Great Wall of China || Huairou, Peking / Jiuduhezhen, Huairou, Peking || China || '''No'''
|-
|Mount Everest || Chukhung || Nepal || '''No'''
|-
|[[User talk:PH-JBO#Scenery suggestion | Something]] || Singapore ||Singapore || '''No'''
|}

=== Europe ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" cellspacing="0"
|-
! style="background:#efefef" | Landmark
! style="background:#efefef" | City
! style="background:#efefef" | Country
! style="background:#efefef" | Completed
|-
|Stade de France || Saint-Denis || France || No
|-
|Zwischenahner Meer || Zwischenahn, Niedersachsen || Germany || '''CS done'''
|-
|Porta Westfalica/Hermans-Denkmal || Bückeburg (ETHB), Minden || Germany || No
|-
|Lapan || Oldenburg, Niedersachsen || Germany || No
|-
|Schloss || Oldenburg || Germany || No
|-
|-
|Schloss || Neuschwanstein || Germany || Claimed
|-
|Colosseum || Rome || Italy || No
|-
|Oeresund Bridge || Copenhagen-Malmo || Scandinavia || '''Yes'''
|-
|Big Ben || London || UK || '''Yes'''
|-
|Westminster Abbey || London || UK || '''Yes'''
|}

=== Australia and Oceania ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" cellspacing="0"
|-
! style="background:#efefef" | Landmark
! style="background:#efefef" | City
! style="background:#efefef" | Country
! style="background:#efefef" | Completed
|-
|Sydney Opera House || Sydney || Australia || '''Yes'''
|-
|Sky Tower || Auckland || New Zealand || '''Claimed'''
|-
|Ayers rock || Uluru || Australia || '''No'''
|}

== Related ==

=== Internal links ===
* [[FlightGear Scenery Designer]]
* [[FlightGear Scenery Database]]
* [[UK Scenery Wish List]]
* [[Scenery_Tracker]]

=== External links ===
* [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2390 The forum topic]
* See [http://scenemodels.flightgear.org/ FGFS Scenery Object Database], for more on models for [[Scenery]]

[[Category:Scenery]]
[[Category:Community]]
[[Category:Contribution requests]]

Orio al Serio Airport

2011-10-30T01:22:13Z

Scighera:

{{infobox Airport
|name = Aeroporto "il Caravaggio" Bergamo Orio al Serio
|image =LIME-100621_1.jpg
|alt =
|iata =BGY
|icao =LIME
|type =Public
|city =Orio al Serio, Bergamo
|owner =SACBO S.p.A.
|website =http://www.sacbo.it/Airpor/portalProcess.jsp
|runway= 10/28
|length= 2937 m
|material= Asphalt
|runway2= 12/30
|length2= 778 m
|material2= Asphalt
}}
'''Orio al Serio Airport''' (LIME) is an [[:Category:Airports|airport]] located in Orio al Serio, 2 NM (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) southeast of Bergamo, Italy.

== FlightGear scenery ==
{| class="wikitable" border="0" cellspacing="0"
| Author: || Paolo Rota (scighera) ||
|-
| Status: || under construction ||
|-
| Webpage: || [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html Author's webpage] ||
|-
| Tile: || e000n040 (e009n045) ||
|}

=== About the project ===
The project has started with the additions of taxiways and aprons (which were missing on FG 1.9.1) with taxidraw, and the subsequent run of Terragear.

Presently (sept 2010), the following buildings have been modeled:
* Radar Tower
* A second Radar Tower
* Control Tower
* Preexisting Control Tower, with annex building
* Fire Dept building
* DHL warehouse
* Airport Entrance Building
* Main Terminal (to be completed)
* Twin semicilindrical open hangar
* "Carabinieri" (Police) Heli Hangar
* A large commercial hangar

=== Notes on installing ===

=== Things to do ===
* Complete the remaining building (mainly the buildings close to runway 12/30 for the local Aeroclub
* Complete the night texture

=== Known Bugs ===

[[Category:Airports in Italy]]

Orio al Serio Airport

2011-10-30T01:18:52Z

Scighera: /* FlightGear scenery */

{{infobox Airport
|name = Aeroporto "Antonio Locatelli" Bergamo Orio al Serio
|image =LIME-100621_1.jpg
|alt =
|iata =BGY
|icao =LIME
|type =Public
|city =Orio al Serio, Bergamo
|owner =SACBO S.p.A.
|website =http://www.sacbo.it/Airpor/portalProcess.jsp
|runway= 10/28
|length= 2937 m
|material= Asphalt
|runway2= 12/30
|length2= 778 m
|material2= Asphalt
}}
'''Orio al Serio Airport''' (LIME) is an [[:Category:Airports|airport]] located in Orio al Serio, 2 NM (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) southeast of Bergamo, Italy.

== FlightGear scenery ==
{| class="wikitable" border="0" cellspacing="0"
| Author: || Paolo Rota (scighera) ||
|-
| Status: || under construction ||
|-
| Webpage: || [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html Author's webpage] ||
|-
| Tile: || e000n040 (e009n045) ||
|}

=== About the project ===
The project has started with the additions of taxiways and aprons (which were missing on FG 1.9.1) with taxidraw, and the subsequent run of Terragear.

Presently (sept 2010), the following buildings have been modeled:
* Radar Tower
* A second Radar Tower
* Control Tower
* Preexisting Control Tower, with annex building
* Fire Dept building
* DHL warehouse
* Airport Entrance Building
* Main Terminal (to be completed)
* Twin semicilindrical open hangar
* "Carabinieri" (Police) Heli Hangar
* A large commercial hangar

=== Notes on installing ===

=== Things to do ===
* Complete the remaining building (mainly the buildings close to runway 12/30 for the local Aeroclub
* Complete the night texture

=== Known Bugs ===

[[Category:Airports in Italy]]

FlightGear Newsletter February 2011

2011-02-11T14:15:06Z

Scighera: /* Airports */

File:AOSTA F-sig.jpg

2011-02-11T13:24:08Z

Scighera: LIMW Aeroporto "Corrado Gex" Aosta (Italy)

LIMW Aeroporto "Corrado Gex" Aosta (Italy)

FlightGear Newsletter January 2011

2011-01-23T10:30:38Z

Scighera: /* Airports */

File:REGA LSZS 1.jpg

2011-01-23T10:06:20Z

Scighera: REGA Helicopter at LSZS Samedan (screenshot by F-SIG

REGA Helicopter at LSZS Samedan (screenshot by F-SIG

FlightGear Newsletter December 2010

2010-12-20T17:25:22Z

Scighera: /* Engiadina Airport, Semaden St.Murezzan (Svizra)(LSZS) */

{{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.''

==2010 annual==
2010 was the year in which:
* FlightGear 2.0 was released.
* most of the existing virtual airlines were merged into [[Atlas Virtual Airlines]], making it the largest and by far most active FlightGear based airline.
* shaders started to be used all over the sim, introducing some new graphical eye candy as semi-realistic water reflections, 3D cities.
* the CVS servers broke down after a hardware failure, leading to our move to Git.
* detailed landclassing was created for various locations around the world.
* anaglyphic (3D) was introduced; making FlightGear the first flightsim with built-in 3D support.

== 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].

The [[FGFSPM]] (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer.

== Development news ==
[[User:T3r|Torsten]] improved the handling of reduced visibility due to fog, mist or haze. The global weather now interprets weather phenomena causing reduced visibility. The code places a cloud layer starting at the ground and reaching up to a certain altitude. After climbing through this layer, visibility increases rapidly, just like in real life.
As a side effect, the opacity of 2d cloud layers are now settable via the property tree. Also accessible at the property tree are the decoded weather phenomena from METAR reports along with its descriptions and intensity.

== Nasal for newbies ==
== New software tools and projects ==

== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
=== New aircraft ===

====Bell AH-1 Cobra====
[[File:Cobra.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Cobra in action.]]The Developers at [http://alphashangar.co.nr/ Alpha-J's Hangar] have started making the Bell AH-1 Cobra. Development is going well and can be tracked [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10130 here.] The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a two-bladed, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It shares a common engine, transmission and rotor system with the older UH-1 Iroquois. The AH-1 is also referred to as the HueyCobra or Snake.

====AgustaWestland AW139====
[[File:AW139ln.jpg|200px|thumb|left|AW139-here in the LongNose-version]]
HHS started to make the AW139, an italian midclass helicopter in use in many countries like the Netherlands, Spain, Italia, Ireland and Japan.
This work has been started due to the fact that above-average number of datas about the flightdynamic has been found, and the systems are very similar like to other new helicopters like the EC130 B4.
So you can expect another accurate helicopter next year. As special feature it is planned to simulate the 4-axis autopilot as accurate as possible.
People who would like to follow the developement can watch it at: [http://www.gitorious.org/aw139 http://www.gitorious.org/aw139]

=== Updated aircraft ===

====F5E Tiger II====
[[File:Fgfs-screen-014.png|200px|thumb|left|F5E Tiger II.]]
Has many updated aspects, please follow the link : [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10327] . For direct download: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16442048/F-5Ev20101220.rar

====Short S.23 Empire flying boat====

[[File:Sperry_A-2.jpg|thumb|250px|The control unit of the Sperry A-2 automatic pilot in a Short S.23 Empire flying boat.]]

The [[Short Empire|Short Empire flying boat]] has been updated with a Sperry A-2 automatic pilot by Anders, filling one of the remaining empty spots on the dashboard.

====Lockheed L-1011 Tristar====
Fresh off a 1/10 rating, the TriStar is closer to having a working cockpit. Currently there are three working photorealistic instruments. A full cockpit update is planned to be sent to the repository soon.

====Eurocopter EC130 B4====
[[File:Ec130.10.jpg|200px|thumb|right|EC130 B4- latest development version]]
Not for beginners anymore- the EC130 has been updated and the latest developement is now available in GIT. This includes a better and more accurate 3d-model with customized reflection effects, detailed mainrotor, 3d-cockpit and a more accurate fdm.
More interesting is the systems simulation: FADEC, FLI (FirstLimitIndicator) in the work, electrical systems, fuel, Force Trim Release....
This is all based on the original flight manual, and as there is no Autostart you have to follow the checklist to get this bird started. A first simple flightmanual is included.
There are still a lot of things left to do, which will be done in the next weeks and months:

*lighting
*bug fixing
*sound config
*paintkit with high detailed liveries
*completing the 3d-work
*failures
*better flightmanual

and some things more.

====Airbus A380====
After several months of remodelling and coding, the A380 has been updated and committed to the general FGdata Git repository ready for the next release of FlightGear.
The A380 comes with three liveries;
* Airbus House
* Singapore Airlines
* Qantas Airways
There are too many changes since the last "Milestone" release twelve months ago to list here. The [[Airbus A380]] wiki page details the list of items that have been completed or are still on the "To Do" list. The aircraft requires the latest Git build of FlightGear as it uses many features in the up coming release including digital filters in the autopilot, OSG Text animations and James Turners new GPS code.

=== Liveries ===

== Scenery corner ==
===Cities===
At least four of the five boroughs of New York City should have land cover in the database by the start of the new year with the only other missing borough, Manhattan, to come in the very near future. The MetLife Building, the former Pan Am building, has been modeled as well, giving Manhattan its first non-generic skyscraper!

===Land Cover===
====Eastern Europe====
Detailed scenery is under development for the E20N40 area, with the following countries partly or fully covered:
* Albania
* Bulgaria
* Hungary
* Kosovo
* FYR Macedonia
* Poland
* Romania
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Turkey

The scenery is using Corine land classification data, road and railroad data from OpenStreetMap and SRTM v4 elevation data from CGIAR.

[[File:E20n40.png|thumb|400px|left]]
 

==== New England ====
More New England coverage as western Massachusetts has been added to the map server and therefore has been made part of the default scenery package. The next scenery release will allow users to fly from New York John F. Kennedy Int'l to Burlington, Vermont without having to pass over any vmap0 (current) scenery. More coverage is planned as well.

====Republic of Ireland====

Detailed scenery made from CORINE land cover data is now available for the Republic of Ireland. Road and railroad data is from OpenStreetMap, elevation data is SRTM v3. A nice feature of this scenery is that the coastline is rendered using the Corine shapes, so flying along the coast looks a lot prettier than the in the default vmap0 scenery. The scenery pack also contains a terminal building for Knock Ireland West Airport (EIKN) not previously seen.

See some screenshots [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=10326 here] and for further details see the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10354 forum announcement].

=== Airports ===
====Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (KCHO)====
[[File:DevelopmenofKCHOPart1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|KCHO under development]]I (Catchatyou) am currently working on making a new airport for FlightGear! It is Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (KCHO). I must say that I am new to Blender and FlightGear, but I am excited to be a part of it. I hope that my creation will eventually sprout into a beautiful product as time goes by. I have no set date on when this should be completed, but I hope that I can make it as soon as possible.

[[File:eddm tower.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Development version of EDDM tower]]I am not just making the airport building. I'm hoping to eventually add in the parking lot and other various objects.

Thank you for making contributing so easy.

====Franz Josef Strauss Airport Munich (EDDM)====
[[:User:D-79|D-79]] started modelling EDDM in October and is dedicated to make this the most detailed airport in Germany. So far, both terminals have been modelled, as well as most of the additional buildings on the aprons. One of the most difficult tasks proved to be setting up ground vehicles. But now they're running as an AI scenario of [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GhGbV7n0Uk eight busses and trucks]. As soon as work is finished, the airport will be sent to Martin of the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]].

====Aeroporto "Gianni Caproni", Mattarello, Trento (Northern Italy) (LIDT)====
[[File:LIDT-Mattarello.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LIDT-Mattarello]]LIDT is a small touristic airport located in Mattarello, very close to Trento (Trentino Alto Adige-Sued Tyrol), and is dedicated to Giovanni Caproni, an Italian pioneer of aviation, born in Arco, near Trento.
Beside the terminal building there is an Aviation Museum containing some aircrafts built by the Caproni Factory in early XX century.

The LIDT airport is home to the [http://www.protezionecivile.tn.it/frame.asp?Site=11&Area=29&Sect=221&Subs=260 "Gruppo Elicotteri Vigili del Fuoco Trento"] (Trento Fire Dept Helicopter Group), involved in many rescue operations on the Alps.

Scighera has modeled the Main Building (Air Terminal, Tower and Aerhotel), the Caproni Aviation Museum and various hangars, including the one of the Fire Dept Helicopter Group.

The 3D models are available for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html scighera's Homepage] and are already available on [http://wiki.flightgear.org/index.php/TerraSync Terrasync].

====Aeroporto "Romeo Sartori", Asiago (LIDA)====
[[File:ZFoto_LIDA_Asiago_1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LIDA-Asiago]]LIDA Asiago (Veneto, Italy) is another small touristic airport at the edge between the Po River Plains and the Eastern Alps, populated with a lot of gliders.
Scighera has modelled the few buildings there, including the "fancy" Terminal.

The few 3D models are avilable for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html scighera's Homepage] and have been issued to Martin for inclusion in the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]].(It has been included on Dec 13th 2010)

====Engiadina Airport, Semaden St.Murezzan (Svizra)(LSZS)====
[[File:Z_LSZS_Samedan1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LSZS Semaden Terminal]]Or ... Engadiner Flughafen Samedan St. Moritz (Schweiz) claims to be the highest airport in Europe; in any case is strategically located in the middle of Raethian Alps !
Scighera has started the modelling of the buildings, beginning with the terminal 1 (actually the only one !)... in the meanwhile HHS provided the untextured .blend files of the south building, including the Terminal, the Tower and HeliBernina Hangar and Offices.

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

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

== Wiki updates ==
===Developed Airports===
So far, we never had a list of all developed airports in FlightGear. This has now been changed. The [[Developed Airports]] article lists all aerodromes where at least one building has been placed, be it a static (unique) models or a shared model, but only if the objects are available from the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]]. This new list is meant to become the central site where we maintain an up-to-date list of all developed airports. For setting up this list, [[:User:D-79|D-79]] used the Forum discussion [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4700|List of Improved Airports in FlightGear].

[[Developed Airports]]

===Video Tutorials===
Over the past year, more and more [[Video Tutorials]] have been produced for FlightGear, so that it seemed sensible to set up a special wiki site for them, sorted by categories. Feel free to 1) make more video tutorials and 2) add them to the list. When making a video tutorial, please try to keep a certain standard: Video tutorials should have a good video resolution so that users can see what's happening on the screen, and they should have text or voice comment so that users understand what's being done.

[[File:Asi.png|thumb|120px|Airspeed indicator]]

===More Hangars===
The wiki article [[FlightGear Hangars]] has been extended by longfly. Now there are over 47 Hangars with interesting aircrafts, liveries and scenery. [http://www.flightgear.bplaced.de/filemanager/flightgear/index.php/flugzeugliste Longfly's german hangar] for example has begun to create a list of all aircrafts available for FlightGear. There are currently 412, which must be insert.

===Instrument glass reflection tutorial===
Horacio has written an excellent short tutorial to show how to add glass reflection effect to instruments, using graphic tools, so that the reflection effect is already contained in the main instrument image, and not depending on shaders meaning less CPU load. The result is widely satisfactory and very realistic.

[[Howto: Glass reflection effect for instruments]]

===Helipad category===
We have a new wiki [[:Category:Helipads|category for helipads]], as a sub-category of the [[:Category:Airports|airports category]]. So far, only the [[oil platforms]] can be found there, but others could be added, like hospital helipads or ANWB/ADAC/ÖAMTC heliports.

[[:Category:Helipads]]

===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 youtube ===
=== New tutorials and screencasts ===
Check out Zexe's video Tips and Tricks for Flightgear. Tips include how to Target-track, overlay instrument numbers, and so on. You can find them here on the wiki at [[Video_Tutorials#Advanced_options|Video Tutorials (advanced options)]] and on the [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=9811 forum].

=== Forum news ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== 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]].

=== 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].

=== Did you know ===
... that you can easily set [[Anti-aliasing]] to improve FlightGear's graphic display?
[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 12]]

FlightGear Newsletter December 2010

2010-12-19T09:19:25Z

Scighera: /* Airports */

{{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.''

==2010 annual==
2010 was the year in which:
* FlightGear 2.0 was released.
* most of the existing virtual airlines were merged into [[Atlas Virtual Airlines]], making it the largest and by far most active FlightGear based airline.
* shaders started to be used all over the sim, introducing some new graphical eye candy as semi-realistic water reflections, 3D cities.
* the CVS servers broke down after a hardware failure, leading to our move to Git.
* detailed landclassing was created for various locations around the world.
* anaglyphic (3D) was introduced; making FlightGear the first flightsim with built-in 3D support.

== 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].

The [[FGFSPM]] (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer.

== Development news ==
[[User:T3r|Torsten]] improved the handling of reduced visibility due to fog, mist or haze. The global weather now interprets weather phenomena causing reduced visibility. The code places a cloud layer starting at the ground and reaching up to a certain altitude. After climbing through this layer, visibility increases rapidly, just like in real life.
As a side effect, the opacity of 2d cloud layers are now settable via the property tree. Also accessible at the property tree are the decoded weather phenomena from METAR reports along with its descriptions and intensity.

== Nasal for newbies ==
== New software tools and projects ==

== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
=== New aircraft ===

====Bell AH-1 Cobra====
[[File:Cobra.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Cobra in action.]]The Developers at [http://alphashangar.co.nr/ Alpha-J's Hangar] have started making the Bell AH-1 Cobra. Development is going well and can be tracked [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10130 here.] The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a two-bladed, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It shares a common engine, transmission and rotor system with the older UH-1 Iroquois. The AH-1 is also referred to as the HueyCobra or Snake.

====AgustaWestland AW139====
[[File:AW139ln.jpg|200px|thumb|left|AW139-here in the LongNose-version]]
HHS started to make the AW139, an italian midclass helicopter in use in many countries like the Netherlands, Spain, Italia, Ireland and Japan.
This work has been started due to the fact that above-average number of datas about the flightdynamic has been found, and the systems are very similar like to other new helicopters like the EC130 B4.
So you can expect another accurate helicopter next year. As special feature it is planned to simulate the 4-axis autopilot as accurate as possible.
People who would like to follow the developement can watch it at: [http://www.gitorious.org/aw139 http://www.gitorious.org/aw139]

=== Updated aircraft ===

====F5E Tiger II====
[[File:Fgfs-screen-014.png|200px|thumb|left|F5E Tiger II.]]
Has many updated aspects, please follow the link : [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10327] . For direct download: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16442048/F-5Ev20101219.rar

====Short S.23 Empire flying boat====

[[File:Sperry_A-2.jpg|thumb|250px|The control unit of the Sperry A-2 automatic pilot in a Short S.23 Empire flying boat.]]

The [[Short Empire|Short Empire flying boat]] has been updated with a Sperry A-2 automatic pilot by Anders, filling one of the remaining empty spots on the dashboard.

====Lockheed L-1011 Tristar====
Fresh off a 1/10 rating, the TriStar is closer to having a working cockpit. Currently there are three working photorealistic instruments. A full cockpit update is planned to be sent to the repository soon.

====Eurocopter EC130 B4====
[[File:Ec130.10.jpg|200px|thumb|right|EC130 B4- latest development version]]
Not for beginners anymore- the EC130 has been updated and the latest developement is now available in GIT. This includes a better and more accurate 3d-model with customized reflection effects, detailed mainrotor, 3d-cockpit and a more accurate fdm.
More interesting is the systems simulation: FADEC, FLI (FirstLimitIndicator) in the work, electrical systems, fuel, Force Trim Release....
This is all based on the original flight manual, and as there is no Autostart you have to follow the checklist to get this bird started. A first simple flightmanual is included.
There are still a lot of things left to do, which will be done in the next weeks and months:

*lighting
*bug fixing
*sound config
*paintkit with high detailed liveries
*completing the 3d-work
*failures
*better flightmanual

and some things more.

====Airbus A380====
After several months of remodelling and coding, the A380 has been updated and committed to the general FGdata Git repository ready for the next release of FlightGear.
The A380 comes with three liveries;
* Airbus House
* Singapore Airlines
* Qantas Airways
There are too many changes since the last "Milestone" release twelve months ago to list here. The [[Airbus A380]] wiki page details the list of items that have been completed or are still on the "To Do" list. The aircraft requires the latest Git build of FlightGear as it uses many features in the up coming release including digital filters in the autopilot, OSG Text animations and James Turners new GPS code.

=== Liveries ===

== Scenery corner ==
===Cities===
At least four of the five boroughs of New York City should have land cover in the database by the start of the new year with the only other missing borough, Manhattan, to come in the very near future. The MetLife Building, the former Pan Am building, has been modeled as well, giving Manhattan its first non-generic skyscraper!

===Land Cover===
====Eastern Europe====
Detailed scenery is under development for the E20N40 area, with the following countries partly or fully covered:
* Albania
* Bulgaria
* Hungary
* Kosovo
* FYR Macedonia
* Poland
* Romania
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Turkey

The scenery is using Corine land classification data, road and railroad data from OpenStreetMap and SRTM v4 elevation data from CGIAR.

[[File:E20n40.png|thumb|400px|left]]
 

==== New England ====
More New England coverage as western Massachusetts has been added to the map server and therefore has been made part of the default scenery package. The next scenery release will allow users to fly from New York John F. Kennedy Int'l to Burlington, Vermont without having to pass over any vmap0 (current) scenery. More coverage is planned as well.

====Republic of Ireland====

Detailed scenery made from CORINE land cover data is now available for the Republic of Ireland. Road and railroad data is from OpenStreetMap, elevation data is SRTM v3. A nice feature of this scenery is that the coastline is rendered using the Corine shapes, so flying along the coast looks a lot prettier than the in the default vmap0 scenery. The scenery pack also contains a terminal building for Knock Ireland West Airport (EIKN) not previously seen.

See some screenshots [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=10326 here] and for further details see the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10354 forum announcement].

=== Airports ===
====Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (KCHO)====
[[File:DevelopmenofKCHOPart1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|KCHO under development]]I (Catchatyou) am currently working on making a new airport for FlightGear! It is Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (KCHO). I must say that I am new to Blender and FlightGear, but I am excited to be a part of it. I hope that my creation will eventually sprout into a beautiful product as time goes by. I have no set date on when this should be completed, but I hope that I can make it as soon as possible.

[[File:eddm tower.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Development version of EDDM tower]]I am not just making the airport building. I'm hoping to eventually add in the parking lot and other various objects.

Thank you for making contributing so easy.

====Franz Josef Strauss Airport Munich (EDDM)====
[[:User:D-79|D-79]] started modelling EDDM in October and is dedicated to make this the most detailed airport in Germany. So far, both terminals have been modelled, as well as most of the additional buildings on the aprons. One of the most difficult tasks proved to be setting up ground vehicles. But now they're running as an AI scenario of [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GhGbV7n0Uk eight busses and trucks]. As soon as work is finished, the airport will be sent to Martin of the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]].

====Aeroporto "Gianni Caproni", Mattarello, Trento (Northern Italy) (LIDT)====
[[File:LIDT-Mattarello.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LIDT-Mattarello]]LIDT is a small touristic airport located in Mattarello, very close to Trento (Trentino Alto Adige-Sued Tyrol), and is dedicated to Giovanni Caproni, an Italian pioneer of aviation, born in Arco, near Trento.
Beside the terminal building there is an Aviation Museum containing some aircrafts built by the Caproni Factory in early XX century.

The LIDT airport is home to the [http://www.protezionecivile.tn.it/frame.asp?Site=11&Area=29&Sect=221&Subs=260 "Gruppo Elicotteri Vigili del Fuoco Trento"] (Trento Fire Dept Helicopter Group), involved in many rescue operations on the Alps.

Scighera has modeled the Main Building (Air Terminal, Tower and Aerhotel), the Caproni Aviation Museum and various hangars, including the one of the Fire Dept Helicopter Group.

The 3D models are available for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html scighera's Homepage] and are already available on [http://wiki.flightgear.org/index.php/TerraSync Terrasync].

====Aeroporto "Romeo Sartori", Asiago (LIDA)====
[[File:ZFoto_LIDA_Asiago_1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LIDA-Asiago]]LIDA Asiago (Veneto, Italy) is another small touristic airport at the edge between the Po River Plains and the Eastern Alps, populated with a lot of gliders.
Scighera has modelled the few buildings there, including the "fancy" Terminal.

The few 3D models are avilable for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html scighera's Homepage] and have been issued to Martin for inclusion in the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]].(It has been included on Dec 13th 2010)

====Engiadina Airport, Semaden St.Murezzan (Svizra)(LSZS)====
[[File:Z_LSZS_Samedan1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LSZS Semaden Terminal]]Or ... Engadiner Flughafen Samedan St. Moritz (Schweiz) claims to be the highest airport in Europe; in any case is strategically located in the middle of Raethian Alps !
Scighera has started the modelling of the buildings, beginning with the terminal 1 (actually the only one !)

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

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

== Wiki updates ==
===Developed Airports===
So far, we never had a list of all developed airports in FlightGear. This has now been changed. The [[Developed Airports]] article lists all aerodromes where at least one building has been placed, be it a static (unique) models or a shared model, but only if the objects are available from the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]]. This new list is meant to become the central site where we maintain an up-to-date list of all developed airports. For setting up this list, [[:User:D-79|D-79]] used the Forum discussion [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4700|List of Improved Airports in FlightGear].

[[Developed Airports]]

===Video Tutorials===
Over the past year, more and more [[Video Tutorials]] have been produced for FlightGear, so that it seemed sensible to set up a special wiki site for them, sorted by categories. Feel free to 1) make more video tutorials and 2) add them to the list. When making a video tutorial, please try to keep a certain standard: Video tutorials should have a good video resolution so that users can see what's happening on the screen, and they should have text or voice comment so that users understand what's being done.

[[File:Asi.png|thumb|120px|Airspeed indicator]]

===More Hangars===
The wiki article [[FlightGear Hangars]] has been extended by longfly. Now there are over 47 Hangars with interesting aircrafts, liveries and scenery. [http://www.flightgear.bplaced.de/filemanager/flightgear/index.php/flugzeugliste Longfly's german hangar] for example has begun to create a list of all aircrafts available for FlightGear. There are currently 412, which must be insert.

===Instrument glass reflection tutorial===
Horacio has written an excellent short tutorial to show how to add glass reflection effect to instruments, using graphic tools, so that the reflection effect is already contained in the main instrument image, and not depending on shaders meaning less CPU load. The result is widely satisfactory and very realistic.

[[Howto: Glass reflection effect for instruments]]

===Helipad category===
We have a new wiki [[:Category:Helipads|category for helipads]], as a sub-category of the [[:Category:Airports|airports category]]. So far, only the [[oil platforms]] can be found there, but others could be added, like hospital helipads or ANWB/ADAC/ÖAMTC heliports.

[[:Category:Helipads]]

===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 youtube ===
=== New tutorials and screencasts ===
Check out Zexe's video Tips and Tricks for Flightgear. Tips include how to Target-track, overlay instrument numbers, and so on. You can find them here on the wiki at [[Video_Tutorials#Advanced_options|Video Tutorials (advanced options)]] and on the [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=9811 forum].

=== Forum news ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== 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]].

=== 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].

=== Did you know ===

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 12]]

FlightGear Newsletter December 2010

2010-12-19T09:18:07Z

Scighera: /* Airports */

{{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.''

==2010 annual==
2010 was the year in which:
* FlightGear 2.0 was released.
* most of the existing virtual airlines were merged into [[Atlas Virtual Airlines]], making it the largest and by far most active FlightGear based airline.
* shaders started to be used all over the sim, introducing some new graphical eye candy as semi-realistic water reflections, 3D cities.
* the CVS servers broke down after a hardware failure, leading to our move to Git.
* detailed landclassing was created for various locations around the world.
* anaglyphic (3D) was introduced; making FlightGear the first flightsim with built-in 3D support.

== 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].

The [[FGFSPM]] (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer.

== Development news ==
[[User:T3r|Torsten]] improved the handling of reduced visibility due to fog, mist or haze. The global weather now interprets weather phenomena causing reduced visibility. The code places a cloud layer starting at the ground and reaching up to a certain altitude. After climbing through this layer, visibility increases rapidly, just like in real life.
As a side effect, the opacity of 2d cloud layers are now settable via the property tree. Also accessible at the property tree are the decoded weather phenomena from METAR reports along with its descriptions and intensity.

== Nasal for newbies ==
== New software tools and projects ==

== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
=== New aircraft ===

====Bell AH-1 Cobra====
[[File:Cobra.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Cobra in action.]]The Developers at [http://alphashangar.co.nr/ Alpha-J's Hangar] have started making the Bell AH-1 Cobra. Development is going well and can be tracked [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10130 here.] The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a two-bladed, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It shares a common engine, transmission and rotor system with the older UH-1 Iroquois. The AH-1 is also referred to as the HueyCobra or Snake.

====AgustaWestland AW139====
[[File:AW139ln.jpg|200px|thumb|left|AW139-here in the LongNose-version]]
HHS started to make the AW139, an italian midclass helicopter in use in many countries like the Netherlands, Spain, Italia, Ireland and Japan.
This work has been started due to the fact that above-average number of datas about the flightdynamic has been found, and the systems are very similar like to other new helicopters like the EC130 B4.
So you can expect another accurate helicopter next year. As special feature it is planned to simulate the 4-axis autopilot as accurate as possible.
People who would like to follow the developement can watch it at: [http://www.gitorious.org/aw139 http://www.gitorious.org/aw139]

=== Updated aircraft ===

====F5E Tiger II====
[[File:Fgfs-screen-014.png|200px|thumb|left|F5E Tiger II.]]
Has many updated aspects, please follow the link : [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10327] . For direct download: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16442048/F-5Ev20101219.rar

====Short S.23 Empire flying boat====

[[File:Sperry_A-2.jpg|thumb|250px|The control unit of the Sperry A-2 automatic pilot in a Short S.23 Empire flying boat.]]

The [[Short Empire|Short Empire flying boat]] has been updated with a Sperry A-2 automatic pilot by Anders, filling one of the remaining empty spots on the dashboard.

====Lockheed L-1011 Tristar====
Fresh off a 1/10 rating, the TriStar is closer to having a working cockpit. Currently there are three working photorealistic instruments. A full cockpit update is planned to be sent to the repository soon.

====Eurocopter EC130 B4====
[[File:Ec130.10.jpg|200px|thumb|right|EC130 B4- latest development version]]
Not for beginners anymore- the EC130 has been updated and the latest developement is now available in GIT. This includes a better and more accurate 3d-model with customized reflection effects, detailed mainrotor, 3d-cockpit and a more accurate fdm.
More interesting is the systems simulation: FADEC, FLI (FirstLimitIndicator) in the work, electrical systems, fuel, Force Trim Release....
This is all based on the original flight manual, and as there is no Autostart you have to follow the checklist to get this bird started. A first simple flightmanual is included.
There are still a lot of things left to do, which will be done in the next weeks and months:

*lighting
*bug fixing
*sound config
*paintkit with high detailed liveries
*completing the 3d-work
*failures
*better flightmanual

and some things more.

====Airbus A380====
After several months of remodelling and coding, the A380 has been updated and committed to the general FGdata Git repository ready for the next release of FlightGear.
The A380 comes with three liveries;
* Airbus House
* Singapore Airlines
* Qantas Airways
There are too many changes since the last "Milestone" release twelve months ago to list here. The [[Airbus A380]] wiki page details the list of items that have been completed or are still on the "To Do" list. The aircraft requires the latest Git build of FlightGear as it uses many features in the up coming release including digital filters in the autopilot, OSG Text animations and James Turners new GPS code.

=== Liveries ===

== Scenery corner ==
===Cities===
At least four of the five boroughs of New York City should have land cover in the database by the start of the new year with the only other missing borough, Manhattan, to come in the very near future. The MetLife Building, the former Pan Am building, has been modeled as well, giving Manhattan its first non-generic skyscraper!

===Land Cover===
====Eastern Europe====
Detailed scenery is under development for the E20N40 area, with the following countries partly or fully covered:
* Albania
* Bulgaria
* Hungary
* Kosovo
* FYR Macedonia
* Poland
* Romania
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Turkey

The scenery is using Corine land classification data, road and railroad data from OpenStreetMap and SRTM v4 elevation data from CGIAR.

[[File:E20n40.png|thumb|400px|left]]
 

==== New England ====
More New England coverage as western Massachusetts has been added to the map server and therefore has been made part of the default scenery package. The next scenery release will allow users to fly from New York John F. Kennedy Int'l to Burlington, Vermont without having to pass over any vmap0 (current) scenery. More coverage is planned as well.

====Republic of Ireland====

Detailed scenery made from CORINE land cover data is now available for the Republic of Ireland. Road and railroad data is from OpenStreetMap, elevation data is SRTM v3. A nice feature of this scenery is that the coastline is rendered using the Corine shapes, so flying along the coast looks a lot prettier than the in the default vmap0 scenery. The scenery pack also contains a terminal building for Knock Ireland West Airport (EIKN) not previously seen.

See some screenshots [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=10326 here] and for further details see the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10354 forum announcement].

=== Airports ===
====Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (KCHO)====
[[File:DevelopmenofKCHOPart1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|KCHO under development]]I (Catchatyou) am currently working on making a new airport for FlightGear! It is Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (KCHO). I must say that I am new to Blender and FlightGear, but I am excited to be a part of it. I hope that my creation will eventually sprout into a beautiful product as time goes by. I have no set date on when this should be completed, but I hope that I can make it as soon as possible.

[[File:eddm tower.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Development version of EDDM tower]]I am not just making the airport building. I'm hoping to eventually add in the parking lot and other various objects.

Thank you for making contributing so easy.

====Franz Josef Strauss Airport Munich (EDDM)====
[[:User:D-79|D-79]] started modelling EDDM in October and is dedicated to make this the most detailed airport in Germany. So far, both terminals have been modelled, as well as most of the additional buildings on the aprons. One of the most difficult tasks proved to be setting up ground vehicles. But now they're running as an AI scenario of [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GhGbV7n0Uk eight busses and trucks]. As soon as work is finished, the airport will be sent to Martin of the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]].

====Aeroporto "Gianni Caproni", Mattarello, Trento (Northern Italy) (LIDT)====
[[File:LIDT-Mattarello.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LIDT-Mattarello]]LIDT is a small touristic airport located in Mattarello, very close to Trento (Trentino Alto Adige-Sued Tyrol), and is dedicated to Giovanni Caproni, an Italian pioneer of aviation, born in Arco, near Trento.
Beside the terminal building there is an Aviation Museum containing some aircrafts built by the Caproni Factory in early XX century.

The LIDT airport is home to the [http://www.protezionecivile.tn.it/frame.asp?Site=11&Area=29&Sect=221&Subs=260 "Gruppo Elicotteri Vigili del Fuoco Trento"] (Trento Fire Dept Helicopter Group), involved in many rescue operations on the Alps.

Scighera has modeled the Main Building (Air Terminal, Tower and Aerhotel), the Caproni Aviation Museum and various hangars, including the one of the Fire Dept Helicopter Group.

The 3D models are available for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html scighera's Homepage] and are already available on [http://wiki.flightgear.org/index.php/TerraSync Terrasync].

====Aeroporto "Romeo Sartori", Asiago (LIDA)====
[[File:ZFoto_LIDA_Asiago_1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LIDA-Asiago]]LIDA Asiago (Veneto, Italy) is another small touristic airport at the edge between the Po River Plains and the Eastern Alps, populated with a lot of gliders.
Scighera has modelled the few buildings there, including the "fancy" Terminal.

The few 3D models are avilable for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html scighera's Homepage] and have been issued to Martin for inclusion in the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]].(It has been included on Dec 13th 2010)

====Engiadina Airport, Semaden St.Murezzan (Svizra)(LSZS)====
[[File:Z_LSZS_Samedan1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LSZS Semaden Terminal]]Or ... Engadiner Flughafen Samedan St. Moritz (Schweiz) claims to be the highest airport in Europe; in any case is strategically located in the middle of Raethian Alps !
Scighera has started the modelling of the buildings, beginning with the terminal 1 (actually the only one !)

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

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

== Wiki updates ==
===Developed Airports===
So far, we never had a list of all developed airports in FlightGear. This has now been changed. The [[Developed Airports]] article lists all aerodromes where at least one building has been placed, be it a static (unique) models or a shared model, but only if the objects are available from the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]]. This new list is meant to become the central site where we maintain an up-to-date list of all developed airports. For setting up this list, [[:User:D-79|D-79]] used the Forum discussion [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4700|List of Improved Airports in FlightGear].

[[Developed Airports]]

===Video Tutorials===
Over the past year, more and more [[Video Tutorials]] have been produced for FlightGear, so that it seemed sensible to set up a special wiki site for them, sorted by categories. Feel free to 1) make more video tutorials and 2) add them to the list. When making a video tutorial, please try to keep a certain standard: Video tutorials should have a good video resolution so that users can see what's happening on the screen, and they should have text or voice comment so that users understand what's being done.

[[File:Asi.png|thumb|120px|Airspeed indicator]]

===More Hangars===
The wiki article [[FlightGear Hangars]] has been extended by longfly. Now there are over 47 Hangars with interesting aircrafts, liveries and scenery. [http://www.flightgear.bplaced.de/filemanager/flightgear/index.php/flugzeugliste Longfly's german hangar] for example has begun to create a list of all aircrafts available for FlightGear. There are currently 412, which must be insert.

===Instrument glass reflection tutorial===
Horacio has written an excellent short tutorial to show how to add glass reflection effect to instruments, using graphic tools, so that the reflection effect is already contained in the main instrument image, and not depending on shaders meaning less CPU load. The result is widely satisfactory and very realistic.

[[Howto: Glass reflection effect for instruments]]

===Helipad category===
We have a new wiki [[:Category:Helipads|category for helipads]], as a sub-category of the [[:Category:Airports|airports category]]. So far, only the [[oil platforms]] can be found there, but others could be added, like hospital helipads or ANWB/ADAC/ÖAMTC heliports.

[[:Category:Helipads]]

===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 youtube ===
=== New tutorials and screencasts ===
Check out Zexe's video Tips and Tricks for Flightgear. Tips include how to Target-track, overlay instrument numbers, and so on. You can find them here on the wiki at [[Video_Tutorials#Advanced_options|Video Tutorials (advanced options)]] and on the [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=9811 forum].

=== Forum news ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== 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]].

=== 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].

=== Did you know ===

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 12]]

FlightGear Newsletter December 2010

2010-12-19T09:17:27Z

Scighera: /* Aeroporto "Romeo Sartori", Asiago (LIDA) */

{{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.''

==2010 annual==
2010 was the year in which:
* FlightGear 2.0 was released.
* most of the existing virtual airlines were merged into [[Atlas Virtual Airlines]], making it the largest and by far most active FlightGear based airline.
* shaders started to be used all over the sim, introducing some new graphical eye candy as semi-realistic water reflections, 3D cities.
* the CVS servers broke down after a hardware failure, leading to our move to Git.
* detailed landclassing was created for various locations around the world.
* anaglyphic (3D) was introduced; making FlightGear the first flightsim with built-in 3D support.

== 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].

The [[FGFSPM]] (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer.

== Development news ==
[[User:T3r|Torsten]] improved the handling of reduced visibility due to fog, mist or haze. The global weather now interprets weather phenomena causing reduced visibility. The code places a cloud layer starting at the ground and reaching up to a certain altitude. After climbing through this layer, visibility increases rapidly, just like in real life.
As a side effect, the opacity of 2d cloud layers are now settable via the property tree. Also accessible at the property tree are the decoded weather phenomena from METAR reports along with its descriptions and intensity.

== Nasal for newbies ==
== New software tools and projects ==

== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
=== New aircraft ===

====Bell AH-1 Cobra====
[[File:Cobra.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Cobra in action.]]The Developers at [http://alphashangar.co.nr/ Alpha-J's Hangar] have started making the Bell AH-1 Cobra. Development is going well and can be tracked [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10130 here.] The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a two-bladed, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It shares a common engine, transmission and rotor system with the older UH-1 Iroquois. The AH-1 is also referred to as the HueyCobra or Snake.

====AgustaWestland AW139====
[[File:AW139ln.jpg|200px|thumb|left|AW139-here in the LongNose-version]]
HHS started to make the AW139, an italian midclass helicopter in use in many countries like the Netherlands, Spain, Italia, Ireland and Japan.
This work has been started due to the fact that above-average number of datas about the flightdynamic has been found, and the systems are very similar like to other new helicopters like the EC130 B4.
So you can expect another accurate helicopter next year. As special feature it is planned to simulate the 4-axis autopilot as accurate as possible.
People who would like to follow the developement can watch it at: [http://www.gitorious.org/aw139 http://www.gitorious.org/aw139]

=== Updated aircraft ===

====F5E Tiger II====
[[File:Fgfs-screen-014.png|200px|thumb|left|F5E Tiger II.]]
Has many updated aspects, please follow the link : [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10327] . For direct download: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16442048/F-5Ev20101219.rar

====Short S.23 Empire flying boat====

[[File:Sperry_A-2.jpg|thumb|250px|The control unit of the Sperry A-2 automatic pilot in a Short S.23 Empire flying boat.]]

The [[Short Empire|Short Empire flying boat]] has been updated with a Sperry A-2 automatic pilot by Anders, filling one of the remaining empty spots on the dashboard.

====Lockheed L-1011 Tristar====
Fresh off a 1/10 rating, the TriStar is closer to having a working cockpit. Currently there are three working photorealistic instruments. A full cockpit update is planned to be sent to the repository soon.

====Eurocopter EC130 B4====
[[File:Ec130.10.jpg|200px|thumb|right|EC130 B4- latest development version]]
Not for beginners anymore- the EC130 has been updated and the latest developement is now available in GIT. This includes a better and more accurate 3d-model with customized reflection effects, detailed mainrotor, 3d-cockpit and a more accurate fdm.
More interesting is the systems simulation: FADEC, FLI (FirstLimitIndicator) in the work, electrical systems, fuel, Force Trim Release....
This is all based on the original flight manual, and as there is no Autostart you have to follow the checklist to get this bird started. A first simple flightmanual is included.
There are still a lot of things left to do, which will be done in the next weeks and months:

*lighting
*bug fixing
*sound config
*paintkit with high detailed liveries
*completing the 3d-work
*failures
*better flightmanual

and some things more.

====Airbus A380====
After several months of remodelling and coding, the A380 has been updated and committed to the general FGdata Git repository ready for the next release of FlightGear.
The A380 comes with three liveries;
* Airbus House
* Singapore Airlines
* Qantas Airways
There are too many changes since the last "Milestone" release twelve months ago to list here. The [[Airbus A380]] wiki page details the list of items that have been completed or are still on the "To Do" list. The aircraft requires the latest Git build of FlightGear as it uses many features in the up coming release including digital filters in the autopilot, OSG Text animations and James Turners new GPS code.

=== Liveries ===

== Scenery corner ==
===Cities===
At least four of the five boroughs of New York City should have land cover in the database by the start of the new year with the only other missing borough, Manhattan, to come in the very near future. The MetLife Building, the former Pan Am building, has been modeled as well, giving Manhattan its first non-generic skyscraper!

===Land Cover===
====Eastern Europe====
Detailed scenery is under development for the E20N40 area, with the following countries partly or fully covered:
* Albania
* Bulgaria
* Hungary
* Kosovo
* FYR Macedonia
* Poland
* Romania
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Turkey

The scenery is using Corine land classification data, road and railroad data from OpenStreetMap and SRTM v4 elevation data from CGIAR.

[[File:E20n40.png|thumb|400px|left]]
 

==== New England ====
More New England coverage as western Massachusetts has been added to the map server and therefore has been made part of the default scenery package. The next scenery release will allow users to fly from New York John F. Kennedy Int'l to Burlington, Vermont without having to pass over any vmap0 (current) scenery. More coverage is planned as well.

====Republic of Ireland====

Detailed scenery made from CORINE land cover data is now available for the Republic of Ireland. Road and railroad data is from OpenStreetMap, elevation data is SRTM v3. A nice feature of this scenery is that the coastline is rendered using the Corine shapes, so flying along the coast looks a lot prettier than the in the default vmap0 scenery. The scenery pack also contains a terminal building for Knock Ireland West Airport (EIKN) not previously seen.

See some screenshots [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=10326 here] and for further details see the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10354 forum announcement].

=== Airports ===
====Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (KCHO)====
[[File:DevelopmenofKCHOPart1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|KCHO under development]]I (Catchatyou) am currently working on making a new airport for FlightGear! It is Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (KCHO). I must say that I am new to Blender and FlightGear, but I am excited to be a part of it. I hope that my creation will eventually sprout into a beautiful product as time goes by. I have no set date on when this should be completed, but I hope that I can make it as soon as possible.

[[File:eddm tower.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Development version of EDDM tower]]I am not just making the airport building. I'm hoping to eventually add in the parking lot and other various objects.

Thank you for making contributing so easy.

====Franz Josef Strauss Airport Munich (EDDM)====
[[:User:D-79|D-79]] started modelling EDDM in October and is dedicated to make this the most detailed airport in Germany. So far, both terminals have been modelled, as well as most of the additional buildings on the aprons. One of the most difficult tasks proved to be setting up ground vehicles. But now they're running as an AI scenario of [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GhGbV7n0Uk eight busses and trucks]. As soon as work is finished, the airport will be sent to Martin of the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]].

====Aeroporto "Gianni Caproni", Mattarello, Trento (Northern Italy) (LIDT)====
[[File:LIDT-Mattarello.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LIDT-Mattarello]]LIDT is a small touristic airport located in Mattarello, very close to Trento (Trentino Alto Adige-Sued Tyrol), and is dedicated to Giovanni Caproni, an Italian pioneer of aviation, born in Arco, near Trento.
Beside the terminal building there is an Aviation Museum containing some aircrafts built by the Caproni Factory in early XX century.

The LIDT airport is home to the [http://www.protezionecivile.tn.it/frame.asp?Site=11&Area=29&Sect=221&Subs=260 "Gruppo Elicotteri Vigili del Fuoco Trento"] (Trento Fire Dept Helicopter Group), involved in many rescue operations on the Alps.

Scighera has modeled the Main Building (Air Terminal, Tower and Aerhotel), the Caproni Aviation Museum and various hangars, including the one of the Fire Dept Helicopter Group.

The 3D models are available for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html scighera's Homepage] and are already available on [http://wiki.flightgear.org/index.php/TerraSync Terrasync].

====Engiadina Airport, Semaden St.Murezzan (Svizra)(LSZS)====
[[File:Z_LSZS_Samedan1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LSZS Semaden Terminal]]Or ... Engadiner Flughafen Samedan St. Moritz (Schweiz) claims to be the highest airport in Europe; in any case is strategically located in the middle of Raethian Alps !
Scighera has started the modelling of the buildings, beginning with the terminal 1 (actually the only one !)

====Aeroporto "Romeo Sartori", Asiago (LIDA)====
[[File:ZFoto_LIDA_Asiago_1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LIDA-Asiago]]LIDA Asiago (Veneto, Italy) is another small touristic airport at the edge between the Po River Plains and the Eastern Alps, populated with a lot of gliders.
Scighera has modelled the few buildings there, including the "fancy" Terminal.

The few 3D models are avilable for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html scighera's Homepage] and have been issued to Martin for inclusion in the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]].(It has been included on Dec 13th 2010)

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

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

== Wiki updates ==
===Developed Airports===
So far, we never had a list of all developed airports in FlightGear. This has now been changed. The [[Developed Airports]] article lists all aerodromes where at least one building has been placed, be it a static (unique) models or a shared model, but only if the objects are available from the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]]. This new list is meant to become the central site where we maintain an up-to-date list of all developed airports. For setting up this list, [[:User:D-79|D-79]] used the Forum discussion [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4700|List of Improved Airports in FlightGear].

[[Developed Airports]]

===Video Tutorials===
Over the past year, more and more [[Video Tutorials]] have been produced for FlightGear, so that it seemed sensible to set up a special wiki site for them, sorted by categories. Feel free to 1) make more video tutorials and 2) add them to the list. When making a video tutorial, please try to keep a certain standard: Video tutorials should have a good video resolution so that users can see what's happening on the screen, and they should have text or voice comment so that users understand what's being done.

[[File:Asi.png|thumb|120px|Airspeed indicator]]

===More Hangars===
The wiki article [[FlightGear Hangars]] has been extended by longfly. Now there are over 47 Hangars with interesting aircrafts, liveries and scenery. [http://www.flightgear.bplaced.de/filemanager/flightgear/index.php/flugzeugliste Longfly's german hangar] for example has begun to create a list of all aircrafts available for FlightGear. There are currently 412, which must be insert.

===Instrument glass reflection tutorial===
Horacio has written an excellent short tutorial to show how to add glass reflection effect to instruments, using graphic tools, so that the reflection effect is already contained in the main instrument image, and not depending on shaders meaning less CPU load. The result is widely satisfactory and very realistic.

[[Howto: Glass reflection effect for instruments]]

===Helipad category===
We have a new wiki [[:Category:Helipads|category for helipads]], as a sub-category of the [[:Category:Airports|airports category]]. So far, only the [[oil platforms]] can be found there, but others could be added, like hospital helipads or ANWB/ADAC/ÖAMTC heliports.

[[:Category:Helipads]]

===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 youtube ===
=== New tutorials and screencasts ===
Check out Zexe's video Tips and Tricks for Flightgear. Tips include how to Target-track, overlay instrument numbers, and so on. You can find them here on the wiki at [[Video_Tutorials#Advanced_options|Video Tutorials (advanced options)]] and on the [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=9811 forum].

=== Forum news ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== 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]].

=== 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].

=== Did you know ===

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 12]]

FlightGear Newsletter December 2010

2010-12-19T09:16:57Z

Scighera: /* Engiadina Airport, Semaden St.Murezzan (Svizra)(LSZS) */

{{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.''

==2010 annual==
2010 was the year in which:
* FlightGear 2.0 was released.
* most of the existing virtual airlines were merged into [[Atlas Virtual Airlines]], making it the largest and by far most active FlightGear based airline.
* shaders started to be used all over the sim, introducing some new graphical eye candy as semi-realistic water reflections, 3D cities.
* the CVS servers broke down after a hardware failure, leading to our move to Git.
* detailed landclassing was created for various locations around the world.
* anaglyphic (3D) was introduced; making FlightGear the first flightsim with built-in 3D support.

== 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].

The [[FGFSPM]] (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer.

== Development news ==
[[User:T3r|Torsten]] improved the handling of reduced visibility due to fog, mist or haze. The global weather now interprets weather phenomena causing reduced visibility. The code places a cloud layer starting at the ground and reaching up to a certain altitude. After climbing through this layer, visibility increases rapidly, just like in real life.
As a side effect, the opacity of 2d cloud layers are now settable via the property tree. Also accessible at the property tree are the decoded weather phenomena from METAR reports along with its descriptions and intensity.

== Nasal for newbies ==
== New software tools and projects ==

== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
=== New aircraft ===

====Bell AH-1 Cobra====
[[File:Cobra.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Cobra in action.]]The Developers at [http://alphashangar.co.nr/ Alpha-J's Hangar] have started making the Bell AH-1 Cobra. Development is going well and can be tracked [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10130 here.] The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a two-bladed, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It shares a common engine, transmission and rotor system with the older UH-1 Iroquois. The AH-1 is also referred to as the HueyCobra or Snake.

====AgustaWestland AW139====
[[File:AW139ln.jpg|200px|thumb|left|AW139-here in the LongNose-version]]
HHS started to make the AW139, an italian midclass helicopter in use in many countries like the Netherlands, Spain, Italia, Ireland and Japan.
This work has been started due to the fact that above-average number of datas about the flightdynamic has been found, and the systems are very similar like to other new helicopters like the EC130 B4.
So you can expect another accurate helicopter next year. As special feature it is planned to simulate the 4-axis autopilot as accurate as possible.
People who would like to follow the developement can watch it at: [http://www.gitorious.org/aw139 http://www.gitorious.org/aw139]

=== Updated aircraft ===

====F5E Tiger II====
[[File:Fgfs-screen-014.png|200px|thumb|left|F5E Tiger II.]]
Has many updated aspects, please follow the link : [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10327] . For direct download: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16442048/F-5Ev20101219.rar

====Short S.23 Empire flying boat====

[[File:Sperry_A-2.jpg|thumb|250px|The control unit of the Sperry A-2 automatic pilot in a Short S.23 Empire flying boat.]]

The [[Short Empire|Short Empire flying boat]] has been updated with a Sperry A-2 automatic pilot by Anders, filling one of the remaining empty spots on the dashboard.

====Lockheed L-1011 Tristar====
Fresh off a 1/10 rating, the TriStar is closer to having a working cockpit. Currently there are three working photorealistic instruments. A full cockpit update is planned to be sent to the repository soon.

====Eurocopter EC130 B4====
[[File:Ec130.10.jpg|200px|thumb|right|EC130 B4- latest development version]]
Not for beginners anymore- the EC130 has been updated and the latest developement is now available in GIT. This includes a better and more accurate 3d-model with customized reflection effects, detailed mainrotor, 3d-cockpit and a more accurate fdm.
More interesting is the systems simulation: FADEC, FLI (FirstLimitIndicator) in the work, electrical systems, fuel, Force Trim Release....
This is all based on the original flight manual, and as there is no Autostart you have to follow the checklist to get this bird started. A first simple flightmanual is included.
There are still a lot of things left to do, which will be done in the next weeks and months:

*lighting
*bug fixing
*sound config
*paintkit with high detailed liveries
*completing the 3d-work
*failures
*better flightmanual

and some things more.

====Airbus A380====
After several months of remodelling and coding, the A380 has been updated and committed to the general FGdata Git repository ready for the next release of FlightGear.
The A380 comes with three liveries;
* Airbus House
* Singapore Airlines
* Qantas Airways
There are too many changes since the last "Milestone" release twelve months ago to list here. The [[Airbus A380]] wiki page details the list of items that have been completed or are still on the "To Do" list. The aircraft requires the latest Git build of FlightGear as it uses many features in the up coming release including digital filters in the autopilot, OSG Text animations and James Turners new GPS code.

=== Liveries ===

== Scenery corner ==
===Cities===
At least four of the five boroughs of New York City should have land cover in the database by the start of the new year with the only other missing borough, Manhattan, to come in the very near future. The MetLife Building, the former Pan Am building, has been modeled as well, giving Manhattan its first non-generic skyscraper!

===Land Cover===
====Eastern Europe====
Detailed scenery is under development for the E20N40 area, with the following countries partly or fully covered:
* Albania
* Bulgaria
* Hungary
* Kosovo
* FYR Macedonia
* Poland
* Romania
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Turkey

The scenery is using Corine land classification data, road and railroad data from OpenStreetMap and SRTM v4 elevation data from CGIAR.

[[File:E20n40.png|thumb|400px|left]]
 

==== New England ====
More New England coverage as western Massachusetts has been added to the map server and therefore has been made part of the default scenery package. The next scenery release will allow users to fly from New York John F. Kennedy Int'l to Burlington, Vermont without having to pass over any vmap0 (current) scenery. More coverage is planned as well.

====Republic of Ireland====

Detailed scenery made from CORINE land cover data is now available for the Republic of Ireland. Road and railroad data is from OpenStreetMap, elevation data is SRTM v3. A nice feature of this scenery is that the coastline is rendered using the Corine shapes, so flying along the coast looks a lot prettier than the in the default vmap0 scenery. The scenery pack also contains a terminal building for Knock Ireland West Airport (EIKN) not previously seen.

See some screenshots [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=10326 here] and for further details see the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10354 forum announcement].

=== Airports ===
====Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (KCHO)====
[[File:DevelopmenofKCHOPart1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|KCHO under development]]I (Catchatyou) am currently working on making a new airport for FlightGear! It is Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (KCHO). I must say that I am new to Blender and FlightGear, but I am excited to be a part of it. I hope that my creation will eventually sprout into a beautiful product as time goes by. I have no set date on when this should be completed, but I hope that I can make it as soon as possible.

[[File:eddm tower.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Development version of EDDM tower]]I am not just making the airport building. I'm hoping to eventually add in the parking lot and other various objects.

Thank you for making contributing so easy.

====Franz Josef Strauss Airport Munich (EDDM)====
[[:User:D-79|D-79]] started modelling EDDM in October and is dedicated to make this the most detailed airport in Germany. So far, both terminals have been modelled, as well as most of the additional buildings on the aprons. One of the most difficult tasks proved to be setting up ground vehicles. But now they're running as an AI scenario of [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GhGbV7n0Uk eight busses and trucks]. As soon as work is finished, the airport will be sent to Martin of the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]].

====Aeroporto "Gianni Caproni", Mattarello, Trento (Northern Italy) (LIDT)====
[[File:LIDT-Mattarello.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LIDT-Mattarello]]LIDT is a small touristic airport located in Mattarello, very close to Trento (Trentino Alto Adige-Sued Tyrol), and is dedicated to Giovanni Caproni, an Italian pioneer of aviation, born in Arco, near Trento.
Beside the terminal building there is an Aviation Museum containing some aircrafts built by the Caproni Factory in early XX century.

The LIDT airport is home to the [http://www.protezionecivile.tn.it/frame.asp?Site=11&Area=29&Sect=221&Subs=260 "Gruppo Elicotteri Vigili del Fuoco Trento"] (Trento Fire Dept Helicopter Group), involved in many rescue operations on the Alps.

Scighera has modeled the Main Building (Air Terminal, Tower and Aerhotel), the Caproni Aviation Museum and various hangars, including the one of the Fire Dept Helicopter Group.

The 3D models are available for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html scighera's Homepage] and are already available on [http://wiki.flightgear.org/index.php/TerraSync Terrasync].

====Engiadina Airport, Semaden St.Murezzan (Svizra)(LSZS)====
[[File:Z_LSZS_Samedan1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LSZS Semaden Terminal]]Or ... Engadiner Flughafen Samedan St. Moritz (Schweiz) claims to be the highest airport in Europe; in any case is strategically located in the middle of Raethian Alps !
Scighera has started the modelling of the buildings, beginning with the terminal 1 (actually the only one !)

===Aeroporto "Romeo Sartori", Asiago (LIDA)===
[[File:ZFoto_LIDA_Asiago_1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LIDA-Asiago]]LIDA Asiago (Veneto, Italy) is another small touristic airport at the edge between the Po River Plains and the Eastern Alps, populated with a lot of gliders.
Scighera has modelled the few buildings there, including the "fancy" Terminal.

The few 3D models are avilable for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html scighera's Homepage] and have been issued to Martin for inclusion in the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]].(It has been included on Dec 13th 2010)

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

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

== Wiki updates ==
===Developed Airports===
So far, we never had a list of all developed airports in FlightGear. This has now been changed. The [[Developed Airports]] article lists all aerodromes where at least one building has been placed, be it a static (unique) models or a shared model, but only if the objects are available from the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]]. This new list is meant to become the central site where we maintain an up-to-date list of all developed airports. For setting up this list, [[:User:D-79|D-79]] used the Forum discussion [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4700|List of Improved Airports in FlightGear].

[[Developed Airports]]

===Video Tutorials===
Over the past year, more and more [[Video Tutorials]] have been produced for FlightGear, so that it seemed sensible to set up a special wiki site for them, sorted by categories. Feel free to 1) make more video tutorials and 2) add them to the list. When making a video tutorial, please try to keep a certain standard: Video tutorials should have a good video resolution so that users can see what's happening on the screen, and they should have text or voice comment so that users understand what's being done.

[[File:Asi.png|thumb|120px|Airspeed indicator]]

===More Hangars===
The wiki article [[FlightGear Hangars]] has been extended by longfly. Now there are over 47 Hangars with interesting aircrafts, liveries and scenery. [http://www.flightgear.bplaced.de/filemanager/flightgear/index.php/flugzeugliste Longfly's german hangar] for example has begun to create a list of all aircrafts available for FlightGear. There are currently 412, which must be insert.

===Instrument glass reflection tutorial===
Horacio has written an excellent short tutorial to show how to add glass reflection effect to instruments, using graphic tools, so that the reflection effect is already contained in the main instrument image, and not depending on shaders meaning less CPU load. The result is widely satisfactory and very realistic.

[[Howto: Glass reflection effect for instruments]]

===Helipad category===
We have a new wiki [[:Category:Helipads|category for helipads]], as a sub-category of the [[:Category:Airports|airports category]]. So far, only the [[oil platforms]] can be found there, but others could be added, like hospital helipads or ANWB/ADAC/ÖAMTC heliports.

[[:Category:Helipads]]

===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 youtube ===
=== New tutorials and screencasts ===
Check out Zexe's video Tips and Tricks for Flightgear. Tips include how to Target-track, overlay instrument numbers, and so on. You can find them here on the wiki at [[Video_Tutorials#Advanced_options|Video Tutorials (advanced options)]] and on the [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=9811 forum].

=== Forum news ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== 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]].

=== 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].

=== Did you know ===

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 12]]

FlightGear Newsletter December 2010

2010-12-19T09:13:28Z

Scighera: /* Airports */

{{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.''

==2010 annual==
2010 was the year in which:
* FlightGear 2.0 was released.
* most of the existing virtual airlines were merged into [[Atlas Virtual Airlines]], making it the largest and by far most active FlightGear based airline.
* shaders started to be used all over the sim, introducing some new graphical eye candy as semi-realistic water reflections, 3D cities.
* the CVS servers broke down after a hardware failure, leading to our move to Git.
* detailed landclassing was created for various locations around the world.
* anaglyphic (3D) was introduced; making FlightGear the first flightsim with built-in 3D support.

== 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].

The [[FGFSPM]] (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer.

== Development news ==
[[User:T3r|Torsten]] improved the handling of reduced visibility due to fog, mist or haze. The global weather now interprets weather phenomena causing reduced visibility. The code places a cloud layer starting at the ground and reaching up to a certain altitude. After climbing through this layer, visibility increases rapidly, just like in real life.
As a side effect, the opacity of 2d cloud layers are now settable via the property tree. Also accessible at the property tree are the decoded weather phenomena from METAR reports along with its descriptions and intensity.

== Nasal for newbies ==
== New software tools and projects ==

== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
=== New aircraft ===

====Bell AH-1 Cobra====
[[File:Cobra.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Cobra in action.]]The Developers at [http://alphashangar.co.nr/ Alpha-J's Hangar] have started making the Bell AH-1 Cobra. Development is going well and can be tracked [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10130 here.] The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a two-bladed, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It shares a common engine, transmission and rotor system with the older UH-1 Iroquois. The AH-1 is also referred to as the HueyCobra or Snake.

====AgustaWestland AW139====
[[File:AW139ln.jpg|200px|thumb|left|AW139-here in the LongNose-version]]
HHS started to make the AW139, an italian midclass helicopter in use in many countries like the Netherlands, Spain, Italia, Ireland and Japan.
This work has been started due to the fact that above-average number of datas about the flightdynamic has been found, and the systems are very similar like to other new helicopters like the EC130 B4.
So you can expect another accurate helicopter next year. As special feature it is planned to simulate the 4-axis autopilot as accurate as possible.
People who would like to follow the developement can watch it at: [http://www.gitorious.org/aw139 http://www.gitorious.org/aw139]

=== Updated aircraft ===

====F5E Tiger II====
[[File:Fgfs-screen-014.png|200px|thumb|left|F5E Tiger II.]]
Has many updated aspects, please follow the link : [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10327] . For direct download: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16442048/F-5Ev20101219.rar

====Short S.23 Empire flying boat====

[[File:Sperry_A-2.jpg|thumb|250px|The control unit of the Sperry A-2 automatic pilot in a Short S.23 Empire flying boat.]]

The [[Short Empire|Short Empire flying boat]] has been updated with a Sperry A-2 automatic pilot by Anders, filling one of the remaining empty spots on the dashboard.

====Lockheed L-1011 Tristar====
Fresh off a 1/10 rating, the TriStar is closer to having a working cockpit. Currently there are three working photorealistic instruments. A full cockpit update is planned to be sent to the repository soon.

====Eurocopter EC130 B4====
[[File:Ec130.10.jpg|200px|thumb|right|EC130 B4- latest development version]]
Not for beginners anymore- the EC130 has been updated and the latest developement is now available in GIT. This includes a better and more accurate 3d-model with customized reflection effects, detailed mainrotor, 3d-cockpit and a more accurate fdm.
More interesting is the systems simulation: FADEC, FLI (FirstLimitIndicator) in the work, electrical systems, fuel, Force Trim Release....
This is all based on the original flight manual, and as there is no Autostart you have to follow the checklist to get this bird started. A first simple flightmanual is included.
There are still a lot of things left to do, which will be done in the next weeks and months:

*lighting
*bug fixing
*sound config
*paintkit with high detailed liveries
*completing the 3d-work
*failures
*better flightmanual

and some things more.

====Airbus A380====
After several months of remodelling and coding, the A380 has been updated and committed to the general FGdata Git repository ready for the next release of FlightGear.
The A380 comes with three liveries;
* Airbus House
* Singapore Airlines
* Qantas Airways
There are too many changes since the last "Milestone" release twelve months ago to list here. The [[Airbus A380]] wiki page details the list of items that have been completed or are still on the "To Do" list. The aircraft requires the latest Git build of FlightGear as it uses many features in the up coming release including digital filters in the autopilot, OSG Text animations and James Turners new GPS code.

=== Liveries ===

== Scenery corner ==
===Cities===
At least four of the five boroughs of New York City should have land cover in the database by the start of the new year with the only other missing borough, Manhattan, to come in the very near future. The MetLife Building, the former Pan Am building, has been modeled as well, giving Manhattan its first non-generic skyscraper!

===Land Cover===
====Eastern Europe====
Detailed scenery is under development for the E20N40 area, with the following countries partly or fully covered:
* Albania
* Bulgaria
* Hungary
* Kosovo
* FYR Macedonia
* Poland
* Romania
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Turkey

The scenery is using Corine land classification data, road and railroad data from OpenStreetMap and SRTM v4 elevation data from CGIAR.

[[File:E20n40.png|thumb|400px|left]]
 

==== New England ====
More New England coverage as western Massachusetts has been added to the map server and therefore has been made part of the default scenery package. The next scenery release will allow users to fly from New York John F. Kennedy Int'l to Burlington, Vermont without having to pass over any vmap0 (current) scenery. More coverage is planned as well.

====Republic of Ireland====

Detailed scenery made from CORINE land cover data is now available for the Republic of Ireland. Road and railroad data is from OpenStreetMap, elevation data is SRTM v3. A nice feature of this scenery is that the coastline is rendered using the Corine shapes, so flying along the coast looks a lot prettier than the in the default vmap0 scenery. The scenery pack also contains a terminal building for Knock Ireland West Airport (EIKN) not previously seen.

See some screenshots [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=10326 here] and for further details see the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10354 forum announcement].

=== Airports ===
====Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (KCHO)====
[[File:DevelopmenofKCHOPart1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|KCHO under development]]I (Catchatyou) am currently working on making a new airport for FlightGear! It is Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (KCHO). I must say that I am new to Blender and FlightGear, but I am excited to be a part of it. I hope that my creation will eventually sprout into a beautiful product as time goes by. I have no set date on when this should be completed, but I hope that I can make it as soon as possible.

[[File:eddm tower.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Development version of EDDM tower]]I am not just making the airport building. I'm hoping to eventually add in the parking lot and other various objects.

Thank you for making contributing so easy.

====Franz Josef Strauss Airport Munich (EDDM)====
[[:User:D-79|D-79]] started modelling EDDM in October and is dedicated to make this the most detailed airport in Germany. So far, both terminals have been modelled, as well as most of the additional buildings on the aprons. One of the most difficult tasks proved to be setting up ground vehicles. But now they're running as an AI scenario of [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GhGbV7n0Uk eight busses and trucks]. As soon as work is finished, the airport will be sent to Martin of the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]].

====Aeroporto "Gianni Caproni", Mattarello, Trento (Northern Italy) (LIDT)====
[[File:LIDT-Mattarello.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LIDT-Mattarello]]LIDT is a small touristic airport located in Mattarello, very close to Trento (Trentino Alto Adige-Sued Tyrol), and is dedicated to Giovanni Caproni, an Italian pioneer of aviation, born in Arco, near Trento.
Beside the terminal building there is an Aviation Museum containing some aircrafts built by the Caproni Factory in early XX century.

The LIDT airport is home to the [http://www.protezionecivile.tn.it/frame.asp?Site=11&Area=29&Sect=221&Subs=260 "Gruppo Elicotteri Vigili del Fuoco Trento"] (Trento Fire Dept Helicopter Group), involved in many rescue operations on the Alps.

Scighera has modeled the Main Building (Air Terminal, Tower and Aerhotel), the Caproni Aviation Museum and various hangars, including the one of the Fire Dept Helicopter Group.

The 3D models are available for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html scighera's Homepage] and are already available on [http://wiki.flightgear.org/index.php/TerraSync Terrasync].

===Engiadina Airport, Semaden St.Murezzan (Svizra)(LSZS)===
[[File:Z_LSZS_Samedan1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LSZS Semaden Terminal]]Or ... Engadiner Flughafen Samedan St. Moritz (Schweiz) claims to be the highest airport in Europe; in any case is strategically located in the middle of Raethian Alps !
Scighera has started the modelling of the buildings, beginning with the terminal 1 (actually the only one !)

===Aeroporto "Romeo Sartori", Asiago (LIDA)===
[[File:ZFoto_LIDA_Asiago_1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LIDA-Asiago]]LIDA Asiago (Veneto, Italy) is another small touristic airport at the edge between the Po River Plains and the Eastern Alps, populated with a lot of gliders.
Scighera has modelled the few buildings there, including the "fancy" Terminal.

The few 3D models are avilable for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html scighera's Homepage] and have been issued to Martin for inclusion in the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]].(It has been included on Dec 13th 2010)

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

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

== Wiki updates ==
===Developed Airports===
So far, we never had a list of all developed airports in FlightGear. This has now been changed. The [[Developed Airports]] article lists all aerodromes where at least one building has been placed, be it a static (unique) models or a shared model, but only if the objects are available from the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]]. This new list is meant to become the central site where we maintain an up-to-date list of all developed airports. For setting up this list, [[:User:D-79|D-79]] used the Forum discussion [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4700|List of Improved Airports in FlightGear].

[[Developed Airports]]

===Video Tutorials===
Over the past year, more and more [[Video Tutorials]] have been produced for FlightGear, so that it seemed sensible to set up a special wiki site for them, sorted by categories. Feel free to 1) make more video tutorials and 2) add them to the list. When making a video tutorial, please try to keep a certain standard: Video tutorials should have a good video resolution so that users can see what's happening on the screen, and they should have text or voice comment so that users understand what's being done.

[[File:Asi.png|thumb|120px|Airspeed indicator]]

===More Hangars===
The wiki article [[FlightGear Hangars]] has been extended by longfly. Now there are over 47 Hangars with interesting aircrafts, liveries and scenery. [http://www.flightgear.bplaced.de/filemanager/flightgear/index.php/flugzeugliste Longfly's german hangar] for example has begun to create a list of all aircrafts available for FlightGear. There are currently 412, which must be insert.

===Instrument glass reflection tutorial===
Horacio has written an excellent short tutorial to show how to add glass reflection effect to instruments, using graphic tools, so that the reflection effect is already contained in the main instrument image, and not depending on shaders meaning less CPU load. The result is widely satisfactory and very realistic.

[[Howto: Glass reflection effect for instruments]]

===Helipad category===
We have a new wiki [[:Category:Helipads|category for helipads]], as a sub-category of the [[:Category:Airports|airports category]]. So far, only the [[oil platforms]] can be found there, but others could be added, like hospital helipads or ANWB/ADAC/ÖAMTC heliports.

[[:Category:Helipads]]

===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 youtube ===
=== New tutorials and screencasts ===
Check out Zexe's video Tips and Tricks for Flightgear. Tips include how to Target-track, overlay instrument numbers, and so on. You can find them here on the wiki at [[Video_Tutorials#Advanced_options|Video Tutorials (advanced options)]] and on the [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=9811 forum].

=== Forum news ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== 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]].

=== 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].

=== Did you know ===

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 12]]

File:Z LSZS Samedan1.jpg

2010-12-19T09:01:52Z

Scighera: Samedan (Semaden) Airport

Samedan (Semaden) Airport

FlightGear Newsletter December 2010

2010-12-15T14:38:53Z

Scighera: /* Aeroporto "Romeo Sartori", Asiago (LIDA) */

{{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.''

==2010 annual==
2010 was the year in which:
* FlightGear 2.0 was released.
* most of the existing virtual airlines were merged into [[Atlas Virtual Airlines]], making it the largest and by far most active FlightGear based airline.
* shaders started to be used all over the sim, introducing some new graphical eye candy as semi-realistic water reflections, 3D cities.
* the CVS servers broke down after a hardware failure, leading to our move to Git.
* detailed landclassing was created for various locations around the world.
* anaglyphic (3D) was introduced; making FlightGear the first flightsim with built-in 3D support.

== 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].

The [[FGFSPM]] (FlightGear Package Manager) is looking for a new maintainer.

== Development news ==

== Nasal for newbies ==
== New software tools and projects ==

== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
=== New aircraft ===

====Bell AH-1 Cobra====
[[File:Cobra.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Cobra in action.]]The Developers at [http://alphashangar.co.nr/ Alpha-J's Hangar] have started making the Bell AH-1 Cobra. Development is going well and can be tracked [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10130 here.] The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a two-bladed, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It shares a common engine, transmission and rotor system with the older UH-1 Iroquois. The AH-1 is also referred to as the HueyCobra or Snake.

====AugustaWestland AW139====
HHS started to make the AW139, an italian midclass helicopter in use in many countries like the Netherlands, Spain, Italia, Ireland and Japan.
This work has been started due to the fact that above-average number of datas about the flightdynamic has been found, and the systems are very similar like to other new helicopters like the EC130 B4.
So you can expect another accurate helicopter next year. As special feature it is planned to simulate the 4-axis autopilot as accurate as possible.
People who would like to follow the developement can watch it at: [http://www.gitorious.org/aw139 http://www.gitorious.org/aw139]

=== Updated aircraft ===

====F5E Tiger II====
Has many updated aspects, please follow the link : [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10327] . For direct download: [http://www.mediafire.com/?h3i7otzhd69h84s]
[[File:Fgfs-screen-014.png|200px|thumb|left|F5E Tiger II.]]

====Short S.23 Empire flying boat====

[[File:Sperry_A-2.jpg|thumb|250px|The control unit of the Sperry A-2 automatic pilot in a Short S.23 Empire flying boat.]]

The [[Short Empire|Short Empire flying boat]] has been updated with a Sperry A-2 automatic pilot by Anders, filling one of the remaining empty spots on the dashboard.

====Lockheed L-1011 Tristar====
Fresh off a 1/10 rating, the TriStar is closer to having a working cockpit. Currently there are three working photorealistic instruments. A full cockpit update is planned to be sent to the repository soon.

====Eurocopter EC130 B4====
[[File:Ec130.10.jpg|200px|thumb|right|EC130 B4- latest development version]]
Not for beginners anymore- the EC130 has been updated and the latest developement is now available in GIT. This includes a better and more accurate 3d-model with customized reflection effects, detailed mainrotor, 3d-cockpit and a more accurate fdm.
More interesting is the systems simulation: FADEC, FLI (FirstLimitIndicator) in the work, electrical systems, fuel, Force Trim Release....
This is all based on the original flight manual, and as there is no Autostart you have to follow the checklist to get this bird started. A first simple flightmanual is included.
There are still a lot of things left to do, which will be done in the next weeks and months:

*lighting
*bug fixing
*sound config
*paintkit with high detailed liveries
*completing the 3d-work
*failures
*better flightmanual

and some things more.

=== Liveries ===

== Scenery corner ==
===Land Cover===
====Eastern Europe====
Detailed scenery is under development for the E20N40 area, with the following countries partly or fully covered:
* Albania
* Bulgaria
* Hungary
* Kosovo
* FYR Macedonia
* Poland
* Romania
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Turkey

The scenery is using Corine land classification data, road and railroad data from OpenStreetMap and SRTM v4 elevation data from CGIAR.

[[File:E20n40.png|thumb|400px|left]]
 

==== New England ====
More New England coverage as western Massachusetts has been added to the map server and therefore has been made part of the default scenery package. The next scenery release will allow users to fly from New York John F. Kennedy Int'l to Burlington, Vermont without having to pass over any vmap0 (current) scenery. More coverage is planned as well.

====Republic of Ireland====

Detailed scenery made from CORINE land cover data is now available for the Republic of Ireland. Road and railroad data is from OpenStreetMap, elevation data is SRTM v3. A nice feature of this scenery is that the coastline is rendered using the Corine shapes, so flying along the coast looks a lot prettier than the in the default vmap0 scenery. The scenery pack also contains a terminal building for Knock Ireland West Airport (EIKN) not previously seen.

See some screenshots [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=10326 here] and for further details see the [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10354 forum announcement].

=== Airports ===
====Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (KCHO)====
[[File:DevelopmenofKCHOPart1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|KCHO under development]]I (Catchatyou) am currently working on making a new airport for FlightGear! It is Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (KCHO). I must say that I am new to Blender and FlightGear, but I am excited to be a part of it. I hope that my creation will eventually sprout into a beautiful product as time goes by. I have no set date on when this should be completed, but I hope that I can make it as soon as possible.

[[File:eddm tower.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Development version of EDDM tower]]I am not just making the airport building. I'm hoping to eventually add in the parking lot and other various objects.

Thank you for making contributing so easy.

====Franz Josef Strauss Airport Munich (EDDM)====
[[:User:D-79|D-79]] started modelling EDDM in October and is dedicated to make this the most detailed airport in Germany. So far, both terminals have been modelled, as well as most of the additional buildings on the aprons. One of the most difficult tasks proved to be setting up ground vehicles. But now they're running as an AI scenario of [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GhGbV7n0Uk eight busses and trucks]. The ground network is also near completion. The AI scenario and the ground network will probably be uploaded to GIT soon, and a first version of all buildings has been sent to Martin of the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]].

====Aeroporto "Gianni Caproni", Mattarello, Trento (Northern Italy) (LIDT)====
[[File:LIDT-Mattarello.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LIDT-Mattarello]]LIDT is a small touristic airport located in Mattarello, very close to Trento (Trentino Alto Adige-Sued Tyrol), and is dedicated to Giovanni Caproni, an Italian pioneer of aviation, born in Arco, near Trento.
Beside the terminal building there is an Aviation Museum containing some aircrafts built by the Caproni Factory in early XX century.

The LIDT airport is home to the [http://www.protezionecivile.tn.it/frame.asp?Site=11&Area=29&Sect=221&Subs=260 "Gruppo Elicotteri Vigili del Fuoco Trento"] (Trento Fire Dept Helicopter Group), involved in many rescue operations on the Alps.

Scighera has modeled the Main Building (Air Terminal, Tower and Aerhotel), the Caproni Aviation Museum and various hangars, including the one of the Fire Dept Helicopter Group.

The 3D models are available for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html scighera's Homepage] and are already available on [http://wiki.flightgear.org/index.php/TerraSync Terrasync].

===Aeroporto "Romeo Sartori", Asiago (LIDA)===
[[File:ZFoto_LIDA_Asiago_1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|LIDA-Asiago]]LIDA Asiago (Veneto, Italy) is another small touristic airport at the edge between the Po River Plains and the Eastern Alps, populated with a lot of gliders.
Scighera has modelled the few buildings there, including the "fancy" Terminal.

The few 3D models are avilable for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html scighera's Homepage] and have been issued to Martin for inclusion in the [[FlightGear Scenery Database]].(It has been included on Dec 13th 2010)

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

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

== Wiki updates ==
===Video tutorials===
Over the past year, more and more [[Video Tutorials]] have been produced for FlightGear, so that it seemed sensible to set up a special wiki site for them, sorted by categories. Feel free to 1) make more video tutorials and 2) add them to the list. When making a video tutorial, please try to keep a certain standard: Video tutorials should have a good video resolution so that users can see what's happening on the screen, and they should have text or voice comment so that users understand what's being done.

[[File:Asi.png|thumb|120px|Airspeed indicator]]

===Instrument glass reflection tutorial===
Horacio has written an excellent short tutorial to show how to add glass reflection effect to instruments, using graphic tools, so that the reflection effect is already contained in the main instrument image, and not depending on shaders meaning less CPU load. The result is widely satisfactory and very realistic.

[[Howto: Glass reflection effect for instruments]]

===Helipad category===
We have a new wiki [[:Category:Helipads|category for helipads]], as a sub-category of the [[:Category:Airports|airports category]]. So far, only the [[oil platforms]] can be found there, but others could be added, like hospital helipads or ANWB/ADAC/ÖAMTC heliports.

[[:Category:Helipads]]

===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 youtube ===
=== New tutorials and screencasts ===
Check out Zexe's video Tips and Tricks for Flightgear. Tips include how to Target-track, overlay instrument numbers, and so on. You can find them here on the wiki at [[Video_Tutorials#Advanced_options|Video Tutorials (advanced options)]] and on the [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=9811 forum].

=== Forum news ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== 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]].

=== 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].

=== Did you know ===

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 12]]

FlightGear Newsletter December 2010

2010-12-12T14:41:35Z

Scighera: /* Airports */

File:ZFoto LIDA Asiago 1.jpg

2010-12-12T14:30:45Z

Scighera: Aeroporto "Romeo Sartori", Asiago (LIDA)

Aeroporto "Romeo Sartori", Asiago (LIDA)

FlightGear Newsletter December 2010

2010-12-12T14:28:42Z

Scighera: /* Aeroporto "Gianni Caproni", Mattarello, Trento (Northern Italy) (LIDT) */

FlightGear Newsletter December 2010

2010-12-08T09:38:49Z

Scighera: /* Airports */

FlightGear Newsletter December 2010

2010-12-08T09:37:34Z

Scighera: /* Aeroporto "Gianni Caproni", Mattarello, Trento (Northern Italy) (LIDT) */

FlightGear Newsletter December 2010

2010-12-08T09:35:24Z

Scighera: /* Aeroporto "Gianni Caproni", Mattarello, Trento (Northern Italy) (LIDT) */

FlightGear Newsletter December 2010

2010-12-07T18:06:52Z

Scighera: /* Airports */

FlightGear Newsletter December 2010

2010-12-07T17:38:02Z

Scighera: /* Airports */

File:LIDT-Mattarello.jpg

2010-12-07T17:22:16Z

Scighera: LIDT - Mattarello Trento Airport "Gianni Caproni"

LIDT - Mattarello Trento Airport "Gianni Caproni"

Orio al Serio Airport

2010-09-21T13:35:44Z

Scighera:

{{infobox Airport
|name = Aeroporto "Antonio Locatelli" Bergamo Orio al Serio
|image =LIME-100621_1.jpg
|alt =
|iata =BGY
|icao =LIME
|type =Public
|city =Orio al Serio, Bergamo
|owner =SACBO S.p.A.
|website =http://www.sacbo.it/Airpor/portalProcess.jsp
|runway= 10/28
|length= 2937 m
|material= Asphalt
|runway2= 12/30
|length2= 778 m
|material2= Asphalt
}}

= LIME/Bergamo Orio al Serio =

{| class="wikitable" border="0" cellspacing="0"
| Author: || Paolo Rota (scighera) ||
|-
| Status: || under construction ||
|-
| Webpage: || [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html Author's webpage] ||
|-
| Tile: || e000n040 (e009n045) ||
|}

=== About the project ===
The project has started with the additions of taxiways and aprons (which were missing on FG 1.9.1) with taxydraw, and the subsequent run of Terrragear.

Presently (sept 2010), the following buildings have been modeled:

- Radar Tower

- A second Radar Tower

- Control Tower

- Preexisting Control Tower, with annex building

- Fire Dept building

- DHL wharehouse

- Airport Entrance Building

- Main Terminal (to be completed

- Twin semicilindrical open hangar

- "Carabinieri" (Police) Heli Hangar

- A large commercial hangar

=== Notes on installing ===
-

=== Things to do ===
*Complete the remaining building (mainly the buildings close to runway 12/30 for the local Aeroclub
*Complete the night texture

=== Known Bugs ===

[[Category:Airports in Italy]]

File:LIME-100621 1.jpg

2010-09-21T13:32:52Z

Scighera: LIME - Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport

LIME - Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport

Orio al Serio Airport

2010-09-21T13:25:53Z

Scighera: Created page with '{{infobox Airport |name = Aeroporto "Antonio Locatelli" Bergamo Orio al Serio |image =xxx.jpg |alt = |iata =BGY |icao =LIME |type =Public |city =Orio al Serio, Bergamo |owner =SA…'

{{infobox Airport
|name = Aeroporto "Antonio Locatelli" Bergamo Orio al Serio
|image =xxx.jpg
|alt =
|iata =BGY
|icao =LIME
|type =Public
|city =Orio al Serio, Bergamo
|owner =SACBO S.p.A.
|website =http://www.sacbo.it/Airpor/portalProcess.jsp
|runway= 10/28
|length= 2937 m
|material= Asphalt
|runway2= 12/30
|length2= 778 m
|material2= Asphalt
}}

= LIME/Bergamo Orio al Serio =

{| class="wikitable" border="0" cellspacing="0"
| Author: || Paolo Rota (scighera) ||
|-
| Status: || under construction ||
|-
| Webpage: || [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html Author's webpage] ||
|-
| Tile: || e000n040 (e009n045) ||
|}

=== About the project ===
The project has started with the additions of taxiways and aprons (which were missing on FG 1.9.1) with taxydraw, and the subsequent run of Terrragear.

Presently (sept 2010), the following buildings have been modeled:

- Radar Tower

- A second Radar Tower

- Control Tower

- Preexisting Control Tower, with annex building

- Fire Dept building

- DHL wharehouse

- Airport Entrance Building

- Main Terminal (to be completed

- Twin semicilindrical open hangar

- "Carabinieri" (Police) Heli Hangar

- A large commercial hangar

=== Notes on installing ===
-

=== Things to do ===
*Complete the remaining building (mainly the buildings close to runway 12/30 for the local Aeroclub
*Complete the night texture

=== Known Bugs ===

[[Category:Airports in Italy]]

File:PoolbegPP-01.jpg

2010-09-21T10:19:57Z

Scighera: uploaded a new version of "File:PoolbegPP-01.jpg": Reverted to version as of 10:17, 21 September 2010

Poolbeg Power Station (Dublin). Model in progress

File:PoolbegPP-01.jpg

2010-09-21T10:19:21Z

Scighera: uploaded a new version of "File:PoolbegPP-01.jpg": Reverted to version as of 10:54, 17 September 2010

Poolbeg Power Station (Dublin). Model in progress

File:PoolbegPP-01.jpg

2010-09-21T10:17:39Z

Scighera: uploaded a new version of "File:PoolbegPP-01.jpg": Work progressed on model

Poolbeg Power Station (Dublin). Model in progress

FlightGear Newsletter September 2010

2010-09-17T10:56:12Z

Scighera: /* Power Plants */

{{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 ==
== Development news ==

===Local Weather v0.85===
The [http://www.phy.duke.edu/~trenk/files/local_weather_fgfs2.0.0_v0.85.tgz version 0.85] (also on GIT) of the Local Weather package is out - with new cloud types and textures and most importantly a significant performance gain over previous versions. There is a new menu to allow the user at runtime to specify cloud visual ranges, so that the impact on framerate can be adjusted to the situation.

The increased performance means that 3d clouds on fast systems can be rendered out to 45 km, and high altitude 2d cloud sheets sometimes up to 80 km - vastly improving the visual impression of the sky from airliner altitudes.

In addition, some bugs in the wind modelling and long-range weather patterns have been ironed out - with Flightgear 2.0.0, the package performs good in tests.

In the works:

* better hard-coded support for e.g. terrain sampling
* a METAR interface to use real-time weather and wind data
* full dynamics of the life cycle of convective clouds as they drift over the terrain
* and as always - improvements to cloud placement algorithms and cloud textures

Stay tuned!

A small feature gallery:
<gallery>
Image:local_weather_0.85_01.jpg| Cumulus and Cirrocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_02.jpg| Cirrus and Cirrostratus clouds heralding a warmfront (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_03.jpg| 45 km cloud visibility range (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_04.jpg| Realistic cloud bottoms (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_05.jpg| Cumulus and Altocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_06.jpg| Multiple 3d layered clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
</gallery>

===Water shader improvements===
[[File:Water shader Ju 52.jpg|300px|left|[[Junkers Ju 52]] flying over a lake in the French custom scenery.]]
Our all-time favourite shader-artist, Gral, picked up yet another project. This time it is something that covers over 70% of the entire scenery and is thus of great importance in a flight simulator: water. The new shader includes more realistic wave movements and much nicer sun "reflections". The extreme goal is to have real-time reflective water, which is still a long way to go, but with Gral's latest improvements we've at least made a step into the right direction. Transatlantic or Carribean flights have never been so exiting in FlightGear!

=== Weather supporting core code ===
[[File:new_weather_dialog.png|150px|right|The new weather dialog]]
The weather supporting core of FlightGear [http://gitorious.org/fg/flightgear/commit/5c6fe952598053fa63631fc0161d666f22a50f51 has been modified] during the last weeks to better support new weather models like the above mentioned Local Weather system. Data flow between environment systems is now defined in XML config files using well [[Autopilot Configuration Reference|known syntax and elements from the autopilot]]. Complex rules using predefined filters and arbitrary expressions can be defined without the need for C++ or Nasal coding.
Along with this patch comes a unified weather settings dialog, combining previous dialogs for weather conditions, scenario, clouds and precipitation. Further plans are to integrate a new real world data source [http://www.navlost.eu/nwxs/doc/desc/ NWX], providing METAR, aloft and temperature at altitude.

=== AI Objects ===
[[File:AIWingmenandAITanker.jpg|thumb|[ AIWingmen and AITanker]]

Some of the AI code has been revisited and tidied up, in a somewhat vain attempt to reduce the impact on frame rate. The facilities in Slaved Ballistic Objects, Wingmen, Ground Vehicles, and Escorts have been generalized. Now, any of these types can be subordinated, or parented, on any AI object which has a <name> tag. Thus, a wingman can be formated on a an AI Tanker, and can have a slaved droptank.

A Wingman can be formated on a Wingman to build larger formations.
[http://www.youtube.com/v/YaBghBIZZWI B29 12 Ship Formation]

With careful choice of options and locations frame rates can be kept at a reasonable level. Analysis has shown that the tall pole in the tent is the code which measures Altitude Above Ground Level. This is known to be code that is heavy on framerate and which is used extensively in the AI code. It might be possible to get a cheaper, simpler version of this function which would improve the impact on framerate. Hopefully, this will be the next stage of development.

=== Download & Compile script ===
For the Debian/Ubuntu users, an improvement to the [[Scripted_Compilation_on_Linux_Debian/Ubuntu|download and compile]]. If svn/git compilation fails from lates revisions (generally caused by sources among different softwares not in sync) you can still compile and obtain the lates known compiling version using the -s switch. Beware that this feature is under testing, but should work fine.

== Nasal for newbies: OOP ==
OOP is all about creating "things" (i.e. a cloud) with "actions" (transform,draw,update) (or "messages").
Where a class (or hash in Nasal) is the "template" for a "thing" containing a number of member fields.
So the class only describes the "layout" or properties of objects that can be created. To actually use a class, it has to be "instantiated" which means creating an object using a specific "template class" (or even several different classes).

These member fields can be variables (e.g. lat, lon, alt) or functions (setAlt, setPos).
And the actual instance (cloud[n] in the property tree) of such a thing is then called an "object".
Functions that work with instance specific state are called "methods", they may refer to instance specific state using a "self reference" (me) in Nasal, that ensures that access to a field or method is using the right instance specific data.

In OOP, internal state is managed by wrapping everything in a class using accessor functions for modifying and getting internal values.
So internal state would in turn only be modified by an abstract interface: class "methods", instead of directly accessing class-internal fields.

This provides a way for managing access to a member variable (field), such an abstract interface is also useful for keeping logics private, and internal. For example, the name of a variable "altitude" can be easily changed internally to "altitude_ft", without having to rename all users of the class - simply because all other code will refer to the methods providing access to the field.

For example, instead of doing something like cloud.lat=10.22; cloud.lon=43.22; you would have a method accepting lat/lon variables: cloud.setPos(lat, lon);

That means that the actual variables containing the values for lat/lon are not exposed or used outside the actual object. This is called encapsulation and provides you with a way to manage state and ensure that internal state is valid at all times, because other code may only use the external interface.

This allows you for example to simply rename a class variable, without having to change any of the code that uses the object, because other code only uses class methods.

Another important thing in OOP is separation of concerns, i.e. you don't want to end up with huge bloated "super classes" that manage all sorts of different state, but instead use different classes where appropriate to split code into abstract "modules" with well defined responsibilities.

So, one of the very first steps to convert procedural code to OOP code would be to group your code into a number of logical "classes" (e.g. cloud, cloud field ).

Classes may be composed of other classes, i.e. a "cloud field" class would in turn contain "cloud" classes.
This is then called "composition".

Another way is inheritance, where a type may inherit properties (fields:variables and methods) from a "parent" class. Imagine it like taking a "template" for the class and then saying "make a new class using this template".

Inheritance has the added advantage of providing a means to customize class behavior without having to modify the actual class, because all member fields can be parametrized.

For example, a "cumulus" cloud class could be derived from the "cloud" class, just by parametrizing it (different cloud model, different texture, different transformations), without touching anything in the actual "cloud" class.

This is basically how OOP may be understood: things are classified according to "is a" or "has a" relationship.

Of course, one may still use objects like conventional variables for passing and returning parameters.

== New software tools ==
== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
===Livery hangar reaches 300===
Early September, the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/ FlightGear Livery Database] welcomed its [http://liveries.flightgear.org/liveries.php?id=301 300th livery]! It is a livery of the Polish Air Force's [[Lockheed C130]], created by Maciej Zgódka, one of the latest additions to the painters-team. In the same time, the database was upgraded with a couple of new "features":
* thumbnails of liveries pop up when you hover over a link.
* a contact page was added, to ease contacting the database maintainer.
* each livery has a "Report this livery" button, through which visitors can notify the maintainer of a broken download, incorrect or unknown author, licensing issues etc.

I would like to emphasize that lots of liveries are not yet assigned an author. Please check for yourself if there is any [http://liveries.flightgear.org/authors.php unknown-author-livery] of which you known/are the author. Lots of liveries are still in the need for a thumbnail, so those are welcome as well.
===BAe-146===
"Pilot Penguin" and "[[User:Nickyivyca|nickyivyca]]" have begun work on the BAe-146. Pilot Penguin will be doing mostly 3D work, and nick will be doing mostly FDM and systems work. [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9494&start=15 See the forum thread for more info.]

== Scenery corner ==
===UK Football Stadiums===
[[File:Emiratesstadium.jpg|thumb|Emirates Stadium in Flightgear]]
Andyramone has completed and submitted three football stadiums to the scenery database. These include Carrow Road (Norwich), Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) and Stamford Bridge (Chelsea.) Portman Road (Ipswich) and White Hart Lane (Tottenham) are complete and will be submitted to the scenery database this month. The project will continue later this year with more London stadiums including Wembley on the to do list.

===Liverpool John Lennon Airport===
Andyramone has begun modeling Liverpool Airport (EGGP) in the UK. The terminal is complete and will be submitted to the database this month. Work has already begun on the control tower.

===KSFO Terminal 2===
San Fransisco International Terminal 2 has been fully remodelled by karla in Blender 2.49b using handmade textures in Gimp 2.46. New additions include: linking wings, antennae, railings, supports, ground floors interiors, ATC equipment, vigilant controller, architecture, light masts, night textures.

It has been released and is available from the Git database or directly from http://www.mediafire.com/file/ev447wrsqrfijlf/KSFO_T2.zip

The associated 942050.stg file has been changed slightly and it may also be downloaded for replacement in /Scenery/Objects/w130n30/w123n37/.

===EIDW Dublin Airport===
"eag1e" (on the Forum, D-ELLE callsign) is working on the buildings of EIDW Dublin Airport.

See the post on the Forum [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8874&p=87271&hilit=EIDW#p87271]

The airport seems quite well advanced, it has been submitted to the model repository and it is available for direct download at:

http://www.knatterkasten.de/

===Power Plants===
Power Plants, with their red & white striped tall stacks, are outstanding visual aids for VFR.

scighera has modeled in Blender two Italian Power Plants:

- "'''ENEL Piombino 4x330 MW Power Plant'''", located in Piombino, right in front of the Isola d'Elba (Tuscany, Italy). It represent the standard italian heavy fuel oil fired 330 MW unit of the early 70ies, with 220 m high stacks provided with red obstruction lights. The model includes a Fuel oil unloading pear, with a mooring tankership

- "'''a2a 1000 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant'''" located in Cassano d'Adda (Lombardy, Italy, 30 km away from LIME Milano Linate). The plant is provided with 3 Turbogas, 3 Heat Recovery Steam Generators feeding the pre-existing steam turbines. There is a 220 m high red & white stiped stack and a lower 80 m stack.

The models have been submitted to the models repository (Piombino is already available on terrasync), and available for download at http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html

scighera is also working on the '''Poolbeg Power Plant''', on the Dublin peninsula, very close to the EIDW Dublin airport; the plant has two outstanding 208 m high stacks ...

<gallery>
Image:ENEL-Piombino-1.jpg| ENEL Piombino 4x330 MW Power Plant
Image:Cassano.jpg| Cassano d'Adda 1000MW Power Plant
Image:PoolbegPP-01.jpg|Poolbeg Power Station (Dublin) in progress
</gallery>

[[File:VadoLigureHarbor.jpg |thumb|Vado Ligure Container Ship Terminal]]

===Harbors===
Horbors, with their huge cranes and long peers, may be as well noticeable landmarks for VFR ...
scighera is presently working on the model of Vado Ligure Harbor, having completed the Container unloading peer.

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

== Suggested flights ==
===Hawai'i===
[[Image:Maui03.jpg|thumb]]
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.

== Aircraft reviews ==

== Community news ==
=== FlightGear on youtube ===
* Ten students at NASA's LARSS (Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars), put together [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmnFP-1UlSY an autonomous robotics lab], using mostly open source tools. One of which is a FlightGear Multiplayer Server.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkeApfVUnVk&feature=PlayList&p=3B31CCD15245D0AA&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 Watch the FlightGear PlayList] for a collection of all (somewhat) quality FlightGear videos ever uploaded to YouTube.

=== Forum news ===
=== Wiki updates ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== Useful links ==
== And finally ... ==
Next [http://www.fsweekend.com/ FSWeekend] event takes place November 6 & 7th 2010. Mark this date in your calendar and expect an outstanding presentation of FlightGear's features at [[Lelystad_Airport|Lelystad's airport]].

=== 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]].

=== 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].

=== Did you know ===

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 09]]

File:PoolbegPP-01.jpg

2010-09-17T10:54:29Z

Scighera: Poolbeg Power Station (Dublin). Model in progress

Poolbeg Power Station (Dublin). Model in progress

FlightGear Newsletter September 2010

2010-09-17T10:51:05Z

Scighera: /* Scenery corner */

{{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 ==
== Development news ==

===Local Weather v0.85===
The [http://www.phy.duke.edu/~trenk/files/local_weather_fgfs2.0.0_v0.85.tgz version 0.85] (also on GIT) of the Local Weather package is out - with new cloud types and textures and most importantly a significant performance gain over previous versions. There is a new menu to allow the user at runtime to specify cloud visual ranges, so that the impact on framerate can be adjusted to the situation.

The increased performance means that 3d clouds on fast systems can be rendered out to 45 km, and high altitude 2d cloud sheets sometimes up to 80 km - vastly improving the visual impression of the sky from airliner altitudes.

In addition, some bugs in the wind modelling and long-range weather patterns have been ironed out - with Flightgear 2.0.0, the package performs good in tests.

In the works:

* better hard-coded support for e.g. terrain sampling
* a METAR interface to use real-time weather and wind data
* full dynamics of the life cycle of convective clouds as they drift over the terrain
* and as always - improvements to cloud placement algorithms and cloud textures

Stay tuned!

A small feature gallery:
<gallery>
Image:local_weather_0.85_01.jpg| Cumulus and Cirrocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_02.jpg| Cirrus and Cirrostratus clouds heralding a warmfront (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_03.jpg| 45 km cloud visibility range (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_04.jpg| Realistic cloud bottoms (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_05.jpg| Cumulus and Altocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_06.jpg| Multiple 3d layered clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
</gallery>

===Water shader improvements===
[[File:Water shader Ju 52.jpg|300px|left|[[Junkers Ju 52]] flying over a lake in the French custom scenery.]]
Our all-time favourite shader-artist, Gral, picked up yet another project. This time it is something that covers over 70% of the entire scenery and is thus of great importance in a flight simulator: water. The new shader includes more realistic wave movements and much nicer sun "reflections". The extreme goal is to have real-time reflective water, which is still a long way to go, but with Gral's latest improvements we've at least made a step into the right direction. Transatlantic or Carribean flights have never been so exiting in FlightGear!

=== Weather supporting core code ===
[[File:new_weather_dialog.png|150px|right|The new weather dialog]]
The weather supporting core of FlightGear [http://gitorious.org/fg/flightgear/commit/5c6fe952598053fa63631fc0161d666f22a50f51 has been modified] during the last weeks to better support new weather models like the above mentioned Local Weather system. Data flow between environment systems is now defined in XML config files using well [[Autopilot Configuration Reference|known syntax and elements from the autopilot]]. Complex rules using predefined filters and arbitrary expressions can be defined without the need for C++ or Nasal coding.
Along with this patch comes a unified weather settings dialog, combining previous dialogs for weather conditions, scenario, clouds and precipitation. Further plans are to integrate a new real world data source [http://www.navlost.eu/nwxs/doc/desc/ NWX], providing METAR, aloft and temperature at altitude.

=== AI Objects ===
[[File:AIWingmenandAITanker.jpg|thumb|[ AIWingmen and AITanker]]

Some of the AI code has been revisited and tidied up, in a somewhat vain attempt to reduce the impact on frame rate. The facilities in Slaved Ballistic Objects, Wingmen, Ground Vehicles, and Escorts have been generalized. Now, any of these types can be subordinated, or parented, on any AI object which has a <name> tag. Thus, a wingman can be formated on a an AI Tanker, and can have a slaved droptank.

A Wingman can be formated on a Wingman to build larger formations.
[http://www.youtube.com/v/YaBghBIZZWI B29 12 Ship Formation]

With careful choice of options and locations frame rates can be kept at a reasonable level. Analysis has shown that the tall pole in the tent is the code which measures Altitude Above Ground Level. This is known to be code that is heavy on framerate and which is used extensively in the AI code. It might be possible to get a cheaper, simpler version of this function which would improve the impact on framerate. Hopefully, this will be the next stage of development.

=== Download & Compile script ===
For the Debian/Ubuntu users, an improvement to the [[Scripted_Compilation_on_Linux_Debian/Ubuntu|download and compile]]. If svn/git compilation fails from lates revisions (generally caused by sources among different softwares not in sync) you can still compile and obtain the lates known compiling version using the -s switch. Beware that this feature is under testing, but should work fine.

== Nasal for newbies: OOP ==
OOP is all about creating "things" (i.e. a cloud) with "actions" (transform,draw,update) (or "messages").
Where a class (or hash in Nasal) is the "template" for a "thing" containing a number of member fields.
So the class only describes the "layout" or properties of objects that can be created. To actually use a class, it has to be "instantiated" which means creating an object using a specific "template class" (or even several different classes).

These member fields can be variables (e.g. lat, lon, alt) or functions (setAlt, setPos).
And the actual instance (cloud[n] in the property tree) of such a thing is then called an "object".
Functions that work with instance specific state are called "methods", they may refer to instance specific state using a "self reference" (me) in Nasal, that ensures that access to a field or method is using the right instance specific data.

In OOP, internal state is managed by wrapping everything in a class using accessor functions for modifying and getting internal values.
So internal state would in turn only be modified by an abstract interface: class "methods", instead of directly accessing class-internal fields.

This provides a way for managing access to a member variable (field), such an abstract interface is also useful for keeping logics private, and internal. For example, the name of a variable "altitude" can be easily changed internally to "altitude_ft", without having to rename all users of the class - simply because all other code will refer to the methods providing access to the field.

For example, instead of doing something like cloud.lat=10.22; cloud.lon=43.22; you would have a method accepting lat/lon variables: cloud.setPos(lat, lon);

That means that the actual variables containing the values for lat/lon are not exposed or used outside the actual object. This is called encapsulation and provides you with a way to manage state and ensure that internal state is valid at all times, because other code may only use the external interface.

This allows you for example to simply rename a class variable, without having to change any of the code that uses the object, because other code only uses class methods.

Another important thing in OOP is separation of concerns, i.e. you don't want to end up with huge bloated "super classes" that manage all sorts of different state, but instead use different classes where appropriate to split code into abstract "modules" with well defined responsibilities.

So, one of the very first steps to convert procedural code to OOP code would be to group your code into a number of logical "classes" (e.g. cloud, cloud field ).

Classes may be composed of other classes, i.e. a "cloud field" class would in turn contain "cloud" classes.
This is then called "composition".

Another way is inheritance, where a type may inherit properties (fields:variables and methods) from a "parent" class. Imagine it like taking a "template" for the class and then saying "make a new class using this template".

Inheritance has the added advantage of providing a means to customize class behavior without having to modify the actual class, because all member fields can be parametrized.

For example, a "cumulus" cloud class could be derived from the "cloud" class, just by parametrizing it (different cloud model, different texture, different transformations), without touching anything in the actual "cloud" class.

This is basically how OOP may be understood: things are classified according to "is a" or "has a" relationship.

Of course, one may still use objects like conventional variables for passing and returning parameters.

== New software tools ==
== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
===Livery hangar reaches 300===
Early September, the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/ FlightGear Livery Database] welcomed its [http://liveries.flightgear.org/liveries.php?id=301 300th livery]! It is a livery of the Polish Air Force's [[Lockheed C130]], created by Maciej Zgódka, one of the latest additions to the painters-team. In the same time, the database was upgraded with a couple of new "features":
* thumbnails of liveries pop up when you hover over a link.
* a contact page was added, to ease contacting the database maintainer.
* each livery has a "Report this livery" button, through which visitors can notify the maintainer of a broken download, incorrect or unknown author, licensing issues etc.

I would like to emphasize that lots of liveries are not yet assigned an author. Please check for yourself if there is any [http://liveries.flightgear.org/authors.php unknown-author-livery] of which you known/are the author. Lots of liveries are still in the need for a thumbnail, so those are welcome as well.
===BAe-146===
"Pilot Penguin" and "[[User:Nickyivyca|nickyivyca]]" have begun work on the BAe-146. Pilot Penguin will be doing mostly 3D work, and nick will be doing mostly FDM and systems work. [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9494&start=15 See the forum thread for more info.]

== Scenery corner ==
===UK Football Stadiums===
[[File:Emiratesstadium.jpg|thumb|Emirates Stadium in Flightgear]]
Andyramone has completed and submitted three football stadiums to the scenery database. These include Carrow Road (Norwich), Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) and Stamford Bridge (Chelsea.) Portman Road (Ipswich) and White Hart Lane (Tottenham) are complete and will be submitted to the scenery database this month. The project will continue later this year with more London stadiums including Wembley on the to do list.

===Liverpool John Lennon Airport===
Andyramone has begun modeling Liverpool Airport (EGGP) in the UK. The terminal is complete and will be submitted to the database this month. Work has already begun on the control tower.

===KSFO Terminal 2===
San Fransisco International Terminal 2 has been fully remodelled by karla in Blender 2.49b using handmade textures in Gimp 2.46. New additions include: linking wings, antennae, railings, supports, ground floors interiors, ATC equipment, vigilant controller, architecture, light masts, night textures.

It has been released and is available from the Git database or directly from http://www.mediafire.com/file/ev447wrsqrfijlf/KSFO_T2.zip

The associated 942050.stg file has been changed slightly and it may also be downloaded for replacement in /Scenery/Objects/w130n30/w123n37/.

===EIDW Dublin Airport===
"eag1e" (on the Forum, D-ELLE callsign) is working on the buildings of EIDW Dublin Airport.

See the post on the Forum [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8874&p=87271&hilit=EIDW#p87271]

The airport seems quite well advanced, it has been submitted to the model repository and it is available for direct download at:

http://www.knatterkasten.de/

===Power Plants===
Power Plants, with their red & white striped tall stacks, are outstanding visual aids for VFR.

scighera has modeled in Blender two Italian Power Plants:

- "'''ENEL Piombino 4x330 MW Power Plant'''", located in Piombino, right in front of the Isola d'Elba (Tuscany, Italy). It represent the standard italian heavy fuel oil fired 330 MW unit of the early 70ies, with 220 m high stacks provided with red obstruction lights. The model includes a Fuel oil unloading pear, with a mooring tankership

- "'''a2a 1000 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant'''" located in Cassano d'Adda (Lombardy, Italy, 30 km away from LIME Milano Linate). The plant is provided with 3 Turbogas, 3 Heat Recovery Steam Generators feeding the pre-existing steam turbines. There is a 220 m high red & white stiped stack and a lower 80 m stack.

The models have been submitted to the models repository (Piombino is already available on terrasync), and available for download at http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html

scighera is also working on the '''Poolbeg Power Plant''', on the Dublin peninsula, very close to the EIDW Dublin airport; the plant has two outstanding 208 m high stacks ...

<gallery>
Image:ENEL-Piombino-1.jpg| ENEL Piombino 4x330 MW Power Plant
Image:Cassano.jpg| Cassano d'Adda 1000MW Power Plant
</gallery>

[[File:VadoLigureHarbor.jpg |thumb|Vado Ligure Container Ship Terminal]]
===Harbors===
Horbors, with their huge cranes and long peers, may be as well noticeable landmarks for VFR ...
scighera is presently working on the model of Vado Ligure Harbor, having completed the Container unloading peer.

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

== Suggested flights ==
===Hawai'i===
[[Image:Maui03.jpg|thumb]]
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.

== Aircraft reviews ==

== Community news ==
=== FlightGear on youtube ===
* Ten students at NASA's LARSS (Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars), put together [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmnFP-1UlSY an autonomous robotics lab], using mostly open source tools. One of which is a FlightGear Multiplayer Server.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkeApfVUnVk&feature=PlayList&p=3B31CCD15245D0AA&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 Watch the FlightGear PlayList] for a collection of all (somewhat) quality FlightGear videos ever uploaded to YouTube.

=== Forum news ===
=== Wiki updates ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== Useful links ==
== And finally ... ==
Next [http://www.fsweekend.com/ FSWeekend] event takes place November 6 & 7th 2010. Mark this date in your calendar and expect an outstanding presentation of FlightGear's features at [[Lelystad_Airport|Lelystad's airport]].

=== 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]].

=== 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].

=== Did you know ===

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 09]]

FlightGear Newsletter September 2010

2010-09-17T10:24:59Z

Scighera: /* Harbors */

{{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 ==
== Development news ==

===Local Weather v0.85===
The [http://www.phy.duke.edu/~trenk/files/local_weather_fgfs2.0.0_v0.85.tgz version 0.85] (also on GIT) of the Local Weather package is out - with new cloud types and textures and most importantly a significant performance gain over previous versions. There is a new menu to allow the user at runtime to specify cloud visual ranges, so that the impact on framerate can be adjusted to the situation.

The increased performance means that 3d clouds on fast systems can be rendered out to 45 km, and high altitude 2d cloud sheets sometimes up to 80 km - vastly improving the visual impression of the sky from airliner altitudes.

In addition, some bugs in the wind modelling and long-range weather patterns have been ironed out - with Flightgear 2.0.0, the package performs good in tests.

In the works:

* better hard-coded support for e.g. terrain sampling
* a METAR interface to use real-time weather and wind data
* full dynamics of the life cycle of convective clouds as they drift over the terrain
* and as always - improvements to cloud placement algorithms and cloud textures

Stay tuned!

A small feature gallery:
<gallery>
Image:local_weather_0.85_01.jpg| Cumulus and Cirrocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_02.jpg| Cirrus and Cirrostratus clouds heralding a warmfront (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_03.jpg| 45 km cloud visibility range (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_04.jpg| Realistic cloud bottoms (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_05.jpg| Cumulus and Altocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_06.jpg| Multiple 3d layered clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
</gallery>

===Water shader improvements===
[[File:Water shader Ju 52.jpg|300px|left|[[Junkers Ju 52]] flying over a lake in the French custom scenery.]]
Our all-time favourite shader-artist, Gral, picked up yet another project. This time it is something that covers over 70% of the entire scenery and is thus of great importance in a flight simulator: water. The new shader includes more realistic wave movements and much nicer sun "reflections". The extreme goal is to have real-time reflective water, which is still a long way to go, but with Gral's latest improvements we've at least made a step into the right direction. Transatlantic or Carribean flights have never been so exiting in FlightGear!

=== Weather supporting core code ===
[[File:new_weather_dialog.png|150px|right|The new weather dialog]]
The weather supporting core of FlightGear [http://gitorious.org/fg/flightgear/commit/5c6fe952598053fa63631fc0161d666f22a50f51 has been modified] during the last weeks to better support new weather models like the above mentioned Local Weather system. Data flow between environment systems is now defined in XML config files using well [[Autopilot Configuration Reference|known syntax and elements from the autopilot]]. Complex rules using predefined filters and arbitrary expressions can be defined without the need for C++ or Nasal coding.
Along with this patch comes a unified weather settings dialog, combining previous dialogs for weather conditions, scenario, clouds and precipitation. Further plans are to integrate a new real world data source [http://www.navlost.eu/nwxs/doc/desc/ NWX], providing METAR, aloft and temperature at altitude.

=== AI Objects ===
[[File:AIWingmenandAITanker.jpg|thumb|[ AIWingmen and AITanker]]

Some of the AI code has been revisited and tidied up, in a somewhat vain attempt to reduce the impact on frame rate. The facilities in Slaved Ballistic Objects, Wingmen, Ground Vehicles, and Escorts have been generalized. Now, any of these types can be subordinated, or parented, on any AI object which has a <name> tag. Thus, a wingman can be formated on a an AI Tanker, and can have a slaved droptank.

A Wingman can be formated on a Wingman to build larger formations.
[http://www.youtube.com/v/YaBghBIZZWI B29 12 Ship Formation]

With careful choice of options and locations frame rates can be kept at a reasonable level. Analysis has shown that the tall pole in the tent is the code which measures Altitude Above Ground Level. This is known to be code that is heavy on framerate and which is used extensively in the AI code. It might be possible to get a cheaper, simpler version of this function which would improve the impact on framerate. Hopefully, this will be the next stage of development.

=== Download & Compile script ===
For the Debian/Ubuntu users, an improvement to the [[Scripted_Compilation_on_Linux_Debian/Ubuntu|download and compile]]. If svn/git compilation fails from lates revisions (generally caused by sources among different softwares not in sync) you can still compile and obtain the lates known compiling version using the -s switch. Beware that this feature is under testing, but should work fine.

== Nasal for newbies: OOP ==
OOP is all about creating "things" (i.e. a cloud) with "actions" (transform,draw,update) (or "messages").
Where a class (or hash in Nasal) is the "template" for a "thing" containing a number of member fields.
So the class only describes the "layout" or properties of objects that can be created. To actually use a class, it has to be "instantiated" which means creating an object using a specific "template class" (or even several different classes).

These member fields can be variables (e.g. lat, lon, alt) or functions (setAlt, setPos).
And the actual instance (cloud[n] in the property tree) of such a thing is then called an "object".
Functions that work with instance specific state are called "methods", they may refer to instance specific state using a "self reference" (me) in Nasal, that ensures that access to a field or method is using the right instance specific data.

In OOP, internal state is managed by wrapping everything in a class using accessor functions for modifying and getting internal values.
So internal state would in turn only be modified by an abstract interface: class "methods", instead of directly accessing class-internal fields.

This provides a way for managing access to a member variable (field), such an abstract interface is also useful for keeping logics private, and internal. For example, the name of a variable "altitude" can be easily changed internally to "altitude_ft", without having to rename all users of the class - simply because all other code will refer to the methods providing access to the field.

For example, instead of doing something like cloud.lat=10.22; cloud.lon=43.22; you would have a method accepting lat/lon variables: cloud.setPos(lat, lon);

That means that the actual variables containing the values for lat/lon are not exposed or used outside the actual object. This is called encapsulation and provides you with a way to manage state and ensure that internal state is valid at all times, because other code may only use the external interface.

This allows you for example to simply rename a class variable, without having to change any of the code that uses the object, because other code only uses class methods.

Another important thing in OOP is separation of concerns, i.e. you don't want to end up with huge bloated "super classes" that manage all sorts of different state, but instead use different classes where appropriate to split code into abstract "modules" with well defined responsibilities.

So, one of the very first steps to convert procedural code to OOP code would be to group your code into a number of logical "classes" (e.g. cloud, cloud field ).

Classes may be composed of other classes, i.e. a "cloud field" class would in turn contain "cloud" classes.
This is then called "composition".

Another way is inheritance, where a type may inherit properties (fields:variables and methods) from a "parent" class. Imagine it like taking a "template" for the class and then saying "make a new class using this template".

Inheritance has the added advantage of providing a means to customize class behavior without having to modify the actual class, because all member fields can be parametrized.

For example, a "cumulus" cloud class could be derived from the "cloud" class, just by parametrizing it (different cloud model, different texture, different transformations), without touching anything in the actual "cloud" class.

This is basically how OOP may be understood: things are classified according to "is a" or "has a" relationship.

Of course, one may still use objects like conventional variables for passing and returning parameters.

== New software tools ==
== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
===Livery hangar reaches 300===
Early September, the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/ FlightGear Livery Database] welcomed its [http://liveries.flightgear.org/liveries.php?id=301 300th livery]! It is a livery of the Polish Air Force's [[Lockheed C130]], created by Maciej Zgódka, one of the latest additions to the painters-team. In the same time, the database was upgraded with a couple of new "features":
* thumbnails of liveries pop up when you hover over a link.
* a contact page was added, to ease contacting the database maintainer.
* each livery has a "Report this livery" button, through which visitors can notify the maintainer of a broken download, incorrect or unknown author, licensing issues etc.

I would like to emphasize that lots of liveries are not yet assigned an author. Please check for yourself if there is any [http://liveries.flightgear.org/authors.php unknown-author-livery] of which you known/are the author. Lots of liveries are still in the need for a thumbnail, so those are welcome as well.
===BAe-146===
"Pilot Penguin" and "[[User:Nickyivyca|nickyivyca]]" have begun work on the BAe-146. Pilot Penguin will be doing mostly 3D work, and nick will be doing mostly FDM and systems work. [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9494&start=15 See the forum thread for more info.]

== Scenery corner ==
===UK Football Stadiums===
[[File:Emiratesstadium.jpg|thumb|Emirates Stadium in Flightgear]]
Andyramone has completed and submitted three football stadiums to the scenery database. These include Carrow Road (Norwich), Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) and Stamford Bridge (Chelsea.) Portman Road (Ipswich) and White Hart Lane (Tottenham) are complete and will be submitted to the scenery database this month. The project will continue later this year with more London stadiums including Wembley on the to do list.

===Liverpool John Lennon Airport===
Andyramone has begun modeling Liverpool Airport (EGGP) in the UK. The terminal is complete and will be submitted to the database this month. Work has already begun on the control tower.

===KSFO Terminal 2===
San Fransisco International Terminal 2 has been fully remodelled by karla in Blender 2.49b using handmade textures in Gimp 2.46. New additions include: linking wings, antennae, railings, supports, ground floors interiors, ATC equipment, vigilant controller, architecture, light masts, night textures.

It has been released and is available from the Git database or directly from http://www.mediafire.com/file/ev447wrsqrfijlf/KSFO_T2.zip

The associated 942050.stg file has been changed slightly and it may also be downloaded for replacement in /Scenery/Objects/w130n30/w123n37/.

===Power Plants===
Power Plants, with their red & white striped tall stacks, are outstanding visual aids for VFR.

scighera has modeled in Blender two Italian Power Plants:

- "'''ENEL Piombino 4x330 MW Power Plant'''", located in Piombino, right in front of the Isola d'Elba (Tuscany, Italy). It represent the standard italian heavy fuel oil fired 330 MW unit of the early 70ies, with 220 m high stacks provided with red obstruction lights. The model includes a Fuel oil unloading pear, with a mooring tankership

- "'''a2a 1000 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant'''" located in Cassano d'Adda (Lombardy, Italy, 30 km away from LIME Milano Linate). The plant is provided with 3 Turbogas, 3 Heat Recovery Steam Generators feeding the pre-existing steam turbines. There is a 220 m high red & white stiped stack and a lower 80 m stack.

The models have been submitted to the models repository (Piombino is already available on terrasync), and available for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html]

scighera is also working on the '''Poolbeg Power Plant''', on the Dublin peninsula, very close to the EIDW Dublin airport; the plant has two outstanding 208 m high stacks ...

<gallery>
Image:ENEL-Piombino-1.jpg| ENEL Piombino 4x330 MW Power Plant
Image:Cassano.jpg| Cassano d'Adda 1000MW Power Plant
</gallery>

[[File:VadoLigureHarbor.jpg |thumb|Vado Ligure Container Ship Terminal]]
===Harbors===
Horbors, with their huge cranes and long peers, may be as well noticeable landmarks for VFR ...
scighera is presentlyy working on the model of Vado Ligure Harbor, having completed the Container unloading peer.

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

== Suggested flights ==
===Hawai'i===
[[Image:Maui03.jpg|thumb]]
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.

== Aircraft reviews ==

== Community news ==
=== FlightGear on youtube ===
* Ten students at NASA's LARSS (Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars), put together [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmnFP-1UlSY an autonomous robotics lab], using mostly open source tools. One of which is a FlightGear Multiplayer Server.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkeApfVUnVk&feature=PlayList&p=3B31CCD15245D0AA&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 Watch the FlightGear PlayList] for a collection of all (somewhat) quality FlightGear videos ever uploaded to YouTube.

=== Forum news ===
=== Wiki updates ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== Useful links ==
== And finally ... ==
Next [http://www.fsweekend.com/ FSWeekend] event takes place November 6 & 7th 2010. Mark this date in your calendar and expect an outstanding presentation of FlightGear's features at [[Lelystad_Airport|Lelystad's airport]].

=== 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]].

=== 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].

=== Did you know ===

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 09]]

FlightGear Newsletter September 2010

2010-09-17T10:23:27Z

Scighera: /* Power Plants */

{{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 ==
== Development news ==

===Local Weather v0.85===
The [http://www.phy.duke.edu/~trenk/files/local_weather_fgfs2.0.0_v0.85.tgz version 0.85] (also on GIT) of the Local Weather package is out - with new cloud types and textures and most importantly a significant performance gain over previous versions. There is a new menu to allow the user at runtime to specify cloud visual ranges, so that the impact on framerate can be adjusted to the situation.

The increased performance means that 3d clouds on fast systems can be rendered out to 45 km, and high altitude 2d cloud sheets sometimes up to 80 km - vastly improving the visual impression of the sky from airliner altitudes.

In addition, some bugs in the wind modelling and long-range weather patterns have been ironed out - with Flightgear 2.0.0, the package performs good in tests.

In the works:

* better hard-coded support for e.g. terrain sampling
* a METAR interface to use real-time weather and wind data
* full dynamics of the life cycle of convective clouds as they drift over the terrain
* and as always - improvements to cloud placement algorithms and cloud textures

Stay tuned!

A small feature gallery:
<gallery>
Image:local_weather_0.85_01.jpg| Cumulus and Cirrocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_02.jpg| Cirrus and Cirrostratus clouds heralding a warmfront (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_03.jpg| 45 km cloud visibility range (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_04.jpg| Realistic cloud bottoms (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_05.jpg| Cumulus and Altocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_06.jpg| Multiple 3d layered clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
</gallery>

===Water shader improvements===
[[File:Water shader Ju 52.jpg|300px|left|[[Junkers Ju 52]] flying over a lake in the French custom scenery.]]
Our all-time favourite shader-artist, Gral, picked up yet another project. This time it is something that covers over 70% of the entire scenery and is thus of great importance in a flight simulator: water. The new shader includes more realistic wave movements and much nicer sun "reflections". The extreme goal is to have real-time reflective water, which is still a long way to go, but with Gral's latest improvements we've at least made a step into the right direction. Transatlantic or Carribean flights have never been so exiting in FlightGear!

=== Weather supporting core code ===
[[File:new_weather_dialog.png|150px|right|The new weather dialog]]
The weather supporting core of FlightGear [http://gitorious.org/fg/flightgear/commit/5c6fe952598053fa63631fc0161d666f22a50f51 has been modified] during the last weeks to better support new weather models like the above mentioned Local Weather system. Data flow between environment systems is now defined in XML config files using well [[Autopilot Configuration Reference|known syntax and elements from the autopilot]]. Complex rules using predefined filters and arbitrary expressions can be defined without the need for C++ or Nasal coding.
Along with this patch comes a unified weather settings dialog, combining previous dialogs for weather conditions, scenario, clouds and precipitation. Further plans are to integrate a new real world data source [http://www.navlost.eu/nwxs/doc/desc/ NWX], providing METAR, aloft and temperature at altitude.

=== AI Objects ===
[[File:AIWingmenandAITanker.jpg|thumb|[ AIWingmen and AITanker]]

Some of the AI code has been revisited and tidied up, in a somewhat vain attempt to reduce the impact on frame rate. The facilities in Slaved Ballistic Objects, Wingmen, Ground Vehicles, and Escorts have been generalized. Now, any of these types can be subordinated, or parented, on any AI object which has a <name> tag. Thus, a wingman can be formated on a an AI Tanker, and can have a slaved droptank.

A Wingman can be formated on a Wingman to build larger formations.
[http://www.youtube.com/v/YaBghBIZZWI B29 12 Ship Formation]

With careful choice of options and locations frame rates can be kept at a reasonable level. Analysis has shown that the tall pole in the tent is the code which measures Altitude Above Ground Level. This is known to be code that is heavy on framerate and which is used extensively in the AI code. It might be possible to get a cheaper, simpler version of this function which would improve the impact on framerate. Hopefully, this will be the next stage of development.

=== Download & Compile script ===
For the Debian/Ubuntu users, an improvement to the [[Scripted_Compilation_on_Linux_Debian/Ubuntu|download and compile]]. If svn/git compilation fails from lates revisions (generally caused by sources among different softwares not in sync) you can still compile and obtain the lates known compiling version using the -s switch. Beware that this feature is under testing, but should work fine.

== Nasal for newbies: OOP ==
OOP is all about creating "things" (i.e. a cloud) with "actions" (transform,draw,update) (or "messages").
Where a class (or hash in Nasal) is the "template" for a "thing" containing a number of member fields.
So the class only describes the "layout" or properties of objects that can be created. To actually use a class, it has to be "instantiated" which means creating an object using a specific "template class" (or even several different classes).

These member fields can be variables (e.g. lat, lon, alt) or functions (setAlt, setPos).
And the actual instance (cloud[n] in the property tree) of such a thing is then called an "object".
Functions that work with instance specific state are called "methods", they may refer to instance specific state using a "self reference" (me) in Nasal, that ensures that access to a field or method is using the right instance specific data.

In OOP, internal state is managed by wrapping everything in a class using accessor functions for modifying and getting internal values.
So internal state would in turn only be modified by an abstract interface: class "methods", instead of directly accessing class-internal fields.

This provides a way for managing access to a member variable (field), such an abstract interface is also useful for keeping logics private, and internal. For example, the name of a variable "altitude" can be easily changed internally to "altitude_ft", without having to rename all users of the class - simply because all other code will refer to the methods providing access to the field.

For example, instead of doing something like cloud.lat=10.22; cloud.lon=43.22; you would have a method accepting lat/lon variables: cloud.setPos(lat, lon);

That means that the actual variables containing the values for lat/lon are not exposed or used outside the actual object. This is called encapsulation and provides you with a way to manage state and ensure that internal state is valid at all times, because other code may only use the external interface.

This allows you for example to simply rename a class variable, without having to change any of the code that uses the object, because other code only uses class methods.

Another important thing in OOP is separation of concerns, i.e. you don't want to end up with huge bloated "super classes" that manage all sorts of different state, but instead use different classes where appropriate to split code into abstract "modules" with well defined responsibilities.

So, one of the very first steps to convert procedural code to OOP code would be to group your code into a number of logical "classes" (e.g. cloud, cloud field ).

Classes may be composed of other classes, i.e. a "cloud field" class would in turn contain "cloud" classes.
This is then called "composition".

Another way is inheritance, where a type may inherit properties (fields:variables and methods) from a "parent" class. Imagine it like taking a "template" for the class and then saying "make a new class using this template".

Inheritance has the added advantage of providing a means to customize class behavior without having to modify the actual class, because all member fields can be parametrized.

For example, a "cumulus" cloud class could be derived from the "cloud" class, just by parametrizing it (different cloud model, different texture, different transformations), without touching anything in the actual "cloud" class.

This is basically how OOP may be understood: things are classified according to "is a" or "has a" relationship.

Of course, one may still use objects like conventional variables for passing and returning parameters.

== New software tools ==
== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
===Livery hangar reaches 300===
Early September, the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/ FlightGear Livery Database] welcomed its [http://liveries.flightgear.org/liveries.php?id=301 300th livery]! It is a livery of the Polish Air Force's [[Lockheed C130]], created by Maciej Zgódka, one of the latest additions to the painters-team. In the same time, the database was upgraded with a couple of new "features":
* thumbnails of liveries pop up when you hover over a link.
* a contact page was added, to ease contacting the database maintainer.
* each livery has a "Report this livery" button, through which visitors can notify the maintainer of a broken download, incorrect or unknown author, licensing issues etc.

I would like to emphasize that lots of liveries are not yet assigned an author. Please check for yourself if there is any [http://liveries.flightgear.org/authors.php unknown-author-livery] of which you known/are the author. Lots of liveries are still in the need for a thumbnail, so those are welcome as well.
===BAe-146===
"Pilot Penguin" and "[[User:Nickyivyca|nickyivyca]]" have begun work on the BAe-146. Pilot Penguin will be doing mostly 3D work, and nick will be doing mostly FDM and systems work. [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9494&start=15 See the forum thread for more info.]

== Scenery corner ==
===UK Football Stadiums===
[[File:Emiratesstadium.jpg|thumb|Emirates Stadium in Flightgear]]
Andyramone has completed and submitted three football stadiums to the scenery database. These include Carrow Road (Norwich), Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) and Stamford Bridge (Chelsea.) Portman Road (Ipswich) and White Hart Lane (Tottenham) are complete and will be submitted to the scenery database this month. The project will continue later this year with more London stadiums including Wembley on the to do list.

===Liverpool John Lennon Airport===
Andyramone has begun modeling Liverpool Airport (EGGP) in the UK. The terminal is complete and will be submitted to the database this month. Work has already begun on the control tower.

===KSFO Terminal 2===
San Fransisco International Terminal 2 has been fully remodelled by karla in Blender 2.49b using handmade textures in Gimp 2.46. New additions include: linking wings, antennae, railings, supports, ground floors interiors, ATC equipment, vigilant controller, architecture, light masts, night textures.

It has been released and is available from the Git database or directly from http://www.mediafire.com/file/ev447wrsqrfijlf/KSFO_T2.zip

The associated 942050.stg file has been changed slightly and it may also be downloaded for replacement in /Scenery/Objects/w130n30/w123n37/.

===Power Plants===
Power Plants, with their red & white striped tall stacks, are outstanding visual aids for VFR.

scighera has modeled in Blender two Italian Power Plants:

- "'''ENEL Piombino 4x330 MW Power Plant'''", located in Piombino, right in front of the Isola d'Elba (Tuscany, Italy). It represent the standard italian heavy fuel oil fired 330 MW unit of the early 70ies, with 220 m high stacks provided with red obstruction lights. The model includes a Fuel oil unloading pear, with a mooring tankership

- "'''a2a 1000 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant'''" located in Cassano d'Adda (Lombardy, Italy, 30 km away from LIME Milano Linate). The plant is provided with 3 Turbogas, 3 Heat Recovery Steam Generators feeding the pre-existing steam turbines. There is a 220 m high red & white stiped stack and a lower 80 m stack.

The models have been submitted to the models repository (Piombino is already available on terrasync), and available for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html]

scighera is also working on the '''Poolbeg Power Plant''', on the Dublin peninsula, very close to the EIDW Dublin airport; the plant has two outstanding 208 m high stacks ...

<gallery>
Image:ENEL-Piombino-1.jpg| ENEL Piombino 4x330 MW Power Plant
Image:Cassano.jpg| Cassano d'Adda 1000MW Power Plant
</gallery>

===Harbors===
[[File:VadoLigureHarbor.jpg |thumb|Vado Ligure Container Ship Terminal]]
Horbors, with their huge cranes and long peers, may be as well noticeable landmarks for VFR ...
scighera is presentlyy working on the model of Vado Ligure Harbor, having completed the Container unloading peer.

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

== Suggested flights ==
===Hawai'i===
[[Image:Maui03.jpg|thumb]]
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.

== Aircraft reviews ==

== Community news ==
=== FlightGear on youtube ===
* Ten students at NASA's LARSS (Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars), put together [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmnFP-1UlSY an autonomous robotics lab], using mostly open source tools. One of which is a FlightGear Multiplayer Server.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkeApfVUnVk&feature=PlayList&p=3B31CCD15245D0AA&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 Watch the FlightGear PlayList] for a collection of all (somewhat) quality FlightGear videos ever uploaded to YouTube.

=== Forum news ===
=== Wiki updates ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== Useful links ==
== And finally ... ==
Next [http://www.fsweekend.com/ FSWeekend] event takes place November 6 & 7th 2010. Mark this date in your calendar and expect an outstanding presentation of FlightGear's features at [[Lelystad_Airport|Lelystad's airport]].

=== 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]].

=== 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].

=== Did you know ===

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 09]]

File:Cassano.jpg

2010-09-17T10:15:05Z

Scighera:

Model of the "a2a" 1000 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant in Cassano d'Adda (Lombardy, Italy)

FlightGear Newsletter September 2010

2010-09-17T10:13:42Z

Scighera: /* Scenery corner */

{{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 ==
== Development news ==

===Local Weather v0.85===
The [http://www.phy.duke.edu/~trenk/files/local_weather_fgfs2.0.0_v0.85.tgz version 0.85] (also on GIT) of the Local Weather package is out - with new cloud types and textures and most importantly a significant performance gain over previous versions. There is a new menu to allow the user at runtime to specify cloud visual ranges, so that the impact on framerate can be adjusted to the situation.

The increased performance means that 3d clouds on fast systems can be rendered out to 45 km, and high altitude 2d cloud sheets sometimes up to 80 km - vastly improving the visual impression of the sky from airliner altitudes.

In addition, some bugs in the wind modelling and long-range weather patterns have been ironed out - with Flightgear 2.0.0, the package performs good in tests.

In the works:

* better hard-coded support for e.g. terrain sampling
* a METAR interface to use real-time weather and wind data
* full dynamics of the life cycle of convective clouds as they drift over the terrain
* and as always - improvements to cloud placement algorithms and cloud textures

Stay tuned!

A small feature gallery:
<gallery>
Image:local_weather_0.85_01.jpg| Cumulus and Cirrocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_02.jpg| Cirrus and Cirrostratus clouds heralding a warmfront (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_03.jpg| 45 km cloud visibility range (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_04.jpg| Realistic cloud bottoms (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_05.jpg| Cumulus and Altocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_06.jpg| Multiple 3d layered clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
</gallery>

===Water shader improvements===
[[File:Water shader Ju 52.jpg|300px|left|[[Junkers Ju 52]] flying over a lake in the French custom scenery.]]
Our all-time favourite shader-artist, Gral, picked up yet another project. This time it is something that covers over 70% of the entire scenery and is thus of great importance in a flight simulator: water. The new shader includes more realistic wave movements and much nicer sun "reflections". The extreme goal is to have real-time reflective water, which is still a long way to go, but with Gral's latest improvements we've at least made a step into the right direction. Transatlantic or Carribean flights have never been so exiting in FlightGear!

=== Weather supporting core code ===
[[File:new_weather_dialog.png|150px|right|The new weather dialog]]
The weather supporting core of FlightGear [http://gitorious.org/fg/flightgear/commit/5c6fe952598053fa63631fc0161d666f22a50f51 has been modified] during the last weeks to better support new weather models like the above mentioned Local Weather system. Data flow between environment systems is now defined in XML config files using well [[Autopilot Configuration Reference|known syntax and elements from the autopilot]]. Complex rules using predefined filters and arbitrary expressions can be defined without the need for C++ or Nasal coding.
Along with this patch comes a unified weather settings dialog, combining previous dialogs for weather conditions, scenario, clouds and precipitation. Further plans are to integrate a new real world data source [http://www.navlost.eu/nwxs/doc/desc/ NWX], providing METAR, aloft and temperature at altitude.

=== AI Objects ===
[[File:AIWingmenandAITanker.jpg|thumb|[ AIWingmen and AITanker]]

Some of the AI code has been revisited and tidied up, in a somewhat vain attempt to reduce the impact on frame rate. The facilities in Slaved Ballistic Objects, Wingmen, Ground Vehicles, and Escorts have been generalized. Now, any of these types can be subordinated, or parented, on any AI object which has a <name> tag. Thus, a wingman can be formated on a an AI Tanker, and can have a slaved droptank.

A Wingman can be formated on a Wingman to build larger formations.
[http://www.youtube.com/v/YaBghBIZZWI B29 12 Ship Formation]

With careful choice of options and locations frame rates can be kept at a reasonable level. Analysis has shown that the tall pole in the tent is the code which measures Altitude Above Ground Level. This is known to be code that is heavy on framerate and which is used extensively in the AI code. It might be possible to get a cheaper, simpler version of this function which would improve the impact on framerate. Hopefully, this will be the next stage of development.

=== Download & Compile script ===
For the Debian/Ubuntu users, an improvement to the [[Scripted_Compilation_on_Linux_Debian/Ubuntu|download and compile]]. If svn/git compilation fails from lates revisions (generally caused by sources among different softwares not in sync) you can still compile and obtain the lates known compiling version using the -s switch. Beware that this feature is under testing, but should work fine.

== Nasal for newbies: OOP ==
OOP is all about creating "things" (i.e. a cloud) with "actions" (transform,draw,update) (or "messages").
Where a class (or hash in Nasal) is the "template" for a "thing" containing a number of member fields.
So the class only describes the "layout" or properties of objects that can be created. To actually use a class, it has to be "instantiated" which means creating an object using a specific "template class" (or even several different classes).

These member fields can be variables (e.g. lat, lon, alt) or functions (setAlt, setPos).
And the actual instance (cloud[n] in the property tree) of such a thing is then called an "object".
Functions that work with instance specific state are called "methods", they may refer to instance specific state using a "self reference" (me) in Nasal, that ensures that access to a field or method is using the right instance specific data.

In OOP, internal state is managed by wrapping everything in a class using accessor functions for modifying and getting internal values.
So internal state would in turn only be modified by an abstract interface: class "methods", instead of directly accessing class-internal fields.

This provides a way for managing access to a member variable (field), such an abstract interface is also useful for keeping logics private, and internal. For example, the name of a variable "altitude" can be easily changed internally to "altitude_ft", without having to rename all users of the class - simply because all other code will refer to the methods providing access to the field.

For example, instead of doing something like cloud.lat=10.22; cloud.lon=43.22; you would have a method accepting lat/lon variables: cloud.setPos(lat, lon);

That means that the actual variables containing the values for lat/lon are not exposed or used outside the actual object. This is called encapsulation and provides you with a way to manage state and ensure that internal state is valid at all times, because other code may only use the external interface.

This allows you for example to simply rename a class variable, without having to change any of the code that uses the object, because other code only uses class methods.

Another important thing in OOP is separation of concerns, i.e. you don't want to end up with huge bloated "super classes" that manage all sorts of different state, but instead use different classes where appropriate to split code into abstract "modules" with well defined responsibilities.

So, one of the very first steps to convert procedural code to OOP code would be to group your code into a number of logical "classes" (e.g. cloud, cloud field ).

Classes may be composed of other classes, i.e. a "cloud field" class would in turn contain "cloud" classes.
This is then called "composition".

Another way is inheritance, where a type may inherit properties (fields:variables and methods) from a "parent" class. Imagine it like taking a "template" for the class and then saying "make a new class using this template".

Inheritance has the added advantage of providing a means to customize class behavior without having to modify the actual class, because all member fields can be parametrized.

For example, a "cumulus" cloud class could be derived from the "cloud" class, just by parametrizing it (different cloud model, different texture, different transformations), without touching anything in the actual "cloud" class.

This is basically how OOP may be understood: things are classified according to "is a" or "has a" relationship.

Of course, one may still use objects like conventional variables for passing and returning parameters.

== New software tools ==
== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
===Livery hangar reaches 300===
Early September, the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/ FlightGear Livery Database] welcomed its [http://liveries.flightgear.org/liveries.php?id=301 300th livery]! It is a livery of the Polish Air Force's [[Lockheed C130]], created by Maciej Zgódka, one of the latest additions to the painters-team. In the same time, the database was upgraded with a couple of new "features":
* thumbnails of liveries pop up when you hover over a link.
* a contact page was added, to ease contacting the database maintainer.
* each livery has a "Report this livery" button, through which visitors can notify the maintainer of a broken download, incorrect or unknown author, licensing issues etc.

I would like to emphasize that lots of liveries are not yet assigned an author. Please check for yourself if there is any [http://liveries.flightgear.org/authors.php unknown-author-livery] of which you known/are the author. Lots of liveries are still in the need for a thumbnail, so those are welcome as well.
===BAe-146===
"Pilot Penguin" and "[[User:Nickyivyca|nickyivyca]]" have begun work on the BAe-146. Pilot Penguin will be doing mostly 3D work, and nick will be doing mostly FDM and systems work. [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9494&start=15 See the forum thread for more info.]

== Scenery corner ==
===UK Football Stadiums===
[[File:Emiratesstadium.jpg|thumb|Emirates Stadium in Flightgear]]
Andyramone has completed and submitted three football stadiums to the scenery database. These include Carrow Road (Norwich), Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) and Stamford Bridge (Chelsea.) Portman Road (Ipswich) and White Hart Lane (Tottenham) are complete and will be submitted to the scenery database this month. The project will continue later this year with more London stadiums including Wembley on the to do list.

===Liverpool John Lennon Airport===
Andyramone has begun modeling Liverpool Airport (EGGP) in the UK. The terminal is complete and will be submitted to the database this month. Work has already begun on the control tower.

===KSFO Terminal 2===
San Fransisco International Terminal 2 has been fully remodelled by karla in Blender 2.49b using handmade textures in Gimp 2.46. New additions include: linking wings, antennae, railings, supports, ground floors interiors, ATC equipment, vigilant controller, architecture, light masts, night textures.

It has been released and is available from the Git database or directly from http://www.mediafire.com/file/ev447wrsqrfijlf/KSFO_T2.zip

The associated 942050.stg file has been changed slightly and it may also be downloaded for replacement in /Scenery/Objects/w130n30/w123n37/.

===Power Plants===
[[File:ENEL-Piombino-1.jpg|thumb|ENEL Piombino 4x330 MW Power Plant]]
Power Plants, with their red & white striped tall stacks, are outstanding visual aids for VFR.

scighera has modeled in Blender two Italian Power Plants:

- "'''ENEL Piombino 4x330 MW Power Plant'''", located in Piombino, right in front of the Isola d'Elba (Tuscany, Italy). It represent the standard italian heavy fuel oil fired 330 MW unit of the early 70ies, with 220 m high stacks provided with red obstruction lights. The model includes a Fuel oil unloading pear, with a mooring tankership

[[File:Cassano.jpg|thumb|Cassano d'Adda 1000MW Power Plant]]
- "'''a2a 1000 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant'''" located in Cassano d'Adda (Lombardy, Italy, 30 km away from LIME Milano Linate). The plant is provided with 3 Turbogas, 3 Heat Recovery Steam Generators feeding the pre-existing steam turbines. There is a 220 m high red & white stiped stack and a lower 80 m stack.

The models have been submitted to the models repository (Piombino is already available on terrasync), and available for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html]

scighera is also working on the '''Poolbeg Power Plant''', on the Dublin peninsula, very close to the EIDW Dublin airport; the plant has two outstanding 208 m high stacks ...

===Harbors===
[[File:VadoLigureHarbor.jpg |thumb|Vado Ligure Container Ship Terminal]]
Horbors, with their huge cranes and long peers, may be as well noticeable landmarks for VFR ...
scighera is presentlyy working on the model of Vado Ligure Harbor, having completed the Container unloading peer.

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

== Suggested flights ==
===Hawai'i===
[[Image:Maui03.jpg|thumb]]
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.

== Aircraft reviews ==

== Community news ==
=== FlightGear on youtube ===
* Ten students at NASA's LARSS (Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars), put together [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmnFP-1UlSY an autonomous robotics lab], using mostly open source tools. One of which is a FlightGear Multiplayer Server.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkeApfVUnVk&feature=PlayList&p=3B31CCD15245D0AA&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 Watch the FlightGear PlayList] for a collection of all (somewhat) quality FlightGear videos ever uploaded to YouTube.

=== Forum news ===
=== Wiki updates ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== Useful links ==
== And finally ... ==
Next [http://www.fsweekend.com/ FSWeekend] event takes place November 6 & 7th 2010. Mark this date in your calendar and expect an outstanding presentation of FlightGear's features at [[Lelystad_Airport|Lelystad's airport]].

=== 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]].

=== 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].

=== Did you know ===

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 09]]

File:VadoLigureHarbor.jpg

2010-09-17T10:04:33Z

Scighera: A closeup of Vado Ligure Contaners Terminal

A closeup of Vado Ligure Contaners Terminal

FlightGear Newsletter September 2010

2010-09-17T09:41:41Z

Scighera: /* Power Plants */

{{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 ==
== Development news ==

===Local Weather v0.85===
The [http://www.phy.duke.edu/~trenk/files/local_weather_fgfs2.0.0_v0.85.tgz version 0.85] (also on GIT) of the Local Weather package is out - with new cloud types and textures and most importantly a significant performance gain over previous versions. There is a new menu to allow the user at runtime to specify cloud visual ranges, so that the impact on framerate can be adjusted to the situation.

The increased performance means that 3d clouds on fast systems can be rendered out to 45 km, and high altitude 2d cloud sheets sometimes up to 80 km - vastly improving the visual impression of the sky from airliner altitudes.

In addition, some bugs in the wind modelling and long-range weather patterns have been ironed out - with Flightgear 2.0.0, the package performs good in tests.

In the works:

* better hard-coded support for e.g. terrain sampling
* a METAR interface to use real-time weather and wind data
* full dynamics of the life cycle of convective clouds as they drift over the terrain
* and as always - improvements to cloud placement algorithms and cloud textures

Stay tuned!

A small feature gallery:
<gallery>
Image:local_weather_0.85_01.jpg| Cumulus and Cirrocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_02.jpg| Cirrus and Cirrostratus clouds heralding a warmfront (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_03.jpg| 45 km cloud visibility range (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_04.jpg| Realistic cloud bottoms (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_05.jpg| Cumulus and Altocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_06.jpg| Multiple 3d layered clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
</gallery>

===Water shader improvements===
[[File:Water shader Ju 52.jpg|300px|left|[[Junkers Ju 52]] flying over a lake in the French custom scenery.]]
Our all-time favourite shader-artist, Gral, picked up yet another project. This time it is something that covers over 70% of the entire scenery and is thus of great importance in a flight simulator: water. The new shader includes more realistic wave movements and much nicer sun "reflections". The extreme goal is to have real-time reflective water, which is still a long way to go, but with Gral's latest improvements we've at least made a step into the right direction. Transatlantic or Carribean flights have never been so exiting in FlightGear!

=== Weather supporting core code ===
[[File:new_weather_dialog.png|150px|right|The new weather dialog]]
The weather supporting core of FlightGear [http://gitorious.org/fg/flightgear/commit/5c6fe952598053fa63631fc0161d666f22a50f51 has been modified] during the last weeks to better support new weather models like the above mentioned Local Weather system. Data flow between environment systems is now defined in XML config files using well [[Autopilot Configuration Reference|known syntax and elements from the autopilot]]. Complex rules using predefined filters and arbitrary expressions can be defined without the need for C++ or Nasal coding.
Along with this patch comes a unified weather settings dialog, combining previous dialogs for weather conditions, scenario, clouds and precipitation. Further plans are to integrate a new real world data source [http://www.navlost.eu/nwxs/doc/desc/ NWX], providing METAR, aloft and temperature at altitude.

=== AI Objects ===
[[File:AIWingmenandAITanker.jpg|thumb|[ AIWingmen and AITanker]]

Some of the AI code has been revisited and tidied up, in a somewhat vain attempt to reduce the impact on frame rate. The facilities in Slaved Ballistic Objects, Wingmen, Ground Vehicles, and Escorts have been generalized. Now, any of these types can be subordinated, or parented, on any AI object which has a <name> tag. Thus, a wingman can be formated on a an AI Tanker, and can have a slaved droptank.

A Wingman can be formated on a Wingman to build larger formations.
[http://www.youtube.com/v/YaBghBIZZWI B29 12 Ship Formation]

With careful choice of options and locations frame rates can be kept at a reasonable level. Analysis has shown that the tall pole in the tent is the code which measures Altitude Above Ground Level. This is known to be code that is heavy on framerate and which is used extensively in the AI code. It might be possible to get a cheaper, simpler version of this function which would improve the impact on framerate. Hopefully, this will be the next stage of development.

=== Download & Compile script ===
For the Debian/Ubuntu users, an improvement to the [[Scripted_Compilation_on_Linux_Debian/Ubuntu|download and compile]]. If svn/git compilation fails from lates revisions (generally caused by sources among different softwares not in sync) you can still compile and obtain the lates known compiling version using the -s switch. Beware that this feature is under testing, but should work fine.

== Nasal for newbies: OOP ==
OOP is all about creating "things" (i.e. a cloud) with "actions" (transform,draw,update) (or "messages").
Where a class (or hash in Nasal) is the "template" for a "thing" containing a number of member fields.
So the class only describes the "layout" or properties of objects that can be created. To actually use a class, it has to be "instantiated" which means creating an object using a specific "template class" (or even several different classes).

These member fields can be variables (e.g. lat, lon, alt) or functions (setAlt, setPos).
And the actual instance (cloud[n] in the property tree) of such a thing is then called an "object".
Functions that work with instance specific state are called "methods", they may refer to instance specific state using a "self reference" (me) in Nasal, that ensures that access to a field or method is using the right instance specific data.

In OOP, internal state is managed by wrapping everything in a class using accessor functions for modifying and getting internal values.
So internal state would in turn only be modified by an abstract interface: class "methods", instead of directly accessing class-internal fields.

This provides a way for managing access to a member variable (field), such an abstract interface is also useful for keeping logics private, and internal. For example, the name of a variable "altitude" can be easily changed internally to "altitude_ft", without having to rename all users of the class - simply because all other code will refer to the methods providing access to the field.

For example, instead of doing something like cloud.lat=10.22; cloud.lon=43.22; you would have a method accepting lat/lon variables: cloud.setPos(lat, lon);

That means that the actual variables containing the values for lat/lon are not exposed or used outside the actual object. This is called encapsulation and provides you with a way to manage state and ensure that internal state is valid at all times, because other code may only use the external interface.

This allows you for example to simply rename a class variable, without having to change any of the code that uses the object, because other code only uses class methods.

Another important thing in OOP is separation of concerns, i.e. you don't want to end up with huge bloated "super classes" that manage all sorts of different state, but instead use different classes where appropriate to split code into abstract "modules" with well defined responsibilities.

So, one of the very first steps to convert procedural code to OOP code would be to group your code into a number of logical "classes" (e.g. cloud, cloud field ).

Classes may be composed of other classes, i.e. a "cloud field" class would in turn contain "cloud" classes.
This is then called "composition".

Another way is inheritance, where a type may inherit properties (fields:variables and methods) from a "parent" class. Imagine it like taking a "template" for the class and then saying "make a new class using this template".

Inheritance has the added advantage of providing a means to customize class behavior without having to modify the actual class, because all member fields can be parametrized.

For example, a "cumulus" cloud class could be derived from the "cloud" class, just by parametrizing it (different cloud model, different texture, different transformations), without touching anything in the actual "cloud" class.

This is basically how OOP may be understood: things are classified according to "is a" or "has a" relationship.

Of course, one may still use objects like conventional variables for passing and returning parameters.

== New software tools ==
== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
===Livery hangar reaches 300===
Early September, the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/ FlightGear Livery Database] welcomed its [http://liveries.flightgear.org/liveries.php?id=301 300th livery]! It is a livery of the Polish Air Force's [[Lockheed C130]], created by Maciej Zgódka, one of the latest additions to the painters-team. In the same time, the database was upgraded with a couple of new "features":
* thumbnails of liveries pop up when you hover over a link.
* a contact page was added, to ease contacting the database maintainer.
* each livery has a "Report this livery" button, through which visitors can notify the maintainer of a broken download, incorrect or unknown author, licensing issues etc.

I would like to emphasize that lots of liveries are not yet assigned an author. Please check for yourself if there is any [http://liveries.flightgear.org/authors.php unknown-author-livery] of which you known/are the author. Lots of liveries are still in the need for a thumbnail, so those are welcome as well.
===BAe-146===
"Pilot Penguin" and "[[User:Nickyivyca|nickyivyca]]" have begun work on the BAe-146. Pilot Penguin will be doing mostly 3D work, and nick will be doing mostly FDM and systems work. [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9494&start=15 See the forum thread for more info.]

== Scenery corner ==
===UK Football Stadiums===
[[File:Emiratesstadium.jpg|thumb|Emirates Stadium in Flightgear]]
Andyramone has completed and submitted three football stadiums to the scenery database. These include Carrow Road (Norwich), Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) and Stamford Bridge (Chelsea.) Portman Road (Ipswich) and White Hart Lane (Tottenham) are complete and will be submitted to the scenery database this month. The project will continue later this year with more London stadiums including Wembley on the to do list.

===Liverpool John Lennon Airport===
Andyramone has begun modeling Liverpool Airport (EGGP) in the UK. The terminal is complete and will be submitted to the database this month. Work has already begun on the control tower.

===KSFO Terminal 2===
San Fransisco International Terminal 2 has been fully remodelled by karla in Blender 2.49b using handmade textures in Gimp 2.46. New additions include: linking wings, antennae, railings, supports, ground floors interiors, ATC equipment, vigilant controller, architecture, light masts, night textures.

It has been released and is available from the Git database or directly from http://www.mediafire.com/file/ev447wrsqrfijlf/KSFO_T2.zip

The associated 942050.stg file has been changed slightly and it may also be downloaded for replacement in /Scenery/Objects/w130n30/w123n37/.

===Power Plants===
[[File:ENEL-Piombino-1.jpg|thumb|ENEL Piombino 4x330 MW Power Plant]]
Power Plants, with their red & white striped tall stacks, are outstanding visual aids for VFR.

scighera has modeled in Blender two Italian Power Plants:

- "'''ENEL Piombino 4x330 MW Power Plant'''", located in Piombino, right in front of the Isola d'Elba (Tuscany, Italy). It represent the standard italian heavy fuel oil fired 330 MW unit of the early 70ies, with 220 m high stacks provided with red obstruction lights. The model includes a Fuel oil unloading pear, with a mooring tankership

[[File:Cassano.jpg|thumb|Cassano d'Adda 1000MW Power Plant]]
- "'''a2a 1000 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant'''" located in Cassano d'Adda (Lombardy, Italy, 30 km away from LIME Milano Linate). The plant is provided with 3 Turbogas, 3 Heat Recovery Steam Generators feeding the pre-existing steam turbines. There is a 220 m high red & white stiped stack and a lower 80 m stack.

The models have been submitted to the models repository (Piombino is already available on terrasync), and available for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html]

scighera is also working on the '''Poolbeg Power Plant''', on the Dublin peninsula, very close to the EIDW Dublin airport; the plant has two outstanding 208 m high stacks ...

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

== Suggested flights ==
===Hawai'i===
[[Image:Maui03.jpg|thumb]]
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.

== Aircraft reviews ==

== Community news ==
=== FlightGear on youtube ===
* Ten students at NASA's LARSS (Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars), put together [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmnFP-1UlSY an autonomous robotics lab], using mostly open source tools. One of which is a FlightGear Multiplayer Server.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkeApfVUnVk&feature=PlayList&p=3B31CCD15245D0AA&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 Watch the FlightGear PlayList] for a collection of all (somewhat) quality FlightGear videos ever uploaded to YouTube.

=== Forum news ===
=== Wiki updates ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== Useful links ==
== And finally ... ==
Next [http://www.fsweekend.com/ FSWeekend] event takes place November 6 & 7th 2010. Mark this date in your calendar and expect an outstanding presentation of FlightGear's features at [[Lelystad_Airport|Lelystad's airport]].

=== 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]].

=== 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].

=== Did you know ===

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 09]]

FlightGear Newsletter September 2010

2010-09-17T09:39:39Z

Scighera: /* Power Plants */

{{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 ==
== Development news ==

===Local Weather v0.85===
The [http://www.phy.duke.edu/~trenk/files/local_weather_fgfs2.0.0_v0.85.tgz version 0.85] (also on GIT) of the Local Weather package is out - with new cloud types and textures and most importantly a significant performance gain over previous versions. There is a new menu to allow the user at runtime to specify cloud visual ranges, so that the impact on framerate can be adjusted to the situation.

The increased performance means that 3d clouds on fast systems can be rendered out to 45 km, and high altitude 2d cloud sheets sometimes up to 80 km - vastly improving the visual impression of the sky from airliner altitudes.

In addition, some bugs in the wind modelling and long-range weather patterns have been ironed out - with Flightgear 2.0.0, the package performs good in tests.

In the works:

* better hard-coded support for e.g. terrain sampling
* a METAR interface to use real-time weather and wind data
* full dynamics of the life cycle of convective clouds as they drift over the terrain
* and as always - improvements to cloud placement algorithms and cloud textures

Stay tuned!

A small feature gallery:
<gallery>
Image:local_weather_0.85_01.jpg| Cumulus and Cirrocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_02.jpg| Cirrus and Cirrostratus clouds heralding a warmfront (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_03.jpg| 45 km cloud visibility range (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_04.jpg| Realistic cloud bottoms (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_05.jpg| Cumulus and Altocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_06.jpg| Multiple 3d layered clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
</gallery>

===Water shader improvements===
[[File:Water shader Ju 52.jpg|300px|left|[[Junkers Ju 52]] flying over a lake in the French custom scenery.]]
Our all-time favourite shader-artist, Gral, picked up yet another project. This time it is something that covers over 70% of the entire scenery and is thus of great importance in a flight simulator: water. The new shader includes more realistic wave movements and much nicer sun "reflections". The extreme goal is to have real-time reflective water, which is still a long way to go, but with Gral's latest improvements we've at least made a step into the right direction. Transatlantic or Carribean flights have never been so exiting in FlightGear!

=== Weather supporting core code ===
[[File:new_weather_dialog.png|150px|right|The new weather dialog]]
The weather supporting core of FlightGear [http://gitorious.org/fg/flightgear/commit/5c6fe952598053fa63631fc0161d666f22a50f51 has been modified] during the last weeks to better support new weather models like the above mentioned Local Weather system. Data flow between environment systems is now defined in XML config files using well [[Autopilot Configuration Reference|known syntax and elements from the autopilot]]. Complex rules using predefined filters and arbitrary expressions can be defined without the need for C++ or Nasal coding.
Along with this patch comes a unified weather settings dialog, combining previous dialogs for weather conditions, scenario, clouds and precipitation. Further plans are to integrate a new real world data source [http://www.navlost.eu/nwxs/doc/desc/ NWX], providing METAR, aloft and temperature at altitude.

=== AI Objects ===
[[File:AIWingmenandAITanker.jpg|thumb|[ AIWingmen and AITanker]]

Some of the AI code has been revisited and tidied up, in a somewhat vain attempt to reduce the impact on frame rate. The facilities in Slaved Ballistic Objects, Wingmen, Ground Vehicles, and Escorts have been generalized. Now, any of these types can be subordinated, or parented, on any AI object which has a <name> tag. Thus, a wingman can be formated on a an AI Tanker, and can have a slaved droptank.

A Wingman can be formated on a Wingman to build larger formations.
[http://www.youtube.com/v/YaBghBIZZWI B29 12 Ship Formation]

With careful choice of options and locations frame rates can be kept at a reasonable level. Analysis has shown that the tall pole in the tent is the code which measures Altitude Above Ground Level. This is known to be code that is heavy on framerate and which is used extensively in the AI code. It might be possible to get a cheaper, simpler version of this function which would improve the impact on framerate. Hopefully, this will be the next stage of development.

=== Download & Compile script ===
For the Debian/Ubuntu users, an improvement to the [[Scripted_Compilation_on_Linux_Debian/Ubuntu|download and compile]]. If svn/git compilation fails from lates revisions (generally caused by sources among different softwares not in sync) you can still compile and obtain the lates known compiling version using the -s switch. Beware that this feature is under testing, but should work fine.

== Nasal for newbies: OOP ==
OOP is all about creating "things" (i.e. a cloud) with "actions" (transform,draw,update) (or "messages").
Where a class (or hash in Nasal) is the "template" for a "thing" containing a number of member fields.
So the class only describes the "layout" or properties of objects that can be created. To actually use a class, it has to be "instantiated" which means creating an object using a specific "template class" (or even several different classes).

These member fields can be variables (e.g. lat, lon, alt) or functions (setAlt, setPos).
And the actual instance (cloud[n] in the property tree) of such a thing is then called an "object".
Functions that work with instance specific state are called "methods", they may refer to instance specific state using a "self reference" (me) in Nasal, that ensures that access to a field or method is using the right instance specific data.

In OOP, internal state is managed by wrapping everything in a class using accessor functions for modifying and getting internal values.
So internal state would in turn only be modified by an abstract interface: class "methods", instead of directly accessing class-internal fields.

This provides a way for managing access to a member variable (field), such an abstract interface is also useful for keeping logics private, and internal. For example, the name of a variable "altitude" can be easily changed internally to "altitude_ft", without having to rename all users of the class - simply because all other code will refer to the methods providing access to the field.

For example, instead of doing something like cloud.lat=10.22; cloud.lon=43.22; you would have a method accepting lat/lon variables: cloud.setPos(lat, lon);

That means that the actual variables containing the values for lat/lon are not exposed or used outside the actual object. This is called encapsulation and provides you with a way to manage state and ensure that internal state is valid at all times, because other code may only use the external interface.

This allows you for example to simply rename a class variable, without having to change any of the code that uses the object, because other code only uses class methods.

Another important thing in OOP is separation of concerns, i.e. you don't want to end up with huge bloated "super classes" that manage all sorts of different state, but instead use different classes where appropriate to split code into abstract "modules" with well defined responsibilities.

So, one of the very first steps to convert procedural code to OOP code would be to group your code into a number of logical "classes" (e.g. cloud, cloud field ).

Classes may be composed of other classes, i.e. a "cloud field" class would in turn contain "cloud" classes.
This is then called "composition".

Another way is inheritance, where a type may inherit properties (fields:variables and methods) from a "parent" class. Imagine it like taking a "template" for the class and then saying "make a new class using this template".

Inheritance has the added advantage of providing a means to customize class behavior without having to modify the actual class, because all member fields can be parametrized.

For example, a "cumulus" cloud class could be derived from the "cloud" class, just by parametrizing it (different cloud model, different texture, different transformations), without touching anything in the actual "cloud" class.

This is basically how OOP may be understood: things are classified according to "is a" or "has a" relationship.

Of course, one may still use objects like conventional variables for passing and returning parameters.

== New software tools ==
== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
===Livery hangar reaches 300===
Early September, the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/ FlightGear Livery Database] welcomed its [http://liveries.flightgear.org/liveries.php?id=301 300th livery]! It is a livery of the Polish Air Force's [[Lockheed C130]], created by Maciej Zgódka, one of the latest additions to the painters-team. In the same time, the database was upgraded with a couple of new "features":
* thumbnails of liveries pop up when you hover over a link.
* a contact page was added, to ease contacting the database maintainer.
* each livery has a "Report this livery" button, through which visitors can notify the maintainer of a broken download, incorrect or unknown author, licensing issues etc.

I would like to emphasize that lots of liveries are not yet assigned an author. Please check for yourself if there is any [http://liveries.flightgear.org/authors.php unknown-author-livery] of which you known/are the author. Lots of liveries are still in the need for a thumbnail, so those are welcome as well.
===BAe-146===
"Pilot Penguin" and "[[User:Nickyivyca|nickyivyca]]" have begun work on the BAe-146. Pilot Penguin will be doing mostly 3D work, and nick will be doing mostly FDM and systems work. [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9494&start=15 See the forum thread for more info.]

== Scenery corner ==
===UK Football Stadiums===
[[File:Emiratesstadium.jpg|thumb|Emirates Stadium in Flightgear]]
Andyramone has completed and submitted three football stadiums to the scenery database. These include Carrow Road (Norwich), Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) and Stamford Bridge (Chelsea.) Portman Road (Ipswich) and White Hart Lane (Tottenham) are complete and will be submitted to the scenery database this month. The project will continue later this year with more London stadiums including Wembley on the to do list.

===Liverpool John Lennon Airport===
Andyramone has begun modeling Liverpool Airport (EGGP) in the UK. The terminal is complete and will be submitted to the database this month. Work has already begun on the control tower.

===KSFO Terminal 2===
San Fransisco International Terminal 2 has been fully remodelled by karla in Blender 2.49b using handmade textures in Gimp 2.46. New additions include: linking wings, antennae, railings, supports, ground floors interiors, ATC equipment, vigilant controller, architecture, light masts, night textures.

It has been released and is available from the Git database or directly from http://www.mediafire.com/file/ev447wrsqrfijlf/KSFO_T2.zip

The associated 942050.stg file has been changed slightly and it may also be downloaded for replacement in /Scenery/Objects/w130n30/w123n37/.

===Power Plants===
[[File:ENEL-Piombino-1.jpg|thumb|ENEL Piombino 4x330 MW Power Plant]]
Power Plants, with their red & white striped tall stacks, are outstanding visual aids for VFR.

scighera has modeled in Blender two Italian Power Plants:

- "'''ENEL Piombino 4x330 MW Power Plant'''", located in Piombino, right in front of the Isola d'Elba (Tuscany, Italy). It represent the standard italian heavy fuel oil fired 330 MW unit of the early 70ies, with 220 m high stacks provided with red obstruction lights. The model includes a Fuel oil unloading pear, with a mooring tankership

[[File:Cassano.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Cassano d'Adda 1000MW Power Plant]]
- "'''a2a 1000 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant'''" located in Cassano d'Adda (Lombardy, Italy, 30 km away from LIME Milano Linate). The plant is provided with 3 Turbogas, 3 Heat Recovery Steam Generators feeding the pre-existing steam turbines. There is a 220 m high red & white stiped stack and a lower 80 m stack.

The models have been submitted to the models repository (Piombino is already available on terrasync), and available for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html]

scighera is also working on the '''Poolbeg Power Plant''', on the Dublin peninsula, very close to the EIDW Dublin airport; the plant has two outstanding 208 m high stacks ...

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

== Suggested flights ==
===Hawai'i===
[[Image:Maui03.jpg|thumb]]
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.

== Aircraft reviews ==

== Community news ==
=== FlightGear on youtube ===
* Ten students at NASA's LARSS (Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars), put together [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmnFP-1UlSY an autonomous robotics lab], using mostly open source tools. One of which is a FlightGear Multiplayer Server.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkeApfVUnVk&feature=PlayList&p=3B31CCD15245D0AA&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 Watch the FlightGear PlayList] for a collection of all (somewhat) quality FlightGear videos ever uploaded to YouTube.

=== Forum news ===
=== Wiki updates ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== Useful links ==
== And finally ... ==
Next [http://www.fsweekend.com/ FSWeekend] event takes place November 6 & 7th 2010. Mark this date in your calendar and expect an outstanding presentation of FlightGear's features at [[Lelystad_Airport|Lelystad's airport]].

=== 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]].

=== 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].

=== Did you know ===

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 09]]

File:Cassano.jpg

2010-09-17T09:35:36Z

Scighera: Model of the "a2a" 1000 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant in Cassano d'Adda (LOmbardy, Italy)

Model of the "a2a" 1000 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant in Cassano d'Adda (LOmbardy, Italy)

FlightGear Newsletter September 2010

2010-09-17T09:33:02Z

Scighera: /* Scenery corner */

{{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 ==
== Development news ==

===Local Weather v0.85===
The [http://www.phy.duke.edu/~trenk/files/local_weather_fgfs2.0.0_v0.85.tgz version 0.85] (also on GIT) of the Local Weather package is out - with new cloud types and textures and most importantly a significant performance gain over previous versions. There is a new menu to allow the user at runtime to specify cloud visual ranges, so that the impact on framerate can be adjusted to the situation.

The increased performance means that 3d clouds on fast systems can be rendered out to 45 km, and high altitude 2d cloud sheets sometimes up to 80 km - vastly improving the visual impression of the sky from airliner altitudes.

In addition, some bugs in the wind modelling and long-range weather patterns have been ironed out - with Flightgear 2.0.0, the package performs good in tests.

In the works:

* better hard-coded support for e.g. terrain sampling
* a METAR interface to use real-time weather and wind data
* full dynamics of the life cycle of convective clouds as they drift over the terrain
* and as always - improvements to cloud placement algorithms and cloud textures

Stay tuned!

A small feature gallery:
<gallery>
Image:local_weather_0.85_01.jpg| Cumulus and Cirrocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_02.jpg| Cirrus and Cirrostratus clouds heralding a warmfront (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_03.jpg| 45 km cloud visibility range (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_04.jpg| Realistic cloud bottoms (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_05.jpg| Cumulus and Altocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_06.jpg| Multiple 3d layered clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
</gallery>

===Water shader improvements===
[[File:Water shader Ju 52.jpg|300px|left|[[Junkers Ju 52]] flying over a lake in the French custom scenery.]]
Our all-time favourite shader-artist, Gral, picked up yet another project. This time it is something that covers over 70% of the entire scenery and is thus of great importance in a flight simulator: water. The new shader includes more realistic wave movements and much nicer sun "reflections". The extreme goal is to have real-time reflective water, which is still a long way to go, but with Gral's latest improvements we've at least made a step into the right direction. Transatlantic or Carribean flights have never been so exiting in FlightGear!

=== Weather supporting core code ===
[[File:new_weather_dialog.png|150px|right|The new weather dialog]]
The weather supporting core of FlightGear [http://gitorious.org/fg/flightgear/commit/5c6fe952598053fa63631fc0161d666f22a50f51 has been modified] during the last weeks to better support new weather models like the above mentioned Local Weather system. Data flow between environment systems is now defined in XML config files using well [[Autopilot Configuration Reference|known syntax and elements from the autopilot]]. Complex rules using predefined filters and arbitrary expressions can be defined without the need for C++ or Nasal coding.
Along with this patch comes a unified weather settings dialog, combining previous dialogs for weather conditions, scenario, clouds and precipitation. Further plans are to integrate a new real world data source [http://www.navlost.eu/nwxs/doc/desc/ NWX], providing METAR, aloft and temperature at altitude.

=== AI Objects ===
[[File:AIWingmenandAITanker.jpg|thumb|[ AIWingmen and AITanker]]

Some of the AI code has been revisited and tidied up, in a somewhat vain attempt to reduce the impact on frame rate. The facilities in Slaved Ballistic Objects, Wingmen, Ground Vehicles, and Escorts have been generalized. Now, any of these types can be subordinated, or parented, on any AI object which has a <name> tag. Thus, a wingman can be formated on a an AI Tanker, and can have a slaved droptank.

A Wingman can be formated on a Wingman to build larger formations.
[http://www.youtube.com/v/YaBghBIZZWI B29 12 Ship Formation]

With careful choice of options and locations frame rates can be kept at a reasonable level. Analysis has shown that the tall pole in the tent is the code which measures Altitude Above Ground Level. This is known to be code that is heavy on framerate and which is used extensively in the AI code. It might be possible to get a cheaper, simpler version of this function which would improve the impact on framerate. Hopefully, this will be the next stage of development.

=== Download & Compile script ===
For the Debian/Ubuntu users, an improvement to the [[Scripted_Compilation_on_Linux_Debian/Ubuntu|download and compile]]. If svn/git compilation fails from lates revisions (generally caused by sources among different softwares not in sync) you can still compile and obtain the lates known compiling version using the -s switch. Beware that this feature is under testing, but should work fine.

== Nasal for newbies: OOP ==
OOP is all about creating "things" (i.e. a cloud) with "actions" (transform,draw,update) (or "messages").
Where a class (or hash in Nasal) is the "template" for a "thing" containing a number of member fields.
So the class only describes the "layout" or properties of objects that can be created. To actually use a class, it has to be "instantiated" which means creating an object using a specific "template class" (or even several different classes).

These member fields can be variables (e.g. lat, lon, alt) or functions (setAlt, setPos).
And the actual instance (cloud[n] in the property tree) of such a thing is then called an "object".
Functions that work with instance specific state are called "methods", they may refer to instance specific state using a "self reference" (me) in Nasal, that ensures that access to a field or method is using the right instance specific data.

In OOP, internal state is managed by wrapping everything in a class using accessor functions for modifying and getting internal values.
So internal state would in turn only be modified by an abstract interface: class "methods", instead of directly accessing class-internal fields.

This provides a way for managing access to a member variable (field), such an abstract interface is also useful for keeping logics private, and internal. For example, the name of a variable "altitude" can be easily changed internally to "altitude_ft", without having to rename all users of the class - simply because all other code will refer to the methods providing access to the field.

For example, instead of doing something like cloud.lat=10.22; cloud.lon=43.22; you would have a method accepting lat/lon variables: cloud.setPos(lat, lon);

That means that the actual variables containing the values for lat/lon are not exposed or used outside the actual object. This is called encapsulation and provides you with a way to manage state and ensure that internal state is valid at all times, because other code may only use the external interface.

This allows you for example to simply rename a class variable, without having to change any of the code that uses the object, because other code only uses class methods.

Another important thing in OOP is separation of concerns, i.e. you don't want to end up with huge bloated "super classes" that manage all sorts of different state, but instead use different classes where appropriate to split code into abstract "modules" with well defined responsibilities.

So, one of the very first steps to convert procedural code to OOP code would be to group your code into a number of logical "classes" (e.g. cloud, cloud field ).

Classes may be composed of other classes, i.e. a "cloud field" class would in turn contain "cloud" classes.
This is then called "composition".

Another way is inheritance, where a type may inherit properties (fields:variables and methods) from a "parent" class. Imagine it like taking a "template" for the class and then saying "make a new class using this template".

Inheritance has the added advantage of providing a means to customize class behavior without having to modify the actual class, because all member fields can be parametrized.

For example, a "cumulus" cloud class could be derived from the "cloud" class, just by parametrizing it (different cloud model, different texture, different transformations), without touching anything in the actual "cloud" class.

This is basically how OOP may be understood: things are classified according to "is a" or "has a" relationship.

Of course, one may still use objects like conventional variables for passing and returning parameters.

== New software tools ==
== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
===Livery hangar reaches 300===
Early September, the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/ FlightGear Livery Database] welcomed its [http://liveries.flightgear.org/liveries.php?id=301 300th livery]! It is a livery of the Polish Air Force's [[Lockheed C130]], created by Maciej Zgódka, one of the latest additions to the painters-team. In the same time, the database was upgraded with a couple of new "features":
* thumbnails of liveries pop up when you hover over a link.
* a contact page was added, to ease contacting the database maintainer.
* each livery has a "Report this livery" button, through which visitors can notify the maintainer of a broken download, incorrect or unknown author, licensing issues etc.

I would like to emphasize that lots of liveries are not yet assigned an author. Please check for yourself if there is any [http://liveries.flightgear.org/authors.php unknown-author-livery] of which you known/are the author. Lots of liveries are still in the need for a thumbnail, so those are welcome as well.
===BAe-146===
"Pilot Penguin" and "[[User:Nickyivyca|nickyivyca]]" have begun work on the BAe-146. Pilot Penguin will be doing mostly 3D work, and nick will be doing mostly FDM and systems work. [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9494&start=15 See the forum thread for more info.]

== Scenery corner ==
===UK Football Stadiums===
[[File:Emiratesstadium.jpg|thumb|Emirates Stadium in Flightgear]]
Andyramone has completed and submitted three football stadiums to the scenery database. These include Carrow Road (Norwich), Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) and Stamford Bridge (Chelsea.) Portman Road (Ipswich) and White Hart Lane (Tottenham) are complete and will be submitted to the scenery database this month. The project will continue later this year with more London stadiums including Wembley on the to do list.

===Liverpool John Lennon Airport===
Andyramone has begun modeling Liverpool Airport (EGGP) in the UK. The terminal is complete and will be submitted to the database this month. Work has already begun on the control tower.

===KSFO Terminal 2===
San Fransisco International Terminal 2 has been fully remodelled by karla in Blender 2.49b using handmade textures in Gimp 2.46. New additions include: linking wings, antennae, railings, supports, ground floors interiors, ATC equipment, vigilant controller, architecture, light masts, night textures.

It has been released and is available from the Git database or directly from http://www.mediafire.com/file/ev447wrsqrfijlf/KSFO_T2.zip

The associated 942050.stg file has been changed slightly and it may also be downloaded for replacement in /Scenery/Objects/w130n30/w123n37/.

===Power Plants===
[[File:ENEL-Piombino-1.jpg|thumb|ENEL Piombino 4x330 MW Power Plant]]
Power Plants, with their red & white striped tall stacks, are outstanding visual aids for VFR.

scighera has modeled in Blender two Italian Power Plants:

- "'''ENEL Piombino 4x330 MW Power Plant'''", located in Piombino, right in front of the Isola d'Elba (Tuscany, Italy). It represent the standard italian heavy fuel oil fired 330 MW unit of the early 70ies, with 220 m high stacks provided with red obstruction lights. The model includes a Fuel oil unloading pear, with a mooring tankership

- "'''a2a 1000 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant'''" located in Cassano d'Adda (Lombardy, Italy, 30 km away from LIME Milano Linate). The plant is provided with 3 Turbogas, 3 Heat Recovery Steam Generators feeding the pre-existing steam turbines. There is a 220 m high red & white stiped stack and a lower 80 m stack.

The models have been submitted to the models repository (Piombino is already available on terrasync), and available for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html]

scighera is also working on the '''Poolbeg Power Plant''', on the Dublin peninsula, very close to the EIDW Dublin airport; the plant has two outstanding 208 m high stacks ...

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

== Suggested flights ==
===Hawai'i===
[[Image:Maui03.jpg|thumb]]
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.

== Aircraft reviews ==

== Community news ==
=== FlightGear on youtube ===
* Ten students at NASA's LARSS (Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars), put together [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmnFP-1UlSY an autonomous robotics lab], using mostly open source tools. One of which is a FlightGear Multiplayer Server.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkeApfVUnVk&feature=PlayList&p=3B31CCD15245D0AA&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 Watch the FlightGear PlayList] for a collection of all (somewhat) quality FlightGear videos ever uploaded to YouTube.

=== Forum news ===
=== Wiki updates ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== Useful links ==
== And finally ... ==
Next [http://www.fsweekend.com/ FSWeekend] event takes place November 6 & 7th 2010. Mark this date in your calendar and expect an outstanding presentation of FlightGear's features at [[Lelystad_Airport|Lelystad's airport]].

=== 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]].

=== 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].

=== Did you know ===

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 09]]

File:ENEL-Piombino-1.jpg

2010-09-17T09:28:53Z

Scighera: Model of the 4x330 MW, Heavy Fuel Oil Fired Power Plant located in Piombino (Tuscany, Italy)

Model of the 4x330 MW, Heavy Fuel Oil Fired Power Plant located in Piombino (Tuscany, Italy)

FlightGear Newsletter September 2010

2010-09-17T09:19:49Z

Scighera: /* Scenery corner */

{{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 ==
== Development news ==

===Local Weather v0.85===
The [http://www.phy.duke.edu/~trenk/files/local_weather_fgfs2.0.0_v0.85.tgz version 0.85] (also on GIT) of the Local Weather package is out - with new cloud types and textures and most importantly a significant performance gain over previous versions. There is a new menu to allow the user at runtime to specify cloud visual ranges, so that the impact on framerate can be adjusted to the situation.

The increased performance means that 3d clouds on fast systems can be rendered out to 45 km, and high altitude 2d cloud sheets sometimes up to 80 km - vastly improving the visual impression of the sky from airliner altitudes.

In addition, some bugs in the wind modelling and long-range weather patterns have been ironed out - with Flightgear 2.0.0, the package performs good in tests.

In the works:

* better hard-coded support for e.g. terrain sampling
* a METAR interface to use real-time weather and wind data
* full dynamics of the life cycle of convective clouds as they drift over the terrain
* and as always - improvements to cloud placement algorithms and cloud textures

Stay tuned!

A small feature gallery:
<gallery>
Image:local_weather_0.85_01.jpg| Cumulus and Cirrocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_02.jpg| Cirrus and Cirrostratus clouds heralding a warmfront (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_03.jpg| 45 km cloud visibility range (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_04.jpg| Realistic cloud bottoms (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_05.jpg| Cumulus and Altocumulus clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
Image:local_weather_0.85_06.jpg| Multiple 3d layered clouds (Local Weather v0.85)
</gallery>

===Water shader improvements===
[[File:Water shader Ju 52.jpg|300px|left|[[Junkers Ju 52]] flying over a lake in the French custom scenery.]]
Our all-time favourite shader-artist, Gral, picked up yet another project. This time it is something that covers over 70% of the entire scenery and is thus of great importance in a flight simulator: water. The new shader includes more realistic wave movements and much nicer sun "reflections". The extreme goal is to have real-time reflective water, which is still a long way to go, but with Gral's latest improvements we've at least made a step into the right direction. Transatlantic or Carribean flights have never been so exiting in FlightGear!

=== Weather supporting core code ===
[[File:new_weather_dialog.png|150px|right|The new weather dialog]]
The weather supporting core of FlightGear [http://gitorious.org/fg/flightgear/commit/5c6fe952598053fa63631fc0161d666f22a50f51 has been modified] during the last weeks to better support new weather models like the above mentioned Local Weather system. Data flow between environment systems is now defined in XML config files using well [[Autopilot Configuration Reference|known syntax and elements from the autopilot]]. Complex rules using predefined filters and arbitrary expressions can be defined without the need for C++ or Nasal coding.
Along with this patch comes a unified weather settings dialog, combining previous dialogs for weather conditions, scenario, clouds and precipitation. Further plans are to integrate a new real world data source [http://www.navlost.eu/nwxs/doc/desc/ NWX], providing METAR, aloft and temperature at altitude.

=== AI Objects ===
[[File:AIWingmenandAITanker.jpg|thumb|[ AIWingmen and AITanker]]

Some of the AI code has been revisited and tidied up, in a somewhat vain attempt to reduce the impact on frame rate. The facilities in Slaved Ballistic Objects, Wingmen, Ground Vehicles, and Escorts have been generalized. Now, any of these types can be subordinated, or parented, on any AI object which has a <name> tag. Thus, a wingman can be formated on a an AI Tanker, and can have a slaved droptank.

A Wingman can be formated on a Wingman to build larger formations.
[http://www.youtube.com/v/YaBghBIZZWI B29 12 Ship Formation]

With careful choice of options and locations frame rates can be kept at a reasonable level. Analysis has shown that the tall pole in the tent is the code which measures Altitude Above Ground Level. This is known to be code that is heavy on framerate and which is used extensively in the AI code. It might be possible to get a cheaper, simpler version of this function which would improve the impact on framerate. Hopefully, this will be the next stage of development.

=== Download & Compile script ===
For the Debian/Ubuntu users, an improvement to the [[Scripted_Compilation_on_Linux_Debian/Ubuntu|download and compile]]. If svn/git compilation fails from lates revisions (generally caused by sources among different softwares not in sync) you can still compile and obtain the lates known compiling version using the -s switch. Beware that this feature is under testing, but should work fine.

== Nasal for newbies: OOP ==
OOP is all about creating "things" (i.e. a cloud) with "actions" (transform,draw,update) (or "messages").
Where a class (or hash in Nasal) is the "template" for a "thing" containing a number of member fields.
So the class only describes the "layout" or properties of objects that can be created. To actually use a class, it has to be "instantiated" which means creating an object using a specific "template class" (or even several different classes).

These member fields can be variables (e.g. lat, lon, alt) or functions (setAlt, setPos).
And the actual instance (cloud[n] in the property tree) of such a thing is then called an "object".
Functions that work with instance specific state are called "methods", they may refer to instance specific state using a "self reference" (me) in Nasal, that ensures that access to a field or method is using the right instance specific data.

In OOP, internal state is managed by wrapping everything in a class using accessor functions for modifying and getting internal values.
So internal state would in turn only be modified by an abstract interface: class "methods", instead of directly accessing class-internal fields.

This provides a way for managing access to a member variable (field), such an abstract interface is also useful for keeping logics private, and internal. For example, the name of a variable "altitude" can be easily changed internally to "altitude_ft", without having to rename all users of the class - simply because all other code will refer to the methods providing access to the field.

For example, instead of doing something like cloud.lat=10.22; cloud.lon=43.22; you would have a method accepting lat/lon variables: cloud.setPos(lat, lon);

That means that the actual variables containing the values for lat/lon are not exposed or used outside the actual object. This is called encapsulation and provides you with a way to manage state and ensure that internal state is valid at all times, because other code may only use the external interface.

This allows you for example to simply rename a class variable, without having to change any of the code that uses the object, because other code only uses class methods.

Another important thing in OOP is separation of concerns, i.e. you don't want to end up with huge bloated "super classes" that manage all sorts of different state, but instead use different classes where appropriate to split code into abstract "modules" with well defined responsibilities.

So, one of the very first steps to convert procedural code to OOP code would be to group your code into a number of logical "classes" (e.g. cloud, cloud field ).

Classes may be composed of other classes, i.e. a "cloud field" class would in turn contain "cloud" classes.
This is then called "composition".

Another way is inheritance, where a type may inherit properties (fields:variables and methods) from a "parent" class. Imagine it like taking a "template" for the class and then saying "make a new class using this template".

Inheritance has the added advantage of providing a means to customize class behavior without having to modify the actual class, because all member fields can be parametrized.

For example, a "cumulus" cloud class could be derived from the "cloud" class, just by parametrizing it (different cloud model, different texture, different transformations), without touching anything in the actual "cloud" class.

This is basically how OOP may be understood: things are classified according to "is a" or "has a" relationship.

Of course, one may still use objects like conventional variables for passing and returning parameters.

== New software tools ==
== FlightGear addons and mods ==
== In the hangar ==
===Livery hangar reaches 300===
Early September, the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/ FlightGear Livery Database] welcomed its [http://liveries.flightgear.org/liveries.php?id=301 300th livery]! It is a livery of the Polish Air Force's [[Lockheed C130]], created by Maciej Zgódka, one of the latest additions to the painters-team. In the same time, the database was upgraded with a couple of new "features":
* thumbnails of liveries pop up when you hover over a link.
* a contact page was added, to ease contacting the database maintainer.
* each livery has a "Report this livery" button, through which visitors can notify the maintainer of a broken download, incorrect or unknown author, licensing issues etc.

I would like to emphasize that lots of liveries are not yet assigned an author. Please check for yourself if there is any [http://liveries.flightgear.org/authors.php unknown-author-livery] of which you known/are the author. Lots of liveries are still in the need for a thumbnail, so those are welcome as well.
===BAe-146===
"Pilot Penguin" and "[[User:Nickyivyca|nickyivyca]]" have begun work on the BAe-146. Pilot Penguin will be doing mostly 3D work, and nick will be doing mostly FDM and systems work. [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9494&start=15 See the forum thread for more info.]

== Scenery corner ==
===UK Football Stadiums===
[[File:Emiratesstadium.jpg|thumb|Emirates Stadium in Flightgear]]
Andyramone has completed and submitted three football stadiums to the scenery database. These include Carrow Road (Norwich), Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) and Stamford Bridge (Chelsea.) Portman Road (Ipswich) and White Hart Lane (Tottenham) are complete and will be submitted to the scenery database this month. The project will continue later this year with more London stadiums including Wembley on the to do list.

===Liverpool John Lennon Airport===
Andyramone has begun modeling Liverpool Airport (EGGP) in the UK. The terminal is complete and will be submitted to the database this month. Work has already begun on the control tower.

===KSFO Terminal 2===
San Fransisco International Terminal 2 has been fully remodelled by karla in Blender 2.49b using handmade textures in Gimp 2.46. New additions include: linking wings, antennae, railings, supports, ground floors interiors, ATC equipment, vigilant controller, architecture, light masts, night textures.

It has been released and is available from the Git database or directly from http://www.mediafire.com/file/ev447wrsqrfijlf/KSFO_T2.zip

The associated 942050.stg file has been changed slightly and it may also be downloaded for replacement in /Scenery/Objects/w130n30/w123n37/.

===Power Plants===
Power Plants, with their red & white striped tall stacks, are outstanding visual aids for VFR.

scighera has modeled in Blender two Italian Power Plants:

- "'''ENEL Piombino 4x330 MW Power Plant'''", located in Piombino, right in front of the Isola d'Elba (Tuscany, Italy). It represent the standard italian heavy fuel oil fired 330 MW unit of the early 70ies, with 220 m high stacks provided with red obstruction lights. The model includes a Fuel oil unloading pear, with a mooring tankership

- "'''a2a 1000 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant'''" located in Cassano d'Adda (Lombardy, Italy, 30 km away from LIME Milano Linate). The plant is provided with 3 Turbogas, 3 Heat Recovery Steam Generators feeding the pre-existing steam turbines. There is a 220 m high red & white stiped stack and a lower 80 m stack.

The models have been submitted to the models repository (Piombino is already available on terrasync), and available for download at [http://digilander.libero.it/scighera_fg/index.html]

scighera is also working on the '''Poolbeg Power Plant''', on the Dublin peninsula, very close to the EIDW Dublin airport; the plant has two outstanding 208 m high stacks ...

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

== Suggested flights ==
===Hawai'i===
[[Image:Maui03.jpg|thumb]]
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.

== Aircraft reviews ==

== Community news ==
=== FlightGear on youtube ===
* Ten students at NASA's LARSS (Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars), put together [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmnFP-1UlSY an autonomous robotics lab], using mostly open source tools. One of which is a FlightGear Multiplayer Server.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkeApfVUnVk&feature=PlayList&p=3B31CCD15245D0AA&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 Watch the FlightGear PlayList] for a collection of all (somewhat) quality FlightGear videos ever uploaded to YouTube.

=== Forum news ===
=== Wiki updates ===
=== Multiplayer ===
=== Virtual airlines ===

== Useful links ==
== And finally ... ==
Next [http://www.fsweekend.com/ FSWeekend] event takes place November 6 & 7th 2010. Mark this date in your calendar and expect an outstanding presentation of FlightGear's features at [[Lelystad_Airport|Lelystad's airport]].

=== 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]].

=== 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].

=== Did you know ===

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 09]]