FlightGear wiki - User contributions [en]

Douglas DC-8-73

2012-11-09T17:22:59Z

Yourgod: fixed format error caused by bot.

{{aero-stub}}
{{infobox Aircraft
|image = DC8.jpg
|name = Douglas DC-8-73
|type = Airliner/freighter
|livery = ATI
|authors = Bob Faulkner (3D model, FDM), Isaias Prestes (cockpit, 63 conversion)
|fdm =JSBSim
|status =Alpha
|fgname =dc8-73
}}

The '''Douglas DC-8''' was the first entry into the commercial jet airliner market fielded by Douglas Aircraft. It is a 4 engine model. The 70 series variants, also known as the "super 70's", are "super 60's" airframes upgraded with CFM56 engines. These represent the versions with the greatest range, fuel efficiency, take off weight, and least noise.

This project was started at the end of December, 2009.

{| border="1" style="text-align:center"
|+Fuel Tank mapping
!FG Tank!!DC-8 tank
|-
|0||1 main
|-
|1||2 main
|-
|2||3 main
|-
|3||4 main
|-
|4||1 alt
|-
|5||4 alt
|-
|6||center
|-
|7||aux
|}

''Note that the Auxiliary tanks are 2 tanks near each wing root contained in the leading edges of the wings. In this model, those tanks are modeled as a single tank with a location between the leading edges, on the center line of the fuselage. This roughly models an evenly distributed fuel load between the two tanks, which should be the case in real life.''

== Status ==
This model is currently in the alpha phase.

Alpha was released December 2, 2010.

Model as of March 20, 2010

[[File:DC8.jpg|400px]]

== TODO ==

'''Done:'''
* Basic fuselage
* Horizontal and vertical stabilizers
* Basic FDM (basic DC-8 tuning completed)
* Wings
* Wheels (animated)
* Gear struts (basic, animated)
* Engines (fans and reversers animated)
* Ailerons, Flaps (animated)
* Rudder and Elevators (animated)
* Windows and refine fuselage model.
* Gear wells and doors (animated)
* Basic ATI (Air Transport International) livery, default on model.
* Basic cockpit
* ''Alpha Release''

'''Current stage:'''

* Full Cockpit model
* Slots and Exhaust gates

'''To do (in order of attack):'''

* Doors
* Add External details (Lights, pitot, etc)
* Control and trim tabs.
* Refine animations to respect DC-8 behaviors.
* Near completed Cockpit functionality.
* Refine FDM
* Complete ATI default livery and add NASA livery.
* ''Beta Release''
* Finalize cockpit (fully modeled down to books on shelves)
* Finalize any outstanding details of model (bits and pieces needed for realism)
* Finalize FDM
* ''Final Release''

== Known issues ==

'''Unresolved:'''

* Nose gear does not always return to center steering angle when leaving the ground.
* Some cockpit instruments currently do not function.

'''Resolved:'''

* Nose gear animation dramatically over steers when using rudder alone.

== LINKS ==
'''Yourgod's Hangar'''

http://www.treborlogic.com/fgfs/hangar/

{{Douglas}}

[[Category:Airliners]]

Douglas DC-8-73

2010-12-14T21:19:11Z

Yourgod: status update

{{stub}}
{{infobox Aircraft
|image = DC8.jpg
|name = Douglas DC-8-73
|type = Airliner/freighter
|livery = ATI
|authors = Bob Faulkner (3D model, FDM), Isaias Prestes (cockpit, 63 conversion)
|fdm =JSBSim
|status =Alpha
|fgname =dc8-73</tt>

}}

The '''Douglas DC-8''' was the first entry into the commercial jet airliner market fielded by Douglas Aircraft. It is a 4 engine model. The 70 series variants, also known as the "super 70's", are "super 60's" airframes upgraded with CFM56 engines. These represent the versions with the greatest range, fuel efficiency, take off weight, and least noise.

This project was started at the end of December, 2009.

{| border="1" style="text-align:center"
|+Fuel Tank mapping
!FG Tank!!DC-8 tank
|-
|0||1 main
|-
|1||2 main
|-
|2||3 main
|-
|3||4 main
|-
|4||1 alt
|-
|5||4 alt
|-
|6||center
|-
|7||aux
|}

''Note that the Auxiliary tanks are 2 tanks near each wing root contained in the leading edges of the wings. In this model, those tanks are modeled as a single tank with a location between the leading edges, on the center line of the fuselage. This roughly models an evenly distributed fuel load between the two tanks, which should be the case in real life.''

== Status ==
This model is currently in the alpha phase.

Alpha was released December 2, 2010.

Model as of March 20, 2010

[[Image:DC8.jpg|400px]]

==TODO==

'''Done:'''
*Basic fuselage
*Horizontal and vertical stabilizers
*Basic FDM (basic DC-8 tuning completed)
*Wings
*Wheels (animated)
*Gear struts (basic, animated)
*Engines (fans and reversers animated)
*Ailerons, Flaps (animated)
*Rudder and Elevators (animated)
*Windows and refine fuselage model.
*Gear wells and doors (animated)
*Basic ATI (Air Transport International) livery, default on model.
*Basic cockpit
*''Alpha Release''

'''Current stage:'''

*Full Cockpit model
*Slots and Exhaust gates

'''To do (in order of attack):'''

*Doors
*Add External details (Lights, pitot, etc)
*Control and trim tabs.
*Refine animations to respect DC-8 behaviors.
*Near completed Cockpit functionality.
*Refine FDM
*Complete ATI default livery and add NASA livery.
*''Beta Release''
*Finalize cockpit (fully modeled down to books on shelves)
*Finalize any outstanding details of model (bits and pieces needed for realism)
*Finalize FDM
*''Final Release''

==Known issues==

'''Unresolved:'''

*Nose gear does not always return to center steering angle when leaving the ground.
*Some cockpit instruments currently do not function.

'''Resolved:'''

*Nose gear animation dramatically over steers when using rudder alone.

==LINKS==
'''Yourgod's Hangar'''

http://www.treborlogic.com/fgfs/hangar/

{{Douglas}}

[[Category:Aircraft]]
[[Category:Airliners]]
[[Category:Civilian aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft TODO]]

FlightGear Newsletter August 2010

2010-08-26T17:17:39Z

Yourgod: /* Community news */ minor format change

{{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.''

==Development news==
===More realistic textures on mountains===
Shader-artist Gral picked up a new project, after his forest and grassland improvements. This time he impoves the look of our mountains a lot, thanks to some "elevation and slope detecting" shaders. They replace the vegetation with rocks above a certain elevation or on steep faces. Transition between the different terraintypes are extremely smooth, especially when compared to the usual landcover-transition (eg. between land and ocean) in FlightGear.

[http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=9183 The forum] provides you with more information, screenshots and updates.

==In the hangar==
Several [[aircraft]] that have been around in FlightGear for many years got updates this month. There is a huge number of aircraft in the FlightGear hangar (over 300!), and while new aircraft are always welcome, there are many existing aircraft that would benefit from some spit-and-polish. Creating a completely new aircraft to a high standard represents a monumental amount of work. Those wanting to contribute, but without the time available to create a truly world-class aircraft from scratch might want to consider improving a favourite aircraft from the hangar instead. The effects are more immediate, and you can improve it one piece at a time.

===Douglas A-4F Skyhawk===
On a smaller scale to Hal's improvements to the Mustang, Stuart Buchanan has been making a number of changes to the venerable [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A4-F Skyhawk]], or "Scooter". Rather than change the existing A-4F Blue Angels model, Stuart has instead modelled a normal Navy A-4F with dual drop-tanks. As well as some minor [[FDM]] tweaking, improvements include a completely new exterior and 3D [[cockpit]], and some more accurate flight control systems including auto-deploying spoilers. The A-4F is an interesting [[Aircraft carrier|carrier]]-based light attack aircraft, designed on the principle of simplicity and lightness by Edward Heinmann. In particular, by making the wings short, they didn't need to be folded for storage on carriers, which meant they didn't need complex wing folds, and hence were lighter and stronger.

===Fokker 100===
Another aircraft that has been updated recently is the [[Fokker 100]]. It now has a 3D cockpit and a rudimentary equipment failure control system, as well as a much-improved FDM and Autopilot. At the moment, the Equipment Failure System can only cause engine fires and flap failure. Several new liveries have been made as well. Authors who contributed to this latest phase in development include (in no particular order) Erik Hofman, Thomas Ito-Haigh, Gary Neely, and Skyop.

===North American P-51D Mustang===
Hal V. Engel has made some massive improvements to the [[P-51D Mustang|P51-D]]. Using NACA (the pre-cursor to NASA) published data, he's produced a very impressive [[JSBSim]] FDM. He's also made a number of improvements to the 3D cockpit and the engine systems. Those who enjoy their WWII warbirds will be very interested indeed. Your correspondent has still to manage a take-off from the runway without at least one bounce, but can report that the landing characteristics, while not benign, are at least manageable. This is an aircraft that will really repay some effort on the part of the pilot to get to know, and almost certainly represents the most accurate warbird FDM we have available.

===AC-130===

== Scenery corner ==
===Las Vegas McCarran International Airport===
[[File:KLAS.jpg|thumb|right|270px|A Southwest Airlines [[Boeing 737-300]] parked at Concourse B; Concourse C is visible in the background.]]
[[User:Skyop|Skyop]] has modeled Concourse A, Concourse B, Concourse C, and the Charter International Terminal at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (KLAS). Unfortunately, the new Concourse D could not be modeled as there was no [[GPL]]-compatible satellite imagery available. You can obtain the new terminals via [[TerraSync]].

===Animated jetways finalized===
An exciting new feature comes to FlightGear with the completion of [[User:Skyop|Skyop's]] [[Howto: Animated jetways|animated jetway system]]. The first airport to implement it is none other than KLAS. [[Howto: Animated jetways#Usage|A slight fix]] is required to see the jetways.

To use the system, taxi to an animated jetway and park your aircraft with your nosegear on the "T" at the end of the marking line. Click the jetway, and if your aircraft has the appropriate values in its <tt>-set.xml</tt> file, the jetway will extend and raise/lower itself to your door! Updated <tt>-set.xml</tt> files for the [[Boeing 737-300]], [[Boeing 747-400]], and [[Boeing 777-200ER]] can be downloaded from [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8728&start=90#p91826 this post] of the development thread.

Unfortunately, there are still a few unresolved issues with the jetways. The biggest being that they currently cannot operate independently.

== Community news ==
=== FlightGear on YouTube ===
* A [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1pI8bIOxYA wonderful example] of the possibilities and power of FlightGear, in which FlightGear is connected to some avionics equipment (including flight displays and EICAS).
* Chances are big that you never saw anything like what is done in [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISiia1syhTM this video], before. These people connected a radio controller vehicle to their computer and visualized its movements with FlightGear's [[jeep]].
* Our home-director, Oscar, uploaded a [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-40ocTyVGY nice video] summarising the KLM fleet in FlightGear.
* In case you have missed it, a [http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5i0i0_brest_videogames video showing photorealistic scenery] in Brest.
* Despite the bad graphics (clouds and smoke), this [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t90qRgczJ-o Red Bull Air Race video] shows once again what an enormous range of different things one can do in FlightGear. A [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQQDL7jaScQ second video] was uploaded as well.

[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.

=== Wiki updates ===
====Nasal articles====
In the aftermath of a [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=8995 forum topic], work has been started on expanding the number of [[Nasal]] related articles at the wiki. These articles should help (new) developers to understand the scripting language and eventually write their own scripts.

All Nasal articles are collected in a [[:Category:Nasal|special category]]. More articles are welcome, as always, so feel free to share your Nasal knowledge!

====How to commit changes to Git on Windows?====
Three months after our big move to [[Git]], there finally is a tutorial on how to commit changes to Git, on a Windows based computer! This allows every FlightGear-user/developer to get their edits up in the official FlightGear repository. Let's hope that this will stimulate more people to start developing and sharing their work with the rest of the world.

Read the article at [[FlightGear Git on Windows#Commiting changes]].

=== Update on FlightProSim ===
Thanks in part to ''jackmermod'', the FlightGear community now has [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8225&start=45#p90830 access] to the source code of the much-discussed [[FlightProSim]], which will allow for a better and more thorough investigation of the simulator. Browsing through the source directory structure has so far given promising results, but compiling the program itself has been problematic.

=== Relaunch of TransGear Airways ===
This month saw the first event of the resurrected TransGear Airways. The event was planned by Lukosius and Redneck. Redneck and Jomo provided Air Traffic Control services. The event was well received and attended by registered TGA pilots and other unregistered pilots as well. Details are available on the [http://transgear.treborlogic.com official site]. The September event will be the first event scheduled using Yourgod's scheduling software which will allow pilots to plan their own routes within the event.

==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].

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 08]]

2010-01-18T19:30:06Z

Yourgod: /* Status */ Updated current status, added TODO section

File:Dc8 011510.png

2010-01-18T19:27:00Z

Yourgod: Development status of basic DC-8 model as of January 15, 2010

Development status of basic DC-8 model as of January 15, 2010

FlightGear Newsletter January 2010

2010-01-07T21:29:13Z

Yourgod: /* Boeing 737-100 updates */ - grammar, formatting, spelling.

{{newsletter}}

This is the draft of the next edition of the [[FlightGear]] Newsletter. Please feel free to edit and add your contribution.

==What's new in CVS==

==In the hangar==
===Liveries===
For over a year, realistic (meaning: they have to exist, have existed, or will exist on the corresponding aircraft with the corresponding airline) FlightGear liveries have been available from [http://flightgear.oxyhost.com this website]. Due to the increasing amount of visitors and liveries, the website is moved to a new server, resulting in much faster downloads. The serverswitch was a good oppurtunity to re-design the website and its internal structure. It used to be a simple list, now it exists of a fully functional database, improving the use- and maintainablity significantly. The database can be searched by aircraft, airline or author.

Everyone is free to upload his/her liveries. What to do is explained at this page.

Visit the new livery database (link to come)

===Aircraft===
====Boeing 737-100 updates====
{{Main article|Boeing 737-100}}
[[File:737-100_outside.jpg|thumb|270px|Outside view with open doors]]
[[File:737-100_cockpit.jpg|thumb|270px|Cockpit view from pilot seat]]
Since October we have had the 737-100 by helijah in CVS.
The aircraft has now been further improved.
Mike (aka D-SKY1) is building the autopilot, updating the 3D models, and the following changes were implemented:

* FDM refined
* Working instruments in front panel
* Doors (front and back) open with the keys D and Shift-D
* Front door also extends stairs
* Detailed overhead panel (not yet wired)
* Detailed pedestal (not yet wired)
* Autopilot incl. ILS approach (partly wired) [http://imagebin.ca/view/uaxeKd.html (actual screenshot of the glareshield)]
* Several liveries available via menu:
** Lufthansa
** Canadian
** Continental
** Qatar
** Swiss Air
** Air France
** Alitalia
** KLM
** Kuwait Airways
** Boeing Prototype-Livery

==Scenery Corner==
===Manila===
The Airport of Manila, Philippines (RPLL) has been improved. Beside the Terminals 1 and 2, Terminal 3 is now built. The Tower is redesigned to be closer to the original. Many shared models on the ground has been added and like always all buildings are [[Howto:_Illuminate_faces|illuminated]] at night and [[Howto:_Add_smooth_("Ambient_Occlusion")_shadows_in_Blender|ambient occlusion]] is added to all new textures..

===San Francisco International Airport===
{{Main article|San Francisco International Airport}}
With the upcoming release in mind, FlightGear's main airport has been populated with more buildings than ever before. Dock your plane at one of the many gates, follow the airtrain as it moves from station to station, land your helicopter in the famous parkingarea hole or simply enjoy the visuals on final.

==Community News==

===FlightGear Wiki===
On 4 January 2010, the 900th article was added to the wiki! Back in May 2009, the 700th article was welcomed, which means an average of 1 article is created each day. A big "thank you" to all those who helped to extend and improve the wiki over the past years!

* More wiki stats can be found [[Special:Statistics|here]]
* Read the article at [[Howto: Add details to your airport‎‎]].

===Virtual Airline News===

==Addons==

==Useful links==

==And finally....==

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2010 01]]

FlightGear Newsletter December 2009

2009-12-31T15:24:20Z

Yourgod: /* SoundSystem updates */ grammar

{{newsletter}}

Welcome to the December edition of the [[FlightGear]] Newsletter. The big news this month is that preparations are under way for the next FlightGear release, tentatively named v1.9.10. Hopefully this will be available shortly after you read this. Compared with the massive change from PLIB to OSG in v1.9.0, the changes this release are more minor. However, there are plenty of exciting new features to play with, and the number of aircraft in the CVS hangar has increased from 219 to 286.

More controversially, there has also been some discussion about Flight Pro Sim, a "new" commercial simulator that appears to simply be a re-named version of FlightGear. There have always been a number of people distributing FlightGear CDs on ebay and elsewhere, providing a service to those without a fast internet connection, and the GPL specifically allows distribution for a fee. However, this has been far more heavily marketed and caused significant confusion in the general flight simulator community. There will shortly be a statement on the main FlightGear website to clear up the confusion.

[[Image:Tu154Innsbruck.png|thumb|270px|Screenshot of the Month: Tupolev Tu-154 at Schiphol]]

==What's new in CVS==
===SoundSystem updates===
In the process of improving FlightGear's soundsystem it is now possible to specify which audio playback device to use. This was introduced for situations where OpenAL didn't play well with PulseAudio on Linux but it is useful for many situations. The selection takes place in the sound dialog and is effective only after selecting 'apply' (the setting is loaded the next time you start FlightGear again). It is also possible to specify the output device at the command line by specifying: ''--sound-device''. A list of available audio playback devices is shown when running fgfs with ''--show-sound-devices''.

In addition to that the sound dialog has been updated to adjust the volume and specify whether to enable or disable one or all of the following audio groups: ''Master Volume'', ''ATC sounds'','' avionics'' (cockpit sounds), ''Effects'' (aircraft related sound effects) and ''Chatter'' (audio queue events which also include spoken help messages). Both the ATC and avionics group have an extra checkbox to specify if they should be audiable in external views.

==In the hangar==

==Scenery Corner==
===Detailed landclassing===
[[Image:Texel_v0_vs_cs.png|thumb|270px|The island of Texel, with vmap0 data (left) and custom scenery data.]]
[[Image:Ameland_v0_vs_cs.png|thumb|270px|Ameland, with vmap0 (left) and custom scenery.]]
A small group of people is improving the FlightGear [[scenery]] by creating detailed shapefiles. These shapefiles are used to generate the terrain for our scenery. The (current) terrain is largely generated from inaccurate (vmap0) data, which results in wrong coastlines, missing forests, missing lakes etc.

As you can see on the pictures, the difference is huge. Correct terrain enhances especially the VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flying experience a lot, as you are able to follow the terrain more closely. With [http://www.openstreetmap.org OSM] line date (roads, railroad and rivers) this will be even further enhanced, but we are still awaitening a license switch, in order to release the scenery under [[GNU GPL]].

Your help is extremely welcome, as always. Take a look at [[Howto: Create custom scenery]] to learn how you can help.

==Community News==

===Virtual Airline News===

==Addons==
=== YASim FDM Visualization ===

A very nice and helpful Christmas gift arrived from Austria: a script for [[Blender]] to visualize [[YASim]] fdms. This way it is possible to load both, the fdm and 3d model, into Blender and compare them to each other visually. Different types of objects/surfaces of the fdm, such as fuselage, wings, stabilizers and control surfaces, are displayed in different colours. Propellers, jet engines and rotors are each shown in a meaningfull manner and objects without size, like the landing gear's contact points, are present as well. 
The script is available in FlightGear's source tree ([http://cvs.flightgear.org/viewvc/source/utils/Modeller/yasim_import.py?view=markup source/utils/Modeller/yasim_import.py]). A list with all features, how to install it into Blender, load fdm and align it with the 3d model (if necessary) and how to handle it in general is written as a comment on the top inside the file.

I am sure this is an addition that many fdm makers dreamed of, great work! ...and a happy new fdmodeller year ;-)

[[File:Yasim_visualisation_dc6.png|thumb|dc6 fdm in Blender]]

==Useful links==

==And finally....==

===2009 Summary===
What has happened in the year 2009?

* '''January:''' Microsoft reportes that the ACES Game Studio, the design team responsible for the MSFS series, will be shut down.
* '''January:''' A bugfix release for FlightGear 1.9.0 is released, version 1.9.1.

Happy New Year everyone!

[[Category:FlightGear Newsletter|2009 12]]

Howto talk:3D Aircraft Models

2009-12-29T23:48:32Z

Yourgod:

3D aircraft axes and angles picture ( made with blender) for 3D aircraft modelling wiki page.
[[File:Heading_Roll_Pitch_3D.jpg]]

out of curiosity, why did you upload this to the talk page?

The image looks good to me, plug it into the page!
[[User:Yourgod|Yourgod]] 17:23, 29 December 2009 (UTC)

It seemed not nice to me to make changes to the page without owner opinion.
now that I know you agreed i will upload it.
I'am a new entry and not really used on how it works with pages modification etiquette.

I'm not the "owner", but that's the nature of a wiki.. If someone doesn't like what you did to a page, they're free to change it! Also, Gijs tends to prefer that you sign talk entries with 4 tilde's (~) which tags your name and time.
[[User:Yourgod|Yourgod]] 23:48, 29 December 2009 (UTC)