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| name = FlightGear
| name = FlightGear
| logo = [[File:FlightGear logo.png|100px|FlightGear's icon]]
| logo = [[File:FlightGear logo.png|100px|FlightGear's icon]]
| screenshot = [[File:FlightGear 777-200ER at Honolulu.png|250px]]
| screenshot = [[File:Flightgear-2.4.0-iar80.jpg|250px]]
| caption = [[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-200ER]] with [[KLM]] livery in FlightGear version Git preview
| caption = [[IAR-80|IAR-80]] in 2.4.0
| collapsible =
| collapsible =
| author = David Murr, Curt Olson, Michael Basler, Eric Korpela <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.flightgear.org/proposal-3.0.1 | title = FlightGear — Flight Simulator}}</ref>
| author = David Murr, Curt Olson, Michael Basler, Eric Korpela <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.flightgear.org/proposal-3.0.1 | title = FlightGear — Flight Simulator}}</ref>

Revision as of 21:13, 22 August 2011

FlightGear
Original author(s)David Murr, Curt Olson, Michael Basler, Eric Korpela [1]
Developer(s)FlightGear Developers & Contributors
Initial releaseJuly 17, 1997
Stable release
2.4.0 / August 17, 2011; 13 years ago (2011-08-17)
Repository
Written inC++[2]
Engine
  • PLIB
  • OpenSceneGraph
Edit this at Wikidata
Operating system32-bit & 64-bit Windows
Linux
Mac OS X
FreeBSD
Solaris or IRIX
PlatformCross-platform
Available inEnglish
TypeFlight simulator
LicenseGNU General Public License
Websitehttp://www.flightgear.org/

FlightGear Flight Simulator (often shortened to FlightGear or FGFS) is a free, open-source multi-platform flight simulator developed by the FlightGear project since 1997.[3]

David Murr started the project on April 8, 1996. The project had its first release in 1997 and continued in development, the most recent release being version 2.4.0 in August 2011.[4] It has specific builds for a variety of operating systems including Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, IRIX, and Solaris. FlightGear code is released under the terms of the GNU General Public License, thus being free software.

The commercial products Flight Pro Sim, Pro Flight Simulator, and others, are direct copies of FlightGear.[5]

History

Main article: History of FlightGear

FlightGear started as an online proposal in 1996 by David Murr. He proposed a new flight simulator developed by volunteers over the internet. The flight simulator was created using custom 3D graphics code.[6]

FlightGear incorporated other open-source resources, including the LaRCsim flight model from NASA, and freely available elevation data. The first working binaries, using OpenGL for 3D graphic code, came out in 1997. Enthusiastic development of newer versions for several years resulted in progressively more stable and advanced versions. By 2001, the team was releasing new beta versions regularly, and by 2005, the maturity of software lead to more widespread reviews, and increased popularity. 2007 marked a formal transition out of beta development with the release of version 1.0.0, ten years after FlightGear's first release in 1997.

In 2008, version 1.9.0 of FlightGear included a major change from PLIB to OpenSceneGraph, which caused the temporary loss of some features like 3D clouds and shadows, while newly added features, such as particles, imparted another degree of realism to the simulation.

Software

Requirements

FlightGear requires a reasonable hardware accelerated 3D card with OpenGL drivers to achieve smooth frame rates. Using only software rendering, FlightGear typically has frame rates of about several frames per second.[citation needed] With a 3D accelerated card you can expect much higher. On a 2–3 GHz CPU, frame rates in excess of 60 frame/s are reasonable to expect in most situations. The actual frame rate changes with the scene complexity (which changes from area to area and changes as your view direction changes) and your hardware. FlightGear had support for 3dfx cards, but this was dropped as hardware requirements increased.

Simulation engines

The simulation engine in FlightGear is called SimGear. It is used both as an end-user application and in academic and research environments, for the development and pursuit of flight simulation ideas.

This customizability of FlightGear is illustrated by the wide range of aircraft models that are available in FlightGear, from Gliders to helicopters, and from airliners to fighter jets. These aircraft models have been contributed by many different people.

Currently only one terrain engine is used, TerraGear. Weather effects include 3D clouds, lighting effects, and time of day.

Another huge advantage of FlightGear is that it is completely open source — it has a rich set of existing external interfaces, and most of the major configuration can be done with standard XML-based text files. We make no attempts to obfuscate or hide our internals. This is big win for people using FlightGear as an academic or research platform, or for those that want to interface it to their own home-built cockpits.[7]

— Curtis L. Olson, O'Reilly Network, 2003

Flight Dynamics Models

Flight Dynamics Models (FDM) are how the flight for an aircraft is simulated in the program. FlightGear uses a variety of internally written and imported flight model projects. Any aircraft must be programmed to use one of these models. Currently FlightGear is the only graphical flight simulator for which all the FDM are used. FlightGear aircraft use one of three main data models JSBSim, YAsim, or UIUC as of version 0.9.10. UIUC and YASim were developed specifically for FlightGear. Early versions of FlightGear used a FDM based on LaRCsim by NASA, which was then replaced with more flexible FDM. Specialized FDM, such as lighter than air aircraft) can be custom written, or external FDM sources can be used.

  • JSBSim - the default flight dynamics model software since 2000. Started by Jon Berndt.[7]
  • YASim - an FDM using different calculation methods. Introduced starting in 0.7.9 in 2002. Developed by Andy Ross.[7] It is presently the only FlightGear FDM that provides simulation for rotorcraft, a feature developed by Maik Justus.
  • UIUC - another included FDM, developed by the UIUC Applied Aerodynamics Group at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, also made use of LaRCsim.[8]

FlightGear dependencies

Unlike proprietary software titles, the main output of the project is simply the release of a collection of software source code. To turn it into a usable program it must be compiled for a given platform. The software libraries used to create FlightGear have varied over time. The main one is SimGear, which is the underlying simulation engine for FlightGear. TerraGear is not a dependency, but simply a name for the default terrain data program in FlightGear. OpenAL is used for sound/audio software, including support for SDL (since 0.9.5).[9] PLIB is used for hardware support routines, formerly used for sound support also which was taken over by OpenAL. OpenGL is used for its integrated 3D graphics routines, and other hardware acceleration (namely DirectX) is not supported. OpenSceneGraph is also integrated into FlightGear. Finally, Simple DirectMedia Layer is a software library which is also used. Some of the dependencies vary depending on which platform the code is being compiled for. FlightGear users must either compile the code themselves, or find a third party to release a binary, if it is not among the ones available from the project.

Networking and multi-display

Several networking options allow FlightGear to communicate with other instances of FlightGear. A multiplayer protocol is available for using FlightGear on a local network in a multi aircraft environment. This could be used for formation flight or control tower simulation. Multiplayer was soon expanded to allow playing over the internet. Other features include a Google maps based moving map that allows users to observe where other players are.[10]

Several instances of FlightGear can be synchronized to allow for a multi-monitor environment. If all instances are running at the same frame rate consistently, it is possible to get good and tight synchronization between displays.

Additional software

A comparison between a FlightGear 1.0 screenshot in 2008 and a photo of San Francisco Airport

There are programs that are either integrated into FlightGear (dependencies) or perform a function with it. Some of these are included in the release of FlightGear for a specific platform but made by the project, while others are independently distributed but are hosted by the FlightGear project.

One major additional software is the actual interface for launching an executable of FlightGear. For most of its early life FlightGear was only run through command line interfaces. However, the FlightGear Launch Control has been included with the FG launcher front-end since 0.9.3 in 2003. KFreeFlight is a launcher/front-end for KDE. FGTools is an alternative windows launcher front-end. FGKicker is a GTK+ based front-end.

Other significant programs include editors and projects for Terrain Data. Atlas is a chart/map support for FlightGear; Kelpie Flight Planner is a Java based flight planner for FlightGear. FlightGear Scenery Designer is a FlightGear scenery editor for working with terrain data. The World Custom Scenery Project is a project coordinating custom scenery efforts. Taxidraw is an editor for airport runways and taxiways. FGCom is a project for live VOIP simulating Radio traffic to air traffic control and other aircraft in Flightgear which now has its own GUI FGCOMgui. FGCom uses the open source Asterix server.

FlightGear code vs. binaries

FlightGear is mostly written in the C++ programming language.[11]

The actual source code is distributed via GIT and dates apply to standardized and stable release of code, which is then compiled into a executable program. Both the development, the code releases, and the binaries are all created by those who volunteer their time to FlightGear. To create a runnable program the code must be compiled, which requires several specific libraries (see section of #FlightGear dependencies), including some general ones and, in some cases some platform specific ones. However, since this too difficult for most mainstream users, other contributors will work to make binaries available for a specific platform and operating system. These packages vary in their stability, performance, dependencies, and how up to date they are with the code base. For example, some older binaries work on Mac OS 9 but newer releases require specific Mac OS X versions.

For example, by late 2007 the latest code release was 0.9.11-pre1 (pre-release) and 0.9.10 (final). However, the actual binaries available vary significantly. Examples of actual binaries available a year after the release of the 0.9.10 code release:

By early 2008, many versions for 1.0.0 became available although older releases remained for several aforementioned platforms. Increased hardware requirements for 1.0.0 reduced performance on older systems.

  • Win-32 has a ~172 Mb package (v1.0.00) (For Windows 98, 2000, ME, XP, Vista)
  • Linux- pre-built packages for specific Linux distributions included (v1.0.00) for Slackware and Debian
  • Mac OS X 10.4 (v1.0.00)

By early 2010, version 2.0.0 was released and binary packages became available for various environments by December 2010 were as follows:

  • Win32 has a ~292 Mb package (v2.0.0) (For Windows 98, 2000, ME, XP, Vista and 7)
  • Linux- pre-built packages for specific Linux distributions included (v2.0.0) for Slackware and Debian
  • Mac OS X 10.4 (v1.9.1)

Critical reception

Wright Flyer in 0.9.9, which uses the UIUC FDM

Although not developed or typically analyzed solely as a game in the traditional sense, FlightGear has nevertheless undergone reviews in a number of online and offline publications, and received positive reviews as a flight simulator game.[13] FlightGear 1.0.0 was noted as being impressive for a game over a decade in the making, with a wide variety of aircraft and features.[14]

FlightGear 0.9.10 received many reviews, being highlighted as an accurate simulation but requiring patience and some pre-game work.[10] PC Magazine noted how it is designed to be easy to add new aircraft and scenery.[15]

"Flightgear" 1.9.1 was also chosen by users of Softonic as the best free game.[16]

Models and aircraft

FlightGear started out with an aircraft included in NASA's LaRCsim, a Navion, which was replaced by a Cessna 172 by 2000. UIUC as well as JSBsim development brought several more aircraft with them, as did the development of YASim which have since become the main FDM used in FG.[17] As of version 2.0.0 more than 400 aircraft are provided (some independently from the project), in over 300 unique liveries based on real life aircraft.[18]

1.0.0 and earlier aircraft

Hawker Sea Hawk in 0.9.9

The basic installer is limited to about 15 aircraft, with several dozen more official aircraft at varying states of development for download. The CD/DVD version includes all official aircraft and terrain data, though all the same material can also be downloaded for free. Non official aircraft from third-party sources also exist, but are not included here. Also included are a number of custom buildings, especially around San Francisco; a Nimitz class aircraft carrier is included as well (which aircraft can land on). In addition, several of the developmental UIUC aircraft developed in the late 1990s were still included but were not all maintained.

All official aircraft for 0.9.10, with flight data model type and cockpit type listed for some such as found on the 0.9.10 CD release of FlightGear. Some aircraft are FDM only, having no 3D visual model. Third party aircraft that do not have a GPL compatible license are excluded from the list but may be used with FlightGear. Aircraft in 0.9.10 installer are noted with a *, and ** for the 1.0 installer. New or heavily re-worked aircraft up to 1.0 public release, including some that came out with the 0.9.11-pre1 FlightGear (pre-release version) as well as 9.10 aircraft. Many aircraft that have not been updated no longer work, such as ones before .7.x/.8.x/.9.x as well as a number in the later releases that were not maintained to the current version depending on the model and its dependencies. Includes from about 0.7.0 to 0.9.10 and 1.0.0.

Applications and Usages

FlightGear has been used in a range of projects in academia and industry (including NASA) and even home-built cockpits.[19]

A complete list is available at the Flightgear wiki.

Commercial redistribution

FlightGear Flight Simulator version 1.9.1 has been actively marketed over the Internet under several aliases and product names, including but not limited to Flight Pro Sim, Pro Flight Simulator, Earth Flight Sim, and Real Flight Simulator.[5] Usually, $47 USD is charged for the main program and $67 USD is charged for the full World Scenery Package. Numerous ads and review articles that are very similar in wording can also be found scattered across the Internet posted by "affiliates." A number of Facebook pages for these products have also been posted.

Because FlightGear is licensed under the GNU General Public License, this is technically fully legal; however, the morals of these operations are questionable, as many customers who have purchased these products are very dissatisfied with what they receive and feel they have been scammed.[20] Additionally, an investigation by a number of FlightGear developers has found virtually no difference between the source code made available by the FlightProSim, etc. websites and the official version of FlightGear 1.9.1. In fact, FlightProSim, Pro Flight Simulator, etc. almost never recognize that their products are deriratives of FlightGear Flight Simulator, use images from the FlightGear wiki, and are not involved in any way with the FlightGear project.

The FlightGear developer team made an official statement/FAQ about the situation.[4]

FlightGear is an open-source flight simulator that was created in 1996. It is released under the GNU General Public License v2, and as such, it is free to use, modify and distribute with few restrictions. It has been developed with the collaboration of a large number of individuals over the last 14+ years. The complete FlightGear application and source code can be always downloaded for free from http://www.flightgear.org.

Flight Pro Sim is a commercial product that simply rebrands FlightGear. Investigation by a number of the FlightGear developers has found no difference between this and the FlightGear v1.9.1 release other than a change of name. Flight Pro Sim is in no way endorsed or supported by the core FlightGear development team.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to FlightGear.
  • FlightGear {{citation}}: |archive-url= is malformed: timestamp (help).
  • Wiki, FlightGear.
  • FlightGear, Sourceforge.
  • Flightgear data, Gitorious.
  • Flightgear planes.
  • FlightGear.
  • FlightGear for Mac, Sourceforge.
  • About FlightProSim, ProFlightSimulator and EarthFlightSim, Flight gear.

See also

References

  1. ^ "FlightGear — Flight Simulator".
  2. ^ "FlightGear source anylases". Ohloh.
  3. ^ Barr, Joe (4 December 2006). "FlightGear takes off". Retrieved 2007-06-25.
  4. ^ a b Flight Pro Sim, Flight Gear.
  5. ^ a b "FlightProSim statement". FlightGear. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  6. ^ FlightGear History
  7. ^ a b c Wen, Howard (11 December 2003). "Flying the Open Skies with FlightGear". O'Reilly Network. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  8. ^ "Aircraft Dynamics Models for Use with FlightGear". UIUC Applied Aerodynamics Group at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Retrieved 2007-06-26.
  9. ^ "FlightGear v0.95 Released". LockerGnome. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  10. ^ a b "Flying high with FlightGear". Free Software Magazine. 2006.
  11. ^ FlightGear source analyses, Ohloh.
  12. ^ Flight Gear, Fresh ports.
  13. ^ "Review". Flight Sim.
  14. ^ "FlighGear 1.00 released". Tech Woo.
  15. ^ Smith, Tim (1 September 2006). "FlightGear 0.9.10". PC Magazine (UK). Retrieved 2007-06-29.
  16. ^ "The Best Programs of 2009". Softonic.
  17. ^ The Flight Gear Manual Version .9, April 2006
  18. ^ "FlightGear Liveries". Retrieved September 5, 2010.
  19. ^ "Applications for the Simulator". Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  20. ^ Brooks, Minton. "A post". FlightGear mailing list. Source Forge. Retrieved 2010-12-14.

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