Overview

The FlightGear development team is proud to announce the release of version 2.4.0 of its free open source flight simulation program. FlightGear 2.4.0 reflects over one and a half years of development and incorporates several new and exciting features, as well as numerous bug fixes.

One of the hallmark features of this new FlightGear version consists of a completely overhauled weather module. While it was previously already possible to load realistic weather by downloading (or creating custom) METAR weather reports, the current FlightGear 2.4.0 version takes weather generation an order of a magnitude further by applying the laws of physics to the reported conditions and by determining how the atmosphere interacts with the terrain. This results not only in customizable weather, but also in all the exciting phenomena that occur at the boundaries between different weather systems. Among the numerous phenomena included in the weather simulation are fog layers that are limited in altitude, cold fronts, thermals, cloud formation in updraft winds along mountain ridges, and many, many more. In FlightGear 2.4.0 checking the weather is no longer a luxury option, it is essential for flight safety.

Adding to the improved visual experience, FlightGear 2.4.0 introduces numerous graphical enhancements. By employing state-of-art computer graphic techniques, FlightGear 2.4.0 is capable of rendering highly realistic mountain surfaces, 3-dimensional cityscapes, or shiny metallic surfaces. Through the application of these new computer graphics, water moves realistically and sunlight is reflected from its surface. Many new aircraft models are so realistic and detailed it is almost possible to see oneself reflected in their hull. If that isn’t enough, FlightGear 2.4.0 can draw a full 3D image, through one of the many stereoscopic rendering options.

FlightGear’s user experience is also enhanced through several improvements to the software. New and extended autopilot controllers have resulted in a dramatic improvement in autopilot stability in many aircraft. Additional cockpit systems such as TCAS, and EICAS systems –as well as other realistic aircraft reactions to the environment– provide unique new challenges and opportunities. And if these systems still can’t prevent one from getting lost, it’s always possible to pull up a moving map, or use the new and improved heads up displays.

Under the surface, FlightGear 2.4.0 also introduces several innovations. A brand new experimental HLA interface layer allows for real time communication between several independently operating modules, either running on a single computer, or on a cluster of networked machines. Eventually, HLA allows for a complete modularization of FlightGear, and its integration with professional high-end flight simulator hard- and software components.

Finally, FlightGear 2.4.0 has a built-in option to keep its scenery up to date and download new scenery areas on the fly. While this was already possible by using an external program, this feature is now incorporated in FlightGear itself. The many new and updated scene models all around the world will keep one busy exploring the world of FlightGear. With a choice of nearly 500 different aircraft, from historical to bleeding edge, from ultra-lights to the ultimate flying heavy metal, there is something to cater to each one’s taste. In FlightGear 2.4.0 it’s no longer the sky that is the limit; it’s the imagination.

FlightGear 2.4.0 Fact sheet

Program enhancements:

Aircraft operations:

A new head-up display (HUD) system

An in-sim moving map

ATC/ATIS improvements

EICAS instruments are available on a selected number of aircraft

Improved autopilots

TCAS, works with AI and multiplayer aircraft, provides aural warnings for conflicting traffic and is also capable of driving a realistic traffic display. AI aircraft also respond to TCAS alerts and take evasive action

Updates to the KLN89 GPS.

Tankers now refuel with any callsign, and can enable/disable refueling in flight.

AI system

A standalone AI flightplan generator program

Approaching aircraft now follow realistic approach trajectories

Ballistic objects can be slaved to any AI object

Improved AI ballistics behavior

More communication / interaction between AI aircraft and ground. Support for multiple frequencies for AI/ATC interaction.

Speed-up for AI traffic initialization by means of an aircraft usage statistics collection mechanism

AI Traffic

General and commercial aviation traffic at LOWI airport

Malaysian Airways / Kuala Lumpur based traffic

Traffic for Adria (Croatia)

Flight dynamics

A new MIL-STD Turbulence model has been added to the JSBSim flight dynamics simulation engine

Environment

A local weather system to simulate physically correct local weather phenomena

Discard of outdated METAR weather information sources and improved METAR parsing

New Fog layers with limited elevation

Scenery can be downloaded and installed on-the-fly via an in-sim TerraSync interface

Specific multiplayer pilots can be selectively ignored

Interface

Complete overhaul of the autopilot system

New digital controllers



Flexible use of input and output values



Support for mathematical expressions



Usable for generic numeric data processing as a “property rule” system

Better integration of separate weather systems

New support of draggable 3d objects like throttle-levers

Support for textures generated from VNC clients

Unified runway selection code that is shared between user controlled and AI controlled aircraft

New HLA interface for distributed simulations

New on demand loading of Nasal modules

New support for external (aka real) Garmin 400/500 WAAS Units

Visual effects

Various graphics improvements using shaders, including 3D urban effects, reflections, water, rock textures, lightmaps, skydome scattering

Easy GUI-based access to a host of stereoscopic 3D rendering effects

Panoramic distortion

Persistent contrails

New standalone 2D-Panel rendering utility

Bug fixes

Fixed METAR live weather (http requests from NOAA)

Fixed many sources of the infamous NaN errors

Improved stability by fixing many segmentation faults, deadlocks and memory leaks

Improved placement of random objects

Fixed inconsistencies with scenery tile scheduling

The replay system now works again as advertised

The ground proximity warning system (GPWS) works reliably now

Runway lights also working with ATI graphics cards now (rendering option to disable point-sprites)

Many, many more. See our bugtracker for an extensive list

Highlighted new and improved aircraft

A new and highly detailed IAR-80 (a Romanian-produced WW2 fighter)

A new highly detailed Piper Cub

Airbus A320 Family (318/319/320/321)

An improved P-51D, completely remodeled and containing improved flight dynamics

Boeing 717

Boeing 757-200

Bombardier CRJ700 Series (700/900/1000)

Bombardier CRJ200

Douglas A-4F Skyhawk

Improvements to the Boeing 787

MiG-15bis

PZL-Mielec M18B “Dromader”

Short S.23 Empire flying boat

The Boeing 737NG Series

The Boeing 747-400 and 777-200 have received lots of improvements

The Douglas DC-8 Series

The Eurocopter EC130 B4 Helicopter

Tyre smoke effects on many aircraft

Zeppelin LZ 121 Nordstern

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