 I
don't know why I never knew about a great open source (aka Free) flight simulator called "FlightGear,"
but I do now. It's not quite on the level of Microsoft's Flight Simulator, but for free it's a pretty darn
nice sim. The graphics are superb, but the flight controls, at least when using the keyboard, are a bit unstable.
I was
 not
able to properly trim the aircraft for straight and level flight at any power setting, so landings especially were
kind of difficult. FlightGear does have a joystick interface, but I don't own a joystick. My MS Flight Simulator has
always done very well when using the keyboard keys. The basic download comes with a couple dozen aircraft, and there
are many additional models available as separate downloads. Thanks to all the folks who have spent their valuable
time developing FlightGear!
Per the About page on the FlightGear website:
******
"FlightGear is an open-source flight simulator. It supports a variety of popular platforms (Windows,
Mac, Linux, etc.) and is developed by skilled volunteers from around the world. Source code for the entire project
is available and licensed under the GNU General Public License.
The goal of the FlightGear project is to create a sophisticated and open flight simulator framework for
use in research or academic environments, pilot training, as an industry engineering tool, for DIY-ers to pursue their
favorite interesting flight simulation idea, and last but certainly not least as a fun, realistic, and challenging
desktop flight simulator. We are developing a sophisticated, open simulation framework that can be expanded and improved
upon by anyone interested in contributing.
The idea for Flight Gear was born out of a dissatisfaction with current commercial PC flight simulators. A big
problem with these simulators is their proprietariness and lack of extensibility. There are so many people across
the world with great ideas for enhancing the currently available simulators who have the ability to write code, and
who have a desire to learn and contribute. Many people involved in education and research could use a spiffy flight
simulator frame work on which to build their own projects; however, commercial simulators do not lend themselves to
modification and enhancement. The Flight Gear project is striving to fill these gaps."
******
These are the opening setup/configuration screens
Cessna 172 Skyhawk instrument panel (L) and chase
plane view of takeoff (R)
Chase plane view of Cessna 172 Skyhawk on runway (L) and final approach view from cockpit
(R)
Keyboard control menus
Posted March 31, 2012
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