Simviation Forum - A couple of short gliding questions.

Apr 5^th, 2004 at 7:52am

Staiduk Offline
Colonel

Posts: 1040

'Lo all!
My main mod-work I've done for the MSFS series is creating a few skins and missions for CFS2 - IOW; not much at all. I'm constantly amazed and delighted at the excellent work people do on these simulators.
I have a couple of questions regarding the process; if you don't mind.

First; though I went on and got my private lisence; my first love has always been gliding - power pilots never realize how limiting that big noisy mill out front is. Flying a sailplane is real flight; soaring - literally - with the birds. (We often use seagulls and other birds as lift indicators; and enter a thermal in the same direction as they do; to limit any potential collisions. We fly quite above them; but still the effect is wonderful.)
Too bad gliding has been removed from the stock sim; while it has the venerable S2-32; it lacks any sort of lift - annoying! Fortunately others agree; and have created quite few excellent aircraft and thermalling addons.
My first question is this: I'd like to create thermal scenery for my local area; Southern Ontario, in the same fashion of the excellent Arizona and Banff thermalling scenery I have downloaded right now. Were I to attempt this; what programs/applications would I need to accomplish it? And of course; are they payware; freeware, bought in stores, etc.
My second question: The problem with gliding in FS9 is getting to altitude. While it's not possible to create a towplane that'll take you up to 2000'; would it be possible to create a new 'airplane' model comprising a towplane (say a Pawnee or a Citab) towing a glider (say the S2-32)? I mean; to have the pair as a single visual model; so that the pilot could either change planes at the release; or find some way of making the front half (the towplane) 'go away'.
Given the magnificent work shown here; from conventional planes to cars to wild flights of fancy; I can't imagine why not.

Again; what programs/applications would I need for that?
Thanx.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #1 - Apr 5^th, 2004 at 8:24am

Ivan Offline
Colonel
No, I'm NOT Russian, I
only like Russian aircraft
The netherlands

Gender:
Posts: 6058

Thermake is the thing you have to look for. no idea how it works though, but it seems to be compatible with FS2004.

Some sailplanes have simulated tow systems (ASW 28), or other tricks to get to altitude

Russian planes: IL-76 (all standard length ones), Tu-154 and Il-62, Tu-134 and An-24RV&&&&AI flightplans and repaints can be found here

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #2 - Apr 5^th, 2004 at 12:29pm

Billerator Offline
Colonel
EGLF is my home town
Farnborough, UK

Gender:
Posts: 428

Bear in mind that the sole purpose of the 'slew' system is for gliders to get up to altitude.

But I like that model idea, Im sure its possible.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #3 - Apr 5^th, 2004 at 1:32pm

Tequila Sunrise Offline
Colonel
Nunquam non paratus
Glasgow Scotland

Gender:
Posts: 4149

http://www.fszwever.com/

take a look at this, don;t know if it worls in 2k4 but if it does you'll love it 8)

If someone with multiple personality disorder threatens suicide, is it a hostage situation?

Thou shalt maintain thine airspeed lest the ground shalt rise up and smite thee

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #4 - Apr 5^th, 2004 at 2:46pm

AuMaV Offline
Colonel
Old Git
The Great Southern Land

Gender:
Posts: 293

Hi
Speaking of Gliding has anybody been able tro complete this in the default Schweizer 2-32 sailplane NOT me

http://www.microsoft.com/games/flightsimulator/fs2004_soaringchallenge.asp

MaV

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #5 - Apr 5^th, 2004 at 3:47pm

Gixer Offline
Colonel
Lets go fly a kite!!

Posts: 1540

Ok I got a prog that makes thermals called "Thermiek"

Im sure i got it off of FSZwever site. It does work in FS2004 though i cant get the ridge lift working in it.

I have made a fair few thermal scenery files. I got the whole of Washington covered and Arizona as well as many other places.

As for the getting to alttitude, there are som gliders on this site that come with VET. Basically u have engine off, start engine and hit full throttle. After 15secs or so the glider moves forward then U pull up and hold a steady climb, do not let the speed drop to much or the glider becomes unstable. Once at alt use the stop engine command and carry on soaring.

I also use the slingshot method (Bit crude but its quick and easy) get the map up and on the left are your alt, speed, hdg etc. Add 10feet to your current alt and set speed at 150ish (more speed = more height) Hit OK and hold some up in. U get shot up at speed gain as much height as possible then level out.

Short of that I use my Scheibe or KA4 motor gliders.

As for the challenge well I have completed it but in a Standard Libelle. The thermals are pretty scattered and dont appear to be under every single cloud. It is a tough one!!

I guess your suggestion could be done. For example it could be made pressing the fold wings command make the tow plane dissapear, though I am not a modeller ans would have no idea how to do it!!

AMD64 3500+ @ 2200MHz 400FSB&&MSI K8N Neo 2 mobo nForce3 chipset&&1gig Corsair XMS PC3200 timings @ 10.2.2.2 &&XFX 6800 Ultra @ 450/1200&&80gig HDD&&Loadsa fans!!!

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #6 - Apr 5^th, 2004 at 6:16pm

Staiduk Offline
Colonel

Posts: 1040

Thanks for the help friends.

I haven't managed to get Thermake working; the installation keeps screwing up. I'll keep tryng.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #7 - Apr 5^th, 2004 at 8:31pm

MattNW Offline
Colonel
Indiana

Gender:
Posts: 1762

I like the idea of the airplane model. I've seen models with features like support and cargo trucks that appear and disappear as part of the model by the tail hook key. There's no reason this can't be done for a tow plane. You would simply have an aircraft that uses an engine. The tow plane would be a part of the model. You give it throttle and take off flying with the tow showing. At altitude you hit the tail hook key and the part of the model representing the tow plane disappears and your engine shuts down. Now you are left with the glider.

I'm sure some interprising modeler could create this. It wouldn't be absolutely perfect but it would be better than the current method of using "Slew" to get to altutude.

In Memory of John Consterdine (FS Tipster)1962-2003

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #8 - Apr 6^th, 2004 at 9:05am

Staiduk Offline
Colonel

Posts: 1040

The ideal would be, of course; a tow option to 2000' AGL. Not possible in FS2004; but in the next installation, who knows? Hey Microsoft! Idea for ya!! LOL)
Much thanx to Gixer who recommended "Thermeik"; works fine in fs9; after a whole pile of tinkering I was able to add Cu's all over Southern Ontario - as soon as I perfect it; I'll upload it to Simviation.

(OK; S. Ontario doesn't have much in the way of scenery, but it's home, and a terrific center for thermal soaring. Great area for getting lost during ground navigation too. Wink

)
Now all we need is a tow... Another thought I had was to create a popup image of a towplane (I suppose it'd be a gauge) that floats in front of the glider during a takeoff; which would be performed via a video. (i.e. record a video flying a standard tow pattern; changing the aircraft to the glider before starting the video.) Then, once the video reaches the end (your desired release altitude); you'd end the video; remove the towplane gauge and fly along.
Just another weird thought.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #9 - Apr 6^th, 2004 at 12:39pm

asda_price Ex Member

Hi there.

LAGO's payware 'Emma Field' scenery has an option where a machine can speed up your glider, then you take off; there is no need for slewing and it is very realistic.

Cheers,
Robert

Back to top

IP Logged

	Search the archive: