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FlightPort SimObjects: Windsocks for SODE

jdberg

jdberg

Messages
544
Country
germany
In the last weeks I worked on the windsocks as the first objects, that can be used with the great SimObject Display Engine of Jeffrey Stähli. Since I have finished the first version now, I want to offer them to the community here.
There are two versions available:
  • ICAO/CAA Standard windsock 3.60m (12ft) long and a diameter of 0.9m (36 inches) at the larger end. This windsock stands on a 6.0m (20ft) high white mast. The windsock has red and white stripes (3 red, 2 white). The windsock consists of 3 models for the different wind speeds (Flightport Windsock 3600mm High, FlightportWindsock 3600mm Medium, Flightport Windsock 3600mm Low)
  • FAA, Size 1 windsock is 2.5m (8ft) long and has a diameter of 0.45m (18inch) at the larger end. This windsock stands on a 3m (10ft) high white mast. It also has 3 red and 2 white stripes. The windsock consists of 3 models for the different wind speeds (Flightport Windsock 2500mm High, Flightport Windsock 2500mm Medium,Flightport Windsock 2500mm Low)
Both windsocks are lighted at night. For further information look at the readme file in the ZIP-File , it is also included in the download-file: FlightPort SimObjects Version 2_1

Important notice: The windsock included in Verson 2.1 of the SimObjects must not be used in any scenery without permission of Christian Bahr www.bahrometrix.de. If you want to use one of these objects in your own scenery please contact him personally via his homepage.


History of changes:
  • Version 2.1: Some bugfixes and additional objects like a green light
  • Version 1.4: Added further windsocks
  • ersion 1.1: Changed category to GroundVehicle, so that the windsocks turn under all conditions
  • Version 1.0: First public version
The Objects should work with any placement-tool that use the SimConnect API but I tested it with SODE only. Hope you enjoy the new windsocks, feel free to report any errors or recommendations.

I will add some more objects in the future and will publish them here.
Jörg
 
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Many thanks, I will try your windsock.
In France, the dimensions are 4.25m long, a diameter of 1m at the larger end and a diameter of 0.4m at the other end.
I will look tomorrow at the dimensions fixed by EASA regulation.
 
Please check the larger version. If you are not satisfied, I can also produce a special French version which is 4.25m long.
Jörg
 
jdberg said:
Please check the larger version. If you are not satisfied, I can also produce a special French version which is 4.25m long.
Jörg
Click to expand...
Very kind proposition Jörg!
I think that french regulation complies with ICAO annex 14 and EASA requirements, I will check this tomorrow at work. If the shape is nearly the same, it doesn't worth to make a special one.
Is it possible to modify the scale of the model in the xml file ?
 
No I don't think so there are only heading, altitude and coordinates available

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Hi Jorg

Thanks for making these windsocks, they are really good!

I have however been running into a slight issue when using them in conjunction with SODE; sometimes the windsock will not rotate to the new wind heading. I have spent some time testing the problem, and have isolated the conditions under which it occurs. If the wind direction changes, but the magnitude stays in the SODE variable bracket (eg 0-2kts or 3-12kts), the windsock does not rotate. For example, if the wind is 5kts at 050, then changes to 10kts at 180, the sock won't rotate. But if the wind is 5kts at 050 then changes to 2kts at 180, it will rotate.

This is why I think it might be a good idea to have a static windsock model and use the SODE wind direction parameter to place it. What are your thoughts?
 
Ryan, I can confirm the turn into the wind issue. I suppose the windsocks are animated with the AMBIENT WIND DIRECTION variable. To make this work, the SimObject must be of Category=GroundVehicle, so that it is able to sense the wind (Viewer objects aren't). Try to change this line in the sim.cfg file. It worked for me.
 
Jeffrey,

It worked perfectly, now all my windsocks are turning without any problems!

Thanks for the tip and also for making SODE, a very useful piece of scenery design software. :)
 
Jeffrey Stähli said:
Ryan, I can confirm the turn into the wind issue. I suppose the windsocks are animated with the AMBIENT WIND DIRECTION variable. To make this work, the SimObject must be of Category=GroundVehicle, so that it is able to sense the wind (Viewer objects can't). Try to change this line in the sim.cfg file. It worked for me.
Click to expand...
Hi Jeff,
as you guessed, its animated with AMBIENT WIND DIRECTION variable. Will change that in the next version of the objects, thanks for the hint.
Jörg
 
cva1077 said:
Hi Jorg

Thanks for making these windsocks, they are really good!

I have however been running into a slight issue when using them in conjunction with SODE; sometimes the windsock will not rotate to the new wind heading. I have spent some time testing the problem, and have isolated the conditions under which it occurs. If the wind direction changes, but the magnitude stays in the SODE variable bracket (eg 0-2kts or 3-12kts), the windsock does not rotate. For example, if the wind is 5kts at 050, then changes to 10kts at 180, the sock won't rotate. But if the wind is 5kts at 050 then changes to 2kts at 180, it will rotate.

This is why I think it might be a good idea to have a static windsock model and use the SODE wind direction parameter to place it. What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Hi Ryan,
changed the type of the windsocks now to GroundVehicle and they turn correct now. I already updated the zip-file to Version 1.1.
Thanks for the test and the feedback.
Jörg
 
Hi Jörg,

about the windsock dimensions, you're right. The minimum dimensions recommanded by ICAO/EASA are 3.60m long and a diameter of 0.9m at the larger end. The french regulation is more restrictive.

A french windsock

Manche_air.jpg
 
Happy to hear that, thanks for the response

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Nice! I wonder if I used this for payware, users have to download this software and install to their computer too. Is that right?
 
Currently that is correct. We are still in a very early phase of the development. Jeff released SODE less than 3 weeks ago and I am experimenting with the new opportunities. I only wanted to give the designers the possibility to test the windsocks in their environment and get feedback for the further improvements and for the next objects.
I would also support Jeff when he wants to integrate some of my objects in the SODE-package itself but we didn´t discuss that yet and its too early to make public statements here.
 
There is a new version available for my SimObjects you can use in combination with SODE:
Version 1.4 consists of
  • 4 different windsocks with 2.5m and 3.6m long windsocks and different pole sizes
  • 2 different landing direction T´s
  • Lights for taxiways, runways etc. in colors (red, white, green and blue and also a white flashlight)
Whats new in this version:
  • Some more types of objects are added compared to the old version
  • The objects are all set as Category=Viewer and use the SODE mechanism for wind rotation. This makes it possible, that the altitude on the ground is correct and the turning to the wind works fine.
Hint: Because I added more types of windsocks I renamed the windsocks. If you already used the windsocks in a previous version you have to change the name in your xml-file.

The Download can be found here: FlightPort_SimObjects_Version_1_4.zip
Some more informations are included in this PDF-file.

Have fun
Jörg
 
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