Hello Linux Geeksters. As you may know, FlightGear is the most popular, open-source, flight simulator, running on Linux.
It is a realistic game, being played by both normal users and future airline pilots, because of its accurate details. It allows the user to fly aircrafts, helicopters, airliners or modern combat aircrafts on many tracks.
The latest version available is FlightGear 3.4, which has been recently released, coming with a lot of changes.
Performance:
- Improved frame-rates on some systems from more efficient use of Uniforms
- Reduced memory occupancy for scenery tiles
- AI models are now rendered based on display size rather than range
- AI/MP models may now define objects as being part of the interior, which will not be rendered at large distances
Usability:
- Built-in web server now includes a moving map, a screenshot grabber, and supports SVG-based panels
- In-application launcher for Mac, based on Qt5
Graphics:
- Improved rendering of runway and other lights under ALS
- Landing and spotlight support for ALS
Scenery:
- Improved materials XML format making customer material definition easier
- Procedural rock material definition
JSBSim:
- Synchronization with latest JSBSim
Highlighted new and improved aircraft:
- Extra EA-500
- North American P-51D Mustang
- Cessna Citation II
- F-14b
Other:
- Firewall exceptions are automatically added during setup on Windows systems
- Aircraft moved to a SVN repository.
In this article I will show you how to install FlightGear 3.4 on Ubuntu 14.10 Utopic Unicorn, Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr, Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin, Linux Mint 17.1 Rebecca, Linux Mint 17 Qiana, Linux Mint 13 Maya, Pinguy OS 14.04, Elementary OS 0.3 Freya, Elementary OS 0.2 Luna, Deepin 2014, Peppermint Five, LXLE 14.04, Linux Lite 2 and other Ubuntu 14.10, Ubuntu 14.04 and Ubuntu 12.04 derivative systems.
Because it will be soon available via PPA, installing FlightGear 3.4 on Ubuntu 14.10, Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 12.04 and derivative systems is easy. All you have to do is add the ppa to your system, update the local repository index and install the flightgear package. Like this:
$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:saiarcot895/flightgear
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install flightgear
Optional, to remove flightgear, do:
$ sudo apt-get remove flightgear