# This is a small script that adjusts autopilot target values to track # (fly in formation with) an AI or Multiplayer aircraft. # Quick start instructions: # # # 1. Copy this file into $FGROOT/data/Nasal (along with the other # system nasal scripts.) # # 2. Start up FlightGear selecting an airplane with a reasonably configured # autopilot that responds to and works with the standard autopilot # dialog box (F11). The MiG 15 is one that works, the 777-200 works, # the Citation Bravo does not work, the default c172 probably does not # work, etc. # # 3. Take off and establish stable flight. # # 4. Open the property browser (File->Browse Internal Properties) and navigate # to /ai/models/ Choose one of the available aircraft[] or multiplayer[] # entries. You can look at all those subtrees to find the call sign you # want. Also note that the subtree for each entity has a radar area that # will show range and offset from your current heading. # # 5. Open a second property browser window (upper left click box in the first # property browser window.) Navigate to /autopilot/target-tracking/ # # 6. Set "/autopilot/target-tracking/target-root" to point to the entity # path you discovered in step #4. For instance, this should be set to # something like /ai/models/multiplayer[2] or /ai/models/aircraft[0] # # 7. Set "/autopilot/target-tracking/goal-range-nm" to the follow distance # you want. # # 8. Set "/autopilot/target-tracking/enable" = 1, this will turn on the radar # computation for each ai/multiplayer entity and will tell the tracking # script to start updating the autopilot settings. # # 9. Open up the autopilot configuration window (F11) and activate any of the # heading, pitch, and speed axes. The script will begin updating the heading # bug angle, the "speed with throttle" value, and the "altitude hold" value. # # 10. You can choose to mix and match any of the autopilot modes you want, i.e. # you could turn off the heading control and turn manually while the system # holds speed and altitude for you. # # 11. It always helps to have a sensible target arcraft to chase. You are # flying within the turn radius and climb rate limits of your autopilot. # # Don't forget you are pilot in command and at all times responsible for # maintaining safe airspeed and altitude. # # Enjoy the ride! # print("Target Tracking script loading ..."); # script defaults (configurable if you like) default_update_period = 0.05; default_goal_range_nm = 0.05; default_target_root = "/ai/models/aircraft[0]"; default_min_speed_kt = 120; # master enable switch target_tracking_enable = 0; # update period update_period = default_update_period; # goal range to acheive when following target goal_range_nm = 0; # minimum speed so we don't drop out of the sky min_speed_kt = 0; # Target property tree root target_root = ""; # Initialize target tracking TrackInit = func { target_tracking_enable = getprop("/autopilot/target-tracking/enable"); if ( target_tracking_enable == nil ) { target_tracking_enable = 0; setprop("/autopilot/target-tracking/enable", target_tracking_enable); } update_period = getprop("/autopilot/target-tracking/update-period"); if ( update_period == nil ) { update_period = default_update_period; setprop("/autopilot/target-tracking/update-period", update_period); } goal_range_nm = getprop("/autopilot/target-tracking/goal-range-nm"); if ( goal_range_nm == nil ) { goal_range_nm = default_goal_range_nm; setprop("/autopilot/target-tracking/goal-range-nm", goal_range_nm); } min_speed_kt = getprop("/autopilot/target-tracking/min-speed-kt"); if ( min_speed_kt == nil ) { min_speed_kt = default_min_speed_kt; setprop("/autopilot/target-tracking/min-speed-kt", min_speed_kt); } target_root = getprop("/autopilot/target-tracking/target-root"); if ( target_root == nil ) { target_root = default_target_root; setprop("/autopilot/target-tracking/target-root", target_root); } } settimer(TrackInit, 0); # If enabled, update our AP target values based on the target range, # bearing, and speed TrackUpdate = func { target_tracking_enable = getprop("/autopilot/target-tracking/enable"); update_period = getprop("/autopilot/target-tracking/update-period"); if ( target_tracking_enable == 1 ) { # refresh user configurable values goal_range_nm = getprop("/autopilot/target-tracking/goal-range-nm"); target_root = getprop("/autopilot/target-tracking/target-root"); # force radar debug-mode on (forced radar calculations even if # no radar instrument and ai aircraft are out of range setprop("/instrumentation/radar/debug-mode", 1); my_hdg_prop = sprintf("/orientation/heading-magnetic-deg" ); my_hdg = getprop(my_hdg_prop); my_hdg_true_prop = sprintf("/orientation/heading-deg" ); my_hdg_true = getprop(my_hdg_true_prop); alt_prop = sprintf("%s/position/altitude-ft", target_root ); alt = getprop(alt_prop); if ( alt == nil ) { print("bad property path: ", alt_prop); return; } speed_prop = sprintf("%s/velocities/true-airspeed-kt", target_root ); speed = getprop(speed_prop); if ( speed == nil ) { print("bad property path: ", speed_prop); return; } range_prop = sprintf("%s/radar/range-nm", target_root ); range = getprop(range_prop); if ( range == nil ) { print("bad property path: ", range_prop); return; } h_offset_prop = sprintf("%s/radar/h-offset", target_root ); h_offset = getprop(h_offset_prop); if ( h_offset == nil ) { print("bad property path: ", h_offset_prop); return; } if ( h_offset > -90 and h_offset < 90 ) { # in front of us range_error = range - goal_range_nm; } else { # behind us range_error = goal_range_nm - range; } target_speed = speed + range_error * 100.0; if ( target_speed < min_speed_kt ) { target_speed = min_speed_kt; } setprop( "/autopilot/settings/target-altitude-ft", alt ); setprop( "/autopilot/settings/heading-bug-deg", my_hdg + h_offset ); setprop( "/autopilot/settings/true-heading-deg", my_hdg_true + h_offset ); setprop( "/autopilot/settings/target-speed-kt", target_speed ); } # last thing to do before we return from this function registerTimer(); } # timer handling to cause our update function to be called periodially registerTimer = func { settimer(TrackUpdate, update_period ); } registerTimer();