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<h2 class="likechapterHead"><a
href="getstart.html#QQ2-3-2" name="x3-2000">Preface</a></h2>
<!--l. 31--><p class="noindent"><span
class="ptmbi7t---109">FlightGear </span>is a free Flight Simulator developed cooperatively over the Internet by a
group of Flight Simulation and Programming Enthusiasts. This ”Installation and Getting
Started” is meant to give beginners a guide in getting <span
class="ptmbi7t---109">FlightGear </span>up and running. It is
not intended to provide complete documentation of all the features and add-ons
of <span
class="ptmbi7t---109">FlightGear </span>but, instead, focuses on those aspects necessary to get into the
air.
<!--l. 35--><p class="indent"> This guide is split into two parts. The first part describes how to install the program
while the second part details on how to actually fly with <span
class="ptmbi7t---109">FlightGear</span>.
<!--l. 37--><p class="indent"> The chapters concentrate on the following aspects:
<!--l. 40--><p class="noindent"><span
class="ptmb7t---109">Part I: Installation</span>
<!--l. 44--><p class="noindent">Chapter <a
href="getstartch1.html#x5-40001">1<!--tex4ht:ref: free--></a>, <span
class="ptmri7t---109">Want to have a free flight? Take </span><span
class="ptmbi7t---109">FlightGear</span>, introduces the concept,
describes the system requirements, and classifies the different versions available.
<!--l. 50--><p class="noindent">Chapter <a
href="getstartch2.html#x6-100002">2<!--tex4ht:ref: building--></a>, <span
class="ptmri7t---109">Building the plane: Compiling the program</span>, explains how to build (compile
and link) the simulator. Depending on your platform this may or may not be required.
Generally, there will be executable programs (binaries) available for several
platforms. Those on such systems who want to take off immediately, without going
through the potentially troublesome process of compiling, may skip this Chapter.
<!--l. 59--><p class="noindent">In Chapter <a
href="getstartch3.html#x7-210003">3<!--tex4ht:ref: prefligh--></a>, <span
class="ptmri7t---109">Preflight: Installing </span><span
class="ptmbi7t---109">FlightGear</span>, you will find instructions for installing the
binaries<a
name="dx3-2001"></a> in case you did not build them yourself as specified in the previous Chapter. You
will need to install scenery, textures, and other support files collected in the base
package<a
name="dx3-2002"></a>.
<!--l. 66--><p class="noindent"><span
class="ptmb7t---109">Part II: Flying with </span><span
class="ptmbi7t---109">FlightGear</span>
<!--l. 70--><p class="noindent">The following Chapter <a
href="getstartch4.html#x9-290004">4<!--tex4ht:ref: takeoff--></a>, <span
class="ptmri7t---109">Takeoff: How to start the program</span>, describes how to actually
start the installed program. It includes an overview on the numerous command line
options as well as configuration files.
<!--l. 75--><p class="noindent">Chapter <a
href="getstartch5.html#x10-570005">5<!--tex4ht:ref: flight--></a>, <span
class="ptmri7t---109">In-flight: All about instruments, keystrokes and menus</span>, describes how to
operate the program, i. e. how to actually fly with <span
class="ptmbi7t---109">FlightGear</span>. This includes a (hopefully)
complete list of pre-defined keyboard commands, an overview on the menu entries,
detailed descriptions on the instrument panel and HUD (head up display), as well as hints
on using the mouse functions.
<!--l. 83--><p class="noindent">In Appendix <a
href="getstartap1.html#x12-66000A">A<!--tex4ht:ref: missed--></a>, <span
class="ptmri7t---109">Missed approach: If anything refuses to work</span>, we try to help you work
through some common problems faced when using <span
class="ptmbi7t---109">FlightGear</span>.
<!--l. 88--><p class="noindent">The Appendix <a
href="getstartap2.html#x13-71000B">B<!--tex4ht:ref: opengl--></a>, <span
class="ptmri7t---109">OpenGL graphics drivers</span>, describes some special problems you may
encounter in case your system lacks support for the OpenGL graphics API OpenGL<a
name="dx3-2003"></a>
which <span
class="ptmbi7t---109">FlightGear </span>is based on.
<!--l. 92--><p class="noindent">In the final Appendix <a
href="getstartap3.html#x14-80000C">C<!--tex4ht:ref: landing--></a>, <span
class="ptmri7t---109">Landing: Some further thoughts before leaving the plane</span>, we
would like to give credit to those who deserve it, sketch an overview on the development
of <span
class="ptmbi7t---109">FlightGear</span>and point out what remains to be done.
<!--l. 97--><p class="noindent">Accordingly, we suggest reading the Chapters as follows:
<!--l. 102--><p class="noindent"><!--tex4ht:inline--><div class="tabular"><table class="tabular"
cellspacing="0pt" cellpadding="0"
frame="void" id="TBL-2-" ><colgroup id="TBL-2-1g"><col
id="TBL-2-1"><col
id="TBL-2-2"></colgroup><tr
valign="baseline" id="TBL-2-1-"><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-1-1"
class="td11"> <span
class="ptmb7t---109">Installation </span></td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-1-2"
class="td11"> </td>
</tr><tr
valign="baseline" id="TBL-2-2-"><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-2-1"
class="td11"> Users of binary distributions (notably under Windows):</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-2-2"
class="td11"> <a
href="getstartch3.html#x7-210003">3<!--tex4ht:ref: prefligh--></a> </td>
</tr><tr
valign="baseline" id="TBL-2-3-"><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-3-1"
class="td11"> Installation under Linux/UNIX: </td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-3-2"
class="td11"> <a
href="getstartch2.html#x6-100002">2<!--tex4ht:ref: building--></a>, <a
href="getstartch3.html#x7-210003">3<!--tex4ht:ref: prefligh--></a> </td>
</tr><tr
valign="baseline" id="TBL-2-4-"><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-4-1"
class="td11"> Installation under Macintosh: </td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-4-2"
class="td11"> <a
href="getstartch3.html#x7-210003">3<!--tex4ht:ref: prefligh--></a> </td>
</tr><tr
valign="baseline" id="TBL-2-5-"><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-5-1"
class="td11"> <span
class="ptmb7t---109">Operation </span></td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-5-2"
class="td11"> </td>
</tr><tr
valign="baseline" id="TBL-2-6-"><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-6-1"
class="td11"> Program start (all users): </td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-6-2"
class="td11"> <a
href="getstartch4.html#x9-290004">4<!--tex4ht:ref: takeoff--></a> </td>
</tr><tr
valign="baseline" id="TBL-2-7-"><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-7-1"
class="td11"> Keycodes, Panel, Mouse. . . (all users): </td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-7-2"
class="td11"> <a
href="getstartch5.html#x10-570005">5<!--tex4ht:ref: flight--></a> </td>
</tr><tr
valign="baseline" id="TBL-2-8-"><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-8-1"
class="td11"> <span
class="ptmb7t---109">Troubleshooting </span></td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-8-2"
class="td11"> </td>
</tr><tr
valign="baseline" id="TBL-2-9-"><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-9-1"
class="td11"> General issues: </td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-9-2"
class="td11"> <a
href="getstartap1.html#x12-66000A">A<!--tex4ht:ref: missed--></a> </td>
</tr><tr
valign="baseline" id="TBL-2-10-"><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-10-1"
class="td11"> Graphics problems: </td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-10-2"
class="td11"> <a
href="getstartap2.html#x13-71000B">B<!--tex4ht:ref: opengl--></a> </td>
</tr><tr
valign="baseline" id="TBL-2-11-"><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-11-1"
class="td11"> <span
class="ptmb7t---109">Optionally </span></td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap" id="TBL-2-11-2"
class="td11"> <a
href="getstartch1.html#x5-40001">1<!--tex4ht:ref: free--></a>, <a
href="getstartap3.html#x14-80000C">C<!--tex4ht:ref: landing--></a></td>
</tr><!--ll--></table>
</div>
<!--l. 118--><p class="noindent">While this introductory guide is meant to be self contained, we strongly suggest having a
look into further documentation, especially in case of trouble:
<ul class="itemize1">
<li class="itemize">For additional hints on troubleshooting and more, <span
class="ptmb7t---109">please read the FAQ</span><a
name="dx3-2004"></a>
<!--l. 125--><p class="noindent"><a
href="http://www.flightgear.org/Docs/FlightGear-FAQ.html" >http://www.flightgear.org/Docs/FlightGear-FAQ.html</a>,
<!--l. 128--><p class="noindent">The FAQ contains a host of valuable information, especially on rapidly
changing flaws and additional reading, thus we strongly suggest consulting
it in conjunction with our guide.
</li>
<li class="itemize">A handy <span
class="ptmb7t---109">leaflet</span><a
name="dx3-2005"></a> on operation for printout is available at
<!--l. 134--><p class="noindent"><a
href="http://www.flightgear.org/Docs/InstallGuide/FGShortRef.html" >http://www.flightgear.org/Docs/InstallGuide/FGShortRef.html</a>,
</li>
<li class="itemize">Additional user documentation on special aspects is available within the base
package under the directory <span
class="pcrr7t---109">/FlightGear/Docs</span>.</li></ul>
<!--l. 139--><p class="noindent">Finally:
<!--l. 144--><p class="indent"> We know, most people hate reading manuals. If you are sure the graphics driver for
your card supports OpenGL<a
name="dx3-2006"></a> (check documentation; for instance all NVIDIA<a
name="dx3-2007"></a> Windows
and Linux drivers for TNT<a
name="dx3-2008"></a>/TNT2/Geforce<a
name="dx3-2009"></a>/Geforce2/Geforce3 do) and if you are using
one of the following operating systems:
<ul class="itemize1">
<li class="itemize">Windows<a
name="dx3-2010"></a> 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP,
</li>
<li class="itemize">Macintosh<a
name="dx3-2011"></a> Mac OSX
</li>
<li class="itemize">Linux<a
name="dx3-2012"></a>
</li>
<li class="itemize">SGI Irix<a
name="dx3-2013"></a></li></ul>
<!--l. 153--><p class="noindent">you can possibly skip at least Part I of this manual and exploit the pre-compiled
binaries<a
name="dx3-2014"></a>. These as well as instructions on how to set them up, can be found at
<!--l. 157--><p class="indent"> <a
href="http://www.flightgear.org/Downloads/" >http://www.flightgear.org/Downloads/</a>.
<!--l. 160--><p class="noindent">In case you are running <span
class="ptmbi7t---109">FlightGear </span>on Linux, you may also be able to get binaries
bundled with your distribution. Several vendors already include <span
class="ptmbi7t---109">FlightGear </span>binaries into
their distributions.
<!--l. 163--><p class="indent"> Just download them, install them according to the description and run them via the
installed <span
class="pcrr7t---109">runfgfs </span>script or the batch file <span
class="pcrr7t---109">runfgfs.bat</span>, respectively.
<!--l. 165--><p class="indent"> There is no guarantee for this approach to work, though. If it doesn’t, don’t give up!
Have a closer look through this guide notably Section <a
href="getstartch3.html#x7-210003">3<!--tex4ht:ref: prefligh--></a> and be sure to check out the
FAQ<a
name="dx3-2015"></a>.
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