Flying between LAT-LON coordinates.

[Guest rkruijer]

Hi,I would like to make an aircraft fly between a LAT-LON position to another LAT-LON position from within an XML gauge.Sort of fly from A to B given the coordinates of A and BThe gauge should then calculate a Heading. Is that possible?Roelof

[rcbarend 37]

Hi Roelof,Yes.The formula's you have to use are a bit dependant on the distance between the two positions.If the distance is short (< 100 nMile), you can use simple formula's.See for examples the Ball.xml (HUD) gauge in my rcbco-20.zip package.Now, over larger distances you shouldnot assume a straight line between two coordinates, because the world isn't flat :-)I.o.w. the shortest way between isn't a straight line, but might be a curve (depending on the coordinates); so with a changing heading during flight.For this you have to use the so-called "great circle navigation" formula's.See e.g.: http://williams.best.vwh.net/avform.htmGroetjes, Rob

[Guest rkruijer]

Thanks Rob,I am aware of the great circle navigation but implementing it in an XML file looks quite a complex adventure. )-:I'll have a look at your Ball.xml as well. An interesting site btw.Maybe OT but I dl Dougs dsd_xml_sound3.gau today.Together with a dsd_xml_sound.ini there are 3 readme files.Get's a little bit confusing. Since your a master in it I would like to ask a few things. 1. Where does dsd_xml_sound3.gau go? Gauges?2. Where does the dsd_xml_sound.ini go? AircraftPanel folder?3. How many ini files can this dsd_xml_sound3.gau handle? I suppose you would have to give them different names.4. At one point Dougs is talking about./config_file.ini ./Gauges/dsd_xml_sound.ini .SoundPiper_sounds.ini Here I get lost. Can you shed some light on this?Much obliged as always,Groetjes Roelof

[ddawson 35]

Roelof,The gauge itself should go in the Gauges folder. The .ini file can go pretty much anywhere, you just have to specify where it is. You do this by listing the path as a parameter in the panel.cfg entry for the gauge.By using different names I was hoping to make clear that you are not limited to any particular file name or path.Doug

[Guest bartels]

I placed some great circle XML code here some time ago, I think. Can't find it at the moment.

[Guest rkruijer]

>Roelof,>>The gauge itself should go in the Gauges folder. The .ini>file can go pretty much anywhere, you just have to specify>where it is. You do this by listing the path as a parameter>in the panel.cfg entry for the gauge.>By using different names I was hoping to make clear that you>are not limited to any particular file name or path.>>Doug>Now I get it Doug. These 3 ini files represent one and the same right?To put my mind at ease.... All I need is the one and only dsd_xml_sound3.gau and one .ini file.For more aircraft you can use more ini's.Thanks a lot Doug. I can get on with it now!Roelof

[Guest rkruijer]

>I placed some great circle XML code here some time ago, I>think. Can't find it at the moment.That's the best news I had today. :DAnyway, whenever you run in to it, keep me posted.Roelof

[phjvh 0]

Hi,Have a look in this threat and do a search for "great circle"http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...ing_type=searchJan"Beatus ille qui procul negotiis..."

[Guest bartels]

And I looked all day to find it again! Ok not XML but at least where the calculation comes from:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...ing_type=searchFirst I made this in C and then the code in XML Jan mentioned.

[Guest rkruijer]

Thanks Arne and Jan,This wil keep me going for a while.Roelof

[John_Cillis 2,406]

Here's a suggestion for the gauge...Slave it to the heading bug, so the heading bug is updated (perhaps once every few minutes so there's no impact on speed) as the heading changes from the aircraft's position to the dest. lat/lon. The autopilot could then fly the great circle route.Next, include distance to destination, and groundspeed, and ETA to destination. That would be a rather handy gauge if the interface for entering the lat/lon were easy-John

[Guest rkruijer]

Thanks John,The plan is taking some shape now. Still a long way to go though.Roelof

[Guest rkruijer]

See next

[Guest rkruijer]

Thanks John, Enough to keep me going. Don't hold your breath though. Jan went as far as calling it a threat! :D >Have a look in this threat and >do a search for "great circle"Wonder what became of his FMC?Are you there Jan?Roelof

[Rocky 128]

This discussion is very interesting and brings another question:I use the same great circle formula as Arne. It works fine, but it calculates true heading, and it needs to be converted into magnetic heading. For this reason, I need to have the magnetic variation value. Where can it be found?I know FS provides it through the "MAGNETIC VARIATION" variable, but this is valid at the aircraft position only. If you calculate the headings for a flight plan, you need to have the mag var value anywhere in the world. Any clue?Eric