A Flight Sim Enthusiast's Notebook
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X-Plane 10.40 New DSF Loader
Ben mentioned the new DSF (Distribution Scenery Format) loader in the developer blog. It seems that the development of 10.40 was quite a winding road, and the release date remains unknown.
Regarding this DSF Loader, the main improvement is increasing the speed of loading terrain data to reduce stutters during flight. Technically speaking, it uses worker threads to load 2 DSFs simultaneously in the background.
This version also adds an option for “extended DSF region”. When turned ON, it can load 4 DSFs simultaneously, which will improve the visual range of distant scenery.
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Another Runway Incursion Incident in Okinawa
Yesterday, another major Air Traffic Control error occurred at Naha Airport in Okinawa. Since I had just summarized the incident involving the China Eastern A319 mistakenly entering the runway at Naha Airport, this has inevitably created a bit more distrust regarding the operations in Okinawa.
Of course, we must wait for the official investigation reports for specifics—it might not be impossible to wait 2 or 3 years for that. So, for now, let’s just summarize based on media reports. NHK Report Mainichi Shimbun Report <a href=http://www.jiji.com/jc/zc?k=201506/2015060300800>Jiji Press Report
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Lecture Notes on Aerial Photography by Professional Photographer Hideki Motoi
I recently had the opportunity to attend an aviation photography lecture by Mr. Hideki Motoi, and I have summarized my notes from the session below.
Mr. Motoi is a professional photographer with over 50 years of experience in aviation photography. He has serialized photography knowledge in the famous enthusiast magazine Kokuu Fan (the editor-in-chief was also present at this lecture) for many years, and I have known of him for a long time. It was a great honor to listen to his full 3-hour lecture in person. By the way, there were fewer than 30 participants in this small lecture, mostly middle-aged and elderly people aged 50-60. I was considered young in the group; it seems the age group of aviation photography enthusiasts is trending towards the older demographic.
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China Eastern A319 Incursion into Runway at Naha Airport, Okinawa
On July 5, 2012, a China Eastern Airlines A319 (registration B2332, flight MU586) mistakenly entered the Runway at Naha Airport in Okinawa, causing a Japan Asia Airways A320 (registration JA01AJ) on final approach to go around. On May 28, the Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) released a recent investigation report, so here is a brief summary. The detailed report is here; it is 33 pages long, which isn’t too long, so you can finish it in a while.
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Eruption of Kuchinoerabujima Volcano
At 09:59 on May 29, Mt. Shintake (626 meters) on Kuchinoerabujima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture erupted.
すごい噴火 #噴火 #口永良部島 pic.twitter.com/mzWPhmqHnc
— チクモ (@chikumo3) May 29, 2015I immediately rushed to check the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center website, which I introduced before. The volcanic ash reached an altitude of 32,000 feet / over 9,000 meters; this eruption was indeed powerful. Consequently, the Japan Meteorological Agency raised the volcano alert to the maximum level of 5, requiring all residents on the island to evacuate to safe zones outside the island.
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ILS Magnetic Bearing Can Also Change
Check the information <a href=http://dgraph.info/air/?itemid=414>here; the magnetic bearing of the ILS localizer course has changed. Starting from June 25, it changed from 79 degrees to 80 degrees. Is this phenomenon common? Is it caused by changes in magnetic variation?
I would appreciate expert advice.
Wakkanai Airport ILS-LOC 08 Magnetic Bearing Change (1) ILS-LOC 08: 111.1MHz [IWK] CAT-I opr0830~1830 (2) ILS-LOC 08 BRG(MAG): 079 → 080 (3) Effective Date: 15/06/25
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Red Bull Air Race World Championship Chiba
Following the previous post.
The 17th was a beautiful sunny day, originally a perfect day for watching the airshow and photography, but due to the following two reasons, it didn’t go very smoothly.
First was the temperature. The weather forecast predicted 28 degrees, so it was supposed to be a pleasant spring day. However, once the sun came out, the cloudless blue sky turned the spring day into summer, the beach continuously absorbed heat, and the ground temperature rose steadily; according to the loudspeakers at the venue, the high temperature at noon reached 36 degrees!
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Abbreviations for CDM (Collaborative Decision Making) System and Release Usage
There are too many to remember, so just memorize the following few for now. By the way, the Collaborative Decision Making section of the Air Traffic Management Bureau of the Civil Aviation Administration of China website contains many excellent materials with high reference value.
CDM (Collaborative Decision Making) Multi-Airport Departure Clearance Collaborative Decision Making System
STD (Scheduled Time of Departure) Scheduled Door Closing/Opening Time, The flight schedule time approved in the airline’s application
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The Bible of Small Aircraft Flying and 8 Other Books – Recent Reading Notes 20150512
Here is a chronological record of the books I’ve read recently. Quite a few of them this time are older, out-of-print books acquired for collection purposes.
First, a few photo collections by Mitsuo Shibata, who sadly passed away earlier this year. I introduced the author in these previous posts: Mitsuo Shibata: The Chinese Navy Intercepting the Soviet Nuclear-Powered Heavy Missile Cruiser – Part 1 and Part 2.
Drift Front
This is a photo collection shot by Shibata when he traveled to the Soviet Union and the US for military exercises during the Cold War.
It focuses on weaponry largely unknown at the time—fighters, warships, tanks, and armored vehicles.
Actually, my main purpose in buying this was to collect the specific photos he took of the Chinese Navy intercepting the Frunze. -
Free Airport Addon for Sun 'n Fun Airshow
Second only to EAA AirVenture, the second-largest general aviation show and fly-in in the US, “Sun ’n Fun”, is held every April at Lakeland Airport (KLAL) in Florida, with thousands of planes attending and viewing each time!
Although I have never been to this mecca for aviation enthusiasts, experiencing it in the world of flight simulation is a nice alternative. In a timely manner, the XP official website has released a free scenery of Lakeland Airport (KLAL) developed by Jan Vogel. This is definitely a must-install.
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Overview of the Best Free Addons of the Month on X-Plane.Org Forum
I have covered this topic irregularly in the past, such as x-plane.org August 2014 Most Popular Free Addons x-plane.org April 2014 Most Popular Free Addons x-plane.org March 2014 Most Popular Free Addons x-plane.org February 2014 Most Popular Free Addons and so on.
However, I always forgot to update it, so today I will simply list the overview URL. If you are interested, you can go and find the latest ones yourself.
In addition, the best addons from January to March 2015 are as follows:
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Asiana Airlines Flight OZ162 Landing Failure Accident
On April 14, 2015, at 20:05, Asiana Airlines flight OZ162 from Incheon Airport, Korea, to Hiroshima Airport, Japan, was conducting a Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) using Area Navigation (RNAV). While landing on Runway 28 on the east side of Hiroshima Airport, the aircraft struck the ILS localizer antenna 325 meters from the runway threshold because its flight altitude was lower than the standard altitude. After landing, the aircraft overshot the runway, skidded sideways, turned approximately 180 degrees, and finally came to a stop on the grass area outside the runway.
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EDTO vs ETOPS
Looking back at photos I took before, I noticed that this Asiana A330 has “EDTO” lettering on the fuselage.
I only knew about ETOPS before; it turns out there is also EDTO. Let’s look at their definitions. The source is from the official website of ICAO.
ETOPS and EDTO are different terms for the same thing: "Extended Diversion Time Operations".
ICAO calls it EDTO (Extended Diversion Time Operations), including twin, tri, and quad-engine aircraft.
Europe calls it ETOPS (Extended Twin OPerationS), specifically referring to twin-engine aircraft; for tri and quad engines, they use LROPS (Long Range OPerationS).
The US FAA's ETOPS (ExTended OPerationS) also includes twin, tri, and quad-engine aircraft.
(I remember it used to be called Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards; it seems the definition of the name has evolved too.)
According to the Advisory Circular of CAAC, Extended Diversion Time Operations refers to an operation where the flight distance from at least one point on the planned route to any optional diversion airport for the extended range operation exceeds the flight distance corresponding to 60 minutes (for aircraft powered by two turbine engines) or 180 minutes (for passenger aircraft powered by more than two turbine engines) at the approved cruising speed with one engine inoperative in a still atmosphere under standard conditions. In this Advisory Circular, Extended Diversion Time Operations, ETOPS (Extended Range Operations), and Extended Diversion Time Operations, EDTO (Extended Diversion Time Operations) are synonymous.
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Charted Visual Flight Procedure (CVFP) Approach
Kagoshima Airport added a CVFP approach procedure starting in April: KINKO VISUAL RWY34. This is relatively rare. Compared to visual procedures with high flexibility, CVFPs mark clear airways on the approach chart, including visual reference landmarks and other flight altitude information.
Let’s take a look at the details.
First, after passing the ISKID Waypoint in the bottom right corner, the aircraft flies along the coastline, which is the KGE 225-degree radial. The chart shows the reference landmark SAKURAJIMA, the famous island in the sea—Sakurajima. This chart is indeed very clear.
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Data Formats Issued by Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers: VAAC & VAAT
Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Volcanic ash clouds often contain large amounts of silicate material, which poses very serious problems for aircraft engines. During flight, the temperature of aircraft engines can reach 800 to 1500 degrees Celsius. When silicate enters the aircraft engine, it can become molten or semi-molten, and stick to the turbine blades in the turbine chamber, obstructing the normal flow of combustion gas. In severe cases, it can even cause the engine to stop (Flameout).
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X-Plane 10.40 News
Austin Meyers has shared some news about X-Plane 10.40, which is currently under development. If you are interested in this new version, you can send him an email directly to apply for early access testing.
- New weather handling. While it is still only possible to set 3 layers of wind, higher-level winds can be loaded, and they can be reloaded with a single click.
- New turboprop engine model, capable of distinguishing between normal thrust, beta thrust, and reverse thrust.
Regarding beta thrust, I’m not sure how to translate it into Chinese; it should be the range position between neutral and maximum range.
- Handling of compressor stalls has been changed; the failure mode now resembles a landing gear damage scenario.
- A new simple interface for internal programs can continuously receive reference data via socket.
- The development of the data reference library makes plugins like “Winter Scenery” easier to create.
The visibility issue was not mentioned; it is unknown how much longer we will have to wait.
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JAL Charity Sale and Aviation Shrine
JAL hosted a charity bazaar inside the terminal at Haneda Airport, aiming to support the economic reconstruction of the disaster areas in Tohoku affected by the major earthquake 4 years ago.
The items on sale were, of course, all aircraft-related. Larger items included passenger seats, sold for 50,000 yen a set, which were extremely popular.
There were also aircraft models; the large ones were 1/50 scale, priced at 100,000 yen, making them collectibles for aviation enthusiasts.
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ANA's Free Wallpapers
ANA’s official website offers free wallpapers for PC and tablets. I highly recommend them, as the photographer is Ozawa, whom I just introduced last month. Take this 747 for example: the positioning of the aircraft and the sun is fascinating. How does one capture the timing so perfectly? Truly impressive.
There are others, such as
and so on. They are all a feast for the eyes, aren’t they?
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When to Engage and Disengage the Autopilot
This is a frequently asked question, or how visitors arrive at this site via search engines, so let’s look at an example. Today, we will use data from the flight manual for a Shanghai Airlines A321, excerpted from sections such as “Minimum Altitude for Autopilot Use,” “Autoland,” and “Category II/III Operations.” You can see that the minimum altitude requirements vary under different conditions.
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Harrison Ford and the Ryan PT-22 Trainer
Harrison Ford, the famous Hollywood actor, crashed a small aircraft in Santa Monica, California.
It has long been known that Harrison Ford is a very famous general aviation pilot who frequently flies at Santa Monica Municipal Airport. I never expected such a major accident to happen. Fortunately, thanks to his extensive piloting experience, he managed a successful forced landing, which is truly a blessing in disguise.
Harrison Ford completes safe emergency landing. We wish him a speedy recovery. https://t.co/NcHR0vDmS8 pic.twitter.com/2tZ4J8AY9G