DHC-2 Dehavilland Beaver

[dilbert]

The DH-2 is one of the best developed and functionally perfect models I have encountered, having
evaluated many planes in FlightGear.

It is included in FG Add-on, but only available through "search" (using "beaver").

Why is this excellent model excluded from the default FG Add-on listing

[Gijs]

Hi,

By default the launcher only shows aircraft that have a minimal rating of 3 (out of 5) on all four rating categories. We do this to prevent new users from being overwhelmed by a huge amount of unfinished aircraft. The Beaver has a 2 for "Systems", so it is not shown by default. You can adjust the rating criteria by clicking "Adjust minimum ratings" at the topright of the list.

See our wiki for the criteria to get it from a 2 to a 3+ systems rating: http://wiki.flightgear.org/Aircraft_rat ... em#Systems

Gijs

[dilbert]

Thanks for the reply.

Exactly what determines the FlightGear criteria for the "systems" rating, and who assigns it?

Is a planes exclusion in the default browsing list strictly "computer automatic" based on the rating number?

Being a uitility aircraft the DH-2 has everything it could possibly need, except perhaps fishing rods strapped to the floats.

Other aircraft have been included in the default browsing list, despite lacking any "systems" per say ( for example, the PA-18, comes to mind).

So I really don't understand whats going on with the DH-2.

Kind Regards

[Gijs]

Hi,

The launcher has a very simple filtering that just checks whether the ratings for all categories are 3+ (and this can be adjusted by the user). The actual ratings associated to an aircraft are defined in its -set.xml file, usually by the aircraft's developer. You can find all the criteria on the wiki page that I linked to. Of course it is hard to define what is "complete", because that's different for each aircraft, so there is also a bit of fair judgement involved.

If you think an aircraft has a wrong rating (according to the criteria outlined at the wiki), I'd suggest contacting the aircraft's developer and explain why you think it should be changed. It may very well be that the aircraft has been developed further without someone updating its rating

Gijs

[dilbert]

Found PA 18 rating file in pa-set file, but none in dhc2-set file; which probably explains its exclusion.

Are initial ratings added by author on submission, or by development?

Thanks for the explanation and link.

Kind Regards

[WoodSTokk]

Found PA 18 rating file in pa-set file, but none in dhc2-set file; which probably explains its exclusion.

Are initial ratings added by author on submission, or by development?

Thanks for the explanation and link.

Kind Regards

You can see in the 'dhc2F-set.xml' the line:

Code: Select all

<PropertyList include="dhc2-base.xml">

In the file 'dhc2-base.xml' you find then:

Code: Select all

        <rating>
            <FDM type="int">3</FDM>
            <systems type="int">2</systems>
            <cockpit type="int">4</cockpit>
            <model type="int">4</model>
        </rating>


The rating should be set by the author/developer and should be reset if the development reach the next level.

[dilbert]

Thanks, WoodSTock for the reply. Missed it, having only looked in the -set file.

Still puzzled about the DH-2's exclusion:

The PA 18's ratings are FDM 2, Systems 1, Cockpit 2, and Model 4, for a total score of 9.

The DH-2's ratings appear to be FDM 3, System 2, Cockpit 4, Model 4,
for a total score of 13.

The PA 18 is included; the DH-2 is excluded. Not trying to beat a dead horse, but something does not add up.

[legoboyvdlp]

As far as I see the PA-18 has ratings of 4 on them all...? I must admit I am a little confused.

[dilbert]

Yes, each plane is rated on the same four criteria as described above. The DH-2 ratings add up to 13; the PA 18 to only 9.

Is it conceivable the add-on system only looks for the rating in the -set.xml file, but not the -base.xml file,
thus having ignored the DH-2 rating file?

[Gijs]

The PA 18's ratings are FDM 2, Systems 1, Cockpit 2, and Model 4, for a total score of 9.

Where do you see this? Like legoboy said, wherever I look at the PA-18 (J3cub) I see a 4 rating on all four categories, as defined in J3Cub-main.xml ... Are you sure we're looking at the same aircraft?

The DH-2's ratings appear to be FDM 3, System 2, Cockpit 4, Model 4,
for a total score of 13.

Right, and that 2 for system is why the Beaver is not shown by default.

Note that the default filtering is only based on the fact that each category must be 3 or higherhigher. It does not take the summed value into account in any way. It does correctly read included files though, as you can verify for yourself that the rating shown in the launcher corresponds with that in the xml file.

[WoodSTokk]

You will also see all aircrafts that you have installed.
Its possibly you have a older PA 18 with lower rating installed.

[dilbert]

My remarks were in regard to the Piper PA 18 Super Cub, not the Piper J3 Cub; which, understandably, enjoys 4.0 treatment.

It's my mistake, though, in making an incorrect comparison: the PA-18 is not on the current default browsing list. I apologize
for the confusion. Thanks for your patience in setting me straight.

Kind Regards