GEFS is really plugin free!

With the recent 1.2c release, GEFS becomes a truly pure HTML5 application and does not requires any plugin to run. The old Flash based sound engine has been replaced by a Web Audio API implementation. Preferences are now persistence using Local Storage API. Joystick support is made via the Gamepad API. And, of course, with CesiumJS, rendering is done with WebGL.

GEFS 1.2c

A new release to properly wrap up the migration to CesiumJS:

- Reworked all the 3D models to make sure they look good in CesiumJS
- Removed the last dependency to plugins (Flash)
- Upgraded to Cesium 1.22 which provides new advanced shadows (see pictures)
- Implemented an orientation control mode for mobiles (tilting phone to control aircraft)
- Redesigned the UI with mobile support in mind (responsive) and to get rid of plugin legacy (chat messages are now shown as overlay)
- Improved hot air balloon simulation with a a new atmospheric model (air temp and pressure)

Migration Complete

The migration toward CesiumJS as a replacement of the dying Google Earth plugin is almost complete. Except for some minor tweaks (smoke effects, clouds), I consider the migration to be successful. The application seems to be stable enough and performance is satisfying.

I just upgraded Cesium to version 1.18 which claims a memory usage gain in Chrome. I also tweaked caching in order to prevent the constant reloading of texture tiles when quickly changing camera direction.

Finally, GEFS is now featured on Cesium's official demo page http://cesiumjs.org/demos.html

GEFS Online 1.1c

With the end of the Google Earth plugin and no sign from Google to open up their new WebGL renderer, GEFS was doomed.

CesiumJS was considered the best alternative and after some testing became a viable replacement.

Cesium is backed by an active community and has a bright future.

GEFS was quickly migrated in order to beat the end of the plugin, so some things may still have to be improved.

I would be glad if you could report bugs and problems in a constructive manner on the bug report forum

I will keep working on finalizing the migration and hopefully keeping on improving GEFS.

GEFS Online 1.0

The new version is live and includes:

• User accounts, self moderation
• Instrumented cockpits
• Flight record/replay
• Autopilot
• PAPI
• Reworked aircraft 3D model
• Antonov An-140
• New user interface

The Google Earth plugin in its latest version (7.x) generates some problems that will hopefully quickly be fixed by Google. Meanwhile, you may want to keep using version 6.2 (visit this page http://www.google.com/earth/download/ge/agree.html and click on "Customize your installation" to choose version 6.2)

0.9 is live

Sorry for the late announcement, most of you may already know about the new GEFS version:

• Gliders: Paraglider, Ultralight Goat Airchair and Jantar szd-48-3
• Improvement on dynamic wind lift (ridge soaring) and introduction of thermals
• New sound engine and effects (tyres, wind, Doppler effect)
• Added a public forum to the website for general discussion

Maintenance Release 0.8.1

I just published a maintenance release (0.8.1). Nothing fancy but a few bugs ironed out:

- Fixed the wind "always on" bug
- Reverted prop wash (was buggy)
- Fixed some aircraft flight characteristics (DC3, Heli) to restore stability.
- Fixed keyboard focus problem on Chrome
- Updated flight model in general
- Trying out a new sound engine
- And a few others things...

As I also updated some javascript libraries, you will be prompted that your preferences are reset (I am sorry, I had no other way)

Have a nice flight.