Features

Physics

The aerodynamics in the simulator is calculated by simulating the wing flow over each part of the wings and tail . This enables us to accurately simulate “asymmetric situations” like for example spins and side-slips.  

• Very sophisticated flight model with accurate simulation of extreme maneuvers such as spins, inverted flight, sideslipping etc.
• Fully dynamical simulation of aerotows where the glider even affects the towplane!
• Advanced ground physics where you can simulate landing in steep terrains.
• Highly accurate performance profiles for all aircraft, including water ballast.
• Winch launching with full physics simulation and intelligent winch operator. Practice wire-breaks at low altitude!
• Aircraft stress simulation, including high speed flutter and G overload.

Scenery

The sceneries in Silent Wings are based on a breakthrough in level-of-detail (LOD) technology that integrates elevation models, digital maps, aerial photos and satellite images in a unified framework ideal for real time visualization. This technology scales almost perfectly with data sizes and allows in principle any resolution for real time rendering.   

• Fly over almost 800 000 sq km of detailed scenery from some of the most famous soaring sites in the world, including the complete European alps!
• State of the art scenery rendering software gives an accurate representation of the area you're flying in.
• Navigate after real landmarks and features such as roads, rivers and lakes.
• Highly detailed 3D buildings and trees in selected areas
• Familiarize yourself with a new soaring region before going there in real life!
• High resolution ground textures based on aerial photos, satellite images and highly detailed digital maps.
• Use the "Google Earth(TM)"-like navigation tools to roam freely in the 3D map and get a unique overview the landscape.
• In-flight 2D map with plots of all aircraft, flown tracks, task, turnpoints, etc.

Atmosphere 

• Dynamic thermal model simulating the full cycle of a thermal from release through condensation and buildup to evaporation and decay.
• Thermals depend on the sun radiation as well as the local topography of the terrain. Thermals will follow ridge lines and release near the tops as in real life.
• Ridge lift and lee turbulence
• Wind layers with wind shear and turbulence
• Beautiful, volumetric 3D clouds
• Accurate simulation of the sun position during the day affecting the occurence of thermals, as well as giving beautiful daylight effects.
• Accurate simulation pressure and temperature distribution of the atmosphere, including its effect on instruments etc. (Watch that Vne at high altitudes!)

Aircraft         

• Incredibly detailed 3D models with dynamic shadows and animations.
• Fully immersive 3D cockpit with clickable instruments and moving flight controls.
• Cool, physics-based wing flex animations shows wings bending under high G loads and bouncing on hard landings.
• A wide selection of aircraft from the Open-class Antares, through 18m- and standard class to the club class Grob Twin II and oldtimers such as Ka8 and SG-38.
• Full set of instruments including a flight computer with averager, speed to fly, task navigation, etc.
• Metric or Imperial units selectable for all instruments.
• Custom registration and competition numbers.

Online Multiplayer 

• Fly with up to 32 players online on a selection of several available servers
• Advanced physics-based algorithms for accurately simulating other player's aircraft movements, even on poor internet connections.
• Real-time scoring of competition flights.
• Join the "Silent Wings League" online competition
• On-line chat
• Built-in list of all active servers.
• Web pages with list of active server, players and task progression

Competition flying

• Compete online or against AI pilots!
• Various task types such as Racing task, AAT, etc
• Different turning point types: FAI sector, beercan or lines
• Includes official turn point lists for all the areas covered
• Log book keeping track of your results, including IGC logs of all flights
• 3D plotting of flights and tasks giving an invaluable overview of the current situation
• Real-time plot of altitude vs task distance giving increased understanding of the current task standings

Real Soaring Tools 

• Practice using your PDA soaring software by connecting it to the computer while flying Silent Wings.
• Play back your IGC logs inside the simulator and try competing against your own flights.

Other Features

• Multi-platform support! Linux, Windows and Mac.
• Flight analysis with barogram and track of all flights.
• Create movies of your flights in MPEG or DivX format and share with your friends.
• TrackIR support with 6 degrees of freedom. Move your head naturally inside the virtual cockpit for a fully immersive experience! (Special offer on TrackIR hardware for Silent Wings customers)
• Open architecture with a very flexible system for making add-ons.