FlightGear now updated to version 1.9.0. What a good timing and great Christmas gift for Linux Pilots out there..


New development and features are :

• Major overhaul of the graphics code. FlightGear 1.9.0 makes use of the OpenSceneGraph library
• Easy setup of multidisplay systems using multiple OpenSceneGraph "Cameras" driven by one single instance of FlightGear.
• Multithreaded 3D model loader leads to much smoother performance
• New particle system based precipitation code
• configurable XML particle animations for smoke, spray, fire, etc
• New dynamically configurable 3D Clouds.
• pick animations, which allow for better clickable instrument panels
• multiplayer specific on-screen menu
• AI code can generate wingmen 
• At
  selected airports, it is now possible to start at a predefined parking
  position, as an alternative to starting at the runway.
• Support for Lighter than air vehicles
• Shader based tree rendering. This new feature allows For much denser tree density without any frame rate loss.
• Support for jpg and png textures
• A new multikey command mode, where multiple key strokes can be combined to form a command.
• Detailed buildings at various airports and major cities around the world
• Scenery can be kept up-to-date by downloading it from and SVN repository using TerraSync
• Over 200 Aircraft are now available for separate download.

  Code Improvements:

• Improved Flight Dynamics
• Several Improvements to animations
• Improved behavior of Taxiing AI Aircraft.
• Miscellaneous GUI improvements
• Major improvements to FlightGear's route/waypoint manager code.
• Improved runway management
• Improved encapsulation of Navaids
• Improved nasal scripting security
• Improved behavior of VOR radios when close to their maximum range.
• Configurable Heads up displays
• Improved support of GPS instruments
• Easier definition of AI traffic
  

Download FlightGear 1.9.0 here.