Ok.. ive been trying over and over again to get some half decent flight movement, but i cant seem to get even "correct" flight movement for me to then work on.
So now im starting to wonder if im going about this the correct way?
The way im currently doing it is im using the netwtons game dynamics library and a 3d engine with a nice command set. Objects and bodies can be calulated using there local coord system so im trying to contantly calculate forces and add the forces to the bodies, but im failing.
I thought this would be the best way to go about it as the "physics" math is all done, i just need to add the forces(for simple movement remember).. it appears not so (from my results anyway)
What is the best choice to get some "simple" movement but using basic lift and drag equations.
Im not meaning super simple where you move an object in a direction, bank it and pitch it with up and down keys. Ide like to at least have lift and drag forces being calulated.
I have lift and drag equations and im using table lookups with coeffient data for both lift and drag.
Some problems i get confused about are...
1.AoA : I know that AoA is the angle between the chord line and relative wind. What i dont understand form my research is, when the angle of attack changes (so the plane now pitches slighty up) the plane is now moving in its NEW direction, so the relative wind is also coming from a NEW direction so AoA is the same again? is this correct, if so how does AOA change to generate lift?
I read in an article about another flight simulator using ODE physics library that they used the Liner Vecocity function to calculate AoA? Does NGD have something like this, if so.. how do i use it?
2. Direction : Relating to the above question, i need to know what direction the plane is moving, not directing but moving in order to calculate relative wind? How do i do this?
3. CL : The coeffient lift/drag data i have (and like others) are between about - 8 and + 20 degrees, what about after them angles? Is cl 0?
Im not good with maths, but im trying and determind and willing to try and learn anything i need to.
When i look at other tutorials or articles they always start to refer to matrices and rotations ETC, but using the 3D engine i have access to my objects / bodies in a local coordinte system already, so i assume i just need to apply forces, no?
Thanks
Andy