Re: [Flightgear-devel] Abnormal surface friction factor

[Alan T. <ajt...@v-...>]

My understanding is that this was an attempt to simulate the force 
required to push aircraft wheels over rocky or very uneven ground by 
using friction.

IMHO it was not not a very good idea. Perhaps OK for a computer game, 
but not OK for a JSBsim mathematical model.

The force required to roll a wheel over an obstacle can not be estimated 
this way. Also, coming down the other side of the obstacle, where the 
force is reversed, is neglected.

As alternative I suggest that for this type of terrain/ground cover, 
random rocks be simulated and the force required to roll wheels over 
these individual rocks is calculated . These random rocks should , if 
possible, be made visible, so that the pilot can take avoiding action.

As an interim the factor 50 should be removed from the FDM.

Alan