]> git.mxchange.org Git - flightgear.git/blobdiff - src/FDM/flight.cxx
Port over remaining Point3D usage to the more type and unit safe SG* classes.
[flightgear.git] / src / FDM / flight.cxx
index 22870b3bdb172c9c202b39315f3bcce9750bf745..0e4ff912a3948a99ffce66c9a298993d110eae60 100644 (file)
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 //
 // Written by Curtis Olson, started May 1997.
 //
-// Copyright (C) 1997  Curtis L. Olson  - curt@infoplane.com
+// Copyright (C) 1997  Curtis L. Olson  - http://www.flightgear.org/~curt
 //
 // This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
 // modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as
 //
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
-// Foundation, Inc., 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
+// Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301, USA.
 //
 // $Id$
 
+#ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
+#  include "config.h"
+#endif
 
-#include <stdio.h>
-
-#include <plib/sg.h>
+#include "flight.hxx"
 
 #include <simgear/constants.h>
 #include <simgear/debug/logstream.hxx>
-#include <simgear/math/sg_geodesy.hxx>
+#include <simgear/math/SGMath.hxx>
 #include <simgear/timing/timestamp.hxx>
 
 #include <Scenery/scenery.hxx>
-#include <FDM/LaRCsim/ls_interface.h>
 #include <Main/globals.hxx>
 #include <Main/fg_props.hxx>
+#include <FDM/groundcache.hxx>
 
-#include "flight.hxx"
 
+static inline void assign(double* ptr, const SGVec3d& vec)
+{
+  ptr[0] = vec[0];
+  ptr[1] = vec[1];
+  ptr[2] = vec[2];
+}
 
 // base_fdm_state is the internal state that is updated in integer
 // multiples of "dt".  This leads to "jitter" with respect to the real
 FGInterface *cur_fdm_state = 0;
 FGInterface base_fdm_state;
 
-inline void init_vec(FG_VECTOR_3 vec) {
-    vec[0] = 0.0; vec[1] = 0.0; vec[2] = 0.0;
-}
-
 // Constructor
-FGInterface::FGInterface() {
+FGInterface::FGInterface()
+  : remainder(0)
+{
     _setup();
 }
 
-FGInterface::FGInterface( double dt ) {
+FGInterface::FGInterface( double dt )
+  : remainder(0)
+{
     _setup();
-    delta_t = dt;
-    remainder = elapsed = multi_loop = 0;
 }
 
 // Destructor
@@ -67,6 +71,35 @@ FGInterface::~FGInterface() {
 }
 
 
+int
+FGInterface::_calc_multiloop (double dt)
+{
+  int hz = fgGetInt("/sim/model-hz");
+  int speedup = fgGetInt("/sim/speed-up");
+
+  dt += remainder;
+  remainder = 0;
+  double ml = dt * hz;
+  // Avoid roundoff problems by adding the roundoff itself.
+  // ... ok, two times the roundoff to have enough room.
+  int multiloop = int(floor(ml * (1.0 + 2.0*DBL_EPSILON)));
+  remainder = (ml - multiloop) / hz;
+
+  // If we artificially inflate ml above by a tiny amount to get the
+  // closest integer, then subtract the integer from the original
+  // slightly smaller value, we can get a negative remainder.
+  // Logically this should never happen, and we definitely don't want
+  // to carry a negative remainder over to the next iteration, so
+  // never let the remainder go below zero.
+  // 
+  // Note: this fixes a problem where we run 1, 3, 1, 3, 1, 3... loops
+  // of the FDM when in fact we want to run 2, 2, 2, 2, 2...
+  if ( remainder < 0 ) { remainder = 0; }
+
+  return (multiloop * speedup);
+}
+
+
 /**
  * Set default values for the state of the FDM.
  *
@@ -78,70 +111,37 @@ FGInterface::_setup ()
     inited = false;
     bound = false;
 
-    init_vec( d_pilot_rp_body_v );
-    init_vec( d_cg_rp_body_v );
-    init_vec( f_body_total_v );
-    init_vec( f_local_total_v );
-    init_vec( f_aero_v );
-    init_vec( f_engine_v );
-    init_vec( f_gear_v );
-    init_vec( m_total_rp_v );
-    init_vec( m_total_cg_v );
-    init_vec( m_aero_v );
-    init_vec( m_engine_v );
-    init_vec( m_gear_v );
-    init_vec( v_dot_local_v );
-    init_vec( v_dot_body_v );
-    init_vec( a_cg_body_v );
-    init_vec( a_pilot_body_v );
-    init_vec( n_cg_body_v );
-    init_vec( n_pilot_body_v );
-    init_vec( omega_dot_body_v );
-    init_vec( v_local_v );
-    init_vec( v_local_rel_ground_v );
-    init_vec( v_local_airmass_v );
-    init_vec( v_local_rel_airmass_v );
-    init_vec( v_local_gust_v );
-    init_vec( v_wind_body_v );
-    init_vec( omega_body_v );
-    init_vec( omega_local_v );
-    init_vec( omega_total_v );
-    init_vec( euler_rates_v );
-    init_vec( geocentric_rates_v );
-    init_vec( geocentric_position_v );
-    init_vec( geodetic_position_v );
-    init_vec( euler_angles_v );
-    init_vec( d_cg_rwy_local_v );
-    init_vec( d_cg_rwy_rwy_v );
-    init_vec( d_pilot_rwy_local_v );
-    init_vec( d_pilot_rwy_rwy_v );
-    init_vec( t_local_to_body_m[0] );
-    init_vec( t_local_to_body_m[1] );
-    init_vec( t_local_to_body_m[2] );
-
-    mass=i_xx=i_yy=i_zz=i_xz=0;
+    d_cg_rp_body_v = SGVec3d::zeros();
+    v_dot_local_v = SGVec3d::zeros();
+    v_dot_body_v = SGVec3d::zeros();
+    a_cg_body_v = SGVec3d::zeros();
+    a_pilot_body_v = SGVec3d::zeros();
+    n_cg_body_v = SGVec3d::zeros();
+    v_local_v = SGVec3d::zeros();
+    v_local_rel_ground_v = SGVec3d::zeros();
+    v_local_airmass_v = SGVec3d::zeros();
+    v_wind_body_v = SGVec3d::zeros();
+    omega_body_v = SGVec3d::zeros();
+    euler_rates_v = SGVec3d::zeros();
+    geocentric_rates_v = SGVec3d::zeros();
+    geodetic_position_v = SGGeod::fromRadM(0, 0, 0);
+    cartesian_position_v = SGVec3d::fromGeod(geodetic_position_v);
+    geocentric_position_v = SGGeoc::fromCart(cartesian_position_v);
+    euler_angles_v = SGVec3d::zeros();
+    
     nlf=0;
-    v_rel_wind=v_true_kts=v_rel_ground=v_inertial=0;
-    v_ground_speed=v_equiv=v_equiv_kts=0;
-    v_calibrated=v_calibrated_kts=0;
-    gravity=0;
-    centrifugal_relief=0;
-    alpha=beta=alpha_dot=beta_dot=0;
-    cos_alpha=sin_alpha=cos_beta=sin_beta=0;
-    cos_phi=sin_phi=cos_theta=sin_theta=cos_psi=sin_psi=0;
-    gamma_vert_rad=gamma_horiz_rad=0;
-    sigma=density=v_sound=mach_number=0;
-    static_pressure=total_pressure=impact_pressure=0;
+    v_rel_wind=v_true_kts=0;
+    v_ground_speed=v_equiv_kts=0;
+    v_calibrated_kts=0;
+    alpha=beta=0;
+    gamma_vert_rad=0;
+    density=mach_number=0;
+    static_pressure=total_pressure=0;
     dynamic_pressure=0;
     static_temperature=total_temperature=0;
     sea_level_radius=earth_position_angle=0;
-    runway_altitude=runway_latitude=runway_longitude=0;
-    runway_heading=0;
-    radius_to_rwy=0;
+    runway_altitude=0;
     climb_rate=0;
-    sin_lat_geocentric=cos_lat_geocentric=0;
-    sin_latitude=cos_latitude=0;
-    sin_longitude=cos_longitude=0;
     altitude_agl=0;
 }
 
@@ -163,22 +163,35 @@ FGInterface::common_init ()
 
     set_inited( true );
 
-    stamp();
-    set_remainder( 0 );
+    ground_cache.set_cache_time_offset(globals->get_sim_time_sec());
+
+//     stamp();
+//     set_remainder( 0 );
 
     // Set initial position
     SG_LOG( SG_FLIGHT, SG_INFO, "...initializing position..." );
-    set_Longitude( fgGetDouble("/position/longitude-deg")
-                   * SGD_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS );
-    set_Latitude( fgGetDouble("/position/latitude-deg")
-                  * SGD_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS );
-    double ground_elev_m = scenery.get_cur_elev();
+    double lon = fgGetDouble("/sim/presets/longitude-deg")
+      * SGD_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS;
+    double lat = fgGetDouble("/sim/presets/latitude-deg")
+      * SGD_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS;
+    double alt_ft = fgGetDouble("/sim/presets/altitude-ft");
+    double alt_m = alt_ft * SG_FEET_TO_METER;
+    set_Longitude( lon );
+    set_Latitude( lat );
+    SG_LOG( SG_FLIGHT, SG_INFO, "Checking for lon = "
+            << lon*SGD_RADIANS_TO_DEGREES << "deg, lat = "
+            << lat*SGD_RADIANS_TO_DEGREES << "deg, alt = "
+            << alt_ft << "ft");
+
+    double ground_elev_m = get_groundlevel_m(lat, lon, alt_m);
     double ground_elev_ft = ground_elev_m * SG_METER_TO_FEET;
-    if ( fgGetBool("/sim/startup/onground")
-         || fgGetDouble("/position/altitude-ft") < ground_elev_ft ) {
-        fgSetDouble("/position/altitude-ft", ground_elev_ft);
+    _set_Runway_altitude ( ground_elev_ft );
+    if ( fgGetBool("/sim/presets/onground") || alt_ft < ground_elev_ft ) {
+        fgSetDouble("/position/altitude-ft", ground_elev_ft + 0.1);
+        set_Altitude( ground_elev_ft + 0.1);
+    } else {
+        set_Altitude( alt_ft );
     }
-    set_Altitude( fgGetDouble("/position/altitude-ft") );
 
     // Set ground elevation
     SG_LOG( SG_FLIGHT, SG_INFO,
@@ -188,39 +201,34 @@ FGInterface::common_init ()
     // Set sea-level radius
     SG_LOG( SG_FLIGHT, SG_INFO, "...initializing sea-level radius..." );
     SG_LOG( SG_FLIGHT, SG_INFO, " lat = "
-            << fgGetDouble("/position/latitude-deg")
-            << " alt = " << fgGetDouble("/position/altitude-ft") );
-    double sea_level_radius_meters;
-    double lat_geoc;
-    sgGeodToGeoc( fgGetDouble("/position/latitude-deg")
-                    * SGD_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS,
-                  fgGetDouble("/position/altitude-ft") * SG_FEET_TO_METER,
-                  &sea_level_radius_meters, &lat_geoc );
-    _set_Sea_level_radius( sea_level_radius_meters * SG_METER_TO_FEET );
+            << fgGetDouble("/sim/presets/latitude-deg")
+            << " alt = " << get_Altitude() );
+    double slr = SGGeodesy::SGGeodToSeaLevelRadius(geodetic_position_v);
+    _set_Sea_level_radius( slr * SG_METER_TO_FEET );
 
     // Set initial velocities
     SG_LOG( SG_FLIGHT, SG_INFO, "...initializing velocities..." );
-    if ( !fgHasNode("/sim/startup/speed-set") ) {
+    if ( !fgHasNode("/sim/presets/speed-set") ) {
         set_V_calibrated_kts(0.0);
     } else {
-        const string speedset = fgGetString("/sim/startup/speed-set");
+        const string speedset = fgGetString("/sim/presets/speed-set");
         if ( speedset == "knots" || speedset == "KNOTS" ) {
-            set_V_calibrated_kts( fgGetDouble("/velocities/airspeed-kt") );
+            set_V_calibrated_kts( fgGetDouble("/sim/presets/airspeed-kt") );
         } else if ( speedset == "mach" || speedset == "MACH" ) {
-            set_Mach_number( fgGetDouble("/velocities/mach") );
+            set_Mach_number( fgGetDouble("/sim/presets/mach") );
         } else if ( speedset == "UVW" || speedset == "uvw" ) {
             set_Velocities_Wind_Body(
-                                     fgGetDouble("/velocities/uBody-fps"),
-                                     fgGetDouble("/velocities/vBody-fps"),
-                                     fgGetDouble("/velocities/wBody-fps") );
+                                     fgGetDouble("/sim/presets/uBody-fps"),
+                                     fgGetDouble("/sim/presets/vBody-fps"),
+                                     fgGetDouble("/sim/presets/wBody-fps") );
         } else if ( speedset == "NED" || speedset == "ned" ) {
             set_Velocities_Local(
-                                 fgGetDouble("/velocities/speed-north-fps"),
-                                 fgGetDouble("/velocities/speed-east-fps"),
-                                 fgGetDouble("/velocities/speed-down-fps") );
+                                 fgGetDouble("/sim/presets/speed-north-fps"),
+                                 fgGetDouble("/sim/presets/speed-east-fps"),
+                                 fgGetDouble("/sim/presets/speed-down-fps") );
         } else {
             SG_LOG( SG_FLIGHT, SG_ALERT,
-                    "Unrecognized value for /sim/startup/speed-set: "
+                    "Unrecognized value for /sim/presets/speed-set: "
                     << speedset);
             set_V_calibrated_kts( 0.0 );
         }
@@ -228,11 +236,11 @@ FGInterface::common_init ()
 
     // Set initial Euler angles
     SG_LOG( SG_FLIGHT, SG_INFO, "...initializing Euler angles..." );
-    set_Euler_Angles( fgGetDouble("/orientation/roll-deg")
+    set_Euler_Angles( fgGetDouble("/sim/presets/roll-deg")
                         * SGD_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS,
-                      fgGetDouble("/orientation/pitch-deg")
+                      fgGetDouble("/sim/presets/pitch-deg")
                         * SGD_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS,
-                      fgGetDouble("/orientation/heading-deg")
+                      fgGetDouble("/sim/presets/heading-deg")
                         * SGD_DEGREES_TO_RADIANS );
 
     SG_LOG( SG_FLIGHT, SG_INFO, "End common FDM init" );
@@ -254,14 +262,14 @@ FGInterface::bind ()
   bound = true;
 
                                 // Time management (read-only)
-  fgTie("/fdm/time/delta_t", this,
-        &FGInterface::get_delta_t); // read-only
-  fgTie("/fdm/time/elapsed", this,
-        &FGInterface::get_elapsed); // read-only
-  fgTie("/fdm/time/remainder", this,
-        &FGInterface::get_remainder); // read-only
-  fgTie("/fdm/time/multi_loop", this,
-        &FGInterface::get_multi_loop); // read-only
+//   fgTie("/fdm/time/delta_t", this,
+//         &FGInterface::get_delta_t); // read-only
+//   fgTie("/fdm/time/elapsed", this,
+//         &FGInterface::get_elapsed); // read-only
+//   fgTie("/fdm/time/remainder", this,
+//         &FGInterface::get_remainder); // read-only
+//   fgTie("/fdm/time/multi_loop", this,
+//         &FGInterface::get_multi_loop); // read-only
 
                        // Aircraft position
   fgTie("/position/latitude-deg", this,
@@ -281,6 +289,17 @@ FGInterface::bind ()
   fgSetArchivable("/position/altitude-ft");
   fgTie("/position/altitude-agl-ft", this,
         &FGInterface::get_Altitude_AGL); // read-only
+  fgSetArchivable("/position/ground-elev-ft");
+  fgTie("/position/ground-elev-ft", this,
+        &FGInterface::get_Runway_altitude); // read-only
+  fgSetArchivable("/position/ground-elev-m");
+  fgTie("/position/ground-elev-m", this,
+        &FGInterface::get_Runway_altitude_m); // read-only
+  fgTie("/environment/ground-elevation-m", this,
+        &FGInterface::get_Runway_altitude_m); // read-only
+  fgSetArchivable("/position/sea-level-radius-ft");
+  fgTie("/position/sea-level-radius-ft", this,
+        &FGInterface::get_Sea_level_radius); // read-only
 
                                // Orientation
   fgTie("/orientation/roll-deg", this,
@@ -296,10 +315,29 @@ FGInterface::bind ()
        &FGInterface::set_Psi_deg);
   fgSetArchivable("/orientation/heading-deg");
 
+  // Body-axis "euler rates" (rotation speed, but in a funny
+  // representation).
+  fgTie("/orientation/roll-rate-degps", this,
+       &FGInterface::get_Phi_dot_degps);
+  fgTie("/orientation/pitch-rate-degps", this,
+       &FGInterface::get_Theta_dot_degps);
+  fgTie("/orientation/yaw-rate-degps", this,
+       &FGInterface::get_Psi_dot_degps);
+
+                                // Ground speed knots
+  fgTie("/velocities/groundspeed-kt", this,
+        &FGInterface::get_V_ground_speed_kt);
+
                                // Calibrated airspeed
   fgTie("/velocities/airspeed-kt", this,
        &FGInterface::get_V_calibrated_kts,
        &FGInterface::set_V_calibrated_kts,
+       false);
+
+                               // Mach number
+  fgTie("/velocities/mach", this,
+       &FGInterface::get_Mach_number,
+       &FGInterface::set_Mach_number,
        false);
 
                                // Local velocities
@@ -352,14 +390,31 @@ FGInterface::bind ()
   fgTie("/velocities/glideslope", this,
   &FGInterface::get_Gamma_vert_rad,
   &FGInterface::set_Gamma_vert_rad );
-  fgTie("/velocities/side-slip-rad", this,
+  fgTie("/orientation/side-slip-rad", this,
        &FGInterface::get_Beta); // read-only
-  fgTie("/velocities/side-slip-deg", this,
+  fgTie("/orientation/side-slip-deg", this,
   &FGInterface::get_Beta_deg); // read-only
-  fgTie("/velocities/alpha-deg", this,
+  fgTie("/orientation/alpha-deg", this,
   &FGInterface::get_Alpha_deg); // read-only
   fgTie("/accelerations/nlf", this,
   &FGInterface::get_Nlf); // read-only
+
+                                // NED accelerations
+  fgTie("/accelerations/ned/north-accel-fps_sec",
+        this, &FGInterface::get_V_dot_north);
+  fgTie("/accelerations/ned/east-accel-fps_sec",
+        this, &FGInterface::get_V_dot_east);
+  fgTie("/accelerations/ned/down-accel-fps_sec",
+        this, &FGInterface::get_V_dot_down);
+
+                                // Pilot accelerations
+  fgTie("/accelerations/pilot/x-accel-fps_sec",
+        this, &FGInterface::get_A_X_pilot);
+  fgTie("/accelerations/pilot/y-accel-fps_sec",
+        this, &FGInterface::get_A_Y_pilot);
+  fgTie("/accelerations/pilot/z-accel-fps_sec",
+        this, &FGInterface::get_A_Z_pilot);
+
 }
 
 
@@ -374,18 +429,30 @@ FGInterface::unbind ()
 {
   bound = false;
 
-  fgUntie("/fdm/time/delta_t");
-  fgUntie("/fdm/time/elapsed");
-  fgUntie("/fdm/time/remainder");
-  fgUntie("/fdm/time/multi_loop");
+  // fgUntie("/fdm/time/delta_t");
+  // fgUntie("/fdm/time/elapsed");
+  // fgUntie("/fdm/time/remainder");
+  // fgUntie("/fdm/time/multi_loop");
   fgUntie("/position/latitude-deg");
   fgUntie("/position/longitude-deg");
   fgUntie("/position/altitude-ft");
   fgUntie("/position/altitude-agl-ft");
-  fgUntie("/orientation/heading-deg");
-  fgUntie("/orientation/pitch-deg");
+  fgUntie("/position/ground-elev-ft");
+  fgUntie("/position/ground-elev-m");
+  fgUntie("/environment/ground-elevation-m");
+  fgUntie("/position/sea-level-radius-ft");
   fgUntie("/orientation/roll-deg");
+  fgUntie("/orientation/pitch-deg");
+  fgUntie("/orientation/heading-deg");
+  fgUntie("/orientation/roll-rate-degps");
+  fgUntie("/orientation/pitch-rate-degps");
+  fgUntie("/orientation/yaw-rate-degps");
+  fgUntie("/orientation/side-slip-rad");
+  fgUntie("/orientation/side-slip-deg");
+  fgUntie("/orientation/alpha-deg");
   fgUntie("/velocities/airspeed-kt");
+  fgUntie("/velocities/groundspeed-kt");
+  fgUntie("/velocities/mach");
   fgUntie("/velocities/speed-north-fps");
   fgUntie("/velocities/speed-east-fps");
   fgUntie("/velocities/speed-down-fps");
@@ -394,170 +461,85 @@ FGInterface::unbind ()
   fgUntie("/velocities/wBody-fps");
   fgUntie("/velocities/vertical-speed-fps");
   fgUntie("/velocities/glideslope");
-  fgUntie("/velocities/side-slip-rad");
-  fgUntie("/velocities/side-slip-deg");
-  fgUntie("/velocities/alpha-deg");
   fgUntie("/accelerations/nlf");
-  
+  fgUntie("/accelerations/pilot/x-accel-fps_sec");
+  fgUntie("/accelerations/pilot/y-accel-fps_sec");
+  fgUntie("/accelerations/pilot/z-accel-fps_sec");
+  fgUntie("/accelerations/ned/north-accel-fps_sec");
+  fgUntie("/accelerations/ned/east-accel-fps_sec");
+  fgUntie("/accelerations/ned/down-accel-fps_sec");
 }
 
 /**
  * Update the state of the FDM (i.e. run the equations of motion).
  */
 void
-FGInterface::update (int dt)
+FGInterface::update (double dt)
 {
-    cout << "dummy update() ... SHOULDN'T BE CALLED!" << endl;
+    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT, SG_ALERT, "dummy update() ... SHOULDN'T BE CALLED!");
 }
 
 
-void FGInterface::_updateGeodeticPosition( double lat, double lon, double alt )
+void FGInterface::_updatePositionM(const SGVec3d& cartPos)
 {
-    double lat_geoc, sl_radius;
-
-    // cout << "starting sea level rad = " << get_Sea_level_radius() << endl;
-
-    sgGeodToGeoc( lat, alt * SG_FEET_TO_METER, &sl_radius, &lat_geoc );
-
-    SG_LOG( SG_FLIGHT, SG_DEBUG, "lon = " << lon 
-           << " lat_geod = " << lat
-           << " lat_geoc = " << lat_geoc
-           << " alt = " << alt 
-           << " sl_radius = " << sl_radius * SG_METER_TO_FEET
-           << " Equator = " << SG_EQUATORIAL_RADIUS_FT );
+    cartesian_position_v = cartPos;
+    geodetic_position_v = SGGeod::fromCart(cartesian_position_v);
+    geocentric_position_v = SGGeoc::fromCart(cartesian_position_v);
+    _set_Sea_level_radius( SGGeodesy::SGGeodToSeaLevelRadius(geodetic_position_v)*SG_METER_TO_FEET );
+    _update_ground_elev_at_pos();
+}
 
-    _set_Geocentric_Position( lat_geoc, lon, 
-                             sl_radius * SG_METER_TO_FEET + alt );
-       
-    _set_Geodetic_Position( lat, lon, alt );
 
-    _set_Sea_level_radius( sl_radius * SG_METER_TO_FEET );
-    _set_Runway_altitude( scenery.get_cur_elev() * SG_METER_TO_FEET );
+void FGInterface::_updatePosition(const SGGeod& geod)
+{
+    geodetic_position_v = geod;
+    cartesian_position_v = SGVec3d::fromGeod(geodetic_position_v);
+    geocentric_position_v = SGGeoc::fromCart(cartesian_position_v);
 
-    _set_sin_lat_geocentric( lat_geoc );
-    _set_cos_lat_geocentric( lat_geoc );
+    _set_Sea_level_radius( SGGeodesy::SGGeodToSeaLevelRadius(geodetic_position_v)*SG_METER_TO_FEET );
+    _update_ground_elev_at_pos();
+}
 
-    _set_sin_cos_longitude( lon );
 
-    _set_sin_cos_latitude( lat );
+void FGInterface::_updatePosition(const SGGeoc& geoc)
+{
+    geocentric_position_v = geoc;
+    cartesian_position_v = SGVec3d::fromGeoc(geocentric_position_v);
+    geodetic_position_v = SGGeod::fromCart(cartesian_position_v);
 
-    /* Norman's code for slope of the terrain */
-    /* needs to be tested -- get it on the HUD and taxi around */
-    /* double *tnorm = scenery.cur_normal;
+    _set_Sea_level_radius( SGGeodesy::SGGeodToSeaLevelRadius(geodetic_position_v)*SG_METER_TO_FEET );
+    _update_ground_elev_at_pos();
+}
 
-       double sy = sin ( -get_Psi() ) ;
-       double cy = cos ( -get_Psi() ) ;
 
-       double phitb, thetatb, psitb;
-       if ( tnorm[1] != 0.0 ) {
-           psitb = -atan2 ( tnorm[0], tnorm[1] );
-       }
-       if ( tnorm[2] != 0.0 ) {        
-          thetatb =  atan2 ( tnorm[0] * cy - tnorm[1] * sy, tnorm[2] );
-          phitb = -atan2 ( tnorm[1] * cy + tnorm[0] * sy, tnorm[2] );  
-       }       
-       
-       _set_terrain_slope(phitb, thetatb, psitb) 
-     */
+void FGInterface::_updateGeodeticPosition( double lat, double lon, double alt )
+{
+    _updatePosition(SGGeod::fromRadFt(lon, lat, alt));
 }
 
 
-void FGInterface::_updateGeocentricPosition( double lat_geoc, double lon,
+void FGInterface::_updateGeocentricPosition( double lat, double lon,
                                             double alt )
 {
-    double lat_geod, tmp_alt, sl_radius1, sl_radius2, tmp_lat_geoc;
-
-    // cout << "starting sea level rad = " << get_Sea_level_radius() << endl;
-
-    sgGeocToGeod( lat_geoc, ( get_Sea_level_radius() + alt ) * SG_FEET_TO_METER,
-                 &lat_geod, &tmp_alt, &sl_radius1 );
-    sgGeodToGeoc( lat_geod, alt * SG_FEET_TO_METER, &sl_radius2, &tmp_lat_geoc );
-
-    SG_LOG( SG_FLIGHT, SG_DEBUG, "lon = " << lon 
-           << " lat_geod = " << lat_geod
-           << " lat_geoc = " << lat_geoc
-           << " alt = " << alt 
-           << " tmp_alt = " << tmp_alt * SG_METER_TO_FEET
-           << " sl_radius1 = " << sl_radius1 * SG_METER_TO_FEET
-           << " sl_radius2 = " << sl_radius2 * SG_METER_TO_FEET
-           << " Equator = " << SG_EQUATORIAL_RADIUS_FT );
-
-    _set_Geocentric_Position( lat_geoc, lon, 
-                             sl_radius2 * SG_METER_TO_FEET + alt );
-       
-    _set_Geodetic_Position( lat_geod, lon, alt );
-
-    _set_Sea_level_radius( sl_radius2 * SG_METER_TO_FEET );
-    _set_Runway_altitude( scenery.get_cur_elev() * SG_METER_TO_FEET );
-
-    _set_sin_lat_geocentric( lat_geoc );
-    _set_cos_lat_geocentric( lat_geoc );
-
-    _set_sin_cos_longitude( lon );
-
-    _set_sin_cos_latitude( lat_geod );
-
-    /* Norman's code for slope of the terrain */
-    /* needs to be tested -- get it on the HUD and taxi around */
-    /* double *tnorm = scenery.cur_normal;
-
-       double sy = sin ( -get_Psi() ) ;
-       double cy = cos ( -get_Psi() ) ;
-
-       double phitb, thetatb, psitb;
-       if ( tnorm[1] != 0.0 ) {
-           psitb = -atan2 ( tnorm[0], tnorm[1] );
-       }
-       if ( tnorm[2] != 0.0 ) {        
-          thetatb =  atan2 ( tnorm[0] * cy - tnorm[1] * sy, tnorm[2] );
-          phitb = -atan2 ( tnorm[1] * cy + tnorm[0] * sy, tnorm[2] );  
-       }       
-       
-       _set_terrain_slope(phitb, thetatb, psitb) 
-     */
+    _updatePosition(SGGeoc::fromRadFt(lon, lat, get_Sea_level_radius() + alt));
 }
 
-
-// Extrapolate fdm based on time_offset (in usec)
-void FGInterface::extrapolate( int time_offset ) {
-    double dt = time_offset / 1000000.0;
-
-    // -dw- metrowerks complains about ambiguous access, not critical
-    // to keep this ;)
-#ifndef __MWERKS__
-    cout << "extrapolating FDM by dt = " << dt << endl;
-#endif
-
-    double lat = geodetic_position_v[0] + geocentric_rates_v[0] * dt;
-    double lat_geoc = geocentric_position_v[0] + geocentric_rates_v[0] * dt;
-
-    double lon = geodetic_position_v[1] + geocentric_rates_v[1] * dt;
-    double lon_geoc = geocentric_position_v[1] + geocentric_rates_v[1] * dt;
-
-    double alt = geodetic_position_v[2] + geocentric_rates_v[2] * dt;
-    double radius = geocentric_position_v[2] + geocentric_rates_v[2] * dt;
-
-    geodetic_position_v[0] = lat;
-    geocentric_position_v[0] = lat_geoc;
-
-    geodetic_position_v[1] = lon;
-    geocentric_position_v[1] = lon_geoc;
-
-    geodetic_position_v[2] = alt;
-    geocentric_position_v[2] = radius;
+void FGInterface::_update_ground_elev_at_pos( void ) {
+    double groundlevel_m = get_groundlevel_m(geodetic_position_v);
+    _set_Runway_altitude( groundlevel_m * SG_METER_TO_FEET );
 }
 
 // Positions
 void FGInterface::set_Latitude(double lat) {
-    geodetic_position_v[0] = lat;
+    geodetic_position_v.setLatitudeRad(lat);
 }
 
 void FGInterface::set_Longitude(double lon) {
-    geodetic_position_v[1] = lon;
+    geodetic_position_v.setLongitudeRad(lon);
 }
 
 void FGInterface::set_Altitude(double alt) {
-    geodetic_position_v[2] = alt;
+    geodetic_position_v.setElevationFt(alt);
 }
 
 void FGInterface::set_AltitudeAGL(double altagl) {
@@ -622,108 +604,327 @@ void FGInterface::set_Velocities_Local_Airmass (double wnorth,
 
 void FGInterface::_busdump(void) {
 
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"d_pilot_rp_body_v[3]: " << d_pilot_rp_body_v[0] << ", " << d_pilot_rp_body_v[1] << ", " << d_pilot_rp_body_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"d_cg_rp_body_v[3]: " << d_cg_rp_body_v[0] << ", " << d_cg_rp_body_v[1] << ", " << d_cg_rp_body_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"f_body_total_v[3]: " << f_body_total_v[0] << ", " << f_body_total_v[1] << ", " << f_body_total_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"f_local_total_v[3]: " << f_local_total_v[0] << ", " << f_local_total_v[1] << ", " << f_local_total_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"f_aero_v[3]: " << f_aero_v[0] << ", " << f_aero_v[1] << ", " << f_aero_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"f_engine_v[3]: " << f_engine_v[0] << ", " << f_engine_v[1] << ", " << f_engine_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"f_gear_v[3]: " << f_gear_v[0] << ", " << f_gear_v[1] << ", " << f_gear_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"m_total_rp_v[3]: " << m_total_rp_v[0] << ", " << m_total_rp_v[1] << ", " << m_total_rp_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"m_total_cg_v[3]: " << m_total_cg_v[0] << ", " << m_total_cg_v[1] << ", " << m_total_cg_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"m_aero_v[3]: " << m_aero_v[0] << ", " << m_aero_v[1] << ", " << m_aero_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"m_engine_v[3]: " << m_engine_v[0] << ", " << m_engine_v[1] << ", " << m_engine_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"m_gear_v[3]: " << m_gear_v[0] << ", " << m_gear_v[1] << ", " << m_gear_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_dot_local_v[3]: " << v_dot_local_v[0] << ", " << v_dot_local_v[1] << ", " << v_dot_local_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_dot_body_v[3]: " << v_dot_body_v[0] << ", " << v_dot_body_v[1] << ", " << v_dot_body_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"a_cg_body_v[3]: " << a_cg_body_v[0] << ", " << a_cg_body_v[1] << ", " << a_cg_body_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"a_pilot_body_v[3]: " << a_pilot_body_v[0] << ", " << a_pilot_body_v[1] << ", " << a_pilot_body_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"n_cg_body_v[3]: " << n_cg_body_v[0] << ", " << n_cg_body_v[1] << ", " << n_cg_body_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"n_pilot_body_v[3]: " << n_pilot_body_v[0] << ", " << n_pilot_body_v[1] << ", " << n_pilot_body_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"omega_dot_body_v[3]: " << omega_dot_body_v[0] << ", " << omega_dot_body_v[1] << ", " << omega_dot_body_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_local_v[3]: " << v_local_v[0] << ", " << v_local_v[1] << ", " << v_local_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_local_rel_ground_v[3]: " << v_local_rel_ground_v[0] << ", " << v_local_rel_ground_v[1] << ", " << v_local_rel_ground_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_local_airmass_v[3]: " << v_local_airmass_v[0] << ", " << v_local_airmass_v[1] << ", " << v_local_airmass_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_local_rel_airmass_v[3]: " << v_local_rel_airmass_v[0] << ", " << v_local_rel_airmass_v[1] << ", " << v_local_rel_airmass_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_local_gust_v[3]: " << v_local_gust_v[0] << ", " << v_local_gust_v[1] << ", " << v_local_gust_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_wind_body_v[3]: " << v_wind_body_v[0] << ", " << v_wind_body_v[1] << ", " << v_wind_body_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"omega_body_v[3]: " << omega_body_v[0] << ", " << omega_body_v[1] << ", " << omega_body_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"omega_local_v[3]: " << omega_local_v[0] << ", " << omega_local_v[1] << ", " << omega_local_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"omega_total_v[3]: " << omega_total_v[0] << ", " << omega_total_v[1] << ", " << omega_total_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"euler_rates_v[3]: " << euler_rates_v[0] << ", " << euler_rates_v[1] << ", " << euler_rates_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"geocentric_rates_v[3]: " << geocentric_rates_v[0] << ", " << geocentric_rates_v[1] << ", " << geocentric_rates_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"geocentric_position_v[3]: " << geocentric_position_v[0] << ", " << geocentric_position_v[1] << ", " << geocentric_position_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"geodetic_position_v[3]: " << geodetic_position_v[0] << ", " << geodetic_position_v[1] << ", " << geodetic_position_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"euler_angles_v[3]: " << euler_angles_v[0] << ", " << euler_angles_v[1] << ", " << euler_angles_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"d_cg_rwy_local_v[3]: " << d_cg_rwy_local_v[0] << ", " << d_cg_rwy_local_v[1] << ", " << d_cg_rwy_local_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"d_cg_rwy_rwy_v[3]: " << d_cg_rwy_rwy_v[0] << ", " << d_cg_rwy_rwy_v[1] << ", " << d_cg_rwy_rwy_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"d_pilot_rwy_local_v[3]: " << d_pilot_rwy_local_v[0] << ", " << d_pilot_rwy_local_v[1] << ", " << d_pilot_rwy_local_v[2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"d_pilot_rwy_rwy_v[3]: " << d_pilot_rwy_rwy_v[0] << ", " << d_pilot_rwy_rwy_v[1] << ", " << d_pilot_rwy_rwy_v[2]);
-
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"t_local_to_body_m[0][3]: " << t_local_to_body_m[0][0] << ", " << t_local_to_body_m[0][1] << ", " << t_local_to_body_m[0][2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"t_local_to_body_m[1][3]: " << t_local_to_body_m[1][0] << ", " << t_local_to_body_m[1][1] << ", " << t_local_to_body_m[1][2]);
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"t_local_to_body_m[2][3]: " << t_local_to_body_m[2][0] << ", " << t_local_to_body_m[2][1] << ", " << t_local_to_body_m[2][2]);
-
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"mass: " << mass );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"i_xx: " << i_xx );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"i_yy: " << i_yy );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"i_zz: " << i_zz );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"i_xz: " << i_xz );
+    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"d_cg_rp_body_v: " << d_cg_rp_body_v);
+    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_dot_local_v: " << v_dot_local_v);
+    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_dot_body_v: " << v_dot_body_v);
+    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"a_cg_body_v: " << a_cg_body_v);
+    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"a_pilot_body_v: " << a_pilot_body_v);
+    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"n_cg_body_v: " << n_cg_body_v);
+    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_local_v: " << v_local_v);
+    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_local_rel_ground_v: " << v_local_rel_ground_v);
+    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_local_airmass_v: " << v_local_airmass_v);
+    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_wind_body_v: " << v_wind_body_v);
+    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"omega_body_v: " << omega_body_v);
+    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"euler_rates_v: " << euler_rates_v);
+    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"geocentric_rates_v: " << geocentric_rates_v);
+    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"geocentric_position_v: " << geocentric_position_v);
+    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"geodetic_position_v: " << geodetic_position_v);
+    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"euler_angles_v: " << euler_angles_v);
+
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"nlf: " << nlf );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_rel_wind: " << v_rel_wind );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_true_kts: " << v_true_kts );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_rel_ground: " << v_rel_ground );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_inertial: " << v_inertial );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_ground_speed: " << v_ground_speed );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_equiv: " << v_equiv );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_equiv_kts: " << v_equiv_kts );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_calibrated: " << v_calibrated );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_calibrated_kts: " << v_calibrated_kts );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"gravity: " << gravity );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"centrifugal_relief: " << centrifugal_relief );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"alpha: " << alpha );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"beta: " << beta );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"alpha_dot: " << alpha_dot );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"beta_dot: " << beta_dot );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"cos_alpha: " << cos_alpha );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"sin_alpha: " << sin_alpha );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"cos_beta: " << cos_beta );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"sin_beta: " << sin_beta );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"cos_phi: " << cos_phi );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"sin_phi: " << sin_phi );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"cos_theta: " << cos_theta );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"sin_theta: " << sin_theta );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"cos_psi: " << cos_psi );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"sin_psi: " << sin_psi );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"gamma_vert_rad: " << gamma_vert_rad );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"gamma_horiz_rad: " << gamma_horiz_rad );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"sigma: " << sigma );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"density: " << density );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"v_sound: " << v_sound );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"mach_number: " << mach_number );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"static_pressure: " << static_pressure );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"total_pressure: " << total_pressure );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"impact_pressure: " << impact_pressure );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"dynamic_pressure: " << dynamic_pressure );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"static_temperature: " << static_temperature );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"total_temperature: " << total_temperature );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"sea_level_radius: " << sea_level_radius );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"earth_position_angle: " << earth_position_angle );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"runway_altitude: " << runway_altitude );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"runway_latitude: " << runway_latitude );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"runway_longitude: " << runway_longitude );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"runway_heading: " << runway_heading );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"radius_to_rwy: " << radius_to_rwy );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"climb_rate: " << climb_rate );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"sin_lat_geocentric: " << sin_lat_geocentric );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"cos_lat_geocentric: " << cos_lat_geocentric );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"sin_longitude: " << sin_longitude );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"cos_longitude: " << cos_longitude );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"sin_latitude: " << sin_latitude );
-    SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"cos_latitude: " << cos_latitude );
     SG_LOG(SG_FLIGHT,SG_INFO,"altitude_agl: " << altitude_agl );
 }
 
+bool
+FGInterface::prepare_ground_cache_m(double startSimTime, double endSimTime,
+                                    const double pt[3], double rad)
+{
+  return ground_cache.prepare_ground_cache(startSimTime, endSimTime,
+                                           SGVec3d(pt), rad);
+}
+
+bool
+FGInterface::prepare_ground_cache_ft(double startSimTime, double endSimTime,
+                                     const double pt[3], double rad)
+{
+  // Convert units and do the real work.
+  SGVec3d pt_ft = SG_FEET_TO_METER*SGVec3d(pt);
+  return ground_cache.prepare_ground_cache(startSimTime, endSimTime,
+                                           pt_ft, rad*SG_FEET_TO_METER);
+}
+
+bool
+FGInterface::is_valid_m(double *ref_time, double pt[3], double *rad)
+{
+  SGVec3d _pt;
+  bool valid = ground_cache.is_valid(*ref_time, _pt, *rad);
+  assign(pt, _pt);
+  return valid;
+}
+
+bool FGInterface::is_valid_ft(double *ref_time, double pt[3], double *rad)
+{
+  // Convert units and do the real work.
+  SGVec3d _pt;
+  bool found_ground = ground_cache.is_valid(*ref_time, _pt, *rad);
+  assign(pt, SG_METER_TO_FEET*_pt);
+  *rad *= SG_METER_TO_FEET;
+  return found_ground;
+}
+
+double
+FGInterface::get_cat_m(double t, const double pt[3],
+                       double end[2][3], double vel[2][3])
+{
+  SGVec3d _end[2], _vel[2];
+  double dist = ground_cache.get_cat(t, SGVec3d(pt), _end, _vel);
+  for (int k=0; k<2; ++k) {
+    assign( end[k], _end[k] );
+    assign( vel[k], _vel[k] );
+  }
+  return dist;
+}
+
+double
+FGInterface::get_cat_ft(double t, const double pt[3],
+                        double end[2][3], double vel[2][3])
+{
+  // Convert units and do the real work.
+  SGVec3d pt_m = SG_FEET_TO_METER*SGVec3d(pt);
+  SGVec3d _end[2], _vel[2];
+  double dist = ground_cache.get_cat(t, pt_m, _end, _vel);
+  for (int k=0; k<2; ++k) {
+    assign( end[k], SG_METER_TO_FEET*_end[k] );
+    assign( vel[k], SG_METER_TO_FEET*_vel[k] );
+  }
+  return dist*SG_METER_TO_FEET;
+}
+
+bool
+FGInterface::get_body_m(double t, simgear::BVHNode::Id id,
+                        double bodyToWorld[16], double linearVel[3],
+                        double angularVel[3])
+{
+  SGMatrixd _bodyToWorld;
+  SGVec3d _linearVel, _angularVel;
+  if (!ground_cache.get_body(t, _bodyToWorld, _linearVel, _angularVel, id))
+    return false;
+
+  assign(linearVel, _linearVel);
+  assign(angularVel, _angularVel);
+  for (unsigned i = 0; i < 16; ++i)
+      bodyToWorld[i] = _bodyToWorld.data()[i];
+
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool
+FGInterface::get_agl_m(double t, const double pt[3], double max_altoff,
+                       double contact[3], double normal[3],
+                       double linearVel[3], double angularVel[3],
+                       SGMaterial const*& material, simgear::BVHNode::Id& id)
+{
+  SGVec3d pt_m = SGVec3d(pt) - max_altoff*ground_cache.get_down();
+  SGVec3d _contact, _normal, _linearVel, _angularVel;
+  material = 0;
+  bool ret = ground_cache.get_agl(t, pt_m, _contact, _normal, _linearVel,
+                                  _angularVel, id, material);
+  // correct the linear velocity, since the line intersector delivers
+  // values for the start point and the get_agl function should
+  // traditionally deliver for the contact point
+  _linearVel += cross(_angularVel, _contact - pt_m);
+
+  assign(contact, _contact);
+  assign(normal, _normal);
+  assign(linearVel, _linearVel);
+  assign(angularVel, _angularVel);
+  return ret;
+}
+
+bool
+FGInterface::get_agl_ft(double t, const double pt[3], double max_altoff,
+                        double contact[3], double normal[3],
+                        double linearVel[3], double angularVel[3],
+                        SGMaterial const*& material, simgear::BVHNode::Id& id)
+{
+  // Convert units and do the real work.
+  SGVec3d pt_m = SGVec3d(pt) - max_altoff*ground_cache.get_down();
+  pt_m *= SG_FEET_TO_METER;
+  SGVec3d _contact, _normal, _linearVel, _angularVel;
+  material = 0;
+  bool ret = ground_cache.get_agl(t, pt_m, _contact, _normal, _linearVel,
+                                  _angularVel, id, material);
+  // correct the linear velocity, since the line intersector delivers
+  // values for the start point and the get_agl function should
+  // traditionally deliver for the contact point
+  _linearVel += cross(_angularVel, _contact - pt_m);
+
+  // Convert units back ...
+  assign( contact, SG_METER_TO_FEET*_contact );
+  assign( normal, _normal );
+  assign( linearVel, SG_METER_TO_FEET*_linearVel );
+  assign( angularVel, _angularVel );
+  return ret;
+}
+
+bool
+FGInterface::get_nearest_m(double t, const double pt[3], double maxDist,
+                           double contact[3], double normal[3],
+                           double linearVel[3], double angularVel[3],
+                           SGMaterial const*& material,
+                           simgear::BVHNode::Id& id)
+{
+  SGVec3d _contact, _linearVel, _angularVel;
+  if (!ground_cache.get_nearest(t, SGVec3d(pt), maxDist, _contact, _linearVel,
+                                _angularVel, id, material))
+      return false;
+
+  assign(contact, _contact);
+  assign(linearVel, _linearVel);
+  assign(angularVel, _angularVel);
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool
+FGInterface::get_nearest_ft(double t, const double pt[3], double maxDist,
+                            double contact[3], double normal[3],
+                            double linearVel[3], double angularVel[3],
+                            SGMaterial const*& material,
+                            simgear::BVHNode::Id& id)
+{
+  SGVec3d _contact, _linearVel, _angularVel;
+  if (!ground_cache.get_nearest(t, SG_FEET_TO_METER*SGVec3d(pt),
+                                SG_FEET_TO_METER*maxDist, _contact, _linearVel,
+                                _angularVel, id, material))
+      return false;
+
+  assign(contact, SG_METER_TO_FEET*_contact);
+  assign(linearVel, SG_METER_TO_FEET*_linearVel);
+  assign(angularVel, _angularVel);
+  return true;
+}
+
+double
+FGInterface::get_groundlevel_m(double lat, double lon, double alt)
+{
+  return get_groundlevel_m(SGGeod::fromRadM(lon, lat, alt));
+}
+
+double
+FGInterface::get_groundlevel_m(const SGGeod& geod)
+{
+  // Compute the cartesian position of the given lat/lon/alt.
+  SGVec3d pos = SGVec3d::fromGeod(geod);
+
+  // FIXME: how to handle t - ref_time differences ???
+  SGVec3d cpos;
+  double ref_time = 0, radius;
+  // Prepare the ground cache for that position.
+  if (!is_valid_m(&ref_time, cpos.data(), &radius)) {
+    double startTime = ref_time;
+    double endTime = startTime + 1;
+    bool ok = prepare_ground_cache_m(startTime, endTime, pos.data(), 10);
+    /// This is most likely the case when the given altitude is
+    /// too low, try with a new altitude of 10000m, that should be
+    /// sufficient to find a ground level below everywhere on our planet
+    if (!ok) {
+      pos = SGVec3d::fromGeod(SGGeod::fromGeodM(geod, 10000));
+      /// If there is still no ground, return sea level radius
+      if (!prepare_ground_cache_m(startTime, endTime, pos.data(), 10))
+        return 0;
+    }
+  } else if (radius*radius <= distSqr(pos, cpos)) {
+    double startTime = ref_time;
+    double endTime = startTime + 1;
+
+    /// We reuse the old radius value, but only if it is at least 10 Meters ..
+    if (!(10 < radius)) // Well this strange compare is nan safe
+      radius = 10;
+
+    bool ok = prepare_ground_cache_m(startTime, endTime, pos.data(), radius);
+    /// This is most likely the case when the given altitude is
+    /// too low, try with a new altitude of 10000m, that should be
+    /// sufficient to find a ground level below everywhere on our planet
+    if (!ok) {
+      pos = SGVec3d::fromGeod(SGGeod::fromGeodM(geod, 10000));
+      /// If there is still no ground, return sea level radius
+      if (!prepare_ground_cache_m(startTime, endTime, pos.data(), radius))
+        return 0;
+    }
+  }
+  
+  double contact[3], normal[3], vel[3], angvel[3];
+  const SGMaterial* material;
+  simgear::BVHNode::Id id;
+  // Ignore the return value here, since it just tells us if
+  // the returns stem from the groundcache or from the coarse
+  // computations below the groundcache. The contact point is still something
+  // valid, the normals and the other returns just contain some defaults.
+  get_agl_m(ref_time, pos.data(), 2.0, contact, normal, vel, angvel,
+            material, id);
+  return SGGeod::fromCart(SGVec3d(contact)).getElevationM();
+}
+  
+bool
+FGInterface::caught_wire_m(double t, const double pt[4][3])
+{
+  SGVec3d pt_m[4];
+  for (int i=0; i<4; ++i)
+    pt_m[i] = SGVec3d(pt[i]);
+  
+  return ground_cache.caught_wire(t, pt_m);
+}
+
+bool
+FGInterface::caught_wire_ft(double t, const double pt[4][3])
+{
+  // Convert units and do the real work.
+  SGVec3d pt_m[4];
+  for (int i=0; i<4; ++i)
+    pt_m[i] = SG_FEET_TO_METER*SGVec3d(pt[i]);
+    
+  return ground_cache.caught_wire(t, pt_m);
+}
+  
+bool
+FGInterface::get_wire_ends_m(double t, double end[2][3], double vel[2][3])
+{
+  SGVec3d _end[2], _vel[2];
+  bool ret = ground_cache.get_wire_ends(t, _end, _vel);
+  for (int k=0; k<2; ++k) {
+    assign( end[k], _end[k] );
+    assign( vel[k], _vel[k] );
+  }
+  return ret;
+}
+
+bool
+FGInterface::get_wire_ends_ft(double t, double end[2][3], double vel[2][3])
+{
+  // Convert units and do the real work.
+  SGVec3d _end[2], _vel[2];
+  bool ret = ground_cache.get_wire_ends(t, _end, _vel);
+  for (int k=0; k<2; ++k) {
+    assign( end[k], SG_METER_TO_FEET*_end[k] );
+    assign( vel[k], SG_METER_TO_FEET*_vel[k] );
+  }
+  return ret;
+}
+
+void
+FGInterface::release_wire(void)
+{
+  ground_cache.release_wire();
+}
 
 void fgToggleFDMdataLogging(void) {
   cur_fdm_state->ToggleDataLogging();