Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler

Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | PC Support | Winds aloft question

DVA9262
Senior Captain, B737-800

Joined on December 09 2010
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Posted onPost created on November 30 2011 00:13 ET by Jeffrey Putz

I have recently reinstalled fsx due to some technical complications and have noticed an apparent increase in the wind influence on my aircraft (default 737), particularly while at cruise and descent. I have disabled the winds aloft function, but for some reason I'm getting a lot of interference from some unseen force. The plane is typically pushed laterally so that its still moving along the course, but the nose is not aligned with the contrail and its moving forward at an angle. My altitude is not influenced at all, just the horizontal movement of the aircraft. The autopilot is making constant adjustments with the rudder to compensate for this, but when I take over with manual flight, the problem seems to dissipate. My question for those who are more familiar with winds aloft in fsx is whether this sort of aircraft behavior is consistent with the game experience, or is it some stupid fsx anomaly that I need to fix now? The only reason its concerning/annoying me is because the plane, never used to be so dramatically affected by what I'm assuming is supposed to be the wind. Any insights from some more knowledgeable and learned pilots than myself would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

Jeffrey Putz (DVA9262)

DVA9677
Captain, B737-800
OLP

Joined on April 11 2011
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Posted onPost created on November 30 2011 04:48 ET by John Anderson

It actually does sound like a quartering wind or cross wind. Is air speed effected? I've never seen that happen and it intrigues me.

Try disabling weather all together for a flight and see what happens.

John Anderson (DVA9677)

Posted onPost created on November 30 2011 06:26 ET by Jeffrey Putz

John, speed is not affected as far as I can tell and I should add that I've flown about half a dozen flights recently and this is the first time I've noticed any of this mysterious lateral movement from my aircraft. I will adjust the weather settings and see if it has any appreciable effect. Thanks for the reply sir.

Jeffrey Putz (DVA9262)

Posted onPost created on November 30 2011 07:24 ET by Jeffrey Putz

OK it's definitely not related to the wind or weather conditions at all for that matter. I just encountered this anomaly again and I happened to be moving my view to the right while in virtual cockpit. As soon as the plane began to come under the influence of this strange force, my view became momentarily stuck the right rotating position, causing it to circle around the virtual cockpit once or twice before it resumed normal function. I'm thinking this maybe some effects or graphics issue, what do you think John?

Jeffrey Putz (DVA9262)

Posted onPost created on November 30 2011 08:32 ET by Jeffrey Putz

John, I disabled weather completely (selected "clear sky" option) and it did prevent my plane from "drifting". As soon as I changed the weather to active updates, the aircraft began its usual routine of directing itself forward at an unusual angle. I then set weather to static and interestingly enough since then, I haven't had a recurrence of this nonsense...yet. Although I should add that when I initially encountered the mysterious forces up at cruise altitude, I had weather set to static. I cannot derive any logical understanding of the problem from this erratic and ridiculous behavior coming from fsx. Please let me know if you have any thoughts sir. Thanks.

Jeffrey Putz (DVA9262)

Posted onPost created on November 30 2011 09:06 ET by John Anderson

Not to question how well you know your aircraft, but does the ND include wind information?
I know the Boeings do, but not sure about the Canadairs.

Even with weather set to static, you can run into changing cross or quartering winds aloft. Static just means that the TAF will not deviate. Any weather set at the beginning of the flight will not change. That doesn't mean that the weather and winds will stay the same from one place to another.
i.e. If the wind over the Southeast at FL310 is 260/45, with weather static, it will stay at 260/45 and not change with RW . . . BUT . . . when you travel to another area, the wind may be 245/76.

Again, maybe a basic thought, but it really does sound like you're running into changing winds.

John Anderson (DVA9677)

Posted onPost created on November 30 2011 11:04 ET by Jeffrey Putz

John, thank you for your reply. What you say does sound like an ample explanation for what is going on with my game. I'm just a bit confused by the fact that the aircraft I fly in has never been so dramatically influenced by what might be winds. I did reinstall on an xp OS, going over from the much hated Windows 7, maybe that has some bearing on this, although I don't see how it could. I think it might just be the winds since I completed a long haul from DTW to SEA and the lateral movement of the plane seemed to subside after about the first 2 hours of the flight and I didn't pick up any crosswinds until I was on final over Seattle itself. Just curious as to why fsx has decided to just now begin exposing me to the full force of its upper level crosswinds, when I've been flying in this game for several years and haven't seen this yet before. Thanks again for your help sir.

Jeffrey Putz (DVA9262)

DVA2533
Senior Captain, EMB-120
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Posted onPost created on November 30 2011 11:35 ET by Jim Warner

If you are using rudder pedals, they might not be centered and are causing a skewed forward flight. Try to recalibrate your pedals and see if that fixes the problem.

Jim Warner

Senior Captain, EMB-120

Posted onPost created on November 30 2011 12:54 ET by John Anderson

Hmmmmm . . .
Check out what Jim's suggesting.

John Anderson (DVA9677)

Posted onPost created on November 30 2011 17:54 ET by Jeffrey Putz

Sorry but not applicable. I'm thinking it is the winds now, since the autopilot is obviously responding to something, as I can see the rudder pedals in the virtual cockpit moving as the aircraft sways during flight. I just completed another long haul and only encountered this behavior for probably less then 5% of the total flight time, which may indicate it has something to do with fsx enviornmental factors. Thanks for the input gentlemen and let me know what you think please.

Jeffrey Putz (DVA9262)

Posted onPost created on November 30 2011 18:05 ET by John Anderson

I use Active Sky in FS9, Try that. It will make your winds more stable.

John Anderson (DVA9677)

Posted onPost created on November 30 2011 23:52 ET by Jeffrey Putz

Thanks for the advice John. I'm concerned that an add-on might destabilize fsx though, since it is known to be a very temperamental program. At least known by me as such. I just completed another 5 hours of flying time and didn't notice any of the strange aircraft movements I had experienced earlier. I'm thinking its the wind but I still have no explanation for why it never behaved this way before. Fsx is indeed a mysterious entity.

Jeffrey Putz (DVA9262)

Posted onPost created on December 01 2011 05:17 ET by John Anderson

Indeed.

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