Hi All, I have a question for the pros: Is the ability to enter the forecasted winds (DES page, FORECAST option) used much in real life? I have had the chance to jump seat on a couple of flights on the -800 and did not see that the FORECAST option was actually used. I saw the flight plan the captain had, and it did list the predicted winds at all the waypoints in the flight plan at various levels. If one were to use that in our simulation, would the best option be to use ActiveSky to get the weather from VATSIM and then taking the information from there (ActiveSky, that is)? Also, what levels would you enter? I do assume that the functionality in the PMDG FMC is actually modelled and not just eye candy. Thanks, and especially thanks to PMDG for such a great add-on :-waveBoazEKCH

Hi Boaz,I cannot speak for other companies but I have always used both the DES FORECAST and the ROUTE LEG WIND functions of the FMS when flying the -300 or the NG. Personally I am very keen on setting up all the data in the preflight preparation and so enter DES and ROUTE LEG winds before we move off blocks. This enables a much more accurate prediction of arrival time particularly on longer flights.Regardless of commonly held opinions about the poor old Met. Men the quality of the weather forecasts we use in aviation is very high and generally quite reliable.IRL of you do not enter any winds for the DES then the FMC uses a default algorithm that takes the present wind in CRZ and predicts a ToD point based on a logarithmic reduction of the wind to ground level.IRL the DES and ROUTE LEG winds are usually included on the flight plan.Rgds,

How are these entered in real life ?I currently enter the winds at flight level 240, 120 and at base altitude.Is this kind of correct ?Any info would be appreciated.Regards,Peter

Pretty close mate.On our flightplans we are given DES winds at 290 210 130 and 7000. I use first three.ATB,