Introducing ActiveSky wxRE...wxRE means Weather Realism Engine. This is the next-generation weather environment engine for flight simulation! Weather never looked so good, and never posed a challenge quite like this! Realistic modeling of dynamic changing weather according to real-world behavior is available in either LIVE Online or Offline/Preset operation mode. In LIVE mode, your weather environment will be a replica of existing real-world present-time conditions! In offline mode you can use downloaded CYCLE files or make your own weather settings. Either way, ActiveSky wxRE will dynamically change the weather according to live or preset forecast reports (TAFs)! New weather display technology finally brings smooth cloud transitions to FS! Some breakthroughs have been made in the cloud display and transition department, resulting in pleasingly smooth transitions and consistent representation in most conditions! Cloud layers will slowly form and dissipate realistically over time. Never again will you see the entire sky suddenly go clear and cloudy again without warning! New fog cloud layers, automatic visibility control options, and enhanced thunderstorm representation bring a fresh new look to the skies.A new realism feature in ActiveSky wxRE is WAKE TURBULENCE simulation. AI and multi-player aircraft will now become an in-flight threat to safety! Flying through a wake trail (especially one from a large aircraft) can produce significant, extreme turbulence that can prevent control of the aircraft. You'll have to maintain proper separation and utilize wake turbulence avoidance techniques during takeoff and landing at busy airports.But Wake Turbulence isn't the only new realism feature! In fact, dozens of realistic weather concerns are modeled and represented including icing (with FSUIPC), turbulence, wind elements, thunderstorms, precipitation and fog. For the first time ever in FS, you will now have to seriously evaluate the weather and adjust your flight plans accordingly in order to prevent disaster. In the real world, weather is one of the most challenging aspects of our flight environment. ActiveSky wxRE brings this challenge and risk of consequence to your simulated flights!A built-in weather briefing interface is provided, where you can check departure, enroute, destination and alternate weather, including METARs, TAFs and winds aloft. Many more features are included, and will be accompanied by a comprehensive user manual and guide to aviation weather. ActiveSky wxRE will be available for purchase and download for $14.95, and will include free support and updates. Pricing and features are subject to change. Release is scheduled for December 15, 2002.Features: New Off-line and cycle file use options New Intelligent TAF (forecast) processing New Dynamic weather representation based on forecasts New Auto FS Reconnect for running wxRE with or without FS at any time New CAVOK intelligent cloud layer generation for more realistic skies New Intelligent turbulence New Icing support with FSUIPC New Smooth cloud, visibility, pressure and wind transitions with cloud layer visual transition effects (uses FSUIPC for visibility, pressure and wind transitions) New In-flight weather updates via radio tuning to "Flight Watch" New Wake Turbulence effect (AI, or multiplayer with AIBridge utility) New Weather Planning Interface screen to evaluate the weather for your route of flight New Fog Layer, overcast horizon and precipitation visibility effects New Options screen with selectable and savable presets New Direct integration with FSFlightMax for weather display featuresNew Radar Contact v3 destination / alternate airport awareness Enhanced Automatic download of METAR, TAF and US FD winds aloft data Enhanced Synchronous communications for high performance Enhanced Winds aloft simulation for international upper winds Enhanced User documentation with Aviation Weather Guide Compatibility with popular add-ons including Radar Contact v3, FS Sky World SE, SquawkBox and FSFlightMax Requires: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 (standard or professional edition) and FSUIPC v2.94 or later available from http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.html Recommended for best visuals: Default WHITE alternate cloud set for 3D textures and FS Sky World SE clouds for 2D textures. The default alternate WHITE cloud set is available at AVSIM in the file libraries (search for white clouds). ActiveSky wxRE just recently completed BETA and is scheduled for release on December 15, 2002. Please visit the website at http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky for more information and product screenshots.Features and pricing are subject to change. [table border=0" cellspacing="30" cellpadding="0][tr][td align = "left"]Damian ClarkHiFi Simulation SoftwareDeveloper of ActiveSkyThe next-generation weather environment simulation for FS2002!http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky[/td][td]http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxresmallbanner.jpg][/td][/tr][/table://http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/ima...][/tr][/table

OK, this is all very nice Damian, BUT DOES IT DO WINDOWS??????(oh, I guess if it is made for FS2002, then it probably does do windows, in a manner of speaking. OK, never mind :-) LOL)Gle... er, anon :-)

"enhanced thunderstorm representation".....please provide pictures of this new feature.Thanks

Hello, Anyone?? I don't have too much time at the moment but I will try and get in the sim and do it... FWIW this feature refers to the intelligent creation of "storm layers" in FS2002 for best visual display, which includes setting at the most visually-realistic bases, thicknesses, coverage, etc.I am thinking that FSSWSE's tstorm clouds + AS wxRE will look VERY good. Someone want to check it out and show us your results? Thanks!-Damian[table border=0" cellspacing="30" cellpadding="0][tr][td align = "left"]Damian ClarkHiFi Simulation SoftwareDeveloper of ActiveSkyThe next-generation weather environment simulation for FS2002!http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky[/td][td]http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg][/td][/tr][/table://http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/ima...][/tr][/table

DamianProduct looks great, I currently utilize FSMETEO, with widefs running it on a diferent machine to that of FS2002. Can I use WxRe with widefs, if NO, will this become an available feature ?Regards and thanksIan Rattray

Hi Ian, yes since this is a FSUIPC-enabled product you will have full compatibility with WIDEFS or any other add-ons based on FSUIPC communications! Thanks..-Damian[table border=0" cellspacing="30" cellpadding="0][tr][td align = "left"]Damian ClarkHiFi Simulation SoftwareDeveloper of ActiveSkyThe next-generation weather environment simulation for FS2002!http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky[/td][td]http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg][/td][/tr][/table://http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/ima...][/tr][/table