Hello everyone!I've been thinking a long time now to maybe buy AS2004, but after reading all possible forums and posts, I still can't decide.One of the biggest things that concerns me is the wind situation. I saw the screenshots of the clouds and they are all fancy and beautiful and I believe also that my PC would eat the AS...Although, I would like to know what's the situation with the winds. I read on some posts that there are still erratic wind changes when climbing/descending. All I wouldn't like is the wind changing 180 degrees direction and stalling my aircraft...I mostly fly PMDG products, also sometimes PSS...so mostly heavies and medium Jets.So if anyone would take a little time to tell me bout this, I'd appreciate it a lot!And one another small thing, what about patches? Is AS still available as 1.0 version (or whatever was initial version?!?) or are there also patches for it already? Just trying to get the idea if the software is being further developed...:)Thx!

Hi,The wind shifts in v1.0 are somewhat improved, but they are MUCH improved (almost eliminating them entirely) in the new MR1 update which should release in a few days (going to public beta tomorrow). I'd wait a few days to see what users reaction is - I think it will be quite positive :) Hope that also answers your other question about ongoing development.. As always, we will continue to listen to our users feedback and develop the software accordingly.Hope that helps!-Damian

I still get massive wind shifts with the newest AS2002 beta update, this problem is not going to go away I fear. I honestly don't think that any software can overcome the FS9 winds bug no matter what. I just wish someone would come out and admit this once and for all.

I fly the PMDG 737NG up and down the east coast from Boston to Miami to Chicago and Nashville and have not had any wind shift problems with AS2004 in a long time. I occassionally see a 30 degree shift, once in a blue moon I get an overspeed if I'm flying close to the max airspeed anyhow. I haven't had an AP disco since pre-release versions.Your computer will not have a problem running AS2004 - even with unlimited cloud layers. You may have to download some replacement cumulus textures to boost frames in heavy AI areas, but in general you will get satisfactory performance.Development is second to none. This program will be updated and developed for years to come. Damian and the Crew at HIFI are very dedicated. The public beta for the first Maintenance Release has just been released. This fixes many known issues from the initial release.There is a wind problem in FS9. Active Sky 2004 has fixed it for me. Your results may vary, but keep in mind that this is a support forum, and most of the posts you'll see here are from those that are not satisfied. The number of persons complaining is in the dozens or less. I'm sure orders of magnitude more copies of AS2k4 have been sold, and you must assume the vast majority of those owners are enjoying the product.Just my opinion. sg

Could it be that these problems depend on area you fly in?! For example more shifts in Europe than US?? And one thing I thought of...does activesky change winds on different altitudes? For example, are there like one kind of wind at 10,000ft and then above another kind, I saw something in the screenshots...Maybe the climbs/descents are cause to this erratic behavior.Just thoughts :)

Well I hate to be a naysayer but the jury is still out for my final opinion of Activesky 2004. I've used every single version since this program was released and nothing has really seemed to be able to fix the winds problem.I fly in the US mostly at US Jet Route altitudes (FL180-FL410)with the PMDG 737 and experience horrible wind shifts during both climbout and cruise. 180 degree shifts and aircraft overspeeds happen to me on every Activesky flight I make no matter what I try.I had hoped the MR1 patch just released would help but it appears not to have. I am beginning to think that everyone that owns Activesky is experiencing this but only a small minority actually take a big issue with it. For me personally, one overspeed ruins the simming experience, for others they are quite happy to simply make it to their destination without crashing. I guess it depends on your perspective.Any kind of add-on weather software is useless to me if I can't make a precision climb and stay on a smooth course without constant radical wind shifting. I understand that this is a bug inherent with FS9 but Activesky press releases keep saying that this software fixes the winds shift for the most part.This has not been my experience as of yet, at least not what I would construe as being 'acceptable' winds smooothing.

>I am beginning to think that everyone that owns Activesky is>experiencing this but only a small minority actually take a>big issue with it. For me personally, one overspeed ruins>the simming experience, for others they are quite happy to>simply make it to their destination without crashing. I>guess it depends on your perspective.Perspective is everything - that's true. In my experience however, I have no problems with the PMDG737NG. If I cruise mach .74 to mach .76 in the PMDG, i don't get overspeeds after installing MR1b2. Period. The autopilot has to correct for a change in winds direction or speed producing a very realistic undulation in the airframe for me. No discos. No horns. I've flown from Orlando Florida to Manchester New Hampshire over a nor'easter and loved it. Some turbulence, some fluctuations in airspeed. Nothing that I would consider unrealistic at all. If I cruise a little faster than that say .78 or .80 at fl390...then I might get an overspeed on one out of five flights, but I'm pushing it to begin with. Like you said, that's just my experience.Best,sg