Hi Jim and Damian. While trying to compare different server metar data, I notice there are relatively few station, in Italy (ICAO LI**), with metar strings in the stored AS2004 archive file. The cycle test is 23 Zulu of 27 march, stored with "D/L current". At the same time I store IVAO and VATSIM metar file with other software.I find 123 stations in IVAO file, 80 stations in VATSIM file and only 47 in AS2004 file. Exactly there are 111 ICAO name in the AS2004 file, but 47 have string metar while the other have only "upper winds".I bought AS2004 recently, and I did few tests. Moreover, I try only with Italy area data. What are you thinking about? It's a temporary problem? If you want, I can show you the test files above indicated.Thanks in advance.Regards,Paolo

In my current wx snapshot file I counted 111 weather stations for LI**. Please feel free to post your files so we can take a look!Hope this helps,JimActiveSky Supporthttp://www.hifisim.com/images/as2004proudsupporter.jpg

The zipped file is 348 kb and too large for attachment. Here is the AS2004 archive file:http://www.acvaquila.it/app/20040327-23Z.zipI count 111 ICAO names but only 47 have string metar. All the 111 have only "upper winds". It's correct?Thanks,Paolo

Sorry, I meant to say 47 ICAO names bring metar string & upper winds, the other 64 station report only upper winds.Paolo

I discover the 64 stations with no metar strings aren't part of specific cycle. AS2004 doesn't include old metar report in archive files (instead of string there is a "*" sign), while in IVAO files I see outdated (3-4 hours old) metar. The same happen in AS2004 online mode?I think it's a your choice. Maybe AS2004 better manage weather simulation with some older (limited) metar string instead of keep current weather because there are no metar report in the closest station?Anyway, AS2004 is a great software.Regards,Paolo

You are correct. We'll need to let Damian take a look at this one.Hope this helps,JimActiveSky Supporthttp://www.hifisim.com/images/as2004proudsupporter.jpg

Sometime ago during MR1 beta test, i pointed out how loading outdated metars could lead to unpredictable behaviour.This is especially true for those civilian airports active only between ephemeris: in those cases, flying at nighttime in those zones, would have As load metars up to 12 hours old.Maybe Damian thought it was better not to load metars more then X houres old.If this is the case, that is why you don't have metars for those stations which are behind the current time.

Hi,Using current weather, this is not possible.The work arounds: Use TAF processing and/or archived weather.Hope this helps,JimActiveSky Supporthttp://www.hifisim.com/images/as2004proudsupporter.jpg

Regard this small statistic for today 30 march:Download time: 12:50 UTCMetar cycle complete: 12ZObservation range: 12:45 - 13:44 UTCOn downloaded IVAO archive file (total world count 5505 stations), I find:12Z cycle (11:45 - 12:44): 3190 stations <- seen by AS200411Z cycle (10:45 - 11:44): 1395 stations10Z cycle (09:45 - 10:44): 217 stations09Z cycle (08:45 - 09:44): 105 stations08Z cycle (07:45 - 08:44): 58 stationsThe total remain amount ( very old metar reports): 539On our considerations, I think AS2004 report only 3190 stations in his archive file (I don't know if in online mode happen the same). Without 1 hour old metars (cycle 11Z), AS2004 cut 1395 stations, one third of total world metars, after all, not so much old!You think it's useful AS2004 consider one hour past metars, even if like an option?Best regardsPaolo

OK everyone, here is a direct quote from Damian just last night on this:"Concerning Italy METARS, it appears the answer is that the reports are OLD and we don't do OLD reports in AS2004 (Like IVAO, VATSIM). Instead we interpolate based on the actual data even if it comes from stations farther away. This way we avoid completely wrong wx which is common with handling of old information. TAF processing should be used to further enhance the accuracy of wx in this situation. Please pass this info on when you get a moment. Also to note, we are continually adding more stations and sources to enhance coverage in places like Italy, Canada, Australia, Greece and more. In addition, the ICAO wx METAR broadcast main backbone gains coverage and becomes more up to date all the time as older airports start following new international standards. In short, it is always getting more accurate...."For now this support issue has been answered......locking threadHope this helps,JimActiveSky Supporthttp://www.hifisim.com/images/as2004proudsupporter.jpg