FS9's ATC sometimes directs AI and user aircraft to runways that are more WITH the wind than against it. Does it just assign runways at random? Is there a minimum wind speed that's required to tip ATC which runway to assign?Thanks

FS apparently uses the US FAA "light and variable winds" definition - basically under 9 knots, some places 11 kts, is calm and the preferred calm winds runway is used.While that will vary by airport - FS tends to use the lowest numbered runway over 7,000 ft long as the calm winds runway.Some airports require higher winds to 'turn the airport' to use different runways.Most simmers start FS and lock the runway usage before they get current weather and the runway cannot be turned despite the change in weather.If there are any AI aircraft preparing to takeoff, or any inbound AI aircraft active - the airport will not release the runway to be turned.It's always best to download or set weather - then open the Map view, change your aircraft heading by 1 degree and save - forcing a reload of AI traffic with current weather.If you start FS from a flight rather than the Create Flight screen - you will have your cached weather set the runway usage - even if you change airports.Best to always download weather again if you change airports.

Hi, Reggie:To refresh AI so they follow weather writes on loading a flight there are two payware solutions and one "built in" to FS.Those that use Active Sky 4.5 and up have a button to refresh AI. There is also an option to automatically do this after all weather writing to FS is complete. This also updates ATIS.Those that have the fully functional user registered version of FSUIPC can assign a keyboard command to toggle AI off and on achieving the same results.Others just open the FS World/Time and Season menu item (in a loaded flight) and advance the time a couple of minutes causing AI to refresh.

One other way of refreshing AI ...PAUSE, set FS9 to 8x speed, set FS9 to normal speed, unPAUSE.AI is cleared and refreshes.* Orest