Some topics already mention the possibility to install a third party weather radar in the J41. I like the idea of having it too, but I have a question about it: how to use it? Not technically, but practically: what do you do if you see some red areas in front of you? How do you react to it, what are the most common actions? When do you decide to fly through some turbulence and when do you avoid it? Is there a good read you can recommend about these issues or does wx500 come with a good manual about such questions? At the moment I know nothing about this and purchase of the wx500 would be more for some eye candy instead of what it is meant for. Hope someone is able/willing to help me here or direct me to some places where I can learn more about this subject! Thanks in advance.

Some topics already mention the possibility to install a third party weather radar in the J41. I like the idea of having it too, but I have a question about it: how to use it? Not technically, but practically: what do you do if you see some red areas in front of you? How do you react to it, what are the most common actions? When do you decide to fly through some turbulence and when do you avoid it? Is there a good read you can recommend about these issues or does wx500 come with a good manual about such questions? At the moment I know nothing about this and purchase of the wx500 would be more for some eye candy instead of what it is meant for. Hope someone is able/willing to help me here or direct me to some places where I can learn more about this subject! Thanks in advance.

All significant weather has a negative impact on the flight experience, aircraft structural integrity, and flight performance. Hail will shred an aircraft, too much precip will flame out an engine, too much ice will affect flight performance and possibly damage engines and create alot of wear and tear on the airframe and engines and avionics don't always survive a lightning strike. Turbulence scares pax and weakens the airframe. Most significant weather is avoided purposely by changing a portion of the flight plan either vertically or horizontally. ATC will hardly have an issue if you want or need to ammend a flightplan to avoid significant weather. Often the decision on how to avoid the weather will depend entirely on the situation and any amendments to the flight plan should take you further out of harms way. Depending on the weather generator you use will largely affect how acurate the weather radar from RXP works. I use both REX and ASA. Both seem to have consistent results and when I see some good returns on the radar, I can count on the area having a high density of water vapor, precip, or icing. In FSX the significant weather really doesn't play a big part in affecting nor limiting you from flying through it, other than visibility. The icing simulation in FSX is poor and won't build up ice fast enough to add a significant amount of weight to your aircraft, nor decrease the amount of lift the wings generate to really affect performance. I haven't seen hail yet in FSX and I'm sure it doesn't destroy the aircraft and too much. Precip won't flame out an engine. Turbulence can be a PITA and Shear can definately affect you on approach. So in FSX, there is no need to avoid most significant weather, but obviously in RL it's usually a good idea unless there is no choice.JB

Pieter,In the real world, you'd be scanning 60-80nm out in front of you to identify thunderstorms. When a cell is identified, you would typically ask ATC to deviate 10 or 20 degrees left or right. Usually, ATC will clear you to deviate as necessary, and ask you to report direct <next fix> when able.With FSX's built-in ATC, you can't do that, so you're kinda SOL. I don't fly on VATSIM, so I can't say whether they let you do that or not.Edited to add:I forgot a few things... You asked about avoiding turbulence, but most small radars on aircraft like the J41 and CRJ don't detect turbulence at all. You would instead rely on the SIGMETS or AIRMETS that are listed on the dispatch release that define areas of turbulence, and to a greater extent, PIREPs from the aircraft in front of you.Regards,Nick

Yes vatsim will let you deviate just like the real deal there pretty easy going for the most part and makes flying online fun most of the time. As far as wx radar im no help there as I have never used probably for the same reason you asked.

the wx500 has a manual that downloaded once u purchase the product it also has a forum as well if u want some answers and questions i got it myself have quite happy with it so far works well with rex2 now i got it installed in all my aircraft now installation is quite simple except when u install it to the js41 u mite get an error just ignore this error just click continu

Thanks all for your reply. Very helpful. I think I will give it a try.

All significant weather has a negative impact on the flight experience, aircraft structural integrity, and flight performance. Hail will shred an aircraft, too much precip will flame out an engine, too much ice will affect flight performance and possibly damage engines and create alot of wear and tear on the airframe and engines and avionics don't always survive a lightning strike. Turbulence scares pax and weakens the airframe. Most significant weather is avoided purposely by changing a portion of the flight plan either vertically or horizontally. ATC will hardly have an issue if you want or need to ammend a flightplan to avoid significant weather. Often the decision on how to avoid the weather will depend entirely on the situation and any amendments to the flight plan should take you further out of harms way.

In March, I flew from Rio De Jenerio, Brazil to Dulles, Virginia on a United 777. We departed the gate on-time, but when we arrived at the hold point for take off, a weather front had moved in and lightening strikes surrounded us. The Captain of the flight came on the intercom to inform us; "Ladies and Gentlemen, company policy requires that we not take off in thunder storms with heavy lightening". He then pulled onto the runway, taxied down the runway and then took a turn-off to put us back in the line for take off. At that point, three birds were ahead of us, and they took off in what appeared to be a normal sequence during the storm that United policy prevented us from doing. Our turn came again, and by this time the lightening had cleared the area sufficiently for the United pilot to take off. And we did... and we promptly flew into the storm that had just crossed over the Rio airport. Needless to say, we had some very frightened passengers, including my boss.Lesson learned? It is not a good idea to take off in lightening, but it is okay to take off and fly right into it, even though it is less than a mile from the point of rotation.