Did I read on the forums that in FSX it is impossible to simulate true solid IFR in the clouds. With previous versions I could be solid IFR and break out at Decision Height or Minimum Descent Altitude if I had the ceilings set properly. What is the best proper way to set the weather to simulate true solid cloud until break out into the open on descent?If this can't be done, then the sim is not helpful for simulating real approaches unless you just black out the entire outside window.Thanks ahead for the info.Steve

Did I read on the forums that in FSX it is impossible to simulate true solid IFR in the clouds. With previous versions I could be solid IFR and break out at Decision Height or Minimum Descent Altitude if I had the ceilings set properly. What is the best proper way to set the weather to simulate true solid cloud until break out into the open on descent?If this can't be done, then the sim is not helpful for simulating real approaches unless you just black out the entire outside window.Thanks ahead for the info.Steve

Funny you should mention it. I am right now practicing approaches. I went to weather/user define/advanced and set a solid cumulus ovc layer and a visibility of 1/4 mile. Solid here..I am using Rex clouds.

If I may add a pointer. Visibility has a top and base (making it a 'layer'). For simmer to get 1/4 mi visibility HE HAS TO BE INSIDE THAT (visibility) LAYER.If, for example, you set the BASE of visibility LAYER to 500 ft, then when you descend THRU 500 ft you will 'break out' of the '1/4 mi visibility' (effect) and then you'll have 'clear' visibility. If, for example you set TOP of visibility LAYER to 10,000 ft, then when you fly THRU 10,000 ft you will 'break out' of the 'visibility' (effect) layer and then you will have 'clear' visibility.Having a '1/4 mi' visibility will not be 'evident' if the visibility LAYER is from 6,000 (base) to 8,000 ft (top) and you are flying at 4,500 ft. This is not my 'idea'. It is how FSX (and FS9) 'visibility' works. If you don't go into your 'World\Weather\User Defined\Custom\Advanced' menu and set up things you will never learn these things. No one explained it to us how those features are set, and why. One has to learn by doing as there is no 'Weather' manual provided with FSX.CBNapamule

Maybe this would help:http://orbxsystems.com/forums/index.php?topic=18710.0Cheers,Noel.

Thanks, all. Excellent info/tips. Now to find time to apply it all. I just downloaded the file from the Orbx forum. Can't wait to work on it when I have time.

EVERYBODY is talking about the weather, but nobody does anything about it!!! (HeeHee). I went and made a few screenies, with annotations, to explain the 'concept' of that visibility layer and what it's 'effect' looks like. You go to 'World\Weather\User Defined\Custom\Advanced' and add clouds and change the visibility (WITHIN THAT LAYER). Hope this lights up the light bulb in your brain. This is in FSX.CBNapamule

Good post man! This is how to do it. :( Why this is so difficult I just don't know.

Sure you can always do that but what grinds my gears is that real weather won't do that for you. If I select RW Wx and there is a 400 ft overcast ceiling, it 99% of the time places a broken layer in... argh!

Sure you can always do that but what grinds my gears is that real weather won't do that for you. If I select RW Wx and there is a 400 ft overcast ceiling, it 99% of the time places a broken layer in... argh!

Ryan,Are you saying that you can't make a VISIBILITY layer from 0 ft to 60,000 ft if you employ that program? Or a less ridiculos layer such as 0 AGL to 28,000 ft. I mean, after RW kicks in, can you go to 'Advanced' menu and enter a visibility layer, without involving any CLOUDS. The program 'does' the clouds and YOU do the visibility layer. They are indipendent, you know.The visibility layer only has an effect if you are INSIDE that layer anway. If you make a visibility layer from 2,000 to 4,000 ft (even if 1/4 mi sight distance/range) and you are flying at 1,000 ft OR at 5,000 ft then you won't be 'effected' (ie: you won't GET 1/4 mi effect) and you will be flying in 'CLEAR' weather (ie: OUTSIDE of the visibility LAYER). If you can make a vis layer before (and it sticks) or after (and it sticks) RW weather, then all you have to do is adjust the visibility layer's top and bottom. But, of course, that would 'ruin' the 'real as it gets' part of THAT flying session. Humph.CBNapamule