Just wondering, the wind gauge in the HUD; does it display the wind direction relative to the aircraft heading, or does it show the direction relative to the points of the compass?

Relative to heading. At first, it was the only reason I leave the HUD on, but now I'm using it for my instruments - which I try not to do and really wish I could just show the wind only. . .

thanks! the wind icon then is a bit of a cheat, does a real plane have an instrument that displays the wind direction relative to the heading?

The newer glass instruments typically will have such a wind direction arrow, along with a digital display of the speed in knots.

thanks! the wind icon then is a bit of a cheat, does a real plane have an instrument that displays the wind direction relative to the heading?

Good one. Afaik most GA's don't. (?) But in real life you have ATIS to tell you where you have to land: we don't have that in MS Flight (yet), so in order to land on the right runway, all we can do now is activate the HUD, fly over the destination airport and figure out which runway is most opposite of that little arrow on the HUD...

thanks! the wind icon then is a bit of a cheat, does a real plane have an instrument that displays the wind direction relative to the heading?

I agree - Although as has been pointed out, the technology does exist to has a 'wind instrument' in the cockpit, it doesn't in Flight ATM. But sans ATIS or even a windsock, it's necessary at this point. . .but the other HUD data should be turn-offable.

thanks again. Ok, I'm off to try that out in the "sim" :)

A wind sock would be my first request!Right after that, working ATIS.Please! B)

I saw windsock, I don't know does it work or not, but model is there.

I saw windsock, I don't know does it work or not, but model is there.

I think it works.

Somewhere I read that the windsock does indeed work. But, I was landing the stearman in one of the challenges and I thought I was landing into the wind according to the HUD wind indication and just as I was touching down I glanced over at at a windsock and it was indicating the wind was from the exact opposite direction. So now I'm not so sure. I will pay some attention to it as I am flying around and see if I can come to a conclusion.I spend a lot of my time looking around by using the F11 full tail view with the HUD on so I'm usually aware of the wind speed and direction when I start approaches.Ray

I've been looking at wind socks, when I can find them, and they at least seem to be indicating correctly, but a stopped clock is right twice a day, too. I haven't taxied over to one with the HUD turned on and changed weather conditions to see what happens. Yet. I guess that will give me something to go do...

I saw windsock, I don't know does it work or not, but model is there.

All the airports should have windsocks (but not all the small airstrips), they can be hard to spot at times (but they are lit at night). And they do all work:

This one is at HILO

Yeah, I just parked next to the sock at Kona and changed the weather conditions a few times. The sock does indicate wind speed and direction.Now I just wish I didn't have to make a low and slow pass over an international airport to check the wind...

Edited March 5, 201214 yr by RoboRay

OK, better have another look at Lihue international!