Hello!

 

First of all let me say that I do enjoy using this nice software. It's a must have for any FSX/P3D user. I did try other 2 well known weather engines... never going back!

 

So far I've been playing only with LiveWeather and always using only real-time weather. As I fly exclusively online (VATSIM), its rather important to have a good weather engine, that can take control over FSX crazy wind shears and etc. So far all is well and I am happy - if there happens any, its a VERY short one, and almost no impact on aircraft's behavior.

 

However, what confuses me a bit are those cruise altitude temperatures. I am talking about FL310 up to FL410. Never tested lower or higher than that for extended period. All the forecasts, maps (Assistant) show temperetures around -45 to -50 deg. Celsius, but I never get anything higher than -22C displayed as TAT. It doesn't make any problems for flying itself.

 

I was using default settings for the weather engine. Later on I tried to uncheck that Sim friendly GRIB temp. target (or what was it called correctly?), unchecked Automatic settings adjustment, and many more. But never got those temps to drop at high altitude. I am crosschecking the winds enroute with PFPX - great accuracy, pressure and temperature is always spot on in the airports, all is well..., but the temps in cruise. 

May I ask to give some hint what settings should be used to have them not "trimmed" for easy flying, but to have them as per report? Or am I missing something? 

 

Please excuse me if this has been discussed somewhere before! If thats the case, please point it for me! 

 

Thank you in advance!

 

A short update...

 

While I was typing this, my friend tested this with different aircraft. Default FSX a/c was showing exactly reported temp. @ FL360 that was -56C. Then he switched to NGX... -21C, next T7...-21C. Is this PMDG specific or I have missed some FCOM reading?

 

Anyway, thanks in advance for any help!

I think you are making the common mistake of comparing the TAT with the Upper Temperatures (Ambient Temperatures).

 

What you should be looking at is the Ambient Temperature (also called the SAT or OAT).

 

The TAT (Total Air Temperature) is a CALCULATED value, derived from your current SAT (Ambient Temp in the sim) taking into account air quality and the square of your airspeed as a Mach number.

 

Its a simple calculation. Unless you are motionless, the TAT is always warmer than the SAT.

 

The TAT takes into account any compressional heating to the ambient air, heating that results in slowing the ambient air down to become static.

 

Your TATs seem perfectly fine and correct.

 

Stephen

Answer received @ jaw-dropping speed...  :Hypnotized: 

 

Thank you Stephen for clarification, shame on me... 

No problem, its quite a common mistake that most people make.

 

With the TAT being dependent on the square of your airspeed as a Mach number then the faster you fly or the higher you fly the greater the amount of compressional heating, so the TAT becomes much warmer in comparison with the ambient air temp. Hence, you get what you have observed when flying different aircraft or cruising at different speeds and flight levels.

 

Stephen :-)

 

If you monitor our on screen weather reports you will see the current Ambient Temp target along with the current Ambient Temp (SAT) inside the sim along with the current TAT. You can then watch the TAT warming as your altitude and airspeed varies during the flight.

 

Stephen :-)

I did really made a mistake messing up TAT and OAT... :(

 

While I have your attention here, let me ask another question - how do I get wind gusts at low altitudes when taking off or landing? As far as I understand - turbulence is simulated via DHM and cameras, right?

 

Thanks again!

To obtain real time and intelligent turbulent motions you must ...

 

1. If you are NOT using Live Camera, that is Live Camera is disabled, then you can use the General DHM options. There are three General DHM options covering the three view modes that are controllable.

 

2. If you are using Live Camera (recommended as you have more control over the options), that is Live Camera is enabled, then you must enable DHM in the appropriate camera views, normally VC views, that you create. Its normal to enable DHM in VC views such as the Captain and First Officer positions, and disable DHM on any panel views.

 

When you enable DHM with its Bump Aircraft options. Try all defaults at first, if your aircraft or sim finds it difficult to cope with Bump Aircraft then try turning Off the 3DOF Bump Aircraft, and possibly increasing the Bump Aircraft Delay Factor.

 

There are many CDfs (Camera Definition Files) that can be Imported including our own PMDG 737NGX and Lancair Legacy camera views.

 

Stephen :-)

Fantastic support, thank you very much!