Hi,

 

let me jump here and add that the radar simulated here is the Rockwell Collins WXR-2100, that has a multi scan design. This uses a secondary beam (in auto mode) which scans with a significantly more negative tilt angle (while at cruise), to offer "t-storm overfly" protection. As Rob stated, overflying a t-storm doesn't mean that the aircraft will not encounter e.g. turbulence. There are specific rules airline pilots use to define a safety altitude margin (taking into account the aloft winds) and these rules have been also modelled in ASN. 

 

Reading the documentation on how the Rockwell Collins 2100 equipment works is worth the effort, as we tried to simulate it to the highest detail possible (including e.g. things like earth curvature in our calculations). The signals even follow in strength the precipitation load increase as a thunderhead builds up dynamically (showcasing also how ASN controls the smooth cloud redraw).

 

One of the most impressive ways to demonstrate this is to find an oceanic sigmet based t-storm, set ASN to live mode (and the download interval to 5 minutes) and attempt to use the radar to avoid it. The safety deviation margins will become very apparent in this case. You may see for example an "alley" in the radar and attempt to cross through it only to find yourself in the middle of the storm as it becomes really "alive" due to the convective activity. (I wish I had the time to create a video demonstrating it)

 

All this is proof that tight interaction between the wx engine and the aircraft itself is required to get a really realistic result. From a technical point of view, many believe that it's easy to create a wx radar, or that's it's old news, but the reality is that in FSX unless a wx engine takes over control of ambient precipitation/turbulence etc, there's no way a realistic radar can be simulated. And by realistic I mean to make the radar a tool that helps protect the aircraft from an actual aviation hazard while aloft. 

Hi,

 

let me jump here and add that the radar simulated here is the Rockwell Collins WXR-2100, that has a multi scan design. This uses a secondary beam (in auto mode) which scans with a significantly more negative tilt angle (while at cruise), to offer "t-storm overfly" protection. As Rob stated, overflying a t-storm doesn't mean that the aircraft will not encounter e.g. turbulence. There are specific rules airline pilots use to define a safety altitude margin (taking into account the aloft winds) and these rules have been also modelled in ASN. 

 

Reading the documentation on how the Rockwell Collins 2100 equipment works is worth the effort, as we tried to simulate it to the highest detail possible (including e.g. things like earth curvature in our calculations). The signals even follow in strength the precipitation load increase as a thunderhead builds up dynamically (showcasing also how ASN controls the smooth cloud redraw).

 

One of the most impressive ways to demonstrate this is to find an oceanic sigmet based t-storm, set ASN to live mode (and the download interval to 5 minutes) and attempt to use the radar to avoid it. The safety deviation margins will become very apparent in this case. You may see for example an "alley" in the radar and attempt to cross through it only to find yourself in the middle of the storm as it becomes really "alive" due to the convective activity. (I wish I had the time to create a video demonstrating it)

 

All this is proof that tight interaction between the wx engine and the aircraft itself is required to get a really realistic result. From a technical point of view, many believe that it's easy to create a wx radar, or that's it's old news, but the reality is that in FSX unless a wx engine takes over control of ambient precipitation/turbulence etc, there's no way a realistic radar can be simulated. And by realistic I mean to make the radar a tool that helps protect the aircraft from an actual aviation hazard while aloft. 

[Vader] Most impressive [/Vader]

 

 

 

I wish I had the time to create a video demonstrating it

 

It seems like none of the testers do.  :(

 

 

It seems like none of the testers do.  

 

Working on something.

An oldie to add to this...

 

 

 

It seems like none of the testers do.

http://forum.avsim.net/topic/441015-weather-radar-video-preview/

Hi Mark and Kyle   . . .thanks for the great video and pictures. Looks like a terrific feature. A couple of questions. Have you noticed any impact on framerates? As well, I've got REX weather now and want to make the move over to ASN in advance of this release. Pardon my ignorance, but I'm little confused about what ASN products I need. Looks like they've got a few offerings. I just wanted to make sure I got what I needed to run the WX.

Thanks so much for your help.

 

 

Have you noticed any impact on framerates?

 

Nope.

 

 

 

Pardon my ignorance, but I'm little confused about what ASN products I need. Looks like they've got a few offerings. I just wanted to make sure I got what I needed to run the WX.

 

Not sure what you're missing here.

 

If you have another weather program from HiFi (AS2012, ASE, ASA or ASX, as the site clearly shows), then you get the upgrade version.

If not, you get the full version.

 

Pretty simple :wink:

And to enlarge on Kyle's response to Bruce's query, what you will absolutely need is ActiveSky Next (ASN), which is only a weather engine...no textures included. ASN is required for the PMDG weather radar to work. If you also want cloud, sky, and related textures, you'll need another source for those, and there's several options: REX, FEX, freeware, etc.

And to enlarge on Kyle's response to Bruce's query, what you will absolutely need is ActiveSky Next (ASN), which is only a weather engine...no textures included. ASN is required for the PMDG weather radar to work. If you also want cloud, sky, and related textures, you'll need another source for those, and there's several options: REX, FEX, freeware, etc.

Thanks Wayne  . . . I appreciate it. I was kinda figuring that ASN was what I needed. I've got REX already but clearly need a good weather engine. Getting tired of flying approaches to airports I know are IFR but weather stays severe clear until short final when the visibility drops and clouds appear.

Thanks again. 

but the reality is that in FSX unless a wx engine takes over control of ambient precipitation/turbulence etc, there's no way a realistic radar can be simulated. And by realistic I mean to make the radar a tool that helps protect the aircraft from an actual aviation hazard while aloft.

 

I was wondering how the radar was able to get the info out of FSX (hacking into FSX?)...........but it is the other way around then. The wx radar already knows the weather and then injects it into FSX (if I understand the above correctly).

 

I thought it was impossible to make FSX draw a certain cloud (CB) at an exact position......so if you have succeeded into doing exactly that, then......congratulations, sound great :-)

 

Thx also for the additional info!