I still haven't got around to add Active Sky and try to get the Weather Radar set up.  I am debating if it is worth the effort and if I'll ever use it (considering I fly with clear skies 90% of he time).

 

Anyone else chose not to mess with this feature?? Why?

Hey Paul,

 

You can download a free 7 day trial of ASN which I did, but at this stage I am not willing to cough up the $50 so like yourself happy for the time being to fly without a radar.

 

But, it was quite nice to try it and play around with the radar for a week.

"Trying to get the weather radar set up" for me included the following steps.

1. Buy the PMDG 777
2. Update the PMDG 777 to Service Pack 1 (downloaded from the website and installed from the .exe)
3. Buy Active Sky Next and install it.
4. Double click the ActiveSky Next icon on the desktop, minimize the program once it boots.
5. Open FSX and start a flight with the 777
6. Turn the weather radar on with the WX button on the glareshield
7. That's it.

 

(This video shows the PMDG 777-300ER expansion pack. You don't need the expansion pack to run the weather radar. the Service Pack 1b applied to the 777-200LR base pack will work fine)

I'm not using ASN and thus not using the weather radar and am still getting a lot of joy flying the aircraft. If ASN was not as dear, maybe I'd consider it but having already spent a tidy sum on FSX Add-ons, there comes a point to say, enough is enough. As far as I'm concerned, I am content as it is.

Paul, what is the fun flying 90% with clear sky ??, it is so unrealistic ...

Maybe Paul doesn't like flying in bad weather

Hi Paul,

 

while I admit that I'm slightly biased as a beta tester for HiFI, there is an easy way to find out if it's worth it to you. Just go to Hifi's website and install the free 7-day ASN trial - and see for yourself. Chances are, you'll never fly in clear skies again ;-)

 

Cheers,

Pete

I'm also in the no weather radar club, but I expect that will change before the end of the year as I'm leaning heavily towards purchasing ASN.

 

A question on ASN:

 

In OPUS I can select the W key and I get a popup with current weather and wind conditions.  Is ASN set up in a similar way?  I fly FSX in full screen only and am hoping ASN allows me to stay that way

I have the radar setup and working. It looks impressive but I pay no attention to it. Fly right into cells. I see no bad effects from not deviating from my route. I figure it's not on the 744, MD-11, and NGX and I have flown those for years with no problem. Eye candy for FSX.

I thought that ASN was supposed to give you all that stiff that comes with CBs when you fly into them?

 

Like wind gusts, turbulence, heavy rain, hail, icing.....

 

Nothing?

It only paints a pretty picture??

I was under that impression too, and if ASN doesnt do that ...then, um, well whats the point?

Well... I've had Otto cry 'your aircraft' and left me to fly approaches by hand in the middle of red splotches on the radar. So there is a little more to it than pretty pictures.

 

And I've had Heidi grabbing the window frame in the Cub in ASN turbulence, which I don't recall having seen before.

There's definitely more to it than just a pretty picture.

Even without the added benefit of the WXR on PMDG's 777, I still consider ASN to be a very, very worthwhile investment.

Of course, that may not be the case for each and every person, so you'll have to make your own assessment. The time limited trial does give a very good idea about whether or not it is for you, though.

Try taking a heavily loaded 777 on final approach and realistic ref speed and simulating a wind shear in the debug window. If you do not react immediately you will get eye candy of terrain going through your cockpit. Just tried it now and did not engage toga untill to late after the "windsheer ahead aural warning" and crashed 3 miles short of the threshold

It was not about the money for ASN, just the thought of messing with something that runs perfectly.  I guess I'll try the trial version, if it gives me problems, I'll delete it.  Thanks for the advice.