Has anyone actually purchased and used the new version yet? If so, please give us your thoughts as to how good it really is. Is it that much better than the previous version?Regards,

I forced myself not to purchase the older version, but I am using Flight Environment and ASV and LOVE IT!! I use to use real weather but this is much better! I like the little features like after it downloads the weather for the first time it resets the AI to make sure all the runways are in the right directions. Anyway I would pick it up if you love looking at the sky as much as your instruments!

I upgraded from AS2004 and have to say the new version is a big improvement. Only done one flight with it so far but the weather changes and layers of weather seem much more realistic.

Hi Ken, long time no see.This is a no brainer. ASV coupled with Chris' AE is something we should all use. Will come in very handy when you use the sim as a procedural trainer. Just remember to D/L AE from Avsim... HiFi's server is way too slow for the 240+MB of AE (ends up being 1.45Gb once installed... that's a whole lot of choices in how you configure your environment).Regards,Greg

>real weather but this is much better! I like the little>features like after it downloads the weather for the first>time it resets the AI to make sure all the runways are in the>right directions. What do you mean? Does the weather without AS V affects the runway directions? Sounds very strange.

I upgraded and I'm not looking back. It is a spectacular improvement. I took it on a run through some mountains last night and was really impressed with the mountain wave simulation!! Completely worth it in my humble opinion.

Weather programs often finish loading WX data after your flight has loaded, which can result in ATC and AI traffic using the wrong rwys based on the different weather that was present at initial load up. Often, I save the flight and reset it to force ATC and AI to align with the new weather, but now it looks as though it is automatic. This is a good feature.Gary

>I upgraded and I'm not looking back. It is a spectacular>improvement. I took it on a run through some mountains last>night and was really impressed with the mountain wave>simulation!! >>Completely worth it in my humble opinion.Indeed, I also flew yesterday from Kamoops, BC to Banff, BC and was astounded at the very real weather in the mountains. Get too close and the updrafts will get you for sure. Light planes are skittish as all He11 and ya has ta pay attention fer sure. :D

It is fabulous!I am amazed at how it duplicates the real weather.We had a whole batch of mixed weather where I live yesterday and the duplication and beauty of different clouds, rain/lightening, random air currents was astounding.It is really a whole new program on steriods!http://mywebpages.comcast.net/geofa/pages/rxp-pilot.jpg

The decisive question: How is is on the frames?jen

Out of the box, I don't think there was any FPS hit. What I notice is that using Peter Wilder's Flight Environment, there is actually a FPS improvement due to the way the clouds in his package were optimized.The same can be said using ASV with ICS and using the random sky environment. It produces some very realistic and unbelievably stunning weather.There is obviously a lot of work that went into this product. Optimizations in the program code and texture files resulting from the collaborative effort on the part of the developers and Chris Willis has produced what can only be described as the ultimate weather program and adds immensly to the FS experience.If your machine is relatively up-to-date, you should have no problems with ASV. There's a plethora of options available which should suit just about anyone.

I currently own AS4.5 and FS1 Flight Environment. Does anyone else have this who has upgraded to AS5? Is there a benefit in doing so. It is my understanding that AS5 has it's own clowds so are does which would you use? ThanksDave---------------------------------------------------System Specs:Athlon64 3500+ ClawHammer @ 2.3mhzECS NForce4 A-939 Mobo (1g FSB)1.5G of OCZ Performance PC3200 Ram (Dual Channel)ATI Radeon X800Pro PCI-E (Catalyst 5.5 @ 520/540)SoundBlaster Live 24bitSaitek Cyborg EvoWinXP SP1

I've done a couple of flights with ASV so far, and am really enjoying it. The updraft/downdraft simulation adds a lot to the realism, and I've only begun to scratch the surface of all the different textures available. So far so good!Lewis "Moose" GregoryRichmond, Virginia

Ken,In one word, magnificent. I have been waiting for vertical air currents since I started using simulators. Now we have it. It really brings some challenge to your flights. Yesterday I tried landing Carenado's Cessna 182RG on a very short strip while a thunderstorm was nearby. I had to do two go-arounds before I finally made it to the ground safely. Suddenly loosing 100 feet while you are only 150 feet high, makes you sweat. It happened to me once in real life. I have to say that I prefer practicing such conditions on a simulator.I am looking forward to using a sail plane to ride ASV's thermals. If that works as well, I am in simulator heaven.Regarding the visuals of ASV, they are really stunning.Best regards,Henri

When you talk about Chris' AE, is this the same product as FS SKY WORLD 2004?