Fsx weather (temps at high altitude)

[lowew79 0]

hey guys

 

First thanks for all the help on here. I've been spamming the forums and getting a lot of great help!

 

However I find myself coming to the well again lol.

 

It's a little to well known fact that fsx' weather is buggy as heck. One of the classic problems is ridiculous temperatures at high altitudes +30 degrees Celsius at fl250 for example.

 

This of course causes a world of engine problems and "unfair" stalls.

 

I realized though today as I was flying at 16000 feet in the j41, that I was getting just terrible climb performance, so I immediately looked at the sat. But the problem is, I'm not really sure what is unreasonable temps for that altitude. I want to say it was like 8 degrees Celsius?

 

So what is an average range for that altitude? Even better is there a website, or resource that someone knows of where I can look up current RL METARS, for comparison?

 

Thanks!

[FirstOfficera320 1]

Hi Inigo,

 

In the standart atmosphere (ISA) the temperature is at sea-level 15C, and it drops by 2C per 1000feet. 

 

An easy way to get you ISA temperature is to take 15 - (FL x2); in our case it would be 15 - (16x2) = -17 C

 

A small note to add is that the temperature becomes constant above the Tropopause, which in ISA conditions happens around 36080 feet and -56.5 C. The Tropopause is depicted on the high altitude weather chart in a box with a flight level inside. Because of the way the earth is heated it will be higher near equator and fall, in steps, towards the poles. 

 

I would recommend getting ASN for weather program for FSX.

 

Let me know if you have any further questions.

[ckyliu 1,749]

Hello Ingio,

 

Martin has said just about everything I would, I'd just like to add there is a freeware weather engine available at http://www.plane-pics.de/fsxwx/instructions.htm It's not as superb as ActiveSkyNext (ASN) but it's still good, especially if you'd rather spend the money elsewhere.

[lowew79 0]

thanks for the advice I will look into ASN.  My PC is fairly powerful, but does ASN use a lot of system resources?

[FirstOfficera320 1]

Inigo,

 

I suggest you head over here and get the free 7 day demo they have. Check it out, and adjust the settings for smooth operation.

 

Rgds,