Hello.

I'm having a question regarding P3D v4.5:

The only totally unrealistic "feature" of P3D v4.5 that annoys me most is the extremely unrealistic weathervane-Effect on the ground during Takeoff-/Landingroll in Crosswind Conditions. I'm flying SR20 / 22 in real life and do have some 80hrs on Fullflight ( Level D ) Simulators ( B747 / 767 / 737 ).
I've never experienced such overpronounced weathervaning during groundroll neither in real life, nor in Level-D Simulators.

Is there an option that can be changed in the aircraft.cfg or in the Prepar3D.cfg to eliminate the weathervane effect on the ground ( especially for PMDG 747v3 )?

I've tried to set the "maximum surface Wind" Option in Active Sky for P3D to zero, which cures the Issue, but of course I'll be missing realistic Wind & Turbulence Conditions during approach / departure, especially in conjunction with "realTurb".

Any thoughts on this would be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance an best regards.

Toto

Edited April 28, 20206 yr by Sonne

I agree with your observations. Unfortunately the aircraft config can't help because the fault is within the sim software. Aircraft behaviour on the ground is unrealistic.

It's been a problem with every version of P3D, and with Microsoft sims before that. It has been complained about many times over the years to Microsoft and Lockheed Martin, but very little has changed.

The only thing I've used to dampen the effect is by turning the general realism slide down. 

You're right too, the effect is way overdone and pronounced.

I tend to turn down the flight realism options (torque effects etc) in the sim to calm those effects down a bit as they are not especially realistic anyway. The fact is that although you do have to counter many unwanted effects in real life when flying an aeroplane, the intuitive 'seat of the pants' way you do that in a real aeroplane is just not well conveyed when sat in a comfy chair in front of a computer, so as far as I'm concerned, it's not cheating to turn down stuff, it's necessary to avoid it being an exercise in unrealistic frustration. PC-based, flight sims are supposed to be fun.

Edited April 28, 20206 yr by Chock

3 hours ago, Chock said:

I tend to turn down the flight realism options (torque effects etc) in the sim to calm those effects down a bit as they are not especially realistic anyway. The fact is that although you do have to counter many unwanted effects in real life when flying an aeroplane, the intuitive 'seat of the pants' way you do that in a real aeroplane is just not well conveyed when sat in a comfy chair in front of a computer, so as far as I'm concerned, it's not cheating to turn down stuff, it's necessary to avoid it being an exercise in unrealistic frustration. PC-based, flight sims are supposed to be fun.

Agreed on most parts. However, flying things from Cessna to jets in the real world....I've never experienced that much weather vaining....especially in a jet. But yes, you are right, these things a re supposed to be fun!!! 😁

Can anyone point me to YouTube videos that demonstrate this excessive weathervaning problem?  While I get some weathervaning I don't find it excessive and learned long ago how to deal with it.  I'm not saying it doesn't exist, just that I've never had any problems with it. Putting the stock Goose down on an ice covered runway with some crosswind got interesting though.  I generally try to respect the "maximum demonstrated crosswind" specs.

I've seen videos of real world airliners landing in fairly extreme crosswinds so I know what it looks like.  I don't recall them having problems after touching down though but it's hard to tell.

P3Dv4,5 Active Sky (ASP4), Active Sky Cloud Art, Accu-Feel and a number of freeware and payware aircraft ranging in size from the A2A Cub to the A2A Connie.  Lots of tail draggers. Realism sliders full right.  TrackIR, full complement of CH Products controllers including pro pedals.

Do I need a specific add-on program or aircraft to experience this?  The aircraft that has given me the most problem is the currently free A2A P-40, but that is obviously intentional;  it's the only tail dragger I have that I have to work to avoid ground looping.

I think the worst crosswind landing I ever experienced was the A2A Cub landing at Dutch Harbor with a 40+ knot wind directly across the runway.  I solved it by landing sideways on the runway:  "Shortest runway I've ever seen but look how wide it is!"  I never touched dirt on either side of the runway.  This is not an option with a 747. 🙂 

Hook

Edited April 28, 20206 yr by LHookins

Thanks for all of your replies.

Will turning down the mentioned realism settings "downgrade" and adversely affect the flight characteristics of the PMDG 747v3? As far as I can remember, the PMDG Manual states that all reality settings are supposed to be at full right?

Best regards,

Toto