UKJim 502 Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 So I'm no pilot so always have questions about flying etc as some of you know My next question is this... When you fly VFR and want to land on an airstrip without a tower, how do you know what direction to land? I've read something about wind direction using wind sock and also somethin about red bricks? Hehe How is this achieved in FSX? Using darrington or concrete as examples Cheers guys! Link to post Share on other sites
ddavid 149 Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 If you don't know where the wind is coming from, hit Shift+Z and all will be revealed... Cheers - Dai. Link to post Share on other sites
rob16584 42 Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 Or to do it another way, fly overhead the airfield and see which way the windsock is blowing. If there isn't a wind sock take a guess and pray Link to post Share on other sites
UKJim 502 Posted January 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 So I went into FSX and pressed shift+z thanks for that! Great! The wind was blowing 155 - runways 10 and 28 - so thort runway 28 wud be active for take off! One of the AI planes took off from 10 which contradicts my logic of taking off into the wind? Is this just FSX AI being dumb? Link to post Share on other sites
TedG 0 Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 If you want to remain immersed in the sim simply get the METAR from a nearby airfield that has one to give you an idea. There are several websites that provide this data....and most will translate the METAR into something like normal English if you don't know how to read it. Look for something like "28009" in the METAR line just after the time stamp....and you'll also get a 4-digit local pressure reading too. Link to post Share on other sites
TedG 0 Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 So I went into FSX and pressed shift+z thanks for that! Great! The wind was blowing 155 - runways 10 and 28 - so thort runway 28 wud be active for take off! One of the AI planes took off from 10 which contradicts my logic of taking off into the wind? Is this just FSX AI being dumb? RWY10=faces 100 degrees (ish) Wind 155=Wind coming from 155 degrees You takeoff into the wind...in this case a bit of crosswind...so RWY10 is the correct runway **edit**If you have trouble visualizing the direction a quick 2 line sketch usually helps get you sorted out. Link to post Share on other sites
UKJim 502 Posted January 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 Eeeee so its where wind is coming from not direction wind is goin - cool so that makes sense! I'll have to have another go later! Thanks for your help its great! Ted I may look into this after I get a bit more experience! Once again appreciate your reply buddy! Link to post Share on other sites
rob16584 42 Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 This site will give you the METARS http://en.allmetsat.com/metar-taf/europe.php Link to post Share on other sites
TedG 0 Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 Just "playing it forward" as it were. If I might suggest something here (and given you are in the UK it seems appropriate) have a look at: www.flyuk.aero An outstanding well-run virtual airline with the best training department around. I have learned a lot from these folks. The training guys generally have RW experience ranging from 747 FE to PPL's to years of virtual sim flight in all sorts of aircraft. Not much in the way of required flying and the GA flying club is great fun. Online flight is not required. Just an option if you are looking to expand your horizons a bit. Cheers Ted p.s. The UK VATSIM folks offer also basic flight training as well...a bit more structured towards online flight naturally. Link to post Share on other sites
SEATAC 400 Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 tune to ATIS, if the airport has it. Link to post Share on other sites
UKJim 502 Posted January 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 Nice one Tim ill defo take a look! Unfortunately the small strips that I use often don't hav ats Link to post Share on other sites
Frog on Toast 6 Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 I can vouch for FlyUk being a good fun VA, I used to fly with them many years ago, in fact I was one of the Helicopter Divisions IP's! I haven't thought about them in years since I put FS9 away, Brings back some fun memories seeing their site, looks like they've had a major overhaul and revamp. And yeah, taking off and landing into the wind... just to keep on topic Link to post Share on other sites
UKJim 502 Posted January 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 Wow that is amazing - I wud never have thort such thing existed! Really enjoyed browsing the site! Don't think I will sign up tho - I have air hauler to keep me busy for now Link to post Share on other sites
aeromax 10 Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 Hi Jim, do you want to have it as real as possible, activate the real weather download and for example use that tool.... http://www.edgemontaviation.com/cfitools/index.html Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
aeromax 10 Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 Or that: http://aviationweather.gov/adds/metars/ cheers Link to post Share on other sites
UKJim 502 Posted January 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 I was looking for something in game really it doesnt matter! I hav got used to using the shift Z shortcut Link to post Share on other sites
Tim_A 997 Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 You should be aware that the wind at altitude will not be the same as the wind on the ground (FSX random changes notwithstanding). Plan-G will give you METAR and TAF for an airport when you right click on it. Link to post Share on other sites
aeromax 10 Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 or that.... Link to post Share on other sites
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