Question about altimeter changes.

[Agrajag]

Pete, can you pop over to the FS2004 forum and see my thread about altimeter changes and what's normal and weigh in on the subject? I'm really concerned about what I'm seeing. I'm wondering if this is the reason for a feature you have.

[Pete Dowson]

Pete, can you pop over to the FS2004 forum and see my thread about altimeter changes and what's normal and weigh in on the subject? I'm really concerned about what I'm seeing. I'm wondering if this is the reason for a feature you have.

I saw it and, and basically agree with one of the responses you got. Apart from the first reading (which was probably taken before the FS weather had been fully settled), the others are probably where FS is getting readings from WX stations as you fly. Looks like you were flying in an area where there are many stations. I don't think all the WX station weather downloaded by FS are always for the same time-of-day, so there might even be more variation than in reality.

When flying through areas of changing pressure below TA (Transition Altitude) you do have to keep adjusting your altimeter if you want to keep accurately level, though whether ATC would be giving you such calls is another matter. Probably in real life it would only do so when descending towards the transition level after flying Flight Levels, and in the approach or landing instructions. You'd be responsible yourself to tune into ATIS's en route to get interim pressure readings.

You also wouldn't get told off for minor variations in actual altitude caused by minor changes in pressure. I think RC has a parameter for how accuratey ou want ATC to check this.

Of course in FS you can "cheat" and simply regularly press the "B" key to correct your altimeter.

Flying in the US or Canada in a light aircraft you are always below the TA (18,000 feet) and so this is a constant problem with real weather patterns. Elsewhere the TA is likely to be much lower and it is less of a problem -- e.g. here, near EGCC, it is 5000 feet. Above that, using Flight Levels, you simply set the altimeter to 29.92 (1013 here) and keep to the assigned altitude with ease.

There has been a lot of discussion about pressure calls from RC in the Beta group. I don't remember what if anything has been changed, but you could pose your questions over in the RC forum or Newsgroup or whatever.

Regards,

Pete

[Agrajag]

which was probably taken before the FS weather had been fully settled

Are you saying you agree with what I found, that MS weather slowly comes into place and doesn't just appear as set?

Any idea if there's a way to see the weather stations along a route? If I could then I could probably prove that the route I took happens to fly along that number of stations or close to it.

I think RC has a parameter for how accuratey ou want ATC to check this.

I'll check with JD on that. I didn't see one but wasn't looking for it then. I'm having my issues with Radar Contact. It is impressive but, like everything, it has its pros and cons.

Of course in FS you can "cheat" and simply regularly press the "B" key to correct your altimeter.

I wasn't sure if this had anything to do with them conveying the reading or not. I assumed they'd give you it whenever they got new info since it was happening so often.

JD is adding me to the beta group (I have a lot of experience with sound and have given him some solid leads on how to improve several things that need attention) so I should be in there soon enough. I'm just glad I'm not the only one seeing it.

The reason I posted here should be obvious. You have the Smooth Pressure option and wondered if perhaps the reason this came about was in part due to this issue.