Announcements

 

This download is provided as a ZIP file, to upgrade please download it then Extract All files into your c:\OpusFSX installation folder. You do not need to uninstall or re-install anything. After installing please check all the settings in your Configure and Weather dialogues. You can download it from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

 

Two addition alternate airfield designations added. All reports are now accessed via a selection window which of course can be manually undocked and re-positioned on multi-screened PCs. Airfield names are now displayed in title case.

 

Regards

Stephen

 

In this version if wind stabilisation is in force then the weather reports will show both the Static and the True surface winds.

 

Corrected a problem extracting and decoding historic METARs that could previously cause FSX load errors.

 

In this version the World-wide GRIB data file is now downloaded in the background, the user should display the Upper Atmosphere weather report to wait for the file to be downloaded, only then will the data be extracted and the weather generated. If the download fails then the GRIB option is automatically disabled and the normal simulated wind targets are used.

 

The FL120 data has been omitted and the wind target altitudes have been tightened to match the previous simulated wind targets to help prevent violent wind shifts. The tropopause data is now used as the main parameters to determine the upper atmospheric conditions and forecast the upper winds and temperatures.

We will be adding further GRIB forecast upper wind and temperature data as we progress through the beta development cycle. We will also be looking to minimise the download times.

 

The GRIB data file extraction is now validated to ensure no false upper wind targets are set. The GRIB forecast cycle hour is no longer reset each time the weather is generated and is re-initialised each time the FSXSERVER program is activated.

 

Clicking on the Save All Cameras button no longer automatically re-orders the camera views.

 

Regards

Stephen

 

This beta fixes the problem decoding number formats in different cultures. The problem searching for available cycle data across day boundaries has been corrected, and the LWE no longer automatically disables the GRIB mode when the download fails. I have also changed the temperature interpolation.

 

The LWE is still just using the Tropopause data to guess at everything below and above. I am now looking for other forecast data that can be used, then I will announce what I see as the available options for general discussion (mostly relating to the setting of wind direction targets).

 

Regards

Stephen

 

This is a pre-release beta version. All GRIB data decoding has now been offloaded into a separate program (FSDECODER.EXE) to prevent any delays to the normal Live View and Live Camera operation of OpusFSX.

 

Regards

Stephen

 

In this pre-release beta version we have changed the method of wind injection to improve the general accuracy of the target wind direction within FSX/P3D.

 

Regards

Stephen

 

In this beta the Upper wind and temperature targets have been improved. New program icon choices have been included within the installation files. Any precipitation between two closely spaced cloud layers is now associated with the cloud layer having the greatest cloud cover. We have improved the general cloud appearance. Finally, the wind stabilisation is now enabled automatically if the user climbs above the Recovery Altitude + 500 feet.

 

For GRIB users, this is the first of our 'Big Brother' betas in which the LWE tries to monitor your flight and minimise any chance of violent wind shifts. In this beta the monitoring is restricted to altitudes above FL200 and continues up to FL440. Future upgrades may introduce further monitoring of FSX to make sure it is conforming with what the LWE has specified.

 

Please only report any minor and major wind shifts (minor fluctuations are to be expected) above FL200, and if possible let me know what the Upper Atmosphere wind targets were within the report window.

 

Please for now select the defaults with GRIB enabled, Wind Stabilisation enabled or disabled depending on the likelyhood of your system experiencing wind shifts whilst climbing up to FL195 etc.

 

Regards

Stephen

 

 

 

See Above. My apologies, the previous beta was showing the wrong temp targets in the Upper Weather Report, they were the temps for a much lower altitude. My boob, but if you download after 17:36 Zulu you will get the corrected version.

 

Regards

Stephen

 

In this release of OpusFSX the LWE now depicts snow or rain even when no clouds specified in METAR due to a vertical visibility restriction, at present this is achieved using a precipitation bearing cloud layer above the low lying fog. A future release will interpolate the unknown cloud from the sorrounding area.

 

The Local, Destination, and Alternate Weather reports now show FL200 target temp and winds when at lower altitudes. Finally, the Spy window will now remain open for up to 10 minutes.

 

In this beta I have removed the Big Brother weather refresh and limited the number of attempts the LWE will try and force FSX to adhere to the upper wind target directions. The 'Sim Friendly GRIB Winds' have been changed to adjust the wind directions above and below the forecated tropopause height in an even more FSX friendly manner. All wind speeds and temperature remain unchanged from the forecasted data.

 

The mouse focus is now returned to the FSX/P3D main window after updating any displayed Opus weather report. The defaults for the Disable Update on Approach option have been changed to 2000 feet (prime) and 1800 feet (disable) respectively. Problem selecting and displaying user specified weather themes corrected.

 

The OpusFSX software can now be installed into a sub-folder provided the final folder name is OpusFSX. Users should still refrain from installing OpusFSX in Program Files though.

 

Regards

Stephen

 

In this release of OpusFSX the precipitation base changed to try and force snow and rain down to ground levels at all times. The winds aloft target spacing for the 'Sim Friendly GRIB' option has now reverted back to version 2.60 levels to prevent certain systems experiencing excesive wind shifts. Additional targets will be added very soon to assist in the climb and descent phases of the flight (see current beta dev cycle and trials). For the time being all GRIB users should enable the 'Sim Friendly' option but may experience a small wind shift between FL200 and FL220 as the sim adjusts to the forecasted wind direction. The above lower level targets
will help FSX transition more smoothly.

In this release we have improved temperature targets at lower altitudes and modified software to ensure on the final approach the METARs no more than 15 minutes out of date at destination and all alternates.

 

In this beta all distances, apart from visibility, within the weather report windows are now displayed in both km and nautical miles (nm). Previously they were all displayed in km and statute miles.

 

The LWE now ensures the METARs are no more than 5 minutes out of date for your specified Destination and Alternate airfields.

 

This beta includes the initial prototype of the 'Bump Aircraft' DHM option which when airborne will bump the aircraft in unison with the turbulent motions. The Turbulent Motion or Turbulent Bump options must be enabled for the effects to be seen.

 

Regards

Stephen

 

In this release I have corrected a problem that resulted in contuous weather updates above RA + 500 feet when you have all weather options default with just Wind Stabilisation enabled.

 

In this beta I have changed the method of controlling the aircraft turbulence in an attempt to prevent aircraft control problems on some systems. This beta also includes the fix for the compass drift problem but make sure you download after 11:30 zulu.

 

Regards

Stephen

 

In this beta I have changed the Bump Aircraft turblence to further minimise interference with the aircraft's contols and autopilot. The elevation limits for strong surface winds and gusting conditions have been changed so that any rotor effect can be graduated. Make sure you have both Turbulence Effects and Bump Aircraft options enabled to enable the bump aircraft motions.

 

Regards

Stephen

 

This beta introduces a new Lower Atmosphere Weather Report along with lower atmosphere wind and temperature targets in an attempt to nurse FSX/P3D up though the climb to FL200 and finally back down in the descent from FL200 to assist the sim to recovery the true surface wind conditions at your destination or alternates. During the climb and descent you should expect the sim to remain ahead of the lower altitude wind targets.

 

I have also reintroduced a slightly modified form of the Big Brother monitoring above FL200 which attempts to kick an errant wind direction back towards its target. Please note, the wind and temperature targets are always specified to FSX but act only as guidlines for FSX to try and follow. These targets are re-evaluated during every weather update, essential considering now the LWE actually contains over five times the amount of data FSX or P3D can handle at any one time.

 

To test this beta please set all Weather dialog defaults with GRIB enabled, Sim Friendly GRIB Winds enabled, and Wind Stabilisation enabled, also ensure you have the default Recovery Altitude of 19000 feet set. The RA settings may even be removed soon as the LWE does everything automatically.

 

Regards

Stephen

 

This beta improves the lower and upper altitude wind speed targets. The Weather button is greyed out whilst the LWE is busy. Big brother monitoring changed to attempt auto-weather updates.

 

Regards

Stephen