BeachAV8R

I gave that a whirl..but getting the same message. When I go to install the two newest packages, it does go through the "delete previous version" routine..so I'm not sure why it isn't taking.. Is there a way to verify that the RWC version I've downloaded is the correct one?

I'm somewhat confused. I'm not running the X-Plane beta, and received the two e-mail updates a couple days ago. I've downloaded and installed SMP 3.3 and RWC 1.0 (the most recent on listed in my downloads) but I'm still getting: SkyMaxx Pro: METAR parser enabled SMPMetarBridge: METAR activation fired. 0:00:00.322 E/NET: Download failed with http error: 404 for URL http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/observations/metar/cycles/22Z.TXT Any ideas?

Yes - sorry in the delayed response. Interestingly, we just sold that airplane (the Citation V). I was a bit misty eyed to see her go. She has taken me all over North and Central America, the Caribbean, Bermuda..all safely..and all reliably. We sold her with over 15,000 hours on the airframe. Fortunately, we are replacing her with another Citation, which will add a second Ultra to our fleet. It is in Witchita at the moment getting the clamshell door installed.

We posted up a short review of RWC this morning: http://www.mudspike.com/ Congratulations to Sundog Software and X-Aviation on the release! BeachAV8R

Looking good guys...

My Citation on the ramp last night at KAVL (a V though).. We are getting ready to buy another Citation Ultra and sell the V... I'll be sad to see the old girl go (over 15,000 hours on her..!) BeachAV8R

That's correct - I very much love SkyMaxx Pro (as evidenced by my Alaska screens that feature it)...and I'm excited at the prospect of "Connector" enhancing the product. Edit - Also interested to check out the updated SMP 3.1...just downloaded it.. BeachAV8R

Nice screens. Quick question on that - so I'm guessing that the connector will read TC / TC+ or something and draw the storms according to those METAR stations reporting that? I'm guessing it would be difficult to gauge tops of storms based on METARs though, but even just having a storm present in the area of a METAR reporting it..coupled with surrounding METARs that have different conditions, the ability to project all that in X-Plane will be fantastic. Looking forward to more information and screens... BeachAV8R

Looking good. If you'd have posted a screen of pure gray, that would have been a nearly perfect recreation of the weather in the Carolinas the past two weeks. Lots of missed approaches, holding, and waiting on RVR here. That first screen is really nice... BeachAV8R

Best of luck with it.

Who are you asking? The first set I posted are default X-Plane clouds with the default in-game weather data downloading. The second set I posted are with SkyMaxx Pro v3 with the default in-game weather data downloading. And on the record - I love SkyMaxx Pro.. Love the clouds, the lens flare, etc... So if I keep what it gives me, and the Connector brings better transitions between areas, then they've already sold it to me. Now they need to sell it to other people, and you do that by posting awesome screens of what SkyMaxx Pro v3 + Connector can do. Marketing 101. Just trying to be helpful... BeachAV8R

OK then, since my words don't appear to be working, we'll try your words: "To be precise, Real Weather Connector will further enhance your flying sessions when utilizing real world weather from sources like NOAA, FSGRW, X-Plane's Real WX Download option, EFASS, etc. It will parse the METAR data downloaded from these applications and grid the SkyMaxx Pro v3 clouds to their respective locations. Don't think of it as a replacement for whatever you use to get real weather from. It enhances the experience by creating a more direct link between these apps and SkyMaxx Pro - and it also works great with X-Plane's built-in real world weather or any weather engine that drops METAR files." So - why not show us screens that more adequately demonstrate the gridding of clouds to their respective locations. Again, my honest assessment of your screens thus far is that they show a broken layer no better, and in fact worse, than what default settings do. I understand that the tool will prevent snap in / snap out weather..but your screens don't really show any dramatic difference from 3 miles away to 50 miles away. Are those SkyMaxx clouds you are showing in your screens? And please don't get me wrong, I am excited by the prospect of larger, more continuous and realistic weather depictions with better transitions. I just haven't seen that in your screens. BeachAV8R

Well, my expectations are that the Weather Connector will further improve the graphics and realism of X-Plane and SkyMaxx Pro. The images you've posted do not demonstrate that in my opinion. Comparing the images you've posted to the default X-Plane clouds - umm..I think I'll take the slab of uniform weather since it is more realistic looking than your images. All these images are default XP weather read from the in-game weather downloading.. I mean, even the SkyMaxx Pro v2 and v3 clouds I've been seeing far surpass what you are showing - I think you are underselling what you have created if it is an improvement on what "default" SkyMaxx will do... SkyMaxx Pro screens: I'm just saying if you are promo-ing an improved product..post some screens that demonstrate it. Just trying to be helpful.. BeachAV8R

Quite the contrary - I do understand what the product does. And your link to the image demonstrating the "huge immersion change" is certainly in the eye of the beholder. I'm not slamming the product, I'm just saying the screens don't really demonstrate a sim changing experience in my opinion. I reserve the right to be wrong however. I've been impressed with SkyMaxx Pro v3, so whatever you guys come up with that will make it better is great news. But to get back to my question - the program requires SkyMaxx Pro, which is a weather injector correct? So will the sampling of a wider area of METARs result in any difference in winds and turbulence? BeachAV8R

I'd like to see some shots where the weather is significantly different in the sectors that are nearly adjacent to each other. For instance..it isn't unusual to be flying along over a stratus layer and have wide areas of clear skies. While I'm excited about the prospect of not having weather conditions "snap" based on singular METARs, the screens thus far aren't really super impressive if I'm to be honest. I'd also like to see how the new system handles METARs with TR and TR+ and R+ readings..will we get rain shafts and/or reduced visibility through the sector being read? And finally..for low level flight..will the more rapid changing of sectors mean that flying along in a light aircraft you will be likely to run into rapid and abrupt changes in wind direction as you change METAR areas quickly..since winds can be quite different in velocity and direction at each METAR station.. Just a few questions - and looking forward to seeing and reading more about this nice development. BeachAV8R

That's beautiful.. The windshield bleed light warning is a 5 psi switch. LOL Keep up the impressive progress. Can't wait to get my hands on it... Is it too early to request a MedCenter Air livery (even though we fly the V and Ultra..)..? BeachAV8R

I gotta admit - I was skeptical, but with the 50% off incentive I went ahead with the purchase and have to say I'm very happy with the combination of performance and visuals.. You can see some screens of it in action in one of my AARs: HERE Nice job guys... BeachAV8R

No worries - I agree, me and about 1.5 other people would probably ever use them..<g>.. But if your 3D modeler ever gets in a fight with his girlfriend/wife and locks himself in his room for a few hours (days!) one Thanksgiving, maybe he can churn it out..LOL... (Just send the turkey through the slot in the door..!) (See - I have no idea how aircraft development works..) Anyway - love the DC-3..really nice job on it guys. BeachAV8R

First off - love the DC-3..as evidenced: http://forums.mudspike.com/t/epoch-alaska-diary/600/50 Since I'm flying a lot in Alaska lately...I was wondering if it'd be possible to add skis to the DC-3? http://i1314.photobucket.com/albums/t565/gofiguremc/DC3_1%202_zpstckkgzvx.jpg BeachAV8R

I'm a Citation pilot (in real life) including time in the Citation II. The list of things that were wrong with Carenado's Citation was extensive. Disappointingly so if you caught my review in PC Pilot magazine. I'm talking everything from basic stuff (turn off one generator and both gen lights failed) to advanced stuff. I don't know where they sit in their corrective measures at this point, but I am looking forward to the X-Aviation Citation in X-Plane. BeachAV8R

Yeah.. I have to admit I had to smile when the Citation X was able to lay claim to the fastest bizjet.. Someone might have passed it finally (Falcon 7X or one of the Gulfstreams?)..

The pictures are of our Citation Ultra - which has a normal cruise speed of about 420 knots or Mach .72.. Yes, the Lear's and Gulfstream's laugh at us for being so slow.. Thanks..it is a hobby and semi-profession (writing) that I enjoy. Thanks for the warm welcome.. BeachAV8R

A couple pictures from today - short hop over to Wilmington (NC) and back.. BeachAV8R

Yep..that's me..thanks for the welcome..! We get over to PDK quite frequently (love The Downwind restaurant!) but we are based over in Charlotte (KCLT). Our fleet consists of a Citation V, Ultra, and two King Air B200s. One of our King Airs is coming back from the shop next week with the G1000 upgrade..that should be pretty sweet..My experience in the Citation II was flying for a textile company for a couple of years back in 1997-1998. The tail number was N758S. Great flying, honest airplane and I used to love flying with that huge ball type ADI. Made me feel like I was flying a Space Shuttle or something.. <g> Looking forward to flying the Citation in X-Plane.. Regards.. BeachAV8R

Looking forward to this. I flew a Citation II about 15 years ago and enjoyed it. We also had a V and a CJ...then switched to my current job and have been flying a V and Ultra for the past 15 years.. The straight wing Citations are great aircraft..easy to fly, reliable, and just really good workhorses. Hope to see my current livery made at some point.. BeachAV8R