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Altimeter problem

PostPosted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:36 pm
by visualchaosfx
I'm currently flying from Seattle to San Fran. My altitude for this run is FL180. But I keep having to reset the altimeter by pressing the "B" key because ATC would tell me that I'm either X below my assigned altitude or y above my assigned altitude. Now would the weather have anything to do with this? Or do I need to restart FS2004?

Re: Altimeter problem

PostPosted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:44 pm
by a1
If you are on real weather you have to reset the altimeter every time they call. Normal weather is 29.92.

Re: Altimeter problem

PostPosted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:57 pm
by visualchaosfx
If you are on real weather you have to reset the altimeter every time they call. Normal weather is 29.92.


Oh ok. I got it now. I thought maybe I had to restart the sim or something. Thanks.

I'm 85 miles away from landing this baby woohoo!!!!

Re: Altimeter problem

PostPosted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:16 pm
by dave3cu
Yes, the weather has much to do with it.

As stated, if your flying real weather with updates the BP can change over time. Also if your flying a weather theme and have the dynamic weather slider set to medium or high it can change.

To 'cheat', goto Aircraft>Realism and turn on 'display flying tips'. A small banner will advise you when your altimeter is incorrect.

For altitudes at or above 18000 your 'sposed to set 29.92. As I don't fly that high I don't know how well ATC works up there.

Re: Altimeter problem

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:43 am
by vololiberista
The sim uses FL180 as the transition altitude The US is I believe the only country with such a high TA.
What this means is that at or below FL180 you will have to continually reset your altimeter to the area QNH.

The best solution is to put a higher FL into your flight plan.
Vololiberista

Re: Altimeter problem

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:46 am
by Conan Edogawa
Yep, above Fl180 you've to reset it to 29.92. Otherwise ATC would tell you to climb/descend.

Re: Altimeter problem

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 10:52 am
by visualchaosfx
Ah ok. Now I remember the guy on the DVD saying that the transitional altitude for the US is FL180. I can't believe I forgot about that. When I was setting up the flight plan I set the weather settings to Thunderstorm. On final approach, I did my first crosswind landing. It wasn't an extreme crosswind but it was enough that the plane was facing a good 15 or 20 degrees but was heading straight on with trhe runway. At about 1500 ft I would disengage the speed throttle and at 800 ft I would disengage the autopilot and then land on the runway in one piece. I would say I'm getting better at landings. Judging by my youtube videos, I may not follow the proper descent procedures but at least I'm getting on the runway. ;)

Re: Altimeter problem

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 2:00 pm
by pepper_airborne
Yeah, in europe the TA is sometimes as low as FL40 at wich you set the QNH to 1013.

Re: Altimeter problem

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 3:09 pm
by elite marksman
Note, that is 1013.3 MILLIBARS, not 10.13 in Hg.

Re: Altimeter problem

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:30 pm
by N2744X
Note, Altitudes are only refered to as flightlevels above 18,000 feet. The first flight level is FL180. Why called levels, because they are "whole altitude numbers" (just made that phrase up ;) ) in other words, you cannot be assigned to flight level 255, as in 25,500.

Re: Altimeter problem

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:18 pm
by Conan Edogawa
Do you publish your FS9-videos at youtube? Would like to see and comment them! :)

Re: Altimeter problem

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:40 pm
by visualchaosfx
Do you publish your FS9-videos at youtube? Would like to see and comment them! :)


Yep I have 4 of them on there. I also uploaded a new one into my myspace account.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfmuLNWMRBA
I have more on there. Just click "More from this user"

http://www.myspace.com/northwest_744_heavy
Its right on the main page.

Re: Altimeter problem

PostPosted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 8:31 pm
by Conan Edogawa
Not bad! I didn't get the Kai Tak landing at the first time. The "Sinkrate"-thingy was a usual thing pilots heard during their approach to this legendary airport. :)

Re: Altimeter problem

PostPosted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 9:31 pm
by visualchaosfx
Not bad! I didn't get the Kai Tak landing at the first time. The "Sinkrate"-thingy was a usual thing pilots heard during their approach to this legendary airport. :)


Did you watch the second video of the Kai Tak landing? I did a different approach to the runway and it works.

Re: Altimeter problem

PostPosted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:43 am
by Conan Edogawa
Sounds a bit strange but I think the first one is more realistic. It's similar to those approaches the pilots did in RL.

Looks like you got a program which gives you the ability to move your view like you'd move your head. Is it included in the plane? If not, is it freeware? Does it need much ressources?

What did you pay for the PMDG 747?

Sorry for the amount of questions... ;D

I saw your KLAX-landing:  :o great!

I couldn't see if you did ILS or VFR, what was it?

I only uploaded one video in times I had one unregistered FRAPS-version, it's just a simple touchdown of a Janet-landing, which is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goMdWU2VL58
Since I got the registered version, I can't film my flights because when I'm recording it looks like watching pictures. :(