13. Wind Selection

This window lets you select your wind conditions for your Flight Session. Select from over 220 wind scenarios.

To reach this window from a Fly Screen, click on Wind in the menu or on the Wind pane on right.

• On this window, scroll through the list of wind conditions.

• When you find a wind that you like, click on it. Details about that selection are then shown in the description box.

• To use this wind, at bottom left click Ok.

• To revert to the wind you had before (not save any selection), then, at top right click on Return to Main Menu to return to the Main Menu.

13.1. Wind Types

The list includes many different types of winds.

Steady Winds

• The first “Steady Winds: 0 mph at startup” is the default wind and will have zero wind speed at startup. Use keys Home / End (for wind speed) and - / = (for wind direction) to change the wind while in a Flight Session. The default wind blows out of the south.

• “Steady Winds” have the same speed and direction everywhere. These winds require the least computing power.

Steady Winds with Ground Boundary Layer Sheer

• “Steady Winds, BL 1” include an atmospheric ground boundary layer (“BL”) that has higher winds aloft. In other words, near the ground, then wind speed decreases due to friction. This type of atmospheric wind profile simulates what is found over open areas like grasslands and large bodies of water.

• “Steady Winds, BL 2” simulate the boundary layer found over wooded areas, rolling hills, and city outskirts.

Turbulent Winds

• “Turbulent Wind” includes realistic turbulence. This wind selection requires more computing power.

Turbulent Winds with Ground Boundary Layer Sheer

• “Turbulent Winds + BL1” include both turbulence and an atmospheric ground boundary layer. This case requires the most computing power, and on some computer is may interrupt the smooth operation of the sim during a Flight Session. If this occurs, close other program and see if there is any improvement in computing power.

• This is the most realistic wind setup in the sim, but it will be hard for slow computers to run it.

Thermals

• “Thermal Set” winds include updrafts in thermals. On faster computers, pick a thermal set with more thermals for greater realism.

Slope Soaring and Dynamic Soaring

• “Slope Soaring” winds let you soar upwind of a ridge or hill. Choose the Flying Site with the same name listed in the wind description/name, e.g., the “Jockey’s Ridge” site.

• “DS Winds” account for wind shear of the type required for dynamic soaring with sailplanes. Choose the Flying Site with the same name listed in the wind description/name, e.g., the “Blanca Crater” site.

13.2. Keyboard Controls for Wind

Keyboard controls for the wind include the following.

Wind Speed Change

• Hold down Home or End . These keys are above the arrow keys. To see your changes, use the
  Wind Compass.

Wind Direction Change

• Hold down - or = . These keys are side-by-side on the main keyboard, not the numeric keypad.

Wind Compass

• Press W to show the Wind Compass widget. Press W again to hide it.

  The Wind Compass points to where the wind is blowing from It simulates a perfect weathervane, having no inertia. Like the Magnetic Compass, which you see by pressing C , the Wind Compass on-screen indicator is relative to the camera look direction. So if the camera faces north (the look direction) and the wind blows from the west (hitting your left side) then the Wind Compass naturally points to the left. The situation described is shown below.

  The number inside the Wind Compass indicates wind speed in miles per hour. (The font size will reduce going from two digits, and then to three and four with higher and higher winds. The highest winds measured on planet earth reached 231 mph in year 1934.)

  The simulator does not impose a limit on the wind speed you set.

  The indicated wind is the speed of the wind at the aircraft position, not at the location of the ground pilot nor location of the camera. Climbing through a ground boundary layer (wind sheer) will show the wind speed increase aloft as in real life.

• Press M to see a small wind indicator in the Map Overlay widget. In the map, the wind is shown as an arrow pointing in the direction that the wind is blowing. It is like a wind streamer. Pressing M repeatedly will cycle through the various map orientations.

• It is recommended that you always begin a flight with the Wind Compass shown. That way you are aware of wind conditions (zero wind or not). The Wind Compass will increase your Situational Awareness.