NOTAM B8883 Posted Officially

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damian

Developer
Staff member
Thanks to everyone who participated in the beta builds!

Download from our downloads page.

Changelog:

Update 042724 - B8883 (1.0.8883.1882)
- Added new option "Periodic theme reload interval", now set to your desired interval (default 15) or disable and use download interval only for theme reloads. See user's guide for further information.
- Added instant weather reset when meters/ft units changed to prevent slow smoothing of clouds associated with different altitude values
- Added automatic start of ActiveSkyUtils.exe if it's not already running, and the simulator is, to prevent connection issues in case there is a problem auto-starting ActiveSkyUtils.exe from the simulator exe.xml directly
- Added automatic re-hide of ASFS toolbar button in sim (this is not used currently and should not be visible, even if you re-enabled it by disabling and re-enabling the ASFS toolbar item)
- Moved Navigraph data from [AS install folder]\NavigraphData to C:\users\[username]\appdata\roaming\HiFi\AS_FS\NavigraphData for compatibility with latest Navigraph data management and updater tools for MSFS
- Vis/humidity adjustments per feedback
- Re-enabled dewpoint setting in custom wx setting wizard (dewpoint setting may not be readable in MSFS and is occasionally altered by ASFS for humidity/visibility control)
- Fixed new issue with Russian and potentially other MSFS language settings causing units conversion problems (baro, alt, wind speed errors) in some unit modes
- Fixed issue where changing units mode could cause baro pressure to take a long time to smooth to new value (now instantly switches baro after detected units change)
- Attempted fix for startup form not showing up in some cases requiring a force close/restart to get form to show
- Removed option "Use period theme reloads"
- Updated documentation and readme

Update 042524 - B8881 (1.0.8881.33550)
- Added new option and feature: Enable surface wind attenuation cancelation - Forces expected wind speed reported to be depicted all the way to the surface/runway by doubling the speed(s) set for the surface layer. Causes ATIS to read back the doubled wind speed, but actual depiction will be correct. See user's guide for more details. Default OFF.
- Increased depicted precipitation approximately 50% in most cases
- Improved humidity/visibility handling between 3 and 9SM visibility for better visible obscuration at lower vis settings (without overly obscuring at the mid/higher levels)
- Changed Depiction smoothing rate slider to request optional Apply/Resynth after changing option, to prevent potential transition anomalies when changing settings during an existing transition (an instant reload will occur when Applying)
- Reworked turbulence to allow much higher amplitude at higher Turbulence Scale Factor settings
- Increased turbulence effect strength approximately 25% in general
- Adjustments to wind layering and altitude calculations for more expected results at all elevations/altitudes
- Added intermittent checking of units changes by users to keep conditions data synchronized
- Fixed altitude units conversion issue when using French and some other non-English language settings in MSFS, would result in flat, ugly clouds, incorrect wind depiction, and wrong altitude in general for cloud and wind layers
- Fixed issue with surface gusts and variability not working properly

Update 042424B - B8880B
- Initial implementation of >5000ft cloud generation especially in Europe (NSC/NCD) - More work in progress
- Smoothing tuning, mainly in attempts to eliminate earlier shifts/clearing in some cases
- Added new option: Use periodic theme reloads. Default On. Enable this option to have the weather theme rebuilt periodically, approximately every 7 minutes, to provide updates and variation to the weather as you fly. Without this option enabled, updates will occur only as per your download interval setting.
- Added temporary additional UI console logging for transitions monitoring (http://127.0.0.1:19999/inspector/Main.html?page=38)
- Added additional logging for turbulence (simconnect log) and transitions events (main session log)
- Adjusted METAR sky condition element filtering to not bypass "on the ground" 0 AGL altitude layers specified (e.g. FEW000)
- Attempted fix for issue where after pressing REFRESH (debug screen) and then moving download interval slider (general options), time request can default to beginning of hour and could cause historical mode to activate
- Attempted fix for flight-plan-related anomalies in weather updates, locking, and refreshing
- Fixed issue with Enabled temperature-based altimeter errors option not persisting properly
- Fixed issue with AS_FS_SimConnectLog.txt not properly attaching to log exports
- Removed Maximum Upper Visibility option (this is not having the desired effect despite our attempts to control upper visibility without MSFS overriding this at higher altitudes)
- Fixed NCD/NSC/CAVOK cloud generation issue causing loss of METAR cloud layers in some cases

Update 042324 - B8879
- Redesigned toolbar UI interface for Parallel 42's toolbar interop solution, establishing compatibility with most other toolbar-based mods/addons – NOTE: All developers of toolbar mods/addons are recommended to use the open-source toolbar interop by //42 to maintain compatible with all other toolbar mods/addons - please contact //42 directly for integration assistance (www.parallel42.com)
- Added new option: Enable temperature-based altimeter errors (was previously not settable and forced on) - now defaulted off
- Slowed general cloud transitions, especially during low/high coverage stages, approximately 50%. Now takes approximately 8 minutes to smooth from clear to overcast or vice versa, at default 50% slider setting.
- Adjusted AS_FSConnectorInstall to account for potential dual-sim (Steam + Store) MSFS installations, either previously installed this way or currently, which could cause improper connector installation target path and lack of any wx depiction
- Adjusted ActiveSkyUtils exe.xml install process to also account for potential dual-sim installations and handle accordingly and result in failure of simulator to connect
- Increased speed of "building" cloud layers vs. "dissipating" cloud layers (by 25%) in smoothing to reduce occurrence of unexpectedly clearer skies during some transitions
- Slightly increased cirrus generation occurrence rate in some cases
- Increased thickness of cirrus clouds at 35K and higher altitudes to prevent MSFS cloud depiction from hiding the layer in some cases
- Increased average thickness of stratus clouds and cumulus clouds approximately 15% per feedback, for more visual depth
- Increased average thickness of precipitating clouds approximately 20%
- Changed "Copying theme file to sim" message send at completion of wx theme generation to "weather theme generation complete" message to avoid confusion and bug reports due to this normal process
- Adjusted temp-based altimeter/baro error feature to only activate when both surface and current ISA temps are in excess of 10 deg, and below 10K AGL
- Reverted earlier humidity/vis change as requested for slightly less humidity (more visibility) in most cases
- Fixed issue with excessive wake turbulence effect
- Fixed issue where download time sync could be lost in longer flights or when switching modes often, or some other undetermined cases, causing historical mode to activate and download 1-hour old wx vs. live as requested
- Attempted fix for potential temperature discrepancy at higher altitudes
- Updated readme/docs including adding/updating sections regarding not changing MSFS wx mode inside MSFS as this causes failure of ASFS to properly depict weather
- Removed obsolete documentation regarding maximum cloud layer setting
 
Last edited:

Hewpilot

Member
This is an early test of a big update, I am posting a little earlier than normal (we are still internally testing but looking good so far).

If you'd like to try this and help us confirm stability, you can download here:

https://www.mediafire.com/file_premium/8o1lujsvqhrd9b6/AS_FS_Install.exe/file

We recommend doing an uninstall of both Active Sky FS and Active Sky FS Connector, then reinstall of this, to make sure the installation environment is proper (some of the fixes are specific to potential installation issues).

Use at your own risk - this is a beta, not yet confirmed stable. Please note that there is plenty more on the list that we are working on. The fixes/adjustments so far are focused on the critical and popular issues reported per your feedback. Thank you.

Update 042324 - B8879
- Redesigned toolbar UI interface for Parallel 42's toolbar interop solution, establishing compatibility with most other toolbar-based mods/addons – NOTE: All developers of toolbar mods/addons are recommended to use the open-source toolbar interop by //42 to maintain compatible with all other toolbar mods/addons - please contact //42 directly for integration assistance (www.parallel42.com)
- Added new option: Enable temperature-based altimeter errors (was previously not settable and forced on) - now defaulted off
- Slowed general cloud transitions, especially during low/high coverage stages, approximately 50%. Now takes approximately 8 minutes to smooth from clear to overcast or vice versa, at default 50% slider setting.
- Adjusted AS_FSConnectorInstall to account for potential dual-sim (Steam + Store) MSFS installations, either previously installed this way or currently, which could cause improper connector installation target path and lack of any wx depiction
- Adjusted ActiveSkyUtils exe.xml install process to also account for potential dual-sim installations and handle accordingly and result in failure of simulator to connect
- Increased speed of "building" cloud layers vs. "dissipating" cloud layers (by 25%) in smoothing to reduce occurrence of unexpectedly clearer skies during some transitions
- Slightly increased cirrus generation occurrence rate in some cases
- Increased thickness of cirrus clouds at 35K and higher altitudes to prevent MSFS cloud depiction from hiding the layer in some cases
- Increased average thickness of stratus clouds and cumulus clouds approximately 15% per feedback, for more visual depth
- Increased average thickness of precipitating clouds approximately 20%
- Changed "Copying theme file to sim" message send at completion of wx theme generation to "weather theme generation complete" message to avoid confusion and bug reports due to this normal process
- Adjusted temp-based altimeter/baro error feature to only activate when both surface and current ISA temps are in excess of 10 deg, and below 10K AGL
- Reverted earlier humidity/vis change as requested for slightly less humidity (more visibility) in most cases
- Fixed issue with excessive wake turbulence effect
- Fixed issue where download time sync could be lost in longer flights or when switching modes often, or some other undetermined cases, causing historical mode to activate and download 1-hour old wx vs. live as requested
- Attempted fix for potential temperature discrepancy at higher altitudes
- Updated readme/docs including adding/updating sections regarding not changing MSFS wx mode inside MSFS as this causes failure of ASFS to properly depict weather
- Removed obsolete documentation regarding maximum cloud layer setting
Thanks goin to try today and report.
 

Kristoff

New member
This is an early test of a big update, I am posting a little earlier than normal (we are still internally testing but looking good so far).

If you'd like to try this and help us confirm stability, you can download here:

https://www.mediafire.com/file_premium/8o1lujsvqhrd9b6/AS_FS_Install.exe/file

We recommend doing an uninstall of both Active Sky FS and Active Sky FS Connector, then reinstall of this, to make sure the installation environment is proper (some of the fixes are specific to potential installation issues).

Use at your own risk - this is a beta, not yet confirmed stable. Please note that there is plenty more on the list that we are working on. The fixes/adjustments so far are focused on the critical and popular issues reported per your feedback. Thank you.

Update 042324 - B8879
- Redesigned toolbar UI interface for Parallel 42's toolbar interop solution, establishing compatibility with most other toolbar-based mods/addons – NOTE: All developers of toolbar mods/addons are recommended to use the open-source toolbar interop by //42 to maintain compatible with all other toolbar mods/addons - please contact //42 directly for integration assistance (www.parallel42.com)
- Added new option: Enable temperature-based altimeter errors (was previously not settable and forced on) - now defaulted off
- Slowed general cloud transitions, especially during low/high coverage stages, approximately 50%. Now takes approximately 8 minutes to smooth from clear to overcast or vice versa, at default 50% slider setting.
- Adjusted AS_FSConnectorInstall to account for potential dual-sim (Steam + Store) MSFS installations, either previously installed this way or currently, which could cause improper connector installation target path and lack of any wx depiction
- Adjusted ActiveSkyUtils exe.xml install process to also account for potential dual-sim installations and handle accordingly and result in failure of simulator to connect
- Increased speed of "building" cloud layers vs. "dissipating" cloud layers (by 25%) in smoothing to reduce occurrence of unexpectedly clearer skies during some transitions
- Slightly increased cirrus generation occurrence rate in some cases
- Increased thickness of cirrus clouds at 35K and higher altitudes to prevent MSFS cloud depiction from hiding the layer in some cases
- Increased average thickness of stratus clouds and cumulus clouds approximately 15% per feedback, for more visual depth
- Increased average thickness of precipitating clouds approximately 20%
- Changed "Copying theme file to sim" message send at completion of wx theme generation to "weather theme generation complete" message to avoid confusion and bug reports due to this normal process
- Adjusted temp-based altimeter/baro error feature to only activate when both surface and current ISA temps are in excess of 10 deg, and below 10K AGL
- Reverted earlier humidity/vis change as requested for slightly less humidity (more visibility) in most cases
- Fixed issue with excessive wake turbulence effect
- Fixed issue where download time sync could be lost in longer flights or when switching modes often, or some other undetermined cases, causing historical mode to activate and download 1-hour old wx vs. live as requested
- Attempted fix for potential temperature discrepancy at higher altitudes
- Updated readme/docs including adding/updating sections regarding not changing MSFS wx mode inside MSFS as this causes failure of ASFS to properly depict weather
- Removed obsolete documentation regarding maximum cloud layer setting
Hello does this update fixes the wind gusting and windshear/shifts functions?
 

damian

Developer
Staff member
Hello does this update fixes the wind gusting and windshear/shifts functions?
No, only the items in the changelog were changed. As mentioned there is much more we are working on. Please open a thread about gusts if you are having a problem there, as we haven't received a report on that yet. We are aware of wind shear issues in some cases. Thanks.
 

mmcmah

Active member
Really liking the new version so far on a quick test of the areas I was just looking at to examine the transition timings. I have reverted to the default 50 smoothing factor and thought it did a great job of building up (from clear skies) a completely overcast and rainy evening in the location I teleported to (LEBG) using live weather.
 

kmkc6403

Member
Really liking the new version so far on a quick test of the areas I was just looking at to examine the transition timings. I have reverted to the default 50 smoothing factor and thought it did a great job of building up (from clear skies) a completely overcast and rainy evening in the location I teleported to (LEBG) using live weather.
So back to the default 50 smoothing is the way to go?
 

daan_vb

New member
One bug i have noticed regarding this:

- Added new option: Enable temperature-based altimeter errors (was previously not settable and forced on) - now defaulted off

If you enable it, click out to another option and come back to it, its unticked again...
 

bunchy

New member
Just trying the new beta, in preset live weather mode with defaults set in ASFS after re-install.
On a flight from EGCC to LSGG. Departing runway 5L, winds were rotating clockwise from 040 through 360 and back again at about 2kts per second. This caused the fenix airbus real problems as the indicated airspeed was being dramatically affected by the sudden wind direction change around the compass. Metar for EGCC was reporting 241020Z 04005kts 360V070. It seems the veer started at 40 and went around to 360 and back again, instead of starting at 360 and veering to 70. Everything had settled by FL120.
 

emilak

New member
I am currently trying this beta. Cloud transition issue seems to be improved. I do not face ant sudden cloud disappearance and appearance anymore (setting is on default %50). However I noticed something more important and unrealistic. PMDG 737 is now cannot handle straight flight. No stable indicated air speed, no stable heading and time to time programmed FMC speed/altitude data resets itself. During all these things, wind remains same. No change on wind direction and/or speed.
I would consider this beta is LESS realistic than published stable version. I hope you guys could able to find the change which you did and make cause of unstable flight and change it back to normal. Otherwise ASFS will became useless for airliners.
 
Last edited:

emilak

New member
In addition to my above comment; bank angle caution has been triggered twice during turn by autopilot because of abrupt injection of wind. I also noticed that this abrupt injection stopped at around 2000 feet AGL. I do not use FS Realistic, FSUIPC and Realturb. It's only ASFS would inject or affect the sim about weather.
 
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