iPad wind readout

Important: These forums are for discussions between SkyDemon users. They are not routinely monitored by SkyDemon staff so any urgent issues should be sent directly to our Customer Support.

iPad wind readout

Author	Message
2greens1red	2greens1red posted 10/1/2012 9:26:35 AM Topic Details Share Topic
Group: Forum Members Posts: 25, Visits: 119	I'm sure this has been answered elsewhere, but I was trying to figure out, when in flight, what the wind field should show (under the vertical column of GS, Track, Alt. etc.) - at the moment all I have is an X (for no data?). In simulation mode it shows a wind - is it a random figure? Also, is there an SD/iPad manual available? Many thanks. Edited 10/1/2012 5:10:43 PM by 2greens1red
	Reply Like 38
ckurz7000	ckurz7000 posted 10/1/2012 10:51:22 AM Post Details Share Post
Group: Forum Members Posts: 538, Visits: 2.2K	The wind field shows winds aloft when you are flying. In order to compute it from scratch you would need knowledge of your current airspeed as well as a magnetic heading and GPS fix. Since SD doesn't know your airspeed I interpret the winds aloft shown as coming from a forecast value interpolated for your position and displayed relative to your magnetic heading. -- Chris.
	Reply Like 41
Tim Dawson	Tim Dawson posted 10/1/2012 11:44:42 AM Post Details Share Post
Group: Forum Members Posts: 8K, Visits: 9.1K	The wind instrument shows the forecast wind at your current position, altitude and time.
	Reply Like 40
2greens1red	2greens1red posted 10/1/2012 3:55:22 PM Post Details Share Post
Group: Forum Members Posts: 25, Visits: 119	Thanks, Chris. Wouldn't a reasonably accurate TAS be relatively simple to input? It might not be simple to calculate, of course. Tim - thanks. I assume forecast wind has to come from the last internet access, and if the route wasn't planned with web access then no forecast wind? Hence the X? And if internet access was available at planning stage, then is it intelligent enough to display a wind within a 12 or 24-hour window? And is there a SD iPad manual or user notes? It might slow down the flow of basic questions!
	Reply Like 40
ckurz7000	ckurz7000 posted 10/3/2012 12:27:04 PM Post Details Share Post
Group: Forum Members Posts: 538, Visits: 2.2K	2greens1red (01/10/2012) Thanks, Chris. Wouldn't a reasonably accurate TAS be relatively simple to input? It might not be simple to calculate, of course. Tim - thanks. I assume forecast wind has to come from the last internet access, and if the route wasn't planned with web access then no forecast wind? Hence the X? And if internet access was available at planning stage, then is it intelligent enough to display a wind within a 12 or 24-hour window? And is there a SD iPad manual or user notes? It might slow down the flow of basic questions! Yes, by inputting a TAS, SD can calculate a wind aloft value. Personally, this information isn't terribly useful for me since the most important thing is the headwind/tailwind component. And that I can read off near enough as the difference between IAS and GS. -- Chris. P.S.: Why does the quote in my post include the stuff I replied? The text I added is outside the tags???? Edited 10/3/2012 12:28:34 PM by ckurz7000
	Reply Like 41
2greens1red	2greens1red posted 10/3/2012 6:08:17 PM Post Details Share Post
Group: Forum Members Posts: 25, Visits: 119	I can see head/tail is useful, but drift is fairly useful for accurate holding, though I accept one could estimate that from en route heading to make the desired track. SD is also very much for VFR. I'm still curious from where/when SD takes the f'cast wind info.
	Reply Like 40
Tim Dawson	Tim Dawson posted 10/5/2012 4:45:52 PM Post Details Share Post
Group: Forum Members Posts: 8K, Visits: 9.1K	If you specify a takeoff time for your flight, SkyDemon will make sure it has all forecast information available in that time window. If you don't set a takeoff time, it'll assume you're taking off in the near future.
	Reply Like 38