I can also confirm that the thermals now work with standard regional settings on German Windows 10.
I had some problems with AI towing. When I spawn a tow plane on my usual air fields it just does nothing. It turns slowly into some direction but stays on the ground.
I did get AI towing to work on a bigger airport. Still a bit wonky but works.
I also had a problem that when I want to start in a parking space, the plane starts with a considerable ground speed. Not sure why. I thought it was the wind so I deactivated it, but the problem was still there. This doesn’t seem to be a KA problem though, it also happens when KA is not running.
All in all this is pretty cool now, good job @thealx !
Afterwards I flew the DG808 from Oos (EDTB) to the Hornisgrinde (the highest mountain in the northern Black Forest: Hornisgrinde – Wikipedia).
This time I set the wind only to 10knots. That made ridge soaring a bit harder but it worked well for me.
I still used a thermal that I set over Baden-Baden to gain some altitude before flying south.
My track. The Hornisgrinde is in the south-eastern corner of my flight path, where I turned west.
The Hornisgrinde. I forgot to take pictures flying south and when I was near the Hornisgrinde, because I had all hands full flying the airplane and finding lift.
Sorry if I mist it, but did they change this to a paid version? I downloaded a freeware version a few weeks ago from https://msfs.touching.cloud/. Is there a difference?
I am not sure.
They seem to sell it on SimMarket (and I got it there when it was free for some time), but the current 0.7.1 version (forgot the 0. when I posted earlier) seems to be free to download on their site: https://msfs.touching.cloud/mods/kinetic-assistant/
No, at the moment versions are exactly the same. After base functionality will be finished (after v1.0), paid version will get some additional features.
We placed it on SimMarket just to became known in the community, for future projects sake. Store owners declined to make it free, so that is how it is.
about 60% of the airfields does not have taxi paths. Unfortunately, there is no way to find it out by SimConnect features (functions that return nearby airports still broken), so this is back-up feature.
immediate takeoff plane does not follow flight plane or ATC commands, so there is no way to control it. only thing applied - altitude adjustment to make it lift faster, but only until ~7000ft
I continued soaring today, doing a few tests for @thealx and trying out something new:
There is a Schempp-Hirth Discus 2b freeware plane for MSFS2020, currently in beta.
It has a clickable cockpit but it is a bit rough around the edges. It seems it is missing flaps, you cannot see a pilot model in the external view (which IMO looks weird), and its altimeter isn’t properly working for me.
However it flies well and it is worth to keep it on the watch list, since it will improve.
I haven’t tried it in VR yet but will do so soon.
EDIT: In case you want to try it, here is a link: https://flightsim.to/file/6768/discus-2b-glider
After I had tested the Discus I did another flight in my local area with the DG808 trying out thermals and stuff. It took me from Oos to Bruchsal (EDTC), around 50 miles. But I didn’t exactly fly a straight route.
Side note:
I read through some comments in the official MSFS2020 forums and I am surprised by the number of people who complain about updrafts/downdrafts but at the same time say things like
“While the up/downdrafts are noticeable, they feel really weak, even with the strongest wind setting.
When I’m flying an glider mod it’s impossible to gain some height with the current updrafts.”
Not sure what is happening there.
EDIT: Also funny: One thread “Where is turbulence!! Too weak!” and at the same time there are posts in another thread “The turbulence is way too strong!”
Either way, it seems like the devs have noticed that more and more people want to soar, and they are on it. That’s a good thing.
Kinetic Assistant 0.8 is out! Main changes - UI improvements, some bugs fixed and missing features added, and most important - thermals import from https://thermal.kk7.ch/ available now. No need to mess with CSV files. Just check their map for coverage, find suitable location, start the flight in MSFS and press the KK7 button on Thermals tab. To see thermals in LNM - you can export them as CSV and load by Userpoints > import section.
7.02.2021 Please update to v0.8.1 if you are using KK7 data
transparency option
partially working Always on top feature fixed
Winch Initial acceleration field added
Custom AI tow plane name support (most aircraft will not take off without taxiing; names list can be found in Developer menu → Aircraft Selector)
Automatic thermals data load from thermal.kk7.ch service (experimental! coverage is limited, check their website to choose supported location)
Thermals height field, for thermal.kk7.ch data or CSV thermals with 0 elevation set; should match altitude of lower clouds layer in the game (in feet)
Thermal Clear button added, as now several sources can be used same time – multiple CSVs made in LittleNavMap and thermal.kk7.ch server data
Thermal debug data moved into bottom window
Winch/Tow rope random failures option (chances still depend on tension, Training Mode is like use damaged rope that will fail during next launch)
AI tow plane altitude limit depend on launching position altitude (fix for mounting area)
We have prepared two gliding tasks for you, and are proposing to participate in this small contest. ALBATROSS competitions program in early testing stage, so it will be more testing rather than a sports event, but still a good reason to enjoy soaring in MSFS.
Tasks will be opened from today for testing, so no time will be sent to the server after completion. You can get yourself familiar with the route, or just wait for tomorrow.
14.02.2021 at noon (UTC) the start gate will be opened, and available for 24 hours. So everyone will be able to participate at the most suitable time.
Basic parameters of the starting gate: 5000m elevation (above ground), 500m radius
Parameters of turnpoints and finish: elevation not limited, 500m radius
Program has some basic safe checks – like you have to turn the engine off, or don’t use winch/tow after you passed starting gates, or your result will be reset. Program in the early testing stage, so feel free to report about any issues.
We can use different servers for now (later some way to connect pilots will be added), but maybe we could agree to use a single one – West Europe, so we will see as many people as possible.
So, have fun, tomorrow at 12pm (12:00) UTC starting gates will be opened, and you can race as many times you want.
Reminder: start gate will be opened for both tasks today 12:00UTC. If you have program opened already - press RELOAD button and RACE button will appear. If some tow planes will be around, you can use Aerotow tab, or just winch/engine. Don’t forget to kill the engine before you get inside of the starting gate, or counter will not start work. You can use any glider, no strict limits this time.
Start gates open for next 24 hours, so you can join anytime. If you are going to be the first one, or would like to be a tow plane pilot, come to RACE 54 LOIJ on West Europe server. Closest thermal can be used for waiting, remember that start gates has 5000m height limit.
SE wind 10kn, so be careful when passing from PP1 to PP2
If you fail, you can restart task manually (RESTART button on second tab) and move to the start again.
don’t worry, tasks will stay available for training, and also events will happen weekly (maybe even more often as others will be able to add tasks as well)
Is the Falke meant to be flown as a glider with the engine off, or should I just idle?
1b. Relatedly, is that supposed to be working at MTOW?
I took it into the Alps (started at Füssen, wind from the north, 12 knots) and the amount of updraft that makes the DG808S climb decently (1500+ fps) just made the Falke climb around 500fps it seems.
It still was a fun flight but I had to start the engine twice or I wouldn’t have made it to my destination.
Is it SOP to land under power or to glide in?
At which airspeeds does the plane glide best?
(At least it doesn’t depend on flaps position here )
We have prepared the next gliding competition for you - Race 125 LFNJ. Location - South-East France, LFTM - LFNJ. Task length - 125km, duration - about a hour. Start gate open from today until 2021-02-22 12:00:00 UTC.
Variable S-E wind will help you to stay in the air by following east and south side hills, but also strong thermals can be found near to each turn point to you out.
Please notice that thermals leaning implemented in current ALBATROSSversion (btw don’t forget to get update or results will be not counted), so you will experience a small shift of the thermals to the west direction. Thermals drifting is disabled during competition to ensure that all players will have thermals at the same spots.
Our last weekend task Race 350 EDKG available again, it is the hard one so be sure you have enough time and patient to finish it.
We are still in testing stage of ALBATROSS development process so feel free to report about any issues you will find, or wishes you can have. No glider class limits at this time, use anything you like, just don’t forget to kill the engine. Good luck!
Totally agree with @Victork2 . I would add there is no problem landing engine off. For a commercial school like ours it is easier to keep the engine on. It is critical after flying engine off or idle, even for a short period, to fully warm the engine before setting climb power. Ideally set enough power to descend slowly and reduce speed with the cowl flaps closed. Otherwise you can shatter the engine block or a cylinder. It was done to one of our aircraft and cost a lot of cash.
Watch out in warm weather not to overheat the engine. Easily done.
Hey, what have I got to lose?!
