WIND

[kitercuda]

Hi,
unfortunatelly I agree with Marcos:
"I am unsure it can be made robust and still provide reliable readings for most users. It would be nice to collect real data sets (plus coordinates) and compare the results with the winds aloft chart."

For wind calculation we need heading (possible to use device magnetic sensor - problem with accuracy, noice, GPS data lag and calibrating before takeoff) and true airspeed - big problem.

Edit: I have found solution - connect FLY is FUN to the pitot-static system via some device. But it would be expensive...

[AlexBV]

Wind calculation could be done easily by flying a circle. If the circling is constantly and smooth, the results should be very accurate. You will get max. GS, min. GS and the Headings of max. and min. GS. That's it! The formula is quite simple.

Inaccurancy could appear, if changes in vertical speed influences the circling speed. Maybe there is a chance to include the vertical speed changes in the formula to compensate them.

[kitercuda]

In cross country flying is wasted time to make an orbits. But wind calculation will be implemnted. We have now bad weather condition to test it in the air...
I am still thinking how to do it without orbiting, no TAS, no heading. Just use GS and track.

[flyyyer]

It would be good to continue with this if possible and if results would mean something.
I understand that the aircraft heading value needs to be input acurately into any equation. (and aircraft needs to be in balance) I am not sure how acurate the android magnetic/gyro sensors are.
When in a smooth cruise in my Bede (130 mph cruise) you can hold a good balance and heading, but I would not particlarily want to fly a circle just to get this wind info.
In my Rans S5 (55 mph cruise) I can easily get caught out by the wind strength and direction. Before I decide which direction to go, as soon as I can safely do so + If I suspect any wind strength, I fly a quick orbit to determine the wind strength and direction. I then tend to fly upwind so that I can actually get back to the airfield before I run out of fuel! I use my built in Garmin Pilot III with the GPS ground speed displayed (I could use FIF though) Using this method, In this slow plane I can detect both the wind speed and direction (I can feel and visualise it also...) by watching the GPS speed. I then do a quick mental calculation and write down or remember the result.
Not sure if any of this is relevant.... interesting topic though....

Peter G

[kplackowski]

Hello all,

I wold like to propose a bit different approach to this subject.
The user (pilot) may enter manually a wind data to the dialog "Route summary".
This data may be a base for presenting wind on the map, calculate cross wind during take off/landing, etc.
Another (supplementary) possibility would be to calculate wind data on the basis of METARs data grabbed from airports located in the vicinity of our aircraft current fix.
These data might be calculated as weighted arithmetic mean (distance to the airport would be a weight). These calculated wind data might be put by default to "Route summary" dialog screen.

It seams to be not complicated. May be not very accurate and reliable, but for sufficient for our purposes.

Best regards

Krzysztof