DC-8 Altimeter issue

[archaeopteryx]

I have recently discovered your DC-8 and am very much enjoying flying it. However, there seems to be an issue with the altimeter, in that when connecting to an external weather programme it adjusts not as it should but, as it were, in reverse. That is, if the pressure is lower than 29.92 it will read higher and if it is higher it will read lower. This does not happen if it is replaced with the default Cessna gauge or with the altimeter for your Boeing 707 320, which actually looks rather well in its place. However, I don't think Douglas would have approved. A coding error perhaps, or is there something I have missed? Many thanks.

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

when connecting to an external weather programme it adjusts not as it should but, as it were, in reverse.

Our DC-8 panels represent some of the oldest panel/gauge programming we currently offer.

I can't vouch for what influence (if any) add-on or external programs/utilities/modules may impose upon these panels and their gauges/functionalities, but, in the past we're aware of a few (very few in fact) examples where features among some of these might have been negatively influenced by such .... can't name the specific programs/utilities/modules though .... nor recall the specific impact other that I don't recall the like of altimeteter barometric pressure indications being implicated.

Possibly pays to bear in mind the programming of any number of the panels we offer doesn't conform to a set/uniform standard for the lot (given the original versions of some of these were created by one individual and have often been modified (a number times over the past 20 years) by yet another .... so .... impact of any potential influences (won't be uniform either or be experienced by everyone. Some things can be experienced on some systems, and with some installations, but, not others.

With regard to the altimeter barometric settings displayed in our DC-8 panels I can't say I've noticed any particular issue/s of concern .... other than QNH indications for these (and other panels too) "is" small and can be difficult to read depending on monitor size.

In any case .... one should be able to "automatically" set the altimeter barometric pressue setting by hitting keyboard command "B" (I routinely do this above 17,500 FT (using this key board command though FS won't/can't apply higher QNH values until precisely 18,000FT .... that's just the way FS works) .... AND .... one should also be able to manually adjust/set any desired altimeter barometric pressure setting using the small knobs assocciated with the altimeter gauges in these DC-8 panels .... and whatever setting is selected should then remain as set. Mention is made of this in each individual panel description within our followig linked forum based DC-8 MANUAL ....


tonymadgehjg.proboards.com/thread/8019/hjg-panel-installation-handling-notes


I wouldn't recommend swapping gauges in any of our panels for alternative substitutes .... since such has been known to cause issues (for some users) in the past. It's not so much that this can't be done or that it may result in issues .... but rather .... it's becaue we/HJG won't/can't support anything that's not composed of the files we actually offer

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[archaeopteryx]

Thank you for your reply. I should have made it clear that when I spoke of the altimeter adjusting I was referring to what happens when keyboard B is pressed. I did a flight yesterday with the HJG Boeing 707 altimeter as a replacement and it adjusted at ground level when B was pressed in line with the pressure as indicated by the external weather program and functioned properly throughout the flight, so I am happy to continue using that. I always set the local pressure at ground level by pressing B and then adjust manually to 29.92 when transition altitude is reached, i.e. 18,000 feet in the U.S.A. and Canada but lower elsewhere. Thanks again, and for these fine aircraft.

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

I do the precisely the same too .... setting it at airport altitude (manually or per keyboard command) .... and again when passing through 18,000 FT (manually or per keyboard command again) .... and likewise once again on the way back down as well.

My best advise (since there's nothing really wrong with the system on its own) is .... continue doing what you're doing "manually" and don't let your WX program/utility/module have the final say .... if you can help it

If I remember correctly .... the altimeter gauges in our B707/720/C-135 panels (used with these simulations) want to display "2992" even when keyboard influenced and regardless of the altitude, but, a 2991 (or other) value can be "manually set" and maintained as required.

Mark C
AKL/NZ