Magnetic variation - now gone entirely, and then some?

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but isn't the mag var issue supposed to be fixed?

(Additional reference)

The runway heading for rwy 13 at Batumi should be 126 degrees, as per current approach charts. Unfortunately, in-game it is now barely 120 degrees, as shown below:

The indication used to be 121 degrees, so something has changed - it has actually gotten worse!

The published magnetic variation is 5 degrees E, so it is subtracted twice and then some from the true runway heading of 131 degrees.

Known issue? It is certainly no help if you try to shoot an ILS.

Cheers,

Fred

I hadn't noticed it was worse but I haven't landed at Batumi in awhile.

I am quite sure I have not heard one word about it since the threads you linked.:huh:

EDIT: ...and I do remember the original conversation quite well.

We've got a MagVar folder in the Data folder now at least, with world magnetic model coefficient files dated June 2011. :thumbup:

Here's a good read - how hard can it be? :music_whistling:

(Most people will get dizzy after the first page of equations, so the answer is: Rather easy to mess up. I certainly wouldn't have that in my release code - I'd just tabulate the data and look it up. Looks like someone made a serious effort at thwarting this one.)

Edit: The Georgian CAA are, like all too many CAAs, using old magnetic data. They last updated in 1995. According to the world magnetic model it is currently 6°3'E, so we should be seeing 125 degrees. Perhaps that accounts for the change and is a clue as to where the bug is? Perhaps there's an erroneous static subtraction of five degrees somewhere in the code. The correct subtraction was initially by the AIP specified five degrees, making us see 121 where we should have seen 126. In June 2011, the correct subtraction was improved to using WMM data, bringing it up from five degrees to six degrees and creating the current 119 degree reading?

Here's a good read - how hard can it be? :music_whistling:

 

(Most people will get dizzy after the first page of equations,

I avoided dizziness by not reading past the first sentence of the introduction.

The Earth is like a giant magnet.

I understood that part!:D

I flew to every airfield and wrote down the actual headings a few weeks ago as I was getting tired of the incorrect headings listed in the available charts. Didnt know it was a bug however..

Impressive effort. Didn't by any chance tabulate the data, comparing in-game with real-world? It would be interesting to see if it is the same all over or if there are variations (pun not entirely unintentional :D).

Known issue already reported.

And the report includes the fact that the error changed?

I did not compare them all to real world data, only a select few to see how off they were. I can share the DCS world headings though if you would like.

And the report includes the fact that the error changed?

Not aware of any error change and certainly not aware of when said change allegedly took place, so no, the report does not indicate said fact.

Not aware of any error change and certainly not aware of when said change allegedly took place, so no, the report does not indicate said fact.

So what I posted here wasn't exactly a known issue then, as you weren't aware of it?

Would seem it is time to update that error report then.

So what I posted here wasn't exactly a known issue then, as you weren't aware of it?

Incorrect. As stated, a known issue already reported a good while ago.

Would seem it is time to update that error report then.

Nope - not necessary as the issue still persists in pretty much the same guise, give or take 0.2 degrees or so.

A degree and a half, and someone has been doing work on the issue rather recently.

What do you win by not updating? Why are you so reluctant to add things to the bug tracker? There's no cost associated by keeping the devs with the most complete and updated information. There are potential savings when they do get around to the issue.

When I have people testing my software, I want them to give it all to me - big and small. I can sort the chaff from the wheat myself, and the small things may point me in the right direction when looking for the big issues.

Are you certain that the person who worked on the magnetic variations is aware of the fact that whatever he or she did caused this change? Perhaps something else was changed, and they never thought that this would change as well? That's rather common.

What do you win by not updating?

Updating with what exactly?

A degree and a half, and someone has been doing work on the issue rather recently....

Help me help you - do not just alledge: Alledge and substantiate. How else will I know where to look and proceed accordingly?

Be that as it may, this is where I am now. At time of the bug report and taking into account the following as reference:

1 - Values taken at Aircraft spawn scenario 'Take-off from Runway', Batumi.

2 - RL Batumi heading value 310.9 degrees.

3 - Mag Heading taking into account MagVar of 6 degrees = 304.9 degrees.

OK - with above as the base and having regard to 1.1.1.1, we have an In-SIM Mag heading as per the CDU of 299.5 degrees, confirmed by the HSI.

As stated, we have an off-set by an error of 5 degrees, give or take a tenth of a degree or so.

Variables you are not privvy to are variables at the time of reporting (which was prior to 1.1.1) and at present in the tester's version, being 299.4 and 299.3 accordingly, again indicative of an error of approximately 2/10ths of a degree as stated and not a degree and a half as you stated.

Kindly inform me where the degree and a half error has manifested itself and I can investigate further.

Updating with what exactly?

The runway heading for rwy 13 at Batumi should be 126 degrees, as per current approach charts. Unfortunately, in-game it is now barely 120 degrees, as shown below:

 

The indication used to be 121 degrees, so something has changed - it has actually gotten worse!

Earlier runway heading: 121

Current runway heading: Approx 119.0-119.5 (see screenshot)

Difference: About 1.5 degrees.

Help me help you - do not just alledge: Alledge and substantiate.

I didn't alledge anything. I did substantiate though! :thumbup:

Variables you are not privvy to are variables at the time of reporting (which was prior to 1.1.1)

I have a rather good grasp of the pre-1.1.1 situation, as I did extensive verification of the geographical alignment and properties of the ILS and same runway back during the beta. B4 IIRC.

Also of possible interest: The whiskey compass and HSI didn't align before (if that particular forum source is to be trusted - I'd be careful!). Now they are both off by the same amount.

Earlier runway heading: 121

 

Current runway heading: Approx 119.0-119.5 (see screenshot)

 

Difference: About 1.5 degrees.....

Ta

You can however appreciate that I cannot take that any further without at least a screenshot and verification of version etc etc. When was the heading 121? 'Earlier' is unfortunately a bit vague for me to pin down accurately.

I have a rather good grasp of the pre-1.1.1 situation....

I was referring to the pre 1.1.1.1 value of 299.4 as per the tester's build which you were not privvy to and on which the bug report was based.