Let the puddles be puddles and not liquid on a hot stove.
The puddles in 2020 and in 2024, unfortunately, are pretty short-lived. When the rain stops, it takes less than a minute for the existing puddles to evaporate/disappear.
Please let the simulator play to its strengths for longer and thus let the puddles and the wetness in general last much, much longer.
A nice feature would of course also be an interaction of the puddles/wetness/snow on the performance of the aircraft, because the simulator masters the visual representation, but it is also a simulator and should simulate these things too.
The nicest features are often the small and inconspicuous ones!
Puddles are more than just “runway contamination.” Modern flight simulators are increasingly attempting to realistically simulate the effects of puddles, as they play a major role in flight physics and the safe conduct of landings and takeoffs.
What makes puddles so special compared to the usual simulation of wet, slippery, icy, and dirty runways, which should be standard in a good flight simulation and is still not implemented in MSFS 2024, is:
the longevity of a real hazard/challenge for pilots due to aquaplaning at certain points on the runway/apron
the irregular braking performance impact caused by puddles, even during extended periods of good weather
irregular black ice hazards at low temperatures on the runway/apron, even when the surface is generally dry, but puddles still exist
it is this irregular water distribution caused by puddles of varying lengths of drying time, different sizes, and weather influences that creates uneven friction/slip conditions on different parts of the runway/apron
during taxiing or takeoff, water from puddles can be sucked into the engines or stirred up by the wheels, which can affect the aircraft systems, even when the ground surfaces are generally dry
Impairment of de-icing by puddles can reduce the effectiveness of de-icing agents because they dilute the chemicals and weaken their effect.
Puddles are therefore a feature that differs from the general simulation of wetness, slipperiness, icing, and dirt on the runway/apron.
This feature (with aquaplaning, friction, varying dwell times, icing at low temperatures with various causes due to precipitation, snowmelt, etc.) can be best simulated by implementing the general basics mentioned above, which the community has been requesting since the early days of MSFS 2020.
The detailed simulation of puddles is a kind of supreme discipline and a real game changer. Its capability and the technology behind it can also open up more possibilities for flight simulation. Possibilities such as the simulation of floodplains from real-time data, whether caused by glacial runoff in areas that are flooded in the spring due to melting snow and ice, or by other causes.
These flood areas can be determined using real-time data and simulated using the “puddle engine” in the simulator, taking into account all the properties associated with puddles, such as icing at low temperatures, water color due to local ground surface properties, etc., by generating a “large puddle” that covers a certain area based on data.
Then, one should also define the size/depth of a “puddle” at which objects can float on it.
With this simulation option, the career mode also gains additional humanitarian mission options, such as rescuing people from building roofs, transporting sandbags, etc.
Hello There, I have noticed we don’t have Wet Ground Reflections & Puddles In General After It’s Been Raining and stopped raining where in the real world this is a thing and it takes some time for the ground to dry, Can this please be implemented?
I was wondering if anyone else is getting puddles from the rain at their airports? I flew out of KPDX the other day and it was actively raining but then when I looked around out side of the plane there was no puddles on the ground.
I always see screenshots of people have lots of water after rain on the runways, taxi ways, ect.
Does it need to be raining really hard? Or am I missing something.
I think the developers should find a solution for the various ways in which puddles form. Be it due to heavy rain, which causes puddles to form more quickly, or depending on how long it has been raining locally, if it is not raining that heavily. In any case, the puddles should remain long after the rain, as is the case in reality. The formation of puddles due to a change in the weather on a dry and sunny day in winter, which causes puddles to form as a result of the melting of an existing layer of snow, would also be great!
Snow piles should be lumped into as well (pun intended). Light snow accumulations in slightly below to above freezing temps should form puddles on darker surfaces like pavement. this is also dependent on sunlight. Having puddles freeze at night (or in drastically sub-freezing temps) into black ice might be a bridge too far, but while we’re here…
This kind of thing goes beyond immersion - it’s a factor in braking action, hydroplaning, contamination of the airplane, etc.
Another small example of the longevity of puddles: In places without water nearby, there are also mosquitoes. They mostly survive there because of puddles. Mosquitoes lay their eggs there and the larvae have weeks to develop into mosquitoes in a puddle. Puddles can last for different lengths of time depending on weather conditions and environment. They can last longer in moist and shady areas, while they evaporate more quickly in sunny and dry areas.
The ground should also stay damp after it has been raining up to a couple of hours depending on factors like temperature etc. But no, it dries up instantly
This would be a welcome feature indeed. It would be greatly appreciated if, as part of a future simulator update, the developers and Jorg could focus on enhancing the depiction of wet tarmac and flooded runway conditions. Improving not only the visual representation but also the physics simulation would add a new level of realism and immersion for core simulator users. I mean, don’t get me wrong, sci-fi inspired gameplay features are cool and all, but I think it’s time they show some love to us core simmers.
Moreover, taking into consideration the freezing effect mentioned earlier, which poses a significant risk, especially during takeoffs, would further demonstrate a commitment to realistic flight simulation. For those who prefer a more straightforward flying experience (such as hopping into an aircraft and pressing Ctrl + E), the option to use weather presets such as clear skies is always available.
Implementing these enhancements would show dedication to the core flight simulation community and our desire for increased realism. While some users may find these changes too realistic or even inconvenient, they would undoubtedly be appreciated by those who value an authentic flight simulation experience.
Came here to express my thoughts about missing friction / water resistance despite having the visual effect, then fell in love with your idea of having puddles etc stay much longer.. upvoted.
In my opinion, the puddle theme could also be the first step towards “real-time flooded areas.”
This could expand the career mode with some more humanitarian missions if a technology is developed that functions similarly to puddles, can cover large areas, and can last for a while, depending on the weather and terrain.
Whenever there is a fire somewhere in the world, it will also flood somewhere.
I really hope to see this become a feature in an update!! I realize performance in that matter will take longer and tweaking given different aircraft types ect… but AT THE LEAST just expanding the puddle drying time would be awesome!! It looks awesome when it’s raining and the ground is wet and reflecting light but then seconds after it stops it’s completely dry.
