Microsoft Flight Simulator X

[edyzmedieval]

I tweaked FSX now and it works good now, especially with Service Pack 1 which gave me some more FPS.

Now, the question is. I want to buy some payware add-on packs.
I have an option between 3 packs, which are expensive, I admit, but since I'll hopefully be getting a rig, I want to get them.

- FS Global 2008 (35 quid)
- Switzerland Pro X (will be released later on this year - it will be absolutely incredible but... 130 euros!!!!)
- Flight Environment X + Ground Environment X - about 90 $

Anyone giving me any tips? I really want the Switzerland Pro X, but I highly doubt I will want to spend my earnings on that.

[Beirut]

Hey Edyz,

The key, if you want to stay within budget, is to target the type of flying you want to do and where you want to do it. Because unless you have several hundred dollars to invest, you won't get even close to having it all.

In FSX I prefer bush flights up the west coast of North America, from California to BC, to the Yukon and Alaska. So I buy add-ons that will improve that area. I buy scenery packages that work well with low altitude flying and planes in the speed range that will allow me to appreciate the scenery.

On the other hand, if you are interested in flying heavies (747 et al), then you don't need good low level textures nearly as much as you'll want nice cloud textures to fly through and fancy major airports to land at. (As long as your rig can handle it.)

Just make sure your ends fit your needs.

*By the by, here's a good tweak for you. In the FSX.cfg file (it's in C:\Doc & Settings\User name\ Application Data\ Microsoft\'FSX) add these lines to the end of the Terrain section: (Back up your .cfg first!)

TERRAIN_MAX_AUTOGEN_TREES_PER_CELL=4500
TERRAIN_MAX_AUTOGEN_BUILDINGS_PER_CELL=3000

It will allow you to chose how many trees and buildings you want the sim to render at any one time. I think 6000 is the max number. (It's also a number you will never use.) I prefer less buildings and more trees. Fool around and find the best balance for what you want. Start low (1000) and work your way up until the frame rate suffers

[edyzmedieval]

I use Flight Simulator as a method of recreation, take a break from school and stuff, when I have some more time, but also to prepare me before as I would like later on to take my PPL (Private Pilots Licence). FS is excellent for starting, and is almost as in-depth as I would like.

Basically, I fly jets mostly, especially the Learjets, which suit my tastes perfectly. The biggest heavy I like is the Airbus A321 or alternatively the Boeing 737. 747 is too big for my tastes and it's more difficult to fly.

Flying over Switzerland will be one of my main routes because it's a small country with big airports, so for jets it's perfect. Flying Zurich - Geneva and Geneva - Bern are already saved in my FSX copy, and I use them to polish up my skills at landing and sometimes instrument flights (I do that in Hawaii or Austria), because of the weather variety which is great for flying in different conditions.

On the other hand, once you finish the missions, you can add lots more and for example I have the KLM Missions pack, which takes me from Amsterdam to different parts on the world, and for this, the global scenery pack (FSGlobal) is worth every cent.

I honestly don't know.

[edyzmedieval]

Beirut, can you recommend some good FSX fan sites with active forums?

I want to exchange some impressions and info until I buy some scenery packages and aircraft.

[Beirut]

Hey Edyz,

Avsim.com

Good people and a good library of freeware.

[edyzmedieval]

Beirut, I seek your golden advice on flight simming again.

Recommend VERY good payware packages which are focused on scenery, mesh and texture enhacements.

[Templar Knight]

Question for Beirut: Does Active Sky X have live data feed? If I take off from London or Paris will the weather in game be the same as in real life at that moment?

Also does it have a live weather radar for the flight deck?