"Must Have" addons for P3D

[Cavemanhead 11]

Been out of active flight simulation for 8 years but I've been doing some lurking throughout that time so not completely clueless.  That said, I'm looking for "must have" addons for P3D to fully wring it out...  My interest is running as lean and mean as possible with as few addons as possible with an emphasis on preserving FPS.

 

Aircraft

When talking planes, I'm looking for a suite of planes that have very accurate (the best) flight models.  Looking for a good cross section of flight...including a helicopter.  Prefer most flights to be 30-90min.   Thinking the following:

     A2A Cessna 182

     RealAir Turbine Duke 2

     PMDG 737

     X-15 or SR-71 type aircraft...

    

Ground Scenery

For scenery, the general strategy is to use Orbx for most things though I understand the best combo is to use GEX and UTX (especially for night lighting which is VERY important to me) AND finally the Orbx stuff.  Geographically, I have an interest in the west coast, pacific northwest, Colorado Rockies.  I'd also like to explore the Appalachian chain (all the way south to Huntsville, AL where I live - KHSV).  International flight doesn't really interest me right now.  So...  Orbx seems to be a relatively good fit though I'd love to have a nice Denver and Atlanta Airport.

 

Sky

I'd like something to make the skies as good as they can get.  Assumption is REX4 Direct with soft clouds is the ticket.

For weather programs, REX Weather Architect seems like the most seamless easiest/simple way to implement with REX Direct textures but I'm open to other options.  Ideally, the weather program is smart enough to download real weather in realtime and then recreate it accurately.

 

Misc

FSUIPC - Not exactly sure what this does, but I understand it's a good thing to have.

EZDoc - understanding is that this is the best addon to make flying feel more real/immersive.

 

 

Please give me your thoughts on the list above and anything else I could be missing...

 

 

[Poppet 703]

This is my favourite and latest A2A creation,  Its god like

 

Has everything and more that usually come with the A2A stuff 

 

https://a2asimulations.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11&products_id=76

[Cavemanhead 11]

Poppet,

 

Yup, I'd looked at that one...  It did catch my eye...  The only thing that actually turned me off is that the real plane flies so well...  I'm sure it has a very accurate FM, and I don't just like a "hard" FM just for the sake of having it... i.e. I don't want a Cessna 182 that spins "easily"...  But...  I like a plane that is known to bite if it's flown without care...  So, the Comanche may be a good replacement for the 182 since it's "in family"...  Hmmm....   I do want a good high wing though so I can see more out the window   Maybe I'll have to get the 182 and the Comanche.

[Bobsk8 12,668]

Majestic Q400, ASN, Soft Clouds. 

[Greggy_D 935]

Aerosoft Airbus fits your needs as well.

[okupton 308]

Active Sky Next weather engine!

[Cavemanhead 11]

Is ASN really that much better than REX Weather Architect?  Looking for some reviews on it...  Can I still use REX textures?

[newtie 533]

The two are completely different animals, which you'll discover after reading the following...

 

http://www.avsim.com/index.php/_/reviews/scenery/review-active-sky-next-by-hifitechnologies-inc-r2749

 

http://www.avsim.com/index.php/_/reviews/scenery/review-rex-weather-architect-r3187

[vgbaron 3,586]

Yes, you can use REX textures with ASN.

 

 

Vic

[Cavemanhead 11]

What about Accusim v2?  Does anyone use that...?  Looks like it has some overlap with EZdoc.

[gboz 157]

What about Accusim v2?  Does anyone use that...?  Looks like it has some overlap with EZdoc.

 

Accu-Feel v2 

 

gb.

[JasonW 32]

I second Active Sky and Aerosoft Airbus. Flightbeam and FlyTampa make excellent airports that are easy on the frames