Hi all,I have a question about payware packages in general I'd like to put to people.First up, if this is considered inappropriate by the PMDG folk, I am happy to remove the post, however as a forum populated by knowledgable users of payware aircraft I'd appreciate some advice...OK, with that out of the way here goes!Besides the PMDG 737NG packages (which I KNOW are good!), what products do people here recommend as being particularly good purchases? Reviews are one thing but as a community of payware users, what else do people recommend in the way of FS2K4 payware?On the other side of the coin, are there any packages that don't represent good value or simply don't perform to expectations?Cheers everyoneMark Adeane

ActiveSky and Fsnav.And if you like, also FSUIPC.

I think that lots of people would recommend different packages because people have different expectations of products. Some like to fly in a nice/correct painted aircraft while other prefer accurate modelled system logics.Well i live in both world I quess. I love accurate system logics and would prever them above eye candey. However I bought the PS1(www.aerowinx.com) but was dissapointed by the total lack of visual performance of that product. I do like accurate systems, but came to the conclusion that somewhat accurate visuals are important to, just to get the feeling to 'be there for real' you know...Some people like VFR flying and buy light aircraft only - there are a few great addons available.So in my view the PMDG 737 is the best product I have bought so far as related to flightsimming. The visuals are beautiful, im a 3d cockpit only flyer and a can truly say that flying in 3d cockpit actually puts me there on the left seat. Very very realistic.So if you ask me there is just one real good plane addon for FS - the NG.. Other products like the a310 from ssw is far too buggy, and I don't really like PSS because of their lack of realism both in visuals as systems accuracy.. But like I said this is just a personal opinion nothing more- Timonhttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/800driver.jpg

My current favorite payware: (besides PMDG of course :) :D)Aircraft:Flight-Factory Simulations/Aeroworx Beech Super King Air 200 - this is a phenomenal plane, really really well done.RealAir Simulations Scout - cool little plane for going low and slow.Dreamfleet Cessna 310The DF/Flight 1 ATR is probably going to be my next purchase, looks really impressive in the previews.Scenery/Weather:Flight 1 USA RoadsFSGenesis mesh and landclassActive Sky 2004

Hi,Jumping into the thread, I have a question regarding Active Sky - in what way does that product improve the weather in FS9 and how big is the difference from FS9's own real-world weather?

I kind of like PSS's A320 - not necessarily because of its accuracy (which is not very, well, accurate), but because IMHO it's the best A320 out there - for my system at least (won't dream of trying to run the Wilco A320, besides, I am a 2D-panel kinda guy).What I can wholeheartedly recommend, even if you're more inclined towards the big iron (like me :D) is the Flight1 Piper Meridian.Wonderful plane.Regards,Robert

Obviously the PMDG B737NG is number 1 - by a very long way.Before buying the B737NG I thought PSS A320 & A330/A340 were good but since buying the 737NG a couple of months ago I have flown them just once or twice and they don't seem nearly as good anymore. They are very mediocre in comparison.The Captain Sim B727 is excellent too, and I imagine their forthcoming B707 will be also.Just wish PMDG would develop an Airbus...James Stevensonhttp://www.virtualaviation.co.uk

Hello, Captains,Anyone who would like to fly a 747, should try Ready for Pushback. It

so, what's the best add on for Airbus?just heard SSW has released their new A310 master version.

Hi MarkFSMeteo is extremely good - grabs realtime weather for you anywhere enroute.I also think the SRTL Scenery Mesh files available from FSFreeware are superb value for money. They make the terrain - hills, mountains, cliffs etc look absolutely spot on. It really does tranform the views.I've been writing some SIDSTARS for places like Kathmandu, Split and Salzburg and the difference is stunning. But the best bit is - they're dead cheap - 9.99 euros for the entire UK for example and appear to have absolutely no impact on frame rates. Can't recommend them highly enough.Only downside? You need Broadband for the downloads - typically 80-130 mBFS Traffic is good though you need to be mindful of processing power and set an appropriate busyness level - at a busy international you'll easily run the frame rates to "el jerko" level.Message ends

hi,FS Flightkeeper is a terrific logging-tool.check it athttp://www.molitor-home.de/FS/FLKeeper/Default.aspit's not cheap but all the money worth!Constantin...I forgot...it's "try before you buy"!!! It's worth a try!

I dont think I have seen anyone mention FSBuild 2.0. It's a great program. You can also download a database of all of SWAs flight plans. :)

When it comes to flightplanning tools I definitely recommend Flight Operation Center - which is very similar to the tools real airlines use.Available here: http://www.danur.com(Note: a disadvantage of this is that currently there is no Navdata actualisation available - but the developers intend this to be implemented very soon)

>in what way does that product improve the weather in FS9>and how big is the difference from FS9's own real-world>weather?ActiveSky does a number of calculations on the weather data it receives, that FS cannot do.All the more because FS does not have access to some of the data available to ActiveSky, as the Winds Aloft data.Fs just downloads METARs and that's all.AS downloads METARs, Winds Alofts and TAFs, and it cooperates with FSUIPC to garantee the best results, while FS is constantly fighting FSUIPC trying to do things the bad way.Well it's just like the DreamFleet 734 and the default 734: what's the difference between?Rather what are the common points i should say ;)

I would add Active Camera to the mix, especially with the PMDG virtual cabin to walk around in. You get all manner of cool wing and engine views from inside the cabin and you can save the best ones as keyboard shortcuts. If you get bored during a long flight, you can also walk outside the cabin at FL390 for some interesting points of view like sitting directly over one of the engines. I also like the approach view utility and the feature that introduces adjustable "bumpiness" into the virtual cockpit. You can really do a lot of things with the package because it gives you a basic freedom you've never had before, the ability to walk around in flight simulator, anywhere.R. Foster