I have a few problems with add-ons. I'd like to extract the best features of each, and combine them into one product :)Thus far, PMDG's products are superior to anything else I have seen as a package. The avionics in the 737 are probably the best out there short of Project Magenta (which is not only one order of magnitude more expensive, but you get no plane and probably earn a trip to divorce court once the bill arrives :)).My commentary (reflects my opinions only):PMDG 737 series: Pros: excellent wiz-bang avionics, autopilot and full featured (really) FMS. Drawbacks: not enough time in the day to fly. This product is a joy to use online, noob or advanced pilot. There is a challenge level for everyone.Ready For Pushback 2.0: pros: for the complexity and detail of the "steam gauge" panels on the 747-200, and giving you a very immersive feeling of the pre-wiz bang flight systems. Drawback: 300 page manual with excruciating detail, and must read or nothing will work. Company intends to shutdown operations after the next patch, and the need for you to learn how to use the intertial navigation system, which shows you why people invented the FMS/FMCs. You can still use the GPS mode for navigation. Some later models 200s had new navigation systems that are not modelled in the RFP.Feelthere CRJ 200 and CRJ "NG" 700/900. Good plane, panels (both 2D and 3D), and a decent FMS (key current drawback, inability to modify FP waypoints in flight, making ATC instructions such as approach using radial xxx or cross 10 miles from XXX a little bit too difficult. They are working on that features I think). Fast cruiser too at .85 mach.PSS Airbus Pro, a better representation of the A320 series. The 340 product is basically the same thing. Drawbacks: this product can be "annoying" because of some odd design decisions. For example, no panel light button and the need to load a default a/c so the FS circuits are correctly set internally (why?). FMS is full featured but completely different from the Boeing. The A320 Master's Edition may take the Airbus crown away from PSS, not sure. Good plane though. Replacement air file and POSKY model improve the realism of the Airbus handling a lot.FSUIPC: Most add-ons use it. Best feature, remapping joystick axes and support for buttons/thrust reversers, fixes a number of FS quirks. Need registered version though.WIDEFS: lets you run add-ons on separate computers, fooling them into thinking you're running FS locally. Allows windowed add-ons to function on remote PC, therefore not using memory/CPU cycles on FS computer.ActiveSky 2004: a very good weather program, and very useful is you fly online because it can re-create VATSIM weather and help with wind smoothing and other quirks of FS. Also comes with a weather radar gauge. Con: only processes winds with a flight plan at set cruize altitude, not dynamically.Reality XP jetline 2/4: a must if you have the PMDG 1900D. Adds wiz-bang displays similar to those found on the 737.Reality XP Garmin 530: Basically a wrapper for the Garmin Inc. 530 trainer software Garmin made to teach people how to use the 530. Very nice full featured GPS BUT, and this is a HUGE problem in my opinion, cannot load any flight plans. FPs must be manually programmed, which can take a lot of time because this is mouse only, and it only stores some 10 flight plans total. This is due to the trainer software, not the wrapper, but that remains a big con in my book. If your a/c doesn't have an FMS/FMC for navigation, you probably want the 530 as long as you fly the same route all the time :)Project Magenta: if money is no object, you can have a full blown avionics recreation of either the Boeing or Airbus avionics models (some prop stuff too), and get very close to the real thing. Comes in modules that run on separate networked PCs. If you use that, you are probably building a platform on hydraulics to move your chair around as you fly. Very nice product, but then again, not for the casual gamer. Basically, you use FS9 only for the rendering.

Figured I'd add my list to this mix. Here's what I own for add-ons:PMDG 737NG (hands-down the cream of the crop)PMDG B1900D (perfect for short hops on VATSIM with friends)Eaglesoft Citation X (Fantastic plane, but needs the JL4 gauges)Reality XP JetLine 2 gauges for the B1900DReality XP JetLine 4 gauges for the CXReality XP WX500 weather radar for all aircraft (fun toy)Reality XP GNS530 (Just got this to experiment with, jury still out)FSBuild (great for it's stored route and DP/STAR database)FSNav (great for in-flight route changes and moving map)SimCharts (great for finding your way around airports, tracking your progress through complex airspace, and learning instrument approaches)Other than the PMDG aircraft which are both no-brainer must-haves, the Eaglesoft Citation X is a really nice plane. The systems are modelled well, the visual model is stunning, and it flies like a dream. The only downside is that the default nav display is a bit lacking. It only shows your track to your next waypoint, and nothing beyond that, until your waypoint cycles. That's why I added the JL4 gauges.Next purchases will be the PMDG 744 for certain, and perhaps the Flight1 ATR.

Hi Ross,That SimCharts add-on sounds interesting, where can I find more information about it?

Try here: http://www.jeppesen.com/wlcs/application/c...tegory_id=AT1E4(copy and paste the whole link)

Thanks!

Hi,I think the Piper Meridian is the best add-on for realism, along with the PMDG 737 off course, but they cannot be compared.You get 100% accurate GPS and gauges. You really feel you fly the real thing. Now, the GPS will require a lot of reading to be used properly, you need to download the manual of the real thing.The gauges are beautiful, and it runs very well on my low-medium range system.I tried a lot of add-on planes and I end up using this one a lot.Have a nice day,Olivier Noir

Richard,I can also recommend Simcharts. The version I bought, Simcharts 2, came bundled with a binder and several thousand sheets of paper so it was quite a package. I bought it directly from Jeppesen and the delivery to Finland was swift and no fuzz with the payment.The printed charts are of very high quality. However, I usually do not print them (except for the airports that I often visit) but show them on the screen on my laptop.

I have removed all aircraft from FS2004 and just have PMDG 737 and EuroWings 2004.PMDG is for Europen flight's and Eurowings ATR for internal Irish Flight. Both give me all I need. EuroWings ATR took a bit of time to master.. AP is very odd but good when you get use to it.

Hi Mark,I would absolutely recommend Active Sky 2004, makes sim-flying almost as real as possibile !I think the PSS Airbuses are very nice, as surely will be the new release of the venerable 767PIC for FS2004 and the upcoming PMDG 747-400.Happy landings.

Hi I think PMDG is tops and also enjoy Aerosoft Eurowings Commuter Airlines. But the real reason for this post is my current DISGUST with a product called 'Concorde' by some company called 'Altitude'. I just parted with night on

IT really depends on what you like. If you already have the PMDG 737 my suggestion would be the CaptainSim 727. IF you like older planes with analog panels, you will love the CS 727. It is a real pilot oriented plane and is always fun to fly. Some people say it is not an accurate model/flight dynamics, but from what Ive observed that is false it flies great. And the visual model looks amazing. So if you like older planes with analog panels I would definately recommend the CS727.

ActiveSky is a must... well invested money.

Knok Media / Altitude - ConcordeI bought the 737NG and Concorde together on the same day. I played with the 737 first, as Concorde has Win98SE probs and I didn't check the FAQ for the update, so it sat for a few days.As soon as I got it working, I didn't play with the 737NG for weeks.A flight in Concorde is more interesting than any airliner. Heres an overview...Preflight..Enter present POS into the inertial Nav system.Set up the cockpit, engineers panel, etc. etc.Wait 15 minutes for the gyros to align. (there is a fast align).Lock INS system into NAV mode, all three of themEnter the first 9 waypoints as Lon/Lat, the INS only holds 9 points.Taxi out, remembering the carbon brakes are #### and overheat easily.Hold short and start transfering fuel from the aft ballist tank forward to get the TO COG.Take off with full reheat, for 1 minute at Max climb 250 knots. Kill the burners and throttle back for Noise abatment.Fly a designated route to the acceleration point at M0.93, 27,000.Floor the throttles, light the reheat and engage Max (VMO) climb, once clear of land and civilisation. Go Mach, 1.7, kill the reheats.Start tranfering fuel AFT to balance at 59% CoG.Cruise at 57,000+ Mach 2.02.Update the INS with the next way points, it clocks round to 1 after 9.Set up a few VORs for DME updating as you can, this will recalibrate the INS system using a fixed point, the VOR and your bearing a distance from it.At the decel point, given that you can't be Mach over civilisation, you throttle back and use IAS hold at 350 knots.Start tranfering fuel forward... if you did the transfer correctly at transonic climb.The rest is much the same as any plane, fly approach, ILS and land.There is more to do than you have time for at a few stages in the flight, but EGLL - KJFK in 3:30 is worth trying.No computers! No FMC, just good old 60s/70s INS and analogue instruments.Best Pay Ware plane I have bought.