From the manual:Using ICS (Intelligent Cloud Selection) or Random AE Startup ModesICS stands for "Intelligent Cloud Selection" and ASV uses it to automatically match an appropriate set of Cloud textures based on the current weather conditions (of your current/departure area depending on if you have a flight plan loaded or not). This must occur before FS2004 is actually loaded, as cloud texture changes cannot occur during "run-time"*. It is highly recommended to load a flight plan so that your initial weather and ICS computations will be appropriate for your departure location.Using ICS gives you completely automatic and ever-changing cloud textures based on your weather conditions. This is a great way to explore the different texture sets within various weather conditions. Using Random startup mixes them up each session and is another way to easily enjoy the large amount of texture combinations available.When using ICS, ASV will automatically submit the new textures to FS2004 as soon as initial wx processing is complete. You must make sure that FS2004 is CLOSED (or flight not loaded) in order for the textures to properly update to FS. For this reason, we recommend the following ICS startup mode procedure:1) Start ASV, set desired wx (or use online mode), load a flight plan, and let all processes complete2) ASV Automatically submits textures to FS20043) Start FS2004, load your flightMy question is about the start-up procedure. It says to load up the flight plan (.pln format) into ASV BEFORE starting the sim. Thats fine, but is there an easier way of maiking a flightplan that I get from fltplan.com or other sources into a .pln format. Its kind of a pain in the butt to have to start the sim, load up FSNavigator, make the flight plan, convert the plan to .pln format using FSNav, Close the sim, start ASV, load the plan you just made, then start the sim all over again. Is there a utility out there, or a way I can skip the FSNAV part? Hope this question makes sense.

Hi,I suggest just manually entering the departing and destination airports and then click on process. This will work better for shorter flights than longer flights.Hope this helps,JimActiveSky Sales and Supporthttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_dev_team.jpg http://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_proud_supporter.jpg