Hi everyone. New to the forum and have a few questions. I'm a private pilot, but looking to enhance my flight simming to stay proficient since I should be saving money instead of burning it in the sky, at least at this time in my life.So, I plan on getting the Saitek yoke and rudder pedals, as well as track IR. I'm undecided on the Saitek switch boxes (radio, multi, switch) right now. Would be nice, but that can wait I think. 3 monitors would also be very nice, but that can wait for now as well.So I'm having trouble finding some good newbie FAQ's around here. I'm running FS9 right now and I want to know what add-ons I should start out with to enhance the realism. I'm thinking of the following:1) Flight1 172R...is this the best or most popular 172 add-on available? Just looking for a more realistic VC2) Scenery...I have no idea what all is out there. I would like to fly around the local area I'm used to which is the Philadelphia area, but I don't see anything available for that. Are there generic scenery enhancers that just improve the existing MSFS database to make it look more real (water, land, sky)?3) VoxATC...I think talking to ATC would add a whole new dimension to the sim'ing experience. I know this software is buggy, but other than vatsim (which would force me to fly near online controllers) I think this is the best out there?So thanks for any help, even if you just point me to specific forum. Alot to learn on here. Looking forward to it.

1) Carenado 172N. It's a very good 172. Copmared to the real thing, it's close.2) FlyTampa, FlightZone, Imagine Sim. Loads of other quality scenery makers.3) I'd suggest default or Radar Contact 4. I don't own RC4, but I've seen it in action and used it on a friends PC. The default gives you a general idea of basic ATC terminology and procedures. Use one of these to get the hang of ATC clearances and the general flow of an instrument flight (All of these IFR flights have the same structure and flow). LISTEN CLOSELY, and eventually you'll be able to use this knowledge on VATSIM (Highly recommended).RC4 uses better and more realistic procedures for getting you out of and into the terminal environment, and onto the runway. It was impressive while I used it.

I second carenado 172. It's excellent.As for scenery, there isn't much specific for the phili area (going to school here) apart from the major airports.You should look into getting the following for realism:Ultimate Terrain USA ---gives accurate landclass, roads, rivers, coasts, etcFlight Environment ---Gives realistic clouds, water, sky, etcActive Sky ---Gives realistic updated weatherTrackIR ---as you mentioned you're getting it, so you know what that is all about.I would also suggest you get Ground Environment(replaces ground textures) and some sort of terrain mesh (gives proper elevation points) like FSGlobal or FSGenesis.Those are the major ones. In addition to all those, there are many add-on airports, aircraft, lights, etc etc...pretty much anything you can think of, both freeware and payware. Once you get going, you'll know which direction you'll want to go with the add-ons.As for the ATC, I believe those add-on ATC programs are more aimed at flying the Heavies in IFR plans. I believe the never version that's in development for RC is going to work with VFR GA, but someone can correct me on that.

For freeware scenery check out this site:http://walhalla.mine.nu/fs2004/whatsnew.phpIf it has been released, it will be indexed here. A must have site in your list of favorites in my opinion. :(

Hi everyone. New to the forum and have a few questions. I'm a private pilot, but looking to enhance my flight simming to stay proficient since I should be saving money instead of burning it in the sky, at least at this time in my life.So, I plan on getting the Saitek yoke and rudder pedals, as well as track IR. I'm undecided on the Saitek switch boxes (radio, multi, switch) right now. Would be nice, but that can wait I think. 3 monitors would also be very nice, but that can wait for now as well.So I'm having trouble finding some good newbie FAQ's around here. I'm running FS9 right now and I want to know what add-ons I should start out with to enhance the realism. I'm thinking of the following:1) Flight1 172R...is this the best or most popular 172 add-on available? Just looking for a more realistic VC2) Scenery...I have no idea what all is out there. I would like to fly around the local area I'm used to which is the Philadelphia area, but I don't see anything available for that. Are there generic scenery enhancers that just improve the existing MSFS database to make it look more real (water, land, sky)?3) VoxATC...I think talking to ATC would add a whole new dimension to the sim'ing experience. I know this software is buggy, but other than vatsim (which would force me to fly near online controllers) I think this is the best out there?So thanks for any help, even if you just point me to specific forum. Alot to learn on here. Looking forward to it.

IMHO for (2) I would start with Ultimate Terrain USA, at least you will be able to recognize roads and rivers in your area. Then Active Sky 6.5 for the real world weather ( sky and cloud choices are included ).Hope this helps some.Mel

IMHO for (2) I would start with Ultimate Terrain USA, at least you will be able to recognize roads and rivers in your area. Then Active Sky 6.5 for the real world weather ( sky and cloud choices are included ).Hope this helps some.Mel

Go to the file library for AVSIM. Hope you have enough memory and hardrive. Have fun downloading so much good freeware. Then go to www.MSFSgateway.com have fun with all the payware listed. use AVSIM reviews for the payware.Carl Perry

For freeware scenery check out this site:http://walhalla.mine.nu/fs2004/whatsnew.phpIf it has been released, it will be indexed here. A must have site in your list of favorites in my opinion. :(

Excellent site! Can't believe I've never seen it before.

Thanks for all the great replies. I will definitely check out everything that was mentioned. I think I will need a new computer soon as I assume all the add-ons use more computer resources. I do have a few extra questions...a) Red1 mentioned using Flight Environment and Active Sky. Both of these control clouds. Is there a problem with this? How does MSFS know which to use? Does one override the other?:( Do I need a different log-in for the avsim library? It doesn't seem to want to let me log in under the name and password I use for the forum.Thanks!

Yes the file library requires a separate user name / log on account. Quick and easy to create.Regards, Mel

Thanks for all the great replies. I will definitely check out everything that was mentioned. I think I will need a new computer soon as I assume all the add-ons use more computer resources. I do have a few extra questions...a) Red1 mentioned using Flight Environment and Active Sky. Both of these control clouds. Is there a problem with this? How does MSFS know which to use? Does one override the other?:( Do I need a different log-in for the avsim library? It doesn't seem to want to let me log in under the name and password I use for the forum.Thanks!

Flight Environment simply replaces the cloud textures. Basically it just makes clouds look prettier. I use it and recommend it.Active Sky Advanced (the one I use and LOVE) connects to the internet and loads realworld weather and REALISTICALLY reproduces it in FS9/X along with things such as wake turbulance, up drafts/down drafts, and more realistic winds aloft with better interpolation of weather conditions at airports with no weather reporting.They in no way affect each other negatively, but rather work in combination with each other to create a very immersive weather environment.

Just a note...I fly the Carenado 172 and I like it a lot. But, I like the Carenado 182Q better because it has a 2D cockpit and it's still a bunch of fun too. There is a really nice repaint "6 pack" of it by Urs Burkhardt here in the library which gives you...uh...6 repaints! Check out the N2457P textures...man they're nice :)MarkAvsim Carenado 182Q Repaint c182q_sixpack.zip

Flight Environment simply replaces the cloud textures. Basically it just makes clouds look prettier. I use it and recommend it.Active Sky Advanced (the one I use and LOVE) connects to the internet and loads realworld weather and REALISTICALLY reproduces it in FS9/X along with things such as wake turbulance, up drafts/down drafts, and more realistic winds aloft with better interpolation of weather conditions at airports with no weather reporting.They in no way affect each other negatively, but rather work in combination with each other to create a very immersive weather environment.

Sounds very cool. I'll have to work up to getting that. I'm running a 1.6G with 512M RAM and 128M video card. Seems to be the absolute minimum these add-ons recommend.From what I read, the Carenado doesn't have a virtual cockpit which is what I'd use with trackIR. Can someone confirm this? Also, I'm not crazy about the white instrument panel. I'm used to gray.

Sounds very cool. I'll have to work up to getting that. I'm running a 1.6G with 512M RAM and 128M video card. Seems to be the absolute minimum these add-ons recommend.From what I read, the Carenado doesn't have a virtual cockpit which is what I'd use with trackIR. Can someone confirm this? Also, I'm not crazy about the white instrument panel. I'm used to gray.

All carenados do have virtual cockpits (VCs) and rather excellent ones compared to others. You can go to their main website and browse all their planes along with screenshots that will show the VC among other things.Indeed, your computer is a bit aged. It will run fs9 but with add-ons it will be struggling even at low-medium settings. These days you can pick up a nice coreduo, 2 gigs of memory, and a 512 video card for pretty cheap, esp if you know how to put together the computer yourself...if you dont, please don't be afraid to try it. It's very easy once you get started and there are many guides online along with many people on here that will be willing to help.You can see my specs on my specs on the bottom and it handles everything maxed out with all add-ons mentioned, and goes to about 25-30fps in the worst conditions possible. Def don't NEED more then that.

Sounds very cool. I'll have to work up to getting that. I'm running a 1.6G with 512M RAM and 128M video card. Seems to be the absolute minimum these add-ons recommend.From what I read, the Carenado doesn't have a virtual cockpit which is what I'd use with trackIR. Can someone confirm this? Also, I'm not crazy about the white instrument panel. I'm used to gray.

Bill- As Red1 says- your 'puter is a bit shy of horsepower. On the other hand, you might be surprised as to what it can do to get you going. Extra RAM would be very helpful and not expensive. I run triple monitors on a machine only slightly faster than yours- an AMD 1.8 GHz with 2 GeForce FX 5200-128M video cards and 2GB RAM. Runs so reliably and smoothly with the extra RAM that I have no plans for a new machine. (But then if I squint, I can see 80 a couple of miles ahead!!)Ultimate Terrain & Ground Environment are my choices to soup up FS9 and eliminate any thoughts of FSX. DreamFleet Baron or Bonanza are hard to beat in the GA category.Alex ReidDreamFleet Baron with all 2D popups open for instant reference. Lining up R32 Approach @ Squamish BC. (2D Approach panel showing, with enlarged/popup gauges- Altimeter needs to be reset!)

Thanks Alex. My computer is giving me other issues (random lock-ups) and all around sluggishness so it's probably time for a new one. Your screenshots look great.In VC mode, do the Flight1 and Carenado 172 add-ons allow you to configure the gauges, radio stack, gps, adf, autopilot, etc, in terms of placement and presence or are you stuck with the layout they design?