I am currently running FSX on dual core 3.2 gig processors. I have FSUIPC running as well as VRInsight's M-Panel and Saitek's X52 Pro Control System and their switch panel. Does anyone have any feel for how much additional load will be added if I am also running the latest level of Radar Contact Version 4? I am very impressed with everything that I have read about Radar Contact and have downloaded the manal so am serious about buying the product if it is feasible to run it on my system. I am still using the default Flight Planner but am looking to mate something better with RC. Any ideas?

I am currently running FSX on dual core 3.2 gig processors. I have FSUIPC running as well as VRInsight's M-Panel and Saitek's X52 Pro Control System and their switch panel. Does anyone have any feel for how much additional load will be added if I am also running the latest level of Radar Contact Version 4? I am very impressed with everything that I have read about Radar Contact and have downloaded the manal so am serious about buying the product if it is feasible to run it on my system. I am still using the default Flight Planner but am looking to mate something better with RC. Any ideas?

rc is an external program to flight simulator, so by definition, it is going to steal a couple of cpu cycles to run. but i would be surprised if you noticed any difference with it running or without it running.i use the default planner, nothing wrong with it, has everything you need to make a plan. i also like taking flight plans from real flights, and downloading them and saving them for use. you can do that with flightaware.comjd

Thanks very much for the quick response. I did a flight from Newcastle to Exeter today and had the ATC once again go into an ATIS loop that resulted in my flight plan being cancelled. So I'll go ahead and buy RC. I don't have that much against the default flight planner. Just thought that I'd ask whether there was anything that much better.

Your choice of flight planner depends more on the type of aircraft you fly. As far as RC it takes FS9 and FSX (XML) plans.If you get an add-on model with FMC or avionics that uses proprietary plan import formats you would then need to consider a special flight planner. Some of these connect to weather add-on programs to aid in fuel planning. The other option is to manually build a flight plan in the navigation system and build the FS plan as well.I am an FS9 user and have the PMDG 737NG series for large airline use. This can import proprietary format FMC plans. The LDS 763 imports a different format, and there are others as well. The problem with at least PMDG FMCs is that you can not export a plan from their FMC (if you build the plan in it) to FS9 or FSX. I therefore have a planner that exports to both FMC and FS formats (which includes RC).For my taste I did not care for the FS8 planner when I started simulation. Many years ago I was a real general aviation private and then limited commercial pilot with some instrument training and I could not get used to the FS drag a route interface. Instead I came across a freeware basic planner for FS8 and then patched for FS9. When I decided to go the airliner route I decided that a payware planner called FS Build was right for me.But first here is a freeware one that might meet your needs:http://www.cpinf.com/products/super-flight...ages/index.htmlwhich I have not used as in FS8 I had problems. By now, judging by forum posts, it works pretty well and does have some proprietary plan exports available.www.fsbuild.com is the payware planner I chose to use. I like its fuel planning features, number of ready made (and you can set up your own) aircraft performance profiles for fuel and time planning, its ability to pate in routes from flight aware.com, the number of export formats for avionics, and its integration with some weather programs (I use Active Sky 6.5) to incorporate winds surface and aloft into fuel planning. The fsbuild site itself on description is not current as to what features there are and its tutorials are a bit outdated but the learning curve is not exceptionally hard. I would not bother with the old now freeware version 1.4. Fsbuild does not offer a moving map and is strictly preflight only as are real planners. The only program needed to run with it is a compatible weather add-on but that is not absolutely necessary. There will be a link to their support site there so you could look at the user experience. Look at the screen shots there of the older version and you'll get the idea of what it can offer. It can export FS9 and for FSX XML plans plus anything else you'll need simultaneously.Remember that some aircraft avionics will use the active FS plan or import FS plans so that might be a determining factor for you.Now these are just my opinions and not a recommendation of the RC developer jdtllc.I suggest you browse the FS9 or FSX forum here for the flight planner subject to see what simmers are using.