I always start FSX with the Cessna 172 default aircraft. It seems I remember it being said that it is really necessary to ALWAYS start FSX with a default aircraft. Is this really necessary, or can I choose another situation with a different non-default aircraft to fire up FSX?Stan

It's necessary, especially if you have complex payware aircraft such as PMDG's J41. For example, PMDG advises using a default aircraft as a solution to issues surrounding their J41: PMDG support topic re: default aircraft.

Well, for most aircraft, this is unnecessary, but for several FS9 aircraft such as Libardo Guzman's Concorde, as instructed, you will need to load a stock aircraft first, then go into the Aircraft Selection screen and choose the aircraft to ensure that the engines do run. This was a bug Lib couldn't fix.Dave.

It isn't always necessary, it depends on what you want to fly, but many fancy add-on aeroplanes won't work properly if you don't do that. Typically the problem manifests itself in such things as, not being able to start one of the engines on a fancy payware jet airliner because the bleeds or fuel system won't configure properly.Most of the time you can get around that by simply using Control+E to start the engines (if you are prepared to accept doing that), but occasionally it can cause other issues that are not so easily circumvented, for example, sometimes the display screens in glass cockpits won't fire up properly or the nav system won't align correctly, or the fuel in additional tanks won't be accessible. Stuff like that, so generally speaking, it's usually not a bad idea to do it. Sometimes, simply resetting the flight will sort it out if you haven't first loaded a default aeroplane, but that doesn't work for everything.Al

It's necessary, especially if you have complex payware aircraft such as PMDG's J41. For example, PMDG advises using a default aircraft as a solution to issues surrounding their J41: PMDG support topic re: default aircraft.

Well, no, not naturally, I always run add-on aircraft during a selection screen and have had no problems so far. Well, that does apply to several aircraft such as the LVD 767, but I don't think the same rule applies to freeware ones.Dave.

Well, for most aircraft, this is unnecessary,

False statement. If you want aircraft to behave correctly, especially complex aircraft.... you must always ensure the default aircraft and default flight are showing when FS loads. There are many reasons for it, mostly due to the fact that saved flights are not reliably accurate and cause problems.

I have never used a default first, regardless of the AC, even when the developer recommended doing so, and I have never, ever, had a problem. This includes all the major addon planes I have.

For many weeks I pounded the Sibwings forum looking for the answer to the fact that in the Safir 91B, and ONLY the B, the GPS screen would go blank after 10 minutes. I was tearing out what was left of my hair when it was suggested to me to start FSX with the default 172. It didn't work!............But using the default Trike did! Now the Safir 91B works perfectly. :biggrin:So, use the default and save a lot of heartache.

For many weeks I pounded the Sibwings forum looking for the answer to the fact that in the Safir 91B, and ONLY the B, the GPS screen would go blank after 10 minutes. I was tearing out what was left of my hair when it was suggested to me to start FSX with the default 172. It didn't work!............But using the default Trike did! Now the Safir 91B works perfectly. :biggrin:So, use the default and save a lot of heartache. (Wrong login)

I have never used a default first, regardless of the AC, even when the developer recommended doing so, and I have never, ever, had a problem. This includes all the major addon planes I have.

Well I guess 1). you've been lucky, and 2). you've never flown the Leonardo Maddog or the Safir B!PS..... 'evening, Ron....too many fingers? :(

The main problem with switching between addon planes is that not all planes use the same method/codes/technology/programming/whatever you call it to do certain things which might look the same to the user. I even have had problems with rather simple Carenado planes, where trim would be off, or with the Lionheart Kodiak which I couldn't start manually after switching to it from another addon plane. Take note of the latter: 'after switching to them from another addon plane'...!The solution to this problem is rather simple (at least this has worked for me everytime): when you want to switch from one addon plane to another addon plane, FIRST switch to the Ultralight and THEN switch to the other plane. As I said I had problems with trim being off in a Carenado. Switching (in flight) to the default Ultralight and back again to the Carenado plane, solved the problem. Loading the Ultralight seems to reset everything to 'out of the box' and after that another addon plane should work perfectly. At least, that's how it worked for me until now.If you use a lot of different addon aircraft I do think it is wise to use a default flight with a default plane (which would be the Ultralight out of the box btw). However, if you (almost) always fly the same plane, you can save a flight as default with that one without getting into problems, if you just make sure the Ultralight was loaded before you loaded that addon aircraft! Only when you switch directly to another addon plane with that other now default addon plane loaded, you might get into problems: in that case load the Ultralight first and THEN the addon plane you want to use.Again, this has worked for me all the time, but I don't have tons of aircraft and hence I give no guarantees. :(

Well I guess 1). you've been lucky, and 2). you've never flown the Leonardo Maddog or the Safir B!

Not that lucky missed the lottery again! :( However, this is what I do, I fly mostly in multiplayer, so loading and changing planes isnt an option. When I get a new plane, I go into single player, load the plane and configure it the way I want. I then save it as a default flight. When I want to use a different plane, I just select a different one from the saved flights and make that the default, and have never had a problem, and yes, that includes the Maddog. It works for me and saves a lot of hassel, your milage may vary.

I always start FSX with the Cessna 172 default aircraft. It seems I remember it being said that it is really necessary to ALWAYS start FSX with a default aircraft. Is this really necessary, or can I choose another situation with a different non-default aircraft to fire up FSX?Stan

I don't know about that. When set up a new aircraft I save it. When its time to fly it I just load it. Never had a problem running that way. Although my default flight is the stock mooney bravo.

No it's not, it was more of a problem in FS9 to have default C172 in 2d mode...I run a lot of payware and at the moment the default C172 is my startup flight, but previously it was the Duke.I've had no issues.

Thanks for all the input. Generally, although it's a good idea to use a default plane, I would say that many who responded to this have had NO problems with any other plane. It looks like FSX is much more tolerant than FS9 was.Stan