Having used FS9 for many years I've decided to move to FSX primarily because I now have a system to run it efficiently and it has better VFR textures. I have used all sorts of add-ons in FS9 e.g FS Global terrain, FS traffic, Aircraft add-ons, Airports etc. Can anybody please advise me on "essential" add-ons for FSX in terms of performance and texture improvements? I'm a trainee Private Pilot in real life so my first add-ons will be the Carenado C172 and Cork Airport (my flight school). I will add airports and aircraft as I can afford to do so ( I'm not too impressed with the stock B738 to be honest). Thanks in advance.

You should definitely take a look at REX, it's a lot of bang for your bucks, so for an initial add-on to a default install of FSX it will make a big difference; better lights, better clouds, better sky colours, improved textures for the default airports, plus an improved weather engine and an okay flight planner.If you happen to have the iFly 737 for FS9, then you can get the FSX version for a tenner as an upgrade price.If you have the Flight 1 ATR 72, that works in FSX as well (it has separate installation FSX exe file though, so you might need to download it), and of course the ATR makes a lot of flights in Ireland.Active Sky Evolution will add a lot of improvements to the weather and has extremely useful weather briefings plus a nice gauge to add to your aircraft to update you on weather in flight.Ultimate Terrain Europe will make Europe look a lot more like it really should do.If you are doing cross country flights, you might want to look at UK2000's scenery too.Al

You should definitely take a look at REX, it's a lot of bang for your bucks, so for an initial add-on to a default install of FSX it will make a big difference; better lights, better clouds, better sky colours, improved textures for the default airports, plus an improved weather engine and an okay flight planner.If you happen to have the iFly 737 for FS9, then you can get the FSX version for a tenner as an upgrade price.If you have the Flight 1 ATR 72, that works in FSX as well (it has separate installation FSX exe file though, so you might need to download it), and of course the ATR makes a lot of flights in Ireland.Active Sky Evolution will add a lot of improvements to the weather and has extremely useful weather briefings plus a nice gauge to add to your aircraft to update you on weather in flight.Ultimate Terrain Europe will make Europe look a lot more like it really should do.If you are doing cross country flights, you might want to look at UK2000's scenery too.Al

Many thanks for the comprehensive reply. I'll take it all on board!

I'm a trainee Private Pilot in real life so my first add-ons will be the Carenado C172 and Cork Airport (my flight school).

I'd save your money and download the FREEWARE RealAir Cessna 172 from their website here:http://www.realairsimulations.com/list_box.php?page=downloadsIt's an FS2004 version but works nicely in FSX. The handling is v realistic (unlike the Carenado model which handles like a toy aeroplane).Best of luck with your flying training.RegardsAdam

I'd save your money and download the FREEWARE RealAir Cessna 172 from their website here:http://www.realairsi...?page=downloadsIt's an FS2004 version but works nicely in FSX. The handling is v realistic (unlike the Carenado model which handles like a toy aeroplane).Best of luck with your flying training.RegardsAdam

I've just spent an hour with this and although I'm fairly familiar with custom installations I cannot get the panel and gauges to line up properly. I appreciate it's not designed for FSX and a bit of "tweaking" will be required. I'll have another go later, thanks for the link.

I've just spent an hour with this and although I'm fairly familiar with custom installations I cannot get the panel and gauges to line up properly. I appreciate it's not designed for FSX and a bit of "tweaking" will be required. I'll have another go later, thanks for the link.

Another thought, if you would like a realistic looking C172, is to buy the RealityXP FLT gauges and install them in the FSX C172.This makes for a very nice cockpit with high resolution and very smooth moving gauges..

Welcome to FSX Anthony!Kind regards,

Another thought, if you would like a realistic looking C172, is to buy the RealityXP FLT gauges and install them in the FSX C172. This makes for a very nice cockpit with high resolution and very smooth moving gauges..

Bert, how did you get this so clear and crisp can you send me the default cessna file (seedmuse at gmail dot com) or paste the config here? That is amazing. I have all the software and hardware including nvidia but am new to all of it. Thanks.

Hi, I'm traveling at present, but can send you my Cessna panel cfg file on the weekend,if you like. Do you have the Reality XP FLT gauges installed (and FLN possibly) that I'm using in this panel?

Yes I have FLT and FLN as well as the GNS 430 WAAS (which I think I prefer not to have in the panel as it is difficult to work with there). Thank you very much. I also have an i7 as well as a gtx560ti but have not been able to figure out how to make the gauges so crisp as you have done.

Although flightsim gamer, I'm also a newbie in FSX world with little experience with FS9 few years ago. I have to date purchased REX 2 (+OD), GEX NA, UTX NA, Shade and MyTraffic X 5.3b addons and I love them all and consifder them a "must". They together change the game completely when it comes to graphics quality and AI World. The only payware aircraft I have yet bought is Justflight's A318, which was more like a test buy to see ehat you can get with payware aircraft and I think it is terrific if you think its price and it makes original aircraft feel really simple. I can't Imagine what it is with more complex planes... There is so much good stuff to buy for FSX, like ORBX-products and GEX+UTX Europe... This is going to be an expensive hobby

Yes I have FLT and FLN as well as the GNS 430 WAAS (which I think I prefer not to have in the panel as it is difficult to work with there). Thank you very much. I also have an i7 as well as a gtx560ti but have not been able to figure out how to make the gauges so crisp as you have done.

Try changing the panel.cfg file: [VCockpit02]size_mm=512,512//pixel_size=512,512pixel_size=1024,1024texture=$C172s_2background_color=0,0,0 ..also change Vcockpit01..

Thanks Bert, look at the difference!

Bingo!