Hi Guys,Sorry if this has already been addressed before, but I'm really really confused.I have a clean install of FS9. I was wondering if any of you guys would like to recommend THE best addons for FS9. I'm talking of every kind of addons that will make flight simming incredible.Don't need aircraft addons. I want that would enhance the overall visual quality of the simulation. Things like weather, impressive scenery, incredible ground support staff/crew and all those vehicles you see in an airport.I've heard of Ground Environment, Real Environment, Flight Environment, Active Sky. I'm confused which one would be better. Do they address the same areas of the simulation or different aspects, like I believe RE is for weather alone.Any help with this would be really really appreciated. Because right now, the sim looks really dead and boring. I want to make it more lively and make it look as stunning as possible.Thanks in advance for your time and reply.Regards,Knight

1. Ground Environment, it is a must. With it you don't need FSX. After I bought Yesterday, I am going to uninstall FSX.2. Active Sky Evolution As well.

1. Ground Environment, it is a must. With it you don't need FSX. After I bought Yesterday, I am going to uninstall FSX.2. Active Sky Evolution As well.

HiWithout a doubt, both of the above.For great water textures, I would recommend Zinertek Ultimate Water AdvancedRegards

I would recommend taking a look at FS Elemental. I really like the visual improvements to FS9 skies and lighting which it makes, and it is only a tenner. It makes the nav lights on your aeroplanes and runways look vastly better too:http://www.flightsimstore.com/product_info.php?currency=GBP&products_id=928&osCsid=lvk5i8igc27jhdp3k827brmja6Al

HelloComfy chair,beer (or tea),radio (if UK then R4 ,R4X ,POSSIBLY 5 definitely not 1 or anything playing beat combo hideous row thump biff stuff, Jazz FM if you are a cool and sophisticated cat, which of course I am .)Enjoy your flights.Andy

HelloComfy chair,beer (or tea),radio (if UK then R4 ,R4X ,POSSIBLY 5 definitely not 1 or anything playing beat combo hideous row thump biff stuff, Jazz FM if you are a cool and sophisticated cat, which of course I am .)Enjoy your flights.Andy

I would love to watch a video of your landing after having a couple of beers.

Welcome.A tolerant partner probably tops the list, in terms of both desirability and expense...When you have it looking as good as you can you won't be able to tear yourself away from it. I mean the sim, not the partner. What you go for first depends on your preferred style of flying.If bush flying or other GA is your thing you'll be flying relatively close to the ground so I'd suggest getting a good mesh before anything else to bring hills and mountains into accurate relief. Currently FS Genesis seems to be enjoying the status of 'favourite' but I suspect it's equalled in every way by the other contender, FS Global. Follow it up with landclass, or photographic scenery for your preferred area.If you intend to fly big commercial stuff you'll benefit most from improving airports before altering the other scenery as you will be spending a good deal of your flight so high the terrain detail will be lost until you're on your initial approach.In either case, a good weather package is absolutely essential. My PC is not connected to the internet so I use the freeware FS Metar and download metars for free elsewhere in advance (or retrospectively depending on your point of view). I also use the weather parts of High Def Environment 2.0, hdev2.zip from the library here as the clouds can't be beaten.Kind regards,D

I would love to watch a video of your landing after having a couple of beers.

A couple!hmm yep only a couple.Andy

Jazz FM if you are a cool and sophisticated cat, which of course I am .)Enjoy your flights.Andy

I never had you down as a Jazz FM fan ? :( Real Enviroment Extreme for realistic clouds and water. Ground Environment Pro is a must for realistic gound textures. Active Sky as an excellent weather engine. Ulitmate terrain (Europe) That will give you accurate Oceanic Coastline Detail, Inland Waterways, Accurate street coverage. FS Global for World Wide Mesh. WOAI packages that will fill the skys with realistic aircraft. I have been running this combination for a good number of years and will stick with this until Flight has been released. Of course its all a matter of opinion. There are some excellent alternatives above. Someone mentioned Zinertek Ultimate Water Advanced, which is meant to be excellent, but I am quite happy with 'REX' for my water choices. Anyway, good luck and Welcome !!!! Tristan

Bev textures are great, although not sure if they are still being sold. Paul

I would agree with everything so far but if you want to fly the heavies would add the following: Airports - UK2000, Aerosoft, Imagine Simulation, FS Dreamteam, and Fly Tampa plus if you fly in the Carribbean Tropical Sim and Latin VFR. This is not exhaustive list so would welcome additions. Airframes - Level d 767, PMDG 737 and 747, ifly 737 (on my wish list at the end of this month), PSS 777 ( not many choices for the 777 in FS9), Quality Wings 757, Wilco 737 classics, Airbus Series (known bugs but still in my opinion the most realistic for FS9 but avoid the Evolution upgrade which is a con), and Embraer 145, 170,175,190,195. Again not exhaustive. Likewise if you enjoy the heavies consider joining a virtual airline to add some realism - for myself I have been with British Airways Virtual since 1994 and Air Source since last year. John

One more thing. If you haven't tried ENB series, do it.

I never had you down as a Jazz FM fan ? :( Real Enviroment Extreme for realistic clouds and water. Ground Environment Pro is a must for realistic gound textures. Active Sky as an excellent weather engine. Ulitmate terrain (Europe) That will give you accurate Oceanic Coastline Detail, Inland Waterways, Accurate street coverage. FS Global for World Wide Mesh. WOAI packages that will fill the skys with realistic aircraft. I have been running this combination for a good number of years and will stick with this until Flight has been released. Of course its all a matter of opinion. There are some excellent alternatives above. Someone mentioned Zinertek Ultimate Water Advanced, which is meant to be excellent, but I am quite happy with 'REX' for my water choices. Anyway, good luck and Welcome !!!! Tristan

I agree with Tristan. Those are the addons that have revolutionized the look and feel of FS9 for me and bring it close to FSX appearance without the performance issues

Wow Incredible....Nice response :dance:I guess I'll go for REX, GE Pro and ASE.....I will try the others too when I refill my wallet Just got me PMDG 737ng and iFly 737 its so awesome!! iFly is a lot better tho..

I'm really surprised that I got down this far on the list without seeing my favorite 3 add ons for FS2004; whitch are:1. Aerosoft Airport Enhancement Service (AES)2. Flight Deck Companion (FDC)3. Radar Contact 4 (RC4)jerrycwo4