I pre-ordered it so as to have it as soon as possible,they even sent the limited TinBox edition!Three days after installing FS9 I deleted FS2002,and since then I haven't looked back!If you have a fast computer FS9 is the best sim version ever,will be interested to see what FS10 is like!BestGrahame EDHL

I'm absolutely with you, David. I love it and keep on loving it more every day. It is a fantastic product, though I have to admit it is more so because of some freeware and payware packages that I have installed and that have enhanced the sim tremendously for me.

The whole addon experience can be a bit daunting but I have to say that of late I have noticed that some of the freeware planes are really being packaged well, with auto installer's etc. Since loading FS9 on Christmas Day I have resisted the temptation to put any addon planes in it. I do have to get my VFR Scenery on, which strangely enough actually improves framerates. Well certainly over the UK as thats where my VFR stuff is for.I guess if there is one plane I want it would be the Lockeed Galaxy C5 (?) Heavy lifter. That is one hell of a plane to fly and surprisingly easier to land than a 747, well thats what I have found.Really makes a change to see people praising this superlative sim rather than knocking it.I have been away from the forums for a while due to work, I see that the SDK's are out. Does anyone know if someone is working on a patch for FS9 or whether MS have done one.Wycliffe

I totally agree with what has been said in the messages above! FS2004 is the best so far during these some 18 years I have spent with the different versions + some add-ons!Happy New Year to everyone!Haraldh F.

I love my FS04.JimActiveSky Support

"Would anyone like to join me in supporting FS2004?"You should have joined me and responded to my post about the great AI experience I had in FS2004 on Sunday...what a blast...FS2004 is most certainly a great product. For me at least so was FS2002... Someone mentioned CTD's in FS2002. I didn't get them, but neither do I get them in FS2004. I do tend to fly with the same date always chosen--June 7th, 2003. I prefer flying over the spring textures and I prefer the environment FS2004 loads for that date (BTW, for sunsets June 13th is tops).I think a distinction needs to be drawn between those condemning Microsoft for "sport" vs. those who like the sim & simply would like to see more mid-release support from Microsoft--something that other vendors seem to have no trouble providing. One can be happy with FS2004 and ask for improvements--asking for improvements doesn't mean one is anti-Microsoft, although some spend their time spreading that B.S. in the forums.Because of the circumstances I fly under, there is little Microsoft can do to make FS2004 better. That's especially true for GA flight I think. But my "luck" with FS2004 shouldn't be taken for granted. I at least respect those who have issues and ask for support, and I think point/counterpoint threads only aggravate the issue.So I join you in supporting FS2004, but I also empathize with some of my well respected peers who are seeking support, and are far from those few who make a living in these forums condemning Microsoft...-John

Yes, I love FS9 too. I bought a brand new "monster" computer just because of it. All has worked well until the arrival of winter and now there are crashes galore. There are more and more accounts of this problem being posted every day. There is definitely a problem in FS9 with the whole winter weather/textures loading process. I'm hoping the folks at MS will discover it too. They'll know how to fix it. All I remember is we were having all kinds of problems with FS2000 when suddenly MS' patches appeared and the problems were gone!I'm not going back to FS2002. I guess I'll just keep running FS9 in summer mode.Lee

There you go, John. That is a good summary of the issue for most users. I am happy with the improvements in the simulator, but I am experiencing CTDs on certain flights. I fly real time, real weather; and I believe the main CTD issue is with autogen/terrain/airports in the winter season. I honestly believe that this is an issue with the simulator as the patch that another user has developed for the CTD problem has repaired 90% of the CTD's that I had been experiencing. There are still some places I don't fly, Switzerland and Northern Italy are the worst for me right now. And man do I want to do some VFR flying in Switzerland right now, but I cannot due to CTD's in that region. This sim is strides ahead of the last version, there are still some carry over issues from FS2002 but visually it is much superior. I've migrated all of the aircraft that I want to keep from FS2002 and removed it. But that doesn't mean that I don't want MS to support the product. So, yeah, I like the new version, but no I'm not a 100% satisfied customer and I'd like to see a patch for the seasonal CTD and autogen default.xml issues. The rest I can live with.And John, just for grins try flying Zurich to Innsbruck with the current season set (winter :-), I don't believe the WX matters) and see if you get a CTD? Email me, and I'll send you my flight plan if you'd like. We can keep the results private to keep from fueling the fire here.Jim

David, I have to say that every day I start up FS2004 I am simply amazed and thrilled!IMO where else can you fly virtually any type of aircraft you want and have the ability to visit anyplace you want on the Planet with this level of realism! THINK ABOUT IT!!! I know this sim is not without "problems", but name ONE product or item on the face of this Earth that someone, somewhere (if they look long enough and hard enough) will not find "problems" with! I find it refreshing to read so many uplifting and positive remarks about FS2004 in this thread! As far as posting I,m a newbie, but actual simming I,m not.For quite sometime I have followed this forum.I have to tell you that I feel their is a big diference between "creative constuctive critism" concerning "problems" with this sim and "TROLLING"(a simplistic term for whining and crying)!I have found so many positive and beneficial ways to enhance this sim thru "creative positive input" from creative positive posters and absolutely NOTHING from angry pessimistic posters!!! I have to add;THIS IS A HOBBY!IF IT MAKES YOU FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY ALL THE TIME CONSIDER CHANGING HOBBIES! I for one "enjoy" FS2004 and this hobby and have found its only as good as you make it(LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE ON THIS WONDERFUL PLANET)! Just my thoughts!Have a great flight! JUKEBOX "SOMEDAY I WILL FLY IN A REAL B-17"!!!

Well, I have'nt made the jump yet, but I'm gonna, Anything that can give half the pleasure and interest as fs2002 has over such a long period of time for less than the price of a meal for two in a half decent restaurant gets my vote. Yes, I know we all spend varying degree's of a fortune (depending on our finances)on the equipment to run it, and we cuss and swear when this and that don't work right, but, thats flightsimming, and it's when you sigh with relief when someone on forums like this come up with the "holy grail" you've been looking for that I for one think--This is one good hobby.Russell.

>>>>>but name ONE product or item on the face of this Earth that someone, somewhere (if they look long enough and hard enough) will not find "problems" with<<<<<<

I really love my FS2004 AND this gets this post back to page 1.

>I really love my FS2004 AND this gets this post back to page>1.Actually this post will get the topic back on page one.Guess what I havent yet flown in FS( tonight and its 12 midnight already.Maybe I'll just fly the Atlantic overnight and land the sucker in the mid morning.Night Night Wycliffe

I've been a hard-core Flight Simulator pilot for about fifteen years, and as I and others on this forum have previously noted, it is simply stunning to reflect on the degree to which it has advanced since the old days. The features it offers, in terms of graphics, scenery, weather, even its ATC engine (with its flaws)--in addition to those of the addons available (freeware, shareware, or payware) were simply inconceivable back then. Those, which include the realism of the aircraft that are available for us to fly now, are enough to almost bring tears to the eyes. Along with many of you, I've sweated and cursed my way through CTD occurrences (which, fingers crossed, have hopefully been remedied once and for all), and goofy and frustrating experiences with FS9's ATC--which IS admittedly better than FS2002's. But the extreme complexity of the program, and the fact that it works as well as it DOES, is a marvelous achievement not to be overlooked. Having used all versions since the Bruce Artwick/Sublogic days, I have to say that FS9 has brought me closer to flight simulator nirvana than I've ever been. I've had flight experiences with it that leave me smiling and shaking my head long after I've shut down my PC. Part of this is the satisfaction of getting better and better at desktop airmanship. As all of us know--Flight Simulator is NOT A TOY. Now, if Microsoft or someone else comes up with a solution to FS9's biggest nagging shortcoming--its ATC limitations--along the outlines of one of the previous posts, it would be a package beyond words. As one who works at an airport, in close interface with a busy air traffic control tower, I realize that to replicate such to true realisim, and on a PC, would be a MAJOR undertaking (though I hear the folks at Radar Contact are getting closer and closer to it with each of their releases). Overall though, I'm extremely grateful for, and am happy with, FS9, and for the dedication and hard work of those who produce all the fantastic FS addons.

Today I really, really love my FS04! (Back to page one)