At least until the patch arrives.Let's count the ways. FS9 is a processor hog, and with "only a P4A @2G" ,512 RAM, and a 64Meg Video card, I can't stock up on AI aircraft around airports like I used to. Frame rates become an issue. And buying a new box is out of the question at this point in time.I suffer from CTDs anytime I add a stand-alone AFCAD2 file. Of the 10 airports I've modified with other author's AFCAD2 file, only KLAS remained stable. CTDs occured anywhere within a 20 mile radius of the airports.So I decided I would do my own AFCAD. Just adding gates, that's all.CTDs continued even with my own meager mods. AFCAD for 2K2 never caused this kind of chaos.Some of my favorite aircraft to fly won't work right in FS9. They include the CFS2 fighters and the FSDS A-26.FS9, with all its glorious clouds and sky colors can't give me overcast conditions.Some default airports pavement acts like dirt, my aircraft kicks up dust, debris and bounces along. And this is at large metropolitan airports like KSLC.Terminal textures at some airports are ridiculous. KSLC's terminals look like they're battered and damaged. Hardly the real thing.So it's looks somewhat. But those CTDs have made me retreat back to the comfort and stability of FS 2K2.I'll watch for the reviews my fellow simmers here of the FS9 patch with hopes it will solve some problems.Rick (KMKE)

Rick,For now I run fs9 on a 1.6 ghz laptop with a 64mb ATI Radeon 9600 mobility video card and 1GB RAM - WinXP pro.I dial back two of the biggest fr killers, autogen and terrain mesh, use all the reduced size replacement textures for autogen, clouds etc.I use Airport Environment Upgrade 6 full version and have dozens of PAI airlines/afcads installed - AI is 100% with vfr included.My fr is locked at 25 and I find performance anywhere from totally smooth to operable - at no airport is performance such that a good final/landing is compromised, even with my biggest hog, the PSS A320. Like you I have had ctds - always attributable to AFCADS - I use only very few other than PAI now.I think if you can swing another 512mb (or 1GB) stick of RAM you'll see marked improvement - I think thats pretty much what saves me on this otherwise comparatively lamentable 'rig' - may work for you.Re severe ctds - remove ALL 3rd party afcads and work your way back up from there.regards,Mark

Hi,After the patch:some of your favorite aircraft still won't work right. It is not on the fix list.you will still not have a true overcast. It is not on the fix list.your pavement will still act like dirt. It is not on the fix list.your terminal textures will still be ridiculous. It is not on the fix list.Looks like you will be sticking to FS 2K2.

The CFS2 aircraft should work fine. FSDS aircraft will not, though; thus the A-26 problem...