Is there a way to have FSX start w/ a plane and airport vs. the default settings for FSX?

Of course there is. Simply create a startup situation of your liking and then under the Flights tab click on Save and select "Make this the default flight" checkbox.

That sounds very easy and simple - I really appreciate the answer - sounds like a dumb thing, but it gets annoying having to change the defaults all the time.  Thanks!!!

Be careful, some aircraft don't like that, PMDG comes to mind.

There are several "front end" programs available for FSX. I've tried several and settled on SimLauncher (search the file library). One of the main features is that it allows you to specify a beginning flight that does not disrupt the "default flight". Way more features available than could be listed here.

There are several "front end" programs available for FSX. I've tried several and settled on SimLauncher (search the file library). One of the main features is that it allows you to specify a beginning flight that does not disrupt the "default flight". Way more features available than could be listed here.

 

Does it work with PMDG aircraft?

 

 

Does it work with PMDG aircraft?

 

Honestly I don't know. I use exclusively with MIL or civilian versions of MIL aircraft. I'm sure the configuration options for systems default state would not work because of the custom systems programming in the PMDG aircraft.

 

SimLauncher is free, installs and removes very cleanly. Might want to try it. It does not change any of your FSX install.

I use the PMDG 737-800 and it defaulted OK when I used the first suggestion.

The only problem using any kind of aircraft as a default flight, comes when that aircraft requires additional software to run correctly, maybe a .dll loaded in dll.xml. And so one day the dll.xml is changed and the default aircraft no longer works. In some cases this causes FSX to CTD during starting up, and at this point, unless the user changes back the default .FLT, FSX refuses to run.

 

So to conclude; it's maybe better to keep a default flight from a "non-complex aircraft" (one that does not use additional software to run) unless you are happy and know what you are doing, and finally there's no programmatic reason to pre-load any kind of flight - a myth. :biggrin:

Got it.

The only problem using any kind of aircraft as a default flight, comes when that aircraft requires additional software to run correctly, maybe a .dll loaded in dll.xml. And so one day the dll.xml is changed and the default aircraft no longer works. In some cases this causes FSX to CTD during starting up, and at this point, unless the user changes back the default .FLT, FSX refuses to run.

 

So to conclude; it's maybe better to keep a default flight from a "non-complex aircraft" (one that does not use additional software to run) unless you are happy and know what you are doing, and finally there's no programmatic reason to pre-load any kind of flight - a myth. :biggrin:

 

I would agree - as a rule of thumb it is probably better that the aircraft you use for your default startup flight is one of the default FSX aircraft. I have had problems in the past trying to create the default flight to start with non-default aircraft and not just those from PMDG. In fact Flight 1 provide what they describe as an "FSX Safe Startup for Complex AIrcraft ... Program" with their King Air B200 for this very reason. Once FSX is running then it is easy to change to any aircraft you want to use.

 

Bill

The main thing is setting up the default .FLT with date, time, location, etc. is a good idea because it get's a lot of setup done already when FSX starts, before choosing any other aircraft and ramp. What I used to do is park at the ramp, shut everything off and make a saved .FLT, which I just double clicked in explorer for the start of the next flight. I could have saved it as the default flight each time to start automatically when I started FSX, but that seemed overkill.

 

 

What I used to do is park at the ramp, shut everything off and make a saved .FLT, which I just double clicked in explorer for the start of the next flight.

 

I do this as well.