I have tried to use xplane, but it is soooo annoying - what with the hat switch panning (not) and most of all, the everything dark problem.   I haven't flown it lately, but have the new update installed now and would appreciate guidance on getting some more light on the subject.   Thanks in advance

 

Lol use the gamma settings under Rendering. I use around 2.2 to 2.8.  

I have tried to use xplane, but it is soooo annoying - what with the hat switch panning (not) and most of all, the everything dark problem.   I haven't flown it lately, but have the new update installed now and would appreciate guidance on getting some more light on the subject.   Thanks in advance

 

For the hatswitch you can use: http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=15973 if you don't want to use the builtin view assignments.

 

The Darkness, just change the gamma settings.