This is what MS has posted about each release which is not what I am writing about. What I would like to hear from other simmers is using FS as a base with what add-ons do you think make FS as real as it gets.Dont factor in hardware just software.To start I will say Scenery; R.I. SceneryPlane: There are a few but I will go with the Citation Xnow heres where it can get busyActive CameraActive SkyFsFailureAIsmoothUltimate TrafficUSA RoadsFlight EnvironmentEdit Voice PackFSHotseatFXFSFlightTrackerFSNightUltimate TerrainFSGenesis 38.2 TerrainThese are the ones that come to mind that are needed to make and some have replacements. I was just wandering what others think to make FS as real as it can get and see what addons become the most preferred for the different enhancement parts.Kilstorm

KilstormYou have missed Active Sky and FS Sky world :-) As for aircraft I am sure you can only make such a comment if you have flown the real aircraft to make such a statement surely? ;-)You would have to be able to compare or at least have an intricate knowledge of the real aircraft and its systemsPeter

Yeah I eidted to add Active Sky after the post and didnt think of FSworld. As far as the A/C its just to say that it does offer alot and if you were to have that as your plane for a demo to someone who has never seen FS before that would be one of many addon planes that come to mind for me. Its more about the enhancement addons than the a/c and scenery that I was looking for. I dont think noone can agree on just one plane but do feel that the R.I. scenery wins by most just for what it offers.Kilstorm

Hi KIlstorm.,Maybe MS could quote "AS real as it gets, with the help of..... :-) Here's my list:FSHotSeat VFR scenery with ultimate terrain (UK and San Francisco area)LDS767-300 Visual Flight London Scenery and autogenR.IMisty FjordsCanarySim Las Palmas Scenery Flight EnvironmentActive SkyFlight Deck CompanionRadar ContactUltimate Traffic FSForceFlight Deck sound effects panel by Marcus Thompson(No particular order) Good opportunity to say thankyou to the payware and freeware developers who really bring pc based flying to another level!CheersDan:)

The recent Challenger by Bill Lyons has to qualify IMHO. It's such a beautiful recreation of that genre of flight that regardless of the ground below, you get a great sense of what flying a Microlight is all about. It's hard to imagine things getting more real unless the smell of exhaust and wind on your face is part of the next version.-John

What I'd like to know is this. When the next FS edition comes out it will almost certainly be marked as being "as real as it gets". Now if the next FS is "as real as it gets" then the current one won't be "as real as it gets". It will only be "almost as real as it gets". If it's only "almost as real" and not "as real" then the it's not really living up to the promise made by MS that FS is "as real as it gets". To be "as real as it gets" it needs to be more "real as it gets" then any other product that boasts as being "as real as it gets". Does anybody think we should send our old copies of FS back for a refund as they will no longer be "as real as it gets"! :-lol :-hah :-lol

Concerning "cockpit sounds", I wouldn't miss:Winamp + "Prodigy Vs Enya - Smack My #### Up Orinoco Flow". :-)A-A-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.......ROTATE!!!

I think what people are forgetting is that the "gets" in "as real as it gets" is a highly subjective term.I could argue that if you define "gets" within the context of existing home computer technology, the realities of dealing with the mass market, and keeping it all under $50, then FS is to a reasonable degree as real as it "gets."Bryan

Bingo! :)

By no means was I refering to a mis-quote by MS. I'm just asking what people use to make FS as real as it can get. Theres alot of great addons and its great to see that FS can get help by the way the FS team allows other developers to contribute. I'm just looking to see what those addons are most commonly used.Kilstorm

>I think what people are forgetting is that the "gets" in "as>real as it gets" is a highly subjective term.>>I could argue that if you define "gets" within the context of>existing home computer technology, the realities of dealing>with the mass market, and keeping it all under $50, then FS is>to a reasonable degree as real as it "gets.">>BryanBryan., thanks for that good point. I think the posts were a bit of humurous tongue-in-cheek, if you like. Bottom line is that MS provide a base code as well as a very good "outofthebox" simulator at a competetive price.The suprising thing i have noticed over the last six months is that with all the add-ons building up, my performance has remained incredibly stable. i.e good performance under demanding conditions, as you can see from my list. I usually dont even know what my FR's are., just see what i can see.Hats off to the guys and gals in Redmond for their talent in providing us "serious simmers" with a remarkable platform for our ventures. :-) CheersDan

"using FS as a base with what add-ons do you think make FS as real as it gets."Hands Down Squawkbox & VATSIM What's more real than talking to, In some cases, REAL WORLD ATC Controllers.Cheers

Roger that. I stayed away for years due to the extensive "learning curve" but with the relase of SB3, its "as easy as it gets." Really. If I can do it ANYONE can.Granted, you can't ALWAYS fly where you want, when you want or in every aircraft but when you meet with those obstacles, you can just "downgrade" to whatever ATC computer voices make you most happy!(:Jim