Hi. Although new to FS2004, I am not new to simming having used FLY2 over the last few years and not new to flying having held a New Zealand PPL with ratings in 4 single engine small aircraft My favourate was the Cessna 150 Aerobat having spent many hours trying to perfect the basic aerobatic manouvers. I am retired now and had to let my PPL lapse some years ago mainly due to cash. An airline captain said that if you want a cheap way to fly get a simulator.My requirements in a simulator are realism and excellent flight modelling. (As close to the real thing). I use CH products Yoke and peddles and prefer to do the full flight check list instead of Ctrl E. I use the virtual 3D view in the main and seek the best rendition possible. I have been impressed with the 3D views in three payware downloads.Bearing in mind my preferences are there any must have addons from the AVSIM library or freeware that immediately come to mind?Is there anything in the library to enhance the logbook to bring it more into line with Aviation requirements?Is there any way that I can save a position on an airport rather than start on the runway?Is there anyway that the views using the "S" key can be individually assigned to the yoke. I seldom use the Tower view and would be happy to modify any file to delete this.I guess I am a bit biased with FLY2 and still consider the clarity of the flight instruments a benchmark even today.However the more I get into FS2004 the more I am impressed with the improvements made since earlier versions.Regards Richard.

Some of the aircraft and scenery addons available for FS2004 are nothing short of incredible. Two aircraft that definitely come to mind are the RealAir SF-260 and RealAir Spitfire (www.realairsimulations.com). These aircraft are highly praised by the vast majority (if not all) of the pilots that own them. They are payware, however.If you really want realistic weather you'll need to get ActiveSky V (www.hifisim.com). The weather and cloud renditions are nothing short of stunning.If you're into the big iron two extremely realistic and detailed addons are the PMDG 737 (www.precisionmanuals.com) and Level-D (LDS) 737(www.leveldsim.com).Now, in answering your questions:Bearing in mind my preferences are there any must have addons from the AVSIM library or freeware that immediately come to mind?Two that immediately come to mind are the Airhead Virtual Airworks ACA Super Decathlon (http://airhead.hfdd.com) and the Boeing Stearman with the Eagle Field scenery from Dave Eckert (you'll have to do a search on google for this one - the file name is stear04.zip).Is there anything in the library to enhance the logbook to bring it more into line with Aviation requirements?Don't know that one, sorry :) Is there any way that I can save a position on an airport rather than start on the runway?Absolutely. You can actually start a flight when you create one on parking area of the airport. You can then save the fight (this is best done by pressing ; in-flight). You can also use the slew key (Y) and position your aircraft anywhere you like. Make sure that it's planted on the ground be pressing F1 to descend and press (Y) again to get out of slew mode. Then save by pressing ;.Is there anyway that the views using the "S" key can be individually assigned to the yoke. I seldom use the Tower view and would be happy to modify any file to delete this.Sorry, I'm not too sure about this one either.Hope I've been of some help!James

Welcome :)Off the top of my head...Super Decathalon (freeware) v high quality, 3D cockpit etc:http://airhead.hfdd.com/airworthy/04_8kcab_screens.htmlJames beat me to it!Maule (freeware) same specs...really good!http://files.fsnordic.net/cgi-bin/file/jump.cgi?ID=1447http://files.fsnordic.net/files/zip/Genera.../m7260_fix1.zip (Fix)http://files.fsnordic.net/files/zip/Genera...on/m7260_11.zip (Update to V1.1)The two planes above are payware-quality in my opinion!Flight1 ATR (payware ATR propjet with high-power realism):http://atr.flight1.net/If you have the time & a fast connection I strongly recommend you get the excellent freeware terrain mesh by Justin Tyme. It makes a massive difference to the FS9 world & is freeware.http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?DLID=...atID=fs2004scenIs there anyway that the views using the "S" key can be individually assigned to the yoke1. Start the sim2. Options>Controls>Assignments3. In the Event Category box select View Commands4. Now you can assign a view command to your yoke(I hope thats what you were on about?!...hee hee):)

Many thanks for your responses and the links.I will check these out with interest.My query re "S" key stroke was more to limit the views to say one only, say spot view by amending whatever file controls this.Thanks Richard.