Ok, so I've been away from simming for awhile.Please excuse this dumb question but what is FS9. I have had some version of FS for years and am up to 2004. Just fired it up again after about a year and am already getting yelled from the wife.

FS9=FS2004Some refer to it by the number of FS's that have been released since the days of Donna Summer, Christopher Cross, and Journey :) FS9 is supposed to be ninth in the series, which went as follows:FS1FS2FS3FS4FS5FS98FS2000FS2002FS2004-John

Thanks John, I was afraid that had missed something to spend money on.:-)

Check the payware links here: http://www.tony.smiths.btinternet.co.uk/fsgate1.html . There are still many things left to buy....:-) .Doug

Indeed....May I suggest Actice Sky 6, you will not believe what you see!Plus for my money Fs Passengers is a terrific add on.I was away a while, and passengers brought me back, for me it gives another purpose in all the simmimg...great fun!

And I'd add FSNavigator ( www.fSnavigator.com ) which, IMNSHO, is among the best, if not the best, add-on ever done for any version of MSFS.Doug

If your getting back into it, boy are you in for a treat. Over the past few months alone it has been a variable rainstorm of terrific freeware and payware additions to FS9.For me the greatest payware add-ons that have changed the way I view FS9 are:Flight Enviroment - Simply makes FS9s environment so much more real. I simply use the randomizer for beautiful effects.ActiveSky V6+G - This is heaven, literally, it transforms the weather rendering to a point that I could have never beleived. Weather is something I enjoy so much more now in FS9. If you don't get any other payware add-ons, get this one at least.Ultimate Terrain - This transforms the terrain in FS9 to a degree which makes it more a mirror of the real world terrain, I only have UT Canada/Alaska, but enjoy it thoroughly.Various Aircraft: All I need to do is mention names and I'll let you choose for yourself the awesome aircraft these developers create. The likes of Aeroworx, Dreamfleet, FSD-International, Eaglesoft, Flight1, and Carenado.Now as far as freeware is concerned, let me tell you there is so much to look at it boggles the mind. For me I enjoy these additions to FS9:Mikko's Maule - Simply put, a great plane to get around in!!Milton's Aero Commanders, Beech D-18 and hopefully soon his revamped Dash 7 - I am amazed these are freeware.Project Fokker 70/100 - No VC but who cares, it's beautiful.David Maltby's BAC 1-11 - Now this plane is gorgeous, you have to see it yourself.Holy moly there is just too much freeware to mention. Just look in Avsim's file library for a treasure chest of stuff to keep you busy for months and months.I could name more, but I could be typing for hours. Feel free to ask on, I am sure many more will chime in, and they the will point out stuff I don't even know about.Have Fun!! :-waveEDIT: Ah yes as mentioned above definitely give FSNavigator a try, it's truly something you won't be able to fly without.[hr color=#000000][table border=0" width="98%" id="table1" height="4" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2][td width=500]Jason CYOO - Formerly MYNN[br /]General Aviation Fan[br][/b]P4 3,2Ghz, 1GB Ram, FX5900 128MB, XP SP2.[br /][br /]

>Just fired it up again after>about a year and am already getting yelled from the wife.My advice to you is to drink heavily. :-beerchugCheersBob ScottATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-V L-300Santiago de Chile

Jason,<>I second and third that!Evening approach to Innsbruck, snow on mountains, decending through sunset clouds, moona nd sun both in view, and I actually paused and just looked!!Of course other side of the coin is approaching in a 737 and finding 1/4 mile visibility! Sweat that ILS is working here..it was!Never have I seen FS do the slipping into/out of clouds so well. Look out of wing view, and I swear I can see the vapours stream over wing!R

Hey John,You missed one :->. FS6 was FS95 (well actually, FSFW95 - ie Flight Sim for Windows 95). FS6.x was FS98 (can't remember if marketing finally decided to call it FS6.1 or FS6.5 :-> ). Can't recall why we didn't just call FS98 FS7 off the top of my head.Basically, one naming scheme is the actual version number, the other is the marketing "name"Tim

What is she yelling at you about? Tell her it is harmless fun and you don't compete with her for the television. Geeze, at least she knows where you are. Better than some other hobbys.

>Just fired it up again after>about a year and am already getting yelled from the wife.I think you should get a divorce. No way would I have ANYONE yelling at me about what or what not to do as if I were a child. Kidding on the divorce thing, but holy cow.Scott

Thanks to everyone for their input, I see we have come a long with addons and I am sure that I will adding some of the ones mentioned. It never ceases to amaze me just how friendly the fs comunity is.

Just fired it up again after>about a year and am already getting yelled from the wife.--------------------------------------------------------------------Sorry to hear your wife is out of control? You might get a letter like this one day but don't worry, you have your priorities right!!!---------------------------Darling, I'm posting this message in your newsgroup, as I know this is the only way to get it to you since flight simulation entered our lives two years ago. The children are doing well. Our son is seven now and is a bright handsome boy. He has developed quite a flair for art. He drew a family portrait for a school project. All the figures were good, but yours was excellent. The computer, the model airplane, the chair, and the back of your head are rendered in detail and stunning accuracy. You would be very proud of him. As you'll recall, our precious little girl turned three in September. She still remembers that you spent the whole day with her on her birthday. What quality time it was for her when you allowed her to watch you recreate Amelia Earhart's last flight! She was so sorry that she crashed before your plane did, but she was *so* sleepy. Poor thing. When she asked how come Daddy's TV only had a grey picture, I told her you were staring at fog. Was I right? I'm also doing well. I went blonde about a year ago, and was delighted to learn that blondes really do have more fun. Lars, I mean Mr. Swenson the department head, has taken an interest in my career and has become a good friend to all of us. The house is in good shape. I had the living room painted last Spring. I'm not sure if you noticed it. I made the painters cut air holes in the drop cloths so you wouldn't be disturbed. They were very apologetic about splattering your charts. I've discovered that the household chores are much easier since you allow me to vacuum around you instead of using the feather duster that makes you sneeze and streaks your goggles. I will be at the ski lodge this weekend with Lars and the kids. Don't worry darling, we have seperate bedrooms. He is very well aware that I am married. I'll try to call you. If the line is busy, I'll know that you are connected by modem to your flight instructor who is demonstrating advanced manuevers. (I still can't believe that he's only thirteen. His parents must be very proud of him.) The housekeeper has been instructed to keep your coffeee cup filled and to give you a fresh straw every three hours.Just let her know when you're getting hungry, and she'll give you some frozen pizza to suck on. Good luck circumnavigating the world via the poles. Should be a fun weekend! See you Sunday night! Fondly, Carol (your wife)Dave T. .........On the Devon Riviera and active 'FlightSim User's Group' member at http://www.flightsimgrpuk.free-online.co.uk/

Ok OK.Apart from all that, did you manage the ILS into O'Hare in the fog??I mean some women have a really strange sense of priorities!Carol, My wife has went out tonight with her pal, saying as she left, "there, a whole night talking to no one, and wasting time"Huh! Just wait until all the pilots are crippled with food poisining, and the call for a pilot to land the BIG Jet Thingy you are all passengers in.Hubby will rush as heroes do, to the cockpit, and save all aboard.Be prepared..thats what we do!I mean what has a fallen shower rail have in more importance that MUST be done right away?? R