I've been in what I call "tinkering" mode with MSFS since it was released last year. Doing a little GA flying checking out the beautiful scenery, and messing around with the SDK. I was annoyed with the lack of a fully VNAV / LNAV capable airliner as well as the game like feel of it overall. I haven't bought any add-ons or even downloaded any freeware. I've got the FBW a320 and Navigraph data & charts installed. That's it. To be fair, I stopped flying in P3D as well. I just basically took a break while watching all of the commotion in this forum.

When I noticed the complete change in the tone of this forum after SU6, I decided to take another look. All I can say is that MSFS has finally arrived. I loaded up a Simbrief based flight from KBWI to KBOS in the FBW yesterday.It was the best simulator flight I ever had. The sim was silk smooth, the scenery was beautiful, the lighting and weather were fantastic, and the airplane performed flawlessly. I even used the default ATC, which did an adequate job. I was surprised to see that it recognized that I was flying a STAR and that it didn't start giving me goofy vectors to final. The rollout was what impressed me the most. I landed at KBOS on runway 4R. I had a smooth landing, and managed to kick off the reversers and auto-brake at just the right time to leave me at the perfect speed for taxiing to the gate. I didn't even have to touch the throttle or brakes until I was actually parking. There were no stutters all the way in even though it was a dusk arrival.  

When I shut down at the gate, I just sat in awe of how impressed I was given that this was a sim with no add-ons. I spent hundreds of dollars to make the US look good in P3D and it's not even close. MSFS is absolutely worth every penny I paid for it. After all of these years of hearing people clamoring for a new engine (and being one of them) I can't believe that we finally have one. And it's beautiful! The environment outside of the aircraft actually looks like a 'world' instead of a picture of a world.

I do think it was released before it was truly ready, but I'm glad I got to tinker with it while it was getting to where it is. To think that there are still improvements coming is exciting. 

I think it's time for my first add-on. Leaning towards FlyTampa's KLAS. If they did the same level of detail as the P3D version, I can't wait to take the drone down the strip.

Just.... wow! I'm glad MS and Asobo decided to do this. I'm sorry that they got all bashed up by the community along the way. I think some folks truly owe them an apology. 

FT KLAS is a definite must have.  I've spent well over an hour with the drone cam going up and down the strip and still see things I didn't see before.

MDFlier   -highly recommend you also check out the Working Title mod of the CJ4  -makes it one of the best planes in the sim.

happy face Jorg Neumann approves this thread!

I would also highly recommend the Working Title CJ4.  Although I had flown this aircraft a lot earlier in the year I switched over to the airline flying in the FBW 320 for a few months.  I just went back into the CJ4 with AirHauler and what a blast it is to fly.  Fully working LNAV/VNAV and I love going into the small fields I would never have flown into.  Most realistic and best flying aircraft in the sim right now IMO...and you get to actually work the throttles!!  I did a nice pre-dawn flight this morning (I was up way too early!) from Baltimore up to Concord NH landing a little after sunrise. Bijan's Fall season addon looked insane on the approach.  The past few flights have been the best I've experienced in the sim going back to Alpha testing.  You picked a good time to revisit MSFS...welcome back!

Edited October 29, 20214 yr by Flic1

So much positivity in this thread, love it!

I have flown hundreds and hundreds of flights and not one problem. MSFS 2020 is the best. 

Some suggestions,

https://flightsim.to/file/16674/we-love-vfr-region-2

https://flightsim.to/file/2605/we-love-vfr-region-1

https://flightsim.to/file/10816/world-navaids

https://flightsim.to/file/14840/project-litfts-europe

https://flightsim.to/file/9529/global-ai-ship-traffic-msfs-v1

https://flightsim.to/file/21430/global-ai-ship-traffic-great-lakes

https://flightsim.to/file/2246/msfs-c152-community

https://flightsim.to/file/3484/enhanced-ground-vehicles

One of my favorite things to do in the sim when I just want to relax is to take one of the excellent helicopters out to my favorite fishing spot on the river. I then "hop out" via the drone camera and listen to the ambient sounds (which are the best in any sim, without a doubt). I live in the middle of nowhere and it's AMAZING how well my local area is represented. Even the elevation profile of the river's shore is absolutely correct. I can't say enough good things about this sim and I can't wait to see where Asobo takes it! 

Might as well fly the HPG Airbus H135 down the Vegas strip,  https://flightsim.to/file/8970/airbus-h135-helicopter-project (Freeware)

I'm happy with the progress of their payware H145 project,  https://www.hypeperformancegroup.com/products/xxxx

The H145 luxury variant has deployable floats,  which I think is cool.      Here are a few shots of the Mil version,

 

MSFS just consistently blows me away.  

It has been a "fun" journey but MSFS is getting there, no doubt. 

2 hours ago, Flic1 said:

I would also highly recommend the Working Title CJ4.  Although I had flown this aircraft a lot earlier in the year I switched over to the airline flying in the FBW 320 for a few months.  I just went back into the CJ4 with AirHauler and what a blast it is to fly.  Fully working LNAV/VNAV and I love going into the small fields I would never have flown into.  Most realistic and best flying aircraft in the sim right now IMO...and you get to actually work the throttles!!  I did a nice pre-dawn flight this morning (I was up way too early!) from Baltimore up to Concord NH landing a little after sunrise. Bijan's Fall season addon looked insane on the approach.  The past few flights have been the best I've experienced in the sim going back to Alpha testing.  You picked a good time to revisit MSFS...welcome back!

I love his 4 seasons pack.   I just purchased his "PROJECT: ISLANDS, SUNKEN BOATS, WATERMASK, PG TREES - MSFS"

I love the business model of this project.  Your purchase entitles you to have one small area of the sim enhanced by Bijan.    You get to benefit from your selection,   and everyone else's too.  It's brilliant,  imo.

I didn't know what to pick,  so I told him to spice up Cape May,  New Jersey, USA.    

So far Bijan seems to be working his way through requests in a relatively responsive manner.

https://secure.simmarket.com/bijan-habashi-project-islands-sunken-boats-huts-pg-trees-msfs.phtml

Quote

PROJECT: ISLANDS, SUNKEN BOATS, HUTS, PG TREES

PLEASE READ BELOW.

Requires “4 season pack” to be installed.

This project is all about enhancing:

1. Islands - Adding watermask, rock islands and enhancing the areas with custom vegetations.
2. Replacing sunken boats with 3d boats in marinas and islands. (non animated)
3. Adding huts in vacation spots.
4. Removing photogrammetry trees or trees from ships, bridges, parks runways, or any other areas they shouldn’t be.
   (Removing all photogrammetry trees from cities is not possible)
5. Enhancing vegetations around airports
6. Adding missing bridges (generic models)
7. Adding missing forest and trees.
8. Adding whales, birds or other animals in a place of your choice.
9. Shortening grassfields.

Update: 10/28/2021

Included in this pack: (POI added for each area)

1- Islands:

1. Nui Rock Island in Nui Beach, Phi Phi Island, Thailand. Added rocks and boats.
2. Khao Ta Pu Rock Island (James Bond Island). Added rocks and boats.
3. Hong Island Canoeing. Added rocks and boats.
4. Ko La Na islands. Added rocks
5. Ko Poda Island, Thailand - added watermasks, rocks, boats
6. Railay Beach, Thailand - added watermasks, rocks, boats
7. Cát Bà Rock Islands, Vietnam- rocks and boats (this area will be expanding - work in progress)
8. La Poule de Hienghène - Added Rock islands

2- Boats:

1. USA - Long Beach Shoreline Marina - added boats and palm trees
2. USA - Honolulu marina, Hawaii - added boats
3. USA - Lahaina Harbor on Maui + birds, whale
4. USA - Key West, Florida - added boats, palm trees, few photogrammetry trees removed
5. USA - Lake Chelan, Washington - added boats
6. USA - Miami - added boats and bridge
7. USA - Bayfield Wisconsin harbor - added boats
8. USA - Dana Point Marina, CA - added boats
9. USA - Coyote Point Marina - KSFO
10. USA - Grand Lake in Oklahoma - added boats
11. USA - Cleveland, and KBKL - Wendy park marina  - added boats.
12. USA - Newport, Oregon - added boats
13. USA - Boston harbor near airport - added boats
14. USA - Plymouth and Provincetown Massachusetts - Few boats and whales added
15. USA - Redwood Shores, south of San Francisco - added boats
16. USA - Lake St. Clair (Windsor Ontario marina)  - added boats
17. USA - Vineyard Haven - added custom watermask and boats 
18. USA - Lake Ray Roberts - added boats
19. USA - Lake Lewisville - added boats
20. USA - Lake Murray  - added boats
21. USA - Saint Petersburg Pier  - added boats
22. EUROPE - Venice, italy -  added boats, bridge
23. EUROPE - Dublin, Ireland - added boats
24. EUROPE - Oslo - added boats
25. EUROPE - Ammersee lake - added boats
26. EUROPE - Zurich (added boats, pier, tables and chairs)
27. EUROPE - Brighton Marina boats with rock walls and rocks.
28. EUROPE - Copenhagen - added boats
29. EUROPE - Corsica island - Ajaccio - added boats
30. EUROPE - UK - Shoreham - added boats
31. EUROPE - UK - Bristol Harbor - added boats
32. EUROPE - UK - Mylor Yacht Harbour - added boats
33. EUROPE - UK - Port Pendennis Marina - added boats
34. EUROPE - UK - Loch Lomond - added boats
35. EUROPE - UK - Balloch - added boats
36. EUROPE - UK - Torquay - added boats
37. EUROPE - UK - Brixham - added boats
38. EUROPE - UK - Salcombe - added boats
39. EUROPE - UK - Ocean Village Marina - added boats
40. EUROPE - UK - Cardiff Bay - added boats
41. EUROPE - Königssee lake - added boats
42. EUROPE - Nieuwpoort - added boats
43. EUROPE - Lake Starnberg - added boats
44. EUROPE - Constanta marina - added boats
45. EUROPE - Arcachon bay - added boats
46. EUROPE - Cannes bay - added custom watermask and boats 
47. EUROPE - Friedrichshafen and Überlingen - added boats
48. EUROPE - Greek island of Symi - added boats
49. EUROPE - Kiel Sporthafen Wik 
50. EUROPE - Kiel Olympiahafen Schilksee
51. EUROPE - Kortgene / Wolphaartsdijk, Netherlands 
52. EUROPE - Geneva lake - added boats
53. EUROPE - Le Brusc (French Rivera) - added boats
54. EUROPE - Malaga - added boats
55. EUROPE - Bonifacio - added boats
56. EUROPE - Duisburg/Harbour/Mid Rhine Area/River Essen, Germany - added boats
57. EUROPE - Mykonos port in Greek Island - added boats
58. EUROPE - Cassis, France - added custom watermask and boats 
59. EUROPE - Port of Cavalaire - added boats
60. EUROPE - Monaco harbour
61. EUROPE - Neusiedlersee, Austria - added boats
62. CANADA - Orcas Island (boats in Deer Harbor and in waters between Orcas and Vancouver island)
63. CANADA - Toronto  - added boats
64. CANADA - Hamilton Harbour
65. AUSTRALIA - Westernport Marina - added boats
66. AUSTRALIA - Perth in Western - Boats and two missing bridges added.
67. NEW ZEALAND - Auckland - Westhaven Marina
68. NEW ZEALAND - Auckland - Hobson Point Marina
69. NEW ZEALAND - Auckland - Half Moon Bay Marina
70. NEW ZEALAND - Auckland - Bayswater Marina
71. NEW ZEALAND - Auckland - Hobsonville Marina
72. NEW ZEALAND - Auckland - Gulf Harbour Marina
73. NEW ZEALAND - Auckland - Pakanoa Point Marina
74. NEW ZEALAND - Auckland - Boats moored in Tamaki Estuary
75. NEW ZEALAND - Wellington harbor, NZ - added boats
76. SOUTH AMERICA - Curacao lake - added boats and trees
77. SOUTH AMERICA - Aruba Island - added boats
78. SOUTH AMERICA - Curaçao Island - added boats
79. ASIA - Kenting beach boats
80. ASIA - Saikai National Park, Nagasaki, Japan
81. ASIA - Can Tho city, Vietnam - added boats
82. Pitcairn Island - added watermask, trees and boats
83. Yas Marina at the Abu Dhabi - added boats
84. Coastline Of Lima in Peru - added boats and rocks
85. ASIA - Bali - added boats

3- Photogrammetry trees removed/ other enhancements:

1. Nicelii airport, Italy. Some photogrammetry trees removed.
2. Balboa Lake in Los Angeles. Some photogrammetry trees removed.
3. New York city - Some photogrammetry trees removed where it looked like a jungle.
4. Los Angeles lake water removed (between Riverside and Chino)
5. KSFP airport - Some photogrammetry trees removed.
6. Durdle Door rock added.
7. KORL airport removed some photogrammetry trees + added missing bridge
8. Added 4 Hawaii airport tree overlays to avoid conflict with airport payware mods.
9. Remove trees in LIPZ rwy 04R
10. KBUR airport - Some photogrammetry trees removed
11. Hana airport, PHHN Hawaii Enhancements - custom vegetation and rocks on beaches to match photos.
12. LFST-LFGC-LFSH  removed trees from airport areas
13. “Trabocchi” added old pontoon and rocks
14. Elbe Sandstone in Saxon - Added rock cliffs
15. Cape Split rock enhanced
16. Yellowstone national park geysers - (animated smokes)
17. Added more trees at Airport ETMN

 

To find these areas, search in POI in the sim and type Bijan and a list of areas will be shown so you can select the ones you want to fly in.

For recent updates visit main forum: 
https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/project-rock-islands-sunken-boats-huts-pg-trees/447859

 

Requests received: (these are being worked on and will be available to download once complete -
POI will be added for these areas) - Top ones are being worked on first. (limit for boats: one marina or harbor)

1. Oceanside Harbor
2. Lake Tahoe
3. Pittsburgh, PA fix PG trees on bridges
4. Gold Coast, Australia, sea wall, birds, rocks
5. Wustrow 
6. Thailand, Koh Samui 
7. Cape May, New Jersey
8. City center of Dresden - trees cleanup
   

Once you purchase, email me and let me know the area you want enhanced along with your order # and once finished it will be added to the completed list and you can download them… As more requests are made, you can download the new areas for no extra charge. All updates will be free.

Example of requests: (but not limited to these)

Add boats in a specific marine, lakes, rivers or shoreline, etc. (One marina or one small area - Max 200 boats in an marina)

Add a watermask.

Airport enhancements (adding 3d trees and custom vegetations)

Enhance a part of an island or add a missing rock island.

Fix photogrammetry trees in a specific area, bridge, ships, parks, etc (not a whole city)

Tree removal from unwanted places (bridges, runways, etc)

Adding missing bridges (generic models)

Adding birds, whales, animals.

Adding missing palm trees on beaches.

Coastal enhancements

 

I agree. The last dozen flights or so have been wonderful.

 

4 hours ago, ctalpas said:

MDFlier   -highly recommend you also check out the Working Title mod of the CJ4  -makes it one of the best planes in the sim.

What might be some good CJ4 tutorials ?

Al

Edited October 29, 20214 yr by ark