No problem, I just need wise advice -- yours!

[Guest cliffie1931]

Hi again Falcon....I've just thought of one other add-on that is virtually a "Must Have" and that's a small utility called FSUIPC which (among other things) provides compatibility with other add-onsYou'll find it at:http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.htmlI imagine almost all of us have it installed as a matter of course.In fact many add-ons include it on the off chance that it's not already installed.Cliff

[Snowfalcon 18]

Hi Falcon and welcome to the maddness. Pretty much everything has been said above but everyone is avioding the elephant in the room. If you really are interested in Military jet avaition there is one place you will have to go. It's another sim and it name is Falcon 4.0 Allied Force.There it's out. FSX is great for learning flying and procedures. For GA and comercial aircraft it's the best. But for Military fast Jets it lacks a lot. F4AF and it older cousin Janes F/A-18 are the benchmarks for fast jet sims. Janes has been out of print so finding a copy might be hard. F4 is a study sim that requires time and effort but is well worth it. FSX will help. A LOT! Learn to fly in FSX learn how to navigate and flt a intercept and approach. Learn to plan a flight and monitor systems. All of these skills will cross over to other flight sims. people that load a sim like F4, JF-18 or IL-2 and expect to just jump in a blow stuff up are in for a rude shock. Task saturization happens fast in a modern jet. (this includes jets like the LDS-767) learning the skills in FSX will create enjoyment for all flightsims in the future.

[Guest jshyluk]

I agree with Snowfalcon: FSX is best for learning procedures for general aviation, especially navigation. Just like a real-world fighter pilot will first spend time in trainer aircraft, you will want to start off with the more basic aircraft in FSX as a starting point. Granted, FSX has a lot of "gaming" elements designed to get beginners up and flying quickly, so you can be landing that Learjet in the Tellurides in moments (in reality, it's a pretty hairy landing scenario, in FSX it's quite tame). There's no combat in FSX, so jet planes are treated more or less like very fast Cessnas, although that's something of an oversimplification. If you are very new to simulated flight, I would advise trying out the "trike" over Hawaii in calm weather to get an idea of how flight controls work. It's the simplest of the airframes in FSX. Some of the neatest things, I think, in FSX happen when you decide not to fly your aircraft as a "task list" of items to do. For instance, if you are focussed on fighter jets, try out the Piper Cub, the Beaver, or especially the glider. Once you gain some experience, the Robinson helicopter provides an excellent transition into rotary aircraft. You will get satisfaction from learning aircraft systems and following procedures. You can simulate emergencies such as system failiures and engine loss. Be creative! Certainly, if you need (secular) inspiration or advice, ask as many questions as you like at AVSIM.COM. Be sure to read our product reviews, and register for free to access the thousands of files in our Library. In short, put AVSIM in your Favourites!Jeff ShylukSenior Staff Reviewer, Avsim

[ryanbatc 12,832]

1) The Learning Center, found under the Help menu in FSX, is one of the better areas to learn about FSX. If you have more questions, please ask them here and many will be able to help.2) You'll want to check out the mesh terrain, which decreases the distance between vertices in flight sim - aka makes mt. rainier look more like mt. rainier in real life. There are different choice around, FSG mesh: http://www.fsgenesis.com/Merchant2/merchan...ct_Code=NADEM-XSome freeware here:http://www.simviation.com/fsx_terrainmesh.htmI know I seems biased, but I highly recommend looking at Ultimate Terrain USA for FSX (alaska, canada, and europe will be released later). UT USA adds roads that you would find on a map in real life, and adds more detailed lakes (more realistic beaches coastlines etc), rivers, and large coastlines. And it adds very neat night lighting to cities, and adds road traffic to more roads like state highways that FSX default does not have.http://www.flight1.com/products.asp?product=utxusaI'd also recommend looking at Active Sky X and/or Flight Environment X (when it comes out), they will enhance (greatly) the weather and meteorological environment within FSX... ASX:http://www.hifisim.com/products.htmlFEX previews and page:http://www.flightenvironment.com/http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=21780http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=21259http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=21406Ground Environment for FSX is coming too (enhances ground textures)http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=205773) Well, Microsoft is working on their expansion pack, which appears to have a F-18 in it... There are some great freeware planes, mostly for FS2004 though, check out Kirk's F-16, which was updated (I think) for FSX, f-16haf.zip here @ avsim.com. There is a freeware F-18, not sure if it was updated for FSX, fa-18f.zip here @ avsim.com. Theres some freeware F-15's, coral_f15_v2_2004.zip (for FS2004) I don't have any experience with payware military.... cept I'd highly recommend the Real Air SF260 like everyone says!!4) Addons...heheReal Air anything....Decathlon, SF260, Scout, etc etcFlight 1 MD80 is neat, but that's heavy iron if you like thatLevelD 767 is fantastic, very realistic, I own the FS2004 version - I love it!http://www.leveldsim.com/sevensix_home.aspAnd the many many many addon sites:www.flightsim.comwww.simviation.comwww.avsim.comGood luck, nice rig BTW ;)Let us know how things go!

[Guest Redvan]

frugalsworld.com and globalfalcon.org for all your Falcon needs. Personally, I'm a big Falcon 4.0 fan... F4:AF is nice, but I think 4.0 has more realistic options availiable...

[FTD1949 0]

I'm not sure if anyone mentioned this yet. After installation of FSX and SP1 make sure you defragment for top performance. I use Diskeeper Pro but there are many available. Craig

[Guest radivil]

"FSX is best for learning procedures for general aviation, especially navigation. Just like a real-world fighter pilot will first spend time in trainer aircraft, you will want to start off with the more basic aircraft in FSX as a starting point."A friend of mine just tore through civilian flight school and is now a week or so into API down at NAS Pensacola. She always thought computer flight sims were a bit silly but quickly discovered she was the only person in her class that hadn't ever touched one. So she was learning from literally the absolute beginning and everyone else was at least moderately familiar with the concepts. She even admitted that she was wrong and should have sat down with it a few times.

[Guest Redvan]

If you cannot afford pedals right away, you can always assign stick or throttle buttons to rudder control.My personal "essentiallity" list is as follows, and I'll explain why:1. Computer! No computer, no flight sim.2. Joystick (or yoke), you can fly with mouse, it's not very realistic though... but that's just my opinion.3. Throttle (military style, or quadrant style), with this you wont have to mess around with a touchy keyboard trying to get the pristine throttle setting.4. TrackIR (TIR), makes looking around your pit and the outside world for VFR flying much easier than trying to pan with either a HAT or keyboard.5. Rudder pedals, convenient, realistic, but can easily be assigned to stick or throttle buttons as I mentioned before.6. Headset, if you want to fly multiplayer, this is a must and I'd place above rudder pedals and TIR.That ofcourse is just my opinion from my experience with FS. It'll all be up to you what you think the most logical order is...

[Snowfalcon 18]

Can't stress enough the need to learn basic flight procedures first. FSX is a great way learn. fly the tutorial missions first to get an idea of what you are doing. It's painless and fun. Then after you get through them all start learning more advanced navigation and airport procedures. Sims like F4 and Janes coexist very nicely with FSX. I've seen too many noobie Milsim pilots frustrated becaused they rushed into virtual combat. Falcon 4's campaign is the worst for that. Getting a good foundation in FSX will really help. As for most of the Mil aircraft in FS I just avoid then. Most of the systems found in real Mil combat aircraft aren't modeled. While you may get some cool looking displays in FS it is no subtitute for fully functioning A2A and A2G radar. Not to mention the lack of correct MFD pages. Too bad really since the ability to intercept and escort away aircraft crossing into a airspace would add a lot to FS. Even if it were a AI that intercepted when you flew into restricted airspace like near Nellis or China lake. Right now you can pretty much fly anywhere in FS and never get challenged. I'm sure a aircraft off course heading into N. Korean airspace would get a surly reception IRL.

[Guest Redvan]

>>> I'm not sure if anyone mentioned this yet. After>installation of> FSX and SP1 make sure you defragment for top performance.>> I use Diskeeper Pro but there are many available.>> Craigshould also mention that if your FSX load screen seems to be taking longer and longer to load as days go by, just defrag (even if your computer says no defragmenting needed). I was noticing mine taking longer and longer, defragged, back to it's normal speed.

[Guest]

>If you get a throttle and joy stick do you need rudders? Regarding rudder pedals, a lot of guys will tell you they are essential, or even required if you want to fly helicopters at the highest realism settings, but I have never had an issue flying helicopters or anything else with just a twist grip Sidewinder joystick with built in throttle, where the grip twists for left and right rudder.Sure if you have lots of money to toss around, $150 for this and $100 for that, then by all means get the whole set, but if not a basic joystick with everything built in works just fine, at least for me. Also keep in mind FSX realy doesn't need any scenery add ons as its fantastic the way it is. Scenery add ons will certainly make things look different, but whether or not they make things look better can be subjective. I would certainly get a feel for the program as it is before rushing out for scenery packs, etc...

[Guest _FALCON_]

Moderator note: I was in the middle of typing this when I got some crazy traffic report that erased my data.Craig -- it is actually better to defragment your hard drive before loading any program of significant size, not after it. What you load immediately afterward will also be automatically defragmented. I am new to FSX, but I've been using computers since 1984. Snowfalcon, John, Chris, Geofa -- your advice is wise concerning buying good hardware first, and learning how to fly and just enjoying the program before trying combat flight sims.I really appreciate all the input and links, I'm following up on every one of them. Thanks Ryan and others. There is only one PROBLEM, you guys are costing me MONEY!I already ordered CH Fighterstick. Everyone who has this seems to love it, and its reviews are even better than what I'm finding from people who bought more expensive sticks. Although $150 is still expensive for joystick. I managed to get it for $100 from Amazon. Thanks Redvan! BTW your essentials list looks pretty much like what I decided as well.Flight Simulator X Deluxe $58 cha chingCH Fighterstick $102 cha ching The

[Guest]

> The

[Snowfalcon 18]

Seriously don't bother spending money on the Aerosoft F-16 or the VR F-18. No matter how cool they look you still won't get full avionics or the total military experiance. Check on eBay for a copy of Janes F/A-18. It's getting old but it still runs well. I'm running it on Vista 64 right now. Download the TSH add-ons for free. It still is the BEST sim bar none for carrier traps. It is still the only sim that model GPS munitions well and has data link from AWACS capability.Falcon 4.0 AF is still in print and for the price of a add on aircraft for FSX again you will get full avionics and weapons plus two theatres not to mention the best FM for a F-16 in any sim. Both sims also offer what FS never will. A truly hostile enviornment Trust me the number "10" takes on a whole new meaning.Mil trainers and cargo aircraft are perfect in FSX DL them and load them up. FSX does GA and heavies better than anything else. Fast movers SEAD,CAS and Sweep is something else.and Ahem you were missing the Level-D 767-300ER

[HoratioWondersocks 4]

FALCONHello and welcome to Simming(Addiction alert beware:-) )|One thing that might be worth considering as well as purchasing FSX it might be a good idea to get hold of a copy of FS9 as well.(Please chaps this is not an anti FSX post so no swearing please.)T he reason i say this is because FSX in some senses is still under development you may have seen talk about DX10 and special graphics cards etc these things still to come.If you are new to the hobby the last thing you want to be doing is tweaking and fiddling about(you will soon become drawn into the whole magical world of tweaking anyway:-) )If you want to concentrate on getting airborne you will probably find that FS9 will run very smoothly with all its program and graphical settings set to high and you will then spend many a happy hour, week, decade or two soaring in virtual skies and honing your skills.I personally would not worry to much about addons at the moment there is MORE than plenty to get to grips with in the basic sim.Once you become more adept at flying you can move on to addons and you will always get plenty of advice on this forum or the hundreds of others that are out there on which are the best addons to go for.One thing worth considering is joining a good VA two i can recommend are Airsource (Which has a strong U.S.feel)or Euroharmony for a more European based experience)BOTH GOOD.Joining a VA gives you access to a lot of experienced and helpful fellow fliers who if they are worth there salt will willingly help you out(AS and EU have plenty of salty members:-) Joining a VA also gives a more meaningful flying experience as you fly the VAs timetables file pireps(Pilot reports)work your way up through the ranks and even earn a(virtual unfortunately) salary.Anyway i hope this gives you some ideas.Cheers AndyFINALLY i must reiterate this was NOT in anyway an attack on FSX so calm down and put your guns away.