Long time FSX user.  New computer, starting to explore MSFS steam edition.  Couple of questions:

Is the SOFLY "A Guide to Flight Simulator" worth $27?  Is there something else that would offer insight into MSFS?

I bought the basic version of MSFS but I notice very few airports available.  FSX has about 44,000 right out of the box.  Whats the deal?

What do most users use for flight planning?  The rudimentary system build into MSFS seems simplistic after using PFPX.  Can flight plans be imported into MSFS?

Visually MSFS is wonderful but I'm like to fly by the numbers generally following IFR rules.  What's other experience?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Jim Driskell

25 minutes ago, jmdriskell said:

Long time FSX user.  New computer, starting to explore MSFS steam edition.  Couple of questions:

Is the SOFLY "A Guide to Flight Simulator" worth $27?  Is there something else that would offer insight into MSFS?

I bought the basic version of MSFS but I notice very few airports available.  FSX has about 44,000 right out of the box.  Whats the deal?

What do most users use for flight planning?  The rudimentary system build into MSFS seems simplistic after using PFPX.  Can flight plans be imported into MSFS?

Visually MSFS is wonderful but I'm like to fly by the numbers generally following IFR rules.  What's other experience?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Jim Driskell

Hi Jim,

Welcome aboard!  I use the basic edition of MSFS as well... and it comes with thousands of airports, out of the box.  Which ones are missing?

LittleNavMap is what I use for flight planning, and yes, MSFS can import a pln flight plan.

I fly IFR a lot, using Garmin avionics. The G36 comes with a very capable G1000, and for addon airplanes, I use the TDS GTN 750 NXi (payware).  You can also start with a freeware PMS50 GTN 750..

The CJ4 also comes with very capable avionics... all a matter of what you like to fly!

 

MSFS can seem a bit overwhelming at first.. but you will get the hang of it.. we've all gone through the experience..

Lots of free Youtube videos, and help on the forum.. no need for payware docs..

Essential addons are:

freeware Addons Linker:  https://flightsim.to/file/1572/msfs-addons-linker

and if you are looking for more airports.. search here:  https://flightsim.to/

Edited May 12, 20233 yr by Bert Pieke

1 hour ago, jmdriskell said:

FSX has about 44,000 right out of the box.  Whats the deal?

That's actually incorrect. FSX has 24,222 default airports while MSFS has over 37,000. Please keep in mind that you can use the search function on the world map. You'll have to zoom in to see some of the smaller airports.

MSFS currently has the most advanced avionics for GA and airliners of any of the desktop sims so you'll be able to follow the numbers to your heart's content.

Edited May 12, 20233 yr by Krakin

 

1/ I wouldn't pay for a guide unless I was really struggling, probably get better advice here.

2/ Far more airports in MSFS.

3/ Personally I use a combination of Simbrief / Navigraph Charts / LNM. Have never imported a flighplan into MSFS, always input manually.

4/ I fly IFR normally using P2ATC (in all 3 main simulators). Generally MSFS gives the best IFR experience..

 

G

52 minutes ago, jmdriskell said:

Visually MSFS is wonderful but I'm like to fly by the numbers generally following IFR rules.  What's other experience?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Jim Driskell

MSFS is fully capable for any kind of flight including IFR.  My advise to you is play with it a while until you get the basics understood for yourself.  Avoid buying addons for now and learn the sim.  The biggest challenge initially will be setting up camera functions but plenty of resources available online for how to do this.  MSFS is incredibly excellent in most all ways, yet still has significant work to improve in particular ATC and AI traffic, some work on cloud depiction but overall, incredibly excellent.  In short order ONCE you've became basically capable in it you will wonder what took you so long...besides the new PC....

Everybody,

Geeze, thanks so much for all the solid advice and testimony for MSFS.   Now it's time to learn the ins and outs.

Jim

1 hour ago, jmdriskell said:

I bought the basic version of MSFS

You should have bought the Premium Deluxe Edition. 

2 hours ago, jmdriskell said:

Everybody,

Geeze, thanks so much for all the solid advice and testimony for MSFS.   Now it's time to learn the ins and outs.

Jim

It won't  take you long, I was confused for the first few days, but  with all the Youtube videos, one learns pretty quickly. 

4 hours ago, jmdriskell said:

I bought the basic version of MSFS but I notice very few airports available.  FSX has about 44,000 right out of the box.  Whats the deal?

If you bought from Steam, immediately refund the basic purchase and buy the Deluxe.

You have pretty much cut your foot off with alot of freeware addons that require deluxe components, just buying basic.

Edited May 12, 20233 yr by blueshark747

19 minutes ago, blueshark747 said:

If you bought from Steam, immediately refund the basic purchase and buy the Deluxe.

You have pretty much cut your foot off with alot of freeware addons that require deluxe components, just buying basic.

"A lot".... not sure.. but if the budget allows.. sure..

There are loads of free upgrades to download in the Marketplace that give lots of payware quality airports for different regions. Look for ‘World Updates’.

Budget isn't a problem.  If the Deluxe version offers more, then I'll jump on it.  My investment in the Steam version isn't that much.  I choose it because early on I remember seeing posts that seem to indicate that the updates went easier and I've been running the Steam version of FSX.

Thoughts?

Jim

What's the best place to buy MSFS Deluxe?

Jim

Dont buy deluxe. The deluxe airports and planes are really bad. Look for 3rd party addons instead