Part 2 of my MSFS 2020 memories...

A happy start to 2022 when I did a total PC rebuild.  My original CPU/GPU was a 2500K with GTX 970 - and this build had lasted a touch over 8 years.  When MSFS came around I think I was running a 4790K with a GTX 980, and replaced with a 1080 Ti (still in the same case and spinning drives lol).  I ran that combo with my old 1080p monitor for a little while.  Then I upgraded my monitor to a 1440p!  It was quite the difference in image clarity.  The 1080Ti powered it fine but with MSFS it was obvious a newer rig was in order, if I truly wanted to enjoy the eye candy MSFS had to offer.  So in March of 22 I did a new PC build with my 12700K and 2x 2TB M.2 drives. (Temporarily using the GTX 1080Ti - because in covid the GPU prices were nuts).  Once I heard about Frame Generation I totally caved and got a RTX 4080.  It has been a SUPERB card, especially in 2D.  Runs cool, never had any weird issues.  It powers MSFS in VR using my HP Reverb G2 - it's not the most powerful card of course but it's pretty nice even in VR.  

Blah blah blah enough about that!  Here's some screenshots!

In mid 2022 I was addon heavy LOL.  Freeware and payware...  I've always enjoyed collecting addons...even if I only fly them once or twice and they go in the "hangar."  This freeware Global IRIS conversion was one.  Initially it had a poor cockpit but then they upgraded it to the new WT G5000.  Still very fake avionics but it looked decent enough and was a fast bizjet.  I'm very thankful for developers as even converting an FSX model and adding working avionics can take many man hours.

Windhover seems to have stopped making incredible freeware airports, like this one in Bentonville Arkansas (KVBT available at flightsim to).  But I am so grateful for his contributions.  

One of my favorite local legends is this Carenado V35B - with an amazing red paint by master painter @Ron Attwood

I had picked up this excellent L39 'Red Thunder' - which featured a G3X (the original one but now uses the new WT version... someone made a mod which makes the GNS430W become a navigator linking with the G3X - a decent cheap addon!)

Some people are unaware that the incredible developer, Mike, from Lotus sim, created the L39s for MSFS.  Obviously it couldn't be at the level of the FSX Lotus L39 - but the L39s are still very enjoyable to fly.

This isn't a paint by me, but by Nerbulus.  One of the "instigators" in making me want to start painting again.  I took a lot of his screenshots for his uploads hehe...  sometimes I take screenshots more than fly a full flight.  A great looking C700!

What GA flyer doesn't have 3U2 Johnson Creek addon?  It's pretty cheap and an excellent Idaho back country strip.  And it's quite detailed.

The format makes it obvious but went up flying in the summer for a Real Life vs MSFS Comparison screenshot post.  I'd say MSFS does a pretty good job!  The airport pictured is KFCM, where I used to work ATC.

Landing the Carenado D17S at another Windhover freeware, Camano Island 13W (a great little stop for your Pacific Northwest flying).  I just made it in before a giant storm!  If you're wondering how I avoided clipping the powerline... well the real one goes straight into the ground where the runway threshold is.

A2A - another GA gem when they released their long awaited PA24 Comanche.  As usual, Tim and I began painting it instead of flying HAHA.  Here's one of my WIP's from back then...  it's the render output in Substance Painter.

This is one of @Tim-HH finest liveries to date.  It's identical to the real one, or nearly so, inside and out.  We collab'd on this one as he did the exterior and I did the interior.

I grabbed my copy of the HPG H160 - not expecting much because msfs early helos weren't great.  I was blown away at the accuracy.  The H160 contains well modeled systems and avionics.  And it has a 4 axis autopilot that works beautifully.  It's probably the best helicopter I've flown in any sim.  And it supported the TDS GTNxi - kind of a requirement of mine.  And surprise!  I started working on this paint HAHA!

2022 and 2023 were the years when the addon quality just blew up...  I mean wow... the Comanche, the FSR500 (pictured here wearing a TimHH livery, and one of the FINEST flight models for MSFS), Fenix I think was in that range, Black Square, Just Flight et al)

Speaking of Black Square... wow!  A one-man show who worked at blazing speed to bring us the analog C208, Bonanza, Baron (pressurized/turbocharged options too), the TBM 850, and now the Dukes!  (Starship Coming Soon TM lol).  Black Square has become a household name in the MSFS world.  Nick does a fine job of making in depth addons.  From what I understand, he'll make native 2024 versions starting next year.  That means I need to update my paints!  Here's a great view of another gorgeous TimHH B58T Beech Baron over Florida

Here I am in the soup just outside of Verticalsim's Provo, UT, in the TBM850!  It's honestly the perfect addon for a GA lover like myself:  Speed, Stamina, FIKI certified, has numerous avionics options, nexrad, and autopilot for those long flights.  

I had much fun exploring the mountains of Colorado in the SWS RV14/A.  Once WorkingTitle upgraded the G3X, and TDS enabled GTN/G3X support, this became one of my most flown addons.  Wearing a lovely paint by Ron Attwood!

FlightBeam dropped a bomb on us when they released Minneapolis KMSP.  Obviously it was music to my 'local' ears and an instant purchase followed hehe

Flysimware Lear 35 anyone?  A fine addon indeed...  I think it became so popular with the users slightly older than me LOL.  "We don't need no stinkin' magenta!"  (I need it though!)

I'll leave you with this glamorous Arrivee paint by TimHH, in front of the FBO at Chicago's DuPage airport KDPA (payware by FlightFX).  We're less than a week away from MSFS 2024!  Standby for my final 2020 memories post!

 

 

Very nice Ryan, a great amount of aircraft choices in the hangar.

Darryl

A wonderful way to relive it all. Great post!

Another wonderful set, Ryan! I can see a burst of trawling through my own collection in my future (not necessarily for posting, just revisiting). Nice to hear about your 4790/980 combo - I had the same setup when I started this flight sim lark, ten years ago maybe? I used it through FSX, P3D up to v5, but it was gone before I hit MSFS. Still got it though, sitting in my workshop.

Your post is making me think "have I got that?" Lots of things there that, like you, I grabbed and used maybe a few times then parked or never flew back to. Definitely some revisiting to do!

Hey Ryan: Marvelous post and pictures for many reasons....at least from my perspective...

First of all, your very last shot caught me by surprise, because when I used to live in a suburban neighborhood/city around here, called "West Chicago", I used pass by KDPA Airport entrance/gate once a week at least...and that building in your shot, I remember so well. I would never miss taking the narrow cut-through road that used to go just alongside the airport fence, while on my way to an old-fashioned fruit and vegetable store I would visit in the weekends. All the training type Cessna and Pipers planes would be parked in a row just behind the fence... a far cry of an airport from the like of O'Hare...🙂...

I know you like to mention FSX often...🙂...which was my staple SIM for 20+ years... The FS9 to FSX transition was my most exciting time in the hobby as non-professional aviator...🙂...Tons and tons of (endless) freeware, especially a/c, and the so-called "FSX-native" a/c (you know, "clickable" VC was the buzzword...🙂...) were also coming out regularly...PMDG MD-11 comes to mind...

When I got active in this Forum, you were into XP full force, as I recall...🙂.... but good to hear from you about earlier times, when we all cherished and enjoyed every little add-on we got, freeware or/and payware...despite imperfections. I expanded my (aviation) horizon thanks mostly to the freeware developers rather than payware ones. I would never understand why someone would spend umpteen hours to create an a/c in their spare/family time and just tell us to "Enjoy...!", with no strings attached...Passion for the SIM from these developers was so incredible...

Lovely set of images here, and btw, your system setup looks like it will handle MSFS2024 with ease ...

 

Incredible pictures and a pleasure to read! 😃

Fantastic Series....Here's to making more Great Memories in MFS2024!!😊

another nice set of pics