I bought MSFS 2020 mostly for flying and spotting planes, but I haven't used it for years because the ai and spotting options still are terrible. I had such elation today when I found Flight Control Spotter and watched review videos. The thing that I wanted for so long was finally at my grasp. I bought it right away and installed with joy. I must have gotten too excited because I realized soon after that the feature I most hoped for was only for MSFS 2024. I just want a camera that tracks planes and I don't have to do it manually or use the replay option. I would like to "sit" near a runway and just watch arrivals and departures. This program seemed to be able to do this and more. I am certainly not buying FS2024 for this when I can't even spot planes in MSFS 2020. So, what can I do, is there any product for MSFS 2020 that will achieve this. Obviously, I don't mind paying for something, but I don't know what's out there. I guess it's my own fault for not reading the description enough and I feel foolish for quickly spending money on something that might not work. I think if I can't find something, then it's time to get rid of this game. Thanks

I parked my drone cam on top of a building just North of the final approach course to 13L at JFK a couple of nights ago in MSFS2024 to watch real time psxt traffic flying the Parkway visual onto 13L and R as well as the Park visual to 31 at LGA.

It was amazing watching these streams of arrivals that weren't doing the usual straight in ILS or RNAV approaches turning final about 2 miles from the thresholds.

yeah, that's great but was the camera able to follow them or did you have to move the camera manually? I don't want to have to move the camera manually for each arrival or departure. The fly by camera is what I was hoping for.

Why stay on an old version of the platform (2020) when you've seen yourself that what you want is available with the current sim version (2024)? It's like desperately wanting a feature that comes with Windows 11, while refusing to move on from Windows 10 🫤

There are a number of options available for MSFS 2024 for what you are looking for. I'd say the best fit might be 'Spotty26' which is available on Simmarket.

But if you insist on staying with a past version of the sim.......... 🤷‍♂️

6 hours ago, bosflo said:

So, what can I do, is there any product for MSFS 2020 that will achieve this.

No, but there is for 2024, because Asobo recently added a new Camera API

Well, I would consider you the expert and you have helped me in the past. So, would you suggest that I buy FS2024? It's not an upgrade, I have to buy it straight out and I have already been burned by FS2024 for four years now. Is it better for us plane spotters? can you follow a plane from gate to gate like P3D and does AIG work well with FS2024. I think you know where I am going with these questions. Thanks

8 hours ago, bosflo said:

Well, I would consider you the expert and you have helped me in the past. So, would you suggest that I buy FS2024? It's not an upgrade, I have to buy it straight out and I have already been burned by FS2024 for four years now. Is it better for us plane spotters? can you follow a plane from gate to gate like P3D and does AIG work well with FS2024. I think you know where I am going with these questions. Thanks

Hi,
I'd always be honest and say that I've not personally used MSFS2024 for spotting, so I can't say for sure about the features that are suited to that. But, as you've already bought a licence for Flight Control Spotter 2024 I'd say you'd have a great experience with MSFS2024 and FCS.

It also has the benefit of being on the current version of the sim, with updates, etc.

It's not cheap though, so I guess it comes down to whether you feel the cost is worth it.

Good luck

Spotting ? MSFS2024 ? Have you look at Spotty26 : https://flightsim4fun.com/spotty26

Several discussions these last days on Avsim forum:

I use Spotty26 for cinematic Flyvby views on both user aircraft and Ai aircrafts.

With Spotty26 you also get a good Traffic Board to see all active AI Traffic and by a click you can follow the Ai aircraft in cinematic Flyby

Edited May 25May 25 by Cap737Delta

There you go, @bosflo - two more recommendations for Spotty26, that I mentioned in my first post yesterday 👍

Hey guys, I pulled the trigger and bought FS2024 but I'm not in love with it yet. It seems to me like the cameras don't work the same as FS2020 and I'm having a hard time adjusting. I also have so many questions about spotty26 but I don't know where to ask them. It seems like a good program but I need more help with it.

Edited May 28May 28 by bosflo

3 hours ago, bosflo said:

I also have so many questions about spotty26 but I don't know where to ask them. It seems like a good program but I need more help with it.

The dev forum is pretty much empty: https://rksoftwareforum.flightsim4fun.com/

Several discussions have been opened these last days with each successive version recently released: https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/696239-all-i-wanted-to-do-was-spot-planes/#findComment-5763626

Edited May 28May 28 by vbazillio

Just wondering out loud...but why not do spotting with RW airports instead of MSFS? There are hundreds of livestream channels from around the world on YT now. It's a spotting landscape unlike anything we could have imagined 10-15 years ago.

Edited May 28May 28 by Nandengo12

8 hours ago, bosflo said:

Hey guys, I pulled the trigger and bought FS2024 but I'm not in love with it yet. It seems to me like the cameras don't work the same as FS2020 and I'm having a hard time adjusting. I also have so many questions about spotty26 but I don't know where to ask them. It seems like a good program but I need more help with it.

The camera system is somewhat different in MSFS2024 but once you get used to it, it's an improvement.

The developer of Spotty26 posts promotional threads on here, so perhaps if you shoot him a private message he can help you ---> @rksoftware

10 hours ago, bosflo said:

Hey guys, I pulled the trigger and bought FS2024 but I'm not in love with it yet. It seems to me like the cameras don't work the same as FS2020 and I'm having a hard time adjusting. I also have so many questions about spotty26 but I don't know where to ask them. It seems like a good program but I need more help with it.

I have both Spotty26 and Flightcontrolspotter, I find FCSpotter the easiest to use from a spotting point of view, especially as the software can be started from a toolbar icon, and used in VR. Also if you have a spare Xbox controller, all the movements needed once outside the aircraft are mapped to it.

I found both quite complicated, especially Spotty26, but maybe that's just me.