Paolo_R

Thanks, Captain. I'll certainly be having a look at that.

Wingz, Chris: thank you. I guess I can also increase the air traffic density setting to generate a bit more traffic.

Chris, Ron and Hans: many thanks for the replies. I will need to fire up FS9 and examine my surroundings a bit more closely! To explain: I was looking at the Settings-Traffic and the options under Air Traffic and Aircraft Labels. What I presume was an AI aircraft appears as, in my case, a red text description, for example, in the sky 'flying' in the airspace. I have never seen an actual aircraft. I'm not sure if I've got any AI aircraft in the default Aircraft folder. I've been through all the aircraft in the 'Create a Flight' dialog and none appears to be identified as AI.

Probably a dumb question but how do I see AI aircraft in FS9? I can see the text detailing make/model etc but I don't see an actual aircraft. Do I need a separate add-on for AI aircraft?

Taipan - thanks, I noticed the Su-25t was already installed with DCS World.

Auduns: thanks for the clarification. I misunderstood that it was a pre-paid beta.

I downloaded the various files (DCS World and P-51). When I tried to start the P-51 I got a 'Product Activation' screen - is this required for a beta? Anyway after pressing 'Escape' a few times I managed to get to a map screen but that's as far as I got. I've no idea how to get to a P-51 on a runway ready for a flight. Have I missed a 'Help' option somewhere?

Gus: once again you ride in on a rescue mission! There's plenty there to read which I will get on to.Thanks again for your help.

Andy: I gathered that! Is there anywhere a comprehensive explanation of what the various settings in FS9 actually do?Ideally one should just be able to install a plane and fly it. But I am finding that, as I install planes, the "readme.txt"s usually require some tinkering with one .cfg file or another. Again I haven't seen a comprehensive explanation of what the various entries in the .cfg files actually do. I have no desire to design aircraft but I'm sure knowing a bit more about these settings would be helpful.

Gus:yes, very interesting. Thanks. Andy: yes, i had thought of turning reflections off for the B-58. So, I wonder what 'Global Aircraft Quality' does and what does it affect? True, but this model seems hyper shiny!

Andy: the one which seems hyper-reflective is the freeware B-58 Hustler (by Lucariny?).I looked at the Display/Aircraft settings. At the moment I have the setting on Ultra High for Global Aircraft Quality. If I uncheck 'Reflections' it resets the Global Aircraft Quality to Medium Low (but gets rid of the reflection.) So I'm not sure what I'm sacrificing in the way of Aircraft Quality to get rid of excess reflectivity.

I think that, given my level of ignorance re FS9 design, the first option is the one I'll investigate.Thanks. Andy: not sure, I'll have to check it and, if so, I'll switch it off to assess the effect.Thanks.

I've downloaded some aircraft and they have an unrealistically shiny, reflective surface texture. I know nothing about how to modify textures or anything else technical in FS9 design - but is there a straightforward modification I can make to an aircraft's file(s) to reduce this reflective texture?TIA

Gus: see my reply to your PM

Well, all the above seems a bit academic. I installed as per the instructions. Can select a Crusader variant to fly - when I hit 'Fly Now' I get the dreaded 'Microsoft FlightSimulator has stopped responding' message. Pity - this aircraft comes highly recommended :-(