FSX4Life

Quality of the default airports only is a concern if you frequent them. I Hub out of DFW, so the default configuration is very noticeably lacking, I rarely go to O'Hare so the default presentation doesn't bother me. Going payware only makes sense for your base of hub airport, you spend most of your time there and would want it to have high fidelity to your real life experiences. The only other justification for replacing an airport would be the default terminals being completely off (like default Dubai) but unless it's your hub check freeware options before splurging on the payware.

Agreed, the MD-80 already has sufficient coverage. The 717 does have some merit though, it's got a solid fan following and there aren't any credible takes on it for FSX yet, unlike the DC-6 (Just Flight has the jump on the market.)

FSX does work on the Surface Pro I uses it on my Pro 1, high settings, cool thing is switches and buttons can be manipulated with the touchscreen. Still need the keyboard, recommend the power board if you intend to sim away from a power source. No one should have an issue on the Pro 2 (especially with 8GB RAM.)

There are only two payware 787's available. The Aerosim 787 is highly recommended, it's a basic aircraft, but you do have all 'default' functions in a reasonably well replicated virtual cockpit (FMC, stc.) The other 787 is the Abacus Dreamliner offering, DO NOT BUY IT! QualityWings is developing an indepth 787, but it's been TBD for years. So if you want 787 now, Aerosim's really the only game.

Nothing, Lock-Mart bought ESP which is classified as a 'learning tool' MSFS is classified as a game. Would make sense if Lock-Mart bought MSFS, given all the simmer 'requests' for a civil variant of P3D. OTOH, isn't Bill Gates a fan of MSFS? what if he bought it to preserve his pet franchise?

Information Security concerns? Why not Paypal? You can get prepaid cards, they're backed by credit card company's but are only worth the cash you activate it with.

The 777 is still very new, so no boxed for it yet. Boxed versions of the following exist... 737NGX 800/900 (600/700 sold separately and download only) MD11X 747-400X (LCF and 8i/F expansions are sold separately and download only) JS4100 All boxed aircraft have a manual booklet, the 747 and MD-11 have a small double sided poster laying out basic cockpit geography, the 747 has a separate FMC manual that match the general manual in thickness, the MD-11 has a Tutorial Flight manual...that also matches the general manual in thickness. How thick is the general manual all four aircraft have? about the same as a Drivers Ed manual...but in a DVD case form factor Manuals in boxed sets just cover basic use, for full operation... http://www.precisionmanuals.com/pages/downloads/docs.html

All I'd know is where the FMC is and would in a basic sense understand instructions from ATC to program course and autoland. And I'd be able to properly convey the aircraft's status, knowing where (and how to read) the fuel indicators, etc. As far as manual operation, I've got no sense for the physical weight of the aircraft and feedback from manipulating the controls. The vibration & resistance of my G940 is a far far cry away.

...You'll buy Captain Sim? FS aircraft are like real aircraft, and delays can occur in development, unforeseen problems, etc. The delays the real life 787 had are a great comparison. Patience is a virtue, do more flights with the LR and Freighter, itching for specifically flying the -300ER now, the POSKY model does have the third best 777 VC in FSX (and it's freeware)

I'm hoping it's a 737 too, for 'sandbox' likely only one variant, -700 or -800 playing it safe, though a -600 would eliminate the 'winglet or no winglet dilemma.' Other variants would then be added if demand is solid, which makes me think the sandbox is a 737, best case scenario a XP10 NGX (all 737-NG variants) would be a solid base to fund other aircraft.

The 787 just has one payware at the moment, Aerosim. The Aerosim 787 solidly looks the part, has a convincing cockpit and a decent cabin, if your're into passenger P.O.V. But, it's basic in systems On the freeware side there's the TDS 787 and Camsim's 787, they lack cockpits (but the TDS is FSX native and you can merge) On the 'scamware' side and to be avoided is the Abacus 787 QualityWings has a 787 as a WIP, it's release is still TBA. As far as 767's, payware wise, there's Level-D and Captain Sim. The LD is older and just the 300 model but is better in systems. The CS is style over substance she looks pretty, and most models are available (no -400), but it's weaker in systems. We can't forget the CLS version, which is weaker in systems than CS is, and is of similar vintage to the Level-D. I personally went with the Captain Sim 767, partly since it's FSX native and I merged it's VC into the Skyspirit 767-400. And I wanted to fly the military variants. As far as systems...I'd say they're 'Default Plus', a tad more involved than default...not by much though.

Causes problems? I've only experienced improvements when using Bojote's tool, I miss the convenience of it automatically applying HighMemFix and Max Texture load. Manual editing is just time consuming, and copy/pasting someone else's settings tends to be more risky than using the tool.

MSX Oahu? Or the MSE Hawaii 2.0? By their own admission MSE Hawaii is inferior because of ground clouds, MSX Oahu had it's fair share as well. Anyway I've found MSE 2.0 to be rather good (miss the night lighting) certainly better than v1

Hopefully PMDG will do 200 vanilla and ER versions an a vanilla 300 alongside the 300ER release.

You select language, yes English is an option. It comes with Boeing demonstrator and Aerosim liveries, You can get more liveries from Avsim, as for JAL and ANA you need to go to http://exe.vis.ne.jp/fs.html