IonicRipper

Seems I've caught the bug... Couldnt resist getting another plane in my hangar. But since I already had an airliner I thought it would be fun to try something else and since I really liked my experience with an Aerosoft product I decided to get their Twin Otter ^_^

Just tried the free trial... Wow, it really changes everything, makes FSX much more immersive! But my framerates took a hell of a hit, with could draw set to maximum as it was before it was down to single digits. Fortunately with the cloud draw set to medium its back to playable fps.

Its on special for pretty cheap on pcaviator I'll probably get it then. Thanks!

vadriver: Does it get rid of the horrible default FSX "turbulence" that throws my 320 around as a mere Cessna? I dont understand, I checked the disable turbulence option in the settings yet still get the effects of it...

Thanks guys, you've been super helpful so far. One last question: How reliable is FSX's default "real world" weather when it comes to matching the real world METARs? Can I trust the game's wind direction will match the wind directions found online?

Cant seem to find where the full routes with the SIDs and STARs are on flightaware, though... EDIT: Ohh ok I see what you mean now. Double edit: Does the STAR absolutely dictate which runway(s) it leads to or can you choose any runway from it? For example say you choose a STAR and a runway before departing but the active runway changes mid flight. Do you have to choose a new STAR as well or can you just change the runway alone in the MCDU? Or even yet just choose a STAR and wait until you get closer to choose the runway?

Cant applications like Simbreif include these SIDs and STARs in the flight plan if we include the runway heading?

Ok so that would take care of the flightplan. What about the SIDs and STARs?

What does the dispatch information add to the flightplan exactly?

Just got the Aerosoft A320 on special and although I'm not new to flight sims, flightplans are a new facet of the hobby for me. I completed Aerosoft's first tutorial flight and it went perfectly well. I then tried to make my own flightplan for a short flight between Montreal (CYUL (my home airport)) and Toronto (CYYZ) using this but didn't go as well. Entering the flight plan isn't a problem, its finding the right plan and the SIDs and STARs that fit with it. I'd like to know how you guys build/choose your flightplans and how you choose the SIDs and STARs. Also, does anyone use the vanilla FSX ATC in conjunction with your flightplans?

Well guys, I got the Aerosoft Airbus 320/321 (thanks in part to PaulGR. Thank you very much sir, very generous of you!) I think I also narrowed my next purchase while looking for an alternative in case the Airbus doesnt work; The QW BAE 146. Any opinions on it?

Thanks for your message Regis, if the Airbus still doesnt fit my budget Tuesday I might wait to see if anything comes up on boxing day. And tell me about it for the CND dollar. Even normal video games are now nearly unaffordable. I wonder if our dollar lost value or the American's gained some... Either way I really hope it goes back like it was before sooner then later. After looking at videos and reviews and trying out some freeware offerings around I think I've found what the 2 most important aspects are for me. Those would be the quality of the virtual cockpit (I just cant stand a cockpit with ugly textures (might just be spoiled from the cockpits from DCS) and the depth of the systems. Flight model is somewhat important but maybe not as much since I don't plan on flying on the edge of the flight envelop like a fighter plane for example. Unfortunately that means I don't think I'll be happy with anything other then the top offerings out there (PMDG, Airbus X, Majestic Q400 etc.)

Im definitely leaning towards the Airbus. After some good amount of digging I found the QW 757 might be a bit too dumbed down for my liking. If I'm going to spend money on payware better go for something you can't go wrong with and make it enjoyable, right?

I didn't think the freemium 757 was that bad compared to the vanilla airliners actually... It has an FMS where you can program a route and let the AP fly. It even autolands! The vanilla 737 for example doesnt even have FMS. Its a good alternative for someone you wants to try out flying an airliner but not ready yet to spend money on this yet, i think.

One thing I forgot to think of (and mention for that matter) is if the QW 757 or AS Airbus addons were actually supported on FSX SE? (Sorry for double post, seems i couldn't edit my last message.)

Can anyone comment on the depth of the systems of the QW 757? How does it compare to the JF freemium 757 (if anyone tried it)?

I was asking because the website one of my flight sim buddies uses to find routes actually has the option to use older AIRAC cycles. http://onlineflightplanner.org/

I was just looking at it actually, Holdit. It looks very interesting indeed. I wonder how in depth the FMS is, though...

Is it possible to use a route that uses an older nav cycle when playing offline?

I heard of that but I guess I forgot... Can you elaborate a little more on this? What would happen if I didn't update?

I think the smartest thing to do right now would be to wait until Tuesday to see how much I could get the Airbus at pcaviator.com but the QW 757 actually looks very interesting as an alternative. Until then I got the "freemium" 757 from Just Flight and its surprisingly good for being freeware. And I'm definitely liking the older(ish) vide of the 757. Just for kicks, what is the oldest commercial plane you can think of that has FMS in FSX?

Thanks for the replies guys, the Majestic and Airbus on definitely on my wishlist but are just a bit over my budget. The Airbus is quite close but forgot to mention the exchange rate with Canadian dollar isnt doing so good right now. And thanks for the suggestion Nick, I will definitely look into that!

Actually PMDG is the reason why I'm starting to get interested in airliners but unfortunately they are above what I'm willing to pay for at first. Maybe in the near future...

I'm no stranger to flight simulators (long time DCS and BMS player) but I'm newish to FSX. I've had it for a while and now I'm looking to buy my first payware plane. Only problem is (if you can really call it a problem) there is so much to choose from I don't know which one to pick! I'm looking for an airliner with decent systems modeling and flight model. I dont need every system perfectly modeled or the most accurate flight model but I'd like those to be fairly realistic within the normal flight envelop of the plane. As long as it all feels and looks realistic while doing a simple flight from A to B, I'm happy. I'd also prefer a planes with FMS or equivalent. Now for the difficult part; The budget... First of all I know you get what you pay for, specially for FSX and that accurate systems modeling and cheap definitely don't go together but I would like to keep it around or under $40 if at all possible. It is my first payware after all and don't want to go overboard. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and I will look into every option you guys propose.