mjw8899

I keep reading how great the night lighting is in XP. I just can't agree. The airports are way too dark and the lighting isnt diffuse, I really have trouble seeing while taxing etc. In flight, there are these unrealistic blocks of light, simulating neighborhoods or towns, which don't look realistic to me. In Prepar3d with Orbx, I find the night lighting is much better and realistic. I keep thinking there is some setting I am missing in XP to improve my night effects because I just don't see it.

I agree that the add-ons, in general, are lacking. IXEG is close but I would argue it still has bugs and is just not as polished as the equivalent PMDG NGX. There is no comparison between the VNAV capabilities between the two aircraft. The other issue with XP that disappoints me is the weather. Today I flew the NGX around a line of thunderstorms upon departure that were spectacularly rendered in P3d with the corresponding turbulence and wind shear near them. Never have had this experience in XP despite skymaxx NOAA etc. Don't get me wrong I do like XP and fly it alot, I just wish the addons and weather were as good as Prep3d. PMDG DC-6 is a start.

I have been struggling with FPS with the Aerosoft Airbus using AS16 and P3d v3.3. My test is LGA with AS16 and ASCA where I was getting around 12-15 FPS and very choppy. Now granted my system is not the greatest, an FX6300 OC'd to 4.8 ghz but I had expected better since I don't have orbx or any custom scenery. Well I read an old post over at the aerosoft website on how to disable the weather radar in FSX and thought I would give it a try in P3d. This worked like magic, giving me an immediate increase to over 20 on the ground and 30 (where I lock it) in the air. TrackIR works without stutters. Here is the fix: Go to the AB_ND_GDI.ini file in My Documents/Aerosoft Add the following lines: [WXRadar] WXBackgroundScan=0 Of course, weather radar is now disabled but you can use AS16 to scout out the weather.

As far as the xplane gns 430, its ok. There are no STARs or SIDS and the interface is a little clunky, but its true, it works ok. Weather in xplane is frustrating, I have skymaxx pro, but its not the same as AS. The feeling of descending through a solid overcast is just not replicated in XP. Each update of XP may be an improvement, but it also breaks many addons. My FF 767 hasnt worked since I updated to 10.50.

You make an interesting point. I havent flown them primarily because I would have to buy a carenado plane, but I have read good things. Vflyte's cherokee isnt bad either. I just havent been disappointed with anything from A2A but it does seem as if these offerings are closing the gap.

I love it and hate it. The airliners are just not of the same caliber as those available on P3d or FSX. The GPS is nothing like the Flight1 GTN 650/750. There are no GA aircraft like anything A2A produces. Finally support is not great from 3rd parties; I have had a terrible time with the SSG Emb 170 without any support from the developer other than telling me its me and my system. However, in general xplane does run better, doesn't have OOM issues and has a much better camera system (I hate hate hate EZDok, but what else is there?). If you make the switch, get the PMDG DC-6, which runs great out of the box, has a fantastic automated flight engineer to handle the intricacies and is a joy to handfly. Others to considers are the SAAB, or maybe ixeg 737, though it has issues. Rotate's MD80 is fun though its missing some key features.

Who flies a complex study sim without a separate throttle control? Cant think of another study aircraft, FSX or Xplane that would be flyable or more accurately worth the expense without a throttle. You dont have to get a saitek or warthog, just something cheap off of amazon will greatly enhance your experience, and this is what it is all about, isnt it? As an aside this plane doesn't really need prop reversers, its landing speed is relatively low and it brakes well. I only use them to back out of the gate.

I also noted this. Loaded DC-6 by accident, switched to SSG E-170 ( I know I know!) and I couldn't steer the aircraft. Funny, I just figured it was another, in the endless list of bugs, with the E170. Ooops, Marc Wallace

I don't fly fsx or Prepar3d much any more. I do miss ActiveSky and the winter textures but I just find the flight models better in xplane. No question the PMDG boeings are the finest available on any platform, FF comes close on xplane but its not quite there. The Rotate MD-80, however offers a really novel experience, its not perfect, but it is a blast to fly. And as I said, the DC-6 is in a class all by itself; nothing in the other sims comes close.

Yes, the IXEG is a fine aircraft and I own it. Its a little quirky on the ground but it flies great, I enjoy it. I just find the DC-6 to really feel special and its one of the few that I don't mind handflying even online. Currently I would say the DC-6, IXEG and then maybe the FF767 and Rotate MD-80 as the best xplane has right now in airliners.

I have flown many, many aircraft on virtually all platforms, including the PMDG jets on FSX and Prepar3d. This aircraft is by far the best of anything out there. I am astonished at how well it flies, handles, takes off and lands. It is a joy to handfly and for the first time in any sim, actually feels like a real airplane in terms of the way it handles. For anyone considering the leap to xplane, this is the aircraft to fly, forget about everything else. Admittedly my time is low, and I have made extensive use of the AFE, but again, this is one of the many draws of this plane. You can gradually learn its systems without being overwhelmed. I can't say i have any complaints so far other than trying to get through the POH. PMDG, you have the set the bar, stick with xplane, and keep up the amazing work. Marc Wallace

The IXEG 737 is a very good simulation plus the developers are very supportive. I had an issue with the FMC and they walked me through disabling windows defender which interferes with it. This is in sharp contrast to the SSG folks who just want to ignore the bugs.

This aircraft is not worth the price. The automatic flight controls are broken. It doesn't maintain speeds and flying complicated SIDS with altitude constraints is precarious ( have had to log off vatsim because of uncontrolled flight). It has a TOGA switch which behaves in mysterious ways and GA's are practically impossible at least if you follow the AOM. The customer support is woeful to the point where I have had to developer disparage me rather than check the AOM versus the performance of his aircraft. Don't waste your money; I'm sorry I did.