Flight Simulators - Add your own screenshots

[BrandonW77]

See... that's where it gets a bit tricky because it's the steam version not boxed. All of the info I've read over the years points to every program you ever install should be out of program files.

Unfortunately, yes, you will need to unisntall, and reinstall it. Moving the folders wont work because the registrey and documents required for FSX to even run won't be able to find the correct path.


not a problem. Windows 10 is much more friendly to flight sims than that of 8 was. I run 10 right now and everything works on my end, but some report issues with it. However, I assume that those who have problems haven't done much of what I've said already.

And your specs are good to run FSX, but I'd still do the large address aware, as it wont hurt anything.

I'll try to find out if this benefits the Steam version before messing around with a reinstall then. If it has the same benefits then I'll do it with all my racing sims too. I just did the Win10 upgrade a couple weeks ago and haven't downloaded/reinstall everything yet, so it's not quite as bad as it sounds. And most of what I have installed I haven't really don't much tinkering with so I won't be losing many settings or anything.

Yes, I'll definitely do the large address thing. I presume this will benefit all of my games? Thanks for all your help man, I've learned more today than I have in the last year of trying to figure out PC sims.

EDIT: Some of those graphics mods look freaking stunning, I may end up buying into them sooner than I thought. Still gonna stick with the free stuff for a little while, but if I stick with the flight sims I'm sure I won't be able to resist that awesomeness for too long.

Do any of you guys use SweetFX? I'll probably start out with that since it's free but I've never used it before. Looks like it does a good job of cleaning up FSX.

 

[Carlos]

FSX, P3D, and FS9 are all x32 bit programs as they are considered legacy products (not P3d in its age but it's construction). Xplane is the only x64 bit flight simulator out there, so OOM's are very rare for them.

It's not all roses. Updated xplane and trying to fly for the last hour, xplane constantly not loads the map further than the seeing distance from start point. It's like you're flying above a square after some time.

If you look in the distance you see the hard line, that is where the world ends somehow. Now deleting all the mods (22gb ) and starting over adding a few by a few.

Need a new not so bad as this thing freeware plane too.

 

[Swagger897]

I presume this will benefit all of my games?

yup

Do any of you guys use SweetFX? I'll probably start out with that since it's free but I've never used it before. Looks like it does a good job of cleaning up FSX.

Nope... But I hear it's really good.

It's not all roses. Updated xplane and trying to fly for the last hour, xplane constantly not loads the map further than the seeing distance from start point. It's like you're flying above a square after some time.

If you look in the distance you see the hard line, that is where the world ends somehow. Now deleting all the mods (22gb ) and starting over adding a few by a few.

Need a new not so bad as this thing freeware plane too.

lol... looks like emirates.

Anyways, that looks actually good. The only issue with doing an uninstall and reinstall of anything is that you need to make sure that the registry is completely gone, by checking regedit, or by placing it in a new location.


.... new location is much easier..

 

[Swagger897]

approaching KJAX on VATSIM. Event has both KATL and KJAX stuffed so hopefully we'll land and not have to do a go around or a hold:

 

[BrandonW77]

Well, I didn't get as much time with FSX as I wanted this weekend (too much racing and football on). I got the large address done (I think) and also got SweetFX installed (I think) though, and had time to do a couple training missions. Everything ran smoothly and it seemed like SweetFX did pump up the colors a bit (though I saw a few graphical anomalies I hadn't noticed before).

I'm going to enjoy a few more missions this week, then I'll start uninstalling everything and reinstalling it to folders outside of my program files. Do I need to do anything special to be sure all the files have been removed, or will a simple uninstall take care of everything?

 

[Swagger897]

Well, when you uninstall, do it via the control panel like you always would.

First, uninstall all the stuff you added to FSX that came with an uninstaller. If it was just a folder that you had to drag and drop items, don't worry about that. Then uninstall FSX via the control panel.
I think FSX SE downloads and installs with all the service packs and acceleration packs, but if those show up in the program manager, uninstall those too.

Then go to the appdata\roaming\microsoft\ and remove the FSX or Flight simulator files folder. Go to documents\flight simulator files and delete those too if they still exist.


Restart.


If you have a registry cleaner, use it, otherwise, google for a free one. I've never used one, but you need it for FSX. After that process is finished, do a disk clean up, and restart after that.


Now, on install, turn off your antivirus, turn off windows defender, and turn off or lower UAC all the way. I have UAC completely disabled through regedit, but it's up to you.

Create a folder outside of program files, such as FSX, or MSFS. Now, if you decide to run the steam installer, make sure it points it to the new folder you made. If you have the option to save the installer, do that. Find the installer wherever it downloaded to, right click, "run as administrator".

Let it install FSX again, and once it's done, restart your computer.


It's a good practice to restart your computer each and every time you install something new to FSX that requires the use of an installer package. Unless all you have to do is place files in folders, don't worry about restarting...

 

[BrandonW77]

Well, when you uninstall, do it via the control panel like you always would.

First, uninstall all the stuff you added to FSX that came with an uninstaller. If it was just a folder that you had to drag and drop items, don't worry about that. Then uninstall FSX via the control panel.
I think FSX SE downloads and installs with all the service packs and acceleration packs, but if those show up in the program manager, uninstall those too.

Then go to the appdata\roaming\microsoft\ and remove the FSX or Flight simulator files folder. Go to documents\flight simulator files and delete those too if they still exist.


Restart.


If you have a registry cleaner, use it, otherwise, google for a free one. I've never used one, but you need it for FSX. After that process is finished, do a disk clean up, and restart after that.


Now, on install, turn off your antivirus, turn off windows defender, and turn off or lower UAC all the way. I have UAC completely disabled through regedit, but it's up to you.

Create a folder outside of program files, such as FSX, or MSFS. Now, if you decide to run the steam installer, make sure it points it to the new folder you made. If you have the option to save the installer, do that. Find the installer wherever it downloaded to, right click, "run as administrator".

Let it install FSX again, and once it's done, restart your computer.


It's a good practice to restart your computer each and every time you install something new to FSX that requires the use of an installer package. Unless all you have to do is place files in folders, don't worry about restarting...

Couple of questions: What do you mean when you say "do a disk clean up"? Also, what is UAC? If I do this with all my Steam games, will it cause any problems with them, like auto-updating and other Steam functions? Or will everything work as normal even if they're installed into a different folder?

About antivirus, I don't have one (I generally hate them as every one I've ever used created far more problems/headaches then it solved) but I'll look at putting one on. How do I turn off Windows Defender? I used to know this stuff but Windows is so different now I find myself a bit lost and just want to make sure I'm doing it right. I am a regular restarter though, I tend to restart after installing/uninstalling/updating any piece of software.

 

[Swagger897]

"do a disk clean up"

Go to file explorer, your hard drive (mine is C:\) should be shown. Right click and click properties. Should say Disk cleanup on general tab.

Also, what is UAC?

UAC is User Account Control, basically, it tells you annoying privilege messages that you have to click through. The actual meaning is when a program needs permission that can only be granted on administrator accounts, you have to allow it each and every time.
There are several levels to it. You can have the overly panic attack level of high, where you basically have to click yes for each process your computer does, or you can have it on the lowest level possible where the program goes ahead and does what you want it to do without having to ask to do it.

It's just annoying, but causes issues with addons and FSX.

If I do this with all my Steam games, will it cause any problems with them, like auto-updating and other Steam functions?

Nope, it'll be fine. Steam wont ask you that often now if you want to update, if you have it on a set time to do so.

About antivirus, I don't have one

Get one.

but I'll look at putting one on.

Get AVG. Works best for FSX. It's free, and does all of what you need it to do. After getting AVG, I'd recommend getting malwarebytes.

Whenever you download a program though, do a custom install. That way you can make sure it wont affect anything else like change your default browser from google to yahoo, or add pointless taskbars..

How do I turn off Windows Defender?

Type in "defender" in the start bar, and you should see tools or something like that. There should be a few check options and one says turn off/use or something like that. I'm not sure, but that's what microsoft says to do. I've only done it once, and never really used defender, nor has it benefited me at all...

If you ever get stumped on something, just google in the simplest of terms "how to..." and it'll have it.

 

[BrandonW77]

UAC is User Account Control, basically, it tells you annoying privilege messages that you have to click through. The actual meaning is when a program needs permission that can only be granted on administrator accounts, you have to allow it each and every time.
There are several levels to it. You can have the overly panic attack level of high, where you basically have to click yes for each process your computer does, or you can have it on the lowest level possible where the program goes ahead and does what you want it to do without having to ask to do it.

It's just annoying, but causes issues with addons and FSX.

Yeah, this drives me bonkers and it pops up every time I try to start FSX. I'll see if I can figure out how to turn it down/off.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[BrandonW77]

So, I just went to do some flying and I'm greeted with this view

Can't see any part of the plane or cockpit and the lower half of my screens are just black. I deleted the SweetFX stuff and did a restart, no joy. Verifying Steam files now, not sure if that will fix it. Any other suggestions?

Edit: Think I got it. The cycle view button on my joystick apparently stopped working but when I hit F9 it gives me the cockpit view. Everytime I start the mission I get that black strip though and have to hit F9.

 

[Swagger897]

So, I just went to do some flying and I'm greeted with this view

View attachment 468791

Can't see any part of the plane or cockpit and the lower half of my screens are just black. I deleted the SweetFX stuff and did a restart, no joy. Verifying Steam files now, not sure if that will fix it. Any other suggestions?

Edit: Think I got it. The cycle view button on my joystick apparently stopped working but when I hit F9 it gives me the cockpit view. Everytime I start the mission I get that black strip though and have to hit F9.

Not sure what you mean by black strip through...

Also I'm not sure what the exact key commands for certain views in FSX are. If you're in the VC (virtual cockpit/3d cockpit) then that's a problem...

 

[BrandonW77]

Not sure what you mean by black strip through...

Also I'm not sure what the exact key commands for certain views in FSX are. If you're in the VC (virtual cockpit/3d cockpit) then that's a problem...

Look at the picture I posted above, there's another 3-4" of screen below what you can see of the runway thats just black. Here's what it should look like once I got the camera view sorted (presume this is the virtual cockpit?). You can see that in the pic I posted earlier, everything from the top of the dash down was just black.

 

[Swagger897]

ahhh okay, contrast of the image the way I was sitting was giving a full screen. Now that I see what it should look like I understand.

And yup, that's the VC. You should to the Area 51 mission where they transport workers from KLAS to KEDW (las vegas->edwards air force base) that's about a good 50-60 minute mission that will get you acquainted with the 737.

 

[BrandonW77]

And yup, that's the VC. You should to the Area 51 mission where they transport workers from KLAS to KEDW (las vegas->edwards air force base) that's about a good 50-60 minute mission that will get you acquainted with the 737.

Thanks, I'll check it out eventually. I'm still learning the basics, like how to maintain altitude/speed, when/how to put the flaps up/down, how to read the instruments, etc. And especially landing, I have a hard time getting lined up straight for the runway and getting down to the right altitude without picking up too much speed. I'm getting better though, I did the Introduction to Jets mission last night and had my most successful landing yet, my approach was good, I kept it mostly in the center of the runway, and no passengers were injured (though one of the flight attendants did sustain a sprained ankle and a minor head injury).

 

[Swagger897]

Yup, a lot to learn still.

If you're picking up too much speed on landing, you're either too heavy or diving towards the runway.

I know the 737s procedures quite well, so ask if you want more info. Typically on takeoff, you select flaps 5 for a long runway, or 15 for really short ones or high initial ascent requirements. For now just choose 5.

You also need to know how much fuel you have, as it will affect your landings greatly. If you are pointed clear up into the sky by 5-10 degrees, then you're too slow or heavy.

The four lights you see n the sides of the runway also help to. Those called PAPPI lights (don't ask for what that means) and they guide you down song the proper glideslope. 2 white and 2 red mean you're on the glideslope. More white than red means you're too high, and more red than white means you're too low. It's always best to be too high, provided you can slow down and reach the runway safely.

You want to land 1500 feet from the threshold, which is marked by the larger white lines at the beginning of the runway. Generally you want to be at 50 over the threshold, and cut power at 25 feet.

Watching YouTube will help greatly when watching real life procedures, not so much simulators. However, a good simulator channel is Matt Davies and there are tons of things to learn from him.

 

[BrandonW77]

Yup, a lot to learn still.

If you're picking up too much speed on landing, you're either too heavy or diving towards the runway.

I know the 737s procedures quite well, so ask if you want more info. Typically on takeoff, you select flaps 5 for a long runway, or 15 for really short ones or high initial ascent requirements. For now just choose 5.

You also need to know how much fuel you have, as it will affect your landings greatly. If you are pointed clear up into the sky by 5-10 degrees, then you're too slow or heavy.

The four lights you see n the sides of the runway also help to. Those called PAPPI lights (don't ask for what that means) and they guide you down song the proper glideslope. 2 white and 2 red mean you're on the glideslope. More white than red means you're too high, and more red than white means you're too low. It's always best to be too high, provided you can slow down and reach the runway safely.

You want to land 1500 feet from the threshold, which is marked by the larger white lines at the beginning of the runway. Generally you want to be at 50 over the threshold, and cut power at 25 feet.

Watching YouTube will help greatly when watching real life procedures, not so much simulators. However, a good simulator channel is Matt Davies and there are tons of things to learn from him.

Yesterday's landing was good, but generally I have a hard time maintaining a constant altitude/speed/heading and I'm constantly making small adjustments to try to get it on course. It seems I have a tendency to let the plane get too high, which leads to increased speed when trying to get down to the right altitude. Then on approach I'm continuously rising and falling as I try to maintain the correct descent rate which means it's a crapshoot as to when/where I'm going to hit the runway. I've seen the runway lights and I'm vaguely familiar with what they do, but I don't have good enough control of my altitude/speed yet to be able to actually do what the lights tell me.

All just growing pains, while I had some limited time with FSX about 5 years ago, I'm pretty much a complete noob so I'm just taking things slowly and getting a feel for it all. My flight with the jet last night was much better than any previous flights and I was able to mostly keep my speed and altitude correct during the entire journey. I'm still in the beginning lessons so I don't think fuel weight is an option yet, it's just basic controls so far. I'll get better, but I'm going to keep doing the early missions until I get good at the basics.

My biggest problem so far is with the view. I have the wide view enabled now, but the default view setting doesn't let me see any of the cockpit instruments so I end up having to look down a bit. But then when I hit the "look to center" button it's back to the view where I can't see the dash. And that view is far enough away that I can't actually read any of the instruments. If I scoot the seat up to where I can read the instruments, then I can't see much out of the windows. The zoom controls are funky too, I'll get it to where I just want to scoot a smidgen closer but when I give the zoom button a tiny tap it scoots way forward or backward, so I can't ever get my seat right where I want it. As a result of all of this, I'm very hesitant to even look around because I know once I hit the "look to center" button all my adjustments will get reset and I'll have to try to re-do them mid-flight. Kinda frustrating.

 

[Swagger897]

Yeah, FSX had one of the worst view controls of any game ever really... Not sure if You've ever heard of it but TrackIR would solve your problems.

 

[BrandonW77]

Yeah, I know of it, but I'm not too keen on the whole "move your head but keep your eyes forward" thing. Kinda defeats the purpose of 3 32" screens. I'd rather just live with FSX's shortcomings I think, in most of the planes it's not that big of an issue. The helicopter on the other hand...........

 

[Swagger897]

I found what so far seems to be a good free addon:
http://www.pafs.wf/downloads

They have Airbus A318/19/20's (although you get those as default) and the A380 too. Problem is I keep getting the Cessna 172 engine sounds..

 

[Swagger897]

Just scored my sisters' iPad 2 for 60 bucks, so now I'll have one for charts, and this one I can use as my FMC.

 

[BrandonW77]

Just scored my sisters' iPad 2 for 60 bucks, so now I'll have one for charts, and this one I can use as my FMC.

What apps do you use for FSX?

 

[TenEightyOne]

Yeah, FSX had one of the worst view controls of any game ever really... Not sure if You've ever heard of it but TrackIR would solve your problems.

I disagree... I found it pretty intuitive, even in complex cockpits like PMDG.

Thanks, I'll check it out eventually. I'm still learning the basics, like how to maintain altitude/speed, when/how to put the flaps up/down, how to read the instruments, etc. And especially landing, I have a hard time getting lined up straight for the runway and getting down to the right altitude without picking up too much speed. I'm getting better though, I did the Introduction to Jets mission last night and had my most successful landing yet, my approach was good, I kept it mostly in the center of the runway, and no passengers were injured (though one of the flight attendants did sustain a sprained ankle and a minor head injury).

In a real light aircraft (and larger) you control rate-of-descent on approach with the throttle, get used to not making throttle and control inputs. Trim is very important too, you'll get the hang of it.

 

[Carlos]

Yeah, I know of it, but I'm not too keen on the whole "move your head but keep your eyes forward" thing. Kinda defeats the purpose of 3 32" screens. I'd rather just live with FSX's shortcomings I think, in most of the planes it's not that big of an issue. The helicopter on the other hand...........

Can't you go back to center view to same way you looked to the left or right? I don't use trackir in xplane, just the mouse to look around...

 

[BrandonW77]

I disagree... I found it pretty intuitive, even in complex cockpits like PMDG.
In a real light aircraft (and larger) you control rate-of-descent on approach with the throttle, get used to not making throttle and control inputs. Trim is very important too, you'll get the hang of it.

I don't find it intuitive at all. The zoom keys make huge movements, so if I just want to scoot an inch or two closer and give the zoom key a gentle tap, it zooms a whole foot forward so it's very difficult to make small adjustments. Plus, if I zoom close enough to where I can actually read the instruments, then I can't see out the windows. Conversely, if I can see out the windows the instruments are far enough away that I can't read them. It's very frustrating. It's also possible that I'm just doing it wrong or don't know how to fine tune it.

The problem I often find myself in is I have too much speed on approach so my throttle is already at idle in an attempt to lose speed, yet because I'm descending I'm still picking up speed. I'm slowly but surely getting it sorted out, just takes practice.

Can't you go back to center view to same way you looked to the left or right? I don't use trackir in xplane, just the mouse to look around...

I can, but it's imprecise and I never seem to get it exactly centered. I'm used to racing sims where you can get your FOV and seat position exactly where you want it, I guess FSX will just have to be a compromise.

 

[Swagger897]

What apps do you use for FSX?

I have FS9, but the only apps I use with it are the online monitoring called Vataware (it monitors all pilots and available ATC on a map), and a few chart apps. I started with FSKneeboard 2, which I got for free (long story) but is $20 on the appstore.

Since then, I've upgraded to Navigraphs' NavDataPro, where I get monthly airac cycle updates (updates the points on the ground) and charts for my ipad around the world. FSKneeboard 2 is limited to US airports only, while NavDataPro is a world wide software with charts provided by Lufthansa.

I disagree... I found it pretty intuitive, even in complex cockpits like PMDG.

Meh... depends if you're using the mouse or the hat on a yoke/joystick. I could never get around to using the mouse..

The problem I often find myself in is I have too much speed on approach so my throttle is already at idle in an attempt to lose speed, yet because I'm descending I'm still picking up speed. I'm slowly but surely getting it sorted out, just takes practice.

Once you figure out how to tune instruments in the 737, enter the runway's ILS frequency and course. Then on the DME, you can see how far you are.

In light aircraft, you generally turn to base after you're 45 degrees past the end of the runway. However, heavier aircraft need more time, and in the real world, expect a final approach of 8 or more miles back. Although not true at all airports, there are some with very quick turn arounds.

I'd recommend when on final to be at 4,000 feet, and when the localizer shows up on the ADI (the blue/brown thing) hold that heading. Then the glideslope should show on the right of the ADI, and follow the purple line when it reaches the center.

Trim is also a good thing like @TenEightyOne said. Trim is... well, when I fly in my friends Cessna, trim is God essentially. You can fly the plane with just the easiest of inputs. I'd find an +/- value on your yoke and assign it to that.

Oh.. and when you intercept the localizer and the glideslope, you should be at about 150-170 knots, and at flaps 10 in the 737. Once intercepted, drop flaps to 40, and drop your speed down to 125-130 knots. Arm the spoilers, and make sure auto brakes are set.


edit:

I also use Duet Display, which makes it a second monitor. I'm trying to figure out how to use it as a touchscreen FMS, bu the touch part aint working...

 

[TenEightyOne]

I can, but it's imprecise and I never seem to get it exactly centered. I'm used to racing sims where you can get your FOV and seat position exactly where you want it, I guess FSX will just have to be a compromise.

I don't have the time to find a link right now but you can set the default camera position in the AIRCRAFT.CFG. Back it up first, as always

 

[Swagger897]

The .CFG has everything you need to make FSX work for you... If you need/want something different, google (or ask us) it, and it should be there.

 

[BrandonW77]

I don't have the time to find a link right now but you can set the default camera position in the AIRCRAFT.CFG. Back it up first, as always

I figured that was probably the case. I've looked through that file and saw lots of different options but wasn't real sure what any of them were and I'm hesitant to start tinkering with things that I don't know what they do. And yes, I always make a backup. I'll see what The Great Google comes up with.

I have FS9, but the only apps I use with it are the online monitoring called Vataware (it monitors all pilots and available ATC on a map), and a few chart apps. I started with FSKneeboard 2, which I got for free (long story) but is $20 on the appstore.

Since then, I've upgraded to Navigraphs' NavDataPro, where I get monthly airac cycle updates (updates the points on the ground) and charts for my ipad around the world. FSKneeboard 2 is limited to US airports only, while NavDataPro is a world wide software with charts provided by Lufthansa.

Those sound a bit over my head for the moment. Is there one that displays your cockpit instruments? That would be great to have, then I wouldn't have to worry about the seating position as much.

 

[Swagger897]

I can't remember if you can click on the screens and they show up more or not...

If so, you can undock them from the window, and drag them to Duet Display...

As far as an app showing individual instruments, I'm not sure.

EDIT:

I understand where you're coming from too.. I normally have to use the 2D cockpit when I want to read the instruments without clicking them....

Payware aircraft... that's where it's at. I'd recommend for you to check out the Quality Wings 757 or the Level D 767. If you want something super simple, the QW 757 is best, it was my first payware aircraft and I still love it. I wish I could have a few more options for it, but it works excellent as it should.

The Level D 767 is old, like really old... But still does everything correctly as would the real aircraft. It's one of the most in depth modeled aircraft especially for its age, and requires some reading of the manuals..

 

[TenEightyOne]

Payware aircraft... that's where it's at. I'd recommend for you to check out the Quality Wings 757 or the Level D 767. If you want something super simple, the QW 757 is best, it was my first payware aircraft and I still love it. I wish I could have a few more options for it, but it works excellent as it should.

Personally I recommend PDMG, particularly their 777.