First time caller, long time listener (noobe q's)

[Chris_F]

I'm new to the forum but have been playing MSFS since the first version came out.  I've got some questions that I'm hoping you folks can help me with:

1)  What are the "essential" freebee and payware addons?  There's such a dizzying array of stuff it's hard to tell.  So far I've DL'd a new terrain map for my local area (AWSOME!) two planes (SR71, which is okay, and the VIPER F16 which is really great), and an airport upgrade which I couldn't get to work right.  And that's about it.  What are the "must have" upgrades for FS2004?

2)  My local airport's active runway is almost always the wrong active.  Does the active change with weather?  When I run real world weather (which is usually accurate) the active runway is almost always wrong (I live close enough to the airport that I can usually tell what the weather and active is).  Is there an airport editor?  I'd like to change the "default" active to the runway which is most often the actual active.

3)  I'm sure I'll think of other stuff as I go, so I reserve the right to add questions to the thread.  

[codered]

Yeah another Member!

The airport should adjust to the wind direction.  If it is not, you can download AFCAD and edit the airport active and inactive runways.  It is a pretty simple program, just read the documents that tell you how to edit the files.

The essentials to addons...  I am going to let you have to discover that on your own.  A great start is to go to the freeware and payware screenshot forum and see what is out there.  There is so much to choose from it would be difficult to list all of them.  Sounds like you are already in the game with the addon terrain and F16.  Let us know what you are looking for and perhaps someone will know where to find it.

Glad to have you here

[Chris_F]

Cool.  If AFCAD is easy enough to use maybe I can spiff up the airport a bit as well.  I'd love to have a nice, accurate home base to fly out of.  It's a bit frustrating to not see the new terminals and stuff every time I fly out of there.  If it comes out good then I'll be happy to contribute the results to the "freeware" community, although the list of folks interested in a realistic Manchester NH airport is probably pretty small...

[JBaymore]

ChrisF,

Well..... Hi neighbor!   Here is one person who is interested in any stuff on KMHT (Manchester, NH).  I live about 30 minutes away from there...... and my "home" GA airport is KASH (Boire).  Flew out of KMHT about 2 1/2 months ago on my way to Japan.

Welcome to SimV.

I have done some work on both KASH and KMHT.... but neither is anywhere NEAR any "final stage" of work.  Glad to share what I have if you'd like.  I have added some of the the new stuff at KMHT.  Flight stuff (taxiways, etc.).... no scenery to speak of.

best,

....................john

[Chris_F]

Cool, a local.  I want to learn the AFCAD software first, then I'll start bugging you for your updates and sharing my own.  Thanks for your offer.

BTW, I work in South Nashua so Boire is my "other" home airport.  It's kinda twisted but sometimes I like to "commute" to work from KMHT to KASH in FS.  Sure beats actually going to work...

[MattNW]

I don't think at present AFCAD will let you spiff up the airport. Mainly it's for working with taxiways, parking, ILS systems and other unseen things. I could be wrong though. I remember hearing that additional capabilities might be built into AFCAD. Usually however for changing the visual elements you'll need to get into the scenery design software. Check the Scenery Design forum here at SimV and you can find out all you need to add change and enhance airports.

I'd say the most essential payware add on would be FSNavigator. It's a flight manager that expands the default FS map to the entire world. You can also create and edit flight plans on the fly.

As for freebies you probably need to determine those for yourself depending on the way you like to fly. If you are into big jets then you would want to look through all the commercial jets. If you are into military then the military section. Personally I like the small prop, turboprop and vintage types myself as most of my flying is bush related.

[Jared]

Welcome to the site, and don't forget that no matter how stupid a question is, it has always been asked before...(usually by me...)