how to use a download?

[WebbPA]

Yes, but there are probably some gauges and things in the other .zip files you will need to deal with.  Read the documentation (readme.txt or something).

To look at the .cfg files just tell Windows to open them with notepad every time.  They are just text files.  Don't go changing anything until you're sure you know what you're doing.

[rootbeer]

I was just now fooling with FS. I do not see the aircraft I supposedly cut and pasted listed in the available aircraft.

[WebbPA]

Make sure your new aircraft folder is in the right place: FS2002/aircraft/NewAircraftFolder.

Now that you know how to look at .cfg files open aircraft.cfg and look for something like this:

ui_manufacturer=Boeing
ui_type=737-400

This would show up as Boeing 737-400 in my Create a Flight menu.

[rootbeer]

aircraft.cfg for Black-F-14: "Windows cannot open this file..."

[WebbPA]

Click "Select the program from a list", then OK, then choose notepad.

[rootbeer]

When I click ALL THE WAY to where the airplanes are listed, then continue until I see the files for Black-F-14, I do not see "Select from a list" or whatever you wrote. I don't see it left- or right-clicking, on the .cfg file.

[WebbPA]

When you click on aircraft.cfg and see "Windows cannot open this file" read down to where it says "What do you want to do?"

[rootbeer]

"Use the web service..." and another one about manually finding something... I never choose the second and the first takes me to a page about file associations, which means nothing to me.

WAIT!!! I found it. I see a page with "computer writing" on it; I see things about crash damage and threshholds and things...

[WebbPA]

Using the second option, scroll down the list until you see Notepad and click on it.  Leave the "Always use this program" box checked.  Click OK.

[rootbeer]

OK, I'm looking at this page with oodles of parameters on it. Now what?

ui_manufacturer=Grumman
ui_type=F-14A Tomcat OAQM
ui_variation=OAQM

[WebbPA]

Look for the UI manufacturer and UI model.  That's where you will expect to see it in "Create a Flight".

And make sure your new aircraft folder is in the FS2002/aircraft folder or you will never see it.

[rootbeer]

Oh, yeah... Black-F-14 is in the aircraft folder of FS2002, which is in the Microsoft Games folder. I maybe need to start my machine up from zero power again to see it?

No Grumman aircraft listed when I click Create a Flight...

[WebbPA]

No, just start the sim and create a flight.  Look for manufacturer Grumman.  If you still can't see it scroll down to "Unspecified".

[WebbPA]

What exactly is the path to aircraft.cfg.  It should be C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\FS200\Aircraft\Black-F-14\aircraft.cfg

In that Black-F-14 folder you should also have subfolders named Model, Panel, Sound, Texture, just like the picture in the tutorial

[rootbeer]

Nope; not there. I have "Any" instead of Unspecified and it still ain't there.

I have model, sound, panel and texture files in Black-F-14, along with a bunch of other ones, to include .cfg  and .air and several others.

It is getting late. I have to get stuff ready for tomorrow. It's time we hung it up for tonight. I'm sorry I was not able to get it right sooner and quickly, but I'm a noob and noobs are not too swift.

We can keep trying tomorrow if you're up to it.  Thanks for all your help. I feel we are close to success.