Cities, roads, farms, forests-anything that is considered ground-based “autogen” in FSX gets a major visual improvement with FTX. Any of the add-on aircraft listed below offer excellent value, so pick the developer that has an aircraft type you like and get learning!įTX Global (FTX) upgrades the default non-airport ground textures for FSX. The value you can get from the simulator-either as an aviation enthusiast interested in simulating real-world airliner flights accurately or as a private pilot looking to train in an aircraft that flies as closely as possible to the one you operate in real life-increases exponentially with add-on aircraft. All include Flight Management Systems (FMS), the computers that control the autopilots of most modern airliners. If you prefer jet aircraft, payware add-ons offer a major improvement in functionality over default aircraft. You’ll find most payware aircraft improve the flight dynamics, instrumentation, and visual realism associated with General Aviation aircraft. If you regularly fly piston aircraft, we’ve recommended a few manufacturers you might want to look at. Pick an aircraft that fits best with the type of flying you like to do. However, no default aircraft can compare to the physical realism, accuracy of simulation, and visual appeal of high-quality payware aircraft.
Some aircraft, like the default Cessna 172, Beechcraft Baron 58, or even CRJ700 are considered to be “not bad”. The quality of default aircraft is variable. Most users purchase both (FTX Global Base is required for FTX Vector).Īt least one add-on aircraft from the list of recommended Add-On Aircraft in the "Our Suggestions" section below
FLIGHT SIMULATOR X AIRCRAFT ADD ONS INSTALL
While Real Environment Xtreme does include a weather engine (and it is a substantial improvement over the default), REX’s real value is in the incredibly rich and diverse set of texture enhancements it allows you to configure and install into FSX. Real Environment Xtreme 4 Texture Direct and Soft Clouds ActiveSky’s weather engine not only improves the accuracy of weather but also contributes to a more engaging and immersive visual experience by placing more accurate cloud types in better places. Realistic weather-whether your FSX/P3D flights take you on long-haul airliner flights or in the traffic pattern with a C172-is as essential to flying online as it is in an airplane. In addition, ActiveSky also includes over 16 GB of high-definition graphics textures that can be custom-configured or weather-influenced. 180-degree wind shifts at altitude, “popping” clouds, and generally inaccurate weather become a thing of the past. The ideal configuration is to use REX’s textures (run REX once to select and install those you wish to use but disable its weather engine), then run ActiveSky every time you start FSX to benefit from more realistic weather.ĪctiveSky (the current version is ASP4) is an exceptionally realistic and accurate weather engine that offers a substantial improvement to the default weather in FSX/P3D. However, ActiveSky’s weather engine is superior to that of REX, while REX’s add-on textures are richer and broader than those offered in ActiveSky.