Freeware & Payware Suggestions

[EHM-1980 Brian]

Hi Guys,

Can you all please suggest your top 5 downloads for fs2004 whether they are freeware or payware in numerical order. I want to get the best suggested downloads and would appreciate your input.

Thanks,

Brian

[EHM-1343 Jonathan]

1. PMDG Boeing 737-600/700 and the PMDG Boeing 737-800/900
2. PMDG Boeing 747-400
3. Active Sky
4. Boston Scenery, freeware from avsim
5. PIC Feelthere ERJ

1 2 3 and 5 are payware, but worth it...

[EHM-1883 Matt]

1. Captain Sim 757
2. PMDG 737 series
3. Level D 767
4. Salzburg Airport
5. Boston scenery

4 and 5 are freeware

[EHM-1358 Tim]

Level-D 767
Flight1 Pilatus PC-12
UK2000 scenery collection
Ultimate Terrain Europe
And TrackIR 4 w/Pro Headset thing

[EHM-1242 Stef]

Hi Brian,

In no particular order actually:

Level-D 767
========
rocksolid simulated aircraft. Handles beautifully and deserves all credit.

Maddog 2006
=========
not mentioned in any of the above posts, but a serious challenge where you really need those checklists! Real icing (ALSO with FS failures switched off!), and follow correct takeoff procedures or you'll end up with an enginefire on the runway! Great and very complex system simulation. Imagine: it's even possible to pull fuses! Make sure to get the 2006 version.

Ultimate Traffic
==========
bit older already perhaps, but populates the sky and airports at least with realistic traffic from real world schedules. Not like the other one, where you could end up with A380's on your local airfield...

PMDG 737 series
===========
need i say more!?!?

FSbuild
=====
Not always very intuitive to handle (although after a while you'll get the hang of it), but the very best and most advanced flightplanning tool available.


Further would further like to agree with Jonathan on ActiveSky, but you allowed me only to name five...

All above is (perhaps unfortunately?) payware, yet my personal opinion is payware usually (NOT ALWAYS THOUGH! Am also one of those who has been fooled by the SSW A310...) pays itself of.

Keep the blue side up!

Stef
EHM-1242

[EHM-1671 Ben]

My list of suggestions would be very similar to Matt's. I'm probably not the best advocate for payware since I only have one myself (hopefully two in the near future).

1. Captain Sim 757 - an excellent aircraft, and very cheap at around US$25! Full of detail, both with graphics and flight systems. Has an INCREDIBLE virtual cockpit (complete with books on a shelf that fall backwards on takeoff/landing and a coat that swivels from side to side when banking). VC can be put into the Captain's seat, Co-pilot's seat, forward galley or first class cabin (which also has safety instructions that play on two televisions). Three notable disadvantages to the plane are that CS have broken the plane down into packages and charge for the addition of a realistic sound-set to the base package. They also provide an Aircraft Configuration Editor which can change the weight settings in the aircraft (passengers and cargo) and adds liveries to the plane (which are free for download from AVSIM). The plane also requires quite a capable system, recommended with at least a 3.0gHz processor. Thirdly, Captain Sim service isn't great, with only a barely-accessible forum and an FAQ section for support. All in all though, a great payware
2.Level-D 767
3.PMDG 737 and 747
4.Anything from Fly Tampa! Although their airport selection doesn't include any EHM hubs they still make fantastic scenery.
5.UK2000

[EHM-1871 Patrick]

TrackIR 4 (you will not fly without this again!!)
PMDG Series (WoW)!!
Active Sky (awesome addon)
Ultimate Traffic & Traffic 2005 (I have both running)
Just Flight British Airports series (nice detail)

hope this helps

[EHM-1980 Brian]

thanks for your input so far lads - it's very much appreciated! The PMDG 737 seems to be popular as does Active Sky! Does Ultimate Traffic work alongside Traffic 2005 or would you only use one or the other?

[EHM-1871 Patrick]

I have had no issues running both simultaneously, apart from one time when I had AI set to 100%

http://www.euroharmony.com/site/manu/ssLibrary/sslDisplayScreenshot.php?id=857  lol;D

but realy you can live with one or the other .... I find traffic 2005 easier to update etc ... and a lot more useful tools come with it

[EHM-1871 Patrick]

also edit change Just Flight British Airports series to Ground environment Pro, unless your pref is for UK airports

[EHM-1980 Brian]

Originally posted by EHM-1871 Patrick
I have had no issues running both simultaneously, apart from one time when I had AI set to 100%

http://www.euroharmony.com/site/manu/ssLibrary/sslDisplayScreenshot.php?id=857  lol;D

that's some traffic jam! i'm almost decided regarding add-ons will just hold off for a few more suggestions.

[EHM-1883 Matt]

yes, I used to have Traffic 2005 installed on my comp, and it is an incredible program. Love it when at 100%!

Only one thing about it though, I found that when I started flying online, I didn't really need it anymore.

[EHM-1592 Niels]

Hi Brian,

I won't write down a top 5 'cause 4 of 5 are mentioned in the posts above, but the one i'm missing is: NL2000 freeware scenery (or is it because i'm Dutch). I think it's a very cool scenery, heavy cpu load, but beautifull!!!

cheers
Niels

[EHM-1703 Philip]

Niels,

No it's not because you are dutch, I have to say, NL-2000 is one of the best if not the best freeware scenery packages around. Ver. 3 looks stunning as well, I don't think we will be waiting long for its release!

[EHM-1883 Matt]

Message original :  EHM-1703 Philip
Niels,

No it's not because you are dutch, I have to say, NL-2000 is one of the best if not the best freeware scenery packages around. Ver. 3 looks stunning as well, I don't think we will be waiting long for its release!

Does the NL-2000 scenery include a remake of Schipol Airport and others, or is it just the Dutch countryside and cities?
If so, where can I get it?

[EHM-1592 Niels]

Matt,

NL-2000 does the whole country incl. all(!) the airports.
you can find it here

[EHM-2101 Tarik]

I  have FSPassengers and lot's of sceneries (airport and non-airport).

-Edited: (Accidently broke the rules )