Apologies for the terse replies - I just lkost a message I had written
1-As the X-10 version is under delayed release do you think it worth the purchase now or just wait for v10?
Your call, you can get it for £17/18 at amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Class-Simulations-X-Plane-PC/dp/B0018M2CV4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298912302&sr=8-1XP-10 isn't in testing yet and will be a little wobbly when released for a little bit.
Here's a thread at the org answering this question:
http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?showtopic=470732-Which aircraft are actually available that are compatible with the EuroHarmony fleet at the present time (preferably with good fully functional VC's)?
Most freeware won't have a VC (like MSFS). Payware add-ons are where that's at. There's currently a lot of payware in the GA market (where x-plane shines), but heavies are coming. There is a payware 777, 747-200/400, 737-200 in development.
Please be aware, that while the MT have discussed flying substitute aircraft in x-plane, no formal plan has yet been drawn up - where possible, I personally prefer that we use the same aircraft, or have an aircraft officially in the fleet, so please wait on official word on that before purchasing (except the MU-2B, that plane is too good not to get).
Freeware
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See the download page for the DHC-6
Payware
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Excellent Freeware F-27 -
http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=11933 (not in our fleet)
3-You mention you can use FS Commander (and I saw it will save X-plane plans)-can you also use the "GPS" function to fly SID/STARS under X-Plane or is it strictly limited to flight planning? This is with an eye towards VATSIM flying.
I use the Autoheading button on the pop up window and it will fly the x-plane aircraft along the route as it does in MSFS in addition to showing the moving map.
You can also use VasFMC and Project Magenta plus others with x-plane.
4-Is autogen and AI traffic implemented in the current version? I do like some eye candy at my airports and when flying around.
Yes, but not as you expect. Autogen - buildings, trees etc are in, but no airport autogen (terminal buildings - airports are empty without a scenery). You can get sceneries for airports for free in the .org download manager and there is good payware scenery for canada (wild). There is good photoscenery (payware) available for the US and the UK.
You can add AI traffic in or have stuff show uyp on vatsim / ivao, but not like MSFS flying routes ai - at least not in v9.
5-Will it run smooth with high settings on my PC with Q8300 Core2 Quad 2.5GHz/nVidia Ge430 1GB gfx/4Gb RAM under WINXP SP3?
If you can run FSX, you'll get a better level of scenery with higher fps in x-plane.
x-plane's ground textures are ultra sharp without blurries. Clouds can look excellent (with rex addon), but are 2d billboard in v9 and weirdly rotate with the view.
p.s. Do have have EHM repaints for xplane already?
Yup
Freeware
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B1900d EHM
DHC-6 Wild
x737-800 EHM (needs to be reworked)
XPFW 747-400f EHC
E-170 EHM (needs to be redone)
Payware
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MU-2B EHB
I am currently the only person mad enough to be doing x-plane repaints, but at the moment I'm working very hard with other MT members to get the new website out prior to our 10 year anniversary - it's been a complete rewrite in almost 2 years of spare time development and should be a treat to all members and a refreshing change for the VA.
X-plane repaints will be picked up again after the new site is released and I knock out a few FSX payware repaints, whcih should bring us nicely along to x-plane 10.