Intro: Adding aircraft into all Flight Simulators is very easy. The same basic method has applied since the dawn of ... FS .. and FSX and Prepa3D are not different.

1. Download aircraft from the Net
2. Unzip the file into a Temp folder on your PC
3. Move the Correct folder into the correct location in the FSX or P3D Directory

OK Let's do it! This demostrates FSX but P3D is exactly the same

Lets assume:

• You know how to downoad a file from the net (Click on the file & tell it where you want it)
• You know how to unzip files (I recommend IZArc. Like Winzip but totally free and available here)
• You know how to create a folder (Right Click - New - Folder)

I'm chosing a typical problem free aircraft made for FSX. The Cessna L19 Bird Dog by Massimo Taccoli available here.

1. Download the aircraft into a folder on your PC. Create a folder specifically for FS Downloads. This keeps things neat and easy to clean up. I've called mine 'FSDownloads'

2. Right Click File & Extract to the same folder

3. You will now have a folder with the relevant files inside.

4. Open & size 2 folders on your screen. Find folders:

FSX - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X

FSX Steam Edition - C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\FSX

P3D - C:\Program Files (x86)\Lockheed Martin\ Prepar3D V3 (or4)

Open the newly created download folder (FSDownloads). Using Windows Explorer (Right click folder - Explore) ..

5. Select the correct aircraft folder - containing 4 subfolders - Model/Panel/Sound/Texture(s)

6. Move this folder (or copy & paste) into the SimObjects\Airplanes folder in the FSX/P3D directory.

The Aircraft should now be installed! -- & Hey presto ... it is .. :)

Can't see your new aircraft?

7. Check the aircraft.cfg file in your newly added aircraft and check these details

Under ui_manufacturer= you will know how to find your aircraft in the Select Aircraft menu in FSX.

In P3D look under 'Title=' at the top

Aircraft not showing up?

This is probably because the Panel or Sound CFG files are not recognised by FSX. This is an easy fix - Alias the Panel or Sound CFG files so they can be recognised in FSX.

How to Alias Panel and Sound CFG files?

Simple. Open the panel.cfg (or sound.cfg) with Notepad. Select all & replace with one of the following

Further Considerations:

P3D - V3 - most aircraft that work in FSX will work in P3D up to V3. V4 onwards - only FSX or P3D native aircraft will work. (usually described as 'native' in the file description)

Gauges: If you have a Gauges folder, place the contents, i.e. the gauges (Not the folder itself) into the main Gauges folder in FSX (Or into the Panel folder of the relevant aircraft.

Some Gauges from FS2004 & earlier aircraft are incompatible with FSX & P3D v3 (not V4). Generally Allow the gauges where prompted. If they are totally incompatible you will get a message to tell you this and you may have a panel with missing or no Gauges.

Effects: The same as Gauges. Place Effects in the main Effects folder in FSX or P3D

Self Extracting Files: It is a good rule to extract these into a Temp folder. This way you will be able to ensure that all files will be installed correctly.

Author's Readme: Always read this as it may contain specific and important information about the install and use of the aircraft such as starting, flying, etc