How to's Aircraft Installation

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Illustrated Installation of Aircraft into any Microsoft Flight Simulator program (Including CFS series)

(updated March 2004)

See also Installing Aircraft into FSX here

This page may be printed for easy reference.

For Demostration purposes we use FS2002 - but the principle applies identically to all MS Flight Sims Except CFS3. (For CFS3 Aircraft Please Read the Instructions included in the add-on or refer to the CFS3 Forum)

For FSX see location of Airplanes folder below

OK - 1st the BASICS - the very basics

  1. We must assume you are familiar with creating folders & moving files from one folder to another. It is a good idea to make a shortcut to Windows Explorer on your desktop.
  2. Please ensure you have a zip utility installed on your computer & you are familiar with unzipping files. We recommend Izarc
  3. No 'converter' is necessary. Once unzipped the files are ready to install - Read below.

There are several auto install utilities available & they are popular - however we recommmend manual install - 1st it's really just as easy & 2nd it gives you a working knowledge of your files & folders which will enable you to resolve most problems with ease.

 

Note on Compatibility (What files will work in what Simulator) - see this page for Reference.

 

1. Understanding How FS (CFS) recognises add-on aircraft

 

  • Using Windows Explorer navigate to your FS folder.( The default location is C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Fs2002)

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  • Open the folders as illustrated & note the sub folder structure.

 

  • 1st You will notice an 'aircraft' folder. This is where all the aircraft are stored. Each aircraft is stored as a separate folder within the 'aircraft' folder & each contain 4 sub folders Model, Panel, Sound & Texture as well as other required files - the aircraft.cfg & air files.

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  • The structure of all aircraft is identical to this & when you realise this you are 90% capable of installing your aircraft without any trouble.

 

2. Downloading & Unzipping

(This instruction does not apply to self extracting files - some add-ons unzip as an 'exe' file - Install these by simply following the on-screen install instructions.)

It is important to keep your files organised. For this reason it is recommended you do the following:

1. Create a new folder on your computer specifically for dealing with FS downloads. It is generally better to keep these outside your main FS folder to avoid confusion & make clearing unwanted files easier. For example lets call the folder 'FS Downloads' - where we will download & extract zipped files from the internet.

Important: ALWAYS Unzip into a Temp Folder - this is always the best way to avoid problems .

It cannot be stressed enough - DO NOT UNZIP AIRCRAFT DIRECTLY INTO THE 'AIRCRAFT' FOLDER IN FS - this is the No.1 reason aircraft do not show up. (Ignore any authors instructions to do this)

2. Click & 'Save' the file to your FS Downloads folder

 
2. Open the FS Downloads folder on your computer & Right Click the required file. Choose 'Extract to folder ..... (FS Downloads) ...' You are now choosing to unzip the file into the FS Downloads folder.

 
I have deliberately chosen the file a-10Thunderboltii.zip (download here)because it is a prime example of why people often have difficulty installing aircraft. You will note that when extracted there is A-10 folder within the a-10 folder - before we see the model/panel/sound & texture folders. The one you must install is the folder containing the Model/Panel/Sound & Texure folder directly.
   
3. Installing into FS or CFS

Using Windows Explorer open in 2 windows each occupying 1/2 of your screen.

In the Left window open your FS Downloads folder & click the + sign of the aircraft you wish to install. As described above - ensure the folder contains 4 sub folders - Model, Panel, Sound & Texture.

In the Right window open up FS2002 (Or whatever Sim you are installing into) so you can see the sub folders - see picture below.

Drag the folder (illustrated) into the Aircraft folder in FS2002.

FSX

In FSX use this folder: SimObjects/Airplanes instead of 'Aircraft'

The default location for this is C:\Program files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X

It's done!

 

 

4. If you Cannot Find the Aircraft in the Select Aircraft Menu

Look at the Aircraft.CFG file in the folder of your installed aircraft. From this illustration you will see how the aircraft is identified in Flight Simulator.

In some aircraft you may have to look under 'Unspecified'

5. Further Reference

 

See also : Aliasing, Panel Install, Help Forums

© simviation.com 2004

 

 

 

 

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