And I can't find an Airliner... well I can, but none that really get me going. Can someone tell me what is the best payware (I know, subjective!) Airliner for xp9 and where to find it. I really have been navigating through the various websites but it's getting too confusing. My FS faves are the Tinmouse 737, the Maddog and the Project Tupolev 154.. I want to see the current state of the art for xp9.

So far I've managed to be impressed by the high/medium alt visuals, feeling of flight and framerate, disgusted by the rubbish planes and turbulence, systems, atc, ai traffic etc but I've also noticed that FSX is blurry, jerky, not smooth and actually pretty bland. (it was fine last week before my X-plane arrived) Darn.. I've ruined both sims for myself.. I'll have to start talking to the wife or mending my car or something.

Also, am I going to have to add buildings to all the airfields by hand or what?

Mr miffed. (or maybe Mr expecting too much)
PS.. my opinions are only opinions! I'm not trying to promote one sim or the other and don't want anyone to get stressed out ;-)

I haven't found an airliner yet that is really the mutt's nuts. In my opinion, X-Plane standouts are the lighter aircraft like the BK 117, the Mu-2, and the newer Carenado general aviation releases. While there are some airliners in the works for X-Plane, I wouldn't expect Level D type accuracy yet from X-Plane developers.

The airfields (as you've noticed) are all fairly generic. There are some good freeware scenery conversions out there for X-Plane, but really X-Plane is lagging behind FSX when one looks at comparative scenery for FSX such as Manhattan X or the Orbx sceneries.

If you haven't visited already, X-Plane.org is the best place to find downloads (planes, utilities, and scenery): www.x-plane.org

Good luck!

The x737 is my favorite.

http://www.eadt.eu/

Dynamic wing flex, great instruments, engines and all the animations you want. All free.

Heavy Metal
XPFW : 747-400, 767, 757, 737-200
Sanchez-Duran’s Concorde AF
QPAC A320
Please note all above basically 2D panels, only rudimentary 3D cockpits (abit like FS98 FS2004) with only basic autopilots and systems. A320 more detailed with attempt to model Airbus flight protection systems. You’ll need to hunt down the V-speed / wt charts off the internet.
On the plus side they fly beautifully and the gauges are so ssssmmoooooooottthhhh you really can practice instrument flying. And lets face it you want to fly... not the automatics!!!
Presently enjoying the concorde. The POH sheet coupled with ITVV Concorde video and you can have a riot. X-plane residents seem to be much more tolerant of Mach 2.2 shock waves overland than their real world counterparts: and when you see You Tube Videos of exactly what it sounds like on the ground (or in this case a boat out in the Atlantic) they really are a hell of alot more tolerant than I would be. Systems nowhere near as a complex as SSTM Concorde for FS2004 and all the better for it. Who cares whether it the no 7 or 11 tank you need to be filling what’s needed is a CofG shift.
Remember:- basic nav /strobes awful (find the file that resizes them at x-plane org as with other stuff.)
The turbulence modelling is rubbish (i normally turn it off with the slider after downloading the weather and keeping cumulus high6-10,000’).
Crosswinds can have a little too much effect on aircraft as with the torque (not a problem in jets.)
The aircraft seem very sensitive which is just a problem with mapping computer controllers to the software. You get used to it then start to enjoy it.
If you don’t know anything about trimming LEARN FAST. This is essential in this sim as in real life. Make sure you map buttons to it you’ll be using them continuously (that includes aileron as well as elevators.)
Take your time its not the most user friendly sim but rewards persistence.
Have Fun.....TIM