Unnecessary to ask me LOL LOL LOL


I ll always support FREEWARE

I totally support FREEWARE, but like Andrew says... there are packages out there worth buying!

I have several payware aircraft...

BELL 407 By Rey Lopez
CESSNA CARDINAL By Flight1/Dreamfleet
CESSNA 421 By Flight1
PIPER SENECA By FSD-International
PIPER CHEYENNE By FSD-International
PIPER ARCHER By Dreamfleet
ROCKWELL COMMANDER C115TC By FSD-International

There are far more good FREEWARE aircraft than that of PAYWARE, but most of the time, those that design the FREEWARE stuff, don't build a lot of GA (General Aviation) aircraft that some of us look for... So, we resort to payware to get the ones we want!

Maybe think of our hobby like this.

There are tons of freeware programs available.  Many of which I have, including ProjectAI which I also spend a lot of time working for.   

Take ProjectAI, add the talent and financial support of a group such as Flight1 and you have a freeware product that is souped up to the max.

Now, my intention is not to advertise an  upcoming product, but merely to get you to see what a popular freeware group can add to one of the most popular retail merchants.

It seems to me that now, we have the best of both worlds.
You can fork out a few bucks for a really nice add-on, or keep using one of this hobbies most downloaded freeware add-ons around.

Freeware and payware can live together in this hobby.

KJ

I've bought a few items, such as Piper Archer, Cessna 421, Emma Field and Flight Deck Companion. All get good reviews and I concur. I also have a few paid items that I regret buying. Many of the freeware products I got are very good. But I also have been disappointed when some of the free planes did not come with panels. The Archer payware, on the other hand, has an extremely detailed panel -- more so than any of the default aircraft. For me, therefore, it's a matter of reading reviews, both of freeware and payware, before making purchases. I know that many of us are on a budget, but spending $30 or so for a solid product is not really  exorbitant.

I've never bought any payware for FS2002, due to being a cheap student and enjoying the freeware more. There's a lot of seriously good freeware addons out there, and whilst there's a lot of good payware addons, I don't have to pay for the freeware ones....!

This is my opinion: I have several addon aircraft ranging from the Cessna 421 to most of the FSD aircraft to some of Bill Lyons works, all are great in different aspects, and I have no regrets on any of them. I usually wait and hear what others think before buying so I haven't made a bad purchase....yet. I have some great freeware that I WOULD have paided for. I see absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to sell your hard work, I know how much work goes into FS design, even more so with the new features everyone, that doesn't design, expects, so I don't complain about anyone selling it, Lord knows they are not getting rich, more than likely making up the cost on the bandwidth from a ton of hits on their site to download the product.

Most people I know spend $20-$100 a night when they go out with a date or girlfriend, what is different from that than paying for something you are going to use more than once in FS????

When you think about the amount of aircraft you BUY when you BUY the sim compared to the huge amount that you can (and probably have) d/l, you are getting an amazing bargain, so the whole argumant about 'an addon that is 1/3 the price of the sim" is rubbish and a copout.

Bottom line, I understand budgets and not having the money, so it basically comes down to either to not buy addons (for whatever reason) or do purchase one, it is choice, and everyone has one!

My 2 cents!

I am fairly new to FS having only bought MS2002 in January, now having more time on my hands to play it.  I bought the FS95 and skipped up to now.  I was amazed at the progress that has been made since that version and frankly I am impressed with everything that you can do with FS2002.  As most newby's, I began to fly the included aircraft but soon realized that I wanted better and more real depictions of aircraft.  at first I downloaded some freeware but had some problems with the panels and gagues.  I also purchased the standard FS02, but would have gotten the FS02pro if I had known more about the panels etc because of the extra aircraft included.  Next, I thought that I would try to purchase some and did.  Most of the payware was easier to install and generally worked the first time playing them.  Also, the documentation of the payware has been better for the most part. 

I like both freeware and payware but now am very careful of the freeware that I download to make sure that it has panels and gauages and enough instructions if it is a different AC to be able to fly it.  I also generally stick with more experienced designers because I have found that those AC load and operate better.  So, I would encourage freeway designers and developers to go the extra mile and make the set up as easy as possbile and include adequate intructions. If they are inexperienced, I would encourage them to get help for the set up and documentation of the AC.  I have some freeware AC in my Hanger just waiting until I have time to be able to make them work.  Another thing that sometimes helps me make the decsion to downlaod freeware is if the panel is complete.  Having the standard version of FS02 I have DL AC to only find that they required some gauges from the Baron or Concord,  very frustrating. 

I think that there is room for both freeware and payware and I am sure that it will get better and better as the hobby continues to develop and new programming and computer advances occur. 

Also, this forum has been the most help to me as I am learning FS.  The folks here have more answers and never tire of answering what even sometimes seems like stupid and repetative questions.   Keep up the good work for FS!!!