Welcome, and please, keep youtr voice down... No need to shout!  Although there are some grumpy old guys around...

1) i still think one needs to unzip all files of a add-on plane to a seperate folder and then copy the gauge-files into the FS gauge file to make tem work. (Not every model has gauge-files included though)

2) I've seen this behaviour in default ai. For instance during taxiing for take off, when cueing suddenly some planes will disappear... Don't take any notice... Project-ai add-on ai-planes make complete voyages though, the don't go poof...

3) sometimes it's hard to find the pump. Not every airport has an actual pump. Especially smaller fields won't. Just use the fuel-tab in the menu ( call it up using the tab-key)

4) no idea, but using the menu there is a vision-option menu where you can set parameters for different views ( spot, cockpit, vc and tower). Not sure weather you can change te actual position of the camera.... There is a program out called active camera that allows you to change eyeviews, but that's payware...

Hope this helps a bit...

Heya Bax,

I agree with Omag -- I always unzip a download into a Temp folder.  This makes it easier for me to look inside the folder, adjust things the way I want them to be, and I then rename the Temp folder to whatever I want it to appear as in my Aircraft folder (i.e. Boeing 737-500).

There are also a couple of free Aircraft Manager programs available here on Simviation which will install Aircraft, Panels, Gauges, and Sounds for you.  Be careful when installing gauges.  I always watch for the gauge "manufacture" date so I don't overwrite a newer gauge with an older one.

As for the locations of fuel pumps at airports I always select "Top Down View" (right click anywhere but the panel on the FS 2004 screen and left click Top Down View from the drop down menu).  I can then zoom out by using the "-" key or zoom in using the "+" key to locate the fuel pump at an airport.

You also have to be really close to the pump for it to register a fillup.  In a small plane this is fine, however, in a big bird (i.e. a 747) i've found that you pretty much have to run over the #%$# fuel pump to register a fillup.  And be sure that you remove the hose before you drive away.  The station attendants will get really angry with you otherwise.

As for the tower view you can access the Map (from the top FS 2004 menu select World then Map).  There will be two small "icons" in the middle of the Map View.  Click and hold down the left mouse button on the icon that looks like a control tower and drag it to where you want to place it, then release the left mouse button.  I will always place the control tower near the runway that I'm landing on (that way when I do a replay I don't have buildings obscuring my view).  Note the destination airport's altitude on the Map.  Now look on the left where you see the Altitude blank.  When you move the control tower the altitude will change to whatever altitude your aircraft is currently flying.  I erase whatever number is in the Altitude blank then I replace it with the airport altitude +85 feet then click OK.  This will move the control tower view to the proper location and at the correct altitude.