Explore Dubai with Free Scenery Add-ons for FSX: A Review
Free Dubai Scenery for Flight Simulator X: A Guide
Do you love flying? Do you want to experience the thrill of piloting an aircraft over one of the most spectacular cities in the world? If so, you should try Flight Simulator X (FSX), a popular flight simulation video game that lets you fly anywhere in the world with realistic graphics and physics. And if you want to make your flying experience even more immersive and enjoyable, you should install some free scenery add-ons for FSX that will enhance the look and feel of your destinations.
Free-dubai-scenery-fsx
One of the most amazing places to fly over in FSX is Dubai, a city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that is known for its stunning skyline, modern architecture, luxury lifestyle, and cultural diversity. Dubai has many attractions and landmarks that will captivate your eyes as you soar above them, such as the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world), the Palm Jumeirah (an artificial island shaped like a palm tree), the Dubai Frame (a giant picture frame that offers panoramic views of the city), and many more.
In this article, we will show you how to install free Dubai scenery for FSX that will make your flights over this city more realistic and enjoyable. We will also show you how to plan your flight route, choose your aircraft and airport, set your weather and time preferences, and enjoy the view of Dubai's scenery. Ready to take off? Let's go!
How to install free Dubai scenery for FSX
Before you can enjoy flying over Dubai with free scenery add-ons, you need to install them in your FSX game. This is not a difficult process, but you need to follow some steps carefully to avoid any errors or conflicts. Here are the steps you need to take:
Download free Dubai scenery files from reputable sources
The first step is to find and download some free Dubai scenery files that are compatible with FSX. There are many websites that offer free scenery add-ons for FSX, but not all of them are reliable or safe. You should always check the source of the files, the compatibility with your FSX version, the virus scan results, and the license information before downloading anything.
Some of the reputable websites that offer free Dubai scenery files for FSX are:
Fly Away Simulation: This website has a large collection of free scenery add-ons for FSX, including several Dubai sceneries that cover different areas and features of the city. You can find them by searching for "Dubai" in the website's search box. Some examples are Dubai City 2010, Dubai Landmarks, and Dubai International Airport. To download the files, you need to register for a free account on the website.
AVSIM Library: This website is another popular source of free scenery add-ons for FSX, as well as other flight simulation games. You can find many Dubai sceneries by searching for "Dubai" in the website's search box. Some examples are Dubai X, Dubai 2012, and Dubai Mega Airport. To download the files, you need to register for a free account on the website.
Once you have found and downloaded some free Dubai scenery files that suit your preferences, you need to place them in the correct folder and activate them in FSX.
Place the scenery files in the correct folder and activate them in FSX
The next step is to locate the addon scenery folder in your FSX installation directory and copy the downloaded files there. The addon scenery folder is where FSX stores all the custom scenery add-ons that you install. The default location of this folder is C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Addon Scenery, but it may vary depending on your system settings.
To place the scenery files in the correct folder, you need to do the following:
Unzip or extract the downloaded files using a program like WinZip or 7-Zip. You should see one or more folders with names like "scenery" and "texture".
Copy these folders and paste them into the addon scenery folder in your FSX installation directory.
Rename these folders if necessary to avoid any conflicts or confusion with other scenery add-ons. For example, you can rename them as "Dubai City 2010" or "Dubai X".
After placing the scenery files in the correct folder, you need to run FSX and add them to the library through the settings menu. This will tell FSX to load these scenery add-ons when you fly over Dubai. To do this, you need to follow these steps:
Run FSX and go to the main menu.
Select Settings and then Scenery Library.
Click on Add Area and browse to the addon scenery folder in your FSX installation directory.
Select one of the folders that contain the Dubai scenery files that you copied earlier and click OK.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each folder that contains Dubai scenery files.
Click OK to exit the Scenery Library menu and return to the main menu.
After adding the scenery files to the library, you need to check if they are working properly and troubleshoot any issues. To do this, you need to do the following:
Select Free Flight from the main menu and choose an aircraft and a departure airport in Dubai (we will explain how to do this later).
Select Fly Now and wait for FSX to load your flight.
Look around and see if you can notice any changes or improvements in Dubai's scenery, such as new buildings, landmarks, waterways, etc.
If everything looks fine, congratulations! You have successfully installed free Dubai scenery for FSX. If not, try to identify and fix any problems, such as missing textures, corrupted files, or incompatible add-ons. You can find some helpful tips and solutions on the websites where you downloaded the scenery files or on online forums and communities for FSX users.
Once you have installed and tested the free Dubai scenery for FSX, you are ready to enjoy flying over this amazing city.
How to enjoy free Dubai scenery for FSX
Now that you have installed some free Dubai scenery add-ons for FSX, you can start planning your flight over this city and have some fun. There are many ways to enjoy flying over Dubai, depending on your preferences and goals. You can choose different aircrafts, airports, routes, weather, and time settings to create your own unique experience. Here are some steps and suggestions to help you enjoy free Dubai scenery for FSX:
Choose an aircraft and a departure airport
The first thing you need to do is to select an aircraft that you want to fly in FSX. There are many aircrafts available in FSX, ranging from small propeller planes to large jetliners, as well as helicopters and military jets. You can choose any aircraft that suits your skill level, style, and mood. You can also download and install some free or paid aircraft add-ons for FSX that will give you more options and features.
To select an aircraft in FSX, you need to do the following:
Select Free Flight from the main menu and click on Change next to Aircraft.
Browse through the list of available aircrafts and click on the one that you want to fly.
Click on Details to see more information about the selected aircraft, such as its specifications, performance, fuel capacity, etc.
Click on OK to confirm your choice and return to the Free Flight menu.
The next thing you need to do is to select a departure airport in Dubai that you want to take off from. There are several airports in Dubai that you can choose from, depending on their location, size, and traffic. Some of the most popular airports in Dubai are:
Dubai International Airport (OMDB): This is the main airport in Dubai and one of the busiest airports in the world. It has four terminals and two runways that can accommodate all types of aircrafts. It is located about 5 km east of downtown Dubai and offers a great view of the city's skyline.
Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW): This is a new airport in Dubai that is still under development. It is located about 40 km southwest of downtown Dubai and is part of the Dubai World Central project. It has one terminal and one runway that can handle large aircrafts. It is expected to become the world's largest airport when completed.
Al Minhad Air Base (OMDM): This is a military air base in Dubai that is also used by some civilian airlines. It is located about 25 km southeast of downtown Dubai and has one runway that can handle medium-sized aircrafts. It is surrounded by desert and offers a contrast to the urban scenery of Dubai.
To select a departure airport in FSX, you need to do the following:
Select Free Flight from the main menu and click on Change next to Current Location.
Select Airport from the drop-down menu and type in the ICAO code of the airport that you want to use, such as OMDB, OMDW, or OMDM.
Select Runway/Starting Position from the drop-down menu and choose a suitable runway or parking spot for your aircraft.
Click on OK to confirm your choice and return to the Free Flight menu.
After selecting an aircraft and a departure airport, you need to plan your flight route and set your weather and time preferences. Plan your flight route and set your weather and time preferences
The next thing you need to do is to plan your flight route over Dubai and set your weather and time preferences in FSX. This will allow you to customize your flying experience and enjoy different aspects of Dubai's scenery. You can plan your flight route using the FSX map or a third-party tool, such as Google Earth or SkyVector. You can set your weather and time preferences using the FSX menu or a third-party tool, such as Active Sky or REX.
To plan your flight route over Dubai, you need to do the following:
Select Free Flight from the main menu and click on Change next to Flight Planner.
Select VFR (Visual Flight Rules) or IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) depending on your skill level and preference.
Select Direct GPS as your route type.
Click on Find Route and wait for FSX to generate a flight plan for you.
Click on Nav Log to see the details of your flight plan, such as waypoints, distances, headings, etc.
Click on Edit if you want to modify your flight plan, such as adding or deleting waypoints, changing altitudes, etc.
Click on OK to confirm your flight plan and return to the Free Flight menu.
You can also use a third-party tool, such as Google Earth or SkyVector, to plan your flight route over Dubai. These tools will give you more options and features, such as satellite imagery, terrain elevation, airspaces, navaids, etc. To use these tools, you need to do the following:
Open the tool of your choice and locate Dubai on the map.
Zoom in and out to see the details of Dubai's scenery and landmarks.
Draw a line or a curve that represents your desired flight route over Dubai.
Add waypoints along your flight route and label them with names or coordinates.
Save or export your flight route as a file that is compatible with FSX, such as a .pln or a .kml file.
Import or load your flight route file into FSX using the Flight Planner menu or a third-party tool, such as Plan-G or Little Navmap.
Some examples of possible flight routes over Dubai are:
Following the coast: You can start from Dubai International Airport (OMDB) and fly along the coast of Dubai, passing by landmarks such as the Burj Al Arab (a sail-shaped hotel), the Palm Jumeirah (an artificial island shaped like a palm tree), the World Islands (a group of artificial islands shaped like a world map), and the Dubai Marina (a waterfront development with skyscrapers and yachts). You can then turn around and fly back to OMDB or land at Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW).
Flying over the Palm islands: You can start from Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW) and fly over the Palm Jebel Ali (another artificial island shaped like a palm tree) and the Palm Deira (a planned artificial island that is still under construction). You can then fly over the Palm Jumeirah and circle around the Atlantis The Palm (a resort hotel with an aquarium and a water park). You can then land at OMDW or continue to OMDB.
Circling around the Burj Khalifa: You can start from Al Minhad Air Base (OMDM) and fly towards downtown Dubai, where you can see the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world) and other landmarks such as the Dubai Mall (the largest shopping mall in the world), the Dubai Fountain (the largest choreographed fountain in the world), and the Dubai Frame (a giant picture frame that offers panoramic views of the city). You can then circle around the Burj Khalifa several times and admire its height and design. You can then land at OMDM or continue to OMDB or OMDW.
To set your weather and time preferences in FSX, you need to do the following:
Select Free Flight from the main menu and click on Change next to Weather.
Select one of the options from the drop-down menu, such as User Defined Weather, Real-World Weather (updated every 15 minutes), or Custom Weather Theme.
If you select User Defined Weather or Custom Weather Theme, you can adjust various parameters of the weather, such as wind speed and direction, cloud coverage and type, precipitation type and intensity, visibility, temperature, pressure, etc.
If you select Real-World Weather, you can download the latest weather data from the internet and apply it to your flight. You can also update the weather data during your flight by pressing Shift+F5.
Click on OK to confirm your weather settings and return to the Free Flight menu.
You can also use a third-party tool, such as Active Sky or REX, to set your weather and time preferences in FSX. These tools will give you more options and features, such as realistic weather effects, dynamic weather changes, historical weather data, custom weather themes, etc. To use these tools, you need to do the following:
Open the tool of your choice and connect it to FSX using the instructions provided by the tool.
Select or create a weather profile that matches your preferences and goals.
Apply the weather profile to your flight and sync it with FSX.
Adjust the weather settings as needed during your flight using the tool's interface or keyboard shortcuts.
Some examples of possible weather and time settings for flying over Dubai are:
Clear skies: You can choose this option if you want to have a clear and unobstructed view of Dubai's scenery and landmarks. You can also set the time to daytime or sunset to enjoy the natural light and colors.
Realistic weather: You can choose this option if you want to have a realistic and challenging flying experience over Dubai. You can download the real-world weather data from the internet and apply it to your flight. You can also set the time to match the real-world time or a different time zone.
Custom weather theme: You can choose this option if you want to have a fun and creative flying experience over Dubai. You can create your own weather theme using various parameters, such as wind, clouds, rain, snow, fog, etc. You can also set the time to any time of the day or night.
After planning your flight route and setting your weather and time preferences, you need to take off and enjoy the view of Dubai's scenery.
Take off and enjoy the view of Dubai's scenery
The final thing you need to do is to follow the basic steps of taking off in FSX and enjoy flying over Dubai's scenery. You can use the cockpit instruments, views, and controls to navigate your flight and admire the details and features of Dubai's scenery. You can also use some keyboard shortcuts or commands to access some useful functions and options in FSX. Here are some steps and tips to help you take off and enjoy the view of Dubai's scenery:
Select Fly Now from the Free Flight menu and wait for FSX to load your flight.
Once your flight is loaded, you will see your aircraft parked at the departure airport that you selected earlier. You can use the mouse or the arrow keys to look around and see your surroundings.
If you want to start from a cold and dark state, meaning that your aircraft is turned off and needs to be powered up, you can press Ctrl+Shift+F1 to cut off the fuel supply. You can then follow the checklist for your aircraft to start it up manually. If you want to start from a ready state, meaning that your aircraft is already powered up and ready to go, you can skip this step.
If you want to request clearance from the air traffic control (ATC), you can press ` (the key below Esc) to open the ATC menu. You can then select the appropriate options from the menu, such as requesting taxi instructions, takeoff clearance, flight following, etc. You can also use voice commands if you have a microphone and a speech recognition software. If you don't want to use ATC, you can skip this step.
If you want to use autopilot or GPS for your flight, you can press Shift+2 to open the radio stack panel. You can then set the frequency for your destination airport's navigation aid (such as VOR or ILS) or select a GPS waypoint from your flight plan. You can then press Z to activate the autopilot and press Shift+3 to open the GPS panel. You can then press the buttons on the panel to activate the GPS mode and follow your flight plan. If you want to fly manually, you can skip this step.
If you want to taxi to the runway, you can use the throttle, brakes, and rudder pedals or keys to control your speed and direction. You can also use the map (press M) or the progressive taxi (press Shift+P) to guide you to the runway. If you want to start from the runway, you can skip this step.
If you want to take off, you can align your aircraft with the runway and apply full throttle. You can then use the yoke, joystick, or arrow keys to control your pitch and roll. You can also use the rudder pedals or keys to control your yaw. You should lift off when you reach the appropriate speed for your aircraft, which you can see on the airspeed indicator.
If you want to climb to your cruising altitude, you can adjust your throttle, pitch, and trim to maintain a steady climb rate. You can also use the vertical speed indicator and the altimeter to monitor your climb. You should level off when you reach your desired altitude, which you can see on the altimeter.
If you want to enjoy the view of Dubai's scenery, you can use the views menu (press S) or the hat switch on your joystick to change your perspective. You can also use the mouse or the arrow keys to look around. You can admire the details and features of Dubai's scenery, such as the buildings, landmarks, waterways, and desert.
These are some of the basic steps and tips for taking off and enjoying the view of Dubai's scenery in FSX. You can also use some keyboard shortcuts or commands to access some useful functions and options in FSX, such as:
Pause/unpause: Press P
Save/load flight: Press ; or :
Slew mode: Press Y
Replay mode: Press R
Reset flight: Press Esc and then Enter
End flight: Press Esc and then Q
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to install free Dubai scenery for FSX that will make your flights over t