The first thing to note about the download file for Anchorage X from Aerosoft, is that it is big! On the size of the file alone, you would begin to expect that this is a very substantial piece of scenery. You would not be wrong.

First Thoughts Before Purchase

The initial question to ask yourself before purchase is, can my system handle this quite sophisticated and dense scenery?

As with everything to do with FSX, it is so important to be comfortable that your computer system has the necessary specifications to make sure that the use of this product is both an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

       

There is nothing worse than the anticipation of the download (a robust download speed is essential for this item), installation and subsequent launching of your new scenery only to find that with all sliders to the left it still chugs along at such slow frame rates that all of the satisfaction is taken away. The potential of any add-on scenery will only be as good as the power of the system upon which you intend to run it.

Regardless of your cravings, be sure that your minimum specifications always match the complexity of the product you are purchasing.

The system specifications that Aerosoft recommends are (be warned, these are the minimum):

• A download file of 2.35 GB, with a final installation size of installation of 3.2 GB
• 2.66 GHz Dual Core Processor with 2 GB RAM, with a 512 MB graphic card
• Internet connection required, and an online registration system

As a general 'rule of thumb' you always need to ensure:

• Have I sufficient hard-disk space?
• Is my system powerful enough to handle this scenery?
• Is my Internet connection quick enough and reliable enough to manage this big download?
• Are my FSX frame rates good enough to handle high density scenery?

Purchase

The purchase process through the Pilot Shop was as usual quick and efficient, and the download ready to go within a few easy mouse clicks.

Computer System Used For This Test

• AMD Athlon 3.2 GB processor
• 8 GB RAM
• Fast Internet broadband connection

       

Installation

Download time: 12 minutes in total, including the Aerosoft Product Launcher.

The installation process comes in two stages. An email will come to your in-box confirming purchase, and a separate serial number for activation of the product.

Before you hit the install button, do some housekeeping, to make sure that the installation goes smoothly. If like me, you are always installing new sceneries, it is a very good idea to make sure that you do a clean install of any new scenery products.

Check to make sure that you do not already have other third party add-on sceneries/land classes for the airport/area that this download is covering. For me, that meant de-activating a previously installed freeware scenery for PANC.

You are now ready to hit the install button! This is the first part of the process, and it went seamlessly, and the first part of the installation was trouble free.

Aerosoft at the second stage, installs their own proprietary 'Aerosoft Launcher', where final activation of the scenery takes place. This will appear as a separate item on your computers All Programs listings, grouped under Aerosoft's own folder. Other related documentation will also appear here. A .pdf manual are located here, and also an extra Traffic and Season Setting Tool. Make these choices here, outside of FSX, as these do not appear to be available once you have started the program.

Once completed, you are 'good to go.'

No problems were experienced during this automated process, and on launching FSX, both Aerosoft areas for PANC appeared automatically in the Scenery Library.

They appear at number 1 and 2 on the Scenery Library list, and it might be good to ensure that this does not clash with any other scenery that you have installed - which may require a higher priority on the scenery library listings.