Originally every aircraft available on this website had been tested on my own systems in both FS98 and FS2000 or FS2002 to verify compatibility.  More recently testing has been limited to FS2000, FS2002, and FS2004.

FS2000/FS2002 → FS2004 (FS9)

Floating aircraft and loss of animation.  A problem with all aircraft not designed using Gmax or FSDSv2 and flown in FS2004 is the loss of all animation.  This is most obviously seen in the loss of extended landing gear so that the aircraft appear to float over the ground (Star Wars style) when taxiing.  In flight the aircraft behave normally for the most part (see comments below) except that the control surfaces, air brakes, exhaust (if animated), etc., no longer move.

But there is a solution.  When you launch FS2004, answer "NO" to the question asked by the simulator to deactivate the functionality of certain "unsupported" features.  The animated landing gear, control surfaces, and most other working parts will work fine.  Spinning parts, such as propellers, no longer work but since Mirage have no propellers we are fine.

If you accidentally say "yes" you can reverse this by editing the [FrameCallNoWarn] section of the FS9.CFG file using NotePad.  Here you will find the name of one or several aircraft with "=0" next to it.  Change the value to "1" ( ...=1) and the "unsupported" features will work again.  An alternative is to simply remove that aircraft from the list.  You will be asked the question on next launch and can "Just Say No" at that time to restore animation.

The FS9.CFG file is a hidden file located here (depends on your OS):
        - Windows 2000 and Windows XP:
              C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\FS9
        - Windows 9x and Windows ME:
              C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Microsoft\FS9

Longer takeoff runs.  Aircraft used in FS2004 but designed for earlier versions (or which use flight models based on aircraft from earlier versions) require noticably longer takeoff runs and lack the rate of climb they had with earlier versions.  In banked turns (what other kind is there?) there is also a loss of turn rate.  They are also in a noticable downward trim attitude so some trim adjustment after takeoff is necessary.

Some FS2004 tricks:  Are you tired of ATC referring to your aircraft as simply "Dassault" or "Experimental"?  Do you want to hear the pilot and ATC refer to your aircraft as type "Dassault Mirage"?  Under the [General] section of the aircraft.cfg file edit (or add if necessary) the lines "atc_type=DASSAULT" and "atc_model=Mirage".  Using "atc_model=Rafale" also works.  Now that's cool! If you edit (or add if necessary) the line "atc_parking_types=MIL_COMBAT" ("MIL_COMBAT" needs to be all caps) under each individual aircraft section ([fltsim.x]) of the aircraft.cfg file, the aircraft will be directed to the parking area for military jets (trainers and fighters) if the scenery has been set up correctly.  This is more realistic (and secure) than being told to "taxi to general aviation parking". In FS2002 and FS2004 you can also have the ATC refer to you as an Air Force, Navy or Marine aircraft by editing (or adding if necessary) the line "atc_airline=Air Force" under each individual aircraft section, [fltsim.x], of the aircraft.cfg file.  For Navy use "Navy" or "Marine" instead of  "Air Force".  For Armée de l'Air you might use "atc_airline=Army".  Capitalzation is not important here.

FS5/FSFW95 → FS98/FS2000/FS2002

Visual problems: Polygon sorting vs. ZBuffering.  The flight models behave as expected when brought in through the FS98 Converter but there are visual problems.  In the case of the earlier Mirage III, Mirage 5 (and derivatives), and Mirage 2000, you will see a flash of color moving between the nose, wings, tail, extended gear, and in extreme cases, even the ground.  The image below shows this streaking effect above the wing between the wing tip and forward fuselage and below the wing between the ventral strake and mid-wing (indicated by red arrows).  This effect only occurs at certain angles.  Another effect can be a distorting in some shapes.  The tail of the Mirage 2000 is a good example of this.

This "3D Flash" was common on aircraft when FS98 (running in 3D mode) first came out.  A problem with polygon sorting and the use of single plane surfaces cause the effect (a throw back by designers to the days of FS4/AAF).  If you turn off 3D in Flight Simulator, the effects will clear up.  Because FS2000 and newer use ZBuffering rather than polygon sorting to display objects, the "3D Flash" effect is not present.  Since this is a known effect of 3D, aircraft designed since FS98 tend to be designed to avoid this visual effect.

Header photograph Copyright 1967, Israel Defence Force / Air Force.
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