Guide to aircraft carriers

This is a FSX only page. See the old guide for FS2004.

Even not a combat simulator, it is still possible to simulate aircraft carrier operations in Flight Simulator X. To obtain the most realistic simulation you must have:

1. aircraft carriers in the scenery,
2. support for catapult and arrestor cables, and
3. carrier capable aircrafts (tailhook, folding wings, etc.)

Acceleration Expansion Pack

The Acceleration Expansion Pack is a Microsoft add-on for FSX that adds aircrafts and carriers. It includes the F/A-18A Hornet - a modern carrier capable aircraft. The carriers are moving and have catapult, arrester cables and Fresnel lenses. In missions you will learn how to do carrier operations.

See where to find the carriers in the default FS scenery.

Flight Deck 5

Flight Deck 5 by Abacus contains a Ford-class carrier (next generation of US aircraft carriers preceded by the Nimitz-class), 7 carrier capable aircrafts, launch and recovery systems (3wireX), missions, missles, and support for moving carriers.

Carrier Operation Package

Carrier Operation Package by Rob Barendregt provides support for catapult and arrestor wires with great sound effects. All operated aircrafts need to be manually configured for this add-on because all functionality is managed in the aircraft panel. A "meatball" gauge is included that helps you when approaching the aircraft carrier for a landing. Catapult and arrestor wires zones are defined manually.

Misc add-ons

AI Carriers 1 by Lamont Clark adds several moving carrier battle groups at real-life strategic positions.

AI Ships Creator (r2) by Lamont Clark let you easily create carriers at user specified locations.

Boat Traffic Compiler is a program that let you have full control of the schedules of AI carriers.