Enhance Your Flight Experience with FS Traffic AI - Worth the Investment?

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Overview of FS Traffic AI Add-On
3. Compatibility and Installation
4. Setting Up FS Traffic AI
5. Performance and Frame Rates
6. AI Traffic at Busy Airports
7. AI Variants and Model Matching
8. Ground Interaction and Realism
9. FS Controller: Enhancing the Experience
10. Worth the Investment?

Introduction

In this article, we will be exploring the newly released FS Traffic AI add-on from Just Flight for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Priced at $39.99, this AI traffic add-on promises to enhance your flight experience with realistic live traffic, improved frame rates, and high-quality aircraft models. We will delve into the features, performance, and customization options of FS Traffic AI to determine if it's worth the cost. Whether you're a casual flight simmer or a dedicated aviation enthusiast, this review will help you decide if this add-on deserves a place in your simulator.

Overview of FS Traffic AI Add-On

FS Traffic AI is an AI traffic add-on developed by Just Flight specifically designed for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Priced at $39.99, it is currently the most expensive AI traffic add-on available. However, it boasts a range of features that set it apart from the default AI traffic in the simulator. Some key features include:

• Vatsim Compatibility: FS Traffic AI works seamlessly with Vatsim, a popular online flight simulation network. This means you can enjoy realistic model matching with other online pilots.
• Improved Frame Rates: The add-on claims to offer a frame rate improvement compared to the default AI traffic. This is essential for a smoother and more immersive flight experience.
• Live Traffic: FS Traffic AI provides live traffic throughout your entire flight, from departure to destination. This adds a level of realism and immersion to your flights.
• High-Quality Aircraft Models: The add-on features significantly better models than the default AI, ensuring a more visually appealing and accurate representation of real-world aircraft.

Compatibility and Installation

Before diving into the details, it's important to note that FS Traffic AI is currently not compatible with the beta version of Microsoft Flight Simulator. So if you're a beta user, you'll need to remove yourself from the beta program to use this add-on.

Installing FS Traffic AI is a breeze. There are two installers available, and all you need to do is run them and follow the on-screen instructions. The add-on automatically detects your simulator installation directory, making it a hassle-free process. Once installed, FS Traffic AI seamlessly integrates with the simulator, requiring no additional setup or configuration.

Setting Up FS Traffic AI

To optimize FS Traffic AI according to your preferences, you'll want to adjust a few settings within the simulator. Under the General Options menu, navigate to the Traffic section. Here are some important settings to consider:

• Airport Vehicle Density: This setting determines the density of airport ground vehicles. You can customize it to your liking, but it's recommended to leave it at the default value unless you have specific preferences.
• Ground Crew Interaction: With FS Traffic AI, you'll witness ground crew operating around the aircraft, adding to the realism. Ensure this setting is enabled to fully experience this feature.

Additionally, if you plan to use the FS Controller app (more on this later), you can configure flight plans and aircraft management within the app. This provides further customization options to enhance your AI traffic experience.

Performance and Frame Rates

One of the major concerns with AI traffic add-ons is their impact on performance and frame rates. However, FS Traffic AI manages to strike a balance. During testing, even at busy airports like JFK, the frame rates remained acceptable and did not hinder flight operations. Of Course, your mileage may vary depending on your hardware and graphics settings.

To optimize performance, you can adjust the traffic density using the FS Traffic AI interface. This allows you to tailor the level of AI traffic according to your system's capabilities. By reducing the traffic density during high-traffic situations, you can maintain smoother frame rates while still enjoying realistic AI activity.

Furthermore, if you own a compatible graphics card, enabling DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) can make a significant difference in frame rates without sacrificing visual quality. This feature provides an additional boost in performance, particularly in demanding scenarios with dense AI traffic.

AI Traffic at Busy Airports

One of the main highlights of FS Traffic AI is its ability to bring busy airports to life. With this add-on, you'll witness a significant increase in AI traffic, enhancing the immersion during your flights. As we tested FS Traffic AI at JFK, one of the busiest airports in the world, the results were impressive.

The models used for AI aircraft are visually appealing and accurately depict real-world aircraft. From aircraft variants to model matching, FS Traffic AI excels at providing a diverse and realistic fleet of AI traffic. Gone are the days of generic aircraft and bizarre AI behavior. Instead, you'll experience aircraft movements that mimic real-world operations.

Moreover, the ground interaction in FS Traffic AI adds another layer of realism. You'll Notice ground crew operating around the aircraft, jetways connecting to the planes, and overall improved ground activity. These small details contribute to a more immersive airport environment.

AI Variants and Model Matching

One standout feature of FS Traffic AI is the wide range of AI aircraft variants. The add-on offers accurate model matching, ensuring the correct aircraft models are assigned to their real-world counterparts. This greatly enhances the authenticity of AI traffic, making each flight feel like a realistic representation of actual air traffic.

Whether it's commercial airliners, general aviation aircraft, or military planes, FS Traffic AI provides a comprehensive selection of accurate models. By accurately matching the AI aircraft with their real-world counterparts, this add-on successfully recreates a dynamic and visually appealing AI traffic environment.

Ground Interaction and Realism

FS Traffic AI elevates the overall realism of AI traffic by incorporating realistic ground interaction. As Mentioned earlier, you'll witness ground crew members performing operations around the AI aircraft. This includes activities such as baggage loading, fueling, catering, and more.

Additionally, the add-on features functioning jetways that connect to the aircraft. While there may be some minor graphical glitches, the overall effect is astonishingly realistic. The attention to detail in ground operations adds an extra layer of immersion to your flights, making the environment feel truly dynamic and alive.

FS Controller: Enhancing the Experience

In addition to FS Traffic AI, Just Flight also offers FS Controller, a companion app that enhances your AI traffic experience. With FS Controller, you can further customize your AI traffic and flight plans. This includes specifying which aircraft types you want to see and managing specific aircraft limitations.

Furthermore, FS Controller provides the ability to generate AI traffic along your flight route based on real-world data. This feature ensures that the traffic you encounter during your flights reflects real-world air traffic, enhancing the accuracy and realism of your simulations.

Worth the Investment?

The ultimate question remains: is FS Traffic AI worth the $39.99 price tag? The answer depends on your priorities and preferences as a flight simmer. If AI traffic is a crucial aspect of your flight experience, and you value realistic models, improved frame rates, and a dynamic airport environment, then FS Traffic AI is indeed worth the investment.

With its seamless integration, ease of use, and customizable settings, FS Traffic AI offers a hassle-free and immersive AI traffic solution. While the price may be steep compared to other AI traffic add-ons, the quality and realism it delivers make it a top choice for enthusiasts seeking the Ultimate AI traffic experience.

Whether you're a casual simmer looking to enhance the immersion of your flights or a seasoned aviation enthusiast seeking the highest level of realism, FS Traffic AI is a feature-rich and performance-focused add-on that delivers where it matters most.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this review is based on personal experience and testing. Results may vary depending on individual system configurations and settings.

Highlights

• FS Traffic AI is a newly released AI traffic add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
• Priced at $39.99, it offers improved frame rates, realistic AI traffic, and high-quality aircraft models.
• The add-on works seamlessly with Vatsim and includes advanced customization options.
• Ground interaction, including ground crew operations and jetway functionality, adds to the realism.
• FS Controller, a companion app, further enhances the AI traffic experience.
• Overall, FS Traffic AI provides an immersive and feature-rich AI traffic solution.

Resources:

• Just Flight
• Microsoft Flight Simulator