Where is the aircraft folder in FSX?

In FSX, aircraft folders are normally stored in [FSX installation folder]\SimObjects\Airplanes. The usual boxed-edition path is C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\SimObjects\Airplanes; FSX: Steam Edition usually uses C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\FSX\SimObjects\Airplanes. This holds fixed-wing aircraft packages, while helicopters normally sit in SimObjects\Rotorcraft. A custom install changes only the path before SimObjects.

What are the default FSX aircraft folder paths?

The standard location depends on your FSX edition, Windows architecture and chosen installation library.

FSX uses SimObjects\Airplanes, not the older Aircraft directory used by FS2004. Do not create a new root-level Aircraft folder when installing an FSX add-on.

How do I find a custom FSX installation folder?

The safest method is to open the installation directory used by the copy of FSX you actually launch.

1. For Steam Edition: open FSX in your Steam library and use Steam's command for browsing installed or local files. From the folder containing fsx.exe, open SimObjects and then Airplanes.
2. For boxed FSX: right-click the FSX shortcut and choose Open file location. If that option is unavailable, search Windows for fsx.exe and open its containing folder.
3. Confirm the installation: the correct root should contain fsx.exe and a SimObjects directory. This check matters if boxed FSX and Steam Edition are both installed.

What belongs inside SimObjects\Airplanes?

Each aircraft needs its own package folder directly beneath SimObjects\Airplanes, with aircraft.cfg at that package folder's top level.

A typical layout is SimObjects\Airplanes\Aircraft Name\aircraft.cfg, accompanied by folders such as model, panel, sound and one or more texture folders. Some aircraft alias their panel or sound to another aircraft, so not every package contains all four.

Do not place the downloaded ZIP file directly in Airplanes, and watch for double nesting such as Airplanes\Aircraft Name\Aircraft Name\aircraft.cfg. Our complete add-on aircraft installation procedure covers package extraction and the files that sometimes belong elsewhere.

A repaint belongs inside its existing aircraft package rather than in a separate top-level aircraft folder. Follow our livery-specific folder and configuration steps when the download contains textures rather than a complete aircraft.

Can FSX aircraft be stored outside the default folder?

Yes, FSX can load aircraft from another directory when that directory is included in the active fsx.cfg file's SimObjectPaths.n= entries under [Main].

Some add-on managers and complex installers configure an additional SimObjects location this way. Check the active configuration used by your edition before moving those aircraft; simply relocating the folder can break its path or related components.

Why does an aircraft not appear after I copy it?

An aircraft can be in the apparent FSX aircraft folder and still remain absent from the aircraft selection screen if its package structure or configuration is wrong.

• Restart FSX: the simulator scans its configured SimObjects paths during startup.
• Remove double nesting: aircraft.cfg should be directly inside the individual aircraft package folder.
• Check the FSX edition: files copied into boxed FSX will not automatically appear in Steam Edition, or vice versa.
• Inspect the package: it needs valid [fltsim.x] entries in aircraft.cfg. Missing or duplicate title= values can prevent an entry from loading correctly.
• Consider its purpose: an AI-only aircraft may lack a flyable cockpit and may not be intended to appear as a usable user aircraft.
• Check Windows permissions: copying into Program Files may require administrator approval. Verify that the files were actually written to the intended directory.