Replay a flight in FS2004 using Instant Replay or Flight Video, with clear recording steps and fixes for missing, jerky or inaccurate playback.
FS2004 offers two replay methods: use Instant Replay to rewind the last few moments, or start Flight Video recording before departure for a complete flight. Open the Options menu with the menu bar visible, choose the relevant replay command, set or select the recording, then begin playback.
Which FS2004 replay method should I use?
Use Instant Replay to review something that just happened; choose Flight Video when you want to preserve an entire flight or a planned sequence.
| Method | Best used for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Instant Replay | Landings, take-offs and recent manoeuvres | Only the recent history retained by FS2004 is available |
| Flight Video | A complete flight or a clip you want to replay later | Recording must be started before the event |
How do I use Instant Replay in FS2004?
Instant Replay automatically rewinds a recent portion of the flight without requiring advance preparation.
- Reveal the menu bar: press
Altif the FS2004 menus are hidden in full-screen mode. - Open Instant Replay: select Options > Instant Replay.
- Choose the duration: enter how many seconds you want to rewind and select the playback speed.
- Start playback: confirm the settings and FS2004 will replay the buffered section.
- Return to the flight: when playback finishes, FS2004 returns to the live point at which Instant Replay was started.
Instant Replay cannot recover an entire flight after landing if the earlier portion has already left the replay buffer. That is the most common misunderstanding: it is a rolling review feature, not a permanent recording.
How do I replay an entire FS2004 flight?
To replay a complete flight, start Flight Video before pushback and stop it only after the section you want has finished.
- Prepare the flight: load the required aircraft, airport, weather and scenery.
- Start recording: open Options > Flight Video and choose the command to record a new clip. Supply a name when prompted.
- Fly normally: keep the simulation rate at normal speed for the most dependable playback.
- Stop the recording: return to the Flight Video dialog and stop the clip, saving it if FS2004 prompts you.
- Replay it later: open Options > Flight Video, select the saved clip and choose the playback command.
FS2004 flight videos are normally saved as .FSR replay files under My Documents\Flight Simulator Files, shown as Documents\Flight Simulator Files on newer Windows installations. An FSR file is simulator data, not an AVI or MP4 video.
To make a shareable video, play the FSR recording and capture the screen with a video-recording tool. Our guide to recording and replay options across flight simulators explains the difference between simulator replays and ordinary video capture.
Can I change camera views during an FS2004 replay?
Yes, normal cockpit, spot, tower and other available view controls can be used while the replay runs. Changing the view does not alter the saved flight path, so one recording can be watched from several angles.
Flight Video is best treated as a visual replay of the aircraft's movement. Complex add-on gauges, custom system logic, ATC exchanges, evolving weather and live AI traffic may not reproduce exactly, even when the aircraft path is correct.
Can I continue flying from a replay?
No, a Flight Video is not a saved flight and cannot be used as a reliable point from which to take control. If you need to resume later, use Flights > Save Flight separately; retain Flight Video only for playback.
Why is my FS2004 replay missing or jerky?
Most replay problems come from a misplaced FSR file, a missing add-on dependency or custom aircraft systems that FS2004's recorder does not capture.
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Recording is not listed | The file is compressed, under another Windows account or in the wrong folder | Extract the .FSR file and place it in the active account's Flight Simulator Files folder |
| Aircraft is missing or incorrect | The original add-on was removed or its title= entry changed | Restore the exact aircraft installation used when the clip was recorded |
| Aircraft sits above or below the ground | The original airport scenery is missing or has a different elevation | Restore the scenery used for recording, or accept that the clip will follow the recorded coordinates over the replacement airport |
| Playback is jerky | Demanding scenery, traffic or aircraft is reducing performance | Use normal simulation rate and reduce traffic or scenery settings during playback |
| Gauges, doors or systems replay incorrectly | The add-on uses custom logic outside the standard FS2004 recorder | Use the original add-on version; if the state still differs, the recording cannot fully reproduce that system |
FSR recordings should not be assumed to work across different Flight Simulator versions. If a fresh, short recording made with a default FS2004 aircraft also closes the simulator, use our FS2004 crash-to-desktop troubleshooting steps rather than treating it as a replay-file problem.