FS2004 Alitalia McDonnell Douglas MD-82

This freeware repaint showcases Alitalia’s McDonnell Douglas MD-82 named Arezzo (registration: I-DATG, construction number: 53225-2086) for use with Just Flight’s Traffic 2004 in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004. It provides updated flight dynamics, corrected flight plans, and an overall authentic appearance reflecting Alitalia’s historic tricolore scheme. Created by Daniel Nole, this package requires the payware base model, which must be acquired from a store such as SimShack.

A Visual Rendition of the “Arezzo” Livery

The Alitalia MD-82 fleet has long served as a mainstay for domestic and European routes, succeeding the DC-9 series. Standing alongside A319, A320, A321, and Embraer fleets, these twinjets are commonly encountered at numerous airports across the continent. First delivered to Alitalia in the early 1990s, each MD-82 carries a distinct name from different Italian provinces and cities such as Arezzo, Reggio Emilia, or Torino.

Key Operational Insights

Many scheduled destinations covered by Alitalia’s MD-82s (as of the timetable around 28 March 2004) include:

• Western Europe: Lisbon, Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Málaga
• Northern & Central Europe: Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Brussels, London, Dublin, Paris, Frankfurt
• Eastern & Southeastern Europe: Bucharest, Tirana, Prague, Sofia, Istanbul, Athens
• Mediterranean & North Africa: Algiers, Tunis, Tripoli, Casablanca, Malta

Primary hubs for these flights remain Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino—each supporting a high volume of departures and arrivals. Over time, some international services shifted to Boeing 767-300 or Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, especially for longer transatlantic routes. Meanwhile, the venerable MD-11 moved toward cargo assignments, and the Boeing 747 retired from Alitalia service.

Realistic Flight Model

Since the default MD-83 texture options for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 were restrictive, this repaint instead employs the FSP model, allowing for enhanced details. It also introduces a custom air file featuring:

Engine Performance

Refined engine output, fuel burn, and thrust parameters tuned for MD-82 specifications.

Weight & Balance

Improved handling derived from accurate load and center-of-gravity data, ensuring precise performance at various phases of flight.

Aerodynamics

Optimized flight profiles, with typical cruising altitudes around FL350–FL390 reflected in the revised flight plans.

Adjusted Traffic Schedules

In order to deliver a genuine AI environment, this package rectifies several fictional routes defined in Traffic 2004. For instance, flights that were previously assigned to inappropriate aircraft (like MD-11s on short domestic hops) are now operated by more suitable equipment. Additionally, international flights such as AZ666 to Caracas correctly reflect the Boeing 767-300, a more realistic long-haul choice under Alitalia’s operational planning.

Installation Procedure

1. Unzip the included JFAiMD82 folder into a temporary directory.
2. Place the JFAiMD82 folder into your Aircraft directory within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004.
3. If you already have a different Alitalia MD-82 from this developer (e.g., I-DAWI), only insert the new texture.az4 folder to complete the repaint.

This repaint is exclusively for Just Flight’s Traffic 2004 payware. Once installed, you’ll see accurate Alitalia MD-82 AI operations throughout your virtual airports. Enjoy the enhanced realism and watch for further updates on the Alitalia Embraer 145 fleet and other refinements from Daniel Nole.