FSX Air 2000 Boeing 737-800

Experience the nostalgic Air 2000 paint scheme on the Boeing 737-800 within Microsoft Flight Simulator X, re-created by Anthony Smith. This freeware package provides custom textures carefully modeled to reflect the airline’s former branding, which was known for operating holiday flights from 1987 until 2004. It does not include the default aircraft files, so you will need the base model found in the Fly Away Simulation mod library. Below, you will find details on the repaint, alongside technical guidance for integrating it into your simulator.

Distinctive Color Layout and Historical Context

Air 2000 (previously associated with Britannia Airways and later merging into First Choice) once offered leisure travel services across Europe. This repaint captures their recognizable livery and applies it to the default Boeing 737-800 in FSX. Boeing’s 737-800 variant, often used for short- to medium-range flights, features advanced winglets and a versatile cabin layout, making it a staple in commercial fleets. In this repaint, you will see accurate graphics reflecting the Air 2000 branding on fuselage and tail sections.

Author/Developer

Anthony Smith is credited with this re-texture, bringing a detailed and faithful representation of the airline’s scheme to flight simulation enthusiasts. The textures are meticulously aligned to the aircraft’s surfaces, resulting in a realistic in-sim appearance.

Livery Files and Requirements

This add-on offers only the texture folder, so you will need to have the default Boeing 737-800 from Microsoft Flight Simulator X installed. Because it is freeware, no payware components are necessary, but ensure you consult the Fly Away Simulation library if you need to download the required base model or verify compatibility with your simulator installation.

Technical Installation Steps

1. Navigate to the main Microsoft Flight Simulator X directory on your computer. Typically, this can be found under:
   • C: / Program Files / Microsoft Games / Flight Simulator X
2. Open the SimObjects folder, then proceed to the Airplanes or Aircraft folder (depending on your FSX version). Locate the directory named B737_800.
3. Place the new “Air 2000” texture folder inside the B737_800 directory.
4. Within that same B737_800 directory, locate and open the aircraft.cfg file using a text editor (for instance, Notepad).
5. Scroll through the existing [fltsim.x] entries until you find the last one. Take note of its numeric index. For instance, if the last entry is [fltsim.5], your new entry should be assigned an index incremented by one (e.g., [fltsim.6]).
6. Copy and paste the following block above the [General] heading, ensuring you modify the “XX” after [fltsim. to match the new number:

[fltsim.XX]
title=Airbus A321 Air 2000
sim=Airbus_A321
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=Air 2000
kb_checklists=AirbusA321_check
kb_reference=AirbusA321_ref
atc_id=G-W5A4
atc_airline=
atc_flight_number=
ui_manufacturer=Airbus
ui_type=A321
ui_variation=Air 2000
ui_typerole=Commercial Airliner
ui_createdby=Microsoft Corporation
description=repaint by TonyGD.

This snippet references the texture folder name “Air 2000.” If you have renamed your folder to something different, adjust the texture= line above accordingly.

Practical Tips

• Verify that all [fltsim.x] entries in aircraft.cfg are sequentially numbered with no duplicates.
• Ensure you save any modifications you make to the aircraft configuration file and back it up before editing.
• Once the process is complete, launch your simulator and pick the Boeing 737-800, ensuring the corresponding Air 2000 entry is selected in the aircraft menu.

This repaint set provides a fascinating glimpse into the early days of modern British charter operations, with a vibrant color scheme applied to a popular twinjet. Simply follow the installation sequence, update your configuration file, and you can start enjoying Air 2000’s classic visual identity on your flights. Go ahead and explore routes reminiscent of the airline’s real-world vacation services from years gone by.