# Flight Sim Discovery Desktop

**Flight Sim Discovery (FSD)** is a free Windows desktop application, complete with an optional in-game panel that's VR compatible. Its primary objective is to elevate your Microsoft Flight Simulator experience.  It replaces the old, web version.

## Key Features:

1. **Explore Fascinating Destinations:**  
 Uncover captivating flight destinations by selecting points of interest on our detailed world map. Whether it's renowned landmarks, natural marvels, or historical treasures, FSD offers a plethora of choices to customize your virtual aviation journey.

2. **Capture and Relive Your Flights:**  
With Flight Sim Discovery, you can record and save your flights, offering you the opportunity to revisit and relive past aerial journeys. This not only creates a sense of accomplishment but also allows you to map out the territories you've explored, creating a personal log of your aviation achievements.

3. **Immersive In-Game Moving Map:**  
 Real-time navigation gets a makeover with FSD's dynamic in-game moving map. Dive deeper into your journey by accessing interesting trivia about the locations you fly over. Intrigued by the view outside? Click on the in-game map to uncover nearby points of interest and absorb intriguing insights about each spot.

Have fun exploring this amazing planet of ours!

Richard, flying out of Australia

## Installation

1. **Download:**  
   Download the zip file.
2. **Extract:**  
   After downloading, unbundle the contents and refer to the 'Readme.txt' for finer details.
3. **Install:**  
   Launch the installer to integrate the application on your system.
4. **MSFS Integration:**  
   Position the 'fsd-ingamepanels-custom' folder into the MSFS "Community" directory. If you prefer, employ your favorite MSFS add-on manager for this purpose.

## Update

1. **Download latest version:**  
   https://flightsim.to/file/20403/flight-sim-discovery-vr-compatible
2. **Extract:**  
   After downloading, unbundle the contents and refer to the 'README.md' for finer details.
3. **Install:**  
   Launch the installer to update theapplication on your system.

 **Heads Up!**  
 Flight data and history reside locally in the Windows application support directory, typically at `C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\fsd\fsd_desktop`. Migrating to a different computer? Install a fresh copy of the app there and then transfer the contents of the aforementioned directory to the same location on the new computer. 

## Getting Started

1. Start the windows Flight Sim Discovery app and draft a flight plan, then export it to your PC.
2. The Flight Sim Discovery app also acts as a server, so leave this running in the background.  You can minimize this app in the background if you like
3. Load this flight plan in MSFS and initiate a flight.
4. Activate the Flight Sim Discovery in-game app from the in-game toolbar to unveil the moving map.  You may need to click on the settings icon on the in-game toolbar to enable flight sim discovery first
5. Click on the map to glean interesting facts about your current location.
6. Conclude your flight and save it.
7. Re-launch the desktop application to visualize your recorded flight trajectory on the map.

## OpenWeatherMap API Key

While Flight Sim Discovery offers its built-in API key for live weather services, peak times might render it inaccessible. For uninterrupted service, we recommend procuring a personal free OpenWeatherMap API key.

### Here's how:

1. Visit the OpenWeatherMap website (https://home.openweathermap.org/users/sign_up).
2. Register by tapping the "Sign Up" button.
3. Complete the mandatory fields and accept the terms.
4. Post registration, access your OpenWeatherMap dashboard.
5. Head over to the [API Keys section](https://home.openweathermap.org/api_keys).
6. Click "Create API Key" and follow the on-screen prompts.

Once procured, navigate to Flight Sim Discovery's settings page and input this key into the 'Open Weather Map Key' field.

ISSUES
-Due to limitations with the Microsoft Flight Simulator API, in-game weather (rain, cloud, wind) may not correlate exactly with the real world. In my testing, it’s pretty close in most cases and provides you with a good approximation of what weather to expect along your flight.

DONATIONS (supporting the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital)
Flight Sim Discovery is free, and always will be.  
I’ll be donating any user dontations to the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital.  Orbis is an international non-profit organisation that brings people together to fight avoidable blindness, and the impressive Orbis Flying Eye Hospital helps train local eye care teams in every country it lands.  For more info see  www.orbis.org.

REQUEST A NEW FEATURE
I'm always open to new features or collaborations, so send me a PM or leave a comment so that we can get in touch.

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FLIGHT SIM DISCOVERY (VR Compatible)

Explore captivating flight destinations, record and relive your flights, and enjoy an immersive in-game moving map with Flight Sim Discovery (FSD). This free Windows desktop app, now VR compatible, enhances your Microsoft Flight Simulator experience by offering customization options and insights about locations you fly over. Dont miss out on this tool to elevate your virtual aviation journey.

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