FS2004 Disappears

I have just re installed FS2004. On completion of flying I reduce the programme to the task bar but when I open it again all I get is a picture of the last aircraft I flew. i have to close and re open to get to the menu again.
I'm using Windows 7. AMD Dual Core Processor 6400+3.2GHz, 4G RAM , 64 Bit operating system.
Thanks in advance for any help.

Not enough information. "On completion of flying..." - do you mean when you actually completed your flight i.e. arrived at your destination or when you just want to pause/stop the flight for the time being in order to resume it later?

The other question is how exactly do you "...reduce the programme to the task bar..."

I suggest to do the following:

When you want to pause/stop the sim for some time without actually exiting, hit P for Pause, next hit the Window key (usually adjacent to the Alt key on your keyboard).

The result will be twofold: Your Program Menu will pop up which you simply ignore by clicking anywhere on your desktop to make it disappear, secondly your sim will have minimized to the task-bar. It's quite safe there, nothing happens, it's merely in stand-by mode not using up any resources which leaves you free to do other stuff such as writing that urgent email to your sweetheart

Now when you're done and you want to go back to flying, click on the little Microsoft Flight thingy on your task-bar, hit P to un-pause the game and you'll find you're exactly where you were when you paused the flight.

I'm not sure which Menu you're referring to. If it's the Menu bar on top of your screen, you'll have to hit Alt for it to appear. This will pause the game until you've made your selection.

Thank you Tailhook. The Windows key works just fine.
By way of explanation- when I ceased fllying either in the sky or on the tarmac after landing I would
Press Esc key on the keyboard
Press the End button on the End Flight Page
On the R hand corner of the Create a Flight page there are - and x icons
I press the - icon to place the programme in the tray at the bottom of the screen. It is/was from this position that I could not regain the programme, just a picture of the aircraft.
I hope this explains it all.
Thanks again.