where is the Airplane file located on MSFS

Pro Member Trainee
Ed Keyse (edkeyse) Trainee

I have downloaded the Mitsubishi Pajero Auto (An FSX Update for MSFS) and want to put it in the
"Airplane" file to activate and "Fly" Drive on the roads. I could do this easily in FSX but I can't 'Read"
MSFS files to know where Aircraft is located.

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Pro Member Captain
Ian Stephens (ianstephens) Captain
Ian Stephens is an expert on this topic. Read his bio here.

Hello there,

Navigating the file system for the latest Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) 2020 can indeed be a bit of a challenge. The way that MSFS structures its files is somewhat different from the way Flight Simulator X (FSX) does it. You'll find that aircraft files are not stored in an 'Airplane' file as they used to be in FSX, instead they're nestled under the 'Community' or 'Official' folders.

Remember, the 'Community' folder is where you will install add-ons and updates that you've obtained from third-party developers. The 'Official' folder, on the other hand, is strictly for the base game and its updates.

Here's a simple step-by-step guide on how to locate the relevant file:

  1. Open your MSFS installation directory. The exact path may vary based on your settings, but it's usually found in either C:\Users[Your User Name]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator or C:\Users[Your User Name]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_\LocalCache\Packages.
  2. In that directory, you'll see two folders: Community and Official. The Mitsubishi Pajero Auto, being a third-party update, should be placed in the 'Community' folder.
  3. Open the 'Community' folder and drop your Mitsubishi Pajero Auto's unpacked folder here.

It's worth noting that all files you add to the 'Community' folder should be unpacked. MSFS won't read files that are still in their compressed (.zip, .rar, etc.) forms.

As a quick tip, the 'Community' folder is also the perfect place to store any other aircraft, scenery, or livery modifications you might come across.

I hope this helps you get back in the 'air' soon! Remember, these steps can change with future updates to MSFS 2020, so always keep an eye out for notes in patches or updates that may indicate changes to the file structure or location.

Safe travels on the digital tarmac and beyond!

Joe Welles Guest

I downloaded, unzipped and moved the file to my community folder. I just cant find it when I open MSFS.
Can you help?

Thanks

Pro Member Captain
Ian Stephens (ianstephens) Captain
Ian Stephens is an expert on this topic. Read his bio here.

Hello Joe,

It sounds like you’ve correctly placed the Mitsubishi Pajero Auto mod in the Community folder, but it’s still not appearing in Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) 2020. Let’s troubleshoot this together and ensure that your vehicle is ready to hit the virtual roads.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide:

  1. Verify the Installation Path: First, double-check the path to your Community folder. Ensure it matches the installation directory of MSFS. This should typically be something like:
    C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_\LocalCache\Packages\Community

  2. Check the Folder Structure: Within the Community folder, ensure that the Mitsubishi Pajero Auto's folder does not contain additional subfolders that might be hiding the actual content. MSFS requires a specific folder structure to read the add-ons properly.
  3. Confirm the Integrity of the Mod Files: Sometimes, files can become corrupted during download or extraction. Try re-downloading and extracting the mod to ensure all files are intact and uncorrupted.
  4. Look for Conflicts: If you have many mods installed, there might be a conflict. Try temporarily removing other mods to see if the Mitsubishi Pajero Auto appears in MSFS. This can help isolate if the issue is specific to the mod or a conflict with other installed content.
  5. Restart MSFS: Simple but often overlooked—restart MSFS to refresh the game’s cache and configuration. This can sometimes resolve issues with detecting new mods.
  6. Use MSFS Add-Ons Linker: Consider using a tool like MSFS Add-Ons Linker, which can help manage and troubleshoot add-ons more efficiently. This tool allows you to activate or deactivate add-ons without moving files around and provides a clear overview of what is installed and active.

If after following these steps, the Mitsubishi Pajero Auto still doesn’t show up, you may need to check if there’s an update or patch for the mod itself or consult with the mod’s developer for further guidance.

Final Note:
Always make sure that any add-ons you download are compatible with the latest version of MSFS 2020. Compatibility issues can prevent add-ons from appearing correctly within the game.

I hope this helps you get your Mitsubishi Pajero Auto up and running in MSFS! Enjoy your time both in the air and on the ground.

Safe flights and happy simming!

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