How to Install Addon Scenery in FSX

FSX Loading New Scenery Files

This tutorial will walk you through the steps of installing addon scenery in Microsoft Flight Simulator X. There are two methods for installing addon scenery, depending on the type and folder structure of the scenery download. If your addon scenery contains a few .bgl files, refer to method one. If it contains a scenery and texture folder, refer to method two. If the download is an executable file (.exe), run the installation file, and the scenery will be installed automatically.

Method 1 – Copy to Existing FSX Scenery & Texture Folders

The Pensacola NAS addon scenery is being used as an example for this method. It is available for download on Fly Away Simulation. You can also use my Princess Juliana beach crowd scenery, as it contains a single .bgl file.

Step 1 – Download and Extract

Download and extract the scenery file. Most of the scenery that you will download is contained in a compressed file. You can either right click the .zip file and press extract all, running through the extraction wizard, or use a program such as Winrar, Winzip, or 7-zip to extract it.

penscaola folder contents
Contents of the Pensacola Scenery

Step 2 – View Folder Contents

Opening up the extracted folder, we see two bgl files, two text files, a internet shortcut file, and a diz file. The bgl files are the actual scenery files that we need to copy.

Step 3 – Copy to FSX Scenery Folder

FSX Loading New Scenery Files
FSX Loading New Scenery Files

Copy the two bgl files to the scenery folder in the addon scenery folder. Locations are listed below.

DVD Version: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Addon Scenery\scenery\
Steam Version: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\FSX\Addon Scenery\scenery\

Start up FSX if it isn’t already and go to scenery library in settings. Click OK at the bottom right, and FSX will load the new files. You can also add scenery while you’re in the middle of flying.

Method 2 – Adding New Area in FSX Scenery Library

The FSX Los Angeles Airport Scenery V3 addon scenery is being used as an example for this method. It is available for download on Fly Away Simulation.

Step 1 – Download and Extract

LAX Scenery Folder Contents
LAX Scenery Folder Contents

Download and extract the scenery file. Most of the scenery that you will download is contained in a compressed file. You can either right click the .zip file and press extract all, running through the extraction wizard, or use a program such as Winrar, Winzip, or 7-zip to extract it.

Step 2 – View Folder Contents

Opening up the extracted folder, we see two folders, two text files, an internet shortcut, a pdf, and some images. The KLAX Photo_Real_V3.0 folder is what we’re interested in, since it contains the scenery and texture subfolders.

Step 3 – Copy to FSX Addon Scenery Folder

Copy the folder that contains the scenery and textures foldersto the FSX addon scenery folder. Locations are listed below.

DVD Version: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Addon Scenery\
Steam Version: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\FSX\Addon Scenery\

 Step 4 – Add in FSX Scenery Library

Open up the scenery library in the FSX settings, and click on add area. Navigate to the addon scenery folder. Select the folder of the new scenery to be added, and press OK. Windows 7/8/10 Users: There is a small glitch when adding scenery. After you have selected the scenery to be added, the OK button can be pressed but nothing happens. Left or right click on any of the white space in the opened folder box after clicking OK, and the scenery will be added. You should see the new scenery at the top of the library list. Click OK again and FSX will load the scenery.

FSX Scenery Library with LAX Addon Scenery Loaded
FSX Scenery Library with LAX Addon Scenery Loaded

The advantages of using this method is you can turn individual scenery packages on and off without quiting the game and deleting the necessary files. It’s also easier to keep track of individual scenery packages.