FSHostClient for FSX, FSX:SE, and Prepar3D

FSHostClient is a free program to connect FSX, FSX:SE, and Prepar3D to FSHost servers.

You need this if:

  • You want to connect FSX, FSX:SE, or Prepar3D to an FSHost session.

You don't need this if:

  • You're using FS2002 or FS2004, since they can connect to FSHost on their own.
  • You're only hosting with FSHost, since it already supports FSX, FSX:SE, and Prepar3D.

Download

Download FSHostClient 1.4 for FSX and Prepar3D here

Download FSHostClient 1.5 beta 3 for FSX:SE (Steam Edition) here
(be sure you have the latest version of FSX:SE)

Download FSPortTest.exe here
(to test your network and router port forwarding)

Please report problems in the FSHostClient section of the forums.

Sign up for email updates here
(I'll email you about problems and new versions - NO SPAM, I promise!)

What's new in 1.4:

  • Added support for Prepar3D v2. Fixed a problem when changing a remote player's plane, and the aircraft list wasn't being displayed.

What's new in 1.3:

  • Fixed startup errors. Some users reported the error "The application has failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect" or the error "The application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect".

What's new in 1.2:

  • Added support for Lockheed Martin's "Prepar3D" (pronounced "Prepared"), based on Microsoft's FSX. Players with FS2002, FS2004, FSX, and Prepar3d can all fly in the same FSHost session and see each other. See www.prepar3d.com and Wikipedia's entry for more info on Prepar3D.
  • Added ability to set plane visibility distance in options.
  • Fixed 200 knot limit on planes when using external apps such as FSMap and Courseplanner.

See info about previous versions here.

To-Do list:

  • Display Prepar3D players correctly in FSHost. At the moment, Prepar3D players are displayed as FSX players in FSHost. This will require a new version of FSHost.
  • Support full-screen mode.  At the moment, you need to have FS in "windowed" mode in order to see the various popup windows from FSHostClient (chat, multiplayer connect, etc.).  You can maximize the FS window by clicking the middle button up in the right corner, but be sure the "Full Screen" option under the View menu is not checked.  (press the Alt key if you don't see the menu bar in FS).
  • Translate the program.  I hope to have FSHostClient available in multiple languages in the future.  If you're interested in translating messages from English to another language, please let me know.

Things not supported by FSX/Prepar3D:

  • Fix jittery movement of remote planes.  When flying in close formation with another aircraft, the other aircraft jumps around in the sky.  See the following forum post for more information: Jittery-Jerky planes in formation flying
  • Time and date from FSHost.  FS does not change when these are sent by FSHost.
  • Moving rudder.  This is not visible on remote planes from within FS.
  • Propellers, rotor blades, and doors 2 & 3.  Airplane propellers always appear to be turning and helicopter rotor blades always appear to be stopped.  Also, when door number 1 (or the canopy) on an FS plane is opened or closed it's visible to other FS players, but doors 2 and 3 are not.
  • Helicopter player names.  Helicopters are visible but without the player names over the top of them, or sometimes with the default FS tail number instead of the actual player name.

Installation:

  • Extract all files in the downloaded zip file to any directory.  (For example: "C:\Program Files\FSHostClient" would be fine)
  • Run the program (FSHostClient.exe) from the directory you extracted the files to.
  • Make sure FS is in "windowed" mode, not "Full Screen".  At the moment, you need to have FS in "windowed" mode in order to see the various popup windows from FSHostClient (chat, multiplayer connect, etc.).  You can maximize the FS window by clicking the middle button up in the right corner, but be sure the "Full Screen" option under the View menu is not checked.  (press the Alt key if you don't see the menu bar in FS).
  • Disable local AI traffic in FS.  (Options / Settings / Display / Traffic tab, set "Airline" and "General Aviation" traffic to zero)
  • Turn on player names over their aircraft.  To do this in FS, click the Options menu, select Settings, then Display, then click the Traffic tab.  You can turn information on and off in the "Aircraft labels" section on the right.  Be sure to turn on "Tail number", in order to see the other players' names.
  • Configure your network. If you're using a router on your network, or you have a firewall enabled (including the one built into Windows), you'll need to configure your PC to allow incoming data from the internet. Otherwise you'll have problems with people getting disconnected from the session or not being able to connect. See the Help topic Firewalls, Routers, and Port Forwarding for more info. Everyone connecting to the session needs to configure their router and firewall the same way.
  • Connect FS to an FSHost server.  There are two ways to do this.  In FSX/Prepar3D, start a flight so you're in a plane, then click the Add-ons menu, select FSHostClient, and then "Multiplayer Connect".  Or if you want to connect before starting a flight, use the FSHostClient window and click the Multiplayer menu, and select "Connect to session" (or just click Ctrl-M).  To disconnect from within FS, click the Add-ons menu, select FSHostClient, and then "Multiplayer Disconnect".  Or in FSHostClient, click the Multiplayer menu and select "Disconnect from session" (or just click Ctrl-D).  Works with existing FSHost servers, no upgrade is currently required for FSHost, although a new FSHost will be available later to take advantage of new features in FS and FSHostClient.