Frequently Asked Questions

The aging platforms that the Bookmark Draken models run on – Lockheed Martin Prepar3D and Microsoft Flight Simulator X – have become less relevant since Microsoft launched MSFS 2020. Porting the existing models to MSFS would require a lot of time and effort, and I simply do not have the skills nor the interest in aircraft and flight simulation that I had twenty years ago when I started the Draken project. I believe that letting go is better than making a half-assed attempt that will take years to complete (if ever).

Yes, your purchased products will still work for as long as the underlying technology (flight simulation platforms, OS, and hardware) support them. The Bookmark products do not come with any built-in license protection, there is no “call home” function or key files to enter. Once you have purchased and downloaded the installation files, they should work in perpetuity.

The online Flight Manuals are hosted separately and will still be available on the same URLs after the website has closed.

Bookmark currently has two versions of Draken for Prepar3D, the Swedish J 35J and the Austrian J-35OE. They are sold as separate products.

The Finnish versions of Draken were similar to the Swedish versions, although there are differences in cockpit instrumentation and armament. There may be a Finnish Bookmark Draken for Prepar3D in the future, but it is not on the roadmap at the moment.

There are no plans for a Danish version of Draken for Prepar3D and probably never will be. The Danish F-35 was very different in instrumentation and systems as well as structurally and aerodynamically, so this would be a separate project.

No, the weapons in all versions of Draken are just for show and the simulated radar has no targeting function.

There are several third party solutions for adding functional weapons to FSX and Prepar3D vehicles. You can probably modify Draken to use these add-ons, and you may also share these modifications within the limits of the EULA.

Read the Flight Manual for your specific model (35J or OE). It explains the procedures for startup, takeoff, climb, cruise, approach and landing, as well as how to use the navigation systems, radios, etc.

If you are really impatient, use the checklist in the kneepad (although it may be difficult to follow the procedures without first reading the Flight Manual).

As a last resort, use the contact form to send us a message.

Unzip the downloaded zip archive anywhere on your computer, then double-click on the installer file to start installation. You will be prompted through each step of the installation process.

For instructions on how to install in multiple versions of Prepar3D and/or FSX, refer to the Flight Manual.

Draken 35J 5.1 and 35OE 1.1 are designed for Prepar3D v5 but are compatible with Flight Simulator X (SP2 and later). Some Prepar3D specific features will not work in FSX, such as the dynamic landing/taxi lights, and the switch sounds in the cockpit. Cockpit configuration will not be saved between sessions in FSX. Draken has not been tested by us in Prepar3D v6.

The previous versions 35J 5.0 and 35OE 1.0 were designed for Prepar3D and will not work in FSX. Upgrade to the latest version to get FSX compatibility. Upgrades are free if you have purchased a previous version in the same series.

Draken 4.1 requires Microsoft Flight Simulator X SP2 or later. It can be installed in Prepar3D, but it will not work as intended and some major tweaking is needed. You are on your own there.

Draken 3.2 requires Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 (FS9).

Draken will not run on the new MSFS platform. A new version for MSFS 2024 is planned.

The additional scenery installed with the Swedish versions of Draken contains some additional navaids that simulate tactical navigation and landing systems formerly used by the Swedish Air Force. The ground stations are also modeled in the scenery. See the Flight Manual for more information.

All the Prepar3D versions of Draken are installed in separate folders within the main Bookmark Simulations add-ons folder and will not affect each other. Patches/hotfixes that are issued between the release versions will normally overwrite files in the current installation.

Draken 4.1 for FSX is installed in its own aircraft folder and in sub-folders within the main FSX gauges and sounds folders. The effects files are specific to each version and will not conflict with previous versions. The included scenery files will be updated from earlier installations and are fully backward compatible.

The general (master) warning light will blink if the afterburner fuel valve is closed.

If you follow the checklist when starting the aircraft you should not have a problem, but if you jump into a saved flight or switch airplanes in flight (not recommended) it is easy to overlook the afterburner valve.

Some of the rotational switches in the cockpit (radio dials, weapon selector, etc.) cannot be operated simply by clicking on them, you must place the cursor over the switch and use the mousewheel to rotate the switch. This is intentional and not a bug, but we will probably bring back the possibility to click-select in the next update as it can be confusing.

J 35J 5.x and J-35OE 1.x uses 2048×2048 pixel resolution for the main exterior and interior textures. This means that you must enable high resolution textures in the Prepar3D settings, otherwise the exterior and the virtual cockpit will not be shown in full resolution.

Well, the 35J could not really do that, so neither can this simulation. But you can exceed Mach 1.8 with some effort. Take off with external tanks and climb on afterburner to 10-12 km altitude, then level off and continue on afterburner. Just watch the fuel gauge!

The special flight dynamics of this simulation makes it extremely sensitive to turbulence, which is not modeled very well in Prepar3D. We recommend that you disable turbulence in Prepar3D to avoid this problem.

The afterburner warning light is lit when the exhaust “eyelids” are changing position. It is also lit when the eyelids are held open by the RAT function (SDB in 35OE) to prevent overheating at ground idle. It does not indicate an error.

The altitude hold indicator (“HÖJD” in 35J, “HÖHE” in 35OE) will blink while the autopilot is stabilizing at the current altitude when altitude hold mode has been selected. In the transsonic speed range (0.95 M to 1.1 M) the altitude hold mode will be automatically disabled, and the indicator will start blinking. Just ease off a bit on the throttle. The autopilot will enable the altitude hold function when you are out of the transsonic range.

The autopilot controls the dampening system that prevents pilot-induced oscillation. The autopilot master switch should therefore always be on unless there is an autopilot malfunction. Altitude and attitude hold functions are then engaged/disengaged as needed with the pushbutton switches on the autopilot panel. If you switch off the autopilot you will get a general warning indication. In the real Draken the master switch was wire-sealed in the on position.

Switching between Draken and another airplane in flight is not recommended as this could screw up the autopilot settings.

No.

The payware Draken models for Prepar3D as well as the freeware Draken 4.1 (FSX) and 3.2 (FS9) are only intended for personal use and are only sold to private individuals. If you are a company or any other type of organisation you need a commercial license, regardless of how you intend to use Draken. Since 1 March 2024, commercial licenses are no longer offered.

Since 1 March 2024 you can no longer purchase or download our Draken add-ons. Sorry.

Bookmark Draken is licensed, not sold. No version of Draken is open source or in the public domain. The license terms still apply (in perpetuity) for your purchased items, even after we have closed our webshop. See the EULA for the respective Draken version for the full license conditions.

If you contact us using the same email address that you used when you purchased Draken, we will send you a download link.