I've noticed in FSX while flying you can click on the menu bar at the top of the screen to change views or set up a new window and the sim will keep running. If you attempt that in FS9 it will automatically pause the sim. Is there any way to eliminate the automatic pause in FS9 so you don't have to un-pause it when you've made your menu selection?
I tried un-checking the "Pause on task switch" box. That allows you to keep flying while you open another window, like if you wanted to bring up AFCAD, or check your Facebook page, or compare a profile drawing to your airplane. It has no effect on the top menu bar, as soon as you hit ALT or click a menu the sim pauses. I guess it's just the way FS9 works, but at least now I know what the "Pause on task switch" box does. 