Does FSP tell us how to stop being penalised??

[jboweruk]

Flaps is largely to do with weight as well as anything else. On a normally loaded 737 for example norm seems to be 5 degrees. On a
heavily laden 747 you may (rarely) need full flaps. Normally I think for a 744 it's around 10 degrees but don't quote me on that.

All information on flaps should be in the performance charts for the relevant a/c. For default planes look in the learning centre and bring
up the aircraft data sheets. For add-ons like the PMDG you would need to look in the relevant manual/pdf file.