Hey Jring,
Glad you are enjoying the jet and thanks for the good words!
As for the sounds file, should be an easy fix.
1. Simply go to the Lockheed Martin/P3Dv4/Sim Objects/Airplanes/FSXBA FA-18..... and look for a folder that says something like "For P3Dv4". I'm away from my gaming computer at the moment, but it should be in either the main FSXBA FA-18 folder or in the Panel.Fleet folder.
2. In there, you should see the dsd_p3d_xml_sound_x64.ini file that is missing. Simply copy and paste that file into the Panel.Fleet folder (one level up).
3. In the same Panel.Fleet folder, you should see a file called "Panel.cfg". Open it with Notepad and locate the " [Vcockpit01] section.
Change this:
gauge20=dsd_fsx_xml_sound!Sound, 2,2,2,2, \Sound\Sound.ini
To this:
gauge20=dsd_p3d_xml_sound_64!Sound, 2,2,2,2, \Sound\Sound.ini
4. Save the file, close it, and restart FSX/P3D if you currently have it open.
As for the hook issue, I'll have to dig into that once I get home. Until then, I'll start with the basics....
-How are you lowering the hook? (i.e. clicking switch in cockpit or using an assigned key or switch)
-Have you visually verified that it is down? (i.e. the hook lever shows down, the shows down from external view) Is it remaining down once place in the down position or does it quickly retract to the up position on its own?
For the sake of testing, try clicking on the hook lever in your virtual cockpit to lower it, verify that the hook is down and attempt a landing.
If it still doesn't work, try assigning a button or key to toggle the hook up or down, lower the hook, verify visually and attempt a landing.
If it still doesn't work, report back here with your findings and we'll look at some other variables.
Hope this helps...
Jimi