I'm considering purchasing CSWeapons but had a couple of questions I hope you don't mind answering before I do:  

What is the effect of the machine gun on the general FSX ground surface? Is there dust and bounce? I've viewed a lot of YTvideos, but hard to tell.

Are there different mods for machine bullets ground impact visuals/effects?

Is it possible to use the machine gun WITHOUT an aiming reticle displaying in the panel? In other words, can the visual -- the HUD's and other weapon aiming queues that are displayed in the panel, can the CSWeapon versions be turned OFF, while the weapons only still work? The reason for this question -- I have panels with existing HUDs and may what to keep use those.

What is the skill level required to create mods? Are any special skills required? or will a general level of FSX files, effects, config file authoring, or FSX SDK be enough?

I see from the reply below that there is no originating hardware (like rockets) displayed on the aircraft. OK. But then for the machine guns, can those emitter points be configured to be moved and placed? Like a Spitfire--it has guns as part of its model construction, so can I configure the gun flashes to exit from the gun object on the plane?

Thanks for the answers.