CheeseHawk & FG28_Kodiak have the right idea with small areas to start and the proximity trigger.
Example, I host games off my PC online with friends all pre loaded (up to 10 humans, 30-50 ai planes, 4350 static objects and about 60-90 moving objects (non planes).
And all dynamic waypoints etc.
That is about the limit before i start getting stutters. So you can fly over a very large area of France or england and there is a train or two on every line etc. all at once and yes the map feels more alive.
Until the new graphics comeout in a week or so the Proximity works but you could get stutters as each mission loads. I will test this. I usually have everything pre-loaded.
just my two cents.