"You are missing packages that are essential to run Microsoft Flight Simulator"

Well, ultimately I did a full reinstall - and then it did a another massive, 900 GB download, but I am back to things working how it should. Apparently it had something to do with the new iniBuilds JFK airport update and me uninstalling the Asobo JFK one but leaving the landing challenge in place. I removed both items after reinstall and now everything is working as it should with the iniBuilds version.