Since the release of FS2002, there have been litterly thousands of files uploaded into the various flight simulation website libraries, files including everything you can imagine in the way of an enhancement. While compiling the screenshots for this Tribute to FS2002, the one effort I most wanted to complete was the choosing of the best files that are available to the flight simmer. Initially I was only going to have the 10 best files drawn from all files, but that was an impossible task, as the high number of quality utilities, sceneries, panels, etc. was so overwhelming that a top 100 wouldn't of been sufficient. Because Flight Simulator is about flying, I have decided to include only "FS aircraft" in my final "Top 30" picks and to qualify as one of my picks the file must be freeware as well as available from the AVSIM library.
Regardless of limiting my Top30 picks to just aircraft, there are still some file authors I must mention, those being the authors of files more associated toward the utility function, because its these individuals that provided enhancements that truly affected FS2002 in the most positive way. Individuals like Ed Truthan (new water textures), Lennart Arvidsson (World Textures Package 1), Gerrish Gray (autogen trees and buildings), Pete Dowson (FSUIPC module), Guillaume Darier-Serge Baye (ActiveCamera 1.1), Damian Clark (ActiveSky 1.5), or Lee Swordy (AFCAD and TTools) and I believe most would agree that these individuals deserve a big thank you from the flight simming community.
By limiting my picks to just the "Top 30" aircraft from the AVSIM library brought the number of files I had to consider down to a manageable 2,000 or so. Even then it was really tough and it has taken the past 2 or 3 months to get them down to the final 30.
I can't imagine that everyone or anyone would agree with my picks 100%, but I'm sure you'll agree with the majority. In the process of deciding which aircraft I picked, I made no pretense to them requiring a panel or VC, but that would of course help, and in those situations where an aircraft did not include a panel I have offered suggestions. One final item as to how I made my picks, I was my intent to include aircraft from all catagories, in other words, I intentionly picked a couple of aircraft from the pool of General Aviation, Sport Planes, Classic, Medium Jetliner, Large Jetliners, etc.. The purpose here was to provide an aircraft type that should fill everyone's idea of aviation and not just restrict my picks to all Bush or General Aviation or all Jetliners.
I also must add, these picks are solely my own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of other AVSIM staff members or are they chosen by their popularity based on the number of downloads each file has totalled since having been uploaded into the library.
1. Golden Squadron (various)
Bill Lyons and Paul Beardsley are both members of the Golden Eagle Squadron and over the course of several years have been providing a long list of outstanding aircraft for Flight Simulator. Its their combined outstanding work on three very unusual FS aircraft that has prompted me to include them in my "Top 30" list. Bill Lyons for his work on developing the Goodyear blimp "Defender" and for his truly extraordinary hot balloon. A hot air balloon for FS2002 that works very realistically and just when all the airfile designer gurus said it couldn't be done. Adding to this list is Paul Beardsley's very excellent Wright Flyer (version II) that includes a very realistic aircraft and the added bonus of the correct scenery for Kitty Hawk as it looked on December 17th, 1903.
2. RSDG Lake Renegade 270
Peter Ridge, John Woodward, Brian Gladden, Pete Collins, Jack Morris, and Aaron Swindle made up the team of RSDG (Renegade Seawolf Design Group) and their remake of John Woodward's earlier released Renegade 250 was easily one of my most favored FS aircraft to fly. Being fully amphibious and having a dynamic 3D virtual panel-cockpit, this FS aircraft also includes several paint schemes, authentic sounds, and very realistic 2D panel, all in the single download. Out of the hundreds of aircraft on my harddrive, this is one FS aircraft I do fly on a regular basis.
3. Zenith 801 v3
Being his 3rd version of the little Zenith 801, Brian Gladden has continuely updated his beautiful little Zenair Zenith 801 homebuild for each version of Flight Simulator. The Zenith 801 is almost the perfect bush aircraft, capable of carrying 4 passengers at cruise speeds up to 125 knots, able to land, stop, and take-off again in less than 600 feet, this is secretly my favorite bush aircraft of all. This version has reflective textures (developed using FSDSv2), fully animated components, excellent 2D panel, and dynamic 3D virtual panel. Initial testing all showed that this aircraft appears to work fine in FS2004.
4. Cannuck 80s
Once again, Bill Lyons hits the bullseye with his pair of Cannuck 80s, one float and the other a wheeled version. Ironically, these FS aircraft were uploaded into the AVSIM library barely a day or two after the release of FS2002 and like all of Bill's work, they are outstanding and do include the most realistic virtual cockpits you could ever hope for.
5. Cessna 185s
Designed by Mikko Maliniemi and Ian Grant, this set of 3 aircraft, floats, ski, and wheeled are beautifully designed and do make for an excellent choice as a bush aircraft. Mikko and Ian's design includes a well presented 2D panel as well as a fully dynamic 3D panel-cockpit. Several repaints are also available for this FS aircraft.
6. Robin DR400
Yannick Lavigne, Fred Banting, and Rob Young released this beautiful example of the Robin DR400 Regent not long after upgrading their Dassault Falcon50 for FS2002. The DR400 is a very popular basic aircraft in Western Europe and their example of it is one the best in FS2002.
7. Zlins Z526
With the Zlin 526 model and textures by Tibor Kókai, gauges by Jiri Masnik and Jiri Brozek, and the flight dynamics by Jiri Chvatal we have a Czechoslovakian sports-training plane that also serves as a glider towing aircraft. [Note: the Zlin Z-226SL (together with a Z-226MS) is Jiri Brozek's work. The complete team for the Zlin 226 models is: 3D model, textures, panel, XML gauges by Jiri Brozek, FD by Jiri Chvatal, C gauges by Jiri Masnik.] Each of these designs are well executed, in addition to having one of the best dynamic 3D virtual cockpits going.
8. RealAir Cessna 172
The fellows at RealAir Simulations have easily the best Sports Plane going with their SF.260 (payware), but they decided to release their latest FS aircraft as freeware, the RealAir Cessna 172. This FS aircraft was commissioned for the Kangan Batman TAFE Aerospace Industry Training Centre, Melbourne, Australia and like their SF.260 it is one of only 3 FS aircraft that can accurately spin. With the flight modeling being designed by none other than Rob Young this is one of the best examples of a Cessna you'll ever find.
9. Commander 114TC
Brian Gladden has been involved in FS aircraft & scenery design for some time and many of his designs are favored by me, but it is his updated Commander 114TC (for FS2002) that is really a standout that I personally enjoy flying very much. With a panel designed by Scott Jensen, paint and artwork by Tim Pinkawa, and the flight dynamics by Michael Verlin and Brian Gladden we have a really nice high performance retract aircraft available for those that prefer GA aircraft that get to where you're going in a hurry.
10. Aero Commander 560 and 520
Milton Shupe, Scott Thomas and André Folkers spent hundreds and hundreds of hours developing their versions of the Aero Commander 560 and 520 (soon to be released is their Aero Commander 680 as well) and the quality of these two FS aircraft is equal to any commercial package you can find. Each of these aircraft are available with or without the dynamic virtual cockpit, but I would say that the vc version is all that I would consider. These are simply a pair of the best examples of a General Aviation aircraft you'll find for FS2002 as freeware and
11. Grumman G21 Goose
Mike Stone is one very busy FS aircraft designer and though he has released a couple of dozen outstanding aircraft, it is his Grumman G21 Goose that has become sort of a legend among the many in the Bush Flying (FS) groups. When combined with the FS98 Goose panel from JL Stubbs (updated for FS2002) the Mike Stone Goose is a nice package depicting a true classic from Grumman. Built in the early 1940s, a few of the G21s are still flying today, but for many years the Goose served as a passenger aircraft throughout Western Canada and Alaska. There are many that have experienced the Goose with Catalina Airlines in Southern California or remember the Goose from the TV show "Tales of the Golden Monkey."
12. Boeing Stearmans
David Eckert put together a beautiful set of Boeing Stearmans that are not to be missed. With the single download containing 4 realistic texture sets, David's Stearmans are a real joy to fly, having a great 2D panel and a really terrific dynamic 3D virtual cockpit, flying the countryside of your choice in an open cockpit aircraft is something that everyone should try at least once.
13. SuperOtter Set
There has never been any shortage of quality deHavilland Otters for the active Flight Simulator, but it was this last minute (before the intro of FS2004) upload that Eugene Heyart developed that really got my attention. Presented as a SuperOtter (representing a Texas turbine upgrade), Eugene's file includes two versions of the his SuperOtter, one loaded and the other empty. Check them out, you won't be sorry.
14. Twin Otter (various)
Like with the single-engined Otter(deHavilland DHC-3), there have been several well designed deHavilland DHC-6 Twin Otters for FS2002, but it was the work of Eric Dantes and Mauricio Illanes that hit the high bar on a quality Twin Otter FS design. Available as either an amphibian, float, wheeled, or ski-equipped aircraft, your choices are many plus there are all the repaints of these aircraft to choose from as well. With photorealistic like exterior textures and one of the most amazing 3D virtual cockpits ever—you've just got to love it!
15. Lear 35
The Freeware Flight Group, best known for their wonderful DC-10 aircraft series, decided to put together an alternative to the default Lear45. They chose to go with the earlier Lear model, the 35, and I believe everyone was very impressed with the results. Available in a number of repaints from the AVSIM library, the FFG Lear35 is one very beautiful FS aircraft that flys as well as it looks. Lacking a custom 2D panel or 3D VC, Jorge 'eko' Salas came to the rescue by upgrading Jim Turner and Ray Pennington's very nice Lear35 panel (FS98) for use in the FS2002 FFG Lear35.
16. Dassault Falcon50
BravoZulu award winners (with this FS aircraft), Yannick Lavigne, Fred Banting, and Rob Young set the standard for FS aircraft design (specifically for the design work of the VC panel-cockpit they included) with this unbelievable example of the Dassault Falcon50. This just could be "the" perfect business jet for Flight Simulator ever.
17. Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin
There have been several outstanding FS Helicopter designs dedicated to FS2002 and considering that the MSFS design team seemed to have forgotten the Helicopter, in the respect that many normal functions had disappeared like having retractable landing gear, the number and quality of copters was as overwhelming as was all catagories of FS aircraft. I feel very strong that most will agree that Antti Pankkonen hit the proverbial nail on the head with his beautiful Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin! Having reflective textures, both a 2D and dynamic 3D virtual cockpit, working autopilot, and Antti some how managed to include a twin-engine airfile. The gear retracts (after a auto pause), so he effectively got around that little bug as well. This is a terrific helicopter and if you only add one freeware copter to your harddrive, then I suggest this is the one.
18. Flexistowe F2A Seaboat
I spent a great deal of time flying the classic aircraft in FS2002 and believe me, there are a bunch too, but in the end it came down to Stuart Green's beautiful Flexistowe F2A Seaboat. This FS aircraft is neither fast nor pretty, but it is truly classic and Stuart's 2D panel and dynamic 3D virtual cockpit are masterfully designed with period gauges. If you like flying the classics, then don't miss Stuart Green's outstanding Flexistowe F2A.
19. Reno Airracing P51
A group of 4 fellows (Bill Browning, Mike Hambly, Steve Small, and Roger Dial) working as a team, put together a fantastic package of a racing version of the North American P-51. With an airfile and sound package simulating a 3,000 HP Reno National Championship Air Racing aircraft, these fellows have done an outstanding job. This file includes 4 different liveries (Cloud Dancer, Miss America, Miss Kimberly, and Moonbeam McSwine), but the FS aircraft repainters got busy and there are several other choices available as well (including Voodoo and Checkers). Lacking a 3D virtual panel is no bother here, as the Reno Airrace P-51 team included two 2D panels, a standard 51 panel and a short height racing panel. I believe a lot of you will agree that my pick here was a no-brainer.
20. P-38 Lightning
David C. Copley, best known for his wonderful warbird FS designs, offered this very nice P-38 Lightning package, including 3 versions of the legendary aircraft including the recently restored "Glacier Girl." Fully rendered in Gmax, David's package includes a authentic 2D panel, dynamic 3D virtual cockpit, and the sounds recorded from the real "Glacier Girl." Of all the warbirds on my harddrive, it's David's "Glacier Girl" I most like to fly.
21. Heinkel He111
The Ground Crew Design Group have been designing one warbird after another for CFS2, but it was their development of the German WWII bomber, a Heinkel He-111, that really caught my eye. Originally intended for CFS2, the GCDG Heinkel He-111 works perfectly in FS2002 and it is a complete package, including custom sounds. With the package are 2 additional repaints by David R. Green which really completes the download. If you like authentic warbirds, check this one out, you won't be disappointed.
22. Fouga CM179 Magister
An international contingent of FS designers (Kari Virtanen, Mikko Maliniemi, Brahim Rhoul, and Mike Hambly) got together and developed a very complete package of the Fouga CM179 Magister. Having custom sounds, 2D panel, dynamic 3D virtual cockpit, accurate airfile, and photorealistic exterior textures, this award winning freeware aircraft is available in several liveries, all from the AVSIM library.
23. Tu-95 Bear
Russian FS aircraft designer, Dimitri Samborski, has released one fantastic FS aircraft after another, but I still favor his version of the Tupolev Tu-95 Bear Bomber. Having a relatively accurate panel and custom sounds, I really like this Russian Icon from the Cold War.
24. B-52H Bomber
Despite his young age (14), Kotaro Akikawa designed one of the most popular Cold War aircraft ever for FS2002 (over 33,000 downloads to date). With a panel developed by Phil Perrot (Alpha Simulations) and the airfile developed by a real world B-52 pilot (Clayton T. Dopke, Major retired USAF) this is one very outstanding FS aircraft.
25. CRJ-200 ER
Project Opensky is no mystery to the flight sim world and their design work with the Bombardier CRJ-200 is typical of their approach to FS aircraft design. Surprisingly, it seems that this FS aircraft has been overlooked by many, but when combined with Leon Seale's CRJ panel (custom panel developed specifically for the POSKY CRJ-200) you have a combination hard to beat. This aircraft includes a dynamic 3D cockpit-panel and a wonderfully smooth airfile that should bring a smile to everyone that enjoys flying aircraft of this caliber.
26. Convair 580 Frontier
Greg Pepper has designed many outstanding FS aircraft, but his line of designs depicting the Convairs is really great, but it is the Convair 580 (Frontier livery) that I specifically liked. Based on an original model by Dee Waldron and Michael Verlin, Greg completed redesigned it to include photorealistic textures, custom panel, and a dynamic 3D panel.
27. Boeing 737-200
For sometime now, YeoDesigns has been perfecting their Boeing 737 designs, but its their 737-200 that I truly love. Having a basic 200 series panel and dynamic 3D panel, the YeoDesigns 737-200 is the best in its class. Available in more liveries than you can shake a stick at, the YeoDesign's 737-200 is certainly one of the best 30 aircraft for FS2002.
28. Airbus A320 (various)
What does Project Airbus do? I think the name says it all and their A320 series Airbus is about as good as you can get with a freeware aircraft. Designed with Gmax, this FS aircraft includes a 3D virtual panel (dynamic), full effects package including wingtip vortices, and photorealistic textures. Custom sounds are available separately (check the readme file for this one). Another no-brainer for my Top30 picks.
29. Boeing 777
Melvin Rafi, an expert FS aircraft designer has truly mastered his art, as his FS designs of the Boeing big iron for FS2002 is now legendary. I decided to pick just one of Melvin's (MelJet) designs for my Top30 Picks and that is his latest release of the Boeing Triple 7. Fully rendered with Gmax, MelJet's B777 is a wonder of FS animation, including flexing wings on take-off, opening engine maintenance cowlings, even the hydraulic hoses on the landing gear flex. Truly one fantastic FS aircraft design.
30. Boeing 747-200
Once again Project Opensky hit the mark with their development of their Boeing 747-200 series aircraft. Available in many liveries, thanks to the FS aircraft repainters, I personally prefer the older 200 series over the newer 400s. Like all their work, Project Opensky's 747-200 is a work of FS art and when combined with a 747-200 panel (I've listed a couple of excellent choices here) you have a complete package for those wishing to fly a legend.
This concludes our "Screenshot Tribute to FS2002" Special Feature. |
