Hey Guys, i am thinking of buying an addon heavy metal. I want the best really, but the quality of textures, cockpit, liveries avaialble re paints etc are just as important if not more so than wether every single last system is modelled perfectly. I want accuracy , but not necessarily ultimate depth. I want to fly and have fun, not spend days figuring out how to start the thing up. My shortlist atm is:PMDG MD-11Coolsky super 80 ProJust flight 747any opinions greatfully receivedthx, Mark

MD-11 (PMDG)

Super80 Pro - you won't regret it!

My choice would be the MD-11.Super80 Pro

As good as the Md-11 is, I'm not convinced you'd like it based on your description. It's, as you said, "Ultimate Depth". To get the most out of it, you'll be spending a lot of time with the manuals...My two cents :(

Hey Guys, i am thinking of buying an addon heavy metal. I want the best really, but the quality of textures, cockpit, liveries avaialble re paints etc are just as important if not more so than wether every single last system is modelled perfectly. I want accuracy , but not necessarily ultimate depth. I want to fly and have fun, not spend days figuring out how to start the thing up. My shortlist atm is:PMDG MD-11Coolsky super 80 ProJust flight 747any opinions greatfully receivedthx, Mark

Not a 'tube flyer', but I find this web site interesting for folks making possible selections/decisions:http://www.flightsimulatorguide.com/review...craft/index.php

Not a 'tube flyer', but I find this web site interesting for folks making possible selections/decisions:http://www.flightsimulatorguide.com/review...craft/index.php

MD-11. It's the best add-on there is IMO, and, funnily enough, this plane is actually easiest to get going, because all of the systems are automated (unless you decide to introduce failures). The biggest learning curve for me was the transition from a Boeing philosophy to a McDonnell Douglas philosophy....quite different.If you've never really learned FMCs or how one cockpit is generally laid out vs. another, then I think you're going to feel "pain" no matter where you go in learning how the systems work. Portability of those skills will be limited with the MD-11 since there aren't a whole lot of similar aircraft in service (or in the flight sim world).If you want to something that gives you a skill that you can the apply across almost any other aircraft, then I would choose the Level-D 767. An amazing piece of work, but not quite as polished (can't think of a better word) as the MD-11.Hope this helps and doesn't muddy the water further.

Aside from the realism aspects (which you'll get lots of differing opinions on), it would be worth considering the thing in a manner similar to how a real airline considers things, and that means, how far you want to fly and how long you want to fly for.Both the PMDG MD-11 and the PMDG 747 are among the best add-ons of course, but much of that relates to the systems necessary for a long range airliner, and in order to realistically make use of that, you are looking at flights which will be at least three hours long, and probably a good deal longer than that, more like six or seven hours if you use a real world comparison. This is where complexity can add to your woes or be the ideal thing you seek, depending on what you enjoy doing. For long over-water flights, to do these in a realistic fashion, you are also looking at considerable flight planning too, so there is an argument in favour of simpler heavies, such as the CLS DC-10 and 747-200 if you want to cut to the chase as far as pre-flight procedures go.If on the other hand, all that pre-flighting procedural stuff is what floats your boat, then in order for it to not be a long precursor to a long flight, you might consider short or medium range aircraft that are realistic in terms of systems. PMDG are no fools, they realise that many people want realism, but they also want a realistic experience that does not take all day, which is why they are making their J41 BAe Jetstream regional airliner, because they have seen how much the Flight 1 ATR-72 has sold, and like the ATR-72, the J41 can fly to a good deal many more airports and make a convincing job of a flight of one hour's duration. But of course if props are not your thing, then you'll be wanting the next size up, such as a 737, or maybe a 757, and at a push a 767, but we are getting back into long range ETOPS territory with that and the 777, and round full circle to the MD-11 and 747-400. For things like the 737 and MD-80, two hours is a good flight window, and if it is also you window in terms of how long you like to fly, then you should buy to fit your style.Lots of people have bought the PMDG 747 and other heavies, but for for all their stunning accuracy and brilliant programming, for many simmers who are short of time, they are often destined to be virtual hangar queens whilst the short and medium range stuff gets flown with greater regularity. So over and above which add-on does it for you in terms of realism, think carefully about how you like to fly, and especially for how long you like to fly.Al

My favorite heavy to this date is still the Level-D 767.

My favorite heavy to this date is still the Level-D 767.

That's the only airliner I have bought for FSX so far. Unlike GA, military, and helicopters, I don't buy many different models of airliners, but I will be a buyer of the PMDG 737 when it is available for FSX. I think I will also buy their ATR whenever it comes out, but the PMDG 737 is the only plane that I miss from FS9.

Hi Guys, thats all pertty usefull, I definitely do not want to have to spend hours setting up the flight either. I read a good review of the Fokker regional jet, does anyone have experience with that? What Boeings are regional types? And how does the Super -80 fit in to the jigsaw? Is that a long haul special with massive pre flight requirements etc ? Same question for the MD-11.I will have a look at the reviews, but I have to say that at the moment the front runner is the super 80. I like the sound of the training modules, I REALLY like the McPhat liveries available and its not too pricey. Cheers, Mark

Hi Guys, thats all pertty usefull, I definitely do not want to have to spend hours setting up the flight either. I read a good review of the Fokker regional jet, does anyone have experience with that? What Boeings are regional types? And how does the Super -80 fit in to the jigsaw? Is that a long haul special with massive pre flight requirements etc ? Same question for the MD-11.I will have a look at the reviews, but I have to say that at the moment the front runner is the super 80. I like the sound of the training modules, I REALLY like the McPhat liveries available and its not too pricey. Cheers, Mark

I have both Coolsky Super 80's (classic and pro) as well at the Digital Avaition Fokker 100/70. These are all excellent aircraft, and in fact, although I am a bit of an addict and have more than 20 payware "tube's," I tend to fly the Super 80's the most. Also, since both the classic and pro 80's have automatic aircraft configuration, you can basically get in, press a button, and go flying. With respect to the fokker 100/70, this is one of the best short-mid range systems jet out there, but in fact is also pretty simple to get up in there air. Although I am a private pilot in real life, I tend to like simplicity in the flight sim world, and have a busy carreer with a wife and two small kids, I don't really want to spend ( or have) the time to learn systems. In any event, you will not be disappointed with either of these aircraft. You may also want to consider the Sky sim DC-9 which happens to be very good as well. Good luck with your search.

And how does the Super -80 fit in to the jigsaw? Is that a long haul special with massive pre flight requirements etc ?

The Super80 can either be flown "by the book", as in you can go through all the training procedures and learn how to start her up from a cold and dark cockpit, or you can use the Super80 Center to just click a button and it will configure the aircraft for a certain point in the flight such as "Ready for Takeoff", so it suits beginners as well as afcionados.It's not a long haul aircraft per se, the Coolsky Super80 Pro is based on an MD-81, which gives it a range of 2897km (1564nm), plenty of range for those couple hour flights, or its happy enough doing shorter flights.

The Super80 can either be flown "by the book", as in you can go through all the training procedures and learn how to start her up from a cold and dark cockpit, or you can use the Super80 Center to just click a button and it will configure the aircraft for a certain point in the flight such as "Ready for Takeoff", so it suits beginners as well as afcionados.It's not a long haul aircraft per se, the Coolsky Super80 Pro is based on an MD-81, which gives it a range of 2897km (1564nm), plenty of range for those couple hour flights, or its happy enough doing shorter flights.

Well said about the Super 80, and also, with this aircraft comes maybe the best frame rates of any of my fleet, especially when you consider the high quality of the product.

Worth noting a plus point about the Super 80 at the moment is that you can download a voucher from Flight 1 and get a discount on it. If you prefer a more traditional version of that aircraft, Sky Simulations' DC-9 will let you fly it with traditional gauges. I have both of these aircraft, and they are certainly both great fun as well as being an interesting alternative to the Boeing 737. Both the Super 80 and the SS DC-9 get excellent frame rates in FSx too, which is another plus point. But if a 737 is what you want, then the Wilco PIC 737 is another good contender.If you want something bigger but don't want to spend ages setting up a flight, then the CLS 747-200/300 is worth a look too, not expensive either, although it is a long hauler.Al