I'm looking to make a move into a small jet aircraft. I've been mostly flying Real Air planes (Scout, SF260, Duke) and have really enjoyed them, but want to move on to something a little faster that can take me longer distances for two hour flights or so. My first choice would be the Flight 1 Cessna Mustang. This my kind of plane. My only real question about it is performance inside FSX. I absolutely need smooth flight, which I'm getting in most areas currently. The Duke surprisingly, eats up a decent amount of performance, and although I have it flying smoothly, I want to make sure the business jet I purchase gives me good results. I've heard very mixed opinions about the performance of the Mustang, so I would like to see if anyone can shed light on this for me. I'd relly appreciate it. I know Flight 1 has the 30 day guarantee which is great, but I would like to get the CD version and would prefer not to make a return if possible. It seems that almost everyone that has the Mustang loves it. I've also seen comments that some people get major performance hits with this plane, like 55+ frames with parked Cessna an 10-12 with the Mustang. Thanks guys!Todd

I'm looking to make a move into a small jet aircraft. I've been mostly flying Real Air planes (Scout, SF260, Duke) and have really enjoyed them, but want to move on to something a little faster that can take me longer distances for two hour flights or so. My first choice would be the Flight 1 Cessna Mustang. This my kind of plane. My only real question about it is performance inside FSX. I absolutely need smooth flight, which I'm getting in most areas currently. The Duke surprisingly, eats up a decent amount of performance, and although I have it flying smoothly, I want to make sure the business jet I purchase gives me good results. I've heard very mixed opinions about the performance of the Mustang, so I would like to see if anyone can shed light on this for me. I'd relly appreciate it. I know Flight 1 has the 30 day guarantee which is great, but I would like to get the CD version and would prefer not to make a return if possible. It seems that almost everyone that has the Mustang loves it. I've also seen comments that some people get major performance hits with this plane, like 55+ frames with parked Cessna an 10-12 with the Mustang. Thanks guys!Todd

Try it out for yourself. It comes with a 30 day $$$ back refund.

Check out the Lionheart Creations Epic Victory. It is supposed to be really nice as well. It is also distributed by Flight1 so it too comes with a 30-Day money back garutee.http://www.lionheartcreations.com/Victory.html

Todd,I just purchased the Flight 1 Cessna Mustang a couple weeks ago. My overall opinion is that it is completely worth the money. There is most definitely a performance impact due to the G1000 and the overall complexity of the aircraft. I have a Q9550 with a GTX260 and I get 40+ fps in spot view and 20-25 in the virtual cockpit in urban areas like L.A. and San Diego. I haven't flown it but a few times so far, but I think it is smooth enough to keep. I really like that it has a configuration panel for pitot covers, engine covers, chocks, etc. I think that's a nice touch. I can't base much on real world experience, but the Cessna Mustang handling seems very realistic. That's the strongest aspect of this product. It is hard to put in words until you fly it. I have watched YouTube videos of pilots taking their delivery flight and this product actually does what the real plane does on the numbers. It also has a 90+ page manual.One thing I would advise if you choose to buy this - follow Nick's tuning guide and use that as a starting point to test what your system can do. I find it critical to put my frame rate on unlimited. With the Mustang, it really helps make it smoother. I have tried it locked on 25 and 30, and the Mustang will start getting choppy in the virtual cockpit with Trackir. Frames go down into the teens. I am like you in that I expect the sim to run with fluidity. I don't care about high fps as much as I care about highly fluctuating fps.I am going to get around to posting screen shots of this product since I have enjoyed it so much. I have been absent from the Screen Shot Forum for quite a while now. Hope I have helped you with your decision. Good luck!Scott

I have 50-55% of original frames compared to default Lear45. This is a great plane, but it is very heavy on frames. Please try a downloadable version, if it is not OK, simply do the return. If it is OK, return and buy a boxed version

I didn't think it was worth it. With a C2D at 3.16GHz, Geforce 8800GT and 4Gb ram, I kept getting 10-15 fps at the most basic default sceneries where I'd easily get 30-40 FPS with say the PMDG J41. It's dusting away at a backup drive right now, waiting for my next rig. The systems modelling is great. Just not worth it for me ATM. Getting a refund is dead easy with Flight 1, just don't forget to ask for it within 30 days. I'd find out for myself if I were you.

I have a slower PC, slower than that last poster with C2D...I also own the Duke, so I can tell you the Mustang is just a little harder on fps than it. Maybe 25% worse at most.Speed-wise it's faster than the Duke but not super fast (I wouldn't expect it to be either for the class of jet it is). For speed I ended up getting the Eaglesoft Citation X - normally do around 500-550 kts ground speed! The Mustang usually gets around 300-320 kts ground speed for the short hops I do. The Duke - 200 to 230 kts...One thing you can do is disable the right-hand PFD - some say this has no effect but it certainly does for me. Anyway, the G1000 simulation is the best out there for FSX, STARS/DP's simulated, and the autopilot will fly WAAS approaches and holds if its part of the approach plate. I have no issues with performance from the external model - very wonderful and more fps friendly than a lot of payware models.I fly it about 35% of the time on VATSIM, the rest is the Duke, Citation X, and Lotus L39 Albatros, and the occasional ES SR22 G3 Turbo.I would spend the 55 bucks on the Mustang. If you enjoy GA it is pretty much a requirement.

The F1 Cessna Mustang is noted for eating up FPS, but then again, that is the price you pay for high fidelity modeling. On the plus side, like the real Cessna Mustang, it is geared toward being a 'step up' jet for GA flyers, so the control layout is a lot friendlier for those used to prop GA aircraft, although also like the real Cessna Mustang, it ain't the fastest of private jets by a long way for similar reasons - for example, it was designed to have a slow final approach speed so GA flyers would not have difficulties converting to it. Then again, that does mean it can use very small strips that would be off limits to other jets.If you want fast and small and are bothered about FPS and not bothered about fighter-like approach speeds, you might want to check out the Extreme Prototypes early Learjet 20 series set, which are pretty fluid in FSX and will definitely give you the speed you need (and then some), but be prepared for some detailed systems modeling on that too and expect to go off bigger runways. Other than that, you've got various Citations and such which will also need bigger runways, or as an off the wall choice there are various VLJs you might want to check out, such as the Cirrus Vision.If the F1 Mustang has caught your eye though, since you can't fault F1's money back option, I reckon it is probably worth giving a try. If you have the system that can run it, you certainly won't be disappointed.Al

Check out the Lionheart Creations Epic Victory. It is supposed to be really nice as well. It is also distributed by Flight1 so it too comes with a 30-Day money back garutee.http://www.lionheartcreations.com/Victory.html

It is a hoot to fly... and fast. No performance penalty either..

Appreciate the replies guys!My system is running pretty well using Nick's guide. Unclocked (I know!) i7-920, 6 gig, gtx 285. Scott, I fly around S. Cal and get a bit better perormance in the Duke which is what I'd expect, and is consistent with these comments:50-55% of default fps25% slower than Duke (at worst)Just finished a flight from Ontario to Vegas. Parked at ONT in VC, default 50 or so fps, Duke 30-33. I think I should be able to get decent to good results with the Mustang depending on area and settings. Like Al mentioned, this is a step up from GA and seems logical for me to move into it. Besides, I think it's gorgeous! :( And in the worst case, if it doesn't perform well, I have the 30 days. The Citation X and/or the PMDG J41 (which I just checked out and looks very interesting to me), will be the next progression. I do like the fact that the Mustang can use shorter fields. That will be useful when using it in PNW and elsewhere. And though not the fastest, it's still ~50% faster than the DukeThanks again for the replies. I'll be away next week in Florida and always like to order something that will be at my house the day after I get home! :( Since I just ordered a throttle quadrant Thursday, I'll NEED to get something else when I'm away!Todd

Yeah the Citation X should be your next buy lol!(after the Stang I mean)I was on the fence for a long while regarding the PMDG J41 but in the end did not buy it. I realized since I already had the mustang I wouldn't fly it because of its speed. It's actually on par with the Mustang as far as cruising speed goes... It does look beautiful though - so if you have cash to burn might as well go with the PMDG bird too.I'm a 90% GA flyer so what I use (from slowest to fastest) are:RealAir Scout PackCarenado ArrowEaglesoft SR22 G3RealAir DukeFlight1 MustangL39 AlbatrosEaglesoft Citation XYou'll want to have all of those if you're into GA flying!!!

It is a hoot to fly... and fast. No performance penalty either..

You know what Bert, I thought this Victory was a sure thing as far as me getting it. I was just getting back into FSX after being away for a while, and the Victory came out and I loved it. Comments seemed good to very good too. I picked up the Kodiak a few weeks ago on the fllghtsimdealoftheday for 12 bucks. It's a good plane, not great imo. It does a few quirky things which I think of as it's personality, but made me rethink getting the Victory. Obviously the fact that virtually everyone says it's very easy on performance, is a huge plus. And half the cost of the Mustang doesn't hurt either. Still, I want a great VLJ. Maybe the Victory is great. And "a hoot to fly" is what we all want!

Flight 1 Cessna Mustang will knock a few frames off. But it is worth having.

You know what Bert, I thought this Victory was a sure thing as far as me getting it. I was just getting back into FSX after being away for a while, and the Victory came out and I loved it. Comments seemed good to very good too. I picked up the Kodiak a few weeks ago on the fllghtsimdealoftheday for 12 bucks. It's a good plane, not great imo. It does a few quirky things which I think of as it's personality, but made me rethink getting the Victory. Obviously the fact that virtually everyone says it's very easy on performance, is a huge plus. And half the cost of the Mustang doesn't hurt either. Still, I want a great VLJ. Maybe the Victory is great. And "a hoot to fly" is what we all want!

If you do not like the Kodiak... you may also have an issue with the Victory sincethey share the same G1000 implementation.What are the quirky things that you have noticed? I've fixed a few things on the G1000for my personal use, so conceivably I could help..I'd say the Mustang is "great" in the same sense as the Duke being great, but for sheerenjoyment, flying the Victory has a lot to offer.... (Avsim review of this airplane being edited for publicationas we speak)..

It is a hoot to fly... and fast. No performance penalty either..

Just bought it. Looks like a hoot to fly like you said. I also have the Mustang but am looking for something a bit lighter on sys reqs.jja