I think PMDG and Carenado are currently some of the best third party developers.Is there anyone else who comes close?

Carenado makes great exterior/interior models but not all of their models have decent fde's.PMDG is good obviously.But RealAir, Flight1, and Eaglesoft are also high quality:http://realairsimulations.com/duke09/intro.php?page=duke09_introhttp://www.flight1.com/products.asp?product=f1mustanghttp://www.eaglesoftdg.com/CitationX_20.htm

Thanks Ryan,I didn't know that about about Carenado. I will check out RealAir and Eaglesoft.Thanks again.

I'm not saying their models are bad - in fact their last two releases appear to be accurate (C208 and C340). But some of their older models, even when patched are still off.If you're into GA at all, look at RealAir's Duke (they are making a turbine upgrade: http://realairsimulations.com/list_box.php?page=coming ), Eaglesoft's Citation X/Cirrus SR22, and Flight1's Mustang.Other great planes Orbx's Lancair:http://fullterrain.com/product_lancair.htmlSibwing's Bird Dog:http://forum.sibwings.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=906A2A's Piper Cub with accusim:http://www.a2asimulations.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=36&zenid=6139dd7b0b074a8da9ac0cb13157716aOh, don't foget Lotus' L39 - a few versions fly like a civilan jet - and works well with Reality XP GNS430W series:http://www.lotussim.com/RXP GPS:http://www.reality-xp.com/flightsim/gns430/index.htmlAlso, in the freeware realm: Tim "Piglet" Conrad has some excellent offerings with VC over at sim-outhouse.com I think the files should also be listed at www.flightsim.com

I think PMDG and Carenado are currently some of the best third party developers.Is there anyone else who comes close?

Leaving out Tube-liners, my current favorites are (in alphabetical order):- Carenado Bonanza w RXP gauges & GNS- Flight1 Mustang- RealAir Duke w RXP GNSAll top notch, and aircraft I fly on a regular basis.

I ran out of link space... if you're into heavy iron check out these:Quality Wings 757:http://qwsim.com/index.php/757-familyCaptainsim stuff:http://captainsim.com/LevelD 767 (best to date)http://www.leveldsim.com/sevensix_home.aspAnd some of the larger airports done by FSDreamTeam:http://www.fsdreamteam.com/products.htmlAND FlyTampa:http://www.flytampa.org/index.html

Very cool Ryan,The Citation is one gorgeous plane. What do you think of RealAir's Scout 2007 for FSX? I am into bush flying. Does it maintain the standard of the Duke?

I own all their stuff.It's an older model - maybe not quite as "visual" as the Duke but it flies perfect with high FPS. Another good choice would be the Sibwing's Bird Dog because they released an amphib model. Heck I'd get them both lol! Even A2A's cub has a float model... and so does Carenado... oh the choices :)

For me - by far the best of my collection are:Real Air DukeLotus L-39Eaglesoft Citation X v2The Mustang looks amazing, but still sucks the life out of my machine.......G

What do you think of RealAir's Scout 2007 for FSX? I am into bush flying. Does it maintain the standard of the Duke?

I would say: Yes. Like all RealAir planes it is pretty near perfect.. and very frame-rate friendly...and, talking about bush flying - if you want more speed / power, the Lionheart Kodiakoffers all of that and is a "best buy" in my books. Also get the (free) Banana Bob repaint..

Thanks, I will check out the Lionheart Kodiak.I also saw the A2A's 377 airliner. I just love old airliners, and was blown away when I saw it.The SAAB 91 Safir model is also great. So many choices, not enough money ;-)

A2A Simulations for systems depth and flight model. I own both the Spitfire and the Cub and they are all I fly now.Oh, besides the Digital Aviation Fokker 100. (still awaiting the VC upgrade though....)

My opinion of the best add-on aircraft and producers for FSX in no particular order:PMDG - 747, MD-11, JS41, and hopefully soon the 737NGXZLevel-D - 767A2A - any of there Accusim productsLeonardo FlytheMaddog 2010 - MD88Vertical Reality Simulations - F/A-18Lotus Sim - L39Flightsim Labs - Concorde XRealAir

Leonardo MD82 for system depth and flight dynamics.

I agree on the above. Another plane I fly a lot, especially if I want to get somewhere in a hurry, is the Lancair IV-P from Orbx. It's got it all - great looks, a fantastic VC, and a challenging but fun FDE.