thanks all for the replies, a lot to chew on there..

The single most obvious choice is the Flight 1 Cessna Mustang. This is because it is an accurate simulation of the real thing, and the real thing was specifically designed as an easy to fly jet that would make transitioning from simpler GA aircraft a straightforward process and one which a single pilot can handle. This simple to operate aspect of it was the design goal of Cessna when they created the Mustang, which is why you see that the Cessna Mustang has a control layout similar to most GA prop aircraft in spite of being a jet, i.e. there is no complex overhead panel etc, etc. Despite this, the Cessna Mustang is a fairly capable aircraft with a high service ceiling, and the only issue with it in real life is that it is a bit slower than most jets so it can have big jets run up its &@($* on airways and clog the lanes somewhat, which is why some countries don't like it flying up on high airways in their airspace because it cannot cruise at the typical mach speeds encountered up there with the gods. In most of Europe (where it is often used as an air taxi) the aircraft has to be operated by two pilots despite the fact that it can be legally operated by a single pilot in many other places around the world, including the USA. A big plus point of it is that it has a relatively slow approach and landing speed for a jet owing to its minimal wing sweep (which is in fact why it ultimately has a lower top speed) and that makes it a great transitional jet aircraft for those used to operating prop aircraft, since it can make it into many GA airfields where other jets would not find that possible, which again is why it is a popular choice as a business charter air taxi. The Flight 1 version of it is a bit tough on frames, but if you have a reasonably decent computer you will be okay. Like some other high end Flight 1 aircraft, it has the official stamp of approval from the real Cessna company, so if you want a realistic easy to fly jet, there really is no other more sensible choice. Al

Best description yet - thanks, Chock! DJ

Ifly 737 wins a Avsim readers award, and nobody mentions it.

Probably because it is an airliner with an FMC, so it's not really what I would call 'simple to fly'. Granted it is not as complex as the PMDG NG (which the OP mentions), but it is not far behind it, either in systems or in terms of the knowledge required to operate it realistically, since it is essentially the same aircraft as the PMDG one and reasonably similar in terms of what is simulated from a 'flying it' point of view, so as brilliant as the iFly NG is, it doesn't really fit the OP's criteria. Not to mention it being a multi-crew cockpit. Al

I'd also recommend the PMDG NGX, despite your worries. Fly the included tutorial once or twice, watch an engine startup video on Youtube and you are good to go. It took me one afternoon/evening to learn this bird. It's much simpler and more straight-forward to use than you might think. Boeing most certainly didn't try to make it hard for real pilots of the 737. Quite the opposite.

I remember my story with the jets some time ago...I started from FSX's default CRJ700 (with flight dynamic update and better sound pack), then Cessna Mustang from Flight1, then QW757 and I think next step would be PMDG 747 or 737-800.If I'd had the chance to take the path again, I'd start from Cessna Mustang - wonderful bird to fly, easy handling, nice VC, but tough on frames on mid/low PCs.In the meantime, You can read about PMDG NGX, there's plenty of it from the developer.

I'd also recommend the PMDG NGX, despite your worries. Fly the included tutorial once or twice, watch an engine startup video on Youtube and you are good to go. It took me one afternoon/evening to learn this bird. It's much simpler and more straight-forward to use than you might think. Boeing most certainly didn't try to make it hard for real pilots of the 737. Quite the opposite.

Yeah, I just jumped in a flew it without reading anything at all (well, the iFly actually, not the NGX. However, the skills needed flying the iFly and the NGX are exactly the same obviously). Granted, I already knew how to fly a Boeing ... just not the 737. Its a really simple plane to fly

Granted, I already knew how to fly a Boeing

I didn't. The only 737 I flew before the NGX was the default one, which is completely different and my only PMDG aircraft before the NGX was the J-41, which is also quite different.

I am currently flying the Cessna Citation 500, it is a very nice aircraft to fly, pretty much the easiest jet to fly. when landing it almost handles as nice as a light twin prop. (maybe a lil faster) On this page,http://www.simviation.com/fsxjets35.htmScroll down to:Cessna Citation 500 Package The file is about 36mb, and its a wonderful plane. easy to fly, and it is a very complete virtual cockpit.

Mix a little nostalgia in!Google " Maltby planes " and you will find some classic airliners of yesteryear - Comets; Tridents; BAC 1-11 etcThese were originally made for FS9 but the Comet and Trident work perfectly in FSX.They have authentic fully working VCs. The best I have seen on any plane.AND IT IS ALL FREE. These are now the only airliners I now fly, for the same reasons you give. They can be authentically flown from within the VC without having to use ANY pop ups or metal boxes on your table.Joystick and mouse ( to click all the switches of the cockpit which all work! IMHO the best airliners for FSX, bar none. Did I say they were free? P.S The Comet has a co pilot voice who tells you" V1" and "rotate" at the correct speed according to your fuel loading Try them! cheersBecause the AP is semi auto- ( fully authentic ) you have to work that bit harder than the modern tubes -lol.

Well, I liked the One-Eleven in FS9, but unfortunately it doesn´t work in FSX (hopefully will be ported to FSX someday). Comet is quite a big bird for the short hops I do (60 minutes or so). But thanks for the tip, I might try that Trident. Unfortunately they are not so easy to install as I would want... What kind of fps do they give? (Some port overs kill all the possible performance...)

Well, I liked the One-Eleven in FS9, but unfortunately it doesn´t work in FSX (hopefully will be ported to FSX someday). Comet is quite a big bird for the short hops I do (60 minutes or so). But thanks for the tip, I might try that Trident. Unfortunately they are not so easy to install as I would want... What kind of fps do they give? (Some port overs kill all the possible performance...)

Full easy install instructions are on the website. There is no issue with FPS. I find same as other planes. I too fly a max of 60 mins or so. What I di is fly IFR and once I am cruising I use the map to fast forward to near the destination- re -enter the VC and return to IFR and then land. Bit of a cheat but the only way I have time to cross the Atlantic !

That would be easy to fly, easy to learn and not take all day to startup AND YET at the same time be realistic?

I am surprised no one mentioned Lotus Simulation's L-39. A great little Eastern Block trainer that has been converted to civilian use, heck, I saw one at an airport in rural Georgia (USA).Pretty much full real procedures and failures, yet the only really "hard" part about flying it is the landing stage (fast speeds and slow spool up times on the engine). http://www.lotussim....ures-intro.html

I am surprised no one mentioned Lotus Simulation's L-39. A great little Eastern Block trainer that has been converted to civilian use, heck, I saw one at an airport in rural Georgia (USA).Pretty much full real procedures and failures, yet the only really "hard" part about flying it is the landing stage (fast speeds and slow spool up times on the engine). http://www.lotussim....ures-intro.html

Good spot TracyQ! I'd totally forgotten about the L-39 and it's brilliant as you suggest. One of my collegues at work used to fly the L-39 in the Indian Air Force and he loves the FSX version.Easy to fly? Not sure about that. But if you fly it correctly it can be very rewarding.

Its fairly easy to fly in my opinion, and its not really that fast either. Try the Milviz T-38a back to back with the L-39. The T-38 is faaast in comparison and its really temperamental to fly as well. The L-39 flies more like a UFO. I still love it tho :)