Opinions on PMDG's J41?

[ryanbatc 12,832]

I know there's been discussion in the past but not recently... Anyway I'm soliciting opinions on PMDG's J41 for FSX. Do you fly it a lot? What's the smallest strips it can get into? FPS in VC with max quality? Systems/failures? Is the autopilot simple to use?I mainly enjoy GA but this one I nearly forgot about until I friend got it and showed me.

[Bert Pieke 7,584]

I found it so complicated, that I lost interest and stopped flying it.Engine management is done very realistically - as in, very demanding on the user.Just getting the propeller locks off is a real headache..My understanding is that in the real airplane, you have the co-pilot look out the windowto verify that the lock is off, but in the sim, you do not have that option..I like going back to the Bonanza, where I know every knob and buttonand do not have to read the manual before going on a flight..but for some, this is probably the ultimate in real ATP simulation.

[jfri 42]

Just getting the propeller locks off is a real headache..

So how are you supposed to do that and why should it be problem?

[Bert Pieke 7,584]

- read the manual for instructions- you cannot take off with the prop locks on.. :(

[ryanbatc 12,832]

Ok thank you. Can you disable the engine stuff?Also I'd love to know the performance difference between F1 Mustang and this plane. Performance as in frames and smoothness of the displays.

[Peter Z KCLE_EDDN 336]

Ryan,I'm a recent convert to FSX and the J41 is one of my favorite. Since the airplane is very close to the real thing it requires to do quite some reading. Having said that, now that it's been on the market for quite a while, just youtube it, there are plenty of tutorials available and you'll be up and running quickly.The things I like the most about the J41 are the FDE and how icing is simulated. This bird is such a joy to fly in IFR down to minimums, I'm absolutely in love with it.I'm sure if you search the PMDG J41 forum you'll find the information to make the right decision.Cheers,Pete

[Simba 34]

Certainly my favorite, next to the NGX. Go get it, you wont be disappointed but read the manuals for sure..

[NoahBryant 26]

I do sooo many flights in it it's crazy. I love it. The engine stuff is hard just becaus eit's different than plain old fs stuff. No, you don't just jam the throttles full forward to take off (just like real turbo props)Starting- Start locks on before you start the flight (throttles full reverse, flip the switch below the throttles to the left and right)- start the engine making sure the throttle is at neutral and the engine temp isn't too high- after starting the engines, pull back the throttles throttle until you hear the voice say, "start locks removed"- taxi- props full forward prior to takeoff- slowly increase thrust watching the temps dont go into the red until you hear the voice say, "takeoff power set"- after takeoff reduce the props to about 98% and throttle to keep the temps below red lineThat's it.Everyone blows their engines up the first few times but it's no big deal at all. It's really amazing to fly. It's the only passenger plane that I use with TrackIR. I have landed it at fields that are very short while doing FS Economy flights. Shorter than is allowed in the actual plane. Landing isn't the problem, it's taking back off again, but I have done it lately at KGWS (3300 ft).I do have the graphical anomalies talked about it other threads when icing effects is turned on. I did find a workaround that worked some of the time but it was such a hassle that I just turned off the icing since it's just a visual thing anyway.Edit: by the way my favorite flight in FS ever was with this plane. It was KJAC-KWRL flown completely by hand skimming tree tops and ridges through the Washakie wilderness area. AWESOME!

[audiohavoc 24]

Alright, this thread has made me want to dust it off and pull it out of the hangar. I get caught up in flying the heavies and the little GA planes that I forget about this thing. It is really good though, with an amazing VC and night lighting. It can be a bit hard on frames, definitely more so than the NGX.

Edited January 23, 2012 by audiohavoc

[altstiff 71]

Buy it. You will not be sorry at all. For what it represents, it is as good as their NGX!!

[Valcor 9]

The JS4100 is one of my favorite aircraft to fly, specially with the FS2Crew pairing. I use it (along with the great Uiver DC-2) to fly throughout Alaska. With no good Saab 340 or Dash for FSX, the J41 fills the bill perfectly. I just did a flight today in it from Cold Bay departing in driving wind and rain (with the rain flowing beautifully down the windshield), down to Dutch Harbour and enjoyed it more than some of my recent NGX flights. You could argue it's more visually impressive from the cockpit than the NGX. You get equally impressive avionics graphics bit also rain effects, frost on windshield and ice effects on airframe. PMDG just needs to give it modern landing lights and it would be perfect.

[Bob Scott 7,719]

It's very well done...but unfortunately it is still a Jetstream. The real ones are real aero-mutts--ugly, noisy, cramped, and slow. Only 100 ever went into service. A lot of work went into making a really stunning FSX reproduction of the aeronautical equivalent of the Ford Escort.The Honeywell GNSXLS FMS is not intuitive at all--very little transfer from using other mainstream FMS boxes...it takes some time getting used to it. The geared Allied engines are different to operate than the more common free-turbine turboprop like the venerable P&W PT-6. The model captures this...it doesn't slow down or descend well, and you can easily overtorque/overtemp the engine by operating it clumsily.If you want something different but well-done, go for it. If you want something you can step into with a minimum of prep and a lot of positive transfer from other planes...not the best choice.

Edited January 23, 2012 by w6kd

[altstiff 71]

And to add, you can get it fairly cheap here>>>>http://www.jr.com/aerosoft-n-a--ltd/pe/AEF_10939/

[ryanbatc 12,832]

. It can be a bit hard on frames, definitely more so than the NGX.

And compared to the Flight1 Mustang?Thanks for the input Bob, Shane, and Dave!Oh, and Al for that link! I wasn't aware it was in box form! I'm certainly more interested now!! Edited January 23, 2012 by ryanbatcund

[ryanbatc 12,832]

Woo for 35 bucks I made an impulse buy!!!