- Sibwings Birddog:

It only seems to me like graphically it's not that good. But perhaps that's the fault of the screenshots and movies...

I think you are assuming the right thing, the screenshots or videos may give a bad impression. That thing looks very nice and sharp and it's a winner in my eyes. I'd say the instruments are even better than the later Carenado types with that glass reflection and the worn looks. Sounds on all switches and some moving cables in the VC give a nice atmosphere. I also like the variation among the models, so you have some with bombs (you can drop them) and another one with lots of antennae. The instruments itself are also different, so it's not the same VC over and over again.

But the C337 is a very good competition. Both planes will give you very unique character traits, good views and some performance for smaller fields. The Birddog can land shorter of course, the C337 cruises a lot faster and that gear folding up is worth looking.

Stick: I actually have to agree with you on the design of the plane. I can't really get used to the C337's looks. The latter's looks really do seem to be more up my street, although it is kind of slow (thanks for the info Ryan!). The whole design, look of the VC... let me put it this way. The fact that there's nothing "slick" about it, is kind of nice.

 

A final question now: I would like to have access to DME, VOR and ADF, so all of the "old" ways of navigation, all at once. The Bird Dog does support all of them, right? Maybe not in every VC configuration, but there is a VC config that sports all of these ways of navigating, right?

 

In the end, this is going to be a very tough call...

I'd just like to throw in a suggestion for Aerosoft's Bush Hawk XP. It's a high wing STOL bush plane without glass gauges. It has nice big windows for seeing out of as well. Definitely worth taking a look at: http://www.aerosoft.com/cgi-local/us/iboshop.cgi?showd,,D10847

No DME and things on the Birddog. That's a VFR plane. The C337 would give you the instruments needed for IFR. I think the Realair Scout could give you some IFR instruments too.

 

I'd just like to throw in a suggestion for Aerosoft's Bush Hawk XP.

Yes, she's still nice looking and that cockpit lighting of her gives an edge over the other planes, offering a simpler on/off light setup in the cockpit. One would get an IFR variant plus all sorts of gear types too. Bit of an older release, but still worth a look indeed.

I could be wrong, but I think the fanciest navigation that the Bird Dog has is a single VOR with no DME and no ADF receiver. One of the models at least only has a compass with no other navigational aids. Charts, the compass, the clock, and the calculator between your ears are your navigation instruments for the most part with the Bird Dog

Right you are. Single ADF and that VOR receiver is the full equipment on some variants. The rest goes compass plus stopwatch.

Stick: I actually have to agree with you on the design of the plane. I can't really get used to the C337's looks.

 

The looks grow on you. They always threw me a bit as well when I'd see one in person, and I never thought I'd enjoy flying one, but... I do. I bought it because it looked so well-done, but In fact it's surprised me and has become the plane I keep coming back to and has moved past Carenado's 210 as my most flown plane. It has all the fun of a typical light twin, but without the view-blocking engines out there on the wings. Decent performance, though it's not the turbo model, so it's not the best high mountain airplane. Easy to get in and out of reasonably short fields as well (again, assuming not high density altitude situations). And yes, dual nav heads and a separate, very readable DME display which I really appreciate for VOR to VOR flying and IAPs.

 

(It flies like a Carenado, for all the good and bad that involves!)

 

I think we'll have to agree to disagree here. I have 5 Carenado planes (V35, A36, 210, Malibu and 337) and they all fly differently, so I don't understand what "flies like a Carenado" means. I've read that some of the older Carenados had a bit of sameness to them, but the ones I own certainly don't. To me the plane flies like it should, right down to the extra drag induced during the very complex gear retraction process.

 

Oh, and yes the sound is fantastic, including correct modeling of prop vs throttle settings.

 

Don't have the Birddog so can't comment, other than to say that they're very different airplanes. Based on the criteria you orginally posted, the 337 seems the better fit, but perhaps you're leaning towards lower and slower.

 

Good luck, whatever you decide and I hope some of the comments have helped.

 

Scott

Another vote for the clunky old BirdDog! It's an ideal aircraft for sight-seeing, can fly low and slow if you like to check the electricity supply pylons..... just don't get into a turn at somewhere just above the stall.......... as it will kill you.

 

Seriously, at around 6.00, almost the end of the video. I had this same accident with the BirdDog, just tooling around Concrete, looking at the scenery. On YouTube -

I had this same accident with the BirdDog, just tooling around Concrete, looking at the scenery.

 

Oh, man... I hadn't seen this in years.

 

I first saw this video when I did instrument ground school decades ago; then again when in a mountain flying course. This is country I know and have flown many times IRL. It's as hard to watch now as it was then.

 

Scott

People, thanks for all the replies. This was a very helpful thread. I think I know enough.

 

It's obvious that the C337 and Bird Dog are both "up there", high on the list. To the other recommendations, thanks! They didn't make it to the top now, nut I will be sure to keep them in mind for next time. The Bush Hawk, for example, seems like a particularly interesting plane.

 

Of the two, the Bird Dog still seems the most appealing. Being small, clunky and looking somewhat dirty and not slick at all, I think that's exactly the kind of plane I have been looking for. Pity it has no DME, but at least it has VOR and/or ADF, so I'll manage. Also, the fact that the radios can be found to left right above the door... that's awesome. Thanks for the screenshots showing that, CoolP! The C337 sure seems like a good second, and I might even end up buying both of them - although I just say that Aerosoft has a nice oldtimer sale going on, so I might finally pick up their Beaver.

 

In summary, thanks again to all. It has been amazingly helpful. I'll let you all know what decision I make some time in the coming few hours.

Carenado C208 and updated fde from the library here, plus reality-xp 430 and wx500

Carenado C208 and updated fde from the library here, plus reality-xp 430 and wx500

 

Not to be rude, but... did you read the opening post? That's one of three GA planes I already have and is not the kind of thing I am looking for right now...

Clearly not!

 

I have decided to change my No. 1 recommendation to you Thralni:

 

I would go for Ant's Aircraft Eaglet.... just beautiful. B)

That looks very nice indeed! Conventional design, thin airframe making it easy to sightsee, and graphically good-looking. But, does it have VOR, (DME,) ADF? I see there's a GPS unit, and the non-glass VC variant seems to have an ADF gauge in there, but I can't spot a VOR gauge.

 

I think the Eaglet might be a tad too modern for what I'm looking for

Not to be rude, but... did you read the opening post? That's one of three GA planes I already have and is not the kind of thing I am looking for right now...

 

if you have the updated fde and cant get in and out of small airports then you aren't flying it correctly.