Hello.

 

I recently purchased Orbx scennery for the Pacific Northwest and Pacific Fjords. What would you recommend for a (preferably) single-engine seaplane for dropping in on fjords and lakes in these regions during sightseeing flights. I'd appreciate comments on flight modeling for any of your recommendations.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Gerry

Hi Gerry. Like you, very interested in this thread. I was going to buy the Lionheart Quest Kodiak ski-plane but did not see their 50% sale which ended last week, so will wait and see what else is suggested.

Lionheart Quest Kodiak

 

Carenado C185

 

Aerosoft Super Cub

 

Aerosoft Beaver

If you fancy something historic, and which could be flown with an open canopy, then Icarus Gold's Grumman J2F Duck would be suitable - probably most famous for being the aircraft which Peter O'Toole's 'Murphy' repairs and flies in revenge to try and sink the submarine which torpedoed his ship in the 1971 movie version of Max Catto's novel, Murphy's War, it being a Fairey Swordfish in the novel, rather than the Grumman Duck. This is certainly one of the better warplane amphibians you can find for FSX. Good excuse to link these clips too of course LOL:

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GFVossbjO6Y

#!

 

Not singles, and one is flying boat rather than a seaplane, but depending on how much room you have on those stretches of water, Aerosoft's Catalina and Twin Otter might be worth considering. The Twotter is very capable of getting into and out of tight spots, the Catalina less so, but it is one of the best-modeled amphibious craft you can get for FSX. Both of these offer twin engined safety when over tough terrain too, which is of course less important in a sim, but, if you like realism, that is an aspect which counts.

 

Another alternative, if you like realism with versatility, would be DodoSim's Bell 206 JetRanger, which has a float version, and of course that thing could land in a swimming pool and has the advantage of being able to explore anywhere you like.

 

Al

Ooops, how silly of me to forget the Aerosoft Beaver and the Twotter, which are both in my hangar. Need a refresh badly as I'm forgetting what I have in my hangar. Just flying the Eric Cantu/Thomas Roth DC-10. Not bad for a freeware.

Chock[/color]' timestamp='1335482874' post='2352367']

Another alternative, if you like realism with versatility, ...

 

 

I was thinking of an airplane that you could land, open the door, inflate a dingy, row to shore, set up a camp, and cook steaks while drinking a cold beer and listening to the sounds of the wild. Oh well ...

Get the Carenado C185 Bush Series.

 

Reason why is because it includes all the aircraft you will need for ORBX for only $19.95:

 

4 models: Amphibian, Float (with and without window door), Ski (with and without window door) and Tundra

 

 

What do you think of this one? Republic RC-3 Seabee http://forum.avsim.n...seabee-v11-r148

Get the free dornier aircraft on simulation. It's pretty good.

I have had the Lionheart Quest Kodiak for a few days now and I am loving it flying around Orbx Pacific Fjords and NZSI. This has been the most fun plane I have ever got – with the bonus of no impact on frames and it has a very effective retractable landing gear tucked in the floats.

 

That said, though I am loving it and will continue it for sightseeing, sometimes I am not sure about the Flight model – It can fly in excess of 200 knots (Wikipedia says max 183 knots) – faster than my turbine Duke! Also deploying the flaps decreases the speed at a massive rate compared to other FSX planes. (Note I am not a pilot though)

 

 

Despite this I would recommend it to everyone else looking for a fun, sight seeing seaplane.

What do you think of this one? Republic RC-3 Seabee

 

Hi Coop.

 

Looks very interesting. Do you have one? If so, or if anyone else has one, how do you like it?

 

Am also interested in the RealAir Scout, particularly because it has a configuration with over-sized tires for landing on more rugged terrain.

There are lots of seaplanes, many of which have been listed here. The Carenado C185 is indeed a very good airplane, with very good flight dynamics, particularly with respect to handling under different payloads. The Aerosoft Catalina is just a super airplane. Very find VC and very good flight dynamics. It's big, but it's slow. :-) Lots of people like the Scout. I don't fly mine much anymore, but I do like the float version best.

 

But, for booney bashing into the fjords, I think it would be hard to beat either the A2A Cub on floats, or the new KC Seabee. Both have excellent flight dynamics. The Cub is just very realistic in almost all flight regimes. The Seabee may have the most realistic spin of any FSX airplane. It's a wonderful old aircraft with a typical 40's cockpit and panel and is just a blast to fly off the water. When I think seaplane, I think Seabee! :-)

 

Realize that FSX sucks at modeling water landings, but you can still have fun.

Looks very interesting. Do you have one? If so, or if anyone else has one, how do you like it?

Not yet. But I think there was a thread when it was released, so some folks may already have left some statements, adding to that review from the link.

If you are looking into the sea operations plus a tundra tire variant, that A2A Piper still is a good idea. If she's too slow, maybe head for the Sibwings Birddog, which also comes with some floats.

 

Oops, I was posting too late, Griphos has got some thoughts on the Seabee. I double the ones on the Catalina, very good and still current model in that tech aspect. A lot of bass on the sounds, so prepare for some rumble.

Realize that FSX sucks at modeling water landings, but you can still have fun.

I have read somewhere that flying sea-planes using just a Force Feedback joystick is a no-no. Is this true, or do I have to invest in a yoke, which at the moment is not within my budget? Does this fine Seabee that you recommend fly with just a joystick?

I'm running force feedback with e.g. the Catalina. No problems to report. Hands only get wet when you stall her. :dance: