Hi fellow pilots! I am currently training to get my real world PPL. The plane I train in is a Cessna 172 Skyhawk with 180 HP engine.I want to find the most realistic Cessna 172 for FS9. I don't care if it is payware or freeware.What I'm looking for is:1) Extremely accurate flight model2) Extremely accurate 2D and/or 3D cockpit (everything should be in it's place and modeled, including carb heat)Can anyone point me in the right direction?Much oblidged...

I don't have an total answer for you-but I would recommend for the panel getting fs panel studio-then making your own from some photos.I have done that for every plane I have flown -and a fairly good rendition can be made rather quickly by simply putting the photo of the real panel in fs panel studio-then dragging the gauges where they belong on top of the photo. Even with the dearth of many real world instruments you can usually get a pretty good rendition of your aircraft in about an hours time.http://mywebpages.comcast.net/geofa/pages/rxp-pilot.jpg

While the panel is very nearly default, the flight model of the 172 at http://www.realairsimulations.com/ is supposed to be quite realistic.Rick

2nd the RealAir 172. It's very well done.

Hang loose Ken, I am working on one and it is not far away.Regards,Jim Rhoads

Jim,Working on a 172 panel or the whole package? :)

I do have that one. One thing I notice is that when I idle the engine, it shuts off. I can't figure that one out.The interior is standard MSFS C172, so maybe I'll get the fs panel studio and make my own. I have shots of the interior of the plane I'm training in....

Ken,>I do have that one. One thing I notice is that when I idle the engine, it shuts off. I can't figure that one out.Your using the FS2002 version. :)

Ken,I've had my PPL for about 10 years... you're going to have a blast!As for the aircraft, I can't recommend the RealAir 172 highly enough. The flight model is a work of art, and it's free! Even though I have many very high quality payware aircraft, I still fly RealAir's 172 often. But like the Splash One said... get the FS2004 version. It's on RealAir's site in the Downloads section.As noted, the panel is stock MSFS, but being that the 172 is a simple airplane, that's not a bother. If you want a panel that has the same equipment as your trainer, you'd have to create your own since every real world panel is different in some way or other. In fact, if you're renting, you'll probably be using more than one airplane anyway, and the panels will more than likely be different as well. The point is... there are only a few instruments you'll be paying attention to in your training: the 6 instrument cluster plus the tachometer, temperature gauges, radios, and a couple of VOR's. That's pretty much it. On top of which, the instructor will be encouraging you to keep your eyes outside the cockpit... so the flight model is what counts, and Rob Young has a gift.The one big difference you'll discover is the amount of muscle required to overcome trim. But that's the fault of the sim controls, not the flight model. And no one to my knowledge makes a sim control that feel realistic in that respect. Again, not a real bother since it's the pitch, power, and airspeed settings that you'll be working on. MSFS does fine for that. In fact, when I did my PPL training in the early 90's, I practiced on an early version of MSFS for Macintosh. The airspeeds and power settings were completely wrong, but it really did help anyway!Best of luck, and have a great time!Ken

HI Ken,This is quite a common problem with some aircraft in FS9. Please try giving your throttle a very slight null zone in Fs9/control/sensitivitis. It would be a pity of you did not fly just because your idle rpm was a little under what it should be.Kind Regards,Rob Young - RealAir Simulations

>Jim,>>Working on a 172 panel or the whole package? :) The whole package.Jim Rhoads

Gday Ken.I am also doing my realworld PPL in a C172( VH-TKI 1978 model, VH-ADR 1977 model and VH-APJ 1974 model). Where do you train and how far into your PPL are you? I got 28hrs and Ive been at if for about 8 months now. I train in Victoria Australian @ http://www.barwonair.com.au/ . I am ready to sit my GFPT flight test but the past 2 week-ends have been raining! Here is a rundown of what the Australian GFPT isGeneral flying progress test (GFPT) During this test, you will demonstrate to an approved testing officer that you can competently manage the aircraft in all basic phases of flight. If you pass the test, you will be able to carry passengers in private operations (ie Not for hire or reward) within the confines of the student pilot area limit. Your solo or pilot-in-command flights must still be approved by your instructor.

A late 70's model panel would be sweet :)

>>The one big difference you'll discover is the amount of muscle>required to overcome trim. But that's the fault of the sim>controls, not the flight model. And no one to my knowledge>makes a sim control that feel realistic in that respect.I have a hat switch button on my Saitek X-45 joystick that's great for simulating electric trim.........................even if the Cessna 172 does or doesn't have elec.?????But with my thumb next to the trim button, it's very easy to keep reasonably trimmed all the time. There is even a bit of "feel" to it; which is actually a combination of the reaction I see on the screen and the spring loaded grip.L.Adamson

>Hang loose Ken, I am working on one and it is not far away.>>Regards,>Jim RhoadsJim,Can you tell us more about your new Cessna 172?!?!Thanks,Robert Tiffany