Most of my simtime has been spent in the Cessna 172. The reason for this is It was used in the lessons so there was a convienient source of how to learn to fly it.It's easy to fly.It's close to the real thing (but I'm not certain of this)You need to do much flying yourselves since the autopilot is not so advanced.But know I am looking for an alternative to the old Cessna becauseWith the Cessna I can fly only short distances.The Cessna is a slow planeI wan't new challengesSo I am thinking of faster more longranged plane but I still wan't it to be easy to fly and I wan't good sources of information on how to learn to fly it. Also I would like it to behave as close to the real thing as possibleWhat can be recommended? I have tried the Baron Beechcraft and found it fairly easy to fly. Is this better than other complex aircraft. I am not only thinking of the included planes in FS9. Both freeware and commercial products could be what I am looking for. If a product fullfills my wishlist I am prepared to pay for it

You may want to give my update to Chuck Dome's Mirage project a try...It cruises at 200kts, yet handles pretty well--I spent some time tweaking the FDE getting it as close to the specs I've seen on the Mirage as I can. It isn't perfect, but even I consider it one of my favorites to fly. If you want to install it, download and install the package in the order that these links are shown:http://library.avsim.net/sendfile.php?DLID=34171http://library.avsim.net/sendfile.php?DLID=34500http://library.avsim.net/sendfile.php?DLID=34543The second link includes a model update, and the last includes some repaints I made for 'er...-JohnEdit...and here's a small pic of 'erhttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/74673.jpg

>Also I would like it to>behave as close to the real thing as possibleI could certainly recommend this payware:http://www.flight1.com/products.asp?product=esdmerIt is certainly VERY realistic and has tutorials, etc. 5-star rated product that gives you a single engine, fast cruise and turbine engine operation. But its instruments are complex and it is definitely a significant step-up from your C172. There is close to 200 pages worth of documentation to read. But if you want a real thing - here it is (WinXP only).Michael J.

TRY THIS ONE:SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 for FS2004 by RealAir SimulationsSome consider it pricy but this plane seems too good to be true. Superb attention to detail. Will cruise at about 180 knots, good visibility very acrobatic (will do great spins) but also VERY stable and the only FS plane I can comfortably fly + do knobs and switches in VC mode.Alan

In what way is it not perfect? But it looks like a nice plane and for being single engine I must say it's fast.

I forgot to mention one important thing. The should not kill framerates because I don't have a top spec computer.My configurationAthlon XP 1800+512 M RAMWin XPGeforce4 MX 440 64M DDR graphics card (but will soon be updated)Will your suggested product run well in my system?

Yes, Meridian should run very well on your system.By the way, forgot to add - it is an easy aircraft to fly (in terms of flight dynamics). Typical speed - 250 kts, range about 1500 nm, ceiling 30000 ft.But there are other good choices too. Do you like to fly with a 'glass' cockpit or regular analog gauges ? Meridian has a glass cockpit, there are bunch of other very good aircraft with normal gauges. One of them would be Flight1's Conquest II.Michael J.http://www.reality-xp.com/community/nr/rsc/rxp-higher.jpg

I second the Realair SF260, but before you go there have you tried RealAirs free upgrade to the default 172? It changes the flight Dynamics significantly, making it much more realistic.Once you have the Cessna sorted, another option is the freeware lancair Legacy here in the library. It looks great, it's very fast and challenging to fly, especially at circuit speeds. It's the sort of model that you'll grow to love - provided you spend a lot of time learning to fly it well.All the best,LonelyplanetXO

It sounds as if you are ready for a light twin. Two good payware aircraft are the FSD Seneca V and the Dreamfleet Cessna 310. A good payware twin is Milton Schupe's Aero Commander, especially the AC500. All have considerably more speed and range than the 172 and all are a step up in complexity, but reasonably easy to fly.The new FSD Navajo is a slightly larger light twin, but has very stable flight characteristics and is also worth considering.Dale

"The should not kill framerates because I don't have a top spec computer"The SF.260 would be a good choice then.http://www.realairsimulations.comYou also might be interested in RealAir's recently introduced Scout.Carenado produces some nice payware aircraft. Check them out here: http://www.carenado.com/ecommerce/index.php3The Lancair Legacy 2000 is another good airplane. Freeware (in the Avsim library) and very fast. Doesn't have much of a (virtual) payload but is almost too much fun to fly. The Lancair can be a fun challenge... one that makes you think ahead of the airplane.Yet another wonderful freeware choice is the Aero Commanders by Milton Shupe, Scott Thomas, and Andre Folkers. These are top quality aircraft. Check the Avsim library.Finally, I would recommend you take a look at the Maule package available here: http://www.fsnordic.net. A payware quality airplane that is free. A huge download (60+ mb) and may tax your system, but well worth your effort to try it out.Pick a plane you'd like to try, and then do a search for it in the Avsim library. Chances are you'll find enough choices to keep you busy (and happy) for quite awhile.Have fun,Greg

A great addon I just found is the PMDG Beechcraft 1900D. It's only $14.95, flies great and will get you introduced to the next step up from a single. It's alot of fun to fly, has a simple auto pilot but I fly it almost exclusively by hand as it is just a pleasure. check it out.

-I also have to recommend the SF-260. It's fast and fun and easy on the framerate. Also check out the RealAir upgrade of the default C172 - I still take the C172 for a spin every now and then.-The RealAir Scout is also fun because it doesn't need much of a runway to take off and land. It's a bit heavier on the framerates though (not enough to create a problem on my system but it might with less powerful ones).-Default Mooney. Great for long xcountry flights. Looks much better in FS2004 with the new VC. Go to http://home.hiwaay.net/~goodrick/Downloads.html and grab the improved flight dynamics for the aircraft.-There are some great freeware Aero Commander twins by Milton Shupe, Scott Thomas and Andr

Try the Airhead Decathlon - available at http://www.flightfactory-simulations.com/decathalon.phpTo me , it flies like an aerobatic version of a 172. Great fun!!!Barry

John, hope y'all don't mind but I grabbed your enhanced Mirage as well. Had the original but somehow missed all the work you did on it. I must say she is sweet. I'm bopping about the Midwest in her right now. Only issue is the ever present auto trim issue, which of course I had forgot all about. But turning it off makes it go away.-------------------Racartronit means something, but I just can't remember what

I'm not sure what you mean by ''glass' cockpit or regular analog gauges '?