Hiya guys need your expertise here.. I'm in the market for my first commuter aircraft and I want to stick to a prop driven aircraft. (jets just don't do it for me). I was eyeing up the PMDG 4100 but I know for a fact I am not ready for that type of learning curve. I know my place and buying that would a complete information overload. ie: I want to learn the complexities of these aircraft at a progressive pace. So, I need some recommendations for a intermediate prop commuter. I don't want an aircraft that is a completely dumbed down `turn the key and go' but not a complete full on simulation (PMDG style) either. Somewhere in between. I certainly don't mind, and I want to learn more complex systems simulations but also don't want to be completely overwhelmed either by stuff I'm just not ready for.. Money isn't a concern and don't want anything that looks dated VC and exterior texture wise either.

The Dash-8 aircraft from Majestic is supposedly quite good. It got great reviews, and I plan to buy it. It's $40 for Standard Edition, $90 for Pro Edition, and $120 for Pilot's Edition. I'll probably be getting Pro, for the extra features. From what I've heard, it's a full on simulation, but according to my friend at Horizon Air, the Dash-8 is a very easy plane to fly. So, although you asked for a basic plane, I think this would work too.

Hi Bill,

 

The PMDG j41 is a good one but it has a bit of a learning curve.

 

Flight1 BN-2 Islander, not much of a learning curve but a bit slow, good for sightseeing.

 

Carenado Caravan is an excellent choice,great all around commuter.

 

They have a J31 for sale at PC Aviator for 11 dollars. Exterior isn't to bad but the VC is a little rough, in fact i just bought it.

 

Carenado King Air C90

 

Carenado Malibu PA46T MALIBU JETPROP HD SERIES FSX/P3D, could be used as a commuter i guess.

 

I have them all, but my favorites are the Carenado aircraft especially the King Air and Malibu.

 

Adam

I guess I should have stated something larger than the C90 or PA46T. B) I have both, enjoy both immensely but want something more commonly used by the airlines. The Dash 8 mentioned is the general size I'm looking for.

I agree, the Majestic bird is very good.

 

Another consideration might be the Flight 1 ATR.

Aerosoft Twin Otter

Might want to give the Virtualcol J31 Jetstream a look if you think the J41 is going to be a bit too in depth, since it is basically of the same family but less of a complex flight deck. Visually it is a little rough in the VC, but to be honest you can live with that because the systems simulation is very good, and it would be a gentle introduction to a turboprop airliner, but a small one which is not too hard to learn.

 

Moreover, it is currently on offer at Flight Sim Deal of the Day, so you've very little to lose in trying it when it costs a mere 11.97 Dollars (I paid 25 quid for it, which was a bit over the odds I think, but I do actually like it a lot). Externally it is a very nice model, as I say, a bit rough in the VC but actually not desperately bad and you'll forgive that when you see how well the systems are done on it.

 

http://www.flightsimdealoftheday.com/

 

Al

Yeah majestic is good. For you I would get the Pilot edition because the Pro and Airline versions are like PMDG. Actually some airlines use the "Airline" edition for training.

.

 

The Q300 is very good sure the graphics aren't up to date but the systems are some of the best- especially the Pro and Airline versions.

However I'm not sure if the VC will be up to your standards. Take a look at some pics and videos etc

 

Their Q400 should be excellent

 

 

Cheers

 

Lee

 

 

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P.s forgot about the ATR that's a good choice too

 

 

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Welp, Majestic doesn't want my money so I'm going to have to go another route..

 

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Called my bank and the transaction didn't even make it to them. Not pending, not on their fraud alert, it literally never even made it to their system to even be processed and I tried twice which is one time to many times for me. So yeah.. I'm not big on playing tech support with transaction issues and taking it as a sign that I shouldn't buy it. Flight1 isn't an option for me either for personal reasons. I'll sit on this and see what else arises as I'm in no hurry.

Personally I think you should bite the bullet and go straight to the PMDG JS41 if you were going to buy the Majestic anyway. It's complicated but not THAT complicated, and they have a great tutorial flight as well as a forum full of very helpful people to get you going.

 

Also, remember that just because an aircraft is simulated very realistically doesn't necessarily mean you have to fly it realistically. ;)

Personally I think you should bite the bullet and go straight to the PMDG JS41 if you were going to buy the Majestic anyway. It's complicated but not THAT complicated, and they have a great tutorial flight as well as a forum full of very helpful people to get you going.

 

Also, remember that just because an aircraft is simulated very realistically doesn't necessarily mean you have to fly it realistically. ;)

 

Yeah, I was thinking the same. Hence the reason I'm taking the failed purchase as a sign that I shouldn't be buying it. I'll just sit on it for a bit. I kind of rushed to the first thing that looked up my alley. The JS41 really does look good though.. :LMAO:

I'd also recommend biting the bullet on the J41. Watch the rough and ready start up guide on youtube a couple of times, be prepared to set the engines on fire a couple of times and after that you'll be away. It's not that hard to fly, and it's still something you have to fly (or at least direct) as the AP won't do everything for you.

 

Mike

I'd also recommend biting the bullet on the J41. Watch the rough and ready start up guide on youtube a couple of times, be prepared to set the engines on fire a couple of times and after that you'll be away. It's not that hard to fly, and it's still something you have to fly (or at least direct) as the AP won't do everything for you.

 

Mike

 

Hand flying isn't a concern as of now all I do is handfly dozen of GA aircraft. It's the depths of the systems that worry me as I don't want to read a 100 page manual to find out why a random overhead button is blinking. :)

All good - you won't get that providing you get the fans going ok. The ever frustrating ice warning is usually the only one I get.

Welp, after exploring my options and a push to just go PMDG and my lack of patience. (I really am awful with just waiting) I went JS 4100 and couldn't be happier. It isn't nearly as steep as a learning curve I thought it would be.. Little learning curve on engine startup and operation but after after a few trial and errors (fires) I have startup, take off and landing down pat.. Fun stuff! I guess all the money I spent on GA and learning those paid off well and I just doubted myself in all the information and operations I picked up along the way. So now just have to sit and read up and watch some videos on the navigation end. That's completely different from what I'm used to but did figure out how to do a quick direct flight without much effort so I should pick up on that stuff fine.