With 1000s of $ spent on addons since the FS2002 days I have learned one thing: Very few addons are worthy of my hard earned cash.

 

My idea of a quality aircraft addon is one that:

1) looks fine (photorealistic), cockpit being more important to me since I never use exterior views;

2) flies by the numbers;

3) feels/handles right (very subjective, but A2A f. ex. knows how to make things "feel" right);

4) sounds like the real thing (probably where most aircraft fall short);

5) has a large degree of real aircraft systems simulated (at least make buttons and switches clickable);

6) includes authentic checlists and a decent tutorial/manual explaining how to operate the aircraft in all phases of operation.

 

The above means that I fly just three of the almost 50 payware aircarft I own. These are the ones I love, and I'd really like it if you would share which aircraft all of you consider to be of the outmost quality and realism:

 

Small GA: A2A Piper Cub & Aerosoft DA-20 Katana

Twin GA: RealAir Duke/Turbine Duke

Airliner: PMDG Boeing 737 NGX

 

I'm very much loooking for a good classic prop/cargo plane, but haven't come over a decent one yet.

PMDG are releasing a classic prop soon (read: next year), and with PMDG being PMDG, you can safely shut your eyes and buy it, knowing the standards they've set.

I think it's the DC-6 they're doing, could be VERY wrong though xD

I dont fly big iron much but in my opinion I would agree that A2A and real air are your best bets . I could easily delete everything else and still be happy

Why dont you try one of A2A's old warbirds like the Mustang (with Accusim ofcourse), even if you're not too fond of those birds you're in for a more than pleasant experience! Especially in managing A/C systems, with fantastic simulation of wear and tear, and that powerful sound they produce, wow.

PMDG are releasing a classic prop soon (read: next year), and with PMDG being PMDG, you can safely shut your eyes and buy it, knowing the standards they've set.

I think it's the DC-6 they're doing, could be VERY wrong though xD

 

Ahh. I had almost forgotten about that DC-6...

For fsx, only PMDG for heavies, NGX and MD11.

Leonardo Maddog is excelent, but works better in fs9.

For GA aircrafts, anything from RealAir. Most realistic addons aircrafts for fsx ever!

I'll add FSLabs ConcordeX!

 

Best,

David

For GA aircrafts, anything from RealAir. Most realistic addons aircrafts for fsx ever!

 

Yep, the RealAir stuff is basically the best GA aircraft available, without any doubt. Their latest creation, the Lancair Legacy, is very nice but I think the Duke (both piston and turbine) package is incredible. Run EZdok with the Duke and you've got something very special indeed.

Classic prop/cargo plane? Look no farther than the A2A B377 Stratocruiser - add the COTS (Captain of the Ship) upgrade and it'll keep you going for years. For cargo hauling, it includes the Pregnant Guppy variant. Or for a different feel, try the A2A B-17 with Accu-Sim. Technically not a cargo plane but you can fly it as though it was (just load bombs, then try to land with them still on board). There are a couple of civilian repaints available, mainly for aerial survey aircraft, so again a little imagination is called for. But it's a sweet flyer. What's nice about these two is that they include a lot of crew automation, so the workload is realistic and they're atmospheric as all get-out. Give them a try.

 

Also worth a look - the Uiver DC-2, available as a download here, or on CD-ROM from Flight 1. A little older but very close to Accu-Sim quality.

 

There's a very nice DC-3 for X-Plane 10 from Leading Edge Simulations, but no equivalent for FSX so far.

Milvitz b55- I owned n7345r for 7 years and you are not gonna find anything closer any sim.

Yeah I agree with the A2A old prop planes above.

 

If you are wanting another airliner. The Leonardo Maddog might just be the best airliner for fsx. Sure graphically its not up there with the NGX. The vc is dated but still nice ( its still 3d its not like its flat, its also crisp, clear and ...well its good) It has lots of systems..even more then the NGX- yes that can happen :shok: . I have the NGX too and love it but the Maddog is right up there as well. Also the PMDG MD11 is great. NGX capability systems wise, some say even a little more in depth. And the FSLabs Concorde.

 

cheers

lee

I would add Simcheck A300, maybe not as good as PMDG products but still pretty close.

Yeah I agree with the A2A old prop planes above.

 

If you are wanting another airliner. The Leonardo Maddog might just be the best airliner for fsx. Sure graphically its not up there with the NGX. The vc is dated but still nice ( its still 3d its not like its flat, its also crisp, clear and ...well its good) It has lots of systems..even more then the NGX- yes that can happen :shok: . I have the NGX too and love it but the Maddog is right up there as well. Also the PMDG MD11 is great. NGX capability systems wise, some say even a little more in depth. And the FSLabs Concorde.

 

cheers

lee

 

I agree with you, i use maddog, ngx and MD11 most of time. I didn't try concorde yet

Never knew about the Simcheck A300. Will need to take a look at that one. Also I need to check out the MilViz twins. Keep 'em coming folks!

Many aircraft vendors make exquisite external model and eye candy.. very few make very good internal VC. Real Air and PMDG are the rare exceptions.

 

Have you tried CS 727? I like it very much.