How would you rate the default C172?

[ChaoticBeauty 6,692]

I'm getting a lot more serious about flight simulation lately, and since I've always been using vanilla FSX, I think I'd like an upgrade. The C172 is the main choice for me, but I know that most FSX's default aircraft aren't the best. Is the default C172 fine (especially in the flight dynamics), or would an add-on prove quite better?

[FSMuseum 39]

The default 172 is pretty good, but the flight dynamics aren't the best as evidenced by the incredidbly fast slowdown with full flaps, feels to fast for my real experience, and I personally never liked the way the gauges looked. If you want a true 172 for FSX, go with Carenado, it's really good

[flaminghotsauce 1]

Add-ons are better. I bought the Carenado 172 and it really flies nicely. I find the default 172 is too quirky/jerky in handling. Speeds seem about right in both, but in my RL flying, I never had a dash chock full of perfect like the stock 172 has, so the Carenado is way more realistic in that regard also. Nicer to look at too. If you do buy the Carenado, there's a black panel available if you can't stand the white version. The white is way too bright for nightflight IMO.

 

SOMEDAY (impatiently drumming fingers on desk) A2A and RealAir are both going to release their own Cessna 172 aircraft. I intend to buy both, as that is my real life flying experience. Both should be excellent, and then we'll see real debates on the forums about which is better! :lol:

[ChaoticBeauty 6,692]

Thank you for both replies! They were really helpful.

 

Now, I'll not be buying an add-on right now, only when my financial situation gets better (hopefully before the next few months). I've heard great things about the RealAir Lancair Legacy (and Carenado aircraft being somewhat "lifeless"), so I guess it would be worth to wait for the RealAir version?

[rototom 198]

I would wait. If you're only going to buy one, buy RealAir.

[lateagain 45]

Having flown a C172 which had almost identical (no autopilot) instrument panel to the default (A Reims built version) I'd recommend seeking out the various free downloads of tweaks and improvements for the default and possibly some better skins. Then have a look at FriendlyPanels who do some excellent great value enhancements that work with the default aircraft. The Carenado model is like another version I flew but personally I'm waiting for the A2A and RealAir versions. Just hope they don't put glass cockpits in them ...or only as an optional version.

 

Geoff

[Bunkers 52]

You cant go wrong with A2A and RealAir. Sortof amusing that they're both making the same aircraft at the same time. Though 172's might be quite different depending on model and variant.

 

As long as it's not a glass cockpit it's a certain buy, whichever is released first.

[LHookins 3,103]

The default C172 is actually pretty good.

 

When I fly an aircraft extensively, I end up modding the config and air files for it. The default C172 has required almost no changes. Oddly enough, the DC-3 required very little as well. The Grumman Goose... let's just say I rewrote a lot of it. The DG808S sailplane required quite a bit of change as well.

 

Just because you buy a payware aircraft from a big name company doesn't mean it won't need any tweaking. My first ever payware aircraft was the Carenado C337 Skymaster, and I was shocked at how much work it needed. While it flew better "out of the box" than the Goose, a lot of the performance was off and required considerable tweaking and flight testing to get it close to the published performance specs (they even included the actual Pilot's Operating Handbook, which was really nice). Some gauges needed to be re-calibrated, and many of the gauge needles aren't illuminated properly at night (and I can't fix that, had to add an additional cabin light to solve the problem). I completely rewrote the engine analyzer gauge to make it useful rather than a pretty animation with some odd characteristics.

 

The Dodosim 206 Jetranger helicopter didn't need much work, just an additional instrument light. The DiscusX sailplane didn't require anything at all. A couple of other payware aircraft either needed extensive work or were unfixable.

 

I'm holding out for the A2A C172 myself. Depending on reviews, I may get the RealAir instead.

 

Hook

[cianpars 1,166]

The Carendo 172 is great if you fly with the VC, but if you fly a 3d cockpit, the panel takes up 90% of the screen (unless anyone has a good solution)

 

IAN

[ChaoticBeauty 6,692]

The Carendo 172 is great if you fly with the VC, but if you fly a 3d cockpit, the panel takes up 90% of the screen (unless anyone has a good solution)

 

IAN

 

Aren't those two the same? You mean VC and 2D cockpit?

[cianpars 1,166]

Sorry - meant a 2d cockpit. Too many dimensions

[dolph98 24]

For me the default C172 was ok, but after installing RealAir's tweaks available at the link below, and adding the C172 2D cockpit found in the library here, it has become one of my favorites.

http://www.realairsimulations.com/list_box.php?page=downloads

[Hirschi 1]

I am missing the tooltip readout of the NAV1 OBS knob course. But it seems (i'm not sure) its not neccessary since the Localizer will be catched whatever course I dial in. Is my observation correct?

I just flow some nice Alpine routes. Passing Mont Blanc at 13.000' enroute from Le Versoud/Grenoble (LFLG) back to Allgau (EDJA (former Memmingen Airbase ETSM)) was stunning. Next route was EDJA to Bolzano (LIPB). Amazing dive into the beautiful scenery of that valley. Backroute from LIPB to EDJA 50 pounds below MTOW. Knewing it would be hard i used almost the whole valley to the south for climbing before turning back to my course northbound over the Alps. It was really thrilling to reach my personal "MSA" of 12000'MSL. Still had to sneak between the peaks. Above 8k it was a real p.i.t.a.. 200ft/min until the speed drops to 55kt, leveling off to gain 80kt and the next "stepclimb" of 600-1000 feet

It was great fun and the scenery was just great. I never thought to get so much fun with the stock C172.

 

Regards

Hirschi

[Mean Aerodynamic Chord 269]

The Carenado 172 is the Cessna 172 N, while the default is a Cessna 172 SP Skyhawk.

[ChaoticBeauty 6,692]

The Carenado 172 is the Cessna 172 N, while the default is a Cessna 172 SP Skyhawk.

 

I don't know much about those models, but I think that the SP is a newer version?