Can you recommend a good plane or helicopter thats very easy to control suitable for low altitude VFR scenic flying? I don't want anything complex, since I will be using a controller to fly. Looking to just sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery and not have to worry about anything else really. So base on that, what would you say is good?

No helicopter is easy to fly, but the default Bell 206 Jetranger is pretty good.

 

The default Cessna 172 is a great plane for just sightseeing. If you want something faster, the default Mooney Bravo. Both have good views out the window. I flew the Mooney a lot in my early days with FSX.

 

If you get serious about flying, and want something with simple systems but much more realistic, the A2A Piper Cub is a good choice. It's not going to be as simple as the two above (even though it has only a few instruments), and you really should get a joystick and pedals for it. But it's there when you're ready for something a little more sophisticated, but still in the realm of simple flying for fun. I've flown the default Cub a bit as well, but it's not the same.

 

Hook

I second Hook's advice.

If you have the Aerosoft Huey, that one flies pretty nice, too, but at the beginning I'd say that the default JetRanger is an excellent choice to learn the basics.

Sometimes I also use the Trike for sightseeing, because it offers a nearly unrestricted 360° view, and it's capable to land in quite small places.

 

Flo

I love my Carenado C-185 Tundra for that exact purpose.

 

 

jime

I like the Flight Replicas Super Cub Ultra http://www.flight-replicas.com/SuperCubUltrapkg.htm

 

What about the glider? Is the Trike a default plane in FSX? That seems like a fun plane for sightseeing!

This might be just what you need:

http://www.antsairplanes.com/drifter.html

 

It's really excellent flight model, not too easy not too hard - and simply the BEST visibility. I use it to fly around ORBXs nicer areas.

 

His Tecnam Sierra and Eaglet are also very good light sports

Yes, for simple flying and great low and slow sightseeing, you really can't beat the default trike. If you want a better VC and a little more eye-candy along with great FDE, then get Ant's Drifter, one of my favorite addons. Superb visibility, and a complete sim experience of an ultralight. It's the best ultralight you can get (and I have them all).

 

Of course, everyone should have the Accu-sim A2A Cub in their hangar. And flying it with the window open and the door down is pretty close to an ultralight experience, and probably the best and most realistic stick and rudder flying you can get in the sim.

I don't have it but I hear the C185 from Carenado is superb - I think there's a new FDE floating around somewhere too...

The Trike is a default plane in FSX.

 

The FSX default DG808S sailplane is fun to fly, but without an engine you have to keep searching for thermals and there is less time for sightseeing. With FSX's default world class thermals, marked by huge green spirals, finding thermals is not a problem and you can reach amazing heights. It has a couple of problems with the flight model, but that's not really a problem. You probably want to fly low for sightseeing, and with a glider you need to be high enough to reach the next thermal.

 

Don't bother buying any payware aircraft until you've tried out the default FSX aircraft to see what they're like. Once you've done that, you'll have a better idea what you want from a new plane.

 

Hook

Or you could just stick to the default deHavilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, which is the ultimate bush plane and one of the best default aircraft ever made by Microsoft.

If you want to use the virtual cockpit (VC), the FSX Maul with its glass sides is IMO by far the best "out-of-box" aircraft for sight-seeing tours and is easy to fly. The trike is too slow to be interesting for very long. BTW, the "out-of-box" terrain features are rather bland at best; pretty much all decent screen shots around here show after market terrain products.

I also second Hooks advice. First try out the default aircraft. Trike, Maule, etc.

Best visibility of course is the Trike.

 

Then after you find your cup of tea (type of aircraft) go for a payware plane.

 

Not undermining the Goose or the Beaver, but not easy to fly and visibility on those is not on par with the Carenado C185 or the Real Air Scout; both are great bush planes and let you really enjoy the scenery from inside the cockpit view.

The C185 (+FDE) has all the Bush flying options, the Scout does not (lack of skis), but it is even easier to fly than the C185. Can't comment on the A2A or other Cubs.

 

To really enhance your Bush Flying experience, get some scenery packages from the PNW, Pacific Fjords, Tongass Fjords all the way up to Alaska, (ORBX, UTX, GEX).

 

Also check out the free and great Return to Misty Moorings Sceneries, I consider those a must for serious Bus Flying.

 

Cheers.

The default Beaver is nice, but you have to land and take off from water. The view out the windows isn't as nice as I'd like. The Maule is a good aircraft, but not my first choice, don't know why. I fly it when I need something with skis instead of wheels.

 

I've got more hours in the Goose than I do in the next three aircraft total, and love it. But the outside view is limited and the aircraft requires a few tweaks to get it to flying well. Probably not a plane to fly for fun and sightseeing, but a great plane for serious flying. I'll fly the Goose to my destination, then switch to the C172 or helicopter for sightseeing after I've landed.

 

My second most flown aircraft is the Carenado C337 Skymaster. But it's not what I'd recommend given the OP's stated intention. It has to be simple, and easy to fly with a controller (not a joystick).

 

Hook

Cloudswimmer, that pic you posted looks like a painting (masterpiece).

Beautiful shot.

 

 

jime