I'm the type of guy who will purchase any FSX aircraft that has had the least little bit of positive hype before its release, or good to great reviews after its release.  As a result, I have quite a few aircraft that are in my hangar.  Unfortunately some have been flown very little or not at all.  I like them all.  Tubeliners, turboprops, twins, singles, GA, IFR, I really enjoy them all.  I am very happy with the performance of my computer running FSX, and have many, many sceneries to fly to and from.

 

My problem is, I can't decide which one to fly on any given day.  I know I need to dive in to some of these aircraft, and learn the basic procedures and see how it performs.  But I am very comfortable with a dozen or so aircraft, and know it's easy to jump in the plane, start it up and take off quickly.  These two feelings keep tugging at me every time I fire up FSX.  Sometimes, I just scroll through the list, over and over, and can't make up my mind.  Am I the only one who has this problem?

 

Here are the aircraft I own:

 

A2A Simulations:  B-17 Flying Fortress, J-3 Cub, P-51 Mustang (Military & Civilian), Cessna C-172, Spitfire

Aerosoft:  Twin Otter

Bay Tower Studios:  Van's RV-7

Carenado:  Bonanza F-33A, Cessna CT182T, Cessna CT210M Centurion

Coolsky:  DC-9

Eagle Dynamics:  A-10 Warthog (DCS)

Flight1:  Cessna Citation X v2, Cessna Citation Mustang, Beech King Air B200

Just Flight:  BAE 146, L-1011 Tristar

Lionheart Creations:  Piper Super Pacer

Majestic:  Dash 8 Q-400

MilViz:  F-15 Strike Eagle, F-86 Sabre, Beech Baron B55, Cessna C310R, Boeing 737-200 Combi,

ORBX:  Lancair

PMDG:  Boeing 747, 737NGX , 777, JS4100, MD-11

Quality Wings: Bae 146 Collection

RealAir Simulations:  Beech B-60, Turbine Duke, Lancair Legacy

 

The aircraft highlighted in blue are the aircraft I fly often and am comfortable with.  I am really wanting to try something new, delve into the systems and procedures, but I simply cannot make up my mind.

 

I hereby declare I will not purchase any more aircraft until I have flown all these aircraft sufficiently to form an opinion.  That is unless the PMDG 747v2 comes out.  Or maybe a surprise airplane I don't know about.  You see my dilemma. I really wanted to try the Airbus Extended, but I think my head would explode transitioning from Boeing to Airbus and back.  I have always intended to buy A2A Captain of the Ship, just haven't gotten around to it.  I'm currently flying over the Atlantic on the 777, headed to the UK.

 

Please help me make a decision.  Recommendations?  Something that is not on the list?  (Heaven help me!)

 

my $.02: If you are truly looking for something to take you out of your comfort zone, limited to planes you already own, on your list, start getting serious about the Eagle Dynamics A-10 in DCS.  By the time you get any good with that one, all of your FSX planes that you listed will seem new and fresh again, and most likely, comparatively easy!

Less is more! I stopped hoarding addons a long time ago, although I couldn't resist the Milviz sale a week ago, so now I've got three new aircraft to learn.

 

I only install one addon aircraft at a time and keep at it for a few weeks or months depending on how much I like it. I do a lot of research online and in my local flight museum's library, not only of the aircraft, but the geography of the region I fly in. Right now I'm flying the Virtavia BN-2 Islander around Northern Scotland in ORBX's FTX EU Scotland. I fly real world routes with real world liveries. Love the weather up there. Lot's of gusty crosswinds to battle!

 

Whenever I need a break from it I like to buzz rooftops with the default Extra or fly the Bell 206 Jetranger and sqeeze it into tight spots.

I found I had a similar problem. So I've forced myself to log a minimum of five hours in each one and ten in most of them. It takes away a few flying options (generally buses), so my choices are fewer (aka easier). And I've found that some are a little more interesting than when I parked them, shortly after their purchase. Some, erm, not so much. Those stalled at around five hours. Now I'm closer to ten hours to most of them I'm allowing a little more latitude in what I pick. But to be honest, I'm finding myself sticking with those I've flown a lot recently. As a side effect, I've been visiting a greater range of airports. Currently on a mission to visit each US State capital - all in my low hour planes. Then it will be European capitals... Not feeling the need to buy more planes right now, even though there is at least half a dozen that would have been insta-buys previously.

 

Sorry... Rambling. I feel your pain.

 

Mike

Great post Dennis, and yes I have definitely been there with those feelings, and occasional frustrations.

 

I do something similar to @simmerhead now;  I force some short term limitation by only installing 2-3 aircraft at a time.  It's simple but really works for me.  When they are all sitting there, easily available, it can be just too hard to reach a decision, but when you only have 2-3 installed you'll focus more on them and get deeper with the aircraft.    That's not to say you even need to keep that same limited 2-3 aircraft installed for long;  you can rotate as often as you like.   but it just helps focus things.

 

At the moment I only have the Majestic Q400, PMDG NGX and Carenado PA46-350P (Malibu) installed.   So when I get an hour or two to sim, those are the ones I will currently consider.      last week I had the Airbus X Extended installed, in place of the Q400, but I've flown the AXE a lot lately, so wanted a break.

 

Good luck!

my $.02: If you are truly looking for something to take you out of your comfort zone, limited to planes you already own, on your list, start getting serious about the Eagle Dynamics A-10 in DCS.  By the time you get any good with that one, all of your FSX planes that you listed will seem new and fresh again, and most likely, comparatively easy!

 

That definitely is outside of my comfort zone.  A whole new sim ... but with an awesomely functional aircraft.  Might be just what I need.  Thanks

 

 

Currently on a mission to visit each US State capital - all in my low hour planes. Then it will be European capitals... Not feeling the need to buy more planes right now, even though there is at least half a dozen that would have been insta-buys previously.

Sorry... Rambling. I feel your pain.

 

Mike

 

I did the exact same thing in the NGX.  Watch out for the Carson City approach ... tricky with mountains.

 

 

I only install one addon aircraft at a time and keep at it for a few weeks or months depending on how much I like it. I do a lot of research online and in my local flight museum's library, not only of the aircraft, but the geography of the region I fly in. Right now I'm flying the Virtavia BN-2 Islander around Northern Scotland in ORBX's FTX EU Scotland. I fly real world routes with real world liveries. Love the weather up there. Lot's of gusty crosswinds to battle!

 

Whenever I need a break from it I like to buzz rooftops with the default Extra or fly the Bell 206 Jetranger and sqeeze it into tight spots.

 

You know, that's not a bad idea.  The problem is the new aircraft are released faster than I can learn.  I guess I just need to be more differentiating when it comes to aircraft releases.

 

 

Great post Dennis, and yes I have definitely been there with those feelings, and occasional frustrations.

 

I do something similar to @simmerhead now;  I force some short term limitation by only installing 2-3 aircraft at a time.  It's simple but really works for me.  When they are all sitting there, easily available, it can be just too hard to reach a decision, but when you only have 2-3 installed you'll focus more on them and get deeper with the aircraft.    That's not to say you even need to keep that same limited 2-3 aircraft installed for long;  you can rotate as often as you like.   but it just helps focus things.

 

At the moment I only have the Majestic Q400, PMDG NGX and Carenado PA46-350P (Malibu) installed.   So when I get an hour or two to sim, those are the ones I will currently consider.      last week I had the Airbus X Extended installed, in place of the Q400, but I've flown the AXE a lot lately, so wanted a break.

 

Good luck!

 

There is a theme developing here, and I am beginning to agree with it.  Limit my own choices.

If you want to clean out your hangar to narrow down the selection, I'll take the 146 and DC-9 for 1€ each.

My suggestion - join a VA.  

 

Most have multiple routes with many choices for aircraft variations.   Sorry if someone else suggested this above as I didn't read everyone's response.    If your curious about which to join,  check out who I fly for which I can say has been great even after 800 hours of flying for them.

 

http://www.usairwaysva.org/

Very interesting post.  I guess we as simmers are very lucky that new aircraft are released faster than the ability to become proficient with them all.

 

I've become extremely picky about what I purchase, and as a result I've only purchased three aircraft this year in the first week of release: A2A's 172, the Q400, and the AN-2.  I don't regret any of them, and have logged at least 30 - 40 hours in each thus far, so my system must work somewhat.  However, where it breaks down is when there are sales... for example, the recent Milviz sale also now has added three aircraft to my stable... I'm a sucker for sales. :rolleyes:

 

But to rotate through them all becomes more and more difficult, the more there are!

It is crazy isn't it .... here are some perfectly good add-ons that I now never fly......... due to too many aircraft, they just never get picked, over my top 5 or so aircaft:-

 

• A2A C172
• A2A P51 Civilian
• Coolsky DC-9
• Coolsky MD-80 Super 80 Pro
• Eaglesoft Bizjets (all)
• Alabeo Waco
• Alabeo PA38
• Captain SIm 707, 727, 732
• Level D 767 (ok, this one is qualified as retired!)
• Carenado (almost all, except C208 and PA46-300P which I love)
• Milviz 732 (this will change when the custom SP177 AP is released)
• RealAir Legacy (yes, I know!.... but it's just not my thing)
• RealAir Turbine Duke
• Just Flight 146
• Ants Tecnam, P92 and Drifter (and these are really good)
• Aerosoft Beaver X
• Aerosoft Twin Otter X Extended (yep, I know!)
• BBS A320 and A330
• Flight 1 T182T
• Orbx Lancair
• Just Flight DC-3
• Just Flight Flying Club
• .........and that's just from memory, there are dozens more!

 

Never fly any of them!

 

 

It is crazy isn't it .... here are some perfectly good add-ons that I now never fly......... due to too many aircraft, they just never get picked, over my top 5 or so aircaft:-

A2A C172

 

Weren't you posting a ton about this aircraft when it came out?  Already parked in the hangar?

I just ended a "flight challenge" that reinvigorated my flying and made me (allowed me to) pull multiple aircraft out of the hanger. 

 

I retraced a friend's cross-country trip he and his wife (and two dogs) took earlier this summer. On the short legs of 50-60 miles I flew the WACO or Staggerwing. On medium legs I flew the Carenado B-200 (alas, the Flight1 model is no longer operational since I moved to P3D), the B-55, Duke, or Lancair Legacy. On the longer legs I flew the A2A P-51 Civilian or Milviz P-38, and on the really long legs over middle America I used jets. I really do like the Blue Angels freeware enhancements to the stock F-18, and Dino's Goshawk is fun. Unfortunately, my Flight1 Mustang is permanently berthed in the back of the hanger as well.

 

I found that the "mission", starting with planning (the airports less traveled), using real weather (if it was raining I did not take the WACO!), and sitting back and watching an unfamiliar piece of the US glide underwing was great fun. 

 

I think Mike is on to something as well: visit the State capitals, perhaps using the airports less traveled.

 

And Dave (Qflyer): You need a 12 step program!!!     :lol:

I'm the type of guy who will purchase any FSX aircraft that has had the least little bit of positive hype before its release, or good to great reviews after its release.  As a result, I have quite a few aircraft that are in my hangar.  Unfortunately some have been flown very little or not at all.  I like them all.  Tubeliners, turboprops, twins, singles, GA, IFR, I really enjoy them all.  I am very happy with the performance of my computer running FSX, and have many, many sceneries to fly to and from.

 

My problem is, I can't decide which one to fly on any given day.  I know I need to dive in to some of these aircraft, and learn the basic procedures and see how it performs.  But I am very comfortable with a dozen or so aircraft, and know it's easy to jump in the plane, start it up and take off quickly.  These two feelings keep tugging at me every time I fire up FSX.  Sometimes, I just scroll through the list, over and over, and can't make up my mind.  Am I the only one who has this problem?

 

Here are the aircraft I own:

 

A2A Simulations:  B-17 Flying Fortress, J-3 Cub, P-51 Mustang (Military & Civilian), Cessna C-172, Spitfire

Aerosoft:  Twin Otter

Bay Tower Studios:  Van's RV-7

Carenado:  Bonanza F-33A, Cessna CT182T, Cessna CT210M Centurion

Coolsky:  DC-9

Eagle Dynamics:  A-10 Warthog (DCS)

Flight1:  Cessna Citation X v2, Cessna Citation Mustang, Beech King Air B200

Just Flight:  BAE 146, L-1011 Tristar

Lionheart Creations:  Piper Super Pacer

Majestic:  Dash 8 Q-400

MilViz:  F-15 Strike Eagle, F-86 Sabre, Beech Baron B55, Cessna C310R, Boeing 737-200 Combi,

ORBX:  Lancair

PMDG:  Boeing 747, 737NGX , 777, JS4100, MD-11

Quality Wings: Bae 146 Collection

RealAir Simulations:  Beech B-60, Turbine Duke, Lancair Legacy

 

The aircraft highlighted in blue are the aircraft I fly often and am comfortable with.  I am really wanting to try something new, delve into the systems and procedures, but I simply cannot make up my mind.

 

I hereby declare I will not purchase any more aircraft until I have flown all these aircraft sufficiently to form an opinion.  That is unless the PMDG 747v2 comes out.  Or maybe a surprise airplane I don't know about.  You see my dilemma. I really wanted to try the Airbus Extended, but I think my head would explode transitioning from Boeing to Airbus and back.  I have always intended to buy A2A Captain of the Ship, just haven't gotten around to it.  I'm currently flying over the Atlantic on the 777, headed to the UK.

 

Please help me make a decision.  Recommendations?  Something that is not on the list?  (Heaven help me!)

 

First of all, don't buy any more airplanes.  With upgrades of the Q400, 747X coming and a potential Airbus solution a year or so out...you got plenty in the hanger.

 

Next, a decision you might want to consider....do you like flying the military stuff or the commercial stuff?  If I see what you have highlighted, it tends to gravitate toward the commercial stuff....

 

Lastly, consider which airplanes are better "procedure" teachers than others.  In other words, if you can't fly a crabbed approach in a Cessna, it's a lot harder in a 737.  I know they are apples and oranges, but I'm talking about techniques.  Also, learning VOR flying is much better in the Cessna than on a jet, because it requires you to do more thinking and working than just pushing "GO TO" on the FMC.  

 

IF these are your considerations, then you will know which airplanes to keep and those to "retire for awhile".   I can't tell you, because my opinion doesn't matter.  It's what your gut tells you that you should do that matters.

 

BTW, unless you really want to learn to fly a computer, stay away from the Airbus.  Don't get me wrong, I have it and love it....but it requires a slightly different mindset than the other aircraft which are more "traditional" in the manner in which they are flown.  If you aren't ready to go there....don't.

 

All the best,

Dave

Another tip would be: become a beta tester!

 

I think I surely would be bored with flight simming if I wouldn't be a beta tester for several companies.

That doesn't mean on the other side that beta testing is pure fun and excitement (in opposite, it could be also very boring sometimes). But you have a challenge, you are "forced" to fly, to test.

You can do "not so realistic" test flights to get out all of the addons.

You could go in new parts of the world to test the weather there.

You'll make altitude, stall, crashtests ...

Weren't you posting a ton about this aircraft when it came out?  Already parked in the hangar?

 

Yes I was, but to be fair, mainly around sorting out serious issues like missing clickspots, and 'sticky brakes'.     The aircraft is a lot better patched up now; but it's just not for me.

 

 

And Dave (Qflyer): You need a 12 step program!!!     :lol:

 

You're absolutely right;   it's like an additiction!