I am looking at buying either the PMDG 141 or the upcoming Aerosoft Twin Otter Extended.  Which one would be better?  I was looking at making long flights so I would need a prop that could fly long distances into small airports.  I own several PMDG aircraft and own the Airbus X extended so I don't know which one would be best.  Any input?

" upcoming Aerosoft Twin Otter Extended"

The Aerosoft Twin Otter Extended has already been released if that helps any.

http://www.aerosoft.com/cgi-local/us/iboshop.cgi?show270

 

I'm sure more will chime in here. I do have both and they are very different aircrafts. If you can get both, you may want to do this as you'll get enjoyment from them both as a whole.  I don't use either as much these days, however I find myself using the J41 more overall.

 

Best, Jeff

I have them both. Totally different planes... Even the engines are different. The JS41 is a lot faster too.

 

The otter has STOL capabilities for sure.. It's just a lot slower hehe.

I like the PMDG J41 but I'm biased. The Twin Otter and the J41 are really quite different. The J41  is designed for runways around 4000ft whereas the Twin Otter can operate from always anywhere. Regards

I was looking at taking a flight from KLAX to MOZ which is in Tahiti.  It looks like the runway is 4,098 ft long so the J41 would just make it.  I would be making flights from small islands so I am not sure which to choose.  What is the max distance each can fly?

I was looking at taking a flight from KLAX to MOZ which is in Tahiti.  It looks like the runway is 4,098 ft long so the J41 would just make it.  I would be making flights from small islands so I am not sure which to choose.  What is the max distance each can fly?

Well, the J41 has a range of 890 miles. The Twin Otter, I believe is in the 770 mile range. Regards

Why would you buy the PMDG J41 when you can get the Majestic Q400 if you want a fast turbo prop?

Don't get me wrong, all PMDG products are awesome, but J41 is heavy on fps, and an older model, 

 

The Q400 is in a league of its own!  Literally default plane FPS, awesome VC, highly functional.

 

Personally I would get the Q400 and the Extended Otter.  Actually I did : )

 

The Otter is travelling 160 kts, and can land about the speed of  a Cessna C172.

But not really travelling all that fast.

 

The Q400 can cruise ~350-400 Ground speed at 25,000 ft (don't remember kts off hand) and can land

around 120-140 kts at any regional sized airport up to 900 nm away.   Landings are typical for a decent sized turbo prop.  Watch your

decent, speed, and the glide slope.  Get ready to hit the reverse thrust on touch down and the Q400 stops

in a relatively short distance.

 

B.

The J41 is fairly long in the tooth I realize but its still an excellent product. The Q400 is an excellent aircraft as well and worth every penny. In the end we're comparing a 19 seat STOL aircraft with a 30 seat  regional turboprop and a 78 seat aircraft larger than many regional jets. Its really an apples to oranges to bananas comparison. Not sure if the Q400 would be very well suited for island hopping as it requires a runway in excess of 4800 ft at MTOW. I guess it all boils down to the type of flying you want to do. If having to pick between 2 of the three and wanting the most operational flexibility, I would opt for the Majestic Q400 and the Twin Otter. Regards

What kind of plane could fly from LAX to Tahiti?

What kind of plane could fly from LAX to Tahiti?

I believe Air Tahiti Nui wet leased an Airbus A340 for that route. Regards

I see that on their site.  Do you know where I can find a quality payware a340?  I wonder if there is any other aircraft I could fly from LAX if needed.  I have PMDG 777 but that might be too heavy to land on the shorter runway.

The Wilco Airbus Evolution 2 is the only 340 I know of. Not up to PMDG standards though. I have it. Might be worth a look if the price is right.

Do you think it is worth the money?  It looks like it is is 40 US dollars.  Or just stick with the 747 until a different A340 is made?

The Airbus 340 is no longer being produced... Four engine airplanes are being replaced by less thirsty

twin engine aircraft.

 

Initially, airlines could not fly twin jets over expanded stretches of ocean, but that is changing.

 

http://www.airtahitinui-usa.com/services/fleet.asp

 

The Airbus 330 and the Boeing 777 would be the logical replacements.