Best default plane visual overhaul?

[Mephic 129]

Hi. As I am quite new to fly sims I am looking for a modification which will let me to get most out of the default airplanes (especially Boeing, Bombardier and Airbus airliners).

 

I saw the Pmgd 737 which is a masterpiece but the learning curve seems to be as real as it is IRL and this is a bit too much for me. I don't have that much time to sacrifice.

 

So are there any good passenger jets addons (freeware would be best because I bought Rex, ftx global, gex and accufeel lately and I am out of cash ) which will help with immersion and realism? I am looking for better models of those mentioned above: visuals, physics - but not as complicated as Pmgd.

 

I may be wrong - maybe Pmgd is not that hard to learn but from what I've read it seems to be really challenging. I've learnt basics of default Boeing operations in 2 weeks, I remember most of the checklist and land it both visually and using ils. Is PMGD really much harder but more rewarding experience?

 

Thanks in advance for any answers

[FloG 148]

For Airbus there's either Project Airbus (freeware), who has excellent models for the A32x series, and IIRC there's some great modifications to the VC as well avialable in the AVSIM library, or Thomas Ruth's A330/A340 family, which also feature a VC. Note that both mentioned models do not have any detailed systems or so (pretty much default, maybe a bit more enhanced). Also. there's the excellent Aerosoft Airbus X Extended, but that's payware, again.

For Boeings, you could do a search for Project Opensky/Free Sky Project, which is similar to what Project Airbus does, but with the focus on Boeings, or the "ultimate Boeing addon" the PMDG 737NGX, or the less expensive but also quite good iFly 737NG.

The freeware solutions are nice, and an enhancement in terms of visual quality, but they do in no way reflect the procedures required to actually start and fly the real plane. If that is waht you're interested in, there's no way around some qulaity payware addons, and yes, that step can really be rewarding. It will, however, take most likely more than 2 weeks to master such sophisticated addons.

[Mephic 129]

Thank You For full clarification. I didn't expect such detailed answer. Kudos to You and Avsim community!

[g_precentralis 191]

I think you should go with payware addon (ie PMDG, Aierosoft Airbus, Majestic Dash...):

 

It's not so hard to learn basics, and then upgrade your knowledge when you are ready. Complex addons offer way more tools in flight so once you learn it, it's actually easier to fly them than default/freeware aircraft.

[Portia911 9]

Frank Schnibben did a nice HD texture make-over earlier this year for the King Air - externals and cockpit.

[Pe11e 812]

Check FSND upgraded cockpits for default B737/747. Better looking, rain effect on windshield, and a bit detailed systems.

[Mephic 129]

Thank You. Downloaded it, had some fun with limited fmc, decided to go PMDG case closed!

[ryanbatc 12,834]

It will be fun. I recommend the PMDG tutorial flights. They honestly explain 90% of flying it. You can disable all the failures etc and fly a beautiful model without the fear of breaking something.

[Mephic 129]

1. Tutorials by PMDG, 2. Tutorial by Tom Risager

3. Manuals if I have specific issues - that is my plan for next year

 

And I'm picking up my saitek yoke soon

 

Btw - I'm wondering if there was an fmc app made for IPad or if there is any fmc/cdu controller available - that would raise the immersion bar