For a twin prop, no one has ever managed to quite top PMDG's Jetstream 41 for its blend of realism, fun and immersion for me. A few have close, such as Majestic's Q400 and aircraft others have previously mentioned in this thread.

The Milviz Cessna 310 is as good as it gets.

Bush.  Aerosoft Twin Otter, Wilga.  Sibwings An-2. A2A J-3 Cub are all fantastic.

 

 

I say! I just bought the Antonov, and am amazed! That airplane has character oozing out of every crack and chip in the paint, simply amazing. It could be louder in my opinion, and I haven't found out yet how to turn it around on the ground without leaving the county, but that plane is a definitive must-have, especially at the price!

Is it like your goal to undermine everything I say...

 

Captain Sim isnt that bad. Not PMDG scale, but for somethings its the only option. or at least best option at this current point in time. It also doesn't hurt to keep options open.

 

Again, I heard Captain Sim isn't really that realistic. I am looking for nearly universal acceptance, which is starting to seem very, very clear at this point. I am so happy the community agrees on so many aircraft.

 

I just really, really, really wish there were more Hyper Realistic older commercial airline.

 

The COMET is so sexy (I know that nobody will agree) and I wish they had a PMDG Comet.

I see it was mentioned above, but I would second the Sibwings An-2 for the bush plane category.  I know many like to put the Twin Otter Extended there, and indeed it's right at the top of the heap for that category, but picking between the two, the An-2 feels more bush plane.  The thing is about as STOL as you can possibly get - any more and you'd be flying a rotorcraft.  An absolute blast to fly, and there's an incredible amount of liveries that have been done for it.

 

Basically, the An-2 feels more like an old, abused relic that you can imagine a completely different era in (perhaps one where a bottle of vodka is stowed under the seat), whereas the Twin Otter, as amazing as it is, feels more 'professional', where flying means adhering to the rules, so to speak.

 

Either way, you can't go wrong. Both are great planes! ^_^

 

It looks incredible, but I haven't seen any reviews of the realism aspect. I want a near perfect replica that is clearly recognized by the community.

I am really groking the Coolsky DC-9-30, but is it really a high-end simulator compared to PMDG?

A plane like the Antonov can never be depicted realistically on a personal computer, unless you add subwoofers, buttkicker, smell of oil and control forces that normally would break your joystick.

 

However, for what is possible in a sim I'd say it's rather good. Its said to be one of the easiest and safest planes ever built, and that has been captured well.

The handbook procedure for forced landings (engine failure) is to extend full flaps, pull the yoke all the way back and keep the wings level - the plane will touch down at about the speed of a paratrooper. This works in the FSX model :-)

is it really a high-end simulator compared to PMDG?

Most if not all circuit breakers are modelled and simulated in the DC-9, something PMDG doesn't have. The Training center can give you an endless amount of possible failures to deal with. While the NGX has a great tutorial to help you learn the aircraft, the Training Center Coolsky included can teach you just about anything you want about the DC-9.

 

Simply put, I think both offerings are rather even, they just are for different audiences.

I am really loving the DC-9. It is a good looking aircraft. I also saw the A2A B-17 and it is just amazing. PLEASE, PLEASE tell me this is a highly realistic, highly recommended aircraft. If not, I will go on a hunger strike for 15 minutes.

Another fun one for the single category that is very well simulated and very affordable.   Ant's T-28D and/or T-28B/C package.  Just great old school flying....no magenta lines. B)  Both packages are available in Demo format.

A2A's B-17 is excellent. I prefer their P-51 (the faster the better for me) but if you grab the B-17 with Accu-Sim you'll be about a hairbreadth short of the real thing. The sounds, the flight dynamics, the graphics and aircraft management are all excellent. It is incredibly realistic, and if you love the B-17, you'll love A2A's version.

 

 

I also saw the A2A B-17 and it is just amazing. PLEASE, PLEASE tell me this is a highly realistic, highly recommended aircraft.

 

Go on the A2A site and check out the video of the B-17.  It'll knock your socks off.  It's probably more realistic than the original aircraft (ok, allow me a bit of hype).  The video had me totally stunned and amazed.  Look for Legend in the title.

 

Hook

A2A's B-17 is excellent. I prefer their P-51 (the faster the better for me) but if you grab the B-17 with Accu-Sim you'll be about a hairbreadth short of the real thing. The sounds, the flight dynamics, the graphics and aircraft management are all excellent. It is incredibly realistic, and if you love the B-17, you'll love A2A's version.

 

Thank you, I can start eating again.

Here's a link to the video:

 

 

When I first saw this a couple years ago, it was the first time I'd ever seen such a detailed aircraft for FSX. I didn't know this stuff was possible. 

 

EDIT:  if it's not obvious, you should get the Accusim bundle along with the aircraft.

 

Hook

 

 

It looks incredible, but I haven't seen any reviews of the realism aspect. I want a near perfect replica that is clearly recognized by the community.

 

From what I understand, a great deal of attention has been paid to getting the flight model as close to the real thing as possible.  As mentioned above, it simulates the stall characteristics of the real thing very well.  It's pretty easy to control since it handles so well and is so stable, but this is pretty true to life from what I understand.

 

The VC enhances the realism factor considerably.  Beyond the fact that it's quite nice to look at, it's very functional and has plenty of quirks particular to the real plane.  Just starting it up, for example is quite a joy.  You also have to manage engine temps and such somewhat.  I recall one of the first times flying it, switching to an outside view and being quite surprised by the massive amount of black smoke pouring out of the exhaust on the right side. ^_^

 

Very nice plane, and at the price, you can't go wrong.

All A2A Accusim planes are highly realistic.  Cub, 377, 172, B-17, P-47, P-40, P-51Mil/Civ, Spitfre all top notch planes.  Accusim is highly detailed enhanched simulation specific to each airplane.  This means you have to be wary of the airplane's systems, limitations, proceedures. 

 

For instance starting a big V-12, you must take in to account ambient air temp, oil pressure, prime accordingly...they don't just automatically 'start', you really have to know what you are doing lol.  You should properly warm up the engine, and make sure oil pressures are in the 'green'.  Aircraft wear & tear, failures frequency are based on your flying style and your attention to detail as far as following proceedures, observing limitations...etc.  It is very rewarding to get a cranky V-12 or radial started on a cold day without burning out the starter or wearing out the battery

 

You might not find a lot of reviews on military aircraft in general on Avsim simply because military flying is not as popular here, at least when it comes to FSX addons.  Most folks here go for airliners and GAs.  The fine folks at Sim Outhouse are more of a military oriented crowd, thus you will find more info on military themed releases there.   

 

 

You might not find a lot of reviews on military aircraft in general on Avsim simply because military flying is not as popular here, at least when it comes to FSX addons.

 

I think there's perhaps more of us that are into military aircraft add-ons here than it might first appear; but because the majority here do tend to talk more about airliners or GA, we just keep silent and go with the flow. ^_^