Hi guys. I'd like to take a break from flying the heavies. I'm thinking most of my flights will be an hour or less. An aircraft with GPS would be nice. Payware of freeware, doesn't matter. Any suggestions?

I personally would recommend the updated AeroWorx Super Kingair B200 as a very realistic turboprop.I would be interested in what others recommend in the "lighter" variety of aircraft which really stand out head and shoulders above their competitors for a realistic experience?Peter

Two that come to mind are the RealAir SF.260 and the Flight1 172R. Both are outstanding in most all respects. The flight models are excellent and the VC's and gauges, especially in the SF.260, are very well done. I'd recommend either, or both, as as close to "real" as the state-of-the-art now allows.Doug

I'll add the Dreamfleet Bonanza and Baron to this list as very immersive, realistic simulations of the real aircraft.

To the ones listed above, which are all excellent, especially the Dreamfleet planes, I would add the FSD Cessna 337 Skymaster. It's rather unique and excellent in every aspect.Jim

"I personally would recommend the updated AeroWorx Super Kingair B200 as a very realistic turboprop."Agree on this assessment. The Aeroworx B200 is a great plane...

Eaglesoft Cirrus SR20. If you like a GA aircraft with a glass cockpit and lots of programming options, this one is for you.Pat

For payware, I would second the Marchetti SF.260. You might also consider the Custom Classics series released as freeware by Bill Lyons, which features aircraft from the Golden Age of aviation. Each package includes custom scenery and suggested flights. Search for "Bill Lyons" in the AVSIM file library. Most of these are pre-GPS, though.

For flying IFR with a good GPS I'd so go with the Dreamfleet Baron - it has the RXP Garmin 530 which does everything the real unit does and is overall a great plane.

I have the RealAir SF.260 and the Aeroworx B200. Great aircrafts! I've also been having a perhaps somewhat heated discussion in another thread about Eaglesoft aircrafts and all that while I've been considering getting the Eaglesoft Cirrus SR20 as I've heard good things about it, and I've really enjoyed my Eaglesoft BizJets! :)For freeware I'd recommend Milton Shupe and Company's Aero Commander 500 and Beechcraft D18S. And also the recently released Francesim Socata TBM700 A by Cyril Breton and Company.Cheers,Jim Richards

Carenado 182RG!It doesn't have much as far as GPS goes, but I was pleasantly surprised by the outstanding quality of the Carenado 182RG. That plane is officially in my top 3 now. I have the Flight1 172, and in my opinion it doesn't even come close to being as immersive as the Carenado. The textures are superb, and the gauges are some of the best I have seen. The only slight criticism I could make is a minor looping sound when in external view, but I think the internal sound rocks. I flew a 182RG at my flight school twice and I'd have to say the interior sound captures the feel perfectly.I am worried that I am going to have to get all of the other Carenado products now. Anyway, the prices are VERY reasonable. I don't want to bash Flight1, so I will still admit that the ATR is my all time favorite. -Shawn

Well, whatever you choose to fly -- the place to do it is http://www.fseconomy.com/It has changed my whole outlook on flying GA.Barry

>Carenado 182RG!>>It doesn't have much as far as GPS goes, but I was pleasantly>surprised by the outstanding quality of the Carenado 182RG. >That plane is officially in my top 3 now. I just usually use the hand-held GPS anyway. But yes, the VC panel in the Carenado 182 is one of the best I've seen graphics wise. I think it's better than the new 206 as far as clarity and shape of the gauges.L.Adamson

Yes, I've been using my iPAQ with PocketFMS with FS. Works very well, it's what I happen to use in my plane (can't afford a panel mount), and it doesn't fill up the screen.Thomas(Please turn off the message in plain text button)

I second the Baron 58 (full version) and Beech A36 from Dreamfleet. If you want something with a GPS then these are for you as the Reality XP GNS gauges are top notch and frame rate friendly. The Baron 58 Reality XP version gives you the GNS530 and the Sandel 3308 EFIS.I also recommend the Flight One Pilatus PC-12. Fine on its own but even better with upgraded avionics with RXP dual GNS530/430 and the ST3400 TAWS.Ed