I'm a big turboprop fan so I have a few for you:Flight1 Pilatus PC-12 - Excellent 2D panel and Virtual Cockpit. Comes with 4 different variations of the aircraft, and flying it is a dream. Coupled with avionics from Reality-XP and it's just like the real thing! Flight1 Piper Meridian - This aircraft is a true classic. Undisputably the best GA Aircraft ever released for Flight Simulator. Avionics, systems modelling, sounds, and an excellent air file make a great combo for both beginners and the novice flight simmers.Aeroworx Super King Air B200 - This is my personal favorite. This is the best representation of the Beechcraft King Air 200 ever produced. Just about every system in this aircraft is modelled, right down to the coffee warmers. The flight dynamics make it one of the best turboprop representations available. The visual model is spectacular, and, documentation and support are top notch. I highly reccommend the B200 if you want an exciting and challenging aircraft to fly. These are my top three picks for GA aircraft, there are of course others I also reccommend, such as, the Eaglesoft SR20 G2, Dreamfleet Bonanza, and the Marchetti SF260. Your selection will depend on your tastes and more importantly how much immersion you want with the product. There's lots of good choices out there, good luck!_______________________________________Nick Preston :-kewl AVSIM Staff Reviewer

My two favorites are the Eaglesoft Cirrus, which is an incredible plane, and the Dreamfleet Bonanza A36...another outstanding aircraft.I have not purchased the Carenado 182 or Stationair yet, but I know many are giving those big 'thumgs ups' as well....and the price for either is very reasonable....I believe that Stationair will be in my hanger within a week. I have 4 other Carenado planes and all are great in their own right. The Piper 180 is very bare bones, and wants to be flown VFR. My Cessna 210 gets some work, and is very nice, as does the Piper Dakota. But I believe they have bumped it it up a notch with both the 182 and Stationair.I also have the Flight 1 172R, and really enjoy it as well, but for it's price I think you can do better with any of the others above. As has been mentioned though, the flight dynamics are very good.A notable mention would go to Bill Lyon's Piper Tri-Pacer, which is free, and quite a great little plane with very good performance. It only fly's in VC mode though, which does not bother me as that is all I ever fly in.You can't go wrong with any of these, but my current favorite right now is the Cirrus...which surprises me as I was never a Cirrus fan before, and prefer more 'analog' flying...but Eaglesoft 'built' a beaut with this bird. I really like it. It has all the 'wiz bang' panels (Avidyne PFD and MFD) and 2 GPS to keep it interesting while flying longer jaunts; Yet it is still very managable/nimble for quick flights...yet will get you to 10,000 ft in 10 minutes without a problem. Really versitable...As is the DF Bonanza...and you get some great Reality gauges with the package too...ya can't beat that. The Cirrus is set-up to integrate the Reality GPS/radio units into it's panel, but you have to buy them seperate...'stock' uses the FS version of the GPS integrated into a Garmin 430 'shell'.Decisions decisions.... ;)

Dreamfleet A36 and B58 (right now my favorites)Aeroworx B200Carenado 182, and their 206 I hear is great, I'm waiting for the cargo versionfreeware:AC500 here in the libraryThats my current list, I too am taking a break from the heavies, Once the PMDG 747 patch and freighter versions come out, I will be back!

Wow, I wasn't expecting this much response. Thank you guys! Looks like I have some research ahead of me. Thanks again!

Carenado 182RG and for a twin, the Aeroworx King Air.

My personal recommendations are very similar to most people who have already posted. As a general rule of thumb, I tend to recommend any recent release by Carenado (Cessna 182RG, Cessna 206, Cessna 210, Beech T-34A Mentor), FSD (Piper Navajo Panther, Piper Seneca V, Pilatus PC-6 Porter for bush flying), RealAir (Scout, Decathlon, SF.260), Dreamfleet (Beech Bonanza A36, Beech Baron 58), or Flight One (Cessna 172R, Pilatus PC-12) if you're talking payware. Also the Aeroworx Beech King Air 200 for a nice twin turboprop, the Aerosoft DHC-2 Beaver for a bushplane, and any of Eaglesoft's bizjets if you still want to fly high and fast in something smaller. And for something a bit bigger, don't forget the MAAM-SIM R4D/DC-3 package, a very high-quality piece of work.As for freeware, you simply cannot go wrong with Milton Shupe and friends' Aero Commanders and Shrike Commander or their latest release, the Beechcraft D18. The FSNordic team did an awesome Maule M-7-260 bushplane with a wide variety of variants (skis, floats, etc.)Basically, I own too much GA payware. :) And I like it all!Lewis "Moose" GregoryRichmond, Virginia

Love these GA topics!I have the Aeroworx B200, and frankly think its absolutely amazing. The visual model and level of 'immersion' when flying from the VC are second to none.Also love Carenado's offerings. Particularly the 182, and the 210 (although its perhaps in need of an update). I also own the Cherokee, which is brilliant, but I tend to want 'working' aircraft, rather than trainers/tourers, so its not getting so much air time recently. But then again, thats not to suggest it isn't great, it is, but I just spend lengthy periods on one type of flying, and its currently cargo/passenger type runs with more powerful GA workhorses. Going to get the 206 later today I think.Also love the RealAir SF.260, fabulous plane to mess around in, and a joy to fly. Also beautiful to look at of course.The Dreamfleet Beech twin is absolutely superb too. Love that.I am thinking I may get the Cirrus from Eaglesoft too, despite my current love of 'workhorses'!Ah, so much pleasure to be derived from FS!Regards,Al.

Man, I'm terrible ;),After posting last night....I went to the Carenado site and bought the Cessna Stationair...and all I can say is 'wow'!Nice job from these guy's....again.Unfortunatly it probably means that my 210 is going to be a little lonely because of it...Even though I just took a short jaunt and looked all around this package, it is one of their best yet, and the sound of the engine is incredible; If the 182 is this good then I can see why folks like it also.One thing about Carenado, Dreamfleet, Flight 1, Eaglesoft (and similar); You are going to get a true model with the (for the most part) true avionics. It took me a while to get used to the old Bedix autopilot in the 210, I even fould a PDF manual of the real thing on-line after an exhaustive search. True to form the Stationair comes with all the right stuff, including a newer version of that ol'Bendix series (not necessarily loved by real world pilots from what I've read BTW ;) ). That is the kinda stuff that makes spending some bucks with one of the companies well worth it IMO.For the money, I would really have to consider either the 182 or Stationair...brilliant stuff.

I will add my recommendation for the RealAir SF-260 - super GA aircraft. Very fast, superb VC with max FPS and to cap it all has the most realistic flight dynamics I have flown in a PC based Flight Simulator.Oh and if you get bored flying cross-country it is fully aerobatic as well!RegardsAdam

With all these choices it really comes down to what you are looking for from a GA.GA covers everything from a C150 to heavier biz jets.It would be interesting to know with all these recommendations what you eventually go for.One point I think Avsim should look at in their reviews as this has become an important factor is grading the review aircraft by its frame rate friendlyness and overall smoothness.Having the complex yet friendly offerings from PMDG and Level D i find anything less smooth annoying and unacceptable.Peter

Hi,I too went to the CARENDO site. Yes,Its a WOW! Not to get involved in the My plane is better than your plane thing,I must say this C-182RG,has to be way up there with the many great one's. I have been fortunate to acquire some real time in a fixed gear C-182.Its a great airplane ,which does not get the adulation it deserves.Much like the family station wagon. All the visual detail here is superb.It flys good. The manuals are very clear.What more can ya ask for? True it don't have the glass panel.However most flying today do not have it either. I never trusted the "mosquito looking ,delicate,retracatable, landing gear" dancing out there.I always thought, and without any facts on my part,that something that "goofy" looking was subject to Murphy's law. Its planes like these on the Sim,,and there are some good ones,not many, out there, that really need the realistic quality of flight controls we lack. Now don't get me wrong,I love my currant USB yoke,and rudders.But when you flair that thing,believe me its a pull. A great rendition,of a great general aviation airplane.Thanks Mr. Carenado! VIN

Thanks again for all the advice guys, it really helps as I had no idea where to begin looking. So far I think I've narrowed down my choices. (But ya never know!)For twins I'm pretty much sold on the DF Beech Baron 58 with the Reality 58 package. For a single I'm looking for more advice.The singles I've narrowed down to Carenado's Beechcraft Bonanza F33A and FSD's Commander 115 TC. Any comments on these last two are really appreciated.

>The singles I've narrowed down to Carenado's Beechcraft>Bonanza F33A and FSD's Commander 115 TC. Any comments on>these last two are really appreciated.I have both the Carenado and Dreemfleet Bonanza. I would go with the Dreamfleet if I were you. Problem is, it is very similar to the twin. I really like Carenado aircraft, but their Bonanza was kinda surpassed by Dreamfleet IMO.I used to have ther Commander long ago (earlier FS version), and at the time it was my everyday single prop. I'm sure the quality is still very good.....but I'll tell'ya, for $20 you should really consider either the Carenado 182 or Stationair. Both, IMO, are probably better values than thier Bonanza.Hey, just gett'm all ;)

>I will add my recommendation for the RealAir SF-260 - super>GA aircraft. Very fast, superb VC with max FPS and to cap it>all has the most realistic flight dynamics I have flown in a>PC based Flight Simulator.It REALLY does! And I even have a few hours in the real one.L.Adamson

-Or even the default Cub from the VC! Great fun! (with a tweaked FDE from the library.) While of course I imagine the Lyons' are better.Flying in eg. Alaska from one small strip to the next is just brilliant in those small singles, if you're flying only for an hour, keep it simple and you could make several connecting flights! And remember to regard the windsock carefully, at least I always forget that after flying the heavies :-roll -Dasher7