"In practical considerations, if you're going to spend extended (>30mins) periods above 10000ft, you need something that's either pressurised or has supplemental oxygen."Although I would recommend having supplemental O2 around if you need it at 11,000', 12,500' is the magic altitude (in the US, which is the country of interest from the original poster) above which flight cannot be made for more than 30 minutes without the required flight crew having access to supplemental O2. Bruce.

Guys,He said "NO HIGHER than 11,000 ft". He also said comfortable for "2 to 3 hour hops". I suppose that could be interpreted either way, as either he's not expecting to go very far with each hop, or he's looking for a super fast plane. But why take a super fast plane that likely has quite long legs on short 2 hour hops? That says to me he is planning on low and slow scenery watching(especially since he said he wants to take in the sights). I think this knocks out the baron, can't see much out of that. I imagine a cub is probably too slow for him though. I think a high wing plane would be a good choice.Maybe something like a DHC-2 Beaver or or DHC-3 Otter. Or maybe even the DHC-6 Twin Otter (but I bet that's a little big for him). I think the suggestions of the Marchetti or the Twin Commander are also great choices, maybe Milton Shupe's Shrike? Or the Vienvenue 690B. I'm surprised he didn't like the Goose. I love the versatility of this plane, and the nostalgia built in by Bill Lyons really strikes a chord with me (I'm too young to have lived it, but for some reason I really like it, almost like I was there (reincarnation? :) ).And why do you need pressurization for 11,000 ft for a 2-3 hour hop strategy? I'm thinking on a 2 - 3 hour hop, he won't be spending much time at 11,000 ft. And there aren't a lot of unique sights or sounds at such an altitude.Thomas[a href=http://www.flyingscool.com] http://www.flyingscool.com/images/Signature.jpg [/a]I like using VC's :-)

I've flown across the US 4 times now-3x in a Debonair (bonanza) and once in a Baron.I usually never fly much above 6000-8000 (best engine performance) and only jump up at the mountain crossings when needed. I also always flight plan a 3 hour leg-and go a little longer if headwinds get in the way-but everyone is usually wanting to get out after 3 hours and that gives nice safety margins on fuel. So sounds like a A36 or Baron would be perfect for your trip.Here is a shot of the routes/stops I took for some good crossing points along with great scenery and interesting stops out West...http://mywebpages.comcast.net/geofa/pages/rxp-pilot.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/150620.jpg

i also thought of the flight 1 meridian, that might work, i should install that and take that for a spinciao!Brian S

>And why do you need pressurization for 11,000 ft for a 2-3>hour hop strategy? I'm thinking on a 2 - 3 hour hop, he won't>be spending much time at 11,000 ft. And there aren't a lot of>unique sights or sounds at such an altitude.>If you're flying the Rockies, Cascades, Sierra Nevada's, or the vast area of mountain ranges in northern Idaho; they'll be lots of sights at 11,000' on the way to Alaska, where they'll be lots more.The following pic is at nearly 11,400' msl, and we're still climbing to get through a mountain pass. And we are not on oxygen. Living at 5000' to start with, we don't even entertain the idea until above 12,500' where it becomes a "being legal" issue, but with good reasons of course. :D http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/150621.jpgL.Adamson

>Although this question will be directed with the States in>mind, anyone feel free to add your 2 cents.>>For the last 2 months I have been trying to decide which of my>GA aircraft that I like to fly from Key West Florida up to>Fairbanks Alaska. >>So, what would you recommend for the trip? I like something>that has a good VC and is comfortable on 2-3 hour hops. :)>>Thanks for your time and opinions for this great hobby.>>JeffI would suggest the Dreamfleet Baron 58. It's fast, very comfortable, has nice instruments for IFR, and is not too hard to handle.

I flew across the united states with the default mooney. After awhile it got kind of boring but I did it and I like the planeDon

I may be biased, but either the A36 or B58 from DF would be great.Others that would be great:Flight1 421 (one of the best GA planes made for FS)Carenado....206 or 210

yes the mooney is my favorite default plane, really like that a lot - i hope they tweak that one in fsxciao!Brian S

Guys, first all of you have had great suggestions but Thomas hit the nail straight on what I was thinking. This tour is going to much slower and lower then the 11,000 feet. I guess that was my limit if conditions warrant that I go higher then it's time to land. I know flight planning through the mountains will require a bird that can perform, but again, the goal is to take in see what the sim can really show off. The B200 is my personal favorite and we have flown many hours together, but she just to much for the goal of this trip. The Beaver or the Shrike or rides I haven't considered. I don't own or have any in my hanger. Suggestions? Good VC? Should have good IFR equipment for backup navi.Keep the comments coming guys! Jeff>Guys,>>He said "NO HIGHER than 11,000 ft". He also said comfortable>for "2 to 3 hour hops". I suppose that could be interpreted>either way, as either he's not expecting to go very far with>each hop, or he's looking for a super fast plane. But why>take a super fast plane that likely has quite long legs on>short 2 hour hops? >>That says to me he is planning on low and slow scenery>watching(especially since he said he wants to take in the>sights). I think this knocks out the baron, can't see much>out of that. I imagine a cub is probably too slow for him>though. I think a high wing plane would be a good choice.>>Maybe something like a DHC-2 Beaver or or DHC-3 Otter. Or>maybe even the DHC-6 Twin Otter (but I bet that's a little big>for him). I think the suggestions of the Marchetti or the>Twin Commander are also great choices, maybe Milton Shupe's>Shrike? Or the Vienvenue 690B. I'm surprised he didn't like>the Goose. I love the versatility of this plane, and the>nostalgia built in by Bill Lyons really strikes a chord with>me (I'm too young to have lived it, but for some reason I>really like it, almost like I was there (reincarnation? :) ).>>And why do you need pressurization for 11,000 ft for a 2-3>hour hop strategy? I'm thinking on a 2 - 3 hour hop, he won't>be spending much time at 11,000 ft. And there aren't a lot of>unique sights or sounds at such an altitude.>>Thomas>>[a href=http://www.flyingscool.com]>http://www.flyingscool.com/images/Signature.jpg [/a]>>I like using VC's :-)

Outstanding, info and seems like the A36 keeps getting the call more then not. She would make a good choice, but maybe she is a bit too comfortable and not quite adventrous for what I am looking for???? Don't know that's why I wanted to start this thread. Thanks for the map G. I haven't decided how far to the southwest I will go before I make my way up to Canada and Alaska.-Jeff>I've flown across the US 4 times now-3x in a Debonair>(bonanza) and once in a Baron.>>I usually never fly much above 6000-8000 (best engine>performance) and only jump up at the mountain crossings when>needed. I also always flight plan a 3 hour leg-and go a little>longer if headwinds get in the way-but everyone is usually>wanting to get out after 3 hours and that gives nice safety>margins on fuel. So sounds like a A36 or Baron would be>perfect for your trip.>>Here is a shot of the routes/stops I took for some good>crossing points along with great scenery and interesting stops>out West...>http://mywebpages.comcast.net/geofa/pages/rxp-pilot.jpg>>http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/150620.jpg>

Well the choices depend on whether you want payware or freeware. I am also partial to amphibious aircraft as you are then unlimited on locations to explore. I love the Beaver or Otter. Aerosoft makes an excellent Beaver. I believe www.simmarket.com sells the beaver as a standalone package. It seems Aerosoft now forces you to purchase other things with their planes (then again, maybe you want Freightdogs).If you are looking for freeware, John Woodward recently updated his models, available at Avsim. See the two original aircraft in the middle of the list. http://library.avsim.net/search.php?CatID=...&Go=Change+ViewFor the Otter, http://library.avsim.net/search.php?Search...&CatID=fs2004acFor the Twin Commander or other Milton Shupe aircraft, check out http://www.flightsimonline.com/. He recently released an amphibious version of the Beechcraft Model 18 twin. They, too, are available at Avsim.Bill Lyons Quad City Challenger is a homebuilt that has a wonderful view, and is verrryyy slow, :) and not much on the IFR.Another good choice might be Bill Lyons' Swift. I think you'll have to go to flightsim.com for that one. I couldn't find the original model at Avsim (how come?). I'm pretty sure it comes with a floatplane version.Ooh, and Long Island Classics has a number of planes you may be interested in. http://www.liclassics.com/aircraft.htmHow come you don't like the Bill Lyons' Grumman Goose?You can go to my site to find a list with links to my favorite aircraft, payware and freeware. Select "Microsoft Flight Simulator" on the menu to the left. There's some other good info their, too.Thomas[a href=http://www.flyingscool.com] http://www.flyingscool.com/images/Signature.jpg [/a]I like using VC's :-)

>im thinking of starting in florida and going out over the>islands then around the coast of south america (downloading>Andy's SA mesh now) and then follow the coast up to and around>back to florida again...>Funny you should mention that. I'm doing the same thing right now in the DF Baron 58. I lived on St. Croix for ten years and have duplicated this trip as far as Nevis by boat. I just have the default scenery but it's been fun. I should get back to it, my poor Baron has been hanging in the air for a couple of days over Honduras. Part of the route is purple, I think, because I started in the default Baron and switched to the Dreamfleet after I bought it.

"How come you don't like the Bill Lyons' Grumman Goose?"Actually, I love the Mr. Lyons' Goose. The only issue I have with it is trying to find a better sound set and updating a few of the gauges with some of R.Xp's guages. The refresh in the VC is horrible because of the many VC windows. Still puzzel'ing through that one.I will be sure to check out Long Island Classics, thanks for all the links. So, Aerosoft Beaver is a good product? That's one company I haven't dealt with yet.Again, thank you for taking the time for some wonderful input.-Jeff

DF Beachcraft Bonanza A36. With Peter Mcclellands turbo modifications to climb over mountains as needed. Mine is modd'ed with RXP gauges and RXP GNS 430 twin stacks. Thats what I'd fly. The DF Baron would be a good choice too if you are looking for a twin.Milton Shupes Beech 18 is interesting if you are old school, but even then I'd add a modern autopilot and a GNS430.Eric