Hi 🙂

As I am not able to fly in the real-world anymore for a still unknown, possibly long time (due to money, mostly), I am looking for "the one" aircraft that can truly beccome "my" MSFS aircraft.

Size could be anything between C152 and Kodiak - not bigger (for bigger ones, I use the DC-6, the FBW A320 and the CJ4).

It should be

- a reliable simulation, i.e. without sudden unexpected buggy behavior (any problems in flight should be because I made a mistake, not because the model is buggy)

- well maintained by its developers, i.e. when a sim update breaks something, a hotfix should come out fast

- plausible flight model (in the constraints of a desktop simulator, of course; would be cool if performance data matches POH)

- a bit of systems plausibility (would be nice to not just having to press CTRL+E to start, but does not to be study level).

 

Any recommendations (freeware, modded default planes, payware)?

(Currently have the Carenado Mooney; the Carenado C182; the freeware C170B; also know there are two Bonanza mods but did not try them; Also a note: I do not like Cub-like planes very much).

Thanks!

Edited January 11, 20224 yr by MarioDonick

The Kodiak is good (but at the high end of the GA sphere). The humble DA40 (with mod) is great for something simpler. For something older you could consider the Piaggio/FW P.149 (really a great pleasure to hand fly ... well, no AP, so you have to anyway). 

8 minutes ago, MarioDonick said:

Any recommendations (freeware, modded default planes, payware)?

I'd recommend looking into the JustFlight Pipers.

There are currently multiple versions available, three if I recall correctly. From the Warrior to the Turbo Arrow.

I fly the standard Arrow regularly and they are very good. I would say they all meet the description of what you are looking for.

I can also vouch for the Kodiak, which is fantastic and currently my go-to aircraft. I really love this add on.

And then there is a Twin Otter about to release, which is hotly anticipated and an absolutely solid platform of an aircraft. But I am unaware what this add on is like/going to be like.

I second the Piaggio/FW P.149 if a GA bird with strong 50s vibes is your thing - and complete lack of modern bells & whistles 😛 

She is a looker too!

Cheers,

2Low2Slow

Definitely the Just Flight Turbo Arrow 3. As mentioned above a few Arrows are available from JF, but this on is my favourite.

For me it is the most complete 3rd party GA plane available. Exceptional attention to detail from JF for both visuals and sound, good system depth, steam gauges and gps options. Best money I spent for MSFS so far.

Let us know where you land on this one 😁

 

I agree with the previous suggestions for the JF Arrows but I'd also say I think the Just Flight PA28 Warrior might be even better than the Arrows.

Certain I don't think you would go wrong with any of the JF PA28s.

For freeware the JPlogistics C152 Mod is very good and adds a lot to what was already one of the best default aircraft in MSFS
https://flightsim.to/file/2246/msfs-c152-community

The G36 Improvement Project would fit the bill, it's being updated regularly and just got spark plug fouling simulation, the electrics had already been overhauled so the air conditioning now works (amongst other things), flight dynamics and fuel burn have been tweaked to match the POH quite closely and it's been tested by real life Bonanza pilots. Oh and it's free!

Performance wise the G36 will climb and cruise similarly to a C208B-EX at lower altitudes although it isn't quite so quick getting off the runway, it's not a STOL bird. You'll see a 155 KIAS cruise and 900 fpm climbs easily enough. Avionically they're identical, both can run the G1000NXI.

Edited January 11, 20224 yr by ckyliu

Hi, another vote for the Turbo Arrow, superb aircraft and well supported by the developers

 

cheers

Steve

I am an unabashed devotee of the Robert Young Turbo Normalized Bonanza. https://github.com/roblenvic/Bonanza-Turbo

It integrates with the NXi and flies like a (Tornado Alley converted) G36… the ultimate piston single in my book.

C

Edited January 11, 20224 yr by cavaricooper

I fly the Milviz  Pilatus Porter which seems more or less  in line with your definition and can't have enough of it.

The Kodiak is the best thing in MSFS currently. 

Another vote for the sublime Just Flight Arrows here.

I think the Kodiak or any of the Just Flight Arrows would fit the bill (Turbo Arrow would be my choice if I was going to focus on one given it’s versatility in climbing over terrain).

Though if you wanted to simulate owning a GA plane the arrow is probably better choice.  Both are great and where I spend a good chunk of my simming time.

Edited January 11, 20224 yr by regis9

3 hours ago, ckyliu said:

The G36 Improvement Project would fit the bill, it's being updated regularly and just got spark plug fouling simulation, the electrics had already been overhauled so the air conditioning now works (amongst other things), flight dynamics and fuel burn have been tweaked to match the POH quite closely and it's been tested by real life Bonanza pilots. Oh and it's free!

Performance wise the G36 will climb and cruise similarly to a C208B-EX at lower altitudes although it isn't quite so quick getting off the runway, it's not a STOL bird. You'll see a 155 KIAS cruise and 900 fpm climbs easily enough. Avionically they're identical, both can run the G1000NXI.

Heartily recommend this! For default planes, you can't get much better than this outside of Working Title's CJ4. It's my go-to for leisurely single engine low-ish/slow-ish flights with terrific range.

I can recommend the Just Flight Turbo Arrow as well.

But because I mostly prefer the superior visibility of a high wing aircraft in MSFS I am using the C172 most of the time when it comes to GA flying. It is a decent default aircraft and offers both a G1000 version and a steam cockpit (Deluxe edition). It's good enough for me and I definitely prefer it over the Carenado C182.

In addition to the default variants (Ski and Floater) there are several great mods by bagolu to choose from to give some more variety and improved performance (all for both the steam and the G1000 version):

https://flightsim.to/file/12387/cessna-172-bush-kit

https://flightsim.to/file/12978/cessna-172-tail-dragger

https://flightsim.to/file/15805/cessna-172-amphibian

https://flightsim.to/file/16362/cessna-172-no-wheel-fairings

https://flightsim.to/file/23624/cessna-172-angleofattack

 

So if you are looking for "the one" aircraft in MSFS and choose the C172 with its available variants you get a good versatility. And all for free.

 

Edited January 11, 20224 yr by RALF9636