I know this plane has been popular amongst those who specifically what this aircraft.  There are several out there of this general size and utility.  However, for me who would use the in game Caravan (maybe even moded) for these types of flight, what does this plane bring that might entice me purchase?  I know it is an excellent product, just looking to be talked into it I guess.  Just curious, in other words, why this plane?  

This may or may not be helpful, but all together it’s just a good experience to fly.  It’s a combination of the flight dynamics, sounds, graphics…it’s hard to put my finger on any single thing I think because it’s a case where the entire package comes together so well.  My flights in this aircraft are always satisfying.

12 minutes ago, Mike S KPDX said:

Just curious, in other words, why this plane?

The Kodiak is really nice airplane in real life, and the SWS version is very good.

If the Caravan is like a school bus, the Kodiak would be like a Range Rover..

 

Edited March 19, 20224 yr by Bert Pieke

If you want to purchase rather than run default plane, This Kodiak really is better than a default with a mod. Pretty sure you would not be disappointed, but not really knowing you, I could be wrong. 

The Kodiak has become my go-to IFR platform in the sim.  Running it flat out (hey, not my engine 😉) it'll indicate about 155kts.  That puts you over 200kts true at 10,000ft, so it'll get places.  But it also has the short field performance to take you about anywhere; great for those LPV approaches on Vatsim to little airports. 

It's capable in the bush too, but not as good as a Porter, so the Milviz Porter has become my go-to bush basher.  Its downside is that it's slow (115kts indicated), but it's the single nicest flying plane I've tried in this sim.

The Kodiak is a great do-it-all platform though, that's its appeal to me.  There's a great community flight model mod floating around for the Kodiak to, if you happen to find the original a bit twitchy. 

Duplicate.

Edited March 19, 20224 yr by Stearmandriver

As someone who was doing a lot of Caravan flying and recently purchased the Kodiak when it came out on the Marketplace I will say it's worth the purchase.

What I like:

1. Everything, or most everything works on the plane, from the circuit breakers to the air conditioning system.

2. I do a lot of Neo Flying and i really like "mixed" version which has some pax seats and cargo area in the back. The passengers and cargo will physically appear in the plane when you load your weights.

3. The plane feels alive in the air, especially on approach as you near the runway. It is smaller than the Caravan so that might be why if feels more alive in the air, but either way I like it.

4. The sounds are great making it more immersive.

So far there is only one thing I don't like and that is:

1. Takeoff -- It jumps off the runway even at minimum rotate speed and can easily stall right after it launces off the runway.  It doesn't seem realistic to me to have so much lift to leap off the runway at low speeds (65 knots) then all of a sudden not have any lift shortly after. -- I tried doing a military style take off where you pull the nose off the runway at low speeds and let the plane pick up speed only on the main wheels until it has enough lift to get airborne. In real life, at least in my experience with the 152 and 172 the planes will gently lift off the runway once they've developed enough lift/airspeed. The Kodiak in sim will catapult off the runway and then stall... doesn't seem realistic.

Edited March 19, 20224 yr by decker89

It could be realistic though - it has a lot of torque and power - and could lift off and once out of ground effect you'll lose a little lift. High angle of attack and a slight wing bank (or lack of rudder coordination) could cause a stall/spin.

The POH  Vr (rotation speed) for normal takeoff is at 60 to 65 kts and climb speed should be 85 to 95 kts.

Short field with obstacles is 20 degree flaps, rotate at 50 kts and climb at 72 kts.

For normal take-offs anything from 0-20 degrees is allowable,  however the POH seems to recommend 20 degree of flaps for all take offs unless there is a crosswind. Retract flaps to 10 degrees at 85 kts and retract fully at 95 kts.

Edited March 20, 20224 yr by Glenn Fitzpatrick

The Kodiak is the best payware plane in MSFS2020 by far. 

3 minutes ago, Bobsk8 said:

The Kodiak is the best payware plane in MSFS2020 by far. 

Yeah I think it is. It's great on all dimensions.

I think this is one of those situations where the only reply is - why haven't you purchased it already? 😁

6 hours ago, Stearmandriver said:

The Kodiak has become my go-to IFR platform in the sim. ......

The Kodiak is a great do-it-all platform though, that's its appeal to me.  There's a great community flight model mod floating around for the Kodiak to, if you happen to find the original a bit twitchy. 

I looked today on flightsim.to, but the author is no longer providing the mod after almost 28,000 downloads...

I find the MSFS Kodiak a super twitchy aircraft and nothing like you see on YT videos of the aircraft. Take off there is a better than average chance of a left wing drop stall

3 minutes ago, por930 said:

I looked today on flightsim.to, but the author is no longer providing the mod after almost 28,000 downloads...

I find the MSFS Kodiak a super twitchy aircraft and nothing like you see on YT videos of the aircraft. Take off there is a better than average chance of a left wing drop stall

At launch yes, but not now.  One of the least twitchy aircraft I have.

I need to check if I updated the Kodiak, following SWS update...maybe my issue!