Hey everyone,

Last year, I did use Xplane-11 Aerobask's freeware DR-401 for Pilotedge (with VR) and it was fantastic experience.  As the plane is simple enough to use with G1000 and I could focus on Pilotedge Training (CAT exercises).  

I am looking for a similar plane which has simple controls but is realistic flight dynamics (G1000 with all the charts) and has open canopy design like the DR-401.  I have FSReborn Sting but for some reason in VR the display is further away and this as expected with the original aircraft design.  In DR-401, the screen is very close to the pilot.  

I have used JPL-C152 in VR and it is excellent for Pilotedge but I would love an aircraft with glass cockpit and fadec controls.  

Any suggestions on what aircraft fits this bill in MSFS2020

Thank you

Ahh that free DR401 G1000 from Aerobask was sooo good! ... I miss it.

Alas, there is nothing similar for MSFS.  There are plenty of mods of the default Robin DR400 but they're all old school in terms of avionics.  The default Garmin G3X is really poor, so I recommend sticking with a G1000 aircraft, as the WT G1000 we have is now very realistic.

[Excited EDIT! :]

Ahhhh!  I just remembed!  I've got just the plane for you!   Virtually identical to the DR401 in operation as it has the same FADEC TDI engine. (Set and forget).

You need the Cessna 172 JT-A mod.  It takes the default 172 G1000, removes the mixture lever and adds some goodies for the TDI engine.   It's really good.  It's my "go to" C172.

Cessna 172 G1000 JT-A TDI mod, by Mrtommymxr :-

https://flightsim.to/file/15473/c172jta

Edited January 7, 20242 yr by JYW

Wow, I will look into this airplane mod.  

11 minutes ago, Skywolf said:

Wow, I will look into this airplane mod.  

If you liked the DR401 in XP11, you'll love this mod.   Turn on the battery, don't forget the main engine switch (that turns the fadec on), hit the starter, fire the throttle and you're off.   It is modelling the 135hp TDI engine, so it's no speed demon.  On take off, it feels slower than a standard C172 (with the 180hp IO-360 engine) but from 3,500 feet it's faster than that engine - which is realistic, as the TDI holds it's max power up to it's critical altitude.  Climb power is 90% but the fadec will limit to MCT anyway, so you can firewall the throttle and forget about it!   It's good fun (for a C172).

Edited January 7, 20242 yr by JYW

Will try the mod later tonite.

Just found out about the payware DA-42 (that could be good with custom G1000Nxi).  How is the DA-62 Mod? 

Has no one made payware DR-401 with G1000 for MSFS? Aerobask should port it as a test case for MSFS...dunno what those guys are thinking?

Edited January 8, 20242 yr by Skywolf

On 1/7/2024 at 9:53 PM, Skywolf said:

as no one made payware DR-401 with G1000 for MSFS? Aerobask should port it as a test case for MSFS...dunno what those guys are thinking?

You can't port from X-Plane to MSFS.  The entire ecosystem and architecture is vastly different.

I'd love Aerobask to make aircraft for MSFS, as they were my favourite dev when I used XP11.

but alas, they've said a number of times that they are dedicated to the XP platform and will not be developing for MSFS.

Mrtommy's DA-62 mod is excellent.   As is his DA-40 mod, if you fancy a G1000 single engine that's a bit faster than the C172 JT-A.

On 1/7/2024 at 3:53 PM, Skywolf said:

Just found out about the payware DA-42 (that could be good with custom G1000Nxi).  How is the DA-62 Mod? 

Really, a custom G1000 NXi is not needed. The sim stock NXi is a lot more advanced than the XP G1000 and replicates to a very high fidelity 90-95% of the functions a pilot uses on the daily. If your concern is that the avionics won't be good enough without a mod, that won't be true here. Add the Navigraph plugin and you even get full charts support, on any G1000 NXi plane. All the G1000 planes on the market use the sim NXi (except a few older add-ons that still use the original AS1000).

If you want FADEC and good vis specifically, I'd recommend the DA-62 mod, which is excellent. Or, if you want a single with deep systems and easy management, the SR22T just released in the latest sim update (part of Premium Deluxe package) is a good choice, too. And it has the Cirrus exclusive Perspective Plus additions to the NXi.

Edited January 9, 20242 yr by MattNischan

1 hour ago, MattNischan said:

Really, a custom G1000 NXi is not needed. The sim stock NXi is a lot more advanced than the XP G1000 and replicates to a very high fidelity 90-95% of the functions a pilot uses on the daily. If your concern is that the avionics won't be good enough without a mod, that won't be true here. Add the Navigraph plugin and you even get full charts support, on any G1000 NXi plane. All the G1000 planes on the market use the sim NXi (except a few older add-ons that still use the original AS1000).

If you want FADEC and good vis specifically, I'd recommend the DA-62 mod, which is excellent. Or, if you want a single with deep systems and easy management, the SR22T just released in the latest sim update (part of Premium Deluxe package) is a good choice, too. And it has the Cirrus exclusive Perspective Plus additions to the NXi.

 

Wow, thank you for sharing some excellent info here.  I will add the Navigraph plugin and go from there.  I will try the SR22T also.