I've done the odd GA flight here and there but I've mainly focused on large scale commercial OPS with all the usual suspects.

I'd really like to get into GA flying as an alternative after recently doing a short 30 minute tour around Monument Valley.

What GA aircraft would you recommend for short 1 to 2 hour hops using this criteria;

1. Available aircraft within the sim

2. Basic systems, not too complicated to fly

thanks guys

C208b Caravan, default aircraft, G1000 unit, fairly simple and straightforward, good views for VFR.

TBM 930...yes really!

Working Title's magic has made this into a gem. Only one 'go' lever and two flap positions to worry about and the avionics,  whilst extremely sophisticated, are also extremely easy to use.

Good speed capability to get from poi to poi too.

My vote would go for the two Beechcraft, the Bonanza and Baron. They are fast enough to get somewhere and not complicated. I use to fly for business. At first I rented a C-172. Later I moved up to a C-182. It would do 150 mph which was about three times the speed of an average road trip in a car. The time savings made it worth flying. The longest flight I did was 4 hours. This was a 12 hour drive by vehicle. 

Thanks for the input, gents. I took the caravan for a trip up into the Himalayas after downloading the mesh and it was a crash course (literally) in air density at high altitudes.

I'll take a look at the Beechcrafts and the TBM, the cockpit of which I really like.

Thanks again.

The Black Square modifications for (some of) the stock are really good if you are intent on turbo-prop flying (quick note on this: it gives you a whole new airframe and avionics, but uses most of the rest of the 3D model that Asobo provide). Other add-ons I'd say are well worth considering are the A2A PA28, and I am currently just loving the COWS DA42. I can probably name another dozen add-on GA aircraft but this ought to get you exploring a little beyond the stock aircraft.

Must also mention the (free) modifications for the DA40NG and DA62 (available from flightsim.to). 

Edited February 27, 20242 yr by lupedelupe

I fly the C208 Caravan modified by Black Square for stuff like this.  Not exactly default with the add on I know, but worth it to get the steam gauge version.

It has Short Field performance, a bit more speed than the average GA, good range, feels like a substantial aircraft, not too complicated to learn, reverse on landing if needed, and a good view as it has a high wing.  I love it!.

I have also added the FTSim+ sound pack for it.  Superb and really brings it to life even more.

Sometimes when you get an aircraft like this it stops you using so many others because it is that good.  You can place yourself in so many mission types with this aircraft from simple sight-seeing, to commuter, parcel, bush, and special missions etc.

A2A Comanche ! I think it's available in the market too now.

My favorite - the Diamond DA62.

Having flown a Cessna 172RG Cutlass in the real world, the Carenado 182RG is awesome. Not as feature-rich as an A2A product, but arguably the best of the Carenados so far, based on real-world experience with an extremely similar aircraft. Flies right, looks amazing, and you can choose between the GNS530 or a GTN750. 

Caravan

I tend to fly the Kodiak 100 for much of my GA flying.

6 hours ago, bobcat999 said:

I fly the C208 Caravan modified by Black Square for stuff like this.  Not exactly default with the add on I know, but worth it to get the steam gauge version.

Agree 100%! I use their Bonanza for short hops / sightseeing, and the Caravan / King Air / TBM850 for IFR flights. Highly recommended and well worth the money.

For default I’d go for the G1000 172 (bit on the slow side for my taste), TBM930 or the modded DA62.

Edited February 27, 20242 yr by Cpt_Piett

IRl, the obvious choice is the SR22, really a great plane for a personal use. But it's so automated, not as much fun to fly in MSFS. That's why a lot of folks chose planes with more traditional instruments, more of a challenge and easier to read the gauges.

For a default aircraft?  The tbm 930 for sure.  It's fast, sexy, and can get into shorter strips if needed with reverse pitch.

Otherwise if you have premium deluxe the new cirrus is also very lovely.

If you don't want glass I'd spend some money and get the black square TBM 850.  It's not very complicated (if you want it to be it can), also sexy and nearly as fast as the 330.