I've been flying this plane the most for a good 2 years now and it's about time I tried something that's very similar but a bit more in depth than the default, something that'll do nicely until MSFS2024 comes along. I did look at the Kodiak from Sim Works Studios but it's not been updated since 2022 (as far as I can tell) so not sure if it still works correctly after multiple Sim & WT Avionics Updates and stuff since then.

So can anyone recommend a decent similar alternative? and/or is the Kodiak working just fine these days so just get that?
thanks

Have you considered the BlackSquare Caravan? It is considerably more in depth than the default caravan.

I have the Kodiak but she hasn't left my hangar for months. Last time I tried her I found her lacking. Flightmodel still needs work IMHO, or else she is just a u pleasant aircraft to fly.

I flew the Black Square Caravan a lot until the BS King Air was released. But nowadays I prefer the Kodiak. IMO it handles well, has decent (although not exceptional system depth, at least not compared to BS aircraft) and it is more capable than the Caravan in terms of short field landings. With tundra tyres, full flaps and maximum braking, it can land pretty much anywhere. A great sightseeing aircraft!

46 minutes ago, orchestra_nl said:

Have you considered the BlackSquare Caravan? It is considerably more in depth than the default caravan.

I have the Kodiak but she hasn't left my hangar for months. Last time I tried her I found her lacking. Flightmodel still needs work IMHO, or else she is just a u pleasant aircraft to fly.

nah I like my Garmin screens so avoided the Black Square stuff although one day I may have a go.

44 minutes ago, Cpt_Piett said:

I flew the Black Square Caravan a lot until the BS King Air was released. But nowadays I prefer the Kodiak. IMO it handles well, has decent (although not exceptional system depth, at least not compared to BS aircraft) and it is more capable than the Caravan in terms of short field landings. With tundra tyres, full flaps and maximum braking, it can land pretty much anywhere. A great sightseeing aircraft!

So the Kodiak is OK with SU15? bit of googling suggests there's some issues, don't really wanna spend money on a plane that's a bit dodgy through lack of attention by the Devs.

4 minutes ago, MarcG said:

So the Kodiak is OK with SU15? bit of googling suggests there's some issues, don't really wanna spend money on a plane that's a bit dodgy through lack of attention by the Devs.

I shelved the Kodiak long ago after one of their updates botched the flight model.  It seems to want to fall out of the sky on short final in many cases.  I really did like it on the early releases but something definitely went awry with it at some point and the Devs seem to not be doing much with it.  They are the same Devs that made the PC-12 which is equally quirky but with that one, it feels like the rudder falls off on short final!  One plane that might be worth checking is the Tecnam P2012.  I was actually pleasantly surprised by it and is fun to fly.  It is a piston though but similar mission to a 208.  I can also highly recommend the FSR M500.....a really fun plane to fly and very detailed!

29 minutes ago, MarcG said:

So the Kodiak is OK with SU15? bit of googling suggests there's some issues, don't really wanna spend money on a plane that's a bit dodgy through lack of attention by the Devs.

I don't have any issues with it. It handles well, flies well and lands well. No falling out of the sky issues. The major downside IMO is the G1000, which is just based on my preference for the G3X/GTNXi. Entering a flight plan / holding pattern with the mouse is quite the ordeal. One thing I really like about the Kodiak (apart from what I've already mentioned) is the great visibility due to the high wings. It's a bit slow though, so if that's a problem, I'd look into the BS Dukes. 

Edited August 20, 20241 yr by Cpt_Piett

cool ok thanks guys, I'll check out the Tecnam 2021 as that simply looks nice!

1 hour ago, MarcG said:

So can anyone recommend a decent similar alternative? and/or is the Kodiak working just fine these days so just get that?
thanks

Maybe you should have a closer look to Sim Work Studios‘ Pilatus PC-12. A marvellous aircraft in real life and a great one in MSFS.

Nothing wrong with the Kodiak in SU15.

It’s a great plane.👌

It's been a while since I've flown the Kodiak, and this thread nudged me to take it up for a spin. No complaints.

Did two laps around the pattern, handles nicely, no problems controlling speed on final, feels good in the flare. Did some slow flight too, got it down to about 55 knots, no issues holding altitude and heading. I'm motivated to get back into it.

Might also take a look at the Blackbird PC-6 Porter.  Option for glass or analog gauges, floats, tundra tires etc, plus the added fun of a taildragger and SUPERB visibility around and below you for sight seeing.  Still one of the better flight models in the sim IMHO.  Flying it to the mountain jungle strips in Papua New Guinea / Indonesia never gets old.

The cons are 1. It's slow (but nothing one click of time accel can't fix), and 2.  The engine modeling, while fine enough to enjoy starting and shutting down, is pretty simplified - but then so is the Kodiak.  I don't have any Black Square birds but I get the sense this is something they do a little more detailed. 

But the Porter is still great.

Edited August 20, 20241 yr by Stearmandriver

Really enjoying the Kodiak right now.  It does take a little care on landing and so does the real thing from comments I've seen from those who fly it for a living.  (if you chop the power the prop can become quite an air brake, so reduce gradually and she'll set in fine).

She really does handle well and is very capable for all kinds of strips and environments.

The biggest issue for the Kodiak for me is the lack of persistence .. I just can't commit myself to flying a plane regularly now without persistent fuel, failures and preferably, cockpit switches.

The late approach, landing model is still janky but with one step of flaps you can generally land the thing reasonably well at 75-80 knots without it wallowing around too much.