July 13, 2025Jul 13 I am really new to flying. So far I have only played with the C172 G1000. I am wondering what the next step up might be. Needs to be reasonably easy to learn how to start up and fly, good for sightseeing, faster than the C172. I bought the A2A Comanche but I don't know how hard it is to learn and if it's good for touring the landscape. Suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I have all the Asobo planes and the Comanche, that's it. Thanks. Case: (Lian Li PC-011 Dynamic XL), PSU: (MEG Ai300p pcie 5 & ATX 3.0), Motherboard: (ASUS TUF Gaming x670E-PLUS WIFI 6E), CPU: (AMD Ryzen 7 7800-X3D) Memory: (G.Skill Trident Z5 NEO RGB Series 64GB DDR5 6000), GPU: (Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 4090 AMP Extreme Airo). CPU Cooler: (ASUS ROG Strix LC RGB 360) Fans: (7 Corsair LL Series 120mm RGB)
July 13, 2025Jul 13 The A2A Comanche is not hard to learn and is a great tourer. The autopilot won't be what you're used to. Some good references How to FLY the A2A Comanche | TUTORIAL | Real Airline Pilot A2A Comanche 250 | Autopilot Tutorial for MSFS | Includes ILS A2A Simulations Comanche 250 - VA Poor Weather IFR Flight - EGPN to EGNT Microsoft Flight Simulator FS2024 • PMDG 738, 77F • FSL A321 • A2A Comanche, Aerostar • BS Baron, Bonanza, Caravan Pro • JF Tomahawk • TAOG H500C BeyondATC • GSX Pro • ChasePlane & Flow Pro • TDS GTNXi • FSUIPC • AutoFPS • RealTurb 9800X3D B650E • ROG OC RTX 5090 • 64GB DDR5-6000 • VKB Gladiator, STECS, T-Rudder • Tobii 5 • ISP 1 Gbps
July 13, 2025Jul 13 There are a bunch of larger/faster props that are good, but once you get to twin engines and having to deal with more complex navigation the workload and learning curve is going to increase significantly. There's a reason most people in these forums are flying around in an Airbus and that's because it does most of the work for you! That said, why not consider something like the Black Square King Air or the Simworks PC-12?
July 13, 2025Jul 13 The piston duke is a blast 5800X3D, 4090FE, 64GB DDR4 3600C16, Gigabyte X570S MB, EVO 970 M.2's, Alienware 3821DW and 2 22" monitors, Corsair RM1000x PSU, 360MM MSI MEG, MFG Crosswind, T16000M Stick, Boeing TCA Yoke/Throttle, Skalarki MCDU and FCU, Logitech Radio Panel/Switch Panel, Spad.Next
July 13, 2025Jul 13 The Comanche isn't super easy to learn as it simulates a lot, but it is still a single engine Piper. It is still nothing like a Boeing or Airbus where you need to learn tons of systems. The thing is, once you learn it, it is super rewarding. It is an older plane in real life and there's a little more to it. If you can learn the Comanche, you can fly any GA plane in the sim. The Comanche also has a fantastic flight model, so it is really a joy to fly. If you're looking for alternatives, I'm a big fan of the developer COWS. They have a DA40 and 42. They just announced a free upgrade to the DA40 XLS if you own their original 40, which is great. The DA40 is still low and slow, but a blast to fly. The DA42 is a twin and will definitely get you more speed. Only downside of a twin is it doesn't have as good a view. ------------------------- Craig from KBUF
July 13, 2025Jul 13 The FlightFX HJET is the easiezt plane to fly in MSFS due to automation. You will fly fast at FL410 in comfort. dd
July 13, 2025Jul 13 I submit that the FlightFx Vision jet is even easier to fly than the Hjet. It's a single engine jet that can be flown at low altitude and slower speeds should you desire to do so and is designed for single pilot operation. It has great visibility and is a joy to fly. Worth your consideration in my opinion. Ken
July 13, 2025Jul 13 The COWS DA42 is a great G1000 based twin engine that I feel like would be good as a second step given that it sounds like you may already be familiar with the G1000 avionics package. I find the default forward visibility excellent in the DA42 as well
July 13, 2025Jul 13 If you're only used to the C172 learning to handle something with an constant speed prop like A2A Comanche is a good next step. The fact it's also the best small single-engined plane in any sim is just a bonus 🙂 Edited July 13, 2025Jul 13 by Matchstick
July 13, 2025Jul 13 3 hours ago, micstatic said: The piston duke is a blast I like the Dukes...for flying. They're not that great for sightseeing, though, because the engines stick out so far forward that they block a lot of the side view to the terrain below. My favorite for sightseeing is the Black Square TBM850. Bob Scott | President and CEO, AVSIM Inc ATP Gulfstream II-III-IV-V Sys1 (MSFS20+24/XPlane12+11): AMD 9800X3D, water 2x240mm, MSI MPG X670E Carbon, 64GB GSkill 6000/30, nVidia RTX4090FE Alienware AW3821DW 38" 21:9 GSync, 2x4TB Crucial T705 PCIe5 + 2x2TB Samsung 990 SSD, EVGA 1000P2 PSU, 12.9" iPad Pro Thrustmaster TCA Boeing Yoke, TCA Airbus Sidestick, Twin TCA Airbus Throttle quads, PFC Cirrus Pedals, Coolermaster HAF932 case Sys2 (P3Dv5/v4): i9-13900KS, water 2x360mm, ASUS Z790 Hero, 32GB GSkill 7800MHz CAS36, ASUS RTX4090 Samsung 55" JS8500 4K TV@60Hz, 3x 2TB WD SN850X 1x 4TB Crucial P3 M.2 NVME SSD, EVGA 1600T2 PSU Fiber link to Yamaha RX-V467 Home Theater Receiver, Polk/Klipsch 6" bookshelf speakers, Polk 12" subwoofer, 12.9" iPad Pro PFC yoke/throttle quad/pedals with custom Hall sensor retrofit, Thermaltake View 71 case, Stream Deck XL button box Sys3 (DCS/P3Dv4/ATS/ETS): AMD 7800X3D, MSI MPG X870E Carbon, Noctua NH-D15S, 64GB GSkill 6000/30, EVGA RTX3090 Alienware AW3420DW 34" 21:9 GSync, Corsair HX1000i PSU, 4TB Crucial T705 PCIe5 + 2TB Samsung 970Evo Plus, TM TCA Officer Pack, Saitek combat pedals, TM Warthog, TM RS300 FF wheel/pedals, Coolermaster HAF XB case
July 13, 2025Jul 13 Assuming you're possibly more interested in VFR than IFR...I really like the Blackbox BN-2 Islander (piston). It's a high wing twin engine. Great visibility from the cockpit for "sight-seeing", easy to learn/fly and STOL characteristics for short airstrips. IRL, they actually land on sand beaches! Admittedly, the graphics aren't as good as some others, but, still always an enjoyable flight for me!
July 13, 2025Jul 13 8 hours ago, Rob G said: I am wondering what the next step up might be. Needs to be reasonably easy to learn how to start up and fly, good for sightseeing, faster than the C172. There are plenty of default aircraft that you might want to try before the Comanche.. The next step might be a slightly more powerful fixed gear aircraft, like the Dakota. it is easy to fly and has analog gauges which is a nice change from the C172. From there, I would try the G36 Bonanza which has retractable gear, but the familiar G1000. Then the Comanche which has quirky controls, but otherwise similar to the Bonanza in performance. When you are comfortable with the Bonanza and Comanche, you might want to try a twin.. 🙂 Edited July 13, 2025Jul 13 by Bert Pieke Bert
July 13, 2025Jul 13 10 hours ago, micstatic said: The piston duke is a blast Yes it is... but the OP is looking for the next airplane for his training, after getting comfortable in the C172.. 🙂 If you ran this flight school, would you move him from a C172 into a Duke? Bert
July 13, 2025Jul 13 7 minutes ago, Bert Pieke said: Yes it is... but the OP is looking for the next airplane for his training, after getting comfortable in the C172.. 🙂 If you ran this flight school, would you move him from a C172 into a Duke? Tom Cruise would. dd
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