5 hours ago, Bobsk8 said:

I  used to fly the Kodiak all the time when I first got it. Haven't flown it since I got the PC12, The Turbine Duke and the Blacksquare TBM 850. Now I think the best flying GA aircraft I have ever owned, are the TBM850 and the Turbine Duke with the PC 12 coming in  third. The only negative about the Duke, is the decreased visibility due to the engine cowlings. 

I flew (struggled with) the Kodiak a lot back in the 2020 sim as well in 2023, but it was always like 50/50 whether I can get it down gently where I want it which is not good enough for bush flying… where you just don’t have that kinda room for error. 

1 hour ago, Virtual-Chris said:

How long ago did they say this? They are slower than snails. 😕

Last post I’ve seen from SWS regarding working on a native 2024 version is from January. 

28 minutes ago, Gulf76 said:

Last post I’ve seen from SWS regarding working on a native 2024 version is from January. 

Not surprising. I’m betting it’s mostly a cash grab for those new to the 2024 sim. I’ll be surprised if they change the flight model as everything I’ve seen from them in the past on the official forums indicates they are a proud arrogant group that thinks the plane is perfect but I guess we will see (eventually).

This is an interesting thread...I don't have all the models mentioned at this time. Comparing the Turbine Duke to the Kodiak, is an interesting parallel, IMHO.

I bought, and flew, the Kodiak for about a week in MSFS 2020...wasn't too impressed...especially considering some of the early (positive) reviews. Perhaps I just never let the aircraft grow on me. (I find some of the "deficiencies" of the flight model similar to the OP.) 

The Turbine Duke is a fun aircraft to fly...but I wouldn't consider that aircraft for "bush" flying. My downsides for the Duke are the "limited" load capacity/distance and the "finicky-ness" of the beta/reverser range (although that may just be the set-up of my CH throttle quadrant).

Agree with the recommendations for the Black Square TBM...but again, not what I would consider as an aircraft for non-improved runways. It's also, obviously, a low wing design, but, a great cross country type of GA. Visually stunning (graphics) and modern garmin avionics.

As I'm still on 2020, my favourite (yeah, I converse in the "Queen's English"  🙂 ) STOL, short, unimproved airfield aircraft is the piston Islander from Blackbox. I can't speak to the turbine version/update. Yes, not the best graphics and certainly not "study level", but, a fun aircraft none-the-less. Hand flies wonderfully! It's also a high wing with great 180 degree forward visibility for VFR flights. (The only avionics option in the WT G530.) For a piston (twin), it flies at about the same speed/altitude as the Kodiak. I've flown the BN-2 Islander throughout British Columbia...not the fastest climber to 10,000 ft, but, it will get there, with a healthy payload (and PAX/Cargo options. Maneuvering into valley airstrips is a breeze with this aircraft and short airfields are made easily without sweaty palms!  🙂 

I also like the Black Square King Air (although would love for someone to do a B200...similar to the Flight1 model back in P3D!). Black Square committed to an update of the King Air months ago...not sure what the status is of that update.

What isn't mentioned in the thread is speed...how fast do you need to get there?...as well as altitude...can you live with an unpressurized aircraft? (As well as passengers/loads and style of flying.)

I haven't yet bought either of the PC-12 options...the reviews have never been great on either option.

Last point, it may be beneficial to specify (preference) between piston and turboprop aircraft, if that's what the OP wants to differentiate. Surprised no one has mentioned the A2A.

Anyway, hopefully the discussion continues...hoping to learn about good quality GA aircraft (and the reasons why!).

6 minutes ago, rmeier said:

This is an interesting thread...I don't have all the models mentioned at this time. Comparing the Turbine Duke to the Kodiak, is an interesting parallel, IMHO.

I bought, and flew, the Kodiak for about a week in MSFS 2020...wasn't too impressed...especially considering some of the early (positive) reviews. Perhaps I just never let the aircraft grow on me. (I find some of the "deficiencies" of the flight model similar to the OP.) 

The Turbine Duke is a fun aircraft to fly...but I wouldn't consider that aircraft for "bush" flying. My downsides for the Duke are the "limited" load capacity/distance and the "finicky-ness" of the beta/reverser range (although that may just be the set-up of my CH throttle quadrant).

Agree with the recommendations for the Black Square TBM...but again, not what I would consider as an aircraft for non-improved runways. It's also, obviously, a low wing design, but, a great cross country type of GA. Visually stunning (graphics) and modern garmin avionics.

As I'm still on 2020, my favourite (yeah, I converse in the "Queen's English"  🙂 ) STOL, short, unimproved airfield aircraft is the piston Islander from Blackbox. I can't speak to the turbine version/update. Yes, not the best graphics and certainly not "study level", but, a fun aircraft none-the-less. Hand flies wonderfully! It's also a high wing with great 180 degree forward visibility for VFR flights. (The only avionics option in the WT G530.) For a piston (twin), it flies at about the same speed/altitude as the Kodiak. I've flown the BN-2 Islander throughout British Columbia...not the fastest climber to 10,000 ft, but, it will get there, with a healthy payload (and PAX/Cargo options. Maneuvering into valley airstrips is a breeze with this aircraft and short airfields are made easily without sweaty palms!  🙂 

I also like the Black Square King Air (although would love for someone to do a B200...similar to the Flight1 model back in P3D!). Black Square committed to an update of the King Air months ago...not sure what the status is of that update.

What isn't mentioned in the thread is speed...how fast do you need to get there?...as well as altitude...can you live with an unpressurized aircraft? (As well as passengers/loads and style of flying.)

I haven't yet bought either of the PC-12 options...the reviews have never been great on either option.

Last point, it may be beneficial to specify (preference) between piston and turboprop aircraft, if that's what the OP wants to differentiate. Surprised no one has mentioned the A2A.

Anyway, hopefully the discussion continues...hoping to learn about good quality GA aircraft (and the reasons why!).

You don’t mention the Caravan… it’s probably the closest in form/function to the Kodiak I’m aware of.  You don’t use it? If not, why not? 🙂

Edited July 19, 2025Jul 19 by Virtual-Chris

Question for @guenseli… if you’re around.

I’m sad to see I can’t find any of your great Streamdeck profiles for the C208. I did see one for the steam gauge addon plane. Do you think a I can “borrow” some of the switch functions from that steam gauge profile and apply them to the default C208?

I’m guessing most of my Kodiak mappings (like axis and power/start switches) that aren’t unique to the Kodiak will work out of the box with the C208 since the flight controls, prop controls, and startup procedures are the same.  

Edited July 19, 2025Jul 19 by Virtual-Chris

14 minutes ago, rmeier said:

 

I haven't yet bought either of the PC-12 options...the reviews have never been great on either option.

Last point, it may be beneficial to specify (preference) between piston and turboprop aircraft, if that's what the OP wants to differentiate. Surprised no one has mentioned the A2A.

 

As far as the PC 12, most reviews are done by Youtubers 15 minutes after the product is released, and they can barely get it off the ground half the time. The SWS PC 12 is a complex single-engine Turboprop  aircraft that flies great. I don't waste my money on Carenado aircraft anymore. 

I used to own all the A2A aircraft in P3D and liked them all. Times changed, and I did buy the Comanche for MSFS, got bored with it rather quickly, and haven't flown it in a long time. 

1 minute ago, Bobsk8 said:

As far as the PC 12, most reviews are done by Youtubers 15 minutes after the product is released, and they can barely get it off the ground half the time. The SWS PC 12 is a complex single-engine Turboprop  aircraft that flies great. I don't waste my money on Carenado aircraft anymore. 

I used to own all the A2A aircraft in P3D and liked them all. Times changed, and I did buy the Comanche for MSFS, got bored with it rather quickly, and haven't flown it in a long time. 

Is the PC-12 used for STOL bush operations? It looks more suited for executive travel or other tasks where a paved runway is involved. 

4 minutes ago, Virtual-Chris said:

Is the PC-12 used for STOL bush operations? It looks more suited for executive travel or other tasks where a paved runway is involved. 

The PC-12 was built specifically for the purpose of landing "anywhere"...the Swiss Army knife of aircraft! In Canada, the RCMP use the PC-12 for it's versatility as well as several northern medivac operations.

Regarding the Caravan, I think I just got burned out flying it in P3D. I, too, think it's most similar to the Kodiak. Personally not flying the Caravan in MSFS.

I am tempted by the SWS PC-12. Enjoyed the mods for the Carenado PC-12 back in P3D, although it still had it's limitations...MSFS just looked like a port of their older aircraft. The early reports of landing difficulties in the SWS PC-12 (MSFS) still have me leery. I prefer the speed of the PC-12 over the Caravan for cross country trips.

12 minutes ago, rmeier said:

.

I am tempted by the SWS PC-12. Enjoyed the mods for the Carenado PC-12 back in P3D, although it still had it's limitations...MSFS just looked like a port of their older aircraft. The early reports of landing difficulties in the SWS PC-12 (MSFS) still have me leery. I prefer the speed of the PC-12 over the Caravan for cross country trips.

SWS PC 12 is a piece of cake to land, just fly a stabilized approach, short final 85 knots, yaw damper off, full flaps. Centerline, butter landing , every time. 

If you want a fast GA, right now I am flying the Black Square TBM 850 at FL210, TAS 308 knots. 

Edited July 19, 2025Jul 19 by Bobsk8

7 minutes ago, Bobsk8 said:

SWS PC 12 is a piece of cake to land, just fly a stabilized approach, short final 85 knots, yaw damper off, full flaps. Centerline, butter landing , every time.

Thanks Bob!

I know there were improvements to the SWS flight model after the last update, but, there still seems to be some mixed reviews for the damper on/off. Also, for true "bush flying" without electronic aids, stabilized approach becomes somewhat subjective. 🙂 In the real world, the PC-12's are flown into St Barts...I've heard that approach is still "challenging" with the latest SWS PC-12 with a visual approach. (I know back in the Carenado/P3D days, the key for the PC-12 was getting speed down to almost stall speed (about 67 kts) to get a near perfect landing...instrument or visual.)

23 minutes ago, rmeier said:

The PC-12 was built specifically for the purpose of landing "anywhere"...the Swiss Army knife of aircraft! In Canada, the RCMP use the PC-12 for it's versatility as well as several northern medivac operations.

Regarding the Caravan, I think I just got burned out flying it in P3D. I, too, think it's most similar to the Kodiak. Personally not flying the Caravan in MSFS.

I am tempted by the SWS PC-12. Enjoyed the mods for the Carenado PC-12 back in P3D, although it still had it's limitations...MSFS just looked like a port of their older aircraft. The early reports of landing difficulties in the SWS PC-12 (MSFS) still have me leery. I prefer the speed of the PC-12 over the Caravan for cross country trips.

Interesting... I didn't know that.  I've also read mixed reviews on the SWS, and it doesn't surprise me. As I said before, I'm not giving that company any more of my money until they fix the flight model on the Kodiak. And I've also read the Asobo PC-12 is a toy so not up to our standards I guess. 

I'm going to give the latest C208 a try. 

It's a shame that the Kodiak and C208 don't get more attention from modders and developers... as it seems like one of the aircraft types most used globally for all kinds of missions yet we only have one problematic Kodiak to choose from, and one default C208. 

I'm still waiting on a Cessna 441 Conquest II.  The best of the 400 line IMO.  Cruise at FL350.

dd

2 minutes ago, Sky_Pilot071 said:

I'm still waiting on a Cessna 441 Conquest II.  The best of the 400 line IMO.  Cruise at FL350.

dd

Isn't that more of a business plane?  We're talking STOL here.

1 hour ago, Virtual-Chris said:

Question for @guenseli… if you’re around.

I’m sad to see I can’t find any of your great Streamdeck profiles for the C208. I did see one for the steam gauge addon plane. Do you think a I can “borrow” some of the switch functions from that steam gauge profile and apply them to the default C208?

I’m guessing most of my Kodiak mappings (like axis and power/start switches) that aren’t unique to the Kodiak will work out of the box with the C208 since the flight controls, prop controls, and startup procedures are the same.  

Can you write me a DM at flightsim.to, please?
therefore I can better keep track which people asked me to use part of my files for their own one.

thx