Hi All,

I’m a real-world PPL (VFR only), though I’ve unfortunately been out of currency for several years!

Like many people, my interest in flying originally started with Microsoft Flight Simulator — specifically MSFS 2000 — well before I earned my PPL almost 20 years ago. The last version I owned was FS2004, so I’ve effectively been away from flight simulation for over two decades.

This year I decided to get back into the hobby, and before Christmas I invested in a fairly high-end gaming PC so I can enjoy the latest version of MSFS at its best.

What I’m hoping to get out of the hobby over the next year or so:

My main goal is to become proficient in operating either a Boeing 737 or an Airbus A320. I’m not aiming to be an expert hand-flying ace; instead, I’d be very happy to focus on mastering the aircraft systems and automation — FMC usage, normal airline procedures, full autoland, etc. — to get the most enjoyment and realism from the sim.

Before getting too deep into this, I’m planning to invest in dedicated airliner hardware and add-on aircraft. At this stage, though, I need to decide whether to go down the Airbus or Boeing route.

So the big question is:

Do I invest in an Airbus sidestick and the Fenix A320, or a Boeing yoke and the PMDG 737?

Given my objectives for the next year, are they likely to be achieved more easily with Boeing or Airbus?

Thanks in advance for your input!

Barry

Edited January 11Jan 11 by BarryEIDW

If you want the more modern aircraft you should choose the Airbus.

Since you've got a real-world PPL, let me put it like this: You've just asked the "Skyhawk or Cherokee?" question. 😃

Each has minor advantages and disadvantages, but in the end both are broadly similar, both will allow you to fulfill your mission, and I don't think you'll regret choosing either. Also, both have fervent supporters who will tell you that there is only One True Choice. 😉

As far as addons go, there are multiple good choices available for both the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. Watch some videos, then choose whatever appeals to you more personally. Either way, you can't really go wrong.

1 hour ago, BarryEIDW said:

Before getting too deep into this, I’m planning to invest in dedicated airliner hardware and add-on aircraft. 

Obviously this is your choice and none of my business but surely it would be better to decide what flavour of tube liner you're really interested in before splashing out on dedicated hardware?

MSFS2024 comes with both a highly detailed Boeing 737 Max and a range of very decent Airbus aircraft - with good systems - to give you a feel for what choices you might like to make.

A basic twist grip joystick with a built in throttle would be enough to fly any aircraft before investing heavily in dedicated hardware.

Just my two cents....

Don't be afraid of hand flying.  There's this myth in the sim world that real airline pilots never hand fly, and that's simply not true.  I typically hand fly a departure in 737s up to 18,000ft and the automation comes off somewhere on base.  I'm probably pretty average in this regard in my pilot group.

Sure it's situational, workload dependent, and the automation is there as a tool.  I'm not saying not to use it.  But don't feel like you're cheating or doing something unrealistic by hand flying.  Have some fun.  Supposedly we got into this gig because we like to fly, right?  😉

As far as Boeing or Airbus, well, I'm obviously biased, but again - supposedly we got into this because we like to FLY, right?  That makes it an easy choice to me 😁.

Why not to invest in both? I fly both airbus and boeing and I enjoy both. I have yoke (yoko) and airbus stick (tm), but I prefer stick for ergonomics !

59 minutes ago, Stearmandriver said:

As far as Boeing or Airbus, well, I'm obviously biased, but again - supposedly we got into this because we like to FLY, right?  That makes it an easy choice to me 😁.

Given your username, I'm sure you'll also agree that a real airplane is controlled with a stick, not a yoke? 😁

I prefer a yoke over joystick for flying. It allows Boeing operations and more of the popular GA world.

I also prefer the 737 over the 320 as there’s just a bit more to do.

As you mentioned hardware, where are you playing? I have my setup in the study, which is also used as an office, and it’s a PITA when I need to unscrew the yoke. A joystick setup is a lot better in this regard.
 

Edited January 11Jan 11 by MikeV1

 Airbus sidestick+ fenix320+ ifly737

Edited January 12Jan 12 by MayuyuYukirin

In the 737, you're flying an updated version of a base 1970's aircraft. You have to click more buttons.

In the A320, you're flying a more modern platform, where the aircraft is able to do many more functions automatically.

Both can be fun, it depends on what you like.

 

 

Just get both! One isnt better than the other. Its just two differant approches. Anyone who tells you one is better than the other is biased. You can't go wrong with eirther. The Maddog is my favourite at the moment.

Edited January 12Jan 12 by YukonPete

I respect your decision to restrict the choice to either a B737 or an A320. However, we are not trying to be certified on either for RW flying. The choice does not have to be mutually exclusive.

This is a SIM, intended to provide fun, enjoyment (and learning). So, I can tell you that you’ll miss out on a lot of fun by not exploring both types of airliners. 

The A320 flew 20 years after the B737, but overtook the B737 in terms of total deliveries just a couple of months ago. The nuances and differences between the two are immensely fascinating, speaking at least from an aviation enthusiast perspective, and if you are new to them.

You say that your last SIM was FS9. So, you may recall (or may have used) the PMDG 737 NG that was first released in FS9. At that time, there was no good Airbus a/c in the SIM.
Things are vastly different now after 22 years, that you missed…🙂…We are fortunate to have wonderful (and high-fidelity) versions of both airliners today in our SIM.

Consider both options, if possible, maybe with a phased exposure, if not together. 

Most importantly have fun the way you want it.

Good luck.

Edited January 12Jan 12 by P_7878

5 hours ago, P_7878 said:

The choice does not have to be mutually exclusive.

Two or three years ago, I would have agreed. But the downside of being blessed with these new ranges of inexpensive cockpit hardware, is that they tend to force us in one direction or the other. I have a sidestick, an Alpha yoke and Bravo throttle (the latter with interchangeable throttle sets), so in theory I can fly Airbus, Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, ATR, or whatever, but I also have Airbus FCU + EFIS and MCDU devices which means that Airbus is always the easiest or laziest option. 

The airbus everyday and twice on Sunday.  First, because Fenix is the best airliner developer in the game and provides a totally amazing product that is without any issues.  Second, the Airbus is a “simple” aircraft to learn and once you get how to program the box and start the engines( which is simpler than a 172) it’s just a dream to fly.  It’s so simple and relaxing.

If flicking 50 switches is your thing than Boeing is the way to go but that’s not my thing at all.

2 hours ago, jspilot said:

The airbus everyday and twice on Sunday.  First, because Fenix is the best airliner developer in the game and provides a totally amazing product that is without any issues.  Second, the Airbus is a “simple” aircraft to learn and once you get how to program the box and start the engines( which is simpler than a 172) it’s just a dream to fly.  It’s so simple and relaxing.

If flicking 50 switches is your thing than Boeing is the way to go but that’s not my thing at all.

To be honest once you've got the flows down to a T then flying the 737 isn't really much more difficult than flying the A320. Different yes, but not really more difficult. I tend to switch from one to the other fairly regularly, and in FS2024 we're now blessed in having excellent renditions of both.

I love both. I only have a sidestick so flying the 737 with it isn't entirely accurate, but I still enjoy feeling slightly more involved with more buttons and switches to click - manually engaging the electrical buses and turning the packs on and off, setting the landing elevation manually and tuning the ILS and course, for example.

Edited January 12Jan 12 by Tom Wright