I recently did some flying in a 737-9 max full motion which I thought I was going to enjoy the more analog flight deck, but I didn’t.

It just felt like Boeing were skimping on things compared to the big Boeings I’m used to , I mean is there any need to have a teeny FD switch like that when the wide bodies have a proper sized switch. 
 

just my personal thoughts. I know 737 drivers will disagree!

Regarding stick vs. yoke: From my personal experience, a stick is more versatile and works well across all types of aircraft in the sim, including planes and helicopters. Flying a Boeing with a stick is fine, but flying an Airbus (or a helicopter) with a yoke feels quite awkward.

Both are equally good - They both have their differences and that's what I like about them. 

For Airbus (A320 family, A350, A380 or A330/A340) - it is like a flying computer, Almost every function/system is automated on airbus - from Electrical to Hydraulics you name it. Compared to Boeing - flying airbus is also a lot easier thanks to the fly by wire flight computers (These have been simulated in sim to very good degree), there are built in protections which will not let the airplane fall out of the sky. The sidestick control is also very cool - there is no trimming required, no force feedback and you are literally just pointing the airplane where you want to go. With various external hardware now available (FMGS, FCU..etc) makes flying airbus a lot more immersive.  Addon devs recommended - Fenix, Fslabs, FBW A320 Neo, Inibuilds

Boeing on the other hand is completely different and requires some effort from the pilots. Just like airbus on modern variants like 777, 787 a lot of systems are automated. However planes like 737 requires more hand on approach when managing certain systems (pressurisation or fuel management). Flying Boeing airplane is very similar to your typical GA aircraft. Planes like 777 and 787 do have some sort of fly by wire system but is very different to how it operates on airbus. Flying any Boeing planes in crosswind is also fun and challenging compared to airbus. We now also have external hardware for these aircraft and my personal favourite is CDU and MCP panel for 737. Really improves the immersion especially when you are trying to load a procedure/data into FMS or using MCP when hand flying.  Addons recommended - PMDG 737/777, ifly 737 max

At the end of day it comes down to personal preference and in real life some pilots prefer Boeing to airbus or vice versa. 

If you have the capacity then get both A320 from Fenix and 737 from PMDG and do experience the differences between two.

 

Edited January 12Jan 12 by CAP1234

To the OP:

I know this is your first post here, just so you know such threads, have a tendency to divert towards discussions such as “Which is better, Airbus or Boeing?”, or “Which is better, PMDG or Fenix?”.

Anyway, hardware considerations might be a significant factor. There are folks here who have built dedicated (and expensive) cockpit for just one or the other, and also others who have invested in interchangeable hardware or/and some dedicated components for each type, to enjoy flying both types.

Are you trying to maximize enjoyment from flying just one airliner or maybe trying to maximize enjoyment from this latest MS simulator and what it has to offer for each type, especially because your last SIM was FS9?

You will hear what’s fun for ourselves, but you will eventually need to decide what’s fun for yourself…

Cheers…!

49 minutes ago, outermarker said:

Regarding stick vs. yoke: From my personal experience, a stick is more versatile and works well across all types of aircraft in the sim, including planes and helicopters. Flying a Boeing with a stick is fine, but flying an Airbus (or a helicopter) with a yoke feels quite awkward.

Having 'authentic' controllers for every aircraft is a rabbit hole I'm determined to avoid, so I just use a HOTAS. A stick also requires less space than a yoke and can be easily moved out of the way.

A take-off in a 737 is a busy time for a sim pilot performing both cockpit roles, especially flying manually with VNAV off. By comparison, the A320 is quite relaxing 🙂

Edited January 12Jan 12 by flyingscampi

1 hour ago, jon b said:

I recently did some flying in a 737-9 max full motion which I thought I was going to enjoy the more analog flight deck, but I didn’t.

It just felt like Boeing were skimping on things compared to the big Boeings I’m used to , I mean is there any need to have a teeny FD switch like that when the wide bodies have a proper sized switch. 
 

just my personal thoughts. I know 737 drivers will disagree!

To maintain commonality with the previous variants of the 737 and to avoid re-certification. It's a slippery slope when switches and buttons start getting changed or moved and familiarity gets lost.

10 minutes ago, Tom Wright said:

To maintain commonality with the previous variants of the 737 and to avoid re-certification. It's a slippery slope when switches and buttons start getting changed or moved and familiarity gets lost.

Yes, I see your point, I’d not thought of it like that.

I found the 737 to be exactly how other people have described it, a 1970’s aircraft with modern bits simply bolted onto it.

The CH Flightstick Pro joystick has served me admirably over the years. It works most excellently with the PMDG Boeing 737 and 777 

16 minutes ago, jon b said:

Yes, I see your point, I’d not thought of it like that.

I found the 737 to be exactly how other people have described it, a 1970’s aircraft with modern bits simply bolted onto it.

Same reason that despite the fancy new big LCD screens the MAX still doesn't have EICAS/ECAM equivalent, because apparently adding a modern monitoring and crew alerting system would force re-certification and mean it's no longer a common type.

Topic is strange to me .. 

I never set up my sim equipment to limit myself to either airbus or boeing. I got a roll away gaming stand and bolted on a TCA Boeing Yoke to be right in front of me and on my immediate left is a thrust master T1600m. Which is perfect as an airbus sidestick & Tiller. Pair those two with a decent throttle like a Honeycomb Bravo or the upcoming Meridian GMT latitude plus and you can fly both.

As it regards to learning the systems. I didn't have any issue learning how to fly both. There are more than enough resources available where that should not be an issue. 

Edited January 12Jan 12 by Maxis

28 minutes ago, Christopher Low said:

The CH Flightstick Pro joystick has served me admirably over the years. It works most excellently with the PMDG Boeing 737 and 777 

And Chris, this stick can be also used for the A320, so, the OP can get an early and personal feel about (and experience of) flying both the A- and B- type jetliners, before diving into dedicated and expensive hardware for either type.

Of course, whether you’re yourself (secretly) flying the Airbus with it, without telling us…🙂…is another matter…

33 minutes ago, P_7878 said:

And Chris, this stick can be also used for the A320, so, the OP can get an early and personal feel about (and experience of) flying both the A- and B- type jetliners, before diving into dedicated and expensive hardware for either type.

Of course, whether you’re yourself (secretly) flying the Airbus with it, without telling us…🙂…is another matter…

I do not fly any Airbus aircraft. I have the PMDG Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 777F, and I will be getting the PMDG Boeing 737-600 when it is released. The only other aircraft that is of interest to me at this time is the JustFlight Fokker 70/100. That looks like it may be in the "sweet spot" for my type of flying.

1 hour ago, Christopher Low said:

I do not fly any Airbus aircraft. I have the PMDG Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 777F, and I will be getting the PMDG Boeing 737-600 when it is released. The only other aircraft that is of interest to me at this time is the JustFlight Fokker 70/100. That looks like it may be in the "sweet spot" for my type of flying.

Sounds good, Chris, as long as it’s an informed decision, which is surely the case for yourself.

I have been always passionate about both types in our SIM…got the A340 and A350, the day they were available. I don’t know about OP, but I’ve no aspirations to be type rated for A- or B- …🙂…so, I enjoy learning about (and flying) both types in the SIM, the two being so uniquely different from each other.

F70/F100 are true classics. I was flying the DA/Flight1 versions regularly in the earlier SIMs, and looking forward to the JF versions. Just a week or so ago, I purchased and flew the JF F28 twin jet; the precursor of F70/F100, such a refreshing change from the monotony of A- and B- types…🙂…with due respect for the latter…)…

Limiting oneself to just one airliner type especially because of SIM equipment (or expensive hardware) is not desirable (nor future-proof), but we are all different in our individual likes and dislikes…in this hobby…

Edited January 12Jan 12 by P_7878

21 hours ago, BarryEIDW said:

 

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

FWIW, my IRL flying matches yours.

So, I don’t think you should hamstring yourself with manufacturer specific hardware. I’d only do that if flying a plane was also my day job🤙

I fly in MSFS, XP, DCS World, (formerly) Prepar3D, and even dabble in IL2 Sturmovik  

I fly everything from helicopters to bush planes to piston & turboprop GA to taildragger warbirds to jet fighters on aircraft carriers to Airbus and Boeing.

im no expert in flying any of them (well, literally just a couple 😎), but what I am highly focused on is high fidelity flight models AND handling Hi Fi  aircraft well.

the point of that long list of machines is not at all to brag, but to say that it’s entirely possible to effectively control the gamut of aircraft without worrying about specific aircraft type or manufacturers 

For all that flying, and I do the majority of it without autopilot or auto throttle, I exclusively use the ThrustMaster Warthog HOTAS and Logitech Rudder pedals.

Further, the QUALITY of the peripherals is FAR more important than the form factor. E.g., I’m completely satisfied with the Warthog, but I do need to get around to replacing those mid-grade plastic rudder pedals at some point  

In sum, I would go with a high quality control stick rather than tie myself to a yoke (punny!). And I’d ensure it’s not a floppy piece of plastic

Because sooner or later you’re gonna want to try a  different aircraft, even if it’s just an afternoon diversion, and a yoke isn’t great (yes, I have one. In the back of the closet.).

anyhow, welcome back! More than ever, there’s never been a better time to get back into flight sim 😁🤙

 

Edited January 12Jan 12 by UrgentSiesta

19 hours ago, sd_flyer said:

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 !

This is the best route, in my opinion.

Why limit yourself to one?   There are hundreds of us here who regularly fly the PMDG 737 and the Fenix A320.  The learning will take time and will be incremental.  Although there are a lot of differences between the two types, there are also many general principals that you'll learn, in relation to operating an airliner, reasonably realistically.

I would currently rate the Fenix A320 and the PMDG 737 as equal, in my enjoyment of them.

If it has to be one, I'd personally go for the A320 because:-

• A side stick is cheaper than a yoke
• A sidestick takes up less space on your desk, in case you want to use your PC for other activities, or have space to put a microwave meal 😄
• From an ab initio position, I think the Airbus philosophy in marginally easier to learn to a functional level.

Edited January 12Jan 12 by JYW