HI all.

I'm using MSFS2020 and have some skills related to simple aircraft, but I wanted to progress to more complex GA aircraft. I'm a pretty low-and-slow fella, and have enjoyed the FSAcademy VFR series as well as the very basic missions in MSFS2020. Those types of "guided" and "instructed" missions are kind of fun for me.

While my search capabilities may leave a lot to be desired, I can't seem to find any on the internet so wondered if anyone had seen any. Does anyone know if there are any training missions that are geared toward learning complex GA aircrat for MSFS?

If there aren't any missions geared toward complex a/c training, I figured I would use John Stern's Flight Simulator Handbook as a starting point. Anyone have any suggestions or ideas? I'm all ears.

Thanks. mog

You are now in the appropriate forum for questions and asking for help/opinions.

20 minutes ago, charliearon said:

You are now in the appropriate forum for questions and asking for help/opinions.

Thanks Charlie. Sorry about that.

Can you give some examples of what you mean by a complex aircraft?

Do you mean the FAA definition of a complex airplane (i.e. retractable gear, constant speed prop, flaps)?

Do you mean an aircraft with advanced avionics ("glass")?

Do you mean a twin or turboprop?

3 hours ago, weaklink said:

Can you give some examples of what you mean by a complex aircraft?

Do you mean the FAA definition of a complex airplane (i.e. retractable gear, constant speed prop, flaps)?

Do you mean an aircraft with advanced avionics ("glass")?

Do you mean a twin or turboprop?

Good question. FAA definition was what i was thinking about actually. Sorry for not clarifying that. Retractable gear, Variable pitch prop, and >200bhp...single engine first though, but then certainly stepping up to twin and more complicated aircraft.

In my mind I was hoping to find something similar to the step I could take in real life from my IFR rating to complex then multi engine. Sort of like "student pilot to ATP" :)

I'd recommend the following aircraft to start. Unknown about custom missions.

Carenado -

Cessna 182RG

Piper Arrow

Piper Seminole (a twin)

Cessna 337 (inline twin)

Justflight -

Piper Arrow

Edited May 25May 25 by STK

1 hour ago, mogwai said:

Good question. FAA definition was what i was thinking about actually. Sorry for not clarifying that. Retractable gear, Variable pitch prop, and >200bhp...single engine first though, but then certainly stepping up to twin and more complicated aircraft.

I know you're asking for missions, but I'm not familiar with any that are specific to complex airplanes.

Instead, I would recommend a (free) real-world resource, the FAA's Airplane Flying Handbook. Chapter 12 covers complex airplanes, and when you're ready to move on beyond that, subsequent chapters cover multiengine airplanes, turboprops, jets, and more.

Edited May 25May 25 by weaklink

Thanks for the feedback fellas. I'll keep looking but if all else fails will follow the FAA training and simply create my own flight plans along the way.

Appreciate the plane recommendations and the book recommendation as well.

FSAcademy was so cool and for my simple goals, perfect. If nothing like that exists for complex I'll wing it.

thanks again.

Edited May 25May 25 by mogwai
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Why wouldn't you continue on with the "xFR Academy" series as a start?

You might want to consider something like PilotEdge or VatSim, as they have structured training missions. Also, there are at least a few Virtual Airlines that support Light GA charter flights and such.

In terms of the aircraft themselves, they're all rather easy until you step up into turboprops or modern commercial airliners or biz jets.

What have you been flying so far...?

And, are you looking for payware or a specific level of fidelity or functionality beyond FAA Complex?

One aircraft that immediately springs to mind as a very simple aircraft to fly is the TBM 930. It's extremely automated, and also well mannered to fly.

Or if you want to stick with a more IRL-oriented progression, then the Bonanza is a good choice, and is known as a "Pilot's Plane". When you're eventually ready for a twin, the Baron is an extremely natural next step. Then perhaps the TBM, and then the King Air, and so on...

Not sure what you are looking for exactly. A complex aircraft or tutorials to fly that aircraft or general knowledge of more complex aircrafts.

You have a brand new VFR AND IFR Academy by Navigraphe here: https://academy.navigraph.com/ There are some missions to practice in the sim I believe.

15 hours ago, mogwai said:

follow the FAA training and simply create my own flight plans along the way.

Just as one does in real aviation.

Read the FAA PTSs to understand what the FAA sets as standards you must obtain.

https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/test_standards

Edited May 26May 26 by PhrogPhlyer

16 hours ago, mogwai said:

simply create my own flight plans along the way.

Little NavMap can generate random flight plans.

Sounds good fellas. I know that there is a complex aircraft lesson in the MSFS RWT mission set but was hoping for something more hand holdings...no biggie though, will learn it like irl.

3 hours ago, The_Flying_Potato said:

Little NavMap can generate random flight plans.

I did not know this, thanks! There is so much that can be done in LNM that it is simply amazing but this is remarkable. I'll dig into that today and give it a shot.

Realize I may be making mountain out of a molehill when it comes to learning to fly complex a/c but thought I'd ask. Appreciate all the feedback.

6 hours ago, mogwai said:

ing mountain out of a molehill when it comes to learning to fly complex a/c but thought I'd ask. Appreciate all the feedback.

Also you're looking for a complex piston single to train with, I am partial to the Flysimware Sierra C24R

Of course, the A2A Comanche has even more...persistence...simulation of ownership etc.