Hi all. It's been a few years (2009, I think) since I last flew in FSX and am just getting it all set up again.
First of all, I am not a hardcore simmer.
No flight I fly will last more than an hour, I will use basic autopilot settings (heading, altitude and vertical speed - very rarely full landing and autothrottle), any addon flight computers will not be used.
I spend a lot of time outside of the plane, looking around so high quality exterior models and textures are a necessity. A wide variety of textures (preferably included or with an autoinstaller, I hate downloading and installing one by one via config file).
Basically a "default aircraft" level of difficulty is fine with me.
I previously used the Overland Boeing and Airbus packs and enjoyed them, though this time when I installed them the Boeing 747 was missing its main flight display and the 777 was missing the autopilot displays. Various bits and pieces were missing on a few of the Boeing Aircraft, so I uninstalled both Airbus and Boeing Aircraft in the hopes of finding something better (though I kept the MD-11).
These are the Aircraft I'm looking for:
Airbus:
A300/A310 - Overland had good models but I am trying to change to a new brand.
A318/19/20/21 - Overland were good for this and I haven't found anything comparable. Wilco's look really good but horrible for a casual gamer (so many warnings!)
A330/A340 - Again, Overland were fine, Wilco not so good. Also got the CLS which have a load of liveries, but I prefer the Overland overall
Boeing:
717 - I have one, but it seems pretty dodgy. Not sure if there are any others though.
727 - Have the Captain Sim (which I'm very happy with). Since the instruements are antiquated I just use this as autopilot.
737 - Contemplating Captain Sim (not sure if learning curve is as high on its more modern aircraft as the 727, but if I can just use basic autopilot it'll be fine)
747 - Contemplating PMDG (not sure on learning curve, but it looks really good. The McPhat studios repaints look amazing, but I don't really want to pay extra just for repaints, or for the LCF and 747-8 variants.
757/777 - Contemplating Captain Sim.
767/737 - Complete unknown.
Misc:
BN2 Islander (and Trislander)
Rear-engined jetliners (MD-8x, 717, CRJs etc)
Big Freighters (C-5, An-124, C-130 etc)
Bae 146
Thank you all very much for your help and I look forward to hearing your advice.