Which Real Air Aircraft to buy: SF.260 or Decathlon?

[pyewacket]

I am intending to buy one of the Real Air aircraft for FS2004.

OK so I might end up getting both in the end, but which should I get first, because I cannot decide between the two of them?

What is the VC of the SF.260 like? How clear are the gauges? I ask because I read somewhere that the VC on the Decathlon is actually clearer than the 2D Panel. Is it the same for the SF.260?

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

[sanyok]

I'll make it easy: start with SF.260

[Craig Keating]

You can't go wrong with either (or both ;-) ). It kind of depends on what kind of flying you like to do. If you do mostly VFR and circuits and want to learn how to fly a taildragger, get the Decathlon. If you want the additional ability of an IFR capable plane with more speed (170 knots or so), get the SF260.

Both have phenomenal flight dynamics, with the ability to spin and do side slips. Both have incredibly clear virtual cockpits, though the Decathlon's might be slightly clearer.

You can learn aerobatics with either plane. Also keep in mind the SF260 is a high performance single, retractable gear. The Decathlon is fixed gear taildragger with no flaps - makes landings an experience if you're not trimmed out properly.

If I had to choose one, I would pick the SF260. I like it because it's versatile - it's got the speed to do a quick cross country, it's IFR capable if I want to practice instrument approaches, but's it's also fun just to fly around for a few minutes, do a few spins, a few passes of the control tower :-) and put it back in the hangar.

PS if you don't have it already, Active Camera 2004 works great with these planes. - www.anticyclone.be. (I don't work for them, just a satisfied customer)

Hope this helps.

Good luck

Craig

[av84fun]

Ditto.

[Waltm]

The SF.260 & Active Camera 2004 are a great combination. You won't regret it.

-- Walt

Running FS2004 at 1280x940x32

Intel Pentium 4, 2.0 GHz
Windows XP Pro
512MB PC800 RDRAM,8100
128MB ATI Radeon 9600 Pro
CATALYST Windows XP 3.9 video driver
DirectX 9.0b
19 inch Samsung SyncMaster 955DF Monitor
Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS
MS ForceFeedback 2 joystick

[Kerosene31]

I have them both, and you can't go wrong with either. Although if I had to pick, I would say the SF260 since it has an autopilot and it is much more practical for flying on longer trips. The Decathlon is a nice vfr plane that is a blast to fly as well.

[sanyok]

SF.260 looks like a sports car on wings - the main reason behind all. It's a flying hot rod.

[Waltm]

Oh, please! Stop all this talk about the Decathlon, or else I may have to get that too. :)

-- Walt

[robyoung]

HI pyewacket,

It is true that at the same distance and zoom magnification, if you have gauge quality set to high in FS2004, that the Decathlon 3d gauges are just a little clearer still than the 2d gauges.

Obviously the needles on the 3d gauges will not be as smooth as the 2d ones. The Decathlon also has the same glass effect in both modes.

The Sf260 3d gauges are extremely clear, and nearly on a par with the 2d gauges.

Kind Regards,

Rob Young

[jason2112]

What Rob says is absolutely true, both planes feature extremely good virtual cockpits. The SF.260 is my favorite VC, because the panel has got the perfect balance between big enough to be readable and small enough to see over it. The visibility from the Marchetti's bubble canopy is fantastic, and the tinted center stripe in the FS2004 version is the icing on the cake!

Rob, by the way, I prefer the clean canopy ;)

VOlker :]