Noob Seeking single engine plane to learn the ropes in.

**Glengoyne** · 01-28-2006, 01:15 PM

I've been simming very casually for just about a year now, and now I think I'm ready to go to the next step.

For me, that step will be cross country navigation. To this point I've just flown very short vfr hops. I've now got FSNav, and want to do some longer distance hops.

I've been flying both the RealAir 172 and the Freeware Maule, but I think I'd like to use something a bit faster since I'm looking at marginally longer flights. The default Caravan was pretty good, but I don't know what half of the gauges are telling me. I thought the default Mooney would do the trick, but when I take it up I can barely keep it flying straight and level. It seems like I'm trying to balance the plane on top of a ridge. The plane continually rolls to either the right or left. It is a constant struggle keeping the plane flying straight. Too much effort for my taste. I'm looking for a more stable platform.

I've toyed with the Howard 500 quite a bit as well as some of the other twins, but I think I'd like to learn the ropes on a single engine craft first. To this end I've tried the newly released Spartan Executive, but would like something a bit more modern. If none is forthcoming, perhaps the Spartan will be the way to go.

Oh since I've rambled this far...the other problem I have with the Maule is that it doesn't include an NDB, and my home airport's arrivals use their NDB extensively. I've tried to load an NDB gauge to the Maule, but then the radio stack didn't support one. For me, that was a brick wall in the guage manipulation department.

Any suggestions for planes, not necessarilly freeware, or for improvements on the Mooney's flight characteristics are appreciated.

**Rockcliffe** · 01-28-2006, 01:21 PM

For payware, the Realair SF260 would fit the bill. Very fast, excellent visibility from its dome canopy and just an all around fun plane to fly.

**Glengoyne** · 01-28-2006, 03:31 PM

Interesting. I'd never seen that plane before. From the review(A. Herd) and some of the marketing material, it appears to be designed to fly from the VC rather than using the 2D panels. I'm not sure my system would handle it well, but it really does look like a great plane. Most appealing to me, are the stall and spin characteristics. I'd like to try my hand at flying something with that degree of realism built in.

It may not be the best option for me, of Concern was Herd's comment that he could imagine anyone wanting to fly this plane IFR. That said, I'm quite intrigued.

A good suggestion, I think.

**Rockcliffe** · 01-28-2006, 04:15 PM

FYI, I have an ancient system (P3 1 Ghz) and it works fine for me. It's one of the few planes that I find works better from the VC than it does from the 2d panel.
I'm using the Fs2002 version updated for FS9, but there is a completely revised FS9 version available.
Regards
Blair
CYOW

**chief95** · 01-28-2006, 05:18 PM

My favorite single engine plane is the "Pilatus PC-12" it is a very nice plane to fly. I can't remember where I got it but, google it and you will find it.

Good Luck,

Chief

**Rockcliffe** · 01-28-2006, 05:20 PM

>My favorite single engine plane is the "Pilatus PC-12" it is
>a very nice plane to fly. I can't remember where I got it but,
>google it and you will find it.
>
>Good Luck,
>
>Chief

Freeware at http://www.alliedfsgroup.com/
It's pretty complicated for simple cross country flight though. It's a step up from the C208. Nice plane, though.

**FITZY** · 01-28-2006, 10:36 PM

Check out the Dreamfleet Bonanza.

http://www.dreamfleet2000.com/Previe...view_home.html

**jeffhunter** · 01-29-2006, 06:38 AM

Or the Eaglesoft Cirrus SR-20/22
http://www.eaglesoftdg.com/

regards,

Jeff

**Glengoyne** · 01-29-2006, 05:34 PM

The Cirrus is also intriguing, but I don't think my system Athlon 1800+ will handle it sufficiently. I think the Dreamfleet A36 looks like the best fit so far, although I am going to continue to work the AFG Pilatus out.

Both the Bonanza and the freeware Pilatus have complex avionics packages, so Dreamfleet's included 140 page manual has me thinking they might be the best option. It looks like I'll have to do some digging into the Pilatus's docs to see if there is something that will help me piece together the included avionics.