Looking at a new payware aircraft

[jetscream]

Hey everyone

I need some help in making a decision on a quality aircraft for FS after getting the Captainsim 757 under their sale for FS9, but finding it had several bugs including the vor not working (does anybody have a solution?) Their support is bad.



My requirements:

-I've only got up to $90 to spend
-High quality
-I fly in VC so has to be good in that department
-Every system modelled as Im into realism.
-Good exterior
-FS2004 preferred.
-Bug free
-good customer support

I have looked into the Wilco 737 Pic and the Flight 1 ATR

I would prefer the 737 however unless the ATR or whatever is way better.

I have a few questions about the wilco and ATR.
The wilco i've had mixed reviews about the VC quality and exterior(what do you think?)
What is the Wilco navdata base like (can you get sids and stars for NZ?) And is it bug free?

what is the Flight 1 ATR like with how good it is? how realistic and what is the navdata in NZ like for it and sids and stars etc? ie Can an ATR do an RNAV approach into NZQN.


Sorry for my long post of requirements, i just like to make sure I have all the info i can get so i don't make a mistake like last time your help, thanks i appreciate your help.

[hinch]

What about the Flight1 Mustang? It is meant to have good FSX performance and reviews I have seen have been all praise. It's pretty much bang on $90NZ (I think, I'm the UK):

http://www.flight1.com/products.asp?product=f1mustang

Another option for FSX is the MD80, well under $90: http://www.flythemaddog.com/

[Adamski]

QUOTE (jetscream @ Jan 27 2009, 01:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is the Flight 1 ATR the best?
Is it bug free, how good is it (does it come with both FS2004 and FSX dowloads for the price of one?)
What is the default Flight 1 navdata base like? Can an ATR do an RNAV approach into NZQN.

so those are my requirements so yeah i would appreciate your help, i don't want anything bigger than the 737 as i want to get into small airports. Will I have to buy the Navigraph data for the FMC's

I have at the Flight1 ATR - and love it. I originally got it for FS9 then upgraded it to FSX. Not sure if the new pack includes both.

I'll try a test approach to NZQN to see how it pans out. I've done NZAA NZWN quite often.

Yes - you may have to buy the navigraph data - but it may be worth asking Flight1 if the default data has the info you need.

[CDTDAN]

SST SIM looks really cool:

http://www.sstsim.com/products/concorde.php#expro

[Kahu]

F1 Super 80 is by far one of the best payware I have. Superb detailed VC and with the interactive tutorial which runs you through all the in's and out's of flying this machine its well worth the money. Also has lots of other features making this one of the most comprehensive products I have bought.

Also the Aeroworx B200 is another great product.

I have F1 ATR 72 with the FS2Crew addon which is probably one of the most detailed products out (you can even flush the toilets if that's what your into). Its a little intensive though with a huge amount of manual reading.

[Kelburn]

I've got the PMDG 737NG. $60 shipped from Germany (simmarket)
Worth it. Great overall realism. The FMC works very well as does VNAV etc. Some NZ things aren't included e.g. some SID's and STAR's and a few waypoints but there are monthly updates for the FMC (I don't bother with them though)

[chickenman]

I'm a huuuge ATR 72 fan. Don't know the FSX version but I just love the fs9 version. The default navdata is out of date for NZ and a lot of waypoints have changed. I get navdata once every 6 months and that seems to do it.

Jamie

[AlisterC]

The PMDG is fantastic. Even if you only get the 737-600 and 737-700 to start with (John Tavendale did a fictional Air NZ repaint of the 700 model if you wanted). You can get a free demo airac cycle from Navigraph for it, unlike some other addons. Plus, you can get updated SID and STAR procedures from the great guys over at the vatnz website, including the cool Queenstown RNAV approach. It has an excellent autopilot and FMC, excellent systems modelling, excellent performance and a joy to hand fly. The model is good, with lots of easy .exe install repaints from the pmdg website. And, you'll get it into the smaller airports. The night lighting of the panels is stunning, and the VC is good as well. It was my third payware purchase (after Ian Warren showed me how good it was) and it's still my most used. - 5 or 6 years on!

[AlisterC]

QUOTE (chickenman @ Jan 27 2009, 09:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm a huuuge ATR 72 fan. Don't know the FSX version but I just love the fs9 version. The default navdata is out of date for NZ and a lot of waypoints have changed. I get navdata once every 6 months and that seems to do it.

Does the upgraded navdata include new zealand sids and stars and complete nz fixes etc?

QUOTE

he PMDG is fantastic. Even if you only get the 737-600 and 737-700 to start with (John Tavendale did a fictional Air NZ repaint of the 700 model if you wanted). You can get a free demo airac cycle from Navigraph for it, unlike some other addons. Plus, you can get updated SID and STAR procedures from the great guys over at the vatnz website, including the cool Queenstown RNAV approach. It has an excellent autopilot and FMC, excellent systems modelling, excellent performance and a joy to hand fly. The model is good, with lots of easy .exe install repaints from the pmdg website. And, you'll get it into the smaller airports. The night lighting of the panels is stunning, and the VC is good as well. It was my third payware purchase (after Ian Warren showed me how good it was) and it's still my most used. - 5 or 6 years on![/quote]

What isn't included in the 736 and 737-700 versions as opposed to the 738 and 739?

Does the 737-3/4/5 by wilco just not stand up to the pmdg?

Last edited by jetscream on Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:01 am, edited 1 time in total.

[jetscream]

Can the pmdg 737 work in FSX?

[Daniel]

QUOTE (jetscream @ Jan 28 2009, 10:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh and is it possible to run the pmdg737 in FSX?

PMDG are actually producing the NG X which I believe was developed from nothing just for FS X.
I think the Flight1 ATR or the PMDG 737 (either the 600 and 700 set or the 800 and 900) would be the best options.
The Wilco/Feelthere 737 Classics still are pretty good in terms of panels, VC, systems but the exterior model lets it down.

[chickenman]

QUOTE (jetscream @ Jan 28 2009, 10:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Does the upgraded navdata include new zealand sids and stars and complete nz fixes etc?

No, as the data was originally sourced from dafif which no longer updates the navdata sids/stars. Flight 1 promised a procedure editor but never delivered. I believe that this is the same as most addons from navdata? Outdated sids/stars.

The NZ fixes are complete though.

Jamie

[AlisterC]

The 737-800 and 900 are expansions to the 600 and 700 pack. You'll probably breach your $90 NZ if you get the 800/900, hence I suggested that you'd still enjoy the 600/700 series. The PMDG page can no doubt tell you what the 800/900 does for your install.
The PMDG 737 is not compatible with FSX, nor will it ever be. Eventually, in a "PMDG type" time frame they will release their FSX version as mentioned above. I say "pmdg type of timeframe" as they advise they are releasing something often years before it actually is released. So who knows when that one might turn up. The current 737 is not going to be updated for FSX. It is an updated plane from FS2002 already.
I personally don't think Wilco stands in the same playing field as PMDG. You need only look at how often they have to patch their aircraft to see how many problems they are constantly trying to correct.

That granted I do not own all that many planes from PMDG (only their beech and 737) and I don't own any Wilco planes.

The PMDG I simply can't afford, but the Wilco I avoid on recommendation from other trusted simmers..

I've never been a fan of the ATR, so not splashed out in that department either, but I've only heard great things about it


You know, Youtube could be your best friend here. Search Wilco 737 and PMDG 737 over there, and you can watch plenty of in cockpit videos of how they work, 2d, VC, FMC, tutorials etc. Might help make up your mind if you really want a 737.

[Chairman]

There was so much I had to be doing tonight. And I loathe turboprops. I bought the ATR, flew it a couple of times, then filed it as far too complex. But all this talk of how great it is .... What have I been doing tonight - all the stuff I should have been doing ???

Give you one guess.



I hate you all
Gary

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Chairman @ Jan 28 2009, 07:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

... I bought the ATR, flew it a couple of times, then filed it as far too complex. But all this talk of how great it is ...

Sell it to Jetscream!!

[Chairman]

Nah.

Now that I'm a bit better at making planes do what I want I actually quite enjoyed it.

Gary