I recommend the CJ4. It has a nice 90 pages manual that will familiarize you with the airlinerih style of flight management systems and autopilots. On the other hand, other systems in this aircraft are quite simple, so you will not have a too overwhelming feeling of having to understand too many new things and procedures at the same time.
3 Likes
Well, I’m not going to argue against more automation the better. However, if you are more familiar with GA, especially the six-pack, then starting off with a full-glass cockpit is not really a good idea. But you seem to be familiar with G3000/Proline, so modern options would be easier for you.
The CJ4 isn’t an airliner though. It’s also a little unique with the Pro Line avionics which you only have in that specific aircraft.
It also lacks the work flow of an airliner with the APU and everything so it doesn’t really prepare you for the bigger guys like the A320 or the 737.
Personally I’d go for an Airbus. Much more automated and simpler than Boeing.
The FBW is free and if you don’t get on with it you’ve lost only your time.
Also if you want to transition to the ultimate airliner the Fenix at a later date you’ll be able to hop straight in and fly with very little head scratching.
Not sure I would recommend it to a beginner, it has got quite a few bugs that seem not to get any attention and it can be frustrating for a beginner not knowing whether some behavior is a bug or his own mistake.
@Pax1385
In my opinion, A320V2 is a very good aircraft to start with. It is free and really good. You can also check the A310 if you would like to try something bigger.
Then, if you want to spend some money, PMDGs 737s are great and in my opinion certainly worth the price. I have not tried their 777 but I am fairly sure it is also made up to a very high standard 
1 Like
Agreed. The ATR needs the fixes that are meant to be due some time in September
When I started on airliners, I used the A20N v1 briefly. Then I did a session in a full size Boeing 737-800NG simulator and learned a huge amount but it left me feeling like the A20N v1 was very lacking. Promptly moved on to the A310 and very much enjoyed properly learning that. The A20N v2 is great but same as the ATR, it has a few bugs where a beginner might think they were doing something wrong. Fortunately it also has an update due
Thank you all for the excellent feedback! I think I have a decent roadmap now. I’ll continue with the TBM on my world trip and use the CRJ4 in areas not reached by that trip. From there, I think I’ll go for either the FBW A320 or the InBuilds A320. That will probably bring me to the beginning of November, at which point we should know more about how different planes will transfer over to 2024, as I’m hesitant to spend money on a plane without knowing for sure how it will move over.
I will say that the E-Jets have caught my eye as well, mostly because I’ve flown in them so often IRL, so I’ll keep an eye out on those as well.
Thank you again!