Best GA addon for "flying by numbers"

If you are wanting “Book Numbers” there are too things to bare in mind.

  • real world aircraft do not conform precisely to the POH and two aircraft of the same make, model, vintage will often fly quite differently from each other

  • regardless of how good an aircraft is on release, sim updates can change addons substantially, for example the JF Warrior was spot on with the POH when first released but is now substantially overpowered

That could have been my post! Now I am busy with the Beaver and DC-3, but since the release of the ATR is not in sight, I am waiting for the BF. And propably will pass it again…

But 414 and 310, who knows…

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I’m totally biased :rofl: but you don’t even need to spend money.

I’d like to drop my own mod for the Bonanza here G36 Improvement Project - #2623 by Albatross75160

Bonanza Hangar

  • A custom in game panel where you will manage your aircraft. This is a work in progress feature but aims to replicate some of the features found in the A2A aircraft hangar. This is still very much a WIP feature and will evolve over time.
  • Added functionality to Hangar Module (we now save engine hours, miles flown, and count down to annual and 100hr service per livery) state saving items are shown on the State page (menu link at top)

Flight dynamics/performance

  • Addition of the new Prop modelling and CFD dynamics.
  • Adjusted climb and cruise performance to match the Bonanza G36 POH charts.
  • Adjusted flap and gear drag
  • Slightly reduced pitch effect due to elevator deflection + propwash
  • Slightly increased nosewheel steering angle
  • Added drag due to cowl flaps. This causes a 3-4 kts cruise speed loss.
  • Decreased yaw sensitivity by lowering deflection rate as a function of speed
  • Increased overall stability: less ‘twitchy’ feeling

Engine & Fuel system

  • Completely overhauled engine parameters: realistic fuel flow, mixture-EGT interaction, engine performance at all pressure altitudes.
  • Simulation of Spark Plugs & Spark Plug Fouling
  • Simulation of the electric fuel pump
  • More advanced simulation of engine start-up:Cold starts: correct use of the fuel pump, throttle and mixture required depending on engine and ambient temperature
  • Under some conditions, idling the engine too soon after start may cause it to quit.
  • Flooded engine: pumping too much fuel to the engine may cause it to ignite slower or not at all.
  • Flooded engine start procedure (mixture low/cut, throttle halfway) may resolve this.
  • A hot engine running idle with little airflow may quit because the fuel evaporates.
  • Tweaked fuel flow as current flow slightly less than book figures (Rpt by @JayDee6281)

Systems

  • Added new working systems and switches:Airco (has a negative effect on engine performance, you will see a few kts lower cruise speed)
  • Airco and ventilator switches are functioning and part of the electrical system
  • Annunciator test
  • Electrical system overhaul:Completely revised electrical buses: all individual systems hooked up to the correct bus
  • Bus tie logic added
  • Correct voltage indications of BUS2 due to reverse current blocking diodes
  • Correct alternator loads
  • Made all indications smooth, rather than instant jumps to a new value
  • Autopilot tweaksFixed holding the wrong altitude at non-standard atmospheric pressures
  • Max pitch and bank angles adjusted for smoother AP behaviour
  • Added maximum and minimum IAS_ref speeds for FLC mode
  • Adjusted autopilot PIDs
  • Integration with the Working Title NXi mod, with customized ENGINE, LEAN and SYSTEM pages.
  • Completely redone G1000 annunciators: all annunciators of the real G36 were implemented (except for door open warnings)
  • Corrected fuel gauge scale
  • Fixed missing altitude alert tone @200ft to go
  • Fixed missing decimal point to manifold pressure gauge
  • Added SU8 Prop Modelling - This has changed the speeds/fuel flows it may take a little while to dial this in. At the moment the climb fuel flow is slightly lower than book and cruise is about there.

Textures & effects

Checklists

  • Interactive checklists for every stage of your flight that follow the POH

ATC

  • You are now referenced as Bonanza > Your Callsign in the game ATC
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I have never been a bonanza guy, but I’ll checkout. Your work seems very impressive. Do you include performance tables/charts?

@maddormo it’s not included in the download but I used the Bonanza G36 POH found on the internet as a guide when developing. I would upload it here but am limited by the permitted file types.

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The FSW 414 is a great add-on and would be at the top of my suggestion list. I flew Cessna 400 series aircraft years ago and I was blown away by what the FSW team did with the 414 in MSFS. They have since made many improvements and it seems like there is an update every other week making it better each time.

If you don’t have the Working Title CJ4, that is another aircraft that needs to be added to your hangar (if you’re on PC).

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You’re absolutely right with the CJ4. But since msfs release I’ve only flown FBW and the Caravan mod. I miss so much a good propeller (no rotax). With regard to 414, it will be at the top of my purchase list for the next year. Thank you for having reminded the CJ4, I’ve almost forgotten it.

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Best SIngle Engine Propellor (Rotax) - Sting S4
Best Single Engine Propellor (non-Rotax) - this was the Warrior II but it is overdue for an update, hopefully soon

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The only problem I have with the CJ4 in general is that the text on the cockpit displays is rather tiny and difficult to read at normal zoom levels, compared to almost every other aircraft with glass avionics. It makes it less comfortable to fly (even with TrackIR). As such, I’ve never really flown it outside of a few landing challenges.

I don’t even have bad eyesight. Is it just me? :smiley:

I vote for the arrow/turbo arrow, but think there may be some tweaks needed as it seems a bit less “by the numbers” than pre SU10. Still very well done, trims out better than any aircraft in the game (save perhaps the 414), and flies just right.

So, 310 and DC-6?

Not sure you could do better.

The 414, glorious as it is, doesn’t have random failures and maintenance. BUT, as similar as it may look at a glance to the 310, I promise flying it is vastly different. It is worth picking up some day.

The Sting S4 is brilliant but simple. The others bring complexity. Another worthy purchase but below the other 3 for must buys.

Every other plane that flys by the numbers (except maybe the Kodiak) just isn’t as full featured.

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Tiger Moth

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I have soft spot for anything that transmit that the plane is alive and if you don’t take care of it, the things will break down. For me it’s an incredible immersion feature. During my PPL lessons, not only learnt to flight the plane, how to procedure in emergencies situations, but also how prevent them and taking care of the plane. It so important that, to me, it’s impossible understand one thing (to flight) without the other (taking care of the plane).

A part from jet liners, since the Digital Aviation addons, Katana 4X and A2A, the rest of the addons are very boring for me. I only made an exception with those I have a sentimental connection, like the Caravan, the DC3, the classic Super Cub or C185 which sadly never had received such level of detail (well, except the Jahn’s DC3). I suppose the developers have information about if there isn’t market for that kind of products.

For that reasons I’ve been close following the Sting. It seem the next generation for this type of addon for that range of planes. I’ve only waited if the problems with the excessive turbulence to be fixed (as it seems so). But I don’t know if I’m going to have enough budget for it this blackfriday. Right now, after all the comments posted here, the C310 is my top priority. Next the DC6 and finally the Sting.

And I want to check out the @CaptMatto Bonanza too.

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Well, if you are Sting curious, know it is very well done and WAY more complex than any ultralight has a right to be in a simulator.

But the DC-6 and C310 are in another league. Definitely start with them if you can afford both.

The 310, being truly GA, comes closest to your earliest question in this thread.

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I think that trio will keep me busy for all the next 2023. I hope that I won’t have to deal with too many bugs and keep me focus on learn new procedures :slight_smile:

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Well if you want basic that appears to have nailed performance, then the Tiger Moth doesn’t get any more basic really, and actual Tiger pilots seem to like it. You’ll get overtaken by helicopters, but it’s still a glorious device to waft around in.

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Totally agree, except “device” makes it sound too modern! Like an iPad :wink:

How about “contraption”? :wink:

That would imply it’s cobbled together from a few sheets & some spare wire, and I won’t speak ill of DeHavillland :stuck_out_tongue:

Even if it is built of some painted sheets & a few rolls of wire…

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Hehehe, good one!

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One of the nicest GA single engine to fly in FS2020 :+1:

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