I used to fly in FSX, IL2 1946 and recently IL2 GB, but now I’m getting into MSFS.
I started with the tutorials and did some landing challenges, but I would like to learn more and all the tutorials are really basics. I’m not looking to be a professional, but I want to know how my plane work, how to turn on the engine, what the different display means, how to use the MCU, how to create a realistic flight plan, etc.
I will mostly use MSFS to fly from one airport to another and travel the globe. From GA to A320 Neo.
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Honestly youtube really is your best friend in this circumstance. I don’t have a personal recommendation, but i would recommend finding the tutorials that work best for you. Some people want 60-second tutorials, others want 2 hour video essays that encompass all the flight stages including flight planning, FMC/CDU setup, configuring an approach, landing and everything in between. There should be something that works for your learning style.
Keep in mind a lot of the vanilla planes that come with the game aren’t completely fleshed out like they might be in IL2 (I have BoS so I’m a little familiar with the fidelity it offers). They might work in a rudimentary sense but you won’t be able to break your plane like you can in IL2 from sheer misoperation of the airframe.
That said, if you’re used to higher fidelity airplanes and you want something that you can spend all your time learning before jumping to another airframe, there are multiple planes from GA to tubeliners you can buy that should offer more if you’re interested in learning the ins and outs of an airplane.
If you’re not ready to spend money on MSFS, there are several mods that enhance the current capabilities of vanilla aircraft. I think there’s a Cessna 152 mod that fleshes out the plane a little more as well as a Citation mod that does the same if you get into Biz jets. The FlyByWire A32NX mod is fantastic for making the airbus worth learning and flying. If you end up dabbling into heavies, the AAU2 update adds a ton of functionality to the 747 (and 787 if you own premium deluxe) so you will not need the Salty or Heavy Division mods for those planes.
If you run out of luck with youtube, I recommend finding a flight simming community where you will find that the community at large is more than willing to sit down with a newer player to teach them a plane. Keep in mind everyone you’ll talk to is either a real life pilot or has learned from a real life pilot so take those lessons with a grain of salt; There will be someone who tells you you’re doing it wrong. Just ignore those people and fly the plane the way you know how
Get the freeware GotGravel Vertigo, learn about starting the engine (which is the only really quirky thing,) hop in, taxi, line up for takeoff, slowly push the throttle up to around 30%, lift off, and fly.
It’s a very simple plane to learn, and a heck of a lot of fun to fly.
As for study level airliners… ask yourself how much training pilots go through in order to learn their aircraft. I recommend absorbing everything possible: This forum, YouTube, pilot’s handbook…everything you can get your eyes on. Then start flying.
For me, steam gauge VFR and VOR navigation is still somewhat baffling. But I’m enjoying the learning process. You (we) are very fortunate to have this community, which is full of knowledgable and helpful pilots (in the sim and in real life.)
I would caution you to use the search function before posting every question you think of.