I always feel glad when I see high-quality aircraft being released in the simulator, but one of my favorites remains the first one I played with and learned to fly in the tutorial: the Cessna 152.
Not only is it very enjoyable to learn, but its elegant and timeless design always catches my eye.
I would like to know, if possible from pilots who have flown it, how faithful its flight model is compared to the real thing.
Iāve flown one, having taken lessons toward a PPL. If controls and sensitivities are set ācorrectlyā it can be very accurate in my opinion. I fly it a lot for the same reasons youāve mentioned. Itās good to practice flying the pattern.
get this mod, itās REALLY good.
I own a 1985 C152, and I have to say, the default aircraft in the sim is VERY accurate. Especially when paired with a VR headset. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIjW1Jr4a4M
Thanks for the replies. Glad to know the stock 152 flies as good as it looks in the sim.
For the 152 to fly realistically in the SIM, do the yolk and rudder controls need to be set linear or some amount of exponential?
I would say ālinear.ā
āyolkā is the yellow stuff inside an egg. Itās called a āyokeā 
I dictated the text and didnāt notice the misspelling.
With the sensitivities set up to be linear, Iāve been finding it difficult to make smooth corrections. In order to enjoy flying in the sim Iām afraid Iām going to have to soften the controls response around the midpoints even if itās not quite as realistic. I canāt imagine a real 152 being so sensitive. It seems to me that a real airplane like the 152 should be more on the docile side so it wouldnāt be such a handful for newbies.
I have experienced that as well. I finally purchased the Kodiak 100 and found this video to help set it up: Kodiak 100 Setup
I found this works pretty well for the Cessna 152, too. I had been playing with the Sensitivities and ignoring the Reactivity settings. But adjusting the Reactivity really seemed to help. I like the authorās settings for many planes, not just the Kodiak. You might give it a try and see what you think.
Being a recent owner of a real 152, I can tell you, the 152 is unbelievable sensitive. Particular the rudder pedals in real life. A feather falls on them and the movement is crazy. Compared to a 172 or Cherokee, you have to be super careful in a 152 because it is soooo light and sensitive.
I appreciate the info because I would like the aircraft I fly in the sim to be pretty close to the real ones.
I have a question about trim in a real 152. Is it hard to get the elevator trim adjusted to get a steady climb or does the rate of climb tend to fluctuate to the point that you have to keep making slight adjustments to the trim wheel?
I trained in a 1985 152. Then I flew many hours in a 1978 152. I can tell you that she is very light on the controls. I loved flying the 152. Just hand fly her. I trimmed only for level flight when I flew her. By the way, the stock 152 is pretty accurate.