How to transition from GA to airliners?

[bauau]

Thank you all for the great suggestions! Some of you even wrote comprehensive walkthroughs of your learning path which I’ll be reviewing in more detail in a future reply.

In this one I’d like to address two suggestions that were recurring, noting that my views are totally biased by personal preferences (and quite possibly misconceptions) and that all suggestions I received make absolute sense to consider. As for everyone reading this thread with the same questions as I have will surely gain valuable insight.

@Red81Trekker

Default neo for starters. Lots of YouTube. Use the FMC.

@Portalearth420

Start on the default a320 then move to the Flybywire version when you’re comfortable on the vanilla one.

@autopylit88

Even then you’ll need a lot of YouTube and tutorials but you’ll have a basic understanding or the FMS and autopilot systems already which will make the study level planes easier to transition to.

@autopylit88

Those who say just get the FBW A320 mod are right, its free and fairly complex, so start there and then spend money on the PMDG 737 once you have the basics of the FMS and Autopilot down. Going from GA to Airliners, there’s many differences, but the FMS / AP are a big one you need to understand to be able to fly any modern airliner. Again, Youtube youtube youtube.

This first main line of though suggests starting with what’s more readily available — either default or free. Regarding the default options, I’m not a fan of any of the default aircraft that ship with the simulator. They either lack the systems depth and/or the level of visual quality (texturing, 3D model, etc) that the other options have (mostly payware). Thus I find myself always looking for 3rd party aircraft as usually you get what you’re paying for (yes, unfortunately that it’s NOT always the case. There’s lots of expensive stuff out there with subpar quality). But my point being that an in depth rendition of any aircraft requires years of dedication, development and passion and that usually translates to not being offered for free or bundled as default aircraft. But while I’m mostly referring to the default aircraft, I confess I know nothing about the FBW apart from the good impressions I read everywhere so I guess I should really give it a try as it can be one of those rare exceptions where passionate developers deliver an awesome product for free.

@SpectraHeli

No need to go through the default neo IMO, since the FlyByWire version is freeware and can actually be flown just as simply as the default neo

@Niffstippels

Just get the FBW or any airliner that actually interests you and learn that one. No need to clutter you brain with other “inbetween” planes.

@Halivan1

Agreed, just jump on the plane you want to fly.

@TactiCol6826

Throw yourself in at the deep end (That’s what I did). Forget all the talk about going from one plane to another and working your way through them. Learn each aircraft you intend to fly individually and spend a lot of time with each one before moving on.

I identify myself a lot with these suggestions. It was always the case and main motivation behind getting into DCS and now MSFS. Systems complexity was never an obstacle, it was actually the challenge I was looking after. Time and again I advised other users to pick the aircraft’s they liked the most as that is the main limiting factor to having the patience and curiosity to learn complex systems and heaps of information. So I think I’ll take your advice (and the one I gave others on so many occasions).

I’ll be reviewing my options and your suggested aircraft on my next reply