I can’t believe no one has said this yet but it’s hard to beat a Cessna 152 or 172.
- Relatively slow but not sluggish
- Easy to fly/Stable
- High wing = less visual obstruction
2 Likes
//42 FreedomFox Kitfox is a nice new alternative… Exceptional STOL and perfect for low and slow. Glass all around including the doors for wonderful visibility.
Cheers T.
1 Like
It is easy to get started in Basic (Easy) mode, it will take practice and pedals are a must for Advanced (realistic mode). It took me quite a while to be able to land exactly where I want to land, it takes practice, but it is very rewarding and fun. You can also remove the doors which improves the visibility for sightseeing. The ability to hover puts it way ahead of anything else for slow up close sightseeing.
These tutorials by Rotor Sim Pilot are also helpful:
2 Likes
@BragRaindrop933 I’ve just watched some videos of the H145. Wow! Does it have a flight mode for beginners where many of the systems are automated and/or set correctly for you? I’m keen to just fly around for a while before learning more down to ‘study level’.
I have no study level knowledge of helis, I’m a novice. I have only done about 20 flights total in them H135/H145.
The H135 (I switched back to it to remind myself today) looks lovely from exterior, but is a little limited internally and feature wise, but great for freeware, I don’t really like how it sounds though. The H145 handles lke a dream and sounds great too. Not sure why it is still in pre-release, I guess they are still adding to/improving it.
The H145 looks like it has in depth systems (if you want to get into them), but you don’t need prior knowledge. All I do for now is CTRL-E and give it 30 secs to start up and I’m off. It is a very stable, easy to control with joystick and easy to learn, just listen to the audio warnings when you say push the collective too much or go too fast. I’ve gone from being neither here nor there with helis (with H135) to loving helis on the back of buying the H145 last week. Just did a tour of the freeware Montpellier airport and surrounding area a minute ago. Great wide views (I use the mouse wheel to zoom back is best for those views)
The main challenge (for me) with a heli is slow speed control in wind and precision landings. I do struggle to precisely land in perfect control on a small target area & I need more practice (slow and small changes required). It’s quite cool being able to land in front of some FS landmarks in cities though. I’m a total convert. One of the most fun aircraft in FS right now, definitely into my top 5. Oh and the downdraught creates dust as you are landing too, how cool is that?
I’ve not gone looking for beginner/advanced modes. I’ve literally just started it up and flown off. You do need some rudder control (either via pedals or in my case a twist of the joystick rotation axis on the HOTAS).
Pictured here at EGPF (Glasgow)
2 Likes
@BragRaindrop933 You’ve convinced me! I’ve purchased the H145. Installed it just now and licensed it. Installed the PMS50 GTN750 too (whatever that is!) as it was mentioned to do so in the user manual. I’ll skim through the doc soon.
I’ve been looking to buy myself one aircraft up to 50GBP as a present to myself and I think this fits the bill.
Any ideas how it’s updated when a new version comes out? I’m used the the FBW A32NX which has its only installer and that is used to update it to a newer version.
Hopefully in a few days I’ll be able to make some videos of flying around Dubai.
Incidentally, I also tried ICON A5 which was superlative to fly. Just incredibly responsive with great views too.
1 Like
Honestly money well spent. I’m having to convince myself not to use it all the time. I’ve no idea how they do upgrade notifications, as I have only got the most recent version. Email? Auto notification? Dont know. You activate it through the ‘ipad’ then I think you have to close down FS nicely (a quit from the quit to desktop text), then restart. Get little nav map running first and you can use it on the ‘ipad’. Aircraft throttle axis is collective control. You have to manage uplift rate and forward motion to stay within limits. Just get used to slowing down by pulling back on stick a bit and speeding up by pushing stick forward, and changing elevation with collective. There is autopilot, but I like flying it manually. Just try small motions when landing. There’s also various liveries to discover on flighsim.to. You really won’t regret the purchase. I’m sure you will have fun with it.
1 Like
It is the upgraded touchscreen interface GPS unit. The mod also can be optionally used in some other aircraft eg. Carenado and the EMB-110 among others.
1 Like
I use FlyInside Bell 47 helicopter for sightseeing.
Its simplicity is a plus for this purpose in my opinion. I start on an airfield nearby my target, fly there, do sightseeing, and land on a suitable spot. Also many short trips help practicing take off and landing.
Only downside is slow speed - if there are no close airfields to a target, it takes some time to get there.
I use H135 it great, you can fly slow and low and when you learn to hover it is perfect.
Also I use Ju-52, it is slow, but have really open cockpit, so you can see a lot from cockpit.
A helicopter is certainly best, flying real slow with good visiblity.
Some others are mentioned above, but my favorite is the Robinson R44 from Rotor Sim Pilot on flightsim.to.
The JPLogistics Cessna 152, or a Cessna 152 version with bushwheels, and the modern Piper Cub X are the best planes for sightseeing (and low bushflights). 
agreed - fantastic view as well
also cant go wrong with the good old 152/172
1 Like
This topic was automatically closed 30 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.