I dunno man, typically most people start training in a 140 - 180 HP fixed pitch airplane, not a high performance single with retractable gear and a variable speed prop and a turbocharger to boot.
The nice thing about the stock C172 G1000 is that Asobo usually tests out it’s most recent flight model upgrades on it, so it’s typically the most up to date of any plane in the sim using Asobo’s flight modeling (A2A writes their own, so that’s completely different). So then the question becomes, does the OP want to go full Garmin to start, or steam gauge setup?
Personally, I suggest Steam gauge. Unfortunately, Asobo’s steam gauge C172 is part of the Deluxe package. But if the OP is on 2024, then, I think you can purchase just the C172 steam gauge version, they don’t need to purchase the whole Deluxe package. If they already have, then all the better.
In any event, I highly recommend a fixed gear / fixed pitch / steam gauge plane to start with, and the C172 Deluxe version, the Asobo or freeware WBSim C152 or the Just Flight Piper Warrior fit that bill perfectly. Personally, I’m a Piper man myself, but, any of those is a great choice. The WBSim C152 especially as well.
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The default icon A5 is a very simple plane to fly
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I personally love the A5, but, maybe I’m just old, but, as a beginning trainer, I have an issue starting with a Garmin type screen mashing all the information in one place.
It seems to me, for a starter trainer, you’re better off separating all of the information into separate, easy to read gauges. In my mind, it helps the beginner better focus on each of the pieces of information needed to understand how to fly. And your eye quickly sees changes that are important.
Sure, once the pilot has grasped what information he needs, he can upgrade to a Garmin screen, but I think it’s better to start simple.
Granted, a pilot needs to understand they need to be looking out the window mostly, and not glued to their gauges (unless they’re flying in IMC). But I just really like having the VSI as a round gauge that’s easy to understand, an Altimeter that’s all by itself, and so on. Round gauges are just so much easier to see changes quickly. It takes a lot more work to understand what a Garmin screen is telling you, since it’s all mashed together, and the contrast can be so bad.
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Personal preferences. I like both.
The Just Flight Tomahawk is a good trainer. Great quality model with very nice sounds. Offers very good all-around visibility too.
I’m also a big fan of the Asobo 172. Prefer the steam gauge variant.
Trouble is there’s so many amazing planes to choose from!
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I think this type of thread provides information that is so vital to understanding the function and feel of a sim vs real aircraft. The sim is a fantastic learning tool for those interested in flight. These types of discussions bring so much info to areas that are so vital to the real aircraft and it’s functions in the real world. Same? No way, theres no life risk here, well maybe lol, to your PC’s RAM, or a torn cable or two…the CPU’s bloodpressure sky high…sweat running out the GPU, lol..but I’ve never died in my sim thank goodness ..I should have, numerous times though, but didn’t thankfully..I’d have missed this post..Whewww…Back on track has revived me back from the dead to many times to discuss here because I thought I knew…hehe..This type of post adds so much to the knowledge and understanding of real aircraft that I’ll never set in, in real life. The tidbit mentioned above by 4470 for example..ie Garmin screen vs round gauges. Great point for a beginner pilot with no knowledge of what to really expect…All these comparisons discussed above..the HP, the view for the pilot, grd handling,etc.. this type of info is so good for a very nice personal sim aircraft to enjoy for example…It helps me avoid frustrations because I’m moving to fast maybe, Choosing wrong models/equipment I’m not capable of yet, or missing the round gauges tidbit that would have made it easier because I missed the warning on the Garmin that was prettier I thought…so simple?..yet simple is so vital though to surviving your flight here and in real life..That’s not being old 4470..My PP instructor back in the 80’s day, used just that method. KISS was one of his favorites..“keep it simple stupid”…and you’ll likely live old..keep your keychain pointed to your feet…and constantly reminding me to “never complicate your flight”. Experience or skill should never be exceeded ever if you want to grow old..“second chances” in flight are rare as hens teeth he’d say lol..I’m much more able to enjoy the sim because of knowing what to expect as a beginner with no knowledge, or choosing an aircraft that now better suits my personal style and experience so to speak. If my first visit were today, this post alone, would have saved me so much on where to start and why…I hope it continues…in the right order, from beginner as posted, to the max pilot level of certifications maybe..whats best next after my trainer? High wing? Low wing? Instrument types? I love reading these kind of post when the sim and real life mash together. I started MSFS with the simplest aircraft with an outstanding record of safety and performance. Cess152 trike.. and the ol’ J3 if you got to have a taildragger. The latter, although a taildragger I’m partial too, is just a solid older flight model because of design, stick and cables, balance, simplicity, and such. If it’s moving it’s flying almost..I’ve flown this in real life, my first flight ever, with a certified pilot neighbor of course, with many,many hrs before I knew zip…nada..the feeling was extraordinary, unforgetful..Takeoff rudder was a bit interesting, even with a light breeze, but easily overcome in just a few guided lessons..I was hooked..This type of discussion not only saves me the frustrations of a half finished download design with promise, or it being nothing like the real aircraft, or something I’m trying to suit with some kinky sim modified settings because of my subpar skill level or design. The comfort of flight comes with experience/knowledge that’s skill matched..in the sim and real life..there are no shortcuts in either…cheating yourself to the top in either, because of your skills or the complete knowledge of your aircraft choices and equipment, will for sure cause frayed PC cables, spilled drinks, rants,..and in real life get you a 6 ft hole. I understand the frustrations of sim workings being 100%, I got um..but there are some great choices here that mimic real world aircraft very well..I’ve never met a senior pilot ever that didn’t have patience running out their ying yang inside the cockpit…Thanks to all you real world pilots and devs for the input to helping us achieve such accurate offerings..I’m so envious of most here btw, Pilots and PC guys, 
but this is how we are gonna have the best Sim possible for the avg Joe like myself..there’s always a second place. Not MSFS by a long shot..and patience is free…yet so hard to get…I’m sim home, yea, this is it for me..many Thanks… 
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Wow…. This post… Just… Wow.
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I forgot about this plane… Then again, I, personally, would never choose a high horizontal stabilizer configuration for a training plane, lol, though, admittedly, the issues with it are a bit overblown, given you only run into issues if you’re flying close to stall….
Oh, wait, that’s what you do when you’re training 
But, really, yes, it is another excellent choice for training.
The order I learned with in this sim,
Cessna 152 for steam gauge
Icon A5 For basic garmin
Default R66 for helicopter training
X cub for tail dragger
Beechcraft G36 for more advanced flight
Asobo DeHavilland twin otter and Cessna 408 for twin engine flying
Cirrus vision jet and flight fx cessna citation X for learning basic jet flying
PMDG 737 700 and Fenix A320 for commercial jets
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Another really good early doors trainer in the Rotax powered Technam P2002.
Simple fixed prop, steam gauge, basic AP functions. Low wing, great all round visibility and very easy to learn trimming.
Check out the Aerosachs version in the marketplace for both 2020 and 2024.
Great purchase for a good price.
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Also great, and free: Piper PA-28-236 Dakota, known as Famous Flyer 12.
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And Alpha Hotel YouTube pilot course.
To practice in probably the Cessna’s, But as you progress you can get into bigger aircraft.
I am learning in the Cessna 152 and really enjoying it. Just ordered a yoke and a mouse as the Xbox controller is a challenge.
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