Title pretty much sums it up. What is your favorite steam gauge payware or freeware aircraft as a general aviation trainer?
I’m looking at options beyond the default C172 and the default 152 with the JPL mod and want to see what every one else likes.
I like the Tutor T.1 by IRIS Simulations. I purchased it through Orbx Direct.
You can have a look at the forum thread here.
Not perfect, but pretty good, and IIRC an update is on the way.
Moved to #third-party-addon-discussion:aircraft for further discussion/advice.
I built my home cockpit as a replica of the Diamond DV-20 which is similar to the plane I acquired my PPL on. I think it’s a great trainer aircraft and it’s included in the medium edition of MSFS (I can’t keep those edition names apart).
I’m quite partial to the stock C152 as I fly one in the RW and enjoy bumbling along 
C152. “Takes a licking and keeps on ticking.”
Piper Warrior is one of my faves, nice aircraft to fly.
Hawk T-1 
I have to admit I still love the Flight Design CTSL. The Aera avionics are small and awkward to use, but it’s got the basics for VFR flight as steam gauges (it is not IFR rated!). Since it’s a European model the steam gauge ASI is in km/h instead of knots, but you can divide by two to approximate. 
It’s just a cute plane, light and easy to fly, with big windows that are easy to look out through for a view. Fixed-pitch prop, auto mixture (Rotax engine).
The Diamond DV20 is a nice step up from there, with a proper steam panel and VOR capability I think, but still no autopilot so you have to manually maintain course and altitude. The DV20 has a constant-speed prop you have to adjust at times, but like the CTSL has auto mixture thanks to a Rotax engine.
It’s also got pretty good cockpit visibility, and I quite enjoy it for sightseeing trips up and down the Columbia River starting from KHIO or other small airports near Portland.
The Piper Warrior from JF for me as well.
I would stick to the 152 with JPL mod. For me one of the finest planes in the sim.
Got to be the Warrior. That is until ‘someone’ releases a Tomahawk - to complete the Piper GA lineup (hint hint) - which is what I clocked up most real world hours in.
JF Arrow III (not strictly a trainer but so what)
C152
Seminole as a multi-engine trainer
Wait till next week, I’ll have the Ryan Navion whipped up into shape - 24 gauges!! lol
Alot of users have said this, but for training there is only one aircraft (for me) that tops them all. Easily the Just Flight Warrior is an incredible trainer that is extremely indepth, and I would rate it extremely highly. Additionally, the entire PA-28 family from JF is absolutely breathtaking. I think additionally, while not a great trainer aircraft, I am a fan of Carenado’s Mooney for some fun flights (If your just looking for steam guages). The listed onces are all payware, however there are still a bunch of great freeware ones I’d try out on Flightsim.to.
Just out of curiosity, what would make the Warrior so much more suitable as a trainer than the Arrows? I ask because I have both Arrows, but did not want to spend more on the Warrior (it gets a bit silly to buy 3 versions of the same design)
I feel a plane can never have too many gauges 
Looks interesting! Where is it going to be published?
Right now for me it’s the Just flight piper arrow turbo 4. Something so nice about flying that plane, that it’s hard to put in to words.
Tomahawk will be released by Just Flight. They have already shown some pictures of the external model.
