I thought it would be interesting to see what everyone’s “default” plane is. Whatever you pick to get into the game quick and get flying when the type of plane doesn’t matter for the flight, and is probably a quicker plane to get started and up into the air. Or maybe you just don’t know what you’re in the mood to do but you want to fly something
Mine is the SWS Van’s RV-14. Really easy to fire up and get going, pretty good view and reasonably quick.
If I need high altitude/speed then it’s the Caproni Vizzola C-22J Ventura
I agree with @Hester40MT … great idea for a thread, @disastronought.
I normally default to the SR-22. So easy to get ready and then take for a spin. It is terrific that we have so many choices.
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C172 for me. High wing means I can see the ground clearly, and it’s simplicity itself to set up and go.
(TBH, I don’t usually just hop in to go check something out, though. When I fly it tends to either be a fully prepped flight by myself, or flying with friends in which case we’ll pre-plan our approximate route. But the 172 is still my go-to. If there were a better 182 available it would be that.)
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I am using the DA 40 TDI for this. Easy to use and great visibility through the huge windshield.
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FlyingIron P-38 for its awesome visibility and flexibility. Second choice, Grumman Goose. Visibility isn’t as good but it’s got great slow-speed handling.
If I want to just check something quick, I just pick a FBW A32NX, and switch to Drone camera and fly with the drone camera.
The SWS RV-14A or the FSReborn Sting S4 are my go to aircraft at the moment, for when I only have a moment.
If it is a calm day and I want to fly really low & slow I’ll jump into the AH C-140. Every time I do it makes me smile: like flying in a booth from a 50’s diner! 
I often practice this kind of flight. My choices are:
GotGravel’s Grravel, very slow flying capability to check a specific point, high climb and descent rates if this flight is in mountains. And very good STOL possibilty if you need to land.
The C172 Taildragger by Bagolu with 210hp STC engine mod from reaperZ73 is a little less good for STOL and climb/descent rate, but faster if you need to cover a larger area.
Two more points for this kind of flights:
You don’t need to start Cold&Dark, you can start your flight anywhere already airborne near the point you want to see. It’s a big time saving.
To see outside the plane there is nothing better than a TrackIR or a VR headset !
Voilà, voilà…
For casual touring and sight seeing:
The Grravel monster truck cub, which is based off Mike Patey’s Scrappy. It can get in and out of anywhere, has enormous power to weight ratio for fast climbs, and can do real slooow flight for checking stuff out.
If i want to cover some ground, the Asobo T-6 is easy to start and get off the ground, trims nicely, and has some performance, but isn’t as unruly as some of the other warbirds on the ground
:
The Milviz Corsair is a runner up as it has even better performance and you can open the canopy for an unobstructed view of the scenery. It’s a beastly beast to operate though.
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At the moment it’s the Cessna 414 for me. But in reality it’s usually what ever is new, and good. 
Any aircraft with Steam gauges, when checking simvars and events using external software or hardware instruments
The default C172 Skyhawk or the C152 are both fine for this, also the DR400
To check scenery, with its ability to perform static hover flight, the Pelican is perfect
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Haven’t done this in a while, but typically it would be the C172, SR22 or VL3.
Milviz 310R
Bonanza
Milviz Corsair
I go my rounds with all kinds of aircraft but i just love flying into storms with the icon A5 and bouncing around waves trying to stay with the swells. Plus the water landings and takeoffs, especially if they’re challenging, is just so much fun!
My main three I cycle through a lot
Asobo Icon A5
nextgen Emb 110
Aerosoft Twin Otter
For short flights I usually pick the FI Spitfire or, if it‘s supposed to be slow, the JP modded C152.
The C172 with steam gauges is all I use for a quick flight! Really nice visuals and very fun to fly
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