Oh ok, sorry for the confusion too… my current top 5 sim planes are:
- 787-10
- PMDG 737-MAX 8
- CS 777-300er
- a330neo
- inibuilds a310
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I need to update my list due to the several nice releases in the last weeks.
- Asobo-WT Cessna Citation Longitude with AAU1.
Just awesome, autopilot is excellent, avionics and systems very complete, a great jet to fly in MSFS. - Flysimware C414.
Solid plane, updated frequently. - FlightFX Vision Jet.
Baby jet with incredible sound and a joy to hand-fly and land, love it. - FBW A320NX
Rich in features and amazing in detail, can’t wait for the A380. - Blacksquare Analong King Air 350.
It flies very nicely and is very complete, very realistic handling.
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Dropping this here in addition to the thread for the aircraft just because I know that all of you will want to see this news.
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- Fenix A320
- Pmdg 737-700/800
3)*
4)*
5)*
*that’s all I can put up, these two devs are top of line for flight dynamics, realism, quality, study level and they are constantly updating with patches.
-list subject to change when these come out :
-Tfdi Md-11
-Pmdg 777-200
-Pmdg 777-300er
-Pmdg 777X
-Fslabs A330-200/300
-Tfdi 717
-Pmdg 737 Max
-Pmdg secret project (hope it’s 757/767)
-Aerosoft A330
-Ouroboros E-jets
-FsimStudios E-jets
-Pmdg 747
-QualityWings 787
-Fenix A320iae Sharklets
-Bluebird simulations 757
-Synaptic simulations A220
-Fenix or /Fslabs A321
Well, Carenado has been “voted off the island”. New list is:
- VisionJet
- Guimbal G2
- DA62
- HondaJet
- Airbus A319 (LVFR)
Despite the seething hatred the 319 gets (for some reason) I enjoy it, especially since I’ve broken out my comfort zone and have been flying Airliners more. I even flew the default 747 from Colorado to Texas the other day.
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This is my final top 5 ( next year will be a first top 10)
Old list
- FSW Cessna 414
- Carenado PC12
- Blackbox Trislander
- Carenado/Asobo Bonanza V35
- Blackbox Islander
New List:
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FFX VisionJet G2 -brilliantly modelled and implemented high quality aircraft from FFX in all respects. Highly recommended.
-
Beta Version stock CJ4. Collins Proline avionics become a reality for the stock CJ4 which has has undergone a transformation with WT fairy dust sprinkled all over it. Raises the quality of the stock MSFS aircraft hugely. Will get a lot of use
-
FSW C414. Terrific piston engine twin, beautifully modelled and executed. Trundling through the skies with these sounds has never felt so good
-
Blackbox Islander. BBS have really done a great job on this aircraft. Realistic island hopping and STOL operations with a very authentic feel and great sounds. Always very immersive to jump into.
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Blackbird/Milviz DH2 Beaver. Beautifully done 40th anniversary aircrsft. Spending a lot of time with this one and enjoying the feel and sounds. Brilliant GA aircraft that makes me want to explore remote regions of MSFS and has even got me landing on water
Close calls:
Inibuilds A310 - not really “my thing” but I have flown a few sectors with it - fantastic study level jet shows what can be done on Xbox. Feels like this is an authentic “flying the big jets” experience. Another very classy 40th anniversary add on
New stock Longitude (beta). More of that WT fairy dust ( I’m being a bit seasonal here) has been applied to an aircraft that was unloved and almost unflyable, The results are remarkable, astonishing even. This improved version is going to top a lot of people’s lists I think - it will make purchasing the Deluxe version of MSFS worth it just for this… with completely updated avionics and flight model this stock Longtitude is completely unrecognisable from the old…
Aeroplane Heaven DC3. This one is a miss, not because of the aircraft, which is good - I always wanted a nice DC3 model to fly - but more because the attitude of the developers (or at least their PR ) is awful and it leaves a bit of a sour taste in my mouth every time I fly it, just because of that… which is a shame, frankly- so no award from me.
40th anniversary Grumman G21 Goose. I’ve only had two flights in this one but really like what I’ve seen - good first impressions
So you know what? You’re right to make it a top 10 - lots of amazing aircraft are around and coming our way and the quality level has increased tremendously- it will be hard for lots to keep up…
Perhaps you should start looking at an annual version of the Oscar awards for different categories soon? This Top 5 ( soon to be 10) service has been a fantastic source of knowledge and opinion for me - and your hard work running it is really appreciated…
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Hiya. Thanks for the list(s) but this is only for currently released planes and even 3 of your upper list are not out yet. So they should be in the bottom section haha. Do you want to redo it or wait?
Thanks for that update and nice descriptions! I feel it always adds so much to the content to have a bit of the owners’ thoughts behind their decisions, even the “didn’t make it” ones are very interesting, so thanks!
Yes, definitely the right decision methinks.
You never know what the fairy dust fairy may bring 
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Doing my best at not showing bias towards newer aircraft I’m flying most recently vs the truly best designed.
- Black Square Steam Gauge Overhaul King Air
- Flysimware C414
- Milviz 310
- PMDG DC6 (it’s incredible PMDG was able to put this out so early on)
- PMDG 737 (any variant)
- SWS Kodiak 100
- Fenix A320CEO
- Just Flight Piper Turbo Arrow 3/4 (and non-turbo)
- Black Square Steam Gauge Overhaul Caravan
- Just Flight Piper Warrior
1 - 3 are honestly a tie. They’re just that good. I’ve recently purchased the King Air overhaul and the way they implemented the realism options through the radar is fantastic. Same for the Caravan. And 172 realism options on the autopilot screen, great idea.
One flaw of the Black Square overhauls - the difficulty setting up liveries. The instructions in the manual are a bit complicated. If it were easier I think the Caravan would be higher. I’d like to recreate some FedEx feeder routes in the feeder livery.
Also, I haven’t given the Kodiak it’s due yet. I’ve been having such a good time with the King Air I just haven’t had time. I bought it during the black friday sale, took the time to learn the checklist and procedures, did a few flights and went back to the King Air. The King Air is just an enjoyable aircraft to fly with the overhaul.
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Thanks! I took your first 5 for now (top 10 starts next month). Also took the 737-800, as each variant is counted separately in a sub-table. OK?
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I own the 737-700 only. I don’t think there’s much difference between the two so I never pulled the trigger on the 800.
OK I changed it to 700. (You said “any variant” lol)
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Sorry - I saw the first post and assumed these were being lumped together for the sake of polling.
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First time posting a list so here goes:
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Milviz c310. Enough has been said about this plane that does not need repeating. I still love the 414 but something about the flight model seems a bit wrong - I’ve flown quite a few light twins and have a suspicion the real one doesn’t float on landing like the sim version does.
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Kodiak 100. Flight model is a moving target but they got many things right, from hot starts, weight balance and need to pay attention to the published numbers for landing. Other aspects of the flight model need work so it doesn’t make number 1.
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Got Friends Wilga. Guarantee this new release will be on many peoples list soon. The Wilga may be my number 1 now but haven’t put many hours into it yet. Everything is pretty terrific with this. Particularly good is the visual model and the sounds. Ground handling and landing seems lifeless though, as if you are landing or taxiing on a sheet of the smoothest asphalt (even though you touched down on the side of a mountain).
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Britton Norman Trislander. I got this as a holiday bundle with the Islander. I like the Trislander more. Mostly because it looks so ■■■■ funky. Sounds are terrific. Flight model is good.
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freedom fox/fox2. Engine is a bit simplistic but flies very well, looks great, and who doesn’t want an integrated tent/camping feature? Lack of options on instrument choices brings it down, mostly not the dev’s fault (the stock G3X is kinda garbage).
Honorable mentions to the 414 and the Beaver. Also the JF Turbo Arrow, which has fallen off for me until they rework the flight model.
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Cirrus SR 22
Beechcraft Bonanza V35B
Beechcraft Baron G58
P51 mustang (usually Bunny or Spam Can Dolly)
Aviat Husky A 1C
Now…
Bell 407
Bell 407
Bell 407
Bell 407
Bell 407
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There are a lot of liveries on fsto already. I’ve converted a few myself for my own use. I find it much easier to simply copy the livery and change a few things in the files rather than BSQ’s method of referring to the 208 G1000 folder.
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Thanks for your list. Yeah the Wilga is good, huh!? 
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Ummm… what shall I do here? 
This isn’t a cathedral, we can’t have 5 Bells lol
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My FINAL PERSONAL LIST UPDATE of 2022
1) Cabri G2 [Asobo]
I’ve put the most time per week into this than any other aircraft in the past since it came out. Finding it a real nice challenge to learn and it fits the kind of exploring/sight seeing I love to do most in MSFS. I have played with some of the freeware helicopters before Asobo added native, and I did buy the Bell 47G and the HPG145 (and Action Pack stuff). They are great in their own way, but this little Cabri is just the perfect size, character and ability for me. It feels realistic but not overly punishing (the G47 on full realistic is just way too light and sensitive for me to handle, and on medium I feel like I’m cheating. The Airbus is kind of too stable and easy. Probably “realistic” but not as fun. The missions are super-cool though and it’s worth it for that).
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning to fly the Cabri and improving a new motor-skill coordinating my brain, arms and legs! Still a long way to go before I am 100% on top of things and able to pull off the kind of slick “fast approach” controlled landings I have in my mind but I’m slowly getting there. As I say, it has opened up this amazing world we have in the perfect way for the things I enjoy most in the sim. Namely low flying, exploring, VFR with good visibility, but hands-on and involving experience on multiple short flights. Love that you can slow down to zero to have a look around but also pick up speed and do some crazy stunt flying while pulling moves any normal aircraft never could. I feel like it should be able to go (and accelerate) faster as you really have to push to get over 100 though - feels quite draggy in forward motion. Excellent stuff. Also I had fun finding new heli-focussed scenery (paid and free). Found some gems!
2) PZL-104 Wilga 35/80 Series [Got Friends]
I was patiently waiting and hoping the Wilga would be out to potentially count in my final update of 2022 and it just made it in time.
Maybe a bit premature adding it in already, but I thought I would love it and I am not disappointed. It is made with a lot of passion and there really is something special about it in many ways. I’ve flown it solidly for the last couple of days and very impressed.
I love the feeling of it being something I jump in and go, much like the Freedom Fox feels as I have spent a lot of time in that, but I already feel a close attachment to the Willy (ooo errr). It’s an aircraft you feel a PART OF, not simply sitting inside and operating it. Sounds are rich and not at all repetitive with some great subtlety to the layers as you open vents, move flaps and throw the doors off etc. Everything blends together so well from start up to shut down, no jarring or sense that this is just playing another sound sample on top - it’s organic and real and the audio is a very important aspect for me (I realise for some it matters much less). I even liked the little stall bell sound - reminds me of collecting my little boy from school every time it goes off 
Works great with my Force Feedback stick and there are so many nice touches to the model making it a super impressive package and currently my favourite, most involving and interesting bush plane which I already feel comfortably at home in.
A few small issues but still this is exactly what I hoped it would be and it is pretty much perfect. No doubt Got Friends will continue to support and make some small improvements (and perhaps big additions) to their first Flagship product, so I think the future is very good for the Willy. You could say “the Willy is looking up” 
3) Cessna 172 Classic Enhancement [WB-Sim]
My go-to plane when I want to use a yoke. Hard decision between this and the C414. Maybe it’s just because it’s the plane I flew for real (well, I flew a 1960’s one but I have the exact same livery — see screenshot at the end!) but I like flying this for any “standard GA” shenanigans. I can fly it for hours, even just around my local area (but I do take it to other countries too) and it’s just a nice relaxing place to be. Knowing the systems are accurate makes me feel accomplished when I don’t have any issues and make a good clean flight even though I’m not really using those systems yet, but learning it all properly is on my 2023 to do list! It’s my trusty workhorse and I take good care of her. No silly flying, no experimenting, just fly it for real.
4) Stearman PT-17 [DC Designs]
It was a toss up between this and the Tiger Moth. I took them both out for a spin to check my feelings just before writing this and while the Moth has loads of character and some VERY nice touches in the model, it’s the Stearman that does it for me. Something about it just feels right to me. I like that it’s double the speed of the Moth, it has a better sense of inertia, the way it flows though the air, the sounds (not sure which parts are coming from FSR) are so immersive and they fit the action perfectly at all times. Also for some reason it works the best out of all my aircraft with my Force Feedback stick. I get a varying rumble in tune with the engine revs and the way the stick tightens up with speed and loosens up at the peak of a turn or climb is spot on. It’s so exciting, involving and satisfying. It’s 100% awesome. Also nice that there is the alternate high powered variant. I don’t use it often but good it’s there in the package.
5) Spitfire Mk.IX [Flying Iron Simulations]
Back on my list. So 2 of my 5 are “oldies” now. It’s such an iconic plane and it’s ready to bite you at the start and end of a flight but since migrating to my proper controllers at my desk it’s made it much more manageable and very satisfying to land. Sounds are very good, graphics are rich and the flight model seems natural. Good bit of speed whilst not being crazy fast, but faster than the other 4 in my list. Just such a graceful machine, both to look at and to fly.
There are 5 more I’ve got for my starter list in 2023 so see you then! Glad to be having 10 to mention… I think this is going to work out well folks
So here is my WINNER in all her custom skinned glory:
My Runner-up (but that means she’s still my favourite WINGED Aircraft):
And the Cessna 172 – recreating my first and only ‘real world flight’ (Bodmin, UK):
==== My PREVIOUS LIST (and why they have been dropped/exchanged) ====
Big Radials Goose: my previous number 1 — I am very disappointed that they have not taken care to fix the engine issues starting in water… for a sea plane!! I mean come on, that is kind of unacceptable. Still love the sounds but fallen out of love for a product the creators don’t love? The feelings mutual 
Black Box BN2 Islander: I lost a bit of faith in the believability of this aircraft. Dumbfounded that they released it with that extreme pitch effect with flaps stages down, then updated it shortly after to completely nullify that effect. I don’t trust it any more - what is correct, what is not? Also it plays really badly with FSR unless you dial down some of the settings massively (no other plane does that) and the vibrating cable hanging down annoys me so much I can’t “unsee” it now. Although it is my most flown plane by hours still, I’ve not actually chosen to fly it for a few months now 
Just Flight Hawk T1/A: I finally solved my issues of the slow roll (was my fault in having game pad assist settings still on!) so that is back how it should be but I still have awful problems with the pitch forcing the plane up and down beyond my control and it making my Force Feedback stick push WAY too hard when the trim is off and the plane is climbing or diving. I think and hope it “just” needs an update (I know they are working on it) and I’ll happily check to see if it’s better then, but for now it feels like another product not loved by the developers, and it’s rubbed off on me. I know JF are one of the best in the business but I’d have hoped for a quicker response to a fix. It’s still my favourite jet, but I hope it can be fully sorted soon. 
MilViz C310R: It is a great aircraft, but since getting persuaded to buy the 414, I prefer that. It feels more solid, has some great quality, sounds equally as good (maybe the 310 is 10% better actually lol) and the LANDINGS in the 414 are beautiful — best thing about it, best of any plane I own. I still do fly the 310 and I’m sure it will be a constant in my rotation (with the ownership thing) but it’s getting less usage than before, even though I still rate it EXTREMELY highly. 
DC Designs Stearman PT-17: the only one that stays in my list for the end of 2022!! Congrats to the bi-plane. The old ones are the best, right?! 
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Well done!
I think I will post my list this week in spite of not yet having the Wilga. I need XBOX compatibility for that one so I wait for the Marketplace.
Also, just finished my final test of the Stearman vs. the Tiger Moth. The Moth is more my style.
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