Best aircraft for low-level rapid-sight-seeing in MSFS?

[deeknow]

As per subject line, any suggestions for machines currently available that are stable enough to fly with good visibility and quick enough that you can cram a decent amount of sight seeing in over a biggish distance in a short time

It's a trade-off of course but am finding conventional piston powered props just too slow, airliners too unwieldly in the tight stuff, fighter jets too quick too much cockpit clutter, biplanes and choppers and the like not stable enough to manage navigation at low level without crashing.

Not worried about modelling accuracy and fidelity so much. The default TBM-930 and King Air have been ticking most boxes but wondering about something else, and cheapish like the Let-39 maybe? PC-21? Or an old warbird w decent speed? Any suggestions?

[Q400]

Kodiak would do the trick. Nice aircraft but not cheap but it is ten times better than
a lot of aircraft that should not even make the cut for the platform.
Shop around on price. If you think it may be the ticket be aware that you can buy a
bundle consisting of wheeled and float variety. If floats not your thing just get the wheeled.
Best price, dare I say it has been the MSFS store but shop around.

[emfrat]

My FSX favourite for that sort of work is the Howard Aero 500, but there isn't one for AFS4 or MSFS 2020
Maybe the JF Bandeirante?
https://www.justflight.com/product/next ... rante-msfs

ATB, Mike.

[chopper_nut]

The freeware Cessna T37, not overly fast, good visibility and good maneuverability

[jpreou]

My go to aircraft are the Vans RV series ... almost any of them, but I prefer the RV-7 or RV-8. Can cruise at 150kts and slow right down to 60 if you want a slow fly past. Bubble canopies for great vis, and short wings don't get in the way. Superb handling. The freeware Deejing RV-7 is a peach. I've been doing my 'round-the-world' in various RV models, in various sims (FSX, P3D versions and now MSFS); currently heading south through Namibia
Looks like you want something a tad quicker, but even so ... great aircraft, in my opinion.

[deeknow]

Oooohh wicked. Thanks lads. Hadn't really considered any of those yet but all viable, even the Vans Jeff as visibility is the main thing but yeah maybe just a tad slow, maybe not.....

[Aharon]

Did not know you got MS2020

[deeknow]

Did not know you got MS2020

Yep, bought it pretty much the month it first came out, use it mainly for VFR stuff and general exploring. I did just buy the Cowansim 500e chopper and once (or IF) I get better control over that I can see I'll be spending a lot more time in MSFS. Have so much time and $$ invested in add-ons in P3Dv5 and it preforms well for me on my current hardware, and have the commercial aircraft models I actually like to fly, so no compelling reason to switch .... yet ...

[Aharon]

Smart idea not to use MS2020 yet. Better wait until it becomes bug free and problem free

Regards,

Aharon

[Charl]

Haha we are not going down that rabbit hole...

Dean I know exactly the conundrum you face.
I generally solve it by flying an F-15E with gear and flaps out.
The Tweet as CN points out, might work too.
But the stock Diamond DA40 NG in Massey Uni clothes might fit the bill?
Otherwise Carenado's PC12 is just beautiful.
If you're in more of a hurry then a 747-8 is pretty exciting to fly in spot view at 150 ft.

[deeknow]

Haha we are not going down that rabbit hole...

I reckon .. please NOOOOooo....

Otherwise Carenado's PC12 is just beautiful.

Damn, I think you've nailed it, just watching a few reviews of the updated PC12, looks like performance issues sorted, I like the usual mid-level complexity of their stuff too for this sort of role.
Also interested re the DA40 will take a squiz

[Charl]

'Course if you REALLY need to have a good look, absolutely nothing beats this



Picked up today at something like half price!

[deeknow]

SAWEEEET !!!! that is cool, I was actually pondering high-wing options and thinking maybe the C337 from Carenado too....

[chopper_nut]

I've got the Skymaster and it's OK but it feels incomplete. I don't think it's ever been updated.

[FlyingKiwi]

I've flown the Skymaster quite a bit and it would definitely fit your purpose but I agree it's pretty typical Carenado dare I say - visual model is nice, flies well enough, but it's a bit lacking in detail and still has some annoying bugs such as the pitch levers not doing anything on the ground and the behaviour of the engines and propellers in general just not quite being right. I'd say it's basically on par with the default aircraft included in the sim so it's a worthwhile purchase if you particularly like slightly odd GA aeroplanes like me but otherwise maybe not.

[deeknow]

thanks CN and FK ... yeah as I say not too bothered about fidelity .. as long as it ... well .. feels like an "aeroplane" and has decent speed and visibility ... tempted...

[hasegawa]

FlightFX Cirrus SF50 VG2 Vision Jet
It's a light travel jet, and the original is popular and has won a ton of prizes. It is not a competitor for the big jets, but rather designed for the market where you would expect PTL aircraft like the Daher TBM, the King Air etc. or the Pilatus PC 12. The implementation in the MSFS is of high quality. The Garmin GS 3000 can do much more than the original from Asobo/Microsoft and is intuitive to use. The view from the cockpit is good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGW5agRi-D0

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=31099

[deeknow]

Ooohh... now your talking Andreas, thanks

[Charl]

This is a great thread - I went shopping for this one after reading a bit more about it.
It's an amazing craft, best described as totally funky



Closest thing to a civilian stealth machine I've seen.



I can see myself spending Quality Time with this.

[deeknow]

Nice one Charl. Looking FWD to hearing more about your experience w this. My Simming "allowance" for the month will cover it but got some scenery on mind at the moment.

Will keep an eye on the SF50 pricing, defo gonna grab if it gets discounted any time soon, either that or the C510 Mustang from Cockspur