PA28 for FS2004??

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Member for

18 years 1 month

Posts: 2

Hi, all - new to the forum, and pretty new to flight simulation, so please excuse ignorance!

Is anyone aware of a Piper PA28 (any variant, but preferably the Cadet) for FS2004? I'm a PPL QFI on the usual training types, and would like to see how flying the sim model compares with the real thing.

Thanks!

Original post

Member for

19 years 1 month

Posts: 232

Hi,

There are several PA28s for FS2004, first try the usual freeware file libraries such as AVSIM.COM and FLIGHTSIM.COM.

Better quality but 'payware' models are available from :

Carenado (Cherokee 180, Archer II & Dakota)

Dreamfleet (Archer II)

AusSim (Warrior II/II)

Just Flight ('Flying Club' package includes a Warrior which can be purchased seperately online)

I've tried all but the 'Just Flight' model and particularly like the Dreamfleet Archer - although it's an older model (updated from FS2002) it is still excellent. I'd look forward to hearing your opinion !

Bruce

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 2,623

david

the flight model is not replicated very well on flight sim at all, you cannot sideslip, the stall behaviour is incorrect and you cannot spin the damn things, the only thing flightsim is good for really is VFR nav (if you have the right scenery) and IFR protocol.

Rgds

Dean

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 2,623

oh and david you may be interested in a "forum" fly-in we have on the 26th feb going into Leicester, check the GA forum for more details :)

Member for

19 years 1 month

Posts: 232

the flight model is not replicated very well on flight sim at all, you cannot sideslip, the stall behaviour is incorrect and you cannot spin the damn things, the only thing flightsim is good for really is VFR nav (if you have the right scenery) and IFR protocol.

I'd like to point out that many add on flight sim aircraft have more realistic flight models that do include (relatively) realistic side slipping and stall/spin performance (for example the models created by Real Air simulations)

Whilst I'm not suggesting flight sim is in any way suitable for pilot training (it is after all mass produced entertainment software or even (gulp!) a 'game') I do feel your comments here were somewhat sweeping and possibly ill informed.

Rant over ! :)

Bruce

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 2,623

[QUOTE='lectra] I do feel your comments here were somewhat sweeping and possibly ill informed.

Rant over ! :)

Bruce[/QUOTE]

Having downloaded nearly every conceivable PA-28 available at avsim, flightsim & simviation in search of a great aircraft and test flown them for the said characteristics I would hardly call this "sweeping & ill informed", if you would like to send me a copy of a payware model (for test flying only, illlegal copying is not condoned) then I would be more than satisfied to concur with your sentiments, conversly if you would care to point me to a link to download such an aircraft that has the said characteristics then I would be more than happy to agree with you.

rant over :)

Rgds

Member for

19 years 1 month

Posts: 232

Whilst 'sweeping and ill informed' might sound harsh I feel that without considering the 'payware' add ons you are not seeing the full potential of FS2004.

If you're basing your opinion of FS2004 on freeware models and the default aircraft then I would be inclined to agree with you. Whilst there are some superb freeware models for FS2004, I've yet to come across a really good PA28. The commercial models I mentioned above are significantly better than any of the freeware PA28s, both in terms of visual modelling and flight dynamics.

RealAir (http://www.realairsimulations.com) don't do a PA28 but all the models have exceptional flight models, with specific emphasis on the stall/spin, which is why I mentioned them here.

Unfortunately none of the commercial models mentioned offer a 'demo' version and there is no way I would wish to get involved in providing you with a copy for 'evalutaion' purposes. If you're serious about that however you could always ask one or more of the companies listed above for a 'review' copy ?

Cheers,

Bruce

Member for

18 years 1 month

Posts: 2

PA28 for FS2004??

Er, thanks, guys - don't take this TOO seriously! I'm that new to FS that I didn't even know what the "usual sites" are, so thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

For years I have rather dismissed FS when students have asked whether it would be helpful with their training, without having actually tried it for myself. Now one of my students has forced me to reconsider, particularly with regard to VFR navigation. Still not wholly convinced, however, as he's not so hot in a real C172 as he is in a virtual one, paticularly when under a bit of pressure (sorry, Gary, if you stumble across this discussion!).

As for the virtual fly-in to Leicester, that is not my favourite detination: it's where I generally go for Instructor Rating renewals, which I still find a bit nerve-wracking - too used to being in command, I guess! And as for intentionally spinning a PA28, I'm happy to leave that to others!

I'll nip over to the GA forum and see what goes on there.

David