Looking for an RNAV/FMS Jet Aircraft

[Peter Grey]

Hello Everyone,

With the PE expansion coming I'm going to need a modern jet aircraft for testing / operating in the new area.

I'm not really well versed in what's out there so I'm going to take suggestions from the community.

Here's what I'm looking for:

1. Must be a jet aircraft that has a FMS capable of loading/flying RNAV procedures (ideally with an update-able database).
2. It does not have to be an airliner but it must have a range of at least 1000 NM, as a result I imagine most of the suggestions will be airliners.
2. Must be an X-plane 10 aircraft (X-plane is my primary sim and I already having a testing solution for FS9/X testing)
3. It must be available now or within the next month (I can't wait for an aircraft that may or may not be out in several months).
4. It must be framerate friendly (I have an ok laptop but not a top of the line one. I don't care about visual quality so I'm willing to take a hit on the model appearance). For a data point I'm ok with the framerate hit of the Fly J Sim B737-200. I would not be ok with a framerate hit beyond that.
5. Ideally it would be able to operate into KSAC (which has the shortest runway in the expansion). It's a 5500' runway. This isn't a critical requirement (the next shortest runway is 7500', I'll sacrifice KSAC for the right airplane)

The bold requirements are must have. If it doesn't meet one of these requirement don't bother posting about it. I know this takes out a couple good planes in development (A 737-300 and a 767), but the time requirement is critical.

Here's what I'm not considering:

1. I don't care how it looks, as long as it's an ok model.
2. I generally don't care about system's modelling, but if it has it I would consider that a bonus.
3. Price, I'll consider price when I make my decision but I don't have a specific budget I'm looking for. It's a tax write off for me anyway.
4. Aircraft type, aircraft type is likely to be a tie breaker but I don't care if it's Airbus, Boeing, or some biz jet manufacturer.

Planes I'm familiar with:

1. The VMAX B757-200. If someone held a gun to my head and said I had to pick on my own this is the plane I'd go with. It's high on the price but meets all my requirements quite well (except I don't know the framerate hit it creates).
2. JRollon CRJ-200. I hesitate to consider this plane because I have 800 hours flying the real thing and some of the systems modeling isn't correct (I wouldn't care on any other airplane, but because I've flown the real time it's a tricky point for me). I've also heard mixed reviews on it's FMS.

I'm also considering simply getting xfmc and integrating it into the Fly J Sim B737-200. This has the benefit of being free (I already have the airplane) but I don't know if this type of integration is possible. At a minimum it would need to integrate to a point where I could use the aircraft autopilot. This is really my fall back option if I can't find the right airplane, I'd rather get a modern RNAV aircraft.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[Kyle.Sanders]

I would reconsider the CRJ...

It has everything you were looking for.
-Cheap (comparing to other quality aircraft)
-FMC is update able (RNAV) and easy to use
-Range
-5min cold and cold start up for basic flights.
-FPS hit isn't bad.


Systems are a bit rough and performance compared to the RW is very different but you aren't looking for fuel burn and stuff...

So, that is my vote.

[Marcus Becker]

I will oppose Kyle with the CRJ2. The little things will kill you with your experience in the aircraft. The FMS is not fully functioning. It flies nice but the modern navigation system is lacking.

VMAX 757 is ok from my experience. I've owned it for a short time but considering our coverage area, I don't fly it too much. Call me biased however because the 757 is #2 on my favorite aircraft.

[stevekirks]

This is a great question with great qualifiers. I would have written the same thing if I'd had the time and eloquence. There's a lot of things in the pipeline for sure, but the FMS requirement makes it pretty narrow.

[tshuff]

My suggestions...

FlightFactor 757-200 - Probably the most complete jet aircraft. This plan has a functioning VNAV system and would likely meet all your needs. Pretty easy on the frames.

JRollon CRJ-200 - Great little plane that you would already have some familiarity with. As Marcus mentions it's not a complete simulation so you might get angry with the FMC. Very easy on the frames.

JAR Design A320 - One of my personal favorites. Very good FMC as of the latest beta updates. Pretty easy on the frames.

Alternately, if you're just looking to test RNAV routes and aren't much concerned with simulating all the systems around it, you could just use X-FMC with the FlyJSim. The FMC is a 2D panel, but is quite functional. I use this solution when I fly the D-Den Challenger 300 and the FlyJSim Q400. (I see you already mentioned this in your post, gg me)

[zengei]

JAR Design A320 - One of my personal favorites. Very good FMC as of the latest beta updates. Pretty easy on the frames.

Came to say this. The FMS ships with cycle 1210 data (I believe, from just installing the latest beta yesterday), but can be updated with Navigraph (and presumably Aerosoft) data to 1508 and later.

[Peter Grey]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

I'm most likely going to end up with the VMAX B757 based on what everyone is saying. It's an airplane I like and seems to meet all my criteria.

The A320 also meets my requirements but I think the 757 offers more bang for the buck, it's also an aircraft type I prefer (I like the A320 but I like the B757 more). I haven't committed yet to the purchase so if anyone has a strong opinion that the A320 is better then the B757 I'd love to hear it.

I appreciate those trying to bring me back to the CRJ, but I'd try to use real world checklists to operate it and from what I've seen in streams it would be a endless parade of "that switch is in the wrong place and I can't fix it". It also doesn't have auto throttle (which is correct to the real airplane but I'm looking for minimal work in this one. I have the 737-200 for when I want to move lots of switches).

[BonanzaDude]

Peter,

Great question and excellent discussion. With the new routes I am thinking that PE will have a bigger following amongst the commercial crowd.

Is there a new payware A320-300 (JAR or something else) on the verge of being released? I am contemplating getting the A320neo but if a new release is in the works I can wait.

John

[Nelson L.]

John, if there's nothing on the XP forums, I doubt it. Devs would make more money with a new aircraft rather than splitting the market.

+1 on the 757

[Keith Smith]

John, Ty mentioned that the beta updates to the JAR A320 have improved the FMC. He was streaming it in the last day or two and seemed pretty happy with it.