From Bush Planes to Airliners: A Flight Simulator Progression Journey

By Spencer Doyle

As a flight simulator hobby enthusiast, one of my first goals was to learn to fly an airliner, in a simulation that was as realistic as possible. No doubt, some of you have also had the overwhelming experience, as I have, of jumping into a Boeing or Airbus cockpit, having a look at the dozens upon dozens of switches, and felt the task too daunting. In the following paragraphs, I’ll detail the journey that I followed from a mere beginner in the hobby to flying the most complex “study-level” airliners available in Microsoft Flight Simulator. If you’re new to flight simming, and aspire to fly complex airliners, then hopefully this roadmap can set you on the right path.

My recommendation is to start with a bush plane, such as the Zlin Aviation Shock Ultra, and load into your local airport at a General Aviation parking spot. Your time should be spent learning how to follow a simple also be learning a more complex checklist and have more instruments to monitor during flight. For learning purposes, I like to fly short flights around 50 NM or so, getting as many take-offs and landings as possible for your time. Focus on landing at airports that have ILS, as that will be your most common instrument landing approach when you get to the airliners. This is also a good time to start learning about airport lighting, and startup checklist, setting your barometric pressure, mastering your plane’s lighting, learning how the MSFS air traffic control system works, and following taxi instructions. When you get in the air, it’s helpful to perform some pattern work there. Just get the feel for taking off and landing, doing touch-and-goes, working on understanding how and when to use flaps to slow your approach and land. All of these skills will apply no matter which plane you end up flying in the simulator. When you are comfortable with your proficiency in these skills, it’s time to move on to something a little more complex.

For the next plane, I recommend flying either the Cessna 172, with the glass cockpit, or the Cessna Grand Caravan. Both planes use the Garmin G1000 avionics system. Once you have the basics down, it will be time to learn how to create, input, and fly IFR flight plans, along with mastering the autopilot system. You will to begin understanding how to read PAPI lights. These are essential for maintaining a proper glideslope on approach, no matter which airplane you’re landing. This is also a great time to learn how to set trims for take-off, landing, and level flight.

The final plane I recommend mastering, before moving on to airliners, is the Cessna Citation Longitude business jet. Make sure you’ve downloaded and installed the “Citation Longitude Enhanced” available for free in the in-game Marketplace. You could also fly the Cessna Citation CJ4 here, as well, if you’re on PC with the Working Title version. These are both fantastic high-altitude business jets that closely mimic airliners in flight planning and approach procedures. You will step up again with slightly more-complex checklists, and, finally, flying a multi-engine jet aircraft. This will also be your first time flying an aircraft with retractable landing gear, so really follow your checklists carefully. Your primary focus will be to start learning about and following SIDs & STARs, along with approach charts, and to master the AP system. I like to choose airports that provide about an hour-long flight, with a SID at the Departure airport and a STAR at the Arrival airport; and of course, you still want to focus on airports with ILS available. Another major focus should be on using the VNAV system for the plane you’re flying, and mastering that descent.

After you’ve mastered the business jets, it will finally be time to progress to the airliners. By this time, you will have learned the basics about airport taxiway markings, airport lighting, using the in-game ATC system, and flight planning. You will be able to fly patterns, use your NAV radio for instrument approaches, read SID/STAR and approach charts, monitor your plane’s instruments, utilize flaps, trim, throttle, understand your plane’s lighting system, stay on glideslope on approach, and have mastered Autopilot. This is the time to move up to the airliner of your choice.

As for recommendations, the PMDG Boeings are always a top-notch simulation if you prefer to fly a Boeing. If you’re an Airbus fan, the free FlyByWire A32NX is a great choice, along with the Fenix Simulations A320. No matter which you choose, the biggest difference will be the more complex startup checklist. Take the time to read the manual, if available, for your airliner of choice. Once you get it rolling, you will find that many of the skills you spent so many hours mastering will come into play, and you should have the confidence to fly whatever plane your simulation hobby leads you to fly. Hopefully, during your journey, you learn that the flight simulation hobby allows you to have fun while always learning something new.