Technically, it doesn’t even need a proper runway per se. As that name implies, such planes can land and takeoff on very short runways. This tail dragger fits into a very specific category of aircraft known as “short takeoff and landing,” or STOL, aircraft. While that doesn’t make it the best plane for automation, its overall simple nature makes it easy for even novices to get the hang of it relatively quickly.
Unfortunately, the Robin DR400/100 Cadet lacks autopilot, so only manual control is possible. It does, however, offer a wide-angle cockpit that provides beautiful views. It has large wings, and a small piston engine that doesn’t output a lot of power. These are some of the best planes for learning the basics of the sim, in addition to going on sightseeing adventures in a plane that prefers to be low and slow in the first place.Įven slower than the two Cessna models mentioned above, the Robin DR400/100 Cadet is an extremely simple aircraft to handle. Activate the autopilot and watch the plane handle itself with ease. The 152 model is a bit slower and more primitive, whereas the 172 is armed with the G1000 glass cockpit making this already easy prop even easier thanks to modern avionics. Stalling out is extremely hard, simply because the wings are wide enough to capture airflow very efficiently. This plane is revered for its ultra-stable flight mechanics and very low top speed. Additionally, most of the planes in this list can be found in the Standard edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator, though a small handful are limited to the Premium and Premium Deluxe editions.Īs one of the most widely-used training aircraft in the world, the Cessna 152/172 is pretty much the equivalent of a tricycle with wings. Rather than order these from “best to worst,” these are all recommendations meant to accommodate pilots of all kinds and skill levels.
In this guide, you’ll find a series of both single and multi-engine aircraft. While you’re free to begin your pilot journey in any metal birds of your choice, this guide will give you a basic breakdown of what we consider to be the best starter planes to help ease newcomers into the experience. Microsoft Flight Simulator includes a lot of default aircraft baked into each of its various editions.