Im really enjoying StrataWX in MSFS2024, it seems more interesting to me than Asobo's real-time weather ;)

Some screenshots I did flying from MUHA to KMIA and in the pattern at KFSD

Enjoy 😄

TIA for any guidance or firsthand experience.

I’m working on my instrument rating in two 1970s-era C172M with steam gauges and either a GNS 530 or GTN 650. I’ve included photos of one (GTN and G5s) and my home simulator setup for reference.

I’m looking for the most realistic C172 available (or settings) for MSFS 2024 or X-Plane 12, particularly for hand-flying, speeds, handling, and IFR proficiency work.

Here’s what I’ve tried so far:

MSFS 2024

• Asobo C172 Basic: My favorite so far. The speeds are spot-on, and it integrates seamlessly with my hardware. My only minor nit is that the left-turning tendency isn’t as pronounced as in the real aircraft.
• Bagolu C172M: Great modeling and visuals, but it seems a little fast. It has also been very buggy when using GNS 530 or TDS GTN 750 pop-outs.

X-Plane 12

• Default Laminar C172: My second favorite, although the controls, especially the ailerons, feel a little more sensitive than the real airplane. During IFR flying, I often find myself wanting to engage the autopilot to avoid constantly chasing headings.
• AirfoilLabs C172 NG Analog: Probably my third choice. I’m still tinkering with it to get all my hardware working correctly, and roughly every other flight ends in a CTD.

Hardware setup

High-end PC with an RTX 4070 Ti and no general performance issues; FlightSimBuilder dual G1000 units and GNS 530; mini touchscreen for auxiliary panels and Air Manager; Honeycombs (and also a PFC Cirrus force-feedback yoke) and Thrustmaster TPR pedals.

What are other instrument students or real-world C172 pilots using? Is there another steam-gauge C172 I should try, or are there settings or modifications that would improve one of these?

My priorities are realistic hand-flying, accurate performance, reliable avionics pop-outs, and good hardware integration, not necessarily the prettiest visuals.

Thanks!

Some screen shots from my approach into Auckland. I hope some of you out there in reddit land will enjoy them.

Method originally discovered by user Slxxh, I made this mod in order to get rid of the default cabin window tint in the A340-300 by iniBuilds which is often regarded as too dark and unrealistic.

It is still a bit dark to my liking, but am looking for ways to make it even less tinted. Link to the addon listed below. Feedback is greatly appreciated!

https://flightsim.to/addon/114402/inibuilds-a340-reduced-cabin-window-tint

On approach to VHHH07C I was hit with a terrain warning that wouldn’t shut up, amid very ominous weather, with thick clouds and 60kts gusts. Could it be that the clouds were so thick, the terrain radar started seeing it as a landmass?

I've been a fan of aviation all of my life, I decided to start getting deeper into learning about aviation more and eventually I want to go for my pilots license.

No but yo be honest the plane is very good I’d say high fidelity there are still some systems that need work but it’s very good and if they update it, it could become a study level addon for sure

Nice quick hop from Mallorca to Newcastle in TUI’s battered 787-8.

I tried SayIntentions.ai over a year ago and wasn’t very impressed at the time. For those using it today, how good and realistic is it now?

I mainly fly IFR in Scandinavia, including the Faroe Islands and the Baltics. Does SayIntentions feel close to real ATC, and is it worth using for serious IFR flying?

I’ve watched some YouTube videos and know there’s a 24-hour trial, but I’d love to hear your experiences before trying it again.

Guys, as a beginner DCS player, I’d like to get some thoughts about sim hardwares. Do you guys think the Logitech G X56 would be sufficient for playing DCS?

I wanna get into flight sims, but my PC doesn't really suport most of them.

I want something that looks good, and runs smooth on my PC.

I thinked of FSX, but then i found out that it runs on 32 bit.

My PC specs: Nvidia GT 750m, Intel core i7 4700mq, 16 gigs of RAM.

Flying the Lufthansa Cargo 777F from Frankfurt into Uruguay for the very first time, I encountered the lowest-visibility weather(only 200m) I've seen in all my simflight hours. I could barely see a thing out of the 777
2026/9/1 0916Z SUMU,Uruguay