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Yes, but no....I couldn't fly any freeware plane that mathes up to a MY payware aircraft, the payware aircraft I use are just to sophisticated for many freeware designers.  It's not that freeware makers are bad designers, its just payware makers I guess have more resources and have more money to spend so in return people buy their aircraft and they in return make money...

Chomp,

The logic there is missing a crucial point, I think.

The missing factor there is "# of units sold".  Microsoft sells a gazillion FS units at $50 each.  Development cost for all the various components is very, very high.... but due to the HUGE volume of units they will sell....... well worth it in the end.  That sales volume keeps the target price pretty low.

Virtual Aircraft Company, Ltd. makes a single very realistic airliner.  True...... compared to producing the entirety of fs200x, the development costs are not in the same league.... but they are still quite substantial.  Research into realistic systems and flight dynamics takes time and coding itself is S...L....O....W work. 

Unfortunately projected units to be sold are low... so the development cost per unit is high.  So in order to pay for development time plus some profit, the price has to be high to make the effort worthwhile.

Good thing freeware plane makers don't really keep track of their "work" hours  .

best,

......................john

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Silver,

Around here that is about "burger flipper" wages ...... not skilled designer / programmer.    

Your scenario above is about what I expected.... thanks for sharing the TIME it takes... and the potential sales volume.  That plane of yours was a full time job for 38 weeks....... almost 3/4 of a year.

best,

..............john

Everyone has a certain set of expectations that match a given price to pay.  I thought $44.99 for the CD version of 737 NG was steep. It was $39.99 but tax and shipping of course.....   Here's the reason.  It isn't a whole lot more functional than 767 PIC was in it's day.  In fact, in some ways less because you don't have to set and align the IRS before making initial FMC entries.  PIC had that modeled. sure, it has a VC but rarely use it due to frame and convenience issues.  Now, take WOP on the other hand.  Great package.  All of those super detailed realistic warbirds for $29.99.  That was a bargain to me, Id have payed more and thought it a good deal.  I tell you, if someone did a Gulfstream 450/550 with the new Primus Epic Planeview cockpit I would pay up to $50 or even more if it's 99% of real.  It's all in what you want.