For some time now I have been pondering an around the world flight in FSX. I want to fly a small aircraft in the size range between the Cessna 182 and the Beechcraft King Air. I have also been thinking about using a very small business jet, but I still have to find a good add on. I don't want to push buttons all day in the 747 or the like, I actually want to see the world, however simulated it may be! I just want an opinion on a few things from you. First of all, should it be a small jet, turboprop, or a good old fashioned piston? Should the flight go to all continents or just strait around the globe? Finally, should I doo this at all or does it sound like a bust? Please post you opinion because it really matters to me!  -Taylor

I did a tour de world in the Aerosoft Piper Cheyenne and it was terrific.  A turbo prop so she went fast enough, yet not a jet so it wasn't too high and boring.  We struggled to get from Asia to America, landing on a strip somewhere between Russia and Alaska for fuel, it was scary after 2 weeks of flying with no crashes, I ddin't want to ruin the record. 

Real world weather and fuel calculations made it a bit nerve racking if I flew into a storm where I was supposed to land with 10% fuel remaining and the next nearest airport was 100 miles away. 

I would suggest using a turbo prop.

Ang2dogs wrote on Apr 19^th, 2011 at 2:16am:


I like his attitude.

What's the worst that can happen?  You crash?   

OK, I will do it. I still have to find a flight plan for it though. Help would be greatly appriciated!

FlierForLife wrote on Apr 19^th, 2011 at 5:50pm:

Oddly enough, FlierForLife, I can honestly say that that's what I do all the time. Westbound and eastbound, and using 'real weather' so that no two trips are ever the same.

Two things are 'paramount,' to my mind.

Firstly, it's important to consider the effects of "Great Circle' routes. FS9 won't 'plot' an RW route for you, it has to be done in two halves - but, above all, don't plan your route on the basis of the 'Mercator Projection.' Flying RW Melbourne/Melbourne, for example, the Great Circle Route takes me over Canada......

So plot a course a bit under halfway (I tend to use Melbourne/St. Johns, Newfoundland) to start with) and go on from there. Maybe plot the second leg from say Heathrow?

Secondly, I think a range of at least 1,500nms. is required. On any kind of RW trip there are some flights that shouldn't be missed (my own personal all-time favourite being San Francisco-Honolulu). That's the best part of 2,000nms., but you can manage it in the Cessna if need be, by leaning the mixture and keeping the power down..... 

I have been thinking about doing this for a while now, might do it this summer.
I don't really want to fly around the world with my current all-default scenery; what would be a good add-on to make the whole globe more interesting?
Also, I kind of think it might be more fun to switch up aircraft a few times throughout the route, rather than taking the same plane all the way around. Just a thought.

I think I have my plan. I could use the Beechcraft Baron, meaning I would get a good cruise speed, build some twin time (ok, a lot of twin time), and I would have a simple auto pilot for really long flights. I will use the route on this website:  http://www.dmcity.com/slarty/route.html ;  . It gives a real round the world flight, touring each continent instead of flying strait through it. Do you guys think this is a good plan, or how could it be better?