First look at the Carenado Piper PA-44 Seminole in Microsoft Flight Simulator

[@Mariano.Bernacki]

Regarding the flaps quick deployment, the system is purely mechanical, you have a lever in the cockpit that is long like an e-brake on a car, the lever is directly connected to the flaps and the flaps will deploy as fast as you can move the lever (up to extend, down to retract), usually super fast on the ground but while flying it takes a bit of force due to dynamic pressure, so you tend to deploy them slower in flight merely because it takes some effort to do so. The lever also has a button and it notches in each flap position, also just like an e-brake. It is quite interesting to get force feedback, if you do not slow down before adding the next notch it gets noticeably harder to pull, and when you raise your flaps the lever also pulls so you have to hold it and lower it gently or else the flaps will slam to the next notch.

[@rolanddutton]

"Carenado making different shapes over the same chassis..." I think that's basically what Piper do IRL, so accurate modelling from Carenado ;)

[@jonbeckett]

Hahaha

[@pwk879]

My uncle had a Seminole in the 80s, though as I remember it he had a different avionics suite than this. He taught me the basics of navigating by VOR in it, though I don't have any certs. Think im going to have to get this just for personal nostalgia.

[@SamuraiSax]

Thank you for reviewing these older, and somewhat neglected, aircraft. It gives me an incentive to become reacquainted.

[@jonbeckett]

I'll record some actual flights with them soon :)

[@Juamarques]

Purchased this about a month ago, it’s a trainer aircraft and my flight college and I’ve been really trying to study and understand this aircraft , and boy it was a good purchase and worth my time enjoying this aircraft. The Seminole is probably now one of my favourite lil multi engine aircraft. I too also reviewed your SimSolutuons DA20 and have that now in MSFS too! All your reviews have helped me with decisions on purchasing aircraft in MSFS and I thank you for that pal😆

[@Steve-ui1ej]

I picked this up on sale last week. I think it's a great fun plane. The real ones don't have doors on the pilot side. I enjoy your videos very much, thanks for making them.

[@jonbeckett]

Cheers :)

[@GumperVanLier]

I like this plane and purchased it when it was discounted. If you want a step up, there's the Carenado PA34T Seneca V. I've got both and their great. I have the GTN750 Premium and these two planes have in-cockpit WTT mode (Working title technology) to manage the autopilot. This is a plus for me.

[@jonbeckett]

I've got the Seneca :)

[@GumperVanLier]

@@jonbeckett LOL. I should have known.

[@mikecoffee100]

as of Jan 17 for me the GTN doesn't work but the ol 430/530 work fine.

[@Harrrvey]

Thinking of purchasing this as I had done my multi engine and instrument ratings in a Seminole so its nice to practice procedures with. Looks like it's still being updated: "-------------------- PA44 Seminole MSFS version 2.0 -------------------- May 5th, 2023 -Incorporated WTT technology. -Added new liveries. -Improved interior window reflexions. -Minor texture fixes. -Other minor bug fixes." One thing I noticed. The flaps are manual so they move as quick as you can pull on the lever. Definitely quicker than electric flaps. Its between the seats and kind of like pulling the parking brake in a car.

[@jonbeckett]

I'll revisit it soon - I imagine they have brought it inline with the other Carenados.

[@petemichel8011]

I buyed this aircraft long time ago. For me one of the best from Carenado.Cheers from Germany!

[@jonbeckett]

It's very good! Greetings from England!

[@jimpinkowski3394]

If you need to slow down on approach, stay flat pitch on the props and close the throttle to reduce power along with lowering the gear and adding flaps. Never reduce propeller PRM because you may need fine pitch for climb-out in the event of a go-around. Fine pitch in combination with power reduction induces all the drag you need to get your speed down on final without compromising your ability to climb out in the event of a go-around.

[@donaldholman9070]

Another great video. Thank you. That plane is wonderful. It probably has a short shelf life. If the sim keeps updating there will be a point where Carenado will stop supporting it. It will be just a fond memory.

[@jonbeckett]

No - I think Carenado aircraft are made from a kit of components. It shouldn't be too difficult if they update one aircraft to update all of them.

[@JeremyJacobsohn]

re rudder in forward slip: twins have a lot of rudder authority to counter adverse yaw in single engine ops. So only need partial rudder in a forward slip to get a good descent rate.

[@jonbeckett]

That hadn't occurred to me - and just gave me an idea for some future videos - simulating engine failures in twins :)

[@yams900]

I like it ! 😃 Probably the first aircraft I bought for FS2020, back in 2020 :)

[@jonbeckett]

Really? I don't know why I kept away from the Carenado aircraft for so long - I guess they did used to cost twice as much though :)

[@Rosenrot213]

I had this as my goto aircraft in MSFS - very easy to fly and looks great, Vision Jet has possibly replaced it for myself.. still a great buy from the early MSFS days.

[@jonbeckett]

It's just a solid twin really, isn't it :)

[@Rosenrot213]

@@jonbeckett Yes I would say its not a study level aircraft for sure, but for someone learning msfs and procedures it's great, certainly on par with some of the default aircraft.

[@md293bx]

A very informative video, thank you. How do you adjust the engine volume? There is a (software?) panel at min 3'50" I do not recognize... Regards, Franz

[@jonbeckett]

That's my recording software :)

[@md293bx]

oh! thank you very much for your answer. 😅 but maybe you have a hint for me: one of my problems is (using the BN-2 Islander) the sound of the morse code is so low, e.g. VOR codes that I can hardly hear it. I did not find a solution for this yet. Do you know how I can increase the morse volume?@@jonbeckett

[@wollaminfaetter]

Did you leave any Carenado's for the rest of us? 😆 Great review as always..

[@jonbeckett]

I'm not sure if I've covered all of them yet - I'll have to check :)

[@845SiM]

Sale on carenado recently lol. Great quality looking planes, hear people slating the physics, I’ve never flown a real one, but have 80% of the carenado fleet I think, not done a bad one for me imo.

[@jonbeckett]

Yeah - they're not 100% realistic, but they're good enough for most people :)

[@RedRuffinsore]

Am I blind, or is there only one tachometer? Do I see a mark on the needle for L and R?

[@jonbeckett]

There are two needles.

[@OnlyDrPhibes]

Nice review - just wondering how, in your opinion, this stacks up in comparison to the stock MSFS Beechcraft Baron G58? The Baron has been my go to piston twin but this PA44 seems to have quite a few nice extra features, although it does seems a little underpowered compared to the G58 (though perhaps it's just me :-))

[@jonbeckett]

The Seminole is smaller - less powerful. It's a trainer. If you're looking for a really good, full featured twin, have a look at the 310 or the 414.

[@mortal_tomkat_]

how to preview before flying? like the door open and other stuff?

[@jonbeckett]

I don't understand your question.

[@mikecoffee100]

The real aircraft has better view somewhat like a helicopter having sat in on at an airshow and yes the flaps are abit quit, however I fine video and I realy wish someone else would have made this plane. that High tail is also some find it somewhat of a chalange to fly . Thank You again for a good video.

[@jonbeckett]

The high tail would perhaps only become a problem in high alpha - because it ends up in the turbulence from the wing. In normal flight it shouldn't be a problem.

[@rymdskrotet]

...and VS the "Seneca" ? =)

[@jonbeckett]

I'm going to return to the Seneca soon and do another flight with it - I've hardly touched it since it came out. It's bigger, faster, and more complete :)

[@ironmanballer4868]

Love that model better in my opinion is the senica 3 bit faster aircraft and lot better views

[@jonbeckett]

I don't mind this one - the Seneca is just bigger and faster :)

[@krusty1974]

Why, with you level of expertise, aren’t you using a head tracking system?

[@jonbeckett]

Haven't gotten around to buying one yet - they're expensive!

[@krusty1974]

@@jonbeckett interesting… I have just posted a tutorial on how to implement head tracking FOR FREE in anyone’s rig.. A KZbinr of your caliber should at least try AItracker and OpenTrack (they work in conjunction). Let me know if you are interested. I can guide you through.

[@deondreward2494]

how are u flying that it havent been updated for 2 yrs

[@Steve-ui1ej]

I think I read there was a update in Jan. 22.

[@deondreward2494]

​@@Steve-ui1ej ya Jan. 1st 2022 is the latest update

[@jonbeckett]

What does it being updated have to do with flying it? :)

[@deondreward2494]

Cuz it crashes on me when I fly it

[@donaldholman9070]

If you go higher..the plane will slow until you lean the engines

[@jonbeckett]

As will any combustion engine plane :)

[@sashadala346]

What a noisy contraption; don't forget your earplugs!

[@zoreyaswain1133]

Why would you include only 22 seconds of the external view in flight. What a sick joke.

[@androidfarmer8863]

You lost me at Carenado

[@jonbeckett]

Your loss - they're not that bad at all.

[@androidfarmer8863]

@@jonbeckett Definitely my loss - About $60, if I remember correctly - for an aircraft I bought twice (DA40), once for FSX and once for X-Plane, around the same time, based on their direct communication in multiple places indicating the known issues (maybe 4 main things) in the aircraft would be fixed. They weren't, and it became the abandonware that Carenado and Alabeo are rather known for. A web search backs this up pretty quickly. Fool me once...