Folks, I'm looking to get back into civilian flight simming. I have a new iMac 27" and am looking to run natively under OSX (no more windoze for me).

I downloaded the X-Plane Mac demo but would appreciate the respected insight here on best alternative(s). I'm mostly interested in single engine 'craft (e.g. Cessna 172) and small airports such as Half Moon Bay. This time around I would prefer to concentrate on one best of class sim.

Would also appreciate current best controller insight (Yoke with integral thrust, etc. controls preferred).

I used to be a PC flight sim "expert" but post my long console hiatus again consider myself a nugget, so please excuse the very basic questions.

And please also therefore excuse my not even bothering to Search.

Thanks!

Well X-Plane is it. (See another thread in this same lobby). I too have the lastest 27" iMac and XP now runs nicely. As far as controls go I will leave the recommending to others. But I do want to say that a stick is better. Why? Because it takes up less space and is generally cheaper. Yes, I know that most real planes use yokes. But I think sim pilots make FAR too much of a distinction between the two just as they make WAY FAR too much of a distinction between left handed and right. I flight instructed for five years. I was a check-airman on the A320. Stick/yoke/left/right--NONE of it matters. Its the brain that flys, not the hands.

Good insight. Thanks!

So is CH Products still the most reliable controller suite?