Gone Flying
This morning, I got to take a short plane ride up and around my neighborhood with my daughters. It's been years since I have flown in a light plane, and I had forgotten how much fun it is. George McEwan (modeler for Void War and Apocalypse Cow) flew the plane, and handed control over to me a couple of times.

Now, I'm not terrible at flight sims, but I knew it was gonna be a problem. Maybe I was too psyched out. I wasn't sure how much control to give it. He had my go into a 10 degree bank, showed me the landmark to stay to the left of to remain outside of controlled airspace, and while I wouldn't say I did a "good" job of it, I didn't break the plane or make anyone airsick. And I did manage to complete the turn. It doesn't exactly sound like an accomplishment after getting into numerous simulated online dogfights and sending many living and AI-controlled virtual pilots to an early grave, but ah, well.

One thing I did notice was how much more stable the real aircraft was than the simulated planes. Probably because George knew what he was doing when he trimmed it out. And... well, I tend to pilot fighters in my simulated flying, which of necessity are less stable creatures.

After a little bit, George decided to demonstrate what a "bumpy ride" would feel like for my daughters. My youngest (age 8) was squealing with delight, and didn't want him to stop the "roller coaster." It was like Disneyland all over again for her. I was just pleased that I was able to share with my daughters a little bit of my love for aviation. (My wife won't let me take flying lessons until we can both afford it AND I have better life insurance... which unfortunately needs to be taken out well in advance of taking private pilots lessons... many policies actually stipulate that on the application).

Now I feel a strange, sudden desire to crack open Microsoft Flight Simulator again and tool around the same airfield I flew out of this morning and practice some touch and goes... Why is that? :)
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Labels: Flight Sims

- posted by The Rampant Coyote @ 3:44 PM (Permalink)