 Setting up for landing.
The present state of our economy is taking it's toll on everyone. Most of us are struggling to make our bills, and vacations and expensive hobbies are taking a back seat to vacationing at home and taking the kids to the public pool instead of Disney world. Most Private pilots are recreational not business related flyers. So, many pilots, myself included, just can't afford to fly right now. Paying the bills is a tad more important. It is very important to be able to keep you piloting skills sharp during this hiatus.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is the perfect answer. Not only for the current pilots but also prospective pilots, this is as close as you can get to the real thing. Although I never realized the true potential of the Sim until I started Instrument Training, it has benefits for everyone. I don't think you appreciate the realism until you have had some time in a real cockpit, but for the prospective pilots, a trip through the Private Pilot training course in the sim will be a good introduction to what you will face the first time you fly. If you are interested in an Instrument Rating, this is the best practice you can get, for FREE. I am still using Flight Sim 2002. There have been two updates to the program since then, but this version still serves my purpose so I haven't felt the need to upgrade. The newer versions have better graphics and more scenery, and of course more complex aircraft. However, even in the 2002 version, all the cockpits are fully functional, and I do mean fully, right down to a clock, and of course NDB, VOR, DME, and even autopilot. All instruments are functional and located in exactly the same place as the real thing.
 The approach. This is a Piper Warrior panel and for anyone who has ever been in a Warrior, you'll agree, this IS the panel. As you can see, there are two fully functional Nav/Com radios which have to be set using your mouse, which is a bit more difficult than adjusting with your fingers, but it helps with concentration and situational awareness. Two VORs an NDB and the DH are all completely accurate. Once you get used to operating everything with a mouse it really is quite realistic. The only major difference I found is that in the real cockpit you have to throttle with your right hand and fly with your left, however with a joystick the throttle is on the left side of the pedestal, so most of my flying is done right handed.
Safely back on the ground, another successful flight.
Besides the interior of the cockpit, the exterior of the planes are identical and fully functional as well. You can view the plane from outside and move the yoke and watch the control surfaces move during your preflight just like the real thing. Also for Instrument training the weather is completely under your control. You can set up a cloud layer with base and height and control it so you pop out of the clouds right at minimums on your selected approach. It's a great confidence builder for when you have to do it for real. You can download over 14,000 aircraft just for FS 2002 alone, from FlightSim.com and they are all incredibly accurate. You can also download scenery, panels, and even sounds.
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Today in Aviation History :
July 30, 1935... Lieutenant Frank Akers of the U.S. Navy becomes the first person to make a "blind" landing at sea. His biplane has a hooded cockpit allowing him to see only his controls and instruments. He lands on the USS Langley.
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Free paper planes for the kids
www.funpaperairplanes.com www.paperairplanes.co.uk/ www.bestpaperairplanes.com/
www.amazingpaperairplanes.com/
www.10paperairplanes.com/
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Aviation Weather Links
www.nws.noaa.gov/
www.noaa.gov/wx.html
http://maps.avnwx.com/
www.usairnet.com/weather/
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