Flight Simulator Show
Naturally there were plenty of opportunities to have hands on experience of sim flying, either for the first time, and the microdsoft stand was probably the best starter there, and for more experience pilots who wanted to try their hands with some high speed tactical flying. This is where the Royal Air Force Virtual exhibit came into its own presenting opportunities to fly the latest and fastest military aircraft like this tornado.
From 1100hrs to 1600hrs there were presentations and so far as the ones I attended all were well supported to the extent that it was often difficult to get a sea. John Fairrie, the man behing the photographic scenetery for the Uk gave advice on how best to tune Microsoft Flight Simulator to get the best out of the photographic scenery. This would make an excellent article for one of the mags, especially if supported on a CD. I must confess that I found the session on GMAX making an aircraft quite fascinating although I have no real intentions of designing an aircraft myself. It seems far too complex. My son in law, however, a Rolls Royce Aircraft engine designer thought it quite simplistic! The VATSI talk was expecially interesting with a real world pilot telling us all about it - without any charts or pictures. The experts can always hold attention. VATSIM was well represented on their stand and had lots of visitors. I found it very helpful, being able to chat with one of the ATC controllers and having some of my questions answered.
Everone was impressed with the Knight Air set up and especially this console. "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's set up!" But we all did.
As you can see from the above shot Flight simming offers great fl;ying opportunities for the wheelchair bound virtual pilots. Was the helicopter flying around an example of fly by wire?
