My posting is down quite a bit, for a variety of reasons, none of them bad. Some of it is that I’m busy with things away from the blog. Some of it is that I’m spending most of my aviation-related time on real-world instrument training. Some of it is that streaming IFR flights via VR is a bit of a challenge in the X-Plane aircraft I’m using. But here’s an update on all that and more …
Instrument Training
I rolled directly into my instrument training in February / March, and have been doing most of my flying toward its requirements since then. I’ve checked out in the SR20 (which took about 10 hours of flight time to do right) and am doing all of my flying in that aircraft, and while that creates some scheduling conflicts, I enjoy that airframe very much and am better for keeping to one set of avionics and numbers during my training. I’ve completed most of my requirements for the practical exam, and just have a body of instrument hours and cross-country hours to complete, along with the written exam. My long cross country is done. If things stay on track, I hope to schedule my instrument check ride for sometime in September or October. All that said, flying in Florida in the Summer continues to be beautiful, if strongly defined by afternoon cumulus buildup (as you can see below).
http://www.ontheglideslope.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/img_7909.mov
MS Flight Simulator
Like everyone else in the world of flight simulation
, I was surprised and excited to see Microsoft recently show a preview of its new flight simulator. And like everyone else, I have the same questions about how full-featured and capable it will be for those of us who use flight simulators for real-world-level simulation or training. So we shall wait and see … but I can tell you this, even if it’s “just a game,” that game will be on our X-Box 360 if it’s anything like what we see in that promo video …
Yoko “The Yoke” PLUS
I’ve been using the Yoko “The Yoke” PLUS for several months now
, and It’s fantastic. Rock-solid construction, extremely fine resolution and responsiveness, and a feel that, at least for me, is very much like a real-world yoke in terms of force and resistance. Highly recommended.
Video Streaming
I haven’t been doing much, for a few reasons. One is that streaming in VR when practicing instrument procedures isn’t as easy as in the physical cockpit
, although with the AviTab plugin and my Navigraph subscription, it’s not too challenging. But the SR20 models available for X-Plane vary in their avionics in VR, and it’s not really easy for me to simulate in VR the Avidyne systems I’m using in the real world. I enjoy streaming in the physical cockpit, too, though, and in it I’m able to better simulate the Avidyne platform I use in the real plane. BUT — the cable I use to connect the GoPro to the PC for streaming broke and is out of action. So until I get a new one, my streaming is probably going to be limited to VR VFR leisure flying … and I hope to put some online soon.
And More …
While my posting here and on YouTube isn’t as frequent as it has been, I remain passionate about aviation and simulation, and intend to keep posting as well as I can. I also get mail from time-to-time from folks saying that the site is still a strong resource to those building their own simulators or getting started with simulation. Thanks for that, and I’ll try to keep it so.
Great to hear from you..
Sounds like your IFR training is proceeding very well, and I’m not surprised at all. What things do you find are the most difficult to overcome about flying instruments? For me I always seemed to focus on just staying ahead of the plane and being ready for ATC instructions. When you get instructions you didn’t expect it can really throw off your rhythm.
For me it’s ensuring I don’t miss stuff with the autopilot. The SR20 is technically advanced, which is great, but it can also add complexity.
As retired pilot I found a way to feel like be flying again with your support. First with my physical cockpit which eventually switch to VR and stayed at VR. None had happened without your help to all of us. I miss the post like before but Real aviation demands a lot of time and dedication. Good luck and thanks for all you did for all of us and sure will not end. Probably a bit of information about the new Oculus will help, youtube videos are confusing about if better or not .