I've just bumped all the training threads (hope the mods don't mind) so we can start putting it all together (hopefully). I've never tried anything like this, so it will be a learning experience for everyone. It's not meant to be any type of exclusionary thing... but unfortunately, only FSX allows for shared cockpits; so in a way, it is exclusionary. And since both computers need to be on the same page to connect in multi-player; it will have to be limited to FSX/Acceleration installations. Yoke and pedals are best of course, but we can make accommodations for the limitations of joystick only simmers. I don't want it to be a pass/fail type deal. Anyone who has taken the time to read the training threads, and has made an honest effort to learn and understand the content has pretty much already "passed" the checkride. It will be more of a formality and an instructional flight (for both parties), than a test. Kind of like showing that you get the big picture. Anyone who has "passed" the checkride, is free to give checkrides, and to modify the format, anyway they see fit. That will help to get as many people "licensed", as want to be. This is all about having a good time, and promoting realistic simming. If it goes well and we have enthusiastic participation, I'll be happy to continue with more advanced training, right up to and including realistic instrument procedures.

Aside from FSX/Acceleration, you'll need to have a TeamSpeak client running on your computer... and be familiar with using it. I have my own TeamSpeak server.. or we can use the Simviation server. If you've never used TeamSpeak, we'll flesh that out in this thread.

The checkride itself will be a specific, relatively short flight that will include some navigating, maneuvering and demonstration of situational awareness. Set aside about two hours so we can get the session set up, and TeamSpeak up and running. I think we'll try just scheduling a ride or two, and go from there. PM me if you're interested... and then I'll forward a scenario back to you. It will be the starting airport; the destination airport; how the plane will be loaded, etc..  When we nail down the time for the flight, then it will be up to you to do the flight planning. We'll fly real time, with real weather, because that will necessitate using real tools.

www.skyvector.com  for chart data (headings, distances, nav-aids, radio frequencies, etc.)

http://adds.aviationweather.noaa.gov/  for weather information (mostly winds aloft for flight planning and whether or not we can even fly it VFR)(if it ends up being IFR weather by the time we sit down for the flight.. we'll just do like we would if were a real flight that we HAD to make... we'll fly it under instrument flight rules, and you'll get more than you bargained for).

All I'll want before we takeoff; is quick narrative showing that you've done the planning. Just PM some text stating the basics...  Winds we'll likely encounter... how we'll fuel the plane.. when and where we'll likely need to stop for fuel... total estimated time en-route.. what nav aid we might need to use.. active runway(s) we'll likely use.. etc..  Just provide the information you think important.

I'll spend the rest of the week testing a few scenarios and then announce when we're ready to give this stuff a try.

Take your time...  the last thing we want to do, is to have deadlines and schedules to meet... for either or any of the parties involved.

I won't have a checkride scenario worked out until next week, anyway.

kachius wrote on Jun 7^th, 2011 at 4:27am:

Links to the whole series are here --> http://205.252.250.26/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1208113107

Sorry to point this out, but these links don't seem to work for me !!

Regarding the idea of the post, what would be a good starter aircraft to use as a base for the learning of navigation and then Radio use within FSX ??



Thanks for any input