Good morning all…

So how do I know I am a real honest to goodness aviator?

Well, let’s start with getting out of bed and getting to the bugsmasher field at dawn.

Now I think one would have to have flown, that is been checked out in, a tri-plane or a bi-plane, at least something that is rag and tube with an open cockpit.

Now you should look the part also, perhaps show up at the aircraft in riding boots, riding pants and a nice shirt, no tie, with a short riding jacket.

Forget the riding crop and spurs, aero planes don’t like them.

It is still dark so not many will see you, but do not forget your teardrop sunglasses, one of the three or four pair you proudly own.

Observe your trusty steed as you walk through the wet grass.
The morning dew dripping off her wings and empennage (tail assembly), with the sun rising over the horizon and gleams off her wet skin.

Using the hand hold you step up to remove the front and rear cockpit covers, ensuring the second joystick is not held back by the seat belt, securing the seat belt and checking the magnetos are off.

Dropping back onto the wet grass still holding onto the cockpit covers you fall on your butt.  Are you an aviator yet?...Nope

During your walk around you rub your hands over the wet fabric, feeling the cold dew rising between your fingers, checking struts, wires/braces,  the airspeed indicator on the strut, oil, fuel and tires, also removing the wheel chocks.

You move to the elevator removing the elevator and rudder lock, allowing the elevator to fall dripping water down the front of your pants.  HMMM…looks like you should have stopped at the outhouse.  Are you an aviator yet?...Nope

Finally you are in the cockpit airborne.
     
Your girl takes you through and around the puffy wuffies, the wind blowing in your hair and against your cheeks.  The sweet sound of music coming from the wires as your girl banks and dives.

Your girl rolls and loops you, the now wet dirt from the other aviator’s boots plasters your face, the only pen you have falls away as your girl spirals you towards terra firma.  Are you an aviator yet?...Nope

Your girl makes a soft three point landing, with the sound from the wires still ringing in your ears you gracefully split S taxi back in.  Are you an aviator yet?...Nope

The only one to greet you is the ramp rat who places the wheel chocks for you after the prop stops spinning.
How was the flight he asks, looking skywards trying to ignore your dirty face and wet pants?

Great you reply…Are you an aviator yet?...Nope

Walking towards the shack you stop, look over your shoulder, remove the teardrops, give a thumbs up and say “see you tomorrow same time”.

Are you an aviator yet?  Ask your girl….
      

Glad you liked it Steve...

Good evening all…

So how do I know I am a real honest to goodness simaviator?

Well, let’s start with getting off work and getting to the computer screen as soon as possible.

Now I think one would have to select, a tri-plane or a bi-plane, at least something that is rag and tube with an open cockpit.

My favorite, My Jenny.

Forget the, riding boots, riding pants and a nice shirt, no tie, with a short riding jacket.

Forget the riding crop and spurs, aero planes don’t like them, and besides, who's going to see you?
But if that's your style, "A" go ahead, have fun with it!

It's real world weather (updated every 15 mins), but do not forget your teardrop sunglasses, one of the three or four pair you proudly own, cause after all, Are you an simaviator yet?!

Observe your trusty steed as you go thru the views.
The bloom off her wings and empennage (tail assembly), with the sun rising over the horizon and gleams off her virtual skin.

Using the mouse, you check the controls in the cockpit, ensuring the joystick is calibrated,  and checking the magnetos are off.

Dropping back onto your chair still holding onto the joystick.  Are you an simaviator yet?...Nope

During your view around you check the struts, wires/braces, fuel and tires, weights, outside views, top down, locked spot, the VC and the 2D.

You move to your joystick to check the looseness of the elevator and rudder and alireons, and your coffee (or beverage of your choice) drips down on  your keybroad.  HMMM…looks like you should have stopped at the outhouse.  Are you an simaviator yet?...Nope

Finally you are in the cockpit airborne.
    
Your girl takes you through and around the puffy wuffies, the wind blowing (If your window is open or you have a fan)  in your hair and against your cheeks.  The sweet sound of music coming from the wires (as long as you have environment turned up) your girl banks and dives.

Your girl rolls and loops you, the now  dirt on your screen reminds you to wipe it down the next time, the only pen you have falls off your desk as your girl spirals you towards terra firma.  Are you an simaviator yet?...Nope

Your girl makes a soft three point landing, with the sound from the wires still ringing in your ears you gracefully split S taxi back in.  Are you an simaviator yet?...Nope

The only one to greet you is your dog if you have one, after the prop stops spinning.
Glad your done flying he barks, looking at the door cause he has to go outside!

Great you reply…Are you an simaviator yet?...Nope

Walking towards the door you stop, look over your shoulder, look at the moniter and the pc, give a thumbs up and say “see you tomorrow same time”.

Are you an simaviator yet?  It all depends, it's what you make of it. Are you playing, or do you take it seriously.
Either way, have fun with it, learn all you can, start small, and try to make it as real as you can,


And Thanks Flying Trucker, I'll never have a chance to fly a real aircraft, but when I read your tales, I can image what it must be like, and thru this simulator I can image even more.

You are welcome Ang2dogs, am glad you like it...

Never say you will not have a chance to fly a real aircraft, who knows what might come about tomorrow or the next day.

Thanks "H"....

I am sure that has happened more than once...but not to me...

Oh and it is illegal to leave an aircraft running without a qualified person on the brakes...

Hi Bud...

Yes I am quite familiar with the Poem written by Pilot Officer J.G. Magee, Royal Canadian Air Force and I usually post it around November 11th, Remembrance Day...

http://www.macla.co.uk/scopwick/magee.php

Flying Trucker wrote on Nov 9^th, 2011 at 7:15pm:

Awesome! Sorry I posted it early.

Hi "H"

I just got told by one of our grandson's who apparently knows more about aviation than I do...       

That...

I should have typed:

It was illegal to leave any aircraft running without a qualified person at the controls being that the brakes are part of the controls...       

The odd thing is I got looking on the Internet to see just when and where the first aircraft brakes were developed.

Could not find a thing on the topic...