33 Years in Flight Simulation . . . . . . .
Who am I .....?
I am 64 years old and originally from Hampshire in the UK. I have two wonderful children, now both young adults and I now live the quiet life in West Sussex UK. Having retired twice from a long career spanning nearly 38 years in Airport Security, once from London's Heathrow Airport and again, subsequently from London's second airport, Gatwick, I discovered a real interest in Aviation. That discovery came far too late for me to do anything about it - but now, thanks to the incredible realism and total immersion to be found in today's Flight Simulation programmes, I am enjoying the virtual airline career that I never had. And as a result, I also enjoy the great friendship of many in the real world airline business both Pilots and Ground Staff alike and a huge community of extremely talented "Simmers". Currently, my virtual hours total nearly 14,500! and I continue to fly and enjoy this amazing pastime!
MY NEW MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR 2020 VIDEO INTRO
With the release of the new MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR 2020, I have created a new INTRO video to accompany each video I create that features Products, Adventures and Reviews concerning this Simulation. Click the SPEAKER button to hear the accompanying music. Enjoy!
The Private Pilot
I began flying the computer in 1989. My first simulation was the SubLogic Flight Simulator II, created by Bruce Artwick. Initially produced to show off the qualities of the Apple Machintosh computer, this programme became a very popular title and I came into contact with this software on the Commodore Amiga home computer. I spent a year learning to fly both the Cessna and the Learjet. My first Long Haul was Los Angeles to Boston!
Later, Microsoft purchased the program from it's creator and it became Microsoft Flight Simulator, the first version 5.0 coming on three floppy discs! Since then, there have been many, many versions of the Simulator, from the first ever CD version, through FS2000, the first version to feature photo-real scenery and flight deck panels, right up to Flight Simulator X, the last version of the program that Microsoft released. Today, we are blessed with Lockheed Martin's Prepar3D and Laminar Research's popular XPlane for the desktop PC. However, after a long break from this kind of development, Microsoft are back in action with the release in 2020 of the new Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020!
The Commercial Pilot
This is my current Desktop Flying Computer. It is a custom built desktop PC, built by a UK-based company called CHILLBLAST. The build features an Intel i9-9900K processor overclocked by 20% and with 32GB of System RAM and a GeForce RTX 2080Ti video card with 11GB of Video RAM. The main hard drive is a 1TB Samsung Evo M.2 SSD. I also have two Hitachi 2TB 7200rpm internal drives, an additional 1TB Samsung SSD and on the right of the desk you can see a Western Digital 4TB external drive - which has just been augmented by a 10TB WD Eleemntd drive too. The sound system is a two-speaker SoundBlaster product with a SubWoofer and the screen is an ACER 32-inch flat screen. Prepare3D and MSFS2020 both run at 2056 x 1440 x 32 resolution connected via a DisplayPort connection. The Operating System is Windows 10 64-bit Home Edition. In addition, I have a Saitek Pro Flight Yoke/Throttle Quadant, Logitech Rudder Pedals and for Airbus and Helicopter flying, I have the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick. For online voice contact with virtual Air Traffic Control (VATSIM) and for video voice overs, I have a Sennheiser USB Headset. I really need a longer arm rest for using the joystick when flying the Airbus or the Helicopter, so I am working to improve the desk layout over time.