My Blog
Thoughts and updates on virtual aviation from over 30 years of flying experience.
My Journey into Virtual Aviation: 35+ Years of Flight Simulation
It all started back in 1986 when I first discovered Bruce Artwick's SubLogic Flight Simulator II on the Commodore Amiga 500. Little did I know that this would spark a passion that would continue for over three decades.
The Early Days
Those early flight simulators were primitive by today's standards, but they captured something magical about aviation. I remember spending hours flying simple routes, using nothing but a Rand McNally Road Atlas to navigate between cities. In 1989, I completed my first 'long haul' flight from Los Angeles to Boston - a journey that took real dedication with the limited tools available at the time.
Discovering Virtual Airlines
The real game-changer came in 2001 when I discovered virtual airlines. Joining British Airways Virtual opened up a whole new world of structured flying, realistic procedures, and most importantly, community. These organizations brought purpose to our virtual flights and connected pilots from around the world.
Evolution of Technology
Witness the incredible evolution from those early pixelated landscapes to today's photorealistic Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. The jump from FS9 to FSX was significant, then P3D pushed boundaries further, but MSFS2020 has truly revolutionized the hobby with its satellite imagery and real-time weather systems.
Looking Forward
As we move forward, I'm excited about the future of flight simulation. New aircraft, better airports, improved weather systems - the possibilities are endless. After 16,000+ virtual flying hours, I'm still as passionate about this hobby as I was on day one.