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Can I learn to fly in a computer simulation?
10th September 2000 Takeoff Next challenge was getting to runway 11 - only two taxiways were open (construction), so back-taxi on runway was required, slowing everything down. We back-taxied only part way (tower said expedite, traffic on base!), then turned around and did a short-field take off (stay on brakes, 10 deg flaps, full power, release brakes). We flew left base and departed downwind to the west (magnetic compass heading 297 deg according to my nav log). My timer and yoke mount worked well, as did the knee board with my nav log and sectional chart. Mario had his GPS mounted but I could not see the screen - he cheated a couple of times, confirming or correcting my assumed positions (though it was really pilotage, holding a heading, timing, and VOR for 90% of the flight). Once clear of ORH air space, climbing up to 4500' cruise altitude (west-bound, even thousands plus 500) we called Bridgeport radio (122.2) to activate the flight plan I had filed on the phone (a first for me). Then we called up Bradley Approach (119.0) and requested flight following (yet another first for me - we were near Tanner-Hiller airport and reported this). |
Good thing I had recorded all those frequencies on my nav log! They gave us a squawk code and new frequency, which I wrote down and entered (only advantage of 261 is the dual-frequency radio, so
you can queue up the next needed frequency). Flight following showed its value very soon, over the Quabbin Reservoir - they called out traffic at our altitude, crossing in front of us, 3 miles - we looked
but Mario and I could not see the traffic (I missed my chance to say no joy on the radio!). |
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