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Can I learn to fly in a computer simulation?
10th September 2000 10:30 am to 12:30 pm Pittsfield Cross-country We had a good view of Westover ARB to our SW at this point. I had easily spotted Spencer Airport and the Quabbin south dam, and my next check point was Amherst, Mass - but we also had to avoid Northampton airport, just 4 nm away, due to parachute activity (jumpers away at 8500 feet). ... aren't you allowed to strafe them? ................ MiGMan I diverted a bit north of my planned track and flew right over the UMass campus - I spotted Becky's dorm area and took a quick picture (opposite). We had trouble spotting the airport, which is right at a bend in the (Connecticut?) river. I spotted what I thought was the airport, though it looked like a dirt strip ( www.airnav.com says it's ashphalt, 14/32, 3500 x 50 feet, oh well). |
 On the outbound leg, I tended to gain altitude up to 4600 feet or so, but Mario reminded me that holding the planned 4500 and planned heading are especially important with flight following - you must report any altitude changes. Visibility was pretty good from 4500' though there was a lot of low haze. Our next check point was Albert Airport, a small private strip in the Berkshires. I never saw it, but as a backup, I tuned in the Chester VOR and established that I was on the expected 022 deg radial. I also spotted a carrot-shaped lake with a dam at its S end about 10 nm SE of our position and noted this on the chart (distinctively shaped lakes or lakes with dams and radio towers seem to be the best landmarks). |
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