Return to VPC Lobby
FlightAdventures Home Page
About FlightAdventures
Adventures
Frequently Asked Questions
Press Relations
Adventure Log
VPC Pilot Shop
Contact Us

VPC Lobby
VPC Forums
Pilot Lounge Chat
Flight Terminal
NOTAMs
Aircraft Sales
FlightAdventures Magazine
Safety Program
Ground Schools
Test Center
Video Library
Pilot Service Links
Current Weather
Download Flight Plans
File Downloads
UTC Clock
WAP Access - *Requires WAP device
eMail Access
Search FlightAdventures

There are currently

 



Virtual Pilot Center™
Member Flight Simulation Adventure Logs
Adventures            Downloads             Links Updated 02-03-04
Back to Adventure Log Index
    Adventure Logs for FS2K4, FS2K2, FS2K, FLY!, FLY!2, Full Scale Simulators, and Home Cockpits

    Note:
    We shouldn't have to say that some of the following challenges should not be flown in real life and that they're presented here for entertainment purposes only, unfortunately, as they say, "common sense is not always so common." In other words, kids, don't try these at home unless you're flying on a computer.

    Flight Simulator 2004
Not so Pedestrian Crossing
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA

The Petronas Towers and the double deck pedestrian bridge that links their 41st and 42nd floors.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (CH53 helicopter by Alejandro Villa)

    Nearby Airport: Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah-Subang (WMSA) [Fly 9.5 Miles bearing 083]
    VOR name: BATU ARANG (VBA)
    VOR Frequency (VBA): 114.70
    VOR Radial (VBA): 125
    DME Distance (VBA): 18.5 nm
A Blast in the Past
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA

Visiting Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. The lake is a very old volcano filled with rain water and snow melt. I once saw unmelted snow near the lake in June. The lake is about five miles across and is surrounded by cliffs. The Island on the far side is a much smaller volcanic cone formed in a more recent eruption.

    Nearby Airport: Klamath Falls Intl (KLMT)
    VOR Frequency (LMT): 115.90
    VOR Radial (LMT): 330
    DME Distance (LMT): 44.7 nm
City of Lights
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA


The Spirit of St. Louis flies over the "City of Lights"--Paris, France.
    Nearby Airport: Paris Le Bourget
    Airport Identifier: LFPB
    Runways: 3/21, 7/25, 9/27
    VOR identifier: BT
    VOR frequency: 108.80
    VOR radial: 214
    DME reading: 8.0 nm
Ancient Tombs
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA


Sightseeing the Great Pyramid Complex in Egypt in an DC-3!
    Nearby Airport: Giza Embaba
    Airport Identifier: HEEM
    Runways: 17/35
    VOR identifier: CVO (Cairo)
    VOR frequency: 115.20
    • Great Pyramid Complex
      VOR radial: 240
      DME reading: 14.5 nm
    • Stepped Pyramid
      VOR radial: 214
      DME reading: 17.1 nm
    • Bent Pyramid
      VOR radial: 206
      DME reading: 22.8 nm
On to... India!
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA


Considered to be one of the seven man-made wonders of the world, the Tajmahal resides in India.
    Nearest Airport: Agra Air Base
    Airport Identifier: VIAG (Aligarh)
    Runways: 5/23, 12/30
    VOR identifier: ALI
    VOR frequency: 117.90
    VOR radial: 190
    DME reading: 39.5 nm

    Full Scale Simulators
Here's another with Mark trying to convince me that we can actually get this thing off the ground....
Allan at the Wheel
Submitted by: Allan Wheeler
VPC Callsign: Allan Wheeler


Here's a pic of what I did a couple of weeks ago. I flew the Alaska 737-400 simulator left seat for 2 hours. Took off from Seatac 16R, flew around Seattle getting checked out on handling and instruments and shot 3 full stop landings ... 2 hands on and 1 autoland with a 50' ceiling. We could have walked away from all of them and even used the airplane again. It is really amazing how real it felt. Now I'm wondering how I can get my house up on hydraulic actuators. Wow.

I flew that simulator at the Alaska A/L training center near Seatac. One of my neighbors is a flight attendant for Alaska and I've helped them with their computer from time to time. She set it up with the sim instructor who's also an Alaska line pilot. He's a great guy and gave me real instruction rather than just having me bore holes in the sky with it. I'd have bought them a whole new computer for that experience.

It was much different than I thought it would be. For one, control pressures are very heavy. You must constantly be on the trim during power or attitude changes unless you do lots of bench presses. Also, you don't use any rudder in turns which was hard for me remember. I kept wanting to stay coordinated and had to concentrate on keeping my feet on the floor. I had more trouble taxiing than anything. No problem using pedals and toe brakes on the runway but the tiller is so sensitive I almost made us seasick weaving back and forth on the taxiway. I thought the hands on landing was easier than FS. It was easier holding path and course but did take lots of throttle jockeying. I did another using autothrottle and I can see that it's a pretty useful gadget. I hadn't used A/T in FS much but do now. The autoland landing was interesting. Hands off until it was time to steer, use brakes and reverse thrust. A chimpanzee could have done it. Another surprise was that I didn't think you actually flared a 737. I thought you just flew them onto the runway in a nose high attitude. The outside graphics are simplistic compared to FS but that's to be expected since you're not really heads up all that much. Mt. Rainier was there and freeway traffic etc. but the airport lighting is much better than FS. Flying FS beforehand was a big help since I knew pretty much where things were and what they did.

You can do what you like with the picture. Just don't tell anybody that this is what an Alaska A/L pilot looks like .... nobody'd fly Alaska anymore ... and I lovvvvve Alaska Airlines.

Best Regards,
Al


    Home Cockpits
Mixing Business w/Pleasure
Submitted by: Jim Hamilton
VPC Callsign: jimh


Hi All,

I thought you might be interested in seeing my Wideview Rig. I have a small home office, about 10 feet square. I have a custom built desk 6 feet long, with a drawer underneath for 2 keyboards and 2 trackballs. I had a computer for running our business, with a second as backup, when I got the chance to acquire some second hand monitors.....:)

This is a long way from being a home cockpit, but the increase in realism, flying Fs2002 is immeasureable!

Regards, Jim H.

Big Screen Magic
Submitted by: Frank Jones
VPC Callsign: jonahbird


The top picture is an early stage with a novel use for a Black & Decker workbench. It provoked a steady verbal barrage from " She who must be obeyed" :-)

The others are a full frontal of the rig, and two pix taken during an approach into Honolulu Intl. The projected image is much better than these photos show.

Best regards,
Frank

The Green Machine
Submitted by: Mike Greenwood
VPC Callsign: Mike_Greenwood


Not as fancy as James' or Mel's, but it works! :)

Hover Lover
Submitted by: James Anderson
VPC Callsign: James


This is just the start of my build up to furthering my cockpit. From Left to Right - P3 233 MMX running Project Magenta's QuickMap. PIII 550 running PM PFD Glass Cockpit (Captains PFD and ND. PIII AMD 1.4 Main FS2002. PIII AMD 1.3 using a Matrox G450 DualHead Vid Card running PM Glass Cockpit EICAS.

Flight Controls are by Simcontrol.co.uk which is a modified Saitek Cyborg 3D USB (aptly named Copy Cat MRVC) Helicopter Control System.

I have another 2 pc's yet to upgrade and get hooked up .

Enjoy,

James

Mel's Marvel
Submitted by: Mel Ott
VPC Callsign: Tarmack


Here is a picture I took today of my cockpit........and while it only shows 10 monitors.....the other ones just can't be captured within the view of the camera.

I apologize for the focus on the hardware and that my 'rope lights' are too bright.

All 4 GF-45 units are attached to the central GoFlight Module unit that holds 4 P8'S, 2 T8's and the LGT. I did that while only having to drill ONE hole.....the rest of the attaching was done by simply using your hardware screws and the factory assembly fittings.

The CDU unit is attached to the lower assembly area of the GoFlight cockpit module.........and it is in a very accurate place for my hands.....as they used to roam the real cockpit.

I admit to being kind of a "nut" with this stuff but I gotta tell you that I have spent more than a few hours........just SITTING in this cockpit and NOT flying.

I go to an airport where there is some major weather feature that day.........whether it be a blizzard or a thunderstorm........or whatever....and position myself in the airplane at a runway where I can see the WINDSOCK.

I then load up RealWeather or even the default MS weather online feature..........set in the correct time of day for the airport.....and then watch the windsock change its position and velocity.......watch the clouds race across the screen due to the winds....and of course turn up the sound to hear the precipitation that is falling.......if it is rain.


    Flight Simulator 2002
Not so Pedestrian Crossing
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA

The Petronas Towers and the double deck pedestrian bridge that links their 41st and 42nd floors.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (CH53 helicopter by Alejandro Villa)

    Nearest Airport: Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah-Subang (WMSA) [Fly 9.5 Miles bearing 083]
    VOR name: BATU ARANG (VBA)
    VOR Frequency (VBA): 114.70
    VOR Radial (VBA): 125
    DME Distance (VBA): 18.5 nm
See if the Stars are out
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA

If you look closely, you can see the glow of the panel lighting reflecting on the bottom of the wing!

Note that the switches on panel don't turn on the virtual cockpit panel lights, so you need to use the "L" key.

    Nearest Airport: Van Nuys (KVNY)
    VOR name: Van Nuys (VNY)
    VOR Frequency (VNY): 113.10
    VOR Radial (VNY): 113
    DME Distance (VNY): 11.0 nm
Wave to Mickey
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA

The original Disneyland.

    Nearest Airport: Fulerton Muni (KFUL)
    VOR name: Seal Beach (SLI)
    VOR Frequency (SLI): 115.70
    VOR Radial (SLI): 065
    DME Distance (SLI): 7.1 nm
A Blast in the Past
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Pro with included Cessna Caravan

Visiting Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. The lake is a very old volcano filled with rain water and snow melt. I once saw unmelted snow near the lake in June. The lake is about five miles across and is surrounded by cliffs. The Island on the far side is a much smaller volcanic cone formed in a more recent eruption.

    Nearest Airport: Klamath Falls Intl (KLMT)
    VOR Frequency (LMT): 115.90
    VOR Radial (LMT): 330
    DME Distance (LMT): 44.7 nm
Niagara Falls (American Falls)
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Pro with included Bell 206B

Unfortunately the Canadian / Horseshoe Falls are a duplicate of the American Falls and lack the real word curved drop off.

    Nearest Aairport: Falls are located west of Niagara Falls Intl (KIAG)
    VOR Frequency (BUF): 116.40 Mhz
    DME Frequency (IAG): 111.000 Mhz
    VOR/DME Distance (BUF): 20.9
    DME Distance (IAG): 5.0 nm
    VOR Radial (BUF): 305
Dust bowl!
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA

Stirrin' up some dust with the new version of the Bell 206B. The new dust effect shows up better in the simulator when the skids are closer to the ground. You can actually see the dust moving around! And there's even spray effect when you hover low over water too.

VC a.k.a. Virtual Cockpit
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA

The virtual cockpits in the new planes look like they will turn out very handy. The plane interior pans in sync with the scenery so you can tell which direction you're looking. As you maneuver the plane the illumination on the instrument and interior panels change in correspondence with the angle of the sun. You can even see a translucent moving disk where the propeller is! These features should turn out to be very useful landing the Bell (over the high resolution texture of the airport tarmacs) too.

New View Too!
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA

The new Virtual Cockpit is good for when you want a good view with the basic instruments. The generic airspeed indicator doesn't have speed range bands though and the slower speeds for single engine prop planes hard to read too. I have to admit this is better then text display at top of screen (which is still available).

Try to identify the airport (same one as in virtual cockpit picture).

Night landing at Meigs
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA

This should be a familiar spot for most MSFS users.
Note the illumination on the runway!
Airspeed indicator works in replay mode too!
It seems somebody has been lurking in some of the forums.

It's BACK!
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA

Fly East from Boulder City Nevada, the Colorado River is just over the ridge. You will need to climb quite a bit to clear the ridge. Follow the river North to the dam.


    Flight Simulator 2000
Where All Roads Lead
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA

This is over the Colosseum in Rome in a Beech Starship.

    Nearest Airport: Rome Urbe
    Airport Identifier: LIRU
    Runways: 16/34
    VOR identifier: ROM
    VOR frequency: 110.80
    VOR radial: 318
    DME reading: 7.4 nm
City of Lights
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA


The Beech Starship flies over the "City of Lights"--Paris, France.
    Nearest Airport: Paris Le Bourget
    Airport Identifier: LFPB
    Runways: 3/21, 7/25, 9/27
    VOR identifier: BT
    VOR frequency: 108.80
    VOR radial: 214
    DME reading: 8.0 nm
Ancient Tombs
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA


Sightseeing the Great Pyramid Complex in Egypt in an ultralight!
    Nearest Airport: Giza Embaba
    Airport Identifier: HEEM
    Runways: 17/35
    VOR identifier: CVO (Cairo)
    VOR frequency: 115.20
    • Great Pyramid Complex
      VOR radial: 240
      DME reading: 14.5 nm
    • Stepped Pyramid
      VOR radial: 214
      DME reading: 17.1 nm
    • Bent Pyramid
      VOR radial: 206
      DME reading: 22.8 nm
The Goddess's Temple
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA


The Beech Starship cruises past the Parthenon.
    Nearest Airport: Athens
    Airport Identifier: LGAT
    Runways: 15L/33R, 15R/33L
    VOR identifier: ATH
    VOR frequency: 114.40
    VOR radial: 348
    DME reading: 4.5 nm
On to... India!
Submitted by: Robert Cruse
VPC Callsign: RobertVA


Considered to be one of the seven man-made wonders of the world, the Tajmahal resides in India.
    Nearest Airport: Agra Air Base
    Airport Identifier: VIAG (Aligarh)
    Runways: 5/23, 12/30
    VOR identifier: ALI
    VOR frequency: 117.90
    VOR radial: 194
    DME reading: 39.9 nm
Storming the Palace Gates... INVERTED!
Submitted by: Ben Chiu
VPC Callsign: Ben Chiu


Fly through all three palace gates at the Forbidden Palace in Beijing China while inverted.

Tips:
  • I've only been able to do this with the Extra 300.
  • The key to pulling off this stunt is to trim the airplane so it'll fly hands-off while inverted.
  • To find the Forbidden Palace, take off from Beijing Capital Airport RWY18R and fly heading 230 for a couple of minutes and you can't miss it... erm, well try and miss it and fly through it instead!
  • Downtown San Francisco
    Submitted by: Robert Cruse
    VPC Callsign: RobertVA


    There's nothing quite like sightseeing in a Sopwith Camel over the San Francisco Bay. This shot was taking just past the West end of the Bay Bridge.

    Innsbruk at Dusk
    Submitted by: Ben Chiu
    VPC Callsign: Ben Chiu


    FS2K's Innsbruk is, in my humble opinion, the most beautiful scenery to fly over at sunset. When taking this flight, be sure to check out the lights from traffic as they move along the roads.

    Skagway the Hardway
    Submitted by: Ben Chiu
    VPC Callsign: Ben Chiu


    If doing touch and goes at Skagway (PAGY) in the KingAir isn't enough of a challege for you, try doing them on RWY1 using the right traffic pattern!

    Tips:
  • Use short field technique (one notch of flaps, apply brakes, full throttle, release brakes at full power)
  • Retract gear as soon as practical
  • Reducing the fuel load will increase aircraft performance

    • FLY!
    Dawn Landing at KSBP
    Submitted by: Robert Cruse
    VPC Callsign: RobertVA


    This scenery was automatically generated using Terrascene with the stock Cessna 172 Fly! panel.


      FLY!2
    Flashback to Berkley
    Submitted by: Robert Cruse
    VPC Callsign: RobertVA


    This is over Berkley approaching the San Pablo Reservoir in FLY!2's stock helicopter and panel using the new downloaded terrain from TRI.



    Copyright © 2000- FlightAdventures. All rights reserved.