Post by Mike Monce - HJG on Jan 23, 2019 18:10:19 GMT
So last week I finished 2 days at the New England Air Museum. Friday I was with a "mentor" and the day was educational for me; learned a lot more personal details of the aircraft, herded 9 yr olds in and out of a P-47 cockpit, and finished the day off with 3 nice guys from P&W Canada.
Saturday was Open cockpit day which drew crowds. However, I was in a corner getting my first crack at the flight sims. They each have a dedicated custom computer, 3 monitors, Saitek yoke, pedals, and throttle quadrant, running FSX and using virtual cockpits. My first time using FSX and I am starting to learn my way around the sim. I have to say, with 3 monitors the virtual cockpit is not bad at all. I did run into a case where I couldn't really see how the switches were labeled on the overhead panel from the left seat. Is there a way to shift position over to get a better view?? For that day the museum charged $5 for a half hour for people to fly the more sophisticated sim (we have 7 joystick sims running FS9 and set only for the C172). They had a younger fellow, Ryan (late 20s), take the lead as he's done it before and just comes in for special events He's a CFI. Our audience was what you'd expect....12-14 year old boys who sort of wanted to learn something, but then once they got started just wanted to fly around with no real interest in learning how to use the throttle, etc.
I have many ideas for the setup, but I also met the guy who's nominally "in charge" of the sims. He's another docent who's a retired airline pilot. I ran some ideas by him but got some pushback. For example, I suggested installing FSUIPC on each machine. He didn't like the idea and even said he was thinking of disconnecting them entirely from the internet. He wants a VERY conservative approach, where I see a world of opportunity. As the NEW GUY, I'll have to bide my time until they trust me and see what I can do. Meanwhile, back to studying the history of the dozens of aircraft so I can at least seem somewhat knowledgeable for visitors on this coming Saturday.
Mike
Saturday was Open cockpit day which drew crowds. However, I was in a corner getting my first crack at the flight sims. They each have a dedicated custom computer, 3 monitors, Saitek yoke, pedals, and throttle quadrant, running FSX and using virtual cockpits. My first time using FSX and I am starting to learn my way around the sim. I have to say, with 3 monitors the virtual cockpit is not bad at all. I did run into a case where I couldn't really see how the switches were labeled on the overhead panel from the left seat. Is there a way to shift position over to get a better view?? For that day the museum charged $5 for a half hour for people to fly the more sophisticated sim (we have 7 joystick sims running FS9 and set only for the C172). They had a younger fellow, Ryan (late 20s), take the lead as he's done it before and just comes in for special events He's a CFI. Our audience was what you'd expect....12-14 year old boys who sort of wanted to learn something, but then once they got started just wanted to fly around with no real interest in learning how to use the throttle, etc.
I have many ideas for the setup, but I also met the guy who's nominally "in charge" of the sims. He's another docent who's a retired airline pilot. I ran some ideas by him but got some pushback. For example, I suggested installing FSUIPC on each machine. He didn't like the idea and even said he was thinking of disconnecting them entirely from the internet. He wants a VERY conservative approach, where I see a world of opportunity. As the NEW GUY, I'll have to bide my time until they trust me and see what I can do. Meanwhile, back to studying the history of the dozens of aircraft so I can at least seem somewhat knowledgeable for visitors on this coming Saturday.
Mike
