Why The Hell... (random rant)

"Snowbird" wrote in
.fi:


"Nomen Nescio" wrote ...

You do realize that MX is an emotionally disturbed individual has has
never flown in a small plane and thinks that Microsoft Flight Sim is
real, don't you?


Well, he's an interesting personality. He was active in the rec.photo
groups around 2003 . Interestingly, over there he was opposed to new
technology and was heavily against the then-new digital cameras, while
here he advocates total reliance on electronic digital systems in
aircraft. A surprising change of attitude.

I won't go any further diagnosing Mx. But I do use MS Flight Sim
sometimes myself, mainly to rehearse the VFR route and approach to
airports I haven't visited before. It's a good tool for that. But for
getting the feel of flying most of the other sims I've tried are
better. Too bad none of them can replicate that feeling when the seat
suddenly drops away from you in a bump ;-)




Try and get a ride in NASA's VMS (Verticle Motion Simulator). It will
let you feel the bump and even some G's. I saw it in action on a tour (no,
I didn't get to ride on it) and it was awesome. Think of a full motion
simulator which, in addition to pitch, roll, and yaw can also move 60'
vertically, 40' forward/backward and 8' side-to-side. To simulate Gs in a
turn, they slowly lower the "cab" and pull it back to the rear-most
position. Then when they pitched the cab down and rolled it in the
direction of the turn while simultaneously moving it forward and raising it
at a pretty rapid pace. (They were practicing a shuttle arrival at KSC.)

They have one motion base and several cabs. The cabs can be
configured independently of the motion base. NASA has simulated blimps,
helicopters, fighters, transport aircraft, and the space shuttle with the
VMS by simply changing the cab.

If you ever get to the San Francisco area, try and get a tour at NASA
AMES at Moffett Field (KNUQ).

--
Marty Shapiro
Silicon Rallye Inc.

(remove SPAMNOT to email me)