Newby Here

[chuckmccoy]

Hi everyone. I am a brand new Flight Simulator enthusiast. In fact I haven't even installed my MS FSX simulator yet because I am waiting for my new computer to arrive. I retired from the U.S. Navy in 1980 after 23 years. I retired from my civillian job as a computer network engineer in 2002. Way back in 1965 I had my student pilots license and managed to get soloed in both a Taylorcraft BC 43 and a Piper Tripacer before I ran out of money and opportunity to learn to fly. I never did get my private pilots license. For half of my Navy career I was a flight crewman on Navy P3C aircraft. I have always loved flying so I decided to jump into the Simulator world and fulfill my dreams vicariously. I have just learned that many enthusiasts build their own cockpits and that excites me even more. Just here to get ideas, suggestions and to learn from those that have done it or are doing it now.

[Mike.Powell]

Welcome!

This is THE place.

[XOrionFE]

wow, retired in 1980 and was a p3c crew member? I was a P3 reserve FE back in early 90s! VP-60

There is another P3 crewmember in our midst also named Ron Rollo.

Welcome to our crazy world!

[Michael Carter]

Welcome to the site. There are a lot of us here who were not able to complete enough training to make a career out of flying, so you're not alone in that regard.

Building a simulator is a great alternative, especially if it's an aircraft you always wanted to fly...or thought you'd be flying.

What are your plans for a simulator? Bug smasher, cigar tube, etc?

[chuckmccoy]

Welcome to the site. There are a lot of us here who were not able to complete enough training to make a career out of flying, so you're not alone in that regard.

Building a simulator is a great alternative, especially if it's an aircraft you always wanted to fly...or thought you'd be flying.

What are your plans for a simulator? Bug smasher, cigar tube, etc?

I don't really know what I want to build quite yet. I am thinking of starting simple with General Aviation small single engine aircraft. I saw Mike's Flight Deck book on building simulator instruments - I was an Avionics specialist in the Navy before I qualified as an ASW air crewman in P3A,B,C -- I like the idea of doing that and most of the skills and tools to do that. It then may be that would lead to long term project of a P3C cockpit -- but that seems a little limited in scope of what I can do when flying it. Still giving the project much thought in order to set some goals. I have the plans for building a KwikPit and am pretty certain that will be my beginning -- I can build instruments as I can afford them and sort of build up a "arsenal" of gauges. The all glass cockpit also appeals to me and I have seen some ideas I like for that as well. Gotta first get my Simulator PC and FsX up and running before moving on to the cockpit.