Getting more comfortable by the day in my MetroAir skin and thought I’d add some shots of my last trip to Flagstaff.
Had to wait for this fellow to go by before we crossed 26R to take 26L for departure.
I like the “ONTARIO” in this shot.
Somewhere along the PRADO7 SID.
On downwind at Flagstaff. The mountains caught my eye.
MetroAir, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004/FSX/Acceleration, Virtual Airlines
Business has finally started to slow down with the off season and so I have started getting back into FS9 and joined a VA called MetroAir. I really like the livery they have created and their fleet are models that I enjoy flying. So far it seems like a pretty good bunch of guys in general.
I feel like I’ve taken my flight simming as far as I can without making the jump onto VATSIM and their live ATC. I don’t just want to jump on and do VFR flights, I do not really need controllers to simulate VFR flying and in real life I’m comfortable with VFR through C and D airspace anyway. What I want is to start doing some live work out of, through, and into Class B airspace and airports.
To prepare myself for this though I need to get familiar and competent using SIDs and STARs and know how to set up my flights before I ever connect. I found four tutorials that are great resources and have been successfully flying accurate IFR procedures offline with Radar Contact 4 for a week now. I’m going to pick one route that I can do practically from memory and take the plunge onto VATSIM shortly.
Flight Simulation, MetroAir, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004/FSX/Acceleration, VATSIM
I’ve continued rerouting and flying the Mohawk runs after trimming the fleet back from five aircraft to just one. I developed a matrix system for routing that will automatically select a destination based upon current location and which day of the week it is. It’s working much better than before since even though I had five airplanes I wasn’t able to fly on certain days of the week because I didn’t have an airplane in the right place. After going 700k in the red in the company’s virtual bank account I decided to reorganize to the current scheme. So far so good.
I’ve also added some new links on the Mohawk page which show some information about the airline. The developer at VA Financials continues to provide his subscribers with fun and useful tools like this.
Finally, some recent shots of Mohawk in action:
Moving to “position and hold” on runway 4R at Chicago-Midway (KMDW). Can you guess who uses MDW as a major hub?
Lined up on 4R waiting for takeoff clearance. Chicago skyline in the background.
Climbing out and turning on course for Minneapolis (KMSP). Chicago skyline in background.
Landed at KMSP and turned around to head back to KMDW. Northwest has their major hub at KMSP. Here we are tucking gear and getting ready to scoot.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004/FSX/Acceleration, Virtual Airlines
My friend Jason recently purchased FSX and we have been having some fun flying together (sharing a plane) in multiplayer mode. I haven’t been flight simming much lately (for various reasons) and Jason’s recent entrance into the hobby has renewed my interest again. I picked up the Mohawk Tour again and have been getting some of those flights while learning the nuances of the 1-11. She’s a great plane, but a handful and does not like any inattentiveness, especially on final approach. As long as I pay attention to her we do fine. I’m going to try talking Jason into downloading David Maltby’s excellent freeware and see if we can share the plane in FSX. There will certainly be plenty for both of us to do. Heck, maybe I can get him to join Mohawk VA and fly for me on VA Financials (hint hint).
Here are some recent screens of Mohawk activity.
At the gate at Buffalo-Niagara International (KBUF). Scenery is Mach 1 Design Group KBUF.
Banking left somewhere over upstate New York.
Banking right somewhere over a metropolitan area, probably NJ/NY.
On glideslope into Newark International (KEWR).
Spoilers deployed and reverse thrusters engaged after touchdown at Newark International (KEWR).
The touchdown at Newark International (KEWR). Cool bridge and some large port cranes in the background.
Pushback from A1 at Greater Rochester International (KROC). I love Mach 1 sceneries because of the little details like freeway overpass signs.
Engine start (close up) at Greater Rochester International (KROC).
Engine start at Greater Rochester International (KROC).
Nine thousand feet over Boston, being vectored in by approach control. Downtown is in the distance with Boston-Logan International (KBOS) beyond that. Fenway Park is just off the tail and below the skyscrapers. Terrain is Ultimate Terrain US with FS Genesis for the mesh.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004/FSX/Acceleration, Virtual Airlines
Just Flight has released the download version of AirHauler. The boxed version is still slated for April 3.
Downloading now!
Just Flight has announced a released date of April 3 for the boxed version of AirHauler and states that “we’re planning on getting the download version on sale before that.”
Flight Simulation, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004/FSX/Acceleration
Freeware scenery developer Mach 1 Design Group has begun development on their next project, KPHX Phoenix Sky Harbor International. This should be a great addition for the freeware scene as PHX is a hub for USAir and Southwest, as well as a stop for many other airlines. Will be looking forward to this release.
Freeware scenery designer Mach 1 Design Group has released El Paso International airport.
File available on Avsim.
Just Flight has put up a press release regarding the AirHauler add on with a target release and pricing.
We’re very pleased to announce that will we be publishing the all-new Air Hauler expansion for FSX and FS2004. This air freight management and flying add-on is due for release at the end of March and will be available both on DVD and by download.
Read the full release here.
Good news. AirHauler has secured a deal with publisher Just Flight to publish its upcoming title by the same name. This appeared to be the last hurdle to release. Release date TBA, soon hopefully.
