"I Learned About (Virtual) Flying From That..."

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Randall
Airman
Posts: 30
Joined: 19 Feb 2015, 15:38

"I Learned About (Virtual) Flying From That..."

Post by Randall »

FLYING magazine has monthly feature called, "I Learned About Flying From That..." Here is my version of "I Learned About (Virtual) Flying From That..."

I had a genuine scare and started to panic yesterday as I flew the A2A Cherokee in Orbyx PNW. I was flying VFR from Concrete airport to Darrington. Using AS16, the ceiling was about 5,000 ft, and I was flying at 2500 ft.

I was following a river through a valley, and using no radio navaids nor was I using GPS. All of a sudden I was in a cloud or fog which I did not see coming. Visibility was zero, and remained that way for a couple of minutes. There was literally nothing I could do but fly straight ahead and descend, knowing there were mountains all around.

By the time I emerged from the cloud, I was 5 seconds from plowing into a mountain. Full power, climbing right turn to clear the obstacle, and a less-than perfect landing at Darrington left me with the terrible realization that had that been real life, I might very well have become a statistic in the files of the FAA.

I know that one of the chief causes for GA accidents is flying VFR and then going into IMC. I will pay much closer attention from to the weather from now on.

I am not a real pilot, but I find the FSX, properly used, can sure teach me a lot!


--Randall Griffin

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LZ-WIL
Master Sergeant
Posts: 1370
Joined: 23 Jun 2015, 13:59
Location: LBSF

Re: "I Learned About (Virtual) Flying From That..."

Post by LZ-WIL »

Hi,

Nice experience you had in the sim. Thanks for sharing! Can you imagine, what is it to experience similar situation in a Piper Cub? :mrgreen:
Beautifully flying in the "soup" with only the whiskey compass showing, that you are straight and level. ;)
I am not a real pilot too, but flying manuals teach, in occasion of clouds or IMC, when you're under VFR rules, to execute a 180 degree turn while maintaining your current altitude and exit the IMC conditions.

Cheerz,
Will
Bonanza, Skylane, Skyhawk, Cherokee, Cub, Texan, Mustang, Warhawk, Spitfire, Flying Fortress

Randall
Airman
Posts: 30
Joined: 19 Feb 2015, 15:38

Re: "I Learned About (Virtual) Flying From That..."

Post by Randall »

Thanks. That makes sense. That's exactly what I should have done: executed a 180 and went back to where it was clear.

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Lewis - A2A
A2A Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 33284
Joined: 06 Nov 2004, 23:22
Location: Norfolk UK
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Re: "I Learned About (Virtual) Flying From That..."

Post by Lewis - A2A »

hehe I loved reading those at the EAA museum, they have a little room filled with the little paintings and a brief overview of the I learn about flying story. I must have spend a good 30mins reading and looking at those hehe. Would have been longer but time was limited.

cheers,
Lewis
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