After getting Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 installed and initially configured, I gave its Careers Section a try, and went from Discovery Flight to Licensed Private Pilot in 20 Minutes by skipping every lesson in-between. Also - will wonders never cease?! - they made me take it in a stinkin' high wing, and I did OK :)

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A quick and simple hop from the Delaware River to the Susquehanna, reminiscing about Flight Sim World along the way.

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Still in the Leewards, but this time at Princess Juliana, getting virtually checked-out to land at Saint Barts. After a fair bit of rain, I grab me VSKYLABS' Tecnam P2006T and set off to justify the endorsement. Along the way, I opine about the island sceneries and the P2006T...all to a groovy island beat.

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X-Plane 12.1.2 introduced a custom render of Saint Barthélemy Airport (TFFJ). Shortly afterwards I installed my Honeycomb Charlie Rudder Pedals. Sounds like an opportunity to check out both at the same time.

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Upon receiving my long overdue Honeycomb Charlie Rudder Pedals, I threw together this SUPER QUICK unboxing video.  Apologies for the wind screwing with the audio.  I was really excited and just wanted to get this out.

youtu.be/3JFAe0tZDUU

Both Laminar Research and TorqueSim updated their wares, so I had to see how they improved them. Over the course of flying to New Haven to check out some fresh custom scenery, I point out how busy the sky can be when using LiveTraffic, I raise my glass to a fellow aviator dealing with a medical situation, and get a complete surprise when I'm in Long Island Sound. But before any of that, I open with a ground-level tour of StevePHL's render of Philadelphia.

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This log entry is all about Gutenshmeis' custom scenery, seeing how he released a render of Montauk. Come along as I detail why the airport is special to me and why this version of it stands apart. We'll launch from his Block Island scenery and fly there in the Just Flight Archer III. Once we get to Montauk, we're gonna transition into tourists and see all the little goodies Gutenshmeis placed into the scenery. Think of it as a virtual vacation and enjoy :)

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Rewatching this absolute banger of a story. That it didn't do well upon its release let me know just how many born without taste actually walk among us.

Come along through the crowded skies of Long Island and over the splendid vistas that make up Central New Jersey for a flight bookended by light profiles of the user-customized airports of Republic and Trenton Mercer. My altitude and navigation weren't as precise as I'd have liked, but the landing more than made up for any slackage. 10 out of 10, would recommend :)

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Soooooo, Picard has 'engage'. Janeway has 'do it'. Burnham has 'let's fly'. Pike has 'hit it'. If you were the captain of a starship, what would be your goto phrase to get underway?

Bonus question: what would be the name of your starship?

I would command the Sovereign Class USS Hypatia and go to warp saying 'let's roll'.

This flight from Duluth to Grand Rapids was solely to see the Cirrus SR22T's SU14 changes. While the Working Title avionics brings needed authenticity, the rest of the render remains largely untouched.

Hey, remember the classic scene in the movie "Friday"? Where the '76 Ford Pinto POS could only be stopped by foot? Yet, Smokey had the audacity to install a theft deterrent system and it's revealed by him arming it? Yeah. That's what the MSFS SR22T is like.

youtu.be/1rUJtM31cAE

First flight of the new year takes us back to the Pacific Northwest! Launching from Spokane to Portland to sightsee enroute (following the positive reception of screenshots of this very flight). Along the way, I explain why my Flight Sim Logbook is a niche channel and how grateful I am to y'all who watch it. Thanks muchly :)

youtu.be/SPn3IUG57s8

Last flight of 2023, taking the TorqueSim SR22NA from Block Island direct to Republic. The Avidyne Entegra displays give all the retro Cirrus vibes, but the Garmin GTN 750 Touch keeps the flight on-track.

Happy New Year to one and all.

youtu.be/DiHVRC8tXmY

Taking the VSKYLABS Tecnam P2006T for a quick spin from my living room, while wearing pajama pants and a honey badger hat.

It's Friday night and I'm in a 90s mood. I mean, more than usual.

It seems all my jams from back in the day have movies for music videos. This one in particular stands out because it encapsulates a particular moment in time.

As all good music should.

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For this hop, I return to long form storytelling. I fly the faithful and familiar Piper Arrow III to Block Island to check out the custom scenery crafted by Gutenshmeis. Along the way, clouds form and disappear, threatening to trap any VFR up top. And, using LiveTraffic, I interact with other real simmers, but not always in the best way.

youtu.be/5rqytDCY9f8

@LSWellesley No lie. I knew better than to press my luck but even though I fought bumps and breezes all the way down, some dumbass part of me thought I could nail it :/

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