Mixx,
Aviation has been my passion since I was a child. I make my living
trimming trees away from power lines. The aircraft is located in central
Florida, not far from Disney World. The flying service is associated
with an amazing aircraft museum. Check out these links.
http://www.waldowrights.com/history/...rman_pt-17.asp
http://www.fantasyofflight.com/
As far as flying …
WONDERFUL!
The owner gives a quick course in basic flight training and then you
mount up and go. I sat in the front seat and after take off and climb out
to about 1000 feet I had complete control of the aircraft. I was instructed
in the correct way to make shallow(10 degree) and steep(45 to 60 degree)
angle turns. Next came power on and power off stalls. I must repeat...
The whole time I had complete control of the aircraft!!!
You get an incredible rush from flying in an open cockpit. The feel of the wind,
the sound of the radial engine just several feet away from you, the smell of
the exhaust combine to almost overwhelm your senses. Better than any
amusement park ride.
I can honestly say that IL-2 is a FLIGHT SIMULATOR!
My flight in an actual aircraft was incredibly easy due to the experience
gained flying on the computer. Thank you Oleg! Since my return I have built a mission
to reinforce the training I received in the Stearman so that if I get the chance
to repeat, I will be much better prepared. In the “SIM!” the closest analog to the
Stearman is the Polikarpov U-2VS. Very realistic in all aspects of flight management!
The one aspect of the whole experience that had me the most frightened was when
we had to land with a 30 mph crosswind. I was not so concerned so much about my own
death or injury as I was about damaging such a beautiful aircraft.
More about the map coming soon.
Until next time...