FLIGHT CLUB INTERNATIONAL
FLIGHT OF THE MONTH
October 2003

by Peter Stark
pstark@toomuchfs.com

Well it's no secret that this year we celebrate a Century of Powered Flight. Hasn't the aviation industry come a long way!! From an aeroplane made out of bicycle parts to the high capacity, intercontinental, glass cockpit airliners of today - & yet they still can't provide a decent meal while on board! Some things haven't improved over that time!

Worldwide there are groups celebrating this event in a myriad of ways. Even in nearby Busselton, a group of enthusiastic Aero Club members have built a 2/3 replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer. It was designed by an engineer - so while it is only ever taxied for displays at Air Shows across Australia, it is capable of flight!

While reflecting on this, I started to think of how we as Flight simmers can also celebrate this event. I know that over the years of real world & simulated flying, I have come to think of certain aircraft as 'classics in time'. This lead to me preparing this Flight of the Month where I ask all of you to consider what you personally consider classic aircraft of the past 100 years.

In a change from recent FOTM's, I am not going to suggest all the routes or aircraft! I want each of you to start your FOTM from where ever you like in the virtual world, but I want you to proceed to First Flight airfield (KFFA) in the Outer Banks area of North Carolina, USA - the site of the Wright Bros. first powered flights.

You must fly each leg you choose in an aircraft YOU consider to be either a real world OR a virtual world classic! Try to keep to to a maximum of 4 aircraft. You may use aircraft from just one era, or just jets, or just military etc. Your choice! But in your PIREP you must explain why you think they are a 'classic'! You may have had some real life experience in one, or you simply like to lines & the way it handles. Inspire us all to try your favourites.

Below I have provided some information to assist you getting to KFFA. Once you have arrived, I ask that you download 1903flyr.zip from Flightsim.com & repeat YOUR own first powered flight in the magnificent Wright Flyer replica by Paul Beardsley & Bill Lyons. This wonderful aircraft features animated wooden propellors, virtual cockpit(!), animated elevators & rudders (no ailerons because the first powered aircraft warped their wings to turn). Even the exposed engine valves move up & down! Thanks to Paul & Bill for allowing us to use their great creation!

Included in the 1903flyr.zip package is a small scenery file which places the sand dunes, sheds, a camera to record the event etc. adjacent to the present day KFFA airfield. The Wright Bros. had to wait some time for the appropriate conditions, but we can use the included weather file to reproduce the conditions on that day.

To get the ball rolling, I have chosen the following as my all time 'classics'. 

DOUGLAS DC-3/C47
What can you call an aircraft that is still in active service around the world some 65 years after it was first made but 'classic'! These workhorses have been flying for almost 2/3 the history of powered flight! They have been used as military freighters, VIP transport, passenger aircraft, geological survey, Search & Rescue etc. I have had the pleasure of flying a DC-3 in the real world & always look for a chance to fly one on the virtual world as well! 

BOEING 737
If I had to include one jetliner it would have to be the B737. While I prefer flying other models, what else can you call an aircraft that has over 2,000 made. It has proven to be the foundation for many airlines worldwide. It's introduction brought new levels of passenger comfort, safety & economy. Many are suprised to find out that the B737 first flew in 1967 & the initial orders were so small that Boeing considered scrapping the model! 35 years later & there are still new versions being manufactured. It is capable of operating from medium sized airfields, and then carrying up to a full load up to 2,000nm. A very verastile aircraft & certainly in my books a classic in both the real & virtual world.


1903 WRIGHT FLYER
The one that started it all! The more I have read about these intrepid brothers the more I am amazed at their feat. It is all to easy in these modern times to forget what it must have been like at that time. There weren't any previous people to learn from. There weren't any aircraft engines (the Wright Bros. had to make their own), most of the mechanical parts were made from bicycle parts, as there were no high tech metals or fabrics etc. The only way they could learn was by their successes or mistakes. 

A couple of interesting websites to learn more about these gentlemen are the Wright Bros. Airplane Co. & Museum website (http://www.first-to-fly.com), the Library of Congress photo collection (http://www.outerbanks.com/wrightbrothers/wrightlc.htm) & the Countdown to Kittyhawk site (http://www.countdowntokittyhawk.com). 


GETTING THERE:
First Flight (KFFA) is a small airfield in North Carolina, USA, with a 3,000 foot asphalt runway & so can accommodate light aircraft & some smaller turbo-props.

There is a VOR (Wright Bros./Manteo) (111.60MHz), and an NDB (370KHz) at Dare Co. Regional (KMQD) 6nm away which has slightly a slightly longer runway.

The nearest airport with ILS approaches & runways capable of handling jetliners is Norfolk Intl. (KORF). This airport is 58nm/342° from KFFA.

Enjoy, & I look forward to discovering what your 'classics' are!