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 Flight Simulators have
been one of my favorite pastimes for nearly 30 years. I started in 1980
with the original BAO/subLogic Flight Simulator for the TRS-80.
(Picture at Right) I have followed most of the upgrades since BAO sold
the rights to Microsoft. I currently fly FS-X. I Consider myself an
expert pilot (at least in FS) and prefer IFR flight.
In the summer of 1982 I did take flight school at Zamperini Field in
Torrance (which I also still use as my FS "Home Base") and earned a
private pilot license. However I was unable to keep up with the
requirements (and expenses) due to my personal situations at the time.
Screenshots
Gallery
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Virtual
Airlines
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For about a year, I was a pilot for a
Virtual Airline, Pacific West. It was an interesting experience and
with them I flew to places I would not normally have gone. (My
Callsign, for anyone interested, was PWA5066)
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SATCO
/ VATSIM
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At the height of FS98 and FS2000 there
were several
network systems for Flight Sim enthusiasts. I was heavily involved in
SATCO and VATSIM (and later the International Virtual Aviation
Organization.) For each of these I was an Air Traffic Controller,
usually in
the Los Angeles Sector. (As well as Piloting on those networks)
For both
SATCO and IVAO I was the creator of the radar sector files for the Los
Angeles ARTCC (and in many cases for the major airports) which are
still in use today.
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IVAO
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I Followed Erwin Lion from SATCO to the
International Virtual Aviation Orginization after SATCO self
destructed. (Although not right away.)
I helped start the USA Division (specifically the Los Angeles ARTCC)
and hosted and maintained the US/FSD server on rexx.com for IVAO. (For
this, I recieved the Spirit of IVAO award.)
IVAO
Pilot Awards
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 Flight Captain |
 IFR World Tours (2002)
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 VFR World Tours (2009)
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IVAO
ATC Awards
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 Controller Class 1 |
 Squawk Box Certification |
IVAO
General Awards
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 Spirit of IVAO |
 500 Online Hour Award (2002)
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IVAO Today:
I was absent
from IVAO for a number of years, but am currently active. In late
2008/Early 2009 I flew the IVAO VFR world tour. I am currently flying
the Formula-1 Grand Prix World Tour (Every Tuesday Morning.)
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Aircraft
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There are several aircraft that I fly on
a regular basis. As a General Rule, I prefer Single Engine General
Aviation Aircraft such as the Cessna or Mooney. I do on occasion fly
Jets and am quite fond of float planes. You can often find me on IVAO
flying these aircraft.
![[Seperator Bar]](images/CBAR-BBB.GIF)
N1313S
(USA Registry)
Home
Airport: KTOA, Zamperini Field, Torrance CA USA
Description:
2006 Mooney Bravo (ICAO Type M20M/L)
Painted in Blue and Mango on White
Engine: 6
Cyl Textron Lycomming T10 Series, 270 HP
Propeller:
Three-Blade McCauley Constant Speed, Variable Pitch
Wing Span: 36 Feet
Service Ceiling: 25,000 Feet MSL
Modifications:
Collins
Radar Altimeter
Extended Range Fuel Tanks (102 US Gallons Usable)
N418Y
(USA Registry)
Home
Airport: KTOA, Zamperini Field, Torrance CA USA
Description:
1960 Howard
Model 500 (ICAO ID L37) Serial Nº 005
CARGO Configuration with Phillippi Equipment Company Paint
Engines: Two
Pratt & Whitney R-2800 , 2,500 hp (each)
Propellers: Hamilton Standard 11-Feet
Wingspan:
72 Feet
Range: 2500 Miles+
Service Ceiling: 25,000 Feet MSL
In the early 1960's the Real-Life Howard Nº005 was owned by
Chicago Gas and Pipeline.
It was later owned by Southwest Forrest Industries. In the 1970's the
Howard 500 went to Florida and Tenessee where it was said to have been
owned by Elvis Presley. After that it was sold to a drilling company in
California and then parked in Nevada for several years.
F-OHNO
(French Registry)
Home
Airport: NTFA, Fantatau Island, French Polynesia
Description:
1980 Cessna
Stationair 6 II (Model U206G), With Amphibian Float Kit
Painted in Tan and Brown Stripe over Grey (Metal)
Engine: Contenential IO-520-F, 300 HP
Propeller: 3 Blade Hartzell "Scimitar"
Wingspan: 35 Feet 11 Inches (10.9 meters)
Range: 720 nm
Service Ceiling: 17,000 Feet MSL
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Cockpit
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Over the decades, a lot of features have
been added to Flight Simulator by Microsoft. One of the best recent
developments was the "Virtual Cockpit." Instead of a flat pasted on
"panel," the entire INTERIOR of the aircraft is also modeled in full
3D. One which you can completely look around in and interact with all
of the aircraft controls.
I tend to re-arrange some of the instrumentation. I prefer the HSI, VSI
and SALS on the upper row (so I can see them easily during approach and
landing without having to change the view angle.)
Below is the cockpit from F-OHNO. (Click the picture to open it larger.)
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Hardware
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I have some computer hardware that is
specific to flight-sim. I am hoping to build an actual cockpit for FS,
and have been slowly buying hardware for it.
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Saitek
Pro-Flight Yoke and Throttle quad.
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HP
Premium Digital Headset. (Used to talk to the IVAO Air Traffic
Controllers while in flight)
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