OK guys..heres the latest update: I'm now aware that learning and retaining things is MUCH harder at 50 years old ( As of next Monday. Remember: cash in leu of gifts..or a new prop.) Anyhow, that being the case, I set up Microsoft Flight Simulator X on a dedicated computer so I could get as much practice as I can. I am flying a virtual C172 out of the Virtual Diamondhead, MS airport (66Y).
I have done this a few times: Takeoff from runway 36...climb upwind leg to 700ft , maintaining heading. Watched runway disappear from straight behind the plane Enter crosswind west (270) at 700ft and climb to TPA at 1000ft Cuss at the computer because I overshot my target altitude by 100ft (AGAIN) Cuss at the computer because I undershot my crosswind heading by 10 degrees (again) Trim 172 to straight and level Cuss at simulator for always overshooting the trim I want (are we sensing a PATTERN here?) Turn South to heading 180 in order to enter downwind leg of the traffic pattern at somewhere around 1075 feet STARE IN AMAZEMENT AT 66Y RW 18 DUE SOUTHWEST OF MY CURRENT POSITION (Every time guys!!!No kidding!) Cuss at Bill Gates just on general principal (AGAIN). Ya gotta love those developers at Microsoft..what a bunch of kidders!!!! (AAAARGH) I think Microsoft flight simulator X actually refers to the X-FILES Or maybe the Twilight Zone is a better fit. So I got pissed and (Virtually) buzzed the house a friend who lives out at the airport, then crashed that trashy172 into a cyber tree in his cyber front yard! I think he's a little cyber PISSED at me for doing that! Oh well..any landing you walk away from huh? Obviously you guy don't want me drinking any root beer with ya..LOL 10 hours of flight training so far. My CFI keeps bringing a parachute with him, is that a bad sign? Glenn Martin KR2 N1333A Biloxi, Ms P.S. X-Plane 9 is a pretty terrific simulator, much better than that Microsoft trash.