Getting back into the virtual skies

Freezing my pitot off while the download commences

Several factors have conspired to keep me out of the air for most of the past several months. My only aviating has been as a copilot with friends, reading books, and putting the occasional radio control airplane in the sky. Frankly, with all the chaos of ministry in the coronavirus era, I just have not had the time, brainpower, or focus necessary to do anything other than a little piddling.

Tonight I needed a distraction so I decided that it was finally time to try out the new version of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Using the steam app I purchased the deluxe version and started the download process. Numerous people in the forums have reported how outstanding the graphics are, but that the fidelity comes at the cost of a massive program. They are certainly right about the size of the download.

Once I had made the purchase, I let Steam run in the background and loaded up FSX for a bit of practice. Using the default Cessna 172 I took off from my home airport of Dexter, Missouri, into a raging snow storm for a bit of IFR fun. This is not a flight I would have made in real life, but one of the many joys of simulation is the opportunity to try things that would be totally unsafe in the real world.

Five minutes after takeoff I stopped getting airspeed readings. My pitot tube had frozen up. The engine was beginning to lose RPMs and the Skyhawk was losing altitude. I was able to kick on the pitot heat, drop back out of the clouds, and unfreeze the instruments. The wings were taking on a bit of ice, but I was able to limp back to the airport and get onto the ground safely.

That aborted flight was followed up by a quick VFR hop from Dexter to Sikeston. These are two of the airports I most frequently visit in the real world, so it was a handy way to brush some of the rust off my virtual flying skills. FSX was a great deal of help to me while I was going through my flight training experience. It helped me brush up on procedures and was a great navigation primer.

I look forward to seeing how much farther Microsoft has taken its newest version of Flight Simulator… once it has finished downloading.