Clay, I have been viewing a lot of flights I'm channels and I really enjoyed your training series, the flight to the Bahamas. I retired recently after a long career that consumed the vast majority of time, so I am finally getting time to do the things I want to. I have always been a big fan of flying - 20 years ago I flew hang gliders, I attained Hang I, Hang II, Hang III ratings and the Cross Country sign off, but I stopped flying for lack of time, I just couldn't stay current. Flightsim's let me explore flying again at a reasonable cost and to a much wider variety of experiences and plane types than I could afford in real life. Your training videos are taking me step by step thru the learning process, which is fantastic. Thank you!
whiterooksme that's the best thing I've heard all day! I hope you don't mind me quoting you on that one :). We'll just fly to some happy little airports...
I've really enjoyed these first two Bahamas videos. I'm an instrument rated private pilot who hasn't flown for several years and am now flying only the X-Plane 11 simulator which I'm still learning. The pilotage, dead reckoning, and VOR navigation have been excellent reviews and very reminiscent of my first lessons. We tend to get lazy now that we have GPS and ATC vectors for navigating.
Thanks Ken! I’m glad you are digging into X-Plane. I’m all about enjoying the modern tech, but you’re right, it’s easy to get lazy with it and forget the fundamentals. Thanks for flying along!
New to the series but am loving it! Very new to X-Plane 11, but not new to flight simming, though it has been a number of years. Your commentary is very easy to understand and am looking very forward to further legs, keep up the outstanding videos!
Thanks Peter! I'm not sure how long you've been into simming, but I was just looking up images of my first experience with a sim as a kid - Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Trainer. Remarkable for it's time, but looking back through the lens of X-Plane 11 makes me appreciate what an incredible resource we have in today's flight sim. Great to have you along on these flights!
I've been simming for about 10 years, first with FSX, but am loving X-plane 11! Just purchased the Beech Duke! Still trying to fine tune my Saitek X52, might have to purchase rudder pedals....
I think you'll enjoy the pedals. I used an CH Eclipse for this series (thumb rudders) but love the independence of rudder pedals. You'll enjoy the X52, and rudder pedals might really help. Holding in the rudder twist and trying to fine tune aileron without affecting one or the other can be tough. Doable, though. Enjoy that new airplane!
Very nice! I'm finally beginning to understand VOR nav. So much to learn! And yeah, my control inputs get a bit radical on final. Maybe some more tweaking on the control setups... Anyway, great vids!
Thanks William! I’m so glad it’s coming together. It takes practice, and there are times I wonder if some elements of flying are harder in the sim than when I fly in real life. Some of it are control and visual limitations, so stick to it and thanks for flying along!
That landing is excellent, Clay! I'm still struggling with the rudder pedals, about when and how to use them properly. I often end up with a quite chaotic approach when using the rudder pedals. Do you have any advice about that, or perhaps a tutorial? Thanks for pointing me to this video. I've watched it (and flew along) before, but I'm learning new things by just watching it again! Cheers :)
Well thank you, Martijn! I assure you all my landings are not great. I sometimes think that sim rudder pedals are harder than the real thing. You might go into your control sensitivity and play with that a bit. I like to have to press harder on the pedals to get reactions - too sensitive and it’s difficult for me. I’ll definitely put rudder exploration on the inspiration board for a video. In the meantime, you might know to look at your turn coordinator and “step on the ball.” If the ball is rolling right, step on your right rudder, etc. Check out this blog - it might help to understand the relationship of the rudder on approach: clayviation.com/2017/10/04/forward-slips-vs-side-slips/
Great videos and very helpful for review. But I’m sure you probably know but you dropped flaps above Vfe. Haha great flying though and look forward to leg 3
Thanks for the kind words, John! The first 10 degrees of flaps can be lowered at 110KTS in many of the newer models (not sure about older models) of 172. Take a look at page 2-4 in the POH: www.gaceflyingclub.com/Member%20Download/172S%20Skyhawk%20Information%20Manual%20Searchable.pdf
Yeah it's a fairly new concept to me, too, John. I'll tell ya, the more I learn about aviation, the more I realize how little I know about aviation. It's a never ending process of learning. Thanks for bringing up the topic and for the conversation. See you in the virtual skies!
Clay, I have been viewing a lot of flights I'm channels and I really enjoyed your training series, the flight to the Bahamas. I retired recently after a long career that consumed the vast majority of time, so I am finally getting time to do the things I want to. I have always been a big fan of flying - 20 years ago I flew hang gliders, I attained Hang I, Hang II, Hang III ratings and the Cross Country sign off, but I stopped flying for lack of time, I just couldn't stay current. Flightsim's let me explore flying again at a reasonable cost and to a much wider variety of experiences and plane types than I could afford in real life. Your training videos are taking me step by step thru the learning process, which is fantastic. Thank you!
Thanks Derrick! Sounds like some rich flying time in your history. Thanks for watching!
You sir are the Bob Ross of GA training videos. I feel very educated and soothed at the same time.
whiterooksme that's the best thing I've heard all day! I hope you don't mind me quoting you on that one :). We'll just fly to some happy little airports...
Thanks for doing these! Well edited, clearly voiced and explained in a way that isn't overwhelming. Really enjoying this series so far! :)
Simon Brown it's my pleasure to make them! Thanks so much for the kind words and for flying along on this journey!
Excellent instruction also Far! Man, I love these videos.
I've really enjoyed these first two Bahamas videos. I'm an instrument rated private pilot who hasn't flown for several years and am now flying only the X-Plane 11 simulator which I'm still learning. The pilotage, dead reckoning, and VOR navigation have been excellent reviews and very reminiscent of my first lessons. We tend to get lazy now that we have GPS and ATC vectors for navigating.
Thanks Ken! I’m glad you are digging into X-Plane. I’m all about enjoying the modern tech, but you’re right, it’s easy to get lazy with it and forget the fundamentals. Thanks for flying along!
Excellent work. Among the top learning videos for Xplane - and I've seen a bunch! Hope you keep producing!!!
Jack, thanks so much for the encouragement. I'll keep producing as long as there are virtual skies. So glad to have you along for the flight!
Loving these videos! The production is extremely good, and the information you impart is excellent. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Kris! Glad to have you flying along!
New to the series but am loving it! Very new to X-Plane 11, but not new to flight simming, though it has been a number of years. Your commentary is very easy to understand and am looking very forward to further legs, keep up the outstanding videos!
Thanks Peter! I'm not sure how long you've been into simming, but I was just looking up images of my first experience with a sim as a kid - Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Trainer. Remarkable for it's time, but looking back through the lens of X-Plane 11 makes me appreciate what an incredible resource we have in today's flight sim. Great to have you along on these flights!
I've been simming for about 10 years, first with FSX, but am loving X-plane 11! Just purchased the Beech Duke! Still trying to fine tune my Saitek X52, might have to purchase rudder pedals....
I think you'll enjoy the pedals. I used an CH Eclipse for this series (thumb rudders) but love the independence of rudder pedals. You'll enjoy the X52, and rudder pedals might really help. Holding in the rudder twist and trying to fine tune aileron without affecting one or the other can be tough. Doable, though. Enjoy that new airplane!
EXcellent again, Enjoying these "Lunchtime Tutorials" see ya Monday :)
Lunchtime tutorial - love it!
Good video. Good real world experience. Hope to see more.
Thank you. - PT
Thanks for watching and for the encouraging words, PT!
Very nice! I'm finally beginning to understand VOR nav. So much to learn! And yeah, my control inputs get a bit radical on final. Maybe some more tweaking on the control setups... Anyway, great vids!
Thanks William! I’m so glad it’s coming together. It takes practice, and there are times I wonder if some elements of flying are harder in the sim than when I fly in real life. Some of it are control and visual limitations, so stick to it and thanks for flying along!
That landing is excellent, Clay! I'm still struggling with the rudder pedals, about when and how to use them properly. I often end up with a quite chaotic approach when using the rudder pedals. Do you have any advice about that, or perhaps a tutorial?
Thanks for pointing me to this video. I've watched it (and flew along) before, but I'm learning new things by just watching it again! Cheers :)
Well thank you, Martijn! I assure you all my landings are not great. I sometimes think that sim rudder pedals are harder than the real thing. You might go into your control sensitivity and play with that a bit. I like to have to press harder on the pedals to get reactions - too sensitive and it’s difficult for me. I’ll definitely put rudder exploration on the inspiration board for a video. In the meantime, you might know to look at your turn coordinator and “step on the ball.” If the ball is rolling right, step on your right rudder, etc. Check out this blog - it might help to understand the relationship of the rudder on approach:
clayviation.com/2017/10/04/forward-slips-vs-side-slips/
Great videos and very helpful for review. But I’m sure you probably know but you dropped flaps above Vfe. Haha great flying though and look forward to leg 3
Thanks for the kind words, John! The first 10 degrees of flaps can be lowered at 110KTS in many of the newer models (not sure about older models) of 172. Take a look at page 2-4 in the POH:
www.gaceflyingclub.com/Member%20Download/172S%20Skyhawk%20Information%20Manual%20Searchable.pdf
clayviation the more you know. Ha awesome! My experience is definitely mainly secluded to 150s and 172s made prior to 76. Keep up the vids!
Yeah it's a fairly new concept to me, too, John. I'll tell ya, the more I learn about aviation, the more I realize how little I know about aviation. It's a never ending process of learning. Thanks for bringing up the topic and for the conversation. See you in the virtual skies!
Well done
Thanks jpalm82! Love your nickname, btw.
What a beautiful landing :)
Thanks Tywan! I can promise you they aren't ALL like that. :)
the video is a bit laggy, but nice flying.