Semi-Retirement

[Deleted]

This is sort of (mostly) Taiga news. After several attempts at Dash 8 Q400PF flights and a couple 777 flights that all failed due to my inability to properly manage the FMC's, I'm forced to admit that some of this stuff is getting a bit beyond me. That's partly because I don't have the patience for it anymore, and partly I never flew them IRL so I don't have a good grounding in basic FMC operations. It's also partly due too, to the fact that 737's and 777's need long runways. Most of the Orbx scenery out there are about smaller, GA fields, which are by far my preference anyway. As such, I've sold off Taiga to a consortium and with the considerable proceeds, I've bought up a bunch of small outfits in various places both in Europe/Scandinavia and North America. These will all have different names of course, but I own them all and will fly them all as the feeling moves me. Typical aircraft, while they will vary somewhat from area to area, will include (but will not be limited to) light GA twins and singles, with a couple of exotics thrown in for good measure. I'll have 3 or 4 hubs in Norway under the name of "Tundra Air Services" and be operating mainly Navajos and a couple of 206's and a 207 to start with. In the UK we'll base out of Southampton under the name of "Royal Duke Aviation", and this is where we'll be operating the "exotics", namely a piston and a turbine Duke, both of which we imported from Germany. It is yet to be determined where and what we'll be operating in North America at this point.

Our services will include a range of ops, including general charters, light freight and even a bit of air ambulance work when it's available.

So that's the latest. I'm a bit disappointed in a couple of respects over this, as I was very much looking forward to the PMDG 747, but at this point I think it would be an expense that I wouldn't get enough use out of. That's sure been the case with the 777, and while I loved flying that, many of those flights are long-haul and that won't be sustainable once I get back to my RW job. All that said, more and more I've been preferring the light GA planes of late, and this will allow me to get back into some old favourites once again. I will, of course, be posting some PIREP's as these ops commence, probably later this week. Stay tuned.

Later

[pivo11]

Sounds a good idea to me.  With ops in different locations and a mix of aircraft there would be endless possibilities and permutations.  Have a grand time!  

[scottb]

Sounds like a good plan Glenn! I have a similar approach, which is why I've never gone in for the big tubeliners. I don't have the time or desire to fly them as they are meant to be. I do have the desire to get back into the smaller Cessna singles at some point. Keep posting whatever strikes your fancy .

-Scott

[Bushpounder]

Sounds good. Also sounds like Tuesday. It IS Tuesday!! I am in the same boat. That's why I don't fly IFR. Too long ago to remember, and too damned lazy to relearn it all. This is my 2000 post! I'm catching up!!

BP;)

[olderndirt]

Where ever 'procedure turns' are allowed - that me flying IFR .

[Deleted]

I have moved away from the "heavies" because I am unwilling to put in the time that is required to fly them as they are meant to be flown. Smaller, slower, lower and shorter is quite enjoyable to me. To fly a plane well, I find, you have to know it well so I have reduced the number of active planes in the hanger to those that I think I can improve my skills with. It is still a work in progress.

[Sandy]

I find it fun to dabble with the big planes, but always come back to the GA twins and singles. Those ships get me to the places I want to go, and where I want to take like-minded paying customers (to extend the simulation metaphor.) Because I also dabble with war-birds on occasion, I may include some photo-op flights of my collected war-birds over some of the historic and/or scenic locales available.

Interesting side note, Smithsonian Air and Space magazine has an article about a Norwegian (? I think that was it) F-104 Starfighter that was taken off it's pedestal as a museum piece and renovated back to flying condition. It's a two-seat version, and I'm not sure if there are any FSX/P3D two seat F-104's out there. But the photo ops of such a modern yet rare war bird photographed over the Norwegian fjords as depicted by Orbx might be pretty cool.