Well first off, let me say that I know there are bunches of the younger set out there who are as enamored with our hobby as we are. There are also several members of the fairer sex who enjoy this hobby. I'd like to recognize one in particular, being she whose tag reads Kimber, Creature Of The Night. This young lady, with whom I have not had the pleasure of correspondence, faces her challenges in a fashion which is most admirable to one who is also challenged. On top of that, she graces the FS Forums with wit, kindness, encouragement and not a small amount of skill and knowledge. Show of hands: how many have gotten something useful from her posts? I know I have!

So, let's see what we can do to ameliorate this situation. We're not getting any younger, and as spry and sharp as FS keeps us, there will come a time where, well, let's just say that our yokes and pedals will be gathering some dust. The old joystick will not be quite so joyous. The FS ATC will be asking if anyone at all is out there. And when we get to this sorry state of affairs, we may find ourselves asking if we have in any way contributed to the good of our hobby.

Ask yourself, what have I done to ensure the perpetuation of what we love to do? Now, this contribution will come in many forms. The sheer act of purchasing FS and any add-ons fits this bill admirably. Certainly, refraining from lambasting someone who has posted something entirely moronic in the forums is good, too. For me, if I can manage to get a chuckle out of anyone, and get them to see that their sad addiction to this hobby is no worse than mine, then I consider the time I spend doing so well worth it. But, what else can we do?

As I've said, I hope to induce my grandkid(s) into at least looking at what I do in my spare time. I'm afraid that getting my own children into it is an effort that has been circling the bowl for years now. My family knows well to avoid this room when they hear the whine of an engine spooling up, lest they be forced to sit and "just check this out". If I had a dollar for every time they said "Um, sure Dad, that's great", I'd be really really wealthy. But, I'm afraid that I'll not be contributing to the gene pool of FSHobbyists!

The longer we enjoy our hobby, it seems the better we become, within the framework of our own desires. The total number of hobbyists who choose to fly only the default birds is not insignificant. There they choose to stay, and let me tell you, they have probably forgotten more about the default crafts then we'll ever know! Little quirks and idiosyncrasies and things to tweak on them that may be gleaned only from hours and hours of experience. And, of course, those who take on the procedural birds and all their mind-numbing manuals and charts, who delight in calculating V speeds and taking into account that big fat guy in row 27 with his carry-on crammed with 39 pounds of Ring Dings. And, of course, everyone in between. We all get better, every time we fly. There is so much knowledge, collectively, out there! So much to share, to pass on!

I'll tell you, there is not a single one of you who doesn't have something to contribute to the good of our hobby! The trick is to figure out how to impart that knowledge. Perhaps we could entice the powers that be at FlightSim.Com (OK, Nels) to create a forum specifically for those who have something to share with everyone else. Something neat that they think others may like to see, try or emulate. Yes, I know, there are a ton of forums that indirectly serve this purpose. But this would be something new.

I just can't help but wonder how simmers from different parts of the world address certain situations. You know, will an individual from the Netherlands find a solution to any given FS challenge in a fashion different from, say, an individual from the UK? Perhaps we could post funky scenarios, and challenge readers to start threads with their options. Flying VFR when the weather goes to heck in a hand basket, or finding one's bird with an engine out at FL 330, with balky avionics and a passenger who is vomiting all over the really cute flight attendant? Imagination! Creativity! These are the catchwords that we have to keep in mind.

I'll tell you, I have a great desire to pass along my meager set of skills to anyone who would benefit from them. I'd like to see a perpetual Holding Pattern wherein noobs and we old crotchety types may gather to exchange what we've learned. I know, I know. There are countless forums that do this. Perhaps you're right. But wouldn't it be cool to have some place to go if you're having a problem landing your C172, and being able to ask for help without the prospect of having your heritage challenged? Maybe I'm just becoming cynical, but I really do feel for the young'uns who have to face the fire just to learn how to turn on the avionics master.

So, I think I'll be tying up the grandkids and force them to watch me fly. If I can manage some kind of Pavlovian trick combining a successful taxi, line-up, lift off, cruise, land and rollout with ice cream and other delights, I may just yet get them to come to an appreciation of what it is we do. After all, I sure can't take the money with me, and I don't wish to keep my FS Knowledge to myself. One way or another, I'll get them to spend my money on my hobby!

Three Green!

Chip Barber
rfbarber@optonline.net