I’ve just read a very interesting series of posts on a different website, authored by "Steve", and it got me to thinking. His title is “If you’re not a serious simmer you won’t understand.” A very well written piece, with some very thoughtful comments posted thereafter. Now, as you’re sitting here reading this, I’m afraid you likely fall into the category of “serious simmer”. And, more to the point, a “serious flight simmer”, as well.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that. There is a ton of things we could otherwise be doing, many constructive, many not so much. I can think of several odd jobs around here that would benefit from my attention. But instead, I’m sitting here pecking away, musing about our little sim world. To paraphrase what someone once said, welcome to my dementia!

But to get back first to Steve’s post, he speaks for probably all of us. If I may quote: “Knowing how to load scenery add-ons, mess with AI schedules and planes, AFCAD, weather, etc. is mind boggling to those who are just starting. For those of us who ‘get it’ it just doesn’t get any better than this…What a great time to be alive!” I couldn’t possibly put it any better.

Which brings me back to my initial jump-off. What would we be doing if we were where we are now, but in 1975? Speaking for myself, I suspect my interest in piloting would be absent. After all, back then if we had “the itch” to sprout wings as we do now, it would have to be scratched in the cockpit of some bug masher. Now, how ironic is this… We’ve all probably invested in flight simulation more than it would have cost us then to obtain our PPL. Is that a laugh or what?

But honestly, I have no such motivation. I guess hobbies are funny like that. I mean, I know people who are completely enamored with online combat. I fancy that on occasion, too. But, it doesn’t mean I’m off to enlist to do it for real. I’ve got lots of friends who play golf, and some are quite good at it. But, despite their love of the pastime (hobby), they have no aspiration towards the Pro circuit. They do what they do simply for the love of the game.

This is, I think, where most of us are now. I’ve read uncountable posts of individuals who use our flight sim hobby to supplement their drive towards a PPL. Outstanding! Go for it! I’ve worked some beta jobs with airline pilots. They are the last ones I would expect to be enjoying flight simulation. When I leave the office, the last thing I would want to do is immerse myself in a simulation of what I’ve been doing for the last 8 hours or so! But, there they are, doing what you and I do, albeit with a greater understanding and perhaps appreciation of what is going on.

So, how special is this hobby of ours, that there are those who pursue it as avocation as well as vocation, and those who use it to supplement a flying education? Pretty damn special to my mind. And, as Steve so aptly points out, there are those who just don’t “get it”. Yet another show of hands here. How many of you will openly discuss with your peers your hobby? Just how many of your friends know how many hours you invest in front of the monitor? How would you justify the hours of intense study you’ve allocated, learning how to fly certain aircraft on your monitor? (Has anyone noticed FS2004 is beginning to be scrutinized as a potential source of education for those who would do us harm? Speaks volumes for how far the sim has evolved, no?) Picture this: You’re at a ritzy dinner party, with everyone decked out in some really snappy clothes. At the table, the individual to your right is regaling your tablemates with stories of the hours he’s/she’s invested in their golf game. Not one would bat an eyelash at that revelation. Now, you pipe up and describe your two hour forty five minute flight, where you piloted the PMDG 737NG from KJFK to KPBI. Go ahead; tell them how many hours you’ve spent pouring over the hundreds of pages of flight manuals just to be able to fire up the engines, program the FMC and become airborn. I dare you! Can you say ‘pregnant pause’? If you were very fortunate, you may get someone to come to your social rescue by saying something along the lines of “Oh yes, my son does that, too. And he’s, ahem, twelve.”

Closet hobbyists is what we are. So, what would we be doing in ’75, assuming we remain our current age? I’ll have to try to recall what it was my parents were doing back then. My Dad was known world-wide as an expert in rim fire cartridges. The Canadian Mounties sought his input on a homicide case, wrote a book and everything. My Mom did whatever Mom’s do. But I can promise you, whatever it was they were doing, it was not something that was also being done by the “younger set”.

So, again, we’re terribly unique. I can’t think of too many hobbies that a grown man or woman may do, that will permit them to have an intelligent conversation with a pre-teenager concerning that hobby. A conversation in which an exchange of ideas will take place, with each party taking something of value from the other. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve participated in such an exchange, and have been enriched by it. Bet you have, too.

So, at your next dinner party, hold your head up high and announce to one and all your obsession with flight simulation. Be proud as you are escorted to the “kid’s table” to finish your dinner! Personally, I keep my mouth tightly shut, telling only a few close friends about my obsession. Before you do something similar, I suggest you have some serious information on them first! You know, pictures of them skinny-dipping at Woodstock (am I dating myself?) or something. Better safe than sorry.

Listen up, you flight sim freaks. You are all very special people! And you noobs… follow the forums, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and keep on learning. As our hobby evolves, there is more and more to learn, and more skills to acquire. Just remember to remain circumspect when it comes to discussing your hobby!

To quote Steve again, “Best wishes to all you super FS fans. You know who you are…”

Three Green!

Chip Barber
rfbarber@optonline.net