The Life, Death And Resurrection Of An Airliner

By Ron Blehm (22 August 2005)

"You know, you're not really flying don't you?" The question just sits there and stings. The psyche burns like your muscles in a tug-o-war. There has got to be something more redeeming to "simming" than just living in a world of make-believe. Doesn't there? While there is something to be said for the need to escape the pressures of the real world, did you know that part of what we do is historical preservation? (Let the wife-unit know that and maybe she'll forgive you for not keeping the lawn mowed) Not quite to the extent that the Smithsonian preserves history, but let's look briefly at just one example:

"The Lockheed TriStar was the second widebody airliner to be launched...it went on to gain an excellent reputation in service for its reliability, economy of operation and low noise emissions (See photo above, left). The L-1011 TriStar was the last Lockheed airliner to be developed and was launched in March 1968 in response to an American Airlines requirement (that also resulted in the DC-10) for a large capacity medium range airliner (See photo above, right). The first L-1011 model that entered service with Eastern and TWA in April 1972 was the initial domestic L-1011-1 (which was built in greater numbers than any other TriStar variant). Production ceased in 1983, when 250 had been built. At the end of 2002 [there were only] 51 active TriStars still in service" (See photo right). Quoted from the aircraft history pages at Airliners.net

I remember, even not too far back, when Delta flew 1011's out of my home airport to Japan...now A330's have taken over that route. You don't get to see great old airliners like this anymore, at least not around most of the USA or Europe. It seems like any old jetliners still around have been retro-fitted with enough modern technology to justify a name change. (Call the DC-8s a DC-15!) But as flightsimmers we can still pretend can't we? After all, that's what we do...and we do it well! So, while the Smithsonian can keep full-sized, static L-1011's on display for our children to see someday, it is our job to keep the virtual planes flying. Think of all the dreams (and hopes) aboard that first, maiden flight...it's now up to us to keep those dreams alive with our virtual airlines:

So, the next time you set out on a virtual flight somewhere, think of the old airliners...remember the old liveries...and do your part to help resurrect the not-too-distant past. (See photo right, a classic L-1011 in Caledonian livery making that once-famous Kai Tak approach into Hong Kong.)

Of course, both the Caledonian and FCA L-1011's were downloaded from the FlightSim.Com file library. If you've never checked out www.airliners.net you must. And, for more information about Flight Club Airways VA send an e-mail to: vamanager@toomuchfs.com.

Ron Blehm
pretendpilot@yahoo.com

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