Who Wants To Cross America @ 32,000ft.?? (FSAltitude)

[HardCub]

KSEA - KCLT: A real-world flight the happened on August 14th, 2012

This FSX flight was a last-minute/sudden impulsive decision on my part yesterday to create & follow (in real-time) the exact flightpath of the real-world jetliner my partner would be flying on his return trip home from his 20-yr. High-School Reunion in the beautiful Pacific-North-West region. His plane was USAirways Flt# 572 (Airbus A321-200) nonstop KSEA - KCLT, departing 1:40pmPST / arriving 9:05pmEST. The planned flight altitude was 31,000ft. (later this was increased to 33,000ft. for a short time ~ maybe it was to avoid some weather disturbance in the Missouri/Kentucky area yesterday, as the NOAA showed heavy storms in the area) Some of you will probably think this was a prime example of 'total FS nerdiness' but I rather enjoyed myself during the whole process. Besides, IF you are here reading/watching the FS Forums, you already semi-qualify for the title anyways. LOL

I must confess; I did not have a proper highly detailed model of an Airbus A321 installed. There's the default FSX model of course, but I almost never fly the default models. I prefer the awesome Project Open-Sky jet models, or the Project-Airbus models myself. So, with no Airbus available... and only 28mins. till take-off time (real-world) I was scrambling to get everything thrown together and the aircraft loaded/setup, the ASE weather loaded, etc. I used the awesome website, FlightAware to get all of my needed flight information, plus keep an eye on the (real-world) progress of the "real" USAirways jetliner that Doug was actually flying on yesterday. The only "good-looking" FSX jetliner model I had preinstalled on my FSX system currently was the Boeing 737-700 SouthWest Airlines model from Project Open-Sky. So, that is the simulated aircraft we'll be using for this cross-country aerial tour.

Our scenic flight begins at KSEA (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport) in beautiful Seattle, Washington. We'll cross high above the states of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina. The 4hr.- 25min. flight will end by landing at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, located in Charlotte, North Carolina. ("the Queen City") Hopefully on-time.

We are waiting for takeoff clearance in Seattle, when suddenly I notice something scary weird...

What on earth?!!! Are you kidding me???!!!

Someone's job is definitely on the line now... OMG. And (it) actually took off with the doors open. Geez.


Well, after that unsettling experience the crew of our jet managed to get everyone calmed down enough for a pleasant takeoff, and everything appeared to be going very smoothly. The Boeing 737 was not fully loaded today, and we were climbing nicely without the extra weight onboard. We should make good time this trip.

Climbing into the beautiful sunny afternoon skies over the mountains east of Seattle, Washington.

This window scene took my breath away ~ Love it!

This could be a promotional poster for Southwest Airlines. Okay, so I am totally biased. I admit it.

I can't fly without the incredible terrain mesh from FSGenesis installed on my system(s).
Justin continues to create amazing products for the FS world!

I have to say this much... the FS Altitude software really was worth the cost. Incredible vistas!

The Active-Sky-Evolution weather software is really displaying the awesome REX2.0 textures perfectly I think.
Here the FSGenesis 9.6m terrain mesh is really showing up splendidly!

With live "ATC" audio running in the background, (streaming via LiveATC.net) from the KSEA Center, it was almost difficult to realize I wasn't actually peering out thru the real plane's window at the rugged, mountainous landscape of the beautiful PNW region which was being offered by Washington state far below us.

I hope you are enjoying this post thus far. There's much more to come.
(but for now real-world duties are calling me again. Arrgh!)


From all of us onboard this Southwest Airlines flight, we thank you for flying with us today.

Microsoft FSX Deluxe Gold-Edition
Active-Sky-Evolution (ASE)
FS Altitude (Western & Eastern USA packages)
Project Open-Sky Boeing 737-700 freeware
FSGenesis 9.6m Terrain Mesh for the entire USA
FSScreen
EZ-Thumbnails v3.0
1920x1200x32m pixels original .bmp images, converted to .jpg (images resized / Not Edited)

[lifejogger]

Great shot and commentary, I do not believe I have ever flown at 32,000 feet in the flight sim.

[HardCub]

Thanks John. It's a rare experience for me too, since I typically fly general aviation flights at much lower altitudes and speeds.

[adamb]

A nice coast to coast flight, well almost. Thanks for the ride Glenn, I enjoyed scenic flight and the peanuts were good also. Beautiful shots of your journey my friend.

Adam

[HardCub]

Thank you very much Adam. However, the journey is only just beginning my friend. You'll want to ration your peanuts, or you might be needing to purchase another bag later on during the flight.

My internet connection crashed tonight without warning just as I was putting the finishing touches on the next 12 photos/commentary. I am too tired to redo all of it again tonight. It's 2:00am EST here now, so I'm off to bed. Gonna be a short night's sleep.

[kingnorris]

Nice shots Glenn! I thought of getting FSAlt, but settled on Sim Savvy instead. Nothing like flying over the real deal eh!?

Love the SWA plane as well!

[Doods]

Very nice Glenn.... we I hope that Orbit airlines is flying LOW with no cabin pressure.....if it doesn't come apart....

[orhanyavuz]

Very nice Very nice

[mtrunz]

Looks really great!

[azzaro]

An unusual flight for you, to be sure. Mighty nice captures though, maybe you can get high more often. (Tell the cops I said you could)
By the way, I swear I saw someone in Orbit groundcrew overalls running away!... Looked a lot like Jan too?! — Bob