Dave, could I begin by asking about when you started developing for X-Plane and what got you interested in it?

My simulated flying started after I had the opportunity to go flying with a friend, and he allowed me to take control of the plane. He had me do turns, change altitude and even land. During the flight he turned to me and said; "You would be an instructors dream." As I entertained the possibility of actually learning to fly, I thought I would try simulated flying first to see if this is really something I wanted to do. I started out briefly with Microsoft Flight Simulator and then shortly afterwards found X-Plane 9. I enjoyed it very much, but unfortunately, while there was some scenery for Alaska (my home state), there was a lot missing! Due to the lack of scenery in this part of the world, I decided to create my own. I started modeling Valdez to go with the fly-in hosted by EPOCH (held on the 2nd weekend of May), which just happened to coincide with the real world event. This allowed for a far more immersive environment!

Could you tell us about the nature of your designs and what you do?

When I create a scenery for an Alaskan airport, I also like to include the village, since the airport is there because of the settlement. I try to capture the spirit of the village and model it as closely as possible. Hopefully if you were to visit the area, it would feel as if you had already been there.

Dave, how do you go about finding all the information needed for a scenery?

I do searches on a village so as to find as much info as possible. This includes searching for images and pictures that might be out there. If I know someone in the village, I will talk with them and have them take pictures for me. Asking other pilots, and those who visited the area, is another way of gaining information.

Out of all the Alaskan sceneries you have created, what do you consider your best or most popular work?

Well, if I go by downloads, it would have to be 3AK5 Redoubt Mountain and Bay Lodges. This scenery provides two secluded lodges, accessible by floatplane only.

What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of creating a scenery?

That's easy; it would have to be the time required/needed to complete a scenery, especially if a river or road is required to give it complete authenticity. To model every twist and turn of a river or road, takes a lot of time.

What part of a project do you enjoy the most?

I really enjoy doing the research. Finding out every detail about a location, so that I can (hopefully) incorporate it into my scenery, is a challenge, but also great fun. Personally, I think this is lacking from some developers.

When creating your sceneries, what software packages and tools do you use?

I mainly use Overlay Editor and Gimp. Occasionally WED (World Editor). I also use an app called iFlightPlanner. When I view charts of an airport and select satellite, I can tap on the screen to get the exact location in which to place an object.

Dave, do you only develop freeware, or have you created payware sceneries?

I have only developed freeware, and this is because I enjoy sharing my sceneries with others. Hopefully they get just as much enjoyment from exploring them, as I do in creating them.

Have you ever worked with any other teams or developers?

Yes; I worked with Joel Johnson on his Iditarod Package. This involved moving or placing objects at three locations that didn't mesh after I made my scenery. When done, it meant that Joel's scenery and my own were compatible with each other. I also help Oleg from Northern Sky Studio, by taking pictures of Alaska. He then uses these for his own scenery development. I enjoy doing this, and as such, I am more than willing to be a resource for anyone that wants to develop scenery for Alaska. If I can help in anyway, it would be a pleasure.

The Team

Dave, do you work alone on your sceneries, or do you have other people help you?

I basically design the entire scenery myself, but I do have friends that help me with what I can't do. Stuart McGregor (Scottish Wings) makes many of the objects I use (by request), and this has really helped me. It's also meant that his incredible 'Handy Objects Library' has grown in size, which is great news for other scenery developers wanting to use the same objects.

Robert Heyen (RocLobster) also helps with my scenery development, as he makes the really cool signs that help give my scenery that extra touch of realism. Without both these talented and generous individuals, my scenery wouldn't be anything like reality.

Real Life

Do you have any experience in real aviation?

Yes; I have my Private Pilots License (PPL) and instrument rating. At present, I am currently working on getting my commercial license.

That's fantastic; good luck with gaining your commercial license! As you already have your PPL, do you have any memorable flights you'd like to share with us?

This was a while ago, but...

While I was working on getting my Private Pilots License (already logged 35 hours), I was doing some maneuvers, such as landings and takeoffs at Farrars Landing 28AK (now called Gates Ranch). On one of the departures; runway 24, I could feel the plane just about ready to lift off (it hadn't though, due to the rise in terrain), when I spotted a moose at about 50'. As I looked, I could see that it was casually walking onto the runway from my left.

I yelled 'Moose!' to my instructor who hadn't yet seen it! Unfortunately there was no time to stop, so I immediately pulled back on the yoke till I felt I was just above what I figured, was the top of the moose. After a few moments (and heartbeats) I levelled out so I wouldn't go into a stall and still take advantage of ground effect. As I picked up speed and started to climb (the trees at the end of the runway were getting closer), I raised the flaps and circled around. To my relief, I saw that the moose (still walking casually) had moved safely across to the other side of the runway! Funnily enough; after this airstrip was developed for X-Plane, I downloaded it and put a moose on it...just for old times sake!

Dave, would you like to share with the readers what you do in real life?

Sure, I'm a missionary pilot in Alaska.

Amazing! Could you tell us what being a missionary pilot involves?

As many will know, Alaska is the largest and most sparsely populated U.S. state, and comprises of approximately 230 communities. Due to the terrain, only a handful of these villages are accessible by road. In other words, about 82% of the people who live in this wilderness, live in pretty much third-world conditions. All equipment, plus food and people, must be transported to these remote villages by barge or aircraft.

As a missionary pilot, I work alongside the village paster or missionary, and help to encourage and strengthen as they minister the village. We are a vital supply line for virtually all of the community's needs, ranging from transportation, groceries, boat engines and building supplies. We also provide additional manpower for building projects, or for just cutting firewood for winter. Away from all of the work a visit is always welcomed too! There is a lot of planning before wheels go up, especially in regards to the weather, which is often extremely challenging (it can vary wildly on different sides of a mountain range, plus there is icing to factor in).

Whereabouts in Alaska do you fly, and are there any areas which you feel would be a 'must have' visit for a budding bush pilot?

I've flown most of the interior to the west coast. I haven't yet been to the Aleutians or the Panhandle though. The farthest north so far I've been, is to Crevice Creek in the Brooks Range, and that was in a Cessna 150; I had to climb above 10,000' because of smoke from fires that summer. We were at gross weight on that particular flight, and it took all the Cessna had, in which to climb to that altitude.

My favorites are Lake Clark Pass to Port Alsworth, and flying from Palmer, following the Matanuska River east northeast to Gulkana. Another is flying north up the Susitna River to Talkeetna, and beyond isn't too shabby either as you happen to look over at Denali (the highest mountain peak in North America).

What other hobbies or things do you like to do for enjoyment?

When I'm not busy working, I enjoy cycling, cross country skiing and four wheeling!

Future

Dave, how do you go about deciding on your next new scenery?

It's usually after I have flown into that particular village and see it first hand. Other times, it's to simply correct the location of an existing airport.

What simulators do you design for now and which ones do you plan to develop for in the future?

I'm an X-Plane only guy!

Your Thoughts

How do you feel about the future of flight simulation in general?

Personally, I think it's only going to get better as technology advances.

Lastly Dave, what are some of the most important things a site or community can do to help developers?

When you download our work, please comment! It really helps encourage us so we can improve what we do for you.

It also lets us know how much our work is appreciated.

Many thanks Dave, for taking the time to complete this developer interview for FlightSim.Com. The team and I wish you all the best with both your scenery design, and also with obtaining your Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).

David Flamm
View David Flamm's scenery