Neil, when did you first start developing for flight simulators and what got you interested in it?

I started way back on the ZX Spectrum 48K - I think the programme was Flight created by Psion. It was just green squiggly lines at about 3 frames a second, but it was a start. Next came the Commodore 64 (complete with external hard drive) and Sublogic's Flight Simulator II and all the add-on scenery which came with it. They even had a UK scenery disk but unfortunately it stopped at Birmingham!

Then came the Amiga 500 which was a big leap forward! The sound for a start was beginning to sound realistic and you could look at your aircraft from the outside. It was also much smoother, but it still had no virtual cockpit (that was still a long way into the future). Green represented the land, yellow for cities and pyramids....the hills.

It was Flight Simulator IV that really got me started into designing scenery though. I remember using programs from a guy in the states called Laemming Wheeler, but the most important program I used at that time was one from Aerosoft. With this program, plus a degree of patience, you could create your own terrain mesh and tiles. I did the whole of the UK for FSFW95 and FS98 and Aerosoft sold quite a few of these, as well as other companies such as Gametek and Instant Access. This went on for a few years but then as computers advanced, things just fizzled out.

FSX got me back into things though, as it was a much improved simulator. Then came Instant Scenery from Abacus, and so this, coupled with my interest in flying from real farm strips; I began designing my own sceneries of them. To date, there must be hundreds!

I thought Flight Simulator Enhancer from Lago was brilliant and I can't understand why no one has carried on making that today, it was a really simple way of creating A.I.!

What do you consider your best or most popular work?

My best work to date is the most recent and completely re-written versions of my farm strips which I created for Dovetail Games. I also like my Lake District scenery, which, although relatively sparse, offers some very scenic views. For me personally, it's the flying and the scenery that's most important and I think some people forget about that. As well as creating sceneries of the UK, I really enjoy informing people about the history of this beautiful country of ours...especially as we have so much of it!

Neil, what software packages and tools do you use to develop your farm strips?

I use SbuilderX to design the undulating terrain of these rough strips, SketchUp to design the models and Instant Scenery to position the said models.

When it comes to creating your sceneries, what do you find to be the most challenging aspect?

Without a doubt - FSX memory!

Neil, what have been your favorite projects to date?

That would have to be what I am working on at present - the English Lake District. When flying in a microlight, the mountains and the scenery as a whole look simply fantastic. You do however need photographic scenery for it to work.

Do you develop payware/freeware or both and why?

Over the years, I have done an awful lot of freeware and a little bit of payware as well. With my current Lake District scenery I'd just like to say that if you have enjoyed it - please feel free to donate. Now a pensioner, I could really do with updating my computer so as to create more sceneries.

How many people work with you?

It's just me, although my brother has done a few things for me on occasion.

What other developers or teams have you worked with?

As mentioned earlier, Gametek, Instant Access and now Dovetail Games through Steam, but these are just retailers.

Neil, do you have any experience in real aviation?

I've flown in helicopters at R.A.F. Shawbury while doing a project for them, plus a friend of mine used to own a Cessna 150 in which we'd go flying every week, but that was a long time ago. On occasion, I go flying in a microlight from St. Michael's here on the Fylde Coast.

Could you tell us what started your interest in aviation?

My interest in aviation began when I joined the Air Training Corps in the 1960's and went flying in Chipmunks. My interest in farm strips came about when I bought Bryan Lockyears Farm Strips Guide. The book was enough to inspire me, and Bryan and I became very good friends.

When you're not creating farm strips, what other hobbies or things do you like to do for enjoyment?

Nowadays my partner and I like to go dancing, mainly rock and roll. I also have two classic cars; a fully restored Morris Minor and a 1954 MG TF for the summer.

Neil, have you ever considered doing flight simulator development full-time?

I used to, but I don't really think I have the necessary skills now.

How do you choose your next new farm strip?

I get inspired by flying over scenery, especially the Lake District. I did some scenery years ago, which is still on FlightSim.Com, where I made a jet powered "flying bike" because my father always said, "The best way to see the Lake District is on a bike" and I wrote a guide book to accompany it, very similar to what I am doing today.

My current project is writing seven volumes of flights around the footpaths of the Lake District, in the style of Alfred Wainwright. This time though we will be in a microlight following the footpaths. This will probably be my swan song!

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

All my sceneries work in Steam FSX or Prepar3D (with a few exceptions). I would like to re-design my work for FSW but they make it so complicated for an O.A.P!

Neil, in what ways do you see development changing in the future?

64-bit is obviously the way forward, but the biggest impact on flight simming has to be virtual reality (VR)...Wow! Flying around the Lake District is simply incredible, especially in a microlight which offers you a 360° view.

If companies are to survive, they will have to design their flight sims to work with VR or they will lose out and probably disappear.

The best way to describe flying with VR is that it's like being in a real aircraft. It still has a long way to go, but for flying in a microlight, believe me you cannot beat it - sell your granny and get one!

What can sites like FlightSim.Com do to support you and the hobby better?

I don't really know, as you do remarkably well now. Keep spreading the word, especially in regards to freeware developers and their work (like you are already doing at present).

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

The future at the moment is very bright, especially with all the 64-bit simulators available: X-Plane, Prepar3D, FSW, not to mention Aerofly.

Most of the above are now VR friendly which is an added bonus! All the simmer really wants (in my humble opinion) is FSX 64 bit!

What is the most important thing a site or community can do to help the developer?

Make sure the developers are visible...

Lastly Neil, what would you like people to know about you and your work?

I have been beavering away now for over 20 years and it really is a labor of love. I just enjoy designing a strip then looking back and flying it. I have had many nice e-mails from people who have enjoyed my scenery, and apart from paying my rent, that is all that I've needed.

Neil Birch

Download Neil Birch scenery