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I flew my Cherokee 140 from Texas to Washington in 1993 over a four day period. This is a recreation of that flight.

Leander to Burnet: Before the long trip, I had the plane inspected by a mechanic. His shop was at Pegasus Place, a grass field in Leander, Texas. For a realistic recreation, I set the time and season to a March morning and adjust the fuel and payload to minimums for the soft field take-off. The wheels are off before the end of the runway, and I turn to the northwest ...

In all the aircraft I flew, I practiced engine-out procedures. The Grob 109 is the only one I actually flew to a landing with no engine. Of course, it was designed to be able to do so, and that was part of my training for the glider rating.

This time, for recreating the flight, I remember to use the Logitech joystick instead of the CH yoke. I also set the season and weather to summer with scattered clouds and slight wind in the hope of finding some lift. On the runway at Georgetown, ...

In Austin, Texas, there is a place where you can fly top-of-the-line simulators, including the Redbird FMX full-motion simulator for only $35 per month. Phoenix Arising Aviation Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the brainchild of Zay Collier, pilot and programmer. Phoenix Arising uses simulators to inspire youth to study STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math.) In summer camps and after-school programs, students are introduced to the joys and challenges of simulated flight.
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This was probably my favorite airplane to fly. Turning off the engine after climbing to altitude is a real thrill. I found a file for FS2004 from a site in England and installed it on my “new” refurbished computer.

I start on the ground in Georgetown, Texas (KGTU). While not the most beautiful plane of all, the Grob 109B has a certain look, with the long, long wings and tiny tailwheel. The cockpit looks familiar and functional. I start down the runway, and there is no dancing ...

I never really enjoyed flying IFR; I got my instrument rating because that was the next logical step. Once I got it, I seldom used it. This is a recreation of one of the times I flew IFR just for fun.

I start on the ground at Bremerton (KPWT) in the PA32. I set the weather for “fogged in”, then tune the NAV1 for the ILS and the NDB using the info from the map. The fog is thick, but the runway lights are bright. I don’t bother with the Seattle tower, I just launch into the clouds. ...