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billstack

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  1. While cruising over the Saraha Desert in southern Algeria at FL330 in MSFS, my attention was drawn to something unexpected. The Sahara Desert is usually depicted as entirely sand, so mountains in southern Algeria seemed out of place. They are ridges and valleys much like southern Appalachia, but they are barren rock – sans any vegetation. So I looked them up online. Wide swaths of the Sahara are solid rock with a little wind-blown sand. The region’s rocks are metamorphic and estimated at two billions years old. The highest is almost 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) above mean sea level. Some mountains are eroded into odd shapes by blowing sand. Similar ridges and valleys are seen in the Congo area, but they are vegetated and eroded by water. Africa comprises five tectonic plates that have been lifting and crinkling the topography one earthquake at a time for hundreds of millions of years. Mixed among the Sahara’s ridges and valleys are solidary conical mountains – telltale volcanoes. The region has a respectable share of more than 100 dormant and active volcanoes in Africa. The Atakor volcanic field in southern Algeria comprises lava domes, lava flows, craters, and vents releasing volcanic gasses. Terrain approaches almost 10,000 feet elevation with deep gorges among the crests and peaks. Volcanic activity ranges from 20 million years ago to the present with ongoing venting of volcanic gases and frequent seismic activity. This huge desert seems barren from aloft, but a few oases such as El Golea, In Salah, and Tamanrasset have enough water to support human activities. Their urbanization and airports are represented in MSFS 2020. High-altitude cruises over the region provide excellent overviews. Low-altitude cruises reveal fascinating details of the topography and villages even though satellite imagery in MSFS lacks definitive details. My screen shots show the Ahaggar Mountains near the oasis city of Tamanrasset, the lava fields near another oasis city In Salah, and isolated dormant volcanoes in the region. This often ignored region is more geologically interesting than I knew. Bill Stack is a flight-sim expert and author of tutorial books and videos for flight simmers who want truly realist simulations.
  2. Viewing scenery in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is a unique adventure due to satellite realism. But pilots are so busy during takeoff and landing maneuvers that viewing scenery details up close is not practical. Looking out the side windows risks drifting off course, falling below minimum descent altitudes (MDA), crashing into high terrain, and maybe getting in the way of other aircraft in these congested airspaces. I rarely look at scenery during such maneuvers and regret it afterwards, but do I have time for viewing while cruising aloft. Although some flight simmers might consider scenery viewed from high altitudes mundane, I am always drawn to major elements such as mountains, lakes, rivers, and islands. A few examples follow. The Grand Canyon in the western United States reveals two billion years of geological history through its bands of colored sedimentary rock more than a mile deep from rims to the Colorado River. Although known by native Americans for thousands of years, it was discovered by Spanish explorers in 1540. Mount Saint Helens in the northwestern United States literally blew its top off in 1980 and bares deep scars while still an active volcano. Its peak is 8,363 feet (2,549 meters) above mean sea level, but that could change with the next eruption as its seismic activity continues. The Mississippi River Delta comprises silt carried southward by North America’s longest river into the Gulf of Mexico. Its multiple lobes began approximately 100 million years ago. The ecosystem provides habitat for hundreds of species of land and water animals, migratory birds, and flora. But the entire real-world delta is disappearing as sea levels rise due to climate change. The Uyuri Salt Flats in Bolivia’s Andes Mountains is a tourist attraction and filming location for Star Wars movies despite its remote location and high elevation. It looks like water in MSFS, but it is rock-hard salt. Visitors arriving at the nearby La Joya Andina Airport, elevation 12,024 feet (3,667 meters), require several days of acclimation to its oxygen deficient air. Rio De Janeiro’s iconic beaches, monuments, and harbor make it the most visited city in South America, and the view is splendid from aloft. London, Sydney, Tokyo, and other major cities are dazzling at night. There are interesting places and scenes around the MSFS world. They just are not always cities with skyscrapers, towers, bridges, stadia, opera houses, and sprawling airports. Bill Stack is a flight-sim expert and author of tutorial books and videos for flight simmers who want truly realist simulations.
  3. “Orders are exceeding expectations,” says author Bill Stack about his latest flight-simulating manual: ATR Simming. “Obviously there has been a pent up demand for it.” “I began writing ATR Simming as a manual for my own use,” he explains, “and then I realized that other flight simmers needed a manual as much as I did.” ATR Simming describes and explains operations of the ATR 42-600 and ATR72-600 from preflight, through all flight phases, to complete shutdown. In seven distinct chapters, this entirely new manual describes physical and performance characteristics for both models, explains their electronic flight decks, and instructs how to operate these unique aircraft. The manual explains the ATRs unique features such as gust lock, idle gate, and hotel mode. An appendix defines acronyms and abbreviations used in the book, and another appendix provides checklists for all flight phases from startup to shutdown. Flight-sim author and instructor Bill Stack spent several months researching and flight testing these unique aircraft for developing this totally original manual. This all-new 137-page manual is published in portable document format (PDF) for clarity of pages, images, and tables and for ease of use by all flight simmers. Absolutely free extras are included: Standard V-speed card, ATR quick-step table, and MSFS keyboard shortcuts. “Flight simmers will enjoy simulating both ATRs as a result of knowledge gained from this comprehensive manual,” promises author Bill Stack. ATR Simming is available from the Flight Sim Com Store: https://store.flightsim.com/TopSkills--ATR-SIMMING_p_5054.html
  4. Hello, If you purchased Version 1 of Jet Simming 21st Century from FlightSimCom, you can download the updated version from FlightSimCom under your account. If you are referring to the old FSX version of Jet Simming, it is no longer available. Further questions or needs can be answered directly by FlightSimCom's customer service: https://store.flightsim.com/crm.asp?action=contactus. Enjoy, Bill Stack
  5. Instrument Simming 21st Century is an all-new manual that replaces TopSkills’ former instrument flying manual. This entirely new manual defines, describes, and explains instrument flight for home simulation pilots with emphasis on modern technology. Instrument flight, commonly referred to as “IFR,” is required when weather obstructs visibility, for all commercial flights, and all flights higher than 18,000 feet above mean sea level. Flight simmers embarking on such flights should apply IFR for the utmost realism. In nine distinct chapters, this new manual defines instrument flight, describes instrument-flight rules (IFR), and explains aircraft instruments used in instrument flights. It also explains making and filing flight plans and reading and using official instrument-flight charts. With specific focus on instrument flying, four chapters instruct on planning and preparing, taxiing and taking off, flying en route, arriving, and approaching in step-by-step directions. One appendix provides instrument-flight exercises, and another defines acronyms used in the book. This 156-page manual is published in portable document format (PDF) for clarity of pages, images, and tables and for ease of use by all flight simmers. A free V-speed card is included, as is an official flight-plan form for laying out plans before filing them. “Flight simmers seeking true realism will enjoy the knowledge gained from this comprehensive manual,” promises author Bill Stack. Instrument Simming 21st Century is available from the FlightSimCom Store.
  6. FlightSimCom's administrator says updates can be redownloaded under your account. If you have further questions or needs, FlightSimCom's customer service can help you: https://store.flightsim.com/crm.asp?action=contactus. Enjoy, Bill Stack
  7. An updated version of Jet Simming 21st Century by flight-sim author and instructor Bill Stack has been released by TopSkills. The updated manual describes and explains the Cessna Citation CJ4 and Cessna Citation Longitude that were substantially upgraded by Microsoft and Asobo in 2023. “Microsoft’s upgraded Cessna jets are very different from their previous renditions,” notes Mr. Stack. “I tested the new models, recorded their performance figures, and analyzed those data. My upgrade explains changes to the physical and performance characteristics as well as operational systems and the flight-management computers.” Chapters about the Airbus A320, Boeing 747-8I, and Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner have been enhanced as well. Instructions, images, tables, checklists, definitions, explanations, and descriptions for all the book’s jets have been improved and sharpened. With 340 pages, the upgraded book has almost 10 percent more content for the same price. Jet Simming 21st Century explains jet basics, planning and preparing, and step-by-step procedures for all flight phases from pre-flight at departure airports through shutdown at destinations. "I spent several months updating this comprehensive manual," notes author Bill Stack. “Flight simmers seeking true realism will enjoy their enhanced simulations as a result.” Jet Simming 21st Century Version 2 is available here from the FlightSimCom Store. Consumers who purchased Version 1 can download Version 2 from their retailers for no additional cost.
  8. An updated version of Glass Simming 2020 by flight-sim author and instructor Bill Stack has been released by TopSkills. Version 3 describes and explains the Cessna Citation CJ4 that was substantially upgraded by Microsoft and Asobo. Chapters about the Airbus A320 and Boeing 747-8I have been enhanced as well. “Microsoft’s upgraded Cessna Citation CJ4 is remarkably different from their previous rendition,” notes Mr. Stack. “I tested the new model, recorded performance figures, and analyzed data. My upgrade explains changes to the physical and performance characteristics as well as operational systems and the flight-management computers.” Instructions, images, tables, checklists, definitions, explanations, and descriptions throughout have been improved and sharpened in Version 3. With 330 pages, the upgraded book has almost 10 percent more content for the same price. Glass Simming 2020 explains electronic flight decks and cockpits for eight aircraft modeled in Microsoft Flight Simulator ®. Principles apply to other aircraft and simulation programs. “Flight simmers seeking true realism will enjoy the knowledge gained from this comprehensive manual and its upgrades and improvements,” promises author Bill Stack. Glass Simming 2020 Version 3 is available from the FlightSim store: https://store.flightsim.com/TopSkills--Glass-Simming-2020-v3-_p_4891.html Consumers who purchased Versions 1 and 2 can download Version 3 for no additional cost.
  9. 62 downloads

    TopSkills Video - Managing Weight and Balance. Load and balance your aircraft properly for safest flights. Improper loading diminishes performance and causes difficult and impossible simulations. Overweight and imbalance are worsened by weather conditions that diminish performance. Learn official weight/balance regulations. Know your aircraft's empty and maximum take-off weights and maximum fuel and load weights. Spread it evenly through the aircraft. Know weights of fuel per gallon. Learn about center of gravity and CG range. Adapt to fuel-weight reduction during flight. Based on FSX and can be applied to other simulators. Duration 8:53 minutes. For home flight simulation by TopSkills.
  10. 55 downloads

    TopSkills - Using Weather Reports for Flight Simming Video. Obtain and read codes in official aviation weather reports (METAR) for your departure and destination airports. Obtain current weather reports from automated radio sources. Based on FSX and can be applied to other simulators. Duration 4:35 minutes. For home flight simulation by TopSkills.
  11. 56 downloads

    TopSkills--Sim Weather Video. Learn about weather conditions that affect your flights. Temperature, pressure, dew points, precipitation, clouds, visibility. Decide whether to fly VFR or IFR based on conditions at your departure and destination airports. Understand official weather minimums. Use official aviation weather reports. Based on FSX and can be applied to other simulators. Duration 6:26 minutes. For home flight simulation by TopSkills.
  12. 80 downloads

    TopSkills Video - Flight Instruments. Flight Instruments - knowing what they tell you. Applies to all flight simulators. Not for real-world aviation. By Bill Stack / TopSkills.
  13. 60 downloads

    TopSkills - Briefing Video. Know your way around a basic analog aircraft cockpit. Distinguish instruments, gauges, and controls. Understand common cockpit layouts of flight, navigation, aircraft, and engine instruments and gauges. Understand controls for managing flight, propulsion, electrical, and aircraft. Learn about hybrid instruments. Based on FSX and can be applied to other simulators. Duration 7:31 minutes. For home flight simulation by TopSkills.
  14. 74 downloads

    TopSkills - Approach Lighting Video. Learn to use approach lighting systems that guide pilots to runways in darkness and low visibility. Precision and non-precision approaches. MALSF, MALSR, SSALF, SSALR, ALSF-1, ALSF-2, ODALS, REIL, VASI, PAPI. Based on FSX and can be applied to other simulators. Duration 8:54 minutes. For home flight simulation by TopSkills.
  15. 64 downloads

    TopSkills - Calculating Fuel Video. Determining an aircraft's fuel-usage rates by minute, hour, and nautical mile. Applying usage rates to standard IFR and VFR requirements. Distinguishing endurance from range. Based on FSX and can be applied to other simulators. Duration 8:13 minutes. For home flight simulation by TopSkills.
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