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/images/notams/notams22/gas1115/gas1115.jpgThe Meyers OTW (Out To Win) was a 1930s United States trainingbiplane designed by Allen Meyers and built by his Meyers AircraftCompany from 1936 to 1944. In anticipation for a demand for trainingaircraft caused by the introduction of a civilian war training scheme(in which civil flying schools would provide primary training for themilitary), Allen Meyers designed the OTW and formed the MeyersAircraft Company to build it. The OTW was a conventional biplane withtandem seating for two in open cockpits and a fixed tailwheel landinggear. The prototype was powered by a 125 hp (93 kW) Warner Scarabengine and it first flew on 10 May 1936. The aircraft was produced intwo main variants: the OTW-145 powered by a 145 hp (108 kW) WarnerSuper Scarab, and the OTW-160 powered by a 160 hp (119 kW) Kinner R-5engine. Our representation is that of the Kinner powered model 160. Itis fully animated with tool tips active in the VC cockpit for allanimated parts and is fully compatible with all versions of LockheedMartin Prepar3D as well as Legacy FSXA and FSX Steam Editions. /images/notams/notams22/gas1115/meyers-otw-1.jpg /images/notams/notams22/gas1115/meyers-otw-5.jpg /images/notams/notams22/gas1115/meyers-otw-2.jpgPackage IncludesHigh quality, Fully Animated 3D Model with 4 period correct liveries.3D Modeled GaugesFully Modeled Detailed Kinner R-5 Radial EngineHigh Resolution (4096 x 4096) DXT 5 TexturesFully Animated VC cockpit with VC Cockpit Shadowing and Smooth 3D modeled gaugesUser Controlled Aircraft Configuration ManagerVC Cockpit Custom Sound PackageVolumetric Propeller TexturesHigh Fidelity Sound FilesPrecision Flight DynamicsFully Animated Pilot FiguresCustom installer for Lockheed Martin Prepar3D (all versions), Legacy FSXA, and FSX Steam Edition /images/notams/notams22/gas1115/meyers-otw-3.jpg /images/notams/notams22/gas1115/meyers-otw-4.jpgPurchase Golden Age Simulations – Meyers OTW-160 For FSX/P3D See other aircraft from Golden Age Simulations
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/images/notams/notams22/gas0803/gas0803.jpgThe Naval Aircraft Factory N3N was an American tandem-seat, opencockpit, primary training biplane aircraft built by the Naval AircraftFactory (NAF) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the 1930s andearly 1940s. Built to replace the Consolidated NY-2 and NY-3, the N3Nwas successfully tested as both a conventional airplane and aseaplane. The seaplane used a single float under the fuselage andfloats under the outer tips of the lower wing. The conventionalairplane used a fixed landing gear. /images/notams/notams22/gas0803/gas1.jpgOur representation of this iconic aircraft includes both land andseaplane versions; is fully animated with tool tips active in the VCcockpit for all animated parts and is fully compatible with allversions of Lockheed Martin Prepar3D as well as Legacy FSXA and FSXSteam Editions. /images/notams/notams22/gas0803/gas2.jpgPackage IncludesHigh quality, fully animated 3D model with three period correct liveriesFully Modeled Detailed Wright R-760-2 Whirlwind Radial EngineHigh Resolution (4096 x 4096) DXT 5 TexturesFully Animated VC cockpit with VC Cockpit Shadowing and Smooth 3D modeled gaugesUser Controlled Aircraft Configuration ManagerVC Cockpit Custom Sound PackageVolumetric Propeller TexturesHigh Fidelity Sound FilesPrecision Flight DynamicsFully Animated Pilot FiguresCustom installer for Lockheed Martin Prepar3D (all versions), Legacy FSXA, and FSX Steam Edition /images/notams/notams22/gas0803/gas3.jpg /images/notams/notams22/gas0803/gas4.jpgPurchase Golden Age Simulations - NAF N3N-3 FSX/P3D See other Golden Age Simulations aircraft
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/images/notams/notams22/gas0529.jpgCelebrate Memorial Day this weekend with savings on all aircraftadd-ons from Golden Age Simulations at the FlightSim.Com Store.This weekend save 50% off the regular price on all their add-ons forFSX and Prepar3D. Shop Golden Age Simulations at the FlightSim.Com Store
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Golden Age Simulations - Stearman 4E Jr Speedmail for FSX/P3D
Nels_Anderson posted an article in FSX
/images/notams/notams22/gold0206.jpgStearman Aircraft developed the Model 4 from the C3, adding a deeperfuselage and offering a range of more powerful engines. These featuresenabled the Model 4 to carry heavier cargo loads. Being larger than the C3,but smaller than the M-2 and LT-1 models, it filled a gap in the Stearmanproduct line. Designer Lloyd Stearman said that it was the best airplane heever designed. Our representation of this iconic aircraft is fully animated with tooltips active in the VC cockpit for all animated parts. It is fully compatiblewith all versions of P3D as well as FSXA and FSX Steam Edition. Package IncludesHigh quality, fully animated 3D model with 5 period correct liveriesFully modeled detailed Pratt & Whitney Wasp SC-1 engineHigh resolution (4096 x 4096) DXT 5 texturesFully animated VC cockpit with VC cockpit shadowing and smooth 3D modeled gauges User controlled aircraft configuration manager VC cockpit custom sound packageVolumetric propeller texturesHigh fidelity sound filesPrecision flight dynamics Fully animated pilot figuresCustom installer for P3D (all versions), FSXA, and FSX Steam EditionPurchase Golden Age Simulations - Stearman 4E Jr Speedmail for FSX/P3D See other aircraft from Golden Age Simulations -
/images/notams/notams21/fair0913/fair0913.jpgThe KR-21-A was a two-seat sport trainer biplane with two open cockpits and powered by a 100 hp (60 kW) Kinner K-5 radial piston engine. It was of mixed construction and had a fixed tailwheel landing gear and was fitted with dual controls. The KR-21-B was a more powerful biplane development, using a 125 hp Kinner B-5 engine. Five were produced, three built as -B models and two converted from the -A. Our representation of both models of this iconic aircraft. It is fully animated with tool tips active in the VC cockpit for all animated parts. It is fully compatible with all versions of P3D as well as FSXA and FSX Steam Edition. /images/notams/notams21/fair0913/fairchild-kr21-1.jpgFeaturesHigh quality, fully animated 3D models of the KR-21A and KR-21B versionsFully modeled detailed Kinner 5-cylinder engineHigh resolution (4096 x 4096) DXT 5 texturesFully animated VC cockpit with VC cockpit shadowing and smooth 3D modeled gaugesUser controlled aircraft configuration managerVC cockpit custom sound packageVolumetric propeller texturesHigh fidelity sound filesPrecision flight dynamicsFully animated pilot figuresCustom installer for P3D (all versions), FSXA, and FSX Steam Edition /images/notams/notams21/fair0913/fairchild-kr21-3.jpg /images/notams/notams21/fair0913/fairchild-kr21-2.jpgPurchase Golden Age Simulations - Fairchild KR-21 for FSX/P3D
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/images/notams/notams21/gold0526/gold0526.jpgThe Porterfield Collegiate is an American-built two-seat trainingand touring monoplane built by the Porterfield Aircraft Corporation ofKansas City. Developed originally as the Porterfield Zephyr, under Approved TypeCertificate (ATC) 2-530, it is a light-weight version of theearlier Model 35 Flyabout for use as a pilot trainer. Powered by a 40hp (30 kW) Continental A-40 engine it was later re-designated thePorterfield CP-40. To improve performance, under ATC 690, the enginewas replaced with a 50 hp (47 kW) Continental A50-4 engine andre-designated the CP-50 Collegiate. It is a braced high-wing monoplanewith a tail skid fixed landing gear. The two bracing struts run inparallel from the bottom of the fuselage and the tailplane was fixedto the top of the rear fuselage. Due to the narrowness of thefuselage, particularly to the rear of the cabin, the type is nicknamed"Skinny Bird". In 1940, under ATC 720, the power was again uppedto the popular 65-horsepower Continental A-65, pushing cruise to 100mph, with a 500-pound useful load permitting a 300-statute-milerange. /images/notams/notams21/gold0526/porterfield-collegiate-1.jpgThough roughly in the same general class with the tandem-seat PiperCub, Aeronca Champ, and Interstate Cadet -- and the side-by-sideseating Aeronca Chief, Taylorcraft BC-12D and Luscombe 8 -- thetandem-seat Porterfield is visually distinguishable from them by itstwin parallel wing struts on each side (compared to the V-shapedstruts on the other planes), and by its largely symmetrical airfoilwing. Our representation of this iconic aircraft is fully animated withtool tips active in the VC cockpit for all animated parts. It isfully compatible with FSX, FSXSE, and all versions of P3D. /images/notams/notams21/gold0526/porterfield-collegiate-2.jpgFeaturesHigh quality, fully animated 3D models land and seaplaneFully modeled detailed Continental A-65 engineHigh resolution (4096 x 4096) DXT 5 texturesFully animated VC cockpit with VC cockpit shadowing and smooth 3D modeled gauges User controlled aircraft configuration manager VC cockpit custom sound packageVolumetric propeller texturesHigh fidelity sound filesPrecision flight dynamics Fully animated pilot figuresCustom installer for FSX, FSX SE and P3D versions 1 - 5 /images/notams/notams21/gold0526/porterfield-collegiate-3.jpgPurchase Golden Age Simulations - Porterfield Collegiate CP-65
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/images/notams/notams20/gas1207.jpgGetting an early start on the holidays, today Golden Age Simulationsannounces the start of their holiday sale. They offer a nice range of clasicaircraft including biplanes like the famous Stearman and other planes fromLuscombe, Aeronca, Stampe, Waco and Fleet. Check out their planes forFSX/P3D today at the FlightSim.Com store, now 50% off the regular prices. Golden Age Simulations Holiday Sale
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/images/notams/notams20/gold1206/gold1206.jpgThe 1935 Sportwing was an improved version of Kinner’s 1932Sportster model. Jointly designed by Max B. Harlow and Robert Porter,the Sportwing features a two-place open cockpit with side-by-sideseating, a tufted leather interior, and doors that swing open muchlike roadsters of the period. The chrome door handles look like theycame off an Auburn Speedster. The instrument panel sports a blackcrinkle finish with burnished aluminum control levers, in the style ofthe time. /images/notams/notams20/gold1206/kinner-sportwing-4.jpgAlthough all-metal aircraft were becoming common as the Golden Ageprogressed, this Sportwing is not all aluminum. It was not built forspeed records or racing, so the fuselage, made of welded chrome-molysteel tubing, and the wings, composed of solid spruce spars withspruce and plywood trusses were fabric-covered, the engine cowling andlanding gear fairings made of metal. The fabric covered tail group wasbuilt up of welded steel tubing, elevators equipped with adjustabletrim tabs. The streamlined dural-aluminum gear fairings and wheelpants, plus a louvered radial engine cowling, give it a Buck Rogersfuturistic appearance. Another feature reminiscent of 1930s’ automobiles is the sharplyslanted, split windscreen, with stylishly curved side window panels,mounted in a brushed aluminum frame. Most also sported a large tightfitting NACA-type engine faring with streamlined “blisters†forcylinder head clearance which was eliminated on the last of the seriesS/N 148 NC 14927. /images/notams/notams20/gold1206/kinner-sportwing-3.jpgA wooden propeller, Eclipse air operated engine starter, battery,navigation lights, a compass, dual control stick-type controls andthrottles, radio shielding, parking brake, wheel brakes, chrome platedexhaust collector, fire extinguisher, two baggage compartments,adjustable seat, first aid kit, and tool kit were standard equipment.A metal propeller, radio, and coupe-type enclosure were optional. Our representation of this iconic aircraft is fully animated withtool tips active in the VC cockpit for all animated parts. It isfully compatible with FSX, FSX:SE, and all versions of P3D. /images/notams/notams20/gold1206/kinner-sportwing-2.jpgFeaturesHigh quality, fully animated 3D modelsFully modeled detailed 125 hp Kinner B-5 engineHigh resolution (4096 x 4096) DXT 5 texturesFully animated VC cockpit with VC cockpit shadowing and smooth 3D modeled gaugesUser controlled aircraft configuration managerVC cockpit custom sound packageVolumetric propeller texturesHigh fidelity sound filesPrecision flight dynamicsFully animated pilot figureCustom installer for FSX, FSX SE and P3D Versions 1 - 5 /images/notams/notams20/gold1206/kinner-sportwing-1.jpgPurchase Golden Age Simulations - Kinner B2 Sportwing for FSX/P3D See other classic planes from Golden Age Simulations
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/images/notams/notams20/gold0928/gold0928.jpgThe Aeronca L was a 1930s American cabin monoplane designed andbuilt, in small numbers, by Aeronca Aircraft. It differedsignificantly from other Aeronca planes with the use of radialengines, streamlining, and a cantilever low wing. Quite unlike other Aeronca designs, the Model L was a "cantilever"(no external struts for bracing) low-wing monoplane, that featuredside-by-side seating in a completely enclosed cabin. The designreflected the greater attention being paid to aerodynamics in theperiod, including large wheel spats for the fixed undercarriage and aTownend ring for the engine. The aircraft was of mixed-constructionwith a welded steel fuselage and wings with spruce spars and ribs, allcovered with fabric. /images/notams/notams20/gold0928/aeronca-1.jpgInitial attempts to use Aeronca's own engines proved inadequate,and the company turned to small radial engines from othersuppliers—particularly neighboring Cincinnati engine manufacturerLeBlond as the model LB. In the attempt to improve performance, theywould fit the next series with the 90 h.p. Warner Scarab 5-cylinderradial engine. Our representation of this iconic aircraft is fully animated withtool tips active in the VC cockpit for all animated parts. It isfully compatible with FSX, FSX:SE, and all versions of P3D. /images/notams/notams20/gold0928/aeronca-2.jpgFeaturesHigh quality, fully animated 3D models of both land and float plane versionsFully modeled detailed 90-hp Warner Scarab radial engineHigh Resolution (4096 x 4096) DXT 5 texturesFully animated VC cockpit with VC cockpit shadowing and smooth 3D modeled gaugesUser controlled aircraft configuration managerVC cockpit custom sound packageVolumetric propeller texturesHigh Fidelity sound filesPrecision flight dynamicsFully animated pilot figurePaint kitCustom installer for FSX, FSX SE and P3D Versions 1 - 5 /images/notams/notams20/gold0928/aeronca-3.jpg /images/notams/notams20/gold0928/aeronca-4.jpgPurchase Golden Age Simulations - Aeronca LC for FSX/P3D See other vintage aircraft from Golden Age Simulations
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/images/notams/notams20/gold0630/gold0630.jpgThe C3 was a rugged biplane with simple straight wings, a toughundercarriage with oleo shock absorbers and two open cockpits with thepilot in the rear and two side-by-side passenger seats in thefront. In fact, it was a slightly modified version of the earliermodel C2 aircraft. Changes included an increased volume oil tank andlarger sized baggage compartment. The C3 was powered by a variety of engines of between 128 hp and225 hp, each version having its own designation. The last version ofthe C3 was the C3R which had several external differences including acutout in the aft portion of the wing center section for improvedpilot visibility, a headrest in the aft cockpit, and slightlyincreased chord of the rudder and vertical stabilizer. Although therewere several versions of the C3, most were either the C3B or theC3R. /images/notams/notams20/gold0630/stearman-1.jpgThe C3 was built with light commercial applications in mind,including passenger flying and business flights. The C3MB was aspecial mail-carrying aircraft based on the C3 with the forwardcockpit enclosed as a dedicated cargo compartment. Our model providesfor both options C3B and C3MB. Our representation of this iconic aircraft is fully animated withtool tips active in the VC cockpit for all animated parts. It is fullycompatible with FSX, FSX:SE, and all versions of P3D. /images/notams/notams20/gold0630/stearman-2.jpgFeaturesHigh quality, fully animated 3D models representing the passenger configured C3B and mail carrier C3MB Stearman Fully modeled detailed 220-hp Wright R-790 J-5 Whirlwind High resolution (4096 x 4096) DXT 5 textures Fully animated VC cockpit with VC cockpit shadowing and smooth 3D modeled gauges User controlled aircraft configuration manager VC cockpit custom sound package Volumetric propeller textures High fidelity sound files by Immersive Audio Precision flight dynamics Fully animated pilot figures Paint kit Glass transparency option - review owner's manual for details Custom installer for FSX, FSX:SE and P3D versions 1 – 5 /images/notams/notams20/gold0630/stearman-3.jpgPurchase Golden Age Simulations - C3B Stearman for FSX/P3D View other vintage aircraft from Golden Age Simulations
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/images/notams/notams20/waco0103/waco0103.jpgThe UPF-7 was a continuation of the Waco "F" series which had beenintroduced with Model INF of 1930, a three-seater powered with a 100hp Kinner K-5 engine. The UPF-7 standardized on the 220 hp ContinentalW-670-6A, civil equivalent of Continental's R-670 military engine.Its designation reflected the principal design characteristics of theairplane - the letter "U" identified the engine as the W-670, the"P" identified the wing and fuselage design, the "F" identified themodel type or series. /images/notams/notams20/waco0103/waco-1.jpgEssentially a state-of-the-art refinement of the 1930 model, theUPF-7 retained its major features, particularly the heavily staggeredwings with the strut-connected ailerons in upper and lower panels. Theearlier Fs were all built as three-seaters, with two passengers seatedside-by-side in the front cockpit. The UPF-7 was intended to be adual-control trainer, but when the stick was removed, the front seatwas wide enough to accommodate two passengers. Our representation of this iconic aircraft is fully animated withtool tips active in the VC cockpit for all animated parts. It isfully compatible with all versions of FSX and P3D. /images/notams/notams20/waco0103/waco-2.jpgIncludesHigh quality, fully animated 3D models representing post-war civilian and pre-war Civilian Pilots Training Program Fully modeled detailed Continental engineHigh resolution (4096 x 4096) texturesFully animated VC cockpit with VC cockpit shadowing and smooth 3D modeled gauges User controlled configuration manager VC cockpit custom sound packageVolumetric propeller texturesHigh fidelity sound files by Immersive AudioPrecision flight dynamics Fully animated pilot figures Paint kitCustom installer for FSX, FSX SE and P3D Versions 1 - 4 /images/notams/notams20/waco0103/waco-3.jpgPurchase Golden Age Simulations - WACO UPF-7 for FSX/P3D
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/images/notams/notams18/gold0905/gold0905.jpgThe Stearman (Boeing) Model 75 is a biplane formerly used as amilitary trainer aircraft, of which at least 10,626 were built in theUnited States during the 1930s and 1940s. Stearman Aircraft became asubsidiary of Boeing in 1934. Widely known as the Stearman, BoeingStearman or Kaydet, it served as a primary trainer for the UnitedStates Army Air Forces, the United States Navy (as the NS & N2S), andwith the Royal Canadian Air Force as the Kaydet throughout World WarII. /images/notams/notams18/gold0905/stearman-cockpit.jpgAfter the conflict was over, thousands of surplus aircraft weresold on the civilian market. In the immediate post-war years theybecame popular as crop dusters, sports planes, and for aerobatic andwing-walking use in air shows. Our representation of this iconicaircraft is fully animated with tooltips active in the VC cockpit forall animated parts. It is fully compatible with all versions of FSXand P3D. /images/notams/notams18/gold0905/golden-age-stearman.jpgFeaturesHigh quality, fully animated 3D models representing USAAF and US Navy optionsFully modelled detailed Continental and Lycoming enginesHigh Resolution (4096 x 4096) texturesFully animated virtual cockpit with VC shadowing and smooth 3D modelled gaugesUser-controlled Configuration ManagerVirtual Cockpit custom sound packageVolumetric propeller texturesHigh Fidelity sound files by Immersive AudioPrecision flight dynamicsFully animated pilot figuresPaint KitPurchase Golden Age Simulations Stearman PT/N2S /images/notams/notams18/gold0905/stearman.jpg
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Golden Age Simulations Interview Written By Paul Corish Development When did you start developing for flight simulators and what got you interested in it? Golden Age Simulations was started at Irish Eye's Pub in Hopewell Junction NY in 2005 by me and my business partner Gil Halpin. Our interest in flight simulation began with the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004. What piqued our interest was that for the first time the focus was on the early history of aviation, an area that both of us had a keen interest. Tell us about the nature of your designs and what you do? We soon realized that other than a few developers, aircraft from aviation's golden age were just not widely available. It was in that pub that we decided to give developing add-on aircraft models for FS 2004 a try. Our focus would be the aircraft that were developed and flown during the aviation's golden age: 1929 - 1939. Initially we looked into Gmax as a tool but given that neither of us had any 3D modeling experience and the learning curve was steep, we turned to Louis Sinclair's Abacus FSDS. We each purchased a copy and embarked on our first project, the Kinner Sportster. When finished it looked like a hand hammer wok, but we did it and it was released as freeware on FlightSim.Com. We were encouraged by the response and took on another project, the Brunner Winkle Bird. It's interesting to note that Gil's dad owned one and Gil learned to fly in it. Also, Bill Lyons featured that model in a screen shot; perhaps the only time he featured another developer's model in a screen shot of his products. This was quite an honor as Gil and I were and remain great fans of Bill's work, building golden age planes, and bought just about every FS2004 model he built. What software packages and tools do you use to develop? As mentioned earlier. We use Abacus FSDS 3.5. FSDS developed by Louis Sinclair was the design program of choice of Bill Lyons and therefore ours. We started using version 2.0 and when FSX rolled out, upgraded to 3.0 and ultimately 3.51. In order to take advantage of the material enhancements that came with FSX we rely heavily on David Nunez's FSDSxTweak, without which we would not have been able to remain competitive in the post FSX marketplace. Although not our product, we use and highly recommend A2A Accu-Sim to enhance the overall experience of the products we develop. Who would you consider to be your mentors or inspiration in the development world if you have any? You might say Bill Lyons was our greatest role model and influence in developing models at Golden Age Simulations. That is not to say there were not others who mentored us and we sought to emulate, Warwick Carter, Milton Shupe, Tim Conrad, Steve Meyers, and William Ortis, to name a just few. As a matter of fact, each of those listed here was willing to share, help troubleshoot, and provide advice on our projects development. We also have to credit the flight simulator community as a whole for providing continued support for our efforts; notably Tom Constantine at the Old Hangar forum, as well as Roger Law at TOH and SimOuthouse forum. Do you develop payware/freeware or both and why? Our decision to develop a payware line came in 2006 after we won the FlightSim.Com Developers Award for February of that year for the WACO Taperwing. We already had a number of freeware models out there which were being well received, so Gil and I formed Golden Age Simulations as a business and began working on our first payware model, the Travelaire 6000. Bill Lyons had become less active as a developer and we wanted to continue the legacy he left of low cost high quality packages that not only provided a model to fly but an adventure and opportunity to learn about the aircraft of the golden age of flight. To that end I believe we've been successful, and we still hold to that promise we made to ourselves and the community 8 years ago. That being said, we remain committed to releasing at least one freeware product per year as a way of paying forward and saying thanks to the community that supports us. In late 2013 we released a scenery project of Old Rhinebeck Airdrome modeled by Falcon409 from the SimOuthouse forum and this spring, we released an FSX native version of the Curtiss Robin originally released by Jim Douglass for FS2004. What do you consider your best or most popular work? I'm proud of every one of the models we've done, but mostly I'm proud that with each release, we attempt to push the boundaries of what we have previously done. Our Pitcairn Autogiros have been and remain quite popular. They are novel in that FSX does not support autorotation but with some flight dynamics voodoo, Jim, our flight dynamics wizard, managed to pull that off. I think our best works to date may be the Stinson Gullwing, Pitcairn Mailwing, and Great Lakes packages. For FS2004 I'd say our WACO packages. We hope someday to redevelop them for FSX and P3D. What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of a project? For me personally, it is modeling 3D gauges and developing the XML coding for animations. Getting the flight dynamics right can be a major challenge, but frequently the most daunting challenge is simply finding enough information to start the project. Some of the models we've built have been low production aircraft with no examples currently flying or no one left who flew them. In the last several years, all of us have become adept at digging out obscure aviation lore, without which some of our projects could never have been started. What have been your favorite projects? I'm sure that each one of us has their personal favorite. Mine is the Douglas Dolphin. It's a beautiful aircraft with a fascinating history. To me it epitomizes the golden age of flight and the Art Deco era. As an early flying boat, it is little known, having been overshadowed by later aircraft like the Grumman Goose. It deserved to be modeled and I still fly it regularly. I'm especially fond of the Catalina Island scenery add-on that accompanies it, modeled for us by Alain Hosking. Second most and I think maybe Gil's favorite was the recently released New Standard D25 package that featured another great work by Alain, the original Poughkeepsie Airport in Red Oaks Mill NY, home of aviation great Captain Johnny Miller in 1929. Also the Pitcairn Mailwing PA-5 which was built with the assistance of David Pitcairn. In that we also re-created the original Pitcairn Field in Bryn Athyn PA with a brilliant scenery by Alain. The Team How many people work with you or your team and what do the various members of the team do? There are five members on our team. Gil Halpin and I are business partners and do the primary modeling. Gil's focus is power plants and VC cockpit controls. Jim does our flight dynamics and along with Gil, a fair amount of the historical research. Paul G. is the creative artist behind all of our liveries and Alain, scenery add-ons when needed. Real Life Do you have any experience in real aviation? Three of us have our pilot's licenses. Jim holds an ATP and flew with a major carrier after serving in the Air Force as C-130 pilot. Gil has experience flying vintage aircraft and hosts a number of forums on vintage aircraft and air show performers. My experience is less dramatic with flight time limited to C172 and C152. The fourth member of the team is active in the world of RC flying. The fifth has recently taken his first soaring flight. What started your interest in aviation? I can say for three of us, our fathers. Mine had served in the Air Force during the Korean War as an avionics specialist and passed on his love of modeling aircraft to me. The first model he made for me was the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. I have vivid memories of seeing him go off on business flights in Mohawk Airlines DC-3 from Dutchess County Airport. Jim's dad was an aviation pioneer who began flying in the early '30s, flew just about everything with wings during WW2, and then flew with the airlines after the war. Gil's dad was a local aviation legend and a great personal friend of Cole Palen, founder of the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Any memorable flights in real life you'd like to discuss? I'll only speak for myself in saying that all flights are memorable. The ability to pilot a ship across the sky and bring it safely to earth is a thrill like no other. I think all would agree. Would you like to share what you do in real life? In real life I'm a registered nurse specializing in patient safety and risk management. I'm also a certified trainer in, healthcare based, crew resource management. Gil is a local aviation historian and manages a number of forums devoted to the Golden Age of Flight and Airshow History. What other hobbies or things do you do for enjoyment? I can't speak for the other members but, I enjoy golf, reading, and all things aviation. With a full time job and a business to run there isn't much time for more. Thankfully developing models for flight simulation remains enjoyable and therefore also feels like a hobby. One that helps pay for the beer and skittles as well. Have you ever considered doing flight simulator development full-time? You mean it's not? Just kidding, it does feel that way sometime, but no I don't think that day will come. It's a hobby, and as a hobby, the day it stops being fun will be the day we stop doing it. Future How do you choose your next new design or project? First we ask ourselves what we want to fly next. We never start saying what will be a commercial success. Often we take turns choosing. We're building the Monocoupe 90A now. It's a consensus build. What simulators do you design for now and which ones do you plan to develop for in the future? We currently model actively for FSX and P3D. We ceased developing for FS2004 in 2011. We have no plans to expand beyond those platforms at this time. In what ways do you see development changing in the future? The technology employed in simulation is changing so fast that it hard for me to answer this question. All I can say is that for Golden Age Simulations we are pretty much at the limit of what we can do with the tools we have; which is fine as long as FSX and P3D remain popular. I think that MS "Flight" gave us a view of the future for third party developers. While "Flight" was beautiful with great potential, MS was closing the door on unrestricted third party content. There was some discussion of "some" developers being allowed to build for that version, at some point, but I suspect they would have been bound to a business/vendor relationship with MS. Fortunately for third-party freeware/payware community "Flight" never took off. (Pardon the pun.) Your Thoughts What can sites like FlightSim.Com do to support you and the hobby better? Allowing for the small developers like us, with niche products, to be showcased alongside the larger studios helps. Other than that FlightSim.Com has been a great venue for developers to become known as well as a great resource for freeware aircraft and scenery for all the versions of flight simulator. How do you feel about the future of flight simulation in general? In general, as long as there is an interest in aviation and flight, there will be flight simulators. Microsoft has dominated the industry but when it withdrew from that arena and shut down "Flight" it created a vacuum that will be filled by others. X-Plane is very popular and while P3D uses the FSX legacy coding, the new version 2 has taken that platform beyond anything Microsoft did in FSX. Also as long as there are third party developers out there pushing the boundaries of what can be done to enhance the current platforms, I'd say the future remains bright. What are some of the most important things a site or community can do to help the developers? Appreciate that it's not easy. Welcome newcomers and be supportive. What would you like people to know about you or your team and work? Other that what we have already discussed, first and foremost we do this because we like what we do and we want to share our love of vintage aviation with others. Our web site introduction really says everything about us and what we want our customers to experience. "So sit back and relax and let your thoughts go back to a simpler time; a time of wind in the wires and round motors; a time when the newspapers were full of feats of daring do by the pioneers of aviation...it was a time when the sky was literally the limit and if it could be imagined it could be built and flown. Now with your imagination, our models and the flight simulator, turn back the clock and enter the Golden Age of Aviation with Golden Age Simulations." Thanks for the opportunity to be interviewed and to share our thoughts with FlightSim.Com. Paul Corish www.goldenagesimulations.com Golden Age Simulations products in the FlightSim.Com Store Download Golden Age Simulations freeware files -
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