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/images/notams/notams22/neil0701.jpgHere we have over a 100 secluded and at times very difficult to find airstrips, widely located around the whole of Ireland. These airfields although accurately positioned are purely artistic licence on my part. I have done my best to make the fields as realistic as possible, but please don't blame me if I get the occasional thing wrong. I used VFR Flight Guide IRELAND by Kevin Glynn to help create the fields, although it's a bit out of date and some of the airfields have possibly dissapeared. Included are:Abbeyfeale-Airstrip EIAFAbbeyleix-Airstrip EIIHAbbeyshrule-Airstrip EIABAdamstown-Airstrip EIRZAllenswood-Airstrip EIPRArdfert-Airstrip EITRArdnacrusha-Airstrip EIACAthboy-Airstrip EIMHAughrim-Airstrip EGZGBallina-Airstrip EIBCBallinvalley-Airstrip EIBIBallyboughal-Airstrip EIBABallyjamesduff-Airstrip EIBJBallyvary-Airstrip EIFOBallyboe-Airstrip EICEBantry-Bay-Airstrip EIBNBellarena-Airstrip EGLVBelmullet-Airstrip EIBTBirr-Airstrip EIBRBlackhill-Airstrip EGKUBorris-inOssory-Airstrip EIRABrittas-House-Airstrip EIMOBunnyconlon-Airstrip EIBDCamus—Airstrip EIBECappincur-Airstrip EIZSCarnone-Airstrip EICYCarrickmore-Airstrip EGYWCartown-Airstrip EIXWCastlehacket-Airstrip EIZLCastlerock-Airstrip EGGMCastleshane-Airstrip EIZRClifden-Airstrip EICDClonakilty-Airstrip EICBCloongoonah-Airstrip EIWYCooley-Airstrip EIZQCraughwell-Airstrip EIZZCregboy-Airstrip EIDCCroom-Airstrip EIZCCrossmolina EICRDalys-Airstrip EIZIDollys-Grove-Airstrip EIMADonaghmore-Airstrip EIMLDonohughes-Airstrip EIZXDoran-Airstrip EIMTDowth-Hall-Airstrip EITUDrum-Airstrip EIZWDunngannon-Airstrip EIMMDunmore-Airstrip EIMVDunnamanagh-Airstrip AGQRDunnyvadden-Airstrip EGGJEniskeane-Airstrip EICIErinagh-Airstrip EIEREyne-Airstrip EIMUFeohanagh-Airstrip EIMQGay-Tracy-Airstrip EIROGotgarrow-Airstrip EIQZGowran-Airstrip EITHHacketsown-Airstrip EIHNIlas-Field-Airstrip EILOInch-Beach EIZAKildare-Airstrip(Kilrush) EIKHKilkenny-Airstrip EIKKKillineer-Airstrip EIQTKilloughrim-Airstrip EIQSKilturk-Airstrip EIPQKnockananna-Airstrip EIQVLaytown-Airstrip EILALetterkenny-Airstrip EILTLickfinn-Airstrip EIQMLimetree-Airstrip EIPOLissenhall-Airstrip EIQALough-Conn-Airstrip EIBLLough-Sheelin-Airstrip EIBMMaganey-Airstrip EICWMichael-White-Airstrip EIMWMilltown-Pass-Airstrip EIRCMullaglass-Airstrip AG114Newcastle-Airstrip EINCPallas-West-Airstrip EIPSParke-Airstrip EIRMPowerscourt-Airstrip EIPTRedrock-Airstrip EGAQRuskey-Airstrip EICVRussell’s-Field EILESeven-Parks-Farm-Airstrip EISESlieve-Croob-Airstrip EGJOSnug-Beag-Airstrip EISBSpanish-Point-Airstrip EISPSpollens-Field EITLTaggarts-Airstrip EIKITandragee-Airstrip EGVUTarsan-Lane-Airstrip EGZFThe-Forge-Airstrip EIWETibohine-Airstrip EIBGWarren’s-Field EIGOWoodview-Airstrip EGAMIncluded are PDF manuals with installation instructions and a basic guide to the airfields. Purchase Neil's Tours - 100+ Ireland Airfields for MSFS See other Neil's Tours scenery
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/images/notams/notams21/neil0818/neil0818.jpgThere really is no other place in the British Isles like the English LakeDistrict and for anyone who uses MSFS 2020 and would like to visit the areaat sometime in the future thanks to the excellent Bing maps this is nowpossible and there is no better guide book available on the planet! I have visited the area many times since my father first took me in hisnew Ford Anglia and saw Lake Windermere from the small town of Bowness onWindermere a very busy town even then, over the years we drove all over theLake District visiting all the towns and seeing all the sights. /images/notams/notams21/neil0818/neils-tours-1.jpgI carried on touring when I got my first motorbike a BSA C15 when I was16, but it wasn't until I was in my twenties I started walking the fells, butnowhere near as much as Alfred Wainwright. Wainwright spent his whole life walking and writing about these hills andmountains, it was he that gave me the inspiration to write these guides, butpersonally I find it much easier to actually fly them, definitely the bestway to view these mountains. I recommend the Nemeth design 103 which is idealfor our type of slow visual flying. Even Wainwright said "I hope when I diethere is some kind of heaven, imagine flapping your wings around GreatGable". I have also created a few fictional airfields (and they are literallyfields) for us to operate from and I am starting our journey on the FarEastern Fells a lesser known part of the Lake District but some beautifulviews non the less and a good introduction to the Lake District where youwill also learn much of the history of the places we fly over. /images/notams/notams21/neil0818/neils-tours-2.jpgYou can see the excellent Terrain map in the view of one of the LakeDistrict’s most popular walks "Striding Edge", clearly showing the knife edgewalk with Swirral Edge on the left and Catstye Cam at the end, with Red Tarnsnuggling safely in the bottom. A good days walk is anything from 3-12 hours hard graft and you have to befairly fit. We can cover the same area by air and see much more in 12-15 minsand that’s not rushing so if you fancy viewing the Lake District as neverbefore try Westwood Walks Vol-1. When all the volumes are complete you willprobably know as mush about the hills as the great man himself. /images/notams/notams21/neil0818/neils-tours-1.jpgPurchase Neil's Tours - Westwood Walks Vol 4 for MSFS 2020 See other packages from Neil's Tours
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/images/notams/notams21/neil0806/neil0806.jpgSurely there is no other place in England like The Lake District. Here insuch a small compact area surely lies the Jewel of the English Crown. So manymountains and fells, a lifetimes work to map them. Alfred Wainwright did hisutmost by writing 7 volumes of guide books. I in my own little way am goingto try and show you that same beauty from a slightly differentperspective. In truth I don’t suppose there are many days you can fly up herein a microlight due mainly to the winds on top of the mountains I think we’dtend to go backwards at times. /images/notams/notams21/neil0806/westwood-walks-1.jpg<A number of years ago I started to show you the beauty with my Flying BikeTour in 2004 but graphics have improved since then and will no doubt continuedoing so in the future. Many guide books have been written about the lakeseven long before Wainwright first visiting The Lake District. The first Ithink was written in the mid 1700’s. William Wordsworth wrote quite a fewguide books himself but then complained when there were too many visitors!The best known today are the 7 volumes of Wainwright’s Guide Books. Todaythanks to computers I myself have the capability to give people around theWorld some idea of what The Lake District has to offer and together we canlearn as much as we can. It is very difficult to compartmentalise The LakeDistrict so we will occasionally re-cross footpaths from different directionsbut that will just add to our knowledge as we learn together. Welcome to Volume 3! /images/notams/notams21/neil0806/westwood-walks-2.jpg<There really is no other place in the British Isles like the English LakeDistrict and for anyone who uses MSFS 2020 and would like to visit the areaat sometime in the future thanks to the excellent Bing maps this is nowpossible and there is no better guide book available on the planet! Wainwright spent his whole life walking and writing about these hills andmountains, it was he that gave me the inspiration to write these guides, butpersonally I find it much easier to actually fly them, definitely the bestway to view these mountains. I recommend the Nemeth design 103 which is idealfor our type of slow visual flying. Even Wainwright said "I hope when I diethere is some kind of heaven, imagine flapping your wings around GreatGable". /images/notams/notams21/neil0806/westwood-walks-3.jpg<I have also created a few fictional airfields (and they are literallyfields) for us to operate from and I am starting our journey on theEastern/Northern Fells. We will explore the area around the well known townof Grasmere, where we have our fictional field. I will introduce you to someof the walks available in the area and show you sights like "The Lion & theLamb", a rock structure that looks just like it (from a certain angle). A good days walk is anything from 3-12 hours hard graft and you have to befairly fit. We can cover the same area by air and see much more in 12-15minutes and that's not rushing so if you fancy viewing the Lake District asnever before try Westwood Walks Vol. 1 and 2. When all the volumes arecomplete you will probably know as much about the hills as the great manhimself. /images/notams/notams21/neil0806/westwood-walks-4.jpg<Purchase Neil's Tours - Westwood Walks Vol 3 for MSFS 2020 See other Neil's Tours add-ons for MSFS 2020
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Neil's Tours - Westwood Walks Vol 1 for MSFS 2020
Nels_Anderson posted an article in vBulletin Articles
/images/notams/notams21/neil0713/neil0713.jpgA Flying Tour of the English Lake District There really is no other place in the British Isles like theEnglish Lake District and for anyone who uses MSFS 2020 and would liketo visit the area at sometime in the future thanks to the excellentBing maps this is now possible and there is no better guide bookavailable on the planet! /images/notams/notams21/neil0713/neils-tours-2.jpgI have visited the area many times since my father first took me inhis new Ford Anglia and saw Lake Windermere from the small town ofBowness on Windermere a very busy town even then. Over the years wedrove all over the Lake District visiting all the towns and seeing allthe sights. I carried on touring when I got my first motorbike, a BSA C15, whenI was 16, but it wasn't until I was in my twenties I started walkingthe fells, but nowhere near as much as Alfred Wainwright. /images/notams/notams21/neil0713/neils-tours-3.jpgWainwright spent his whole life walking and writing about thesehills and mountains. It was he that gave me the inspiration to writethese guides, but personally I find it much easier to actually flythem, definitely the best way to view these mountains. I recommend theNemeth Design 103 which is ideal for our type of slow visualflying. Even Wainwright said "I hope when I die there is some kind ofheaven, imagine flapping your wings around Great Gable". I have also created a few fictional airfields (and they areliterally fields) for us to operate from and I am starting our journeyon the Far Eastern Fells, a lesser known part of the Lake District butsome beautiful views none the less and a good introduction to the LakeDistrict where you will also learn much of the history of the placeswe fly over. You can see the excellent terrain map in the view of one of theLake District's most popular walks "Striding Edge", clearly showingthe knife edge walk with Swirral Edge on the left and Catstye Cam atthe end, with Red Tarn snuggling safely in the bottom. /images/notams/notams21/neil0713/neils-tours-1.jpgA good days walk is anything from 3-12 hours hard graft and youhave to be fairly fit. We can cover the same area by air and see muchmore in 12-15 minutes and that's not rushing so if you fancy viewingthe Lake District as never before try Westwood Walks Vol. 1. When allthe volumes are complete you will probably know as much about thehills as the great man himself. Purchase Neil's Tours - Westwood Walks Vol 1 for MSFS 2020 See other Neil's Tours add-ons for MSFS 2020 -
/images/notams/notams21/neil0706/neil0706.jpgThis volume is totally free to all users of Neil's Farm Strips. There area few new ones and some updated ones where I bought a lawn mower and havemanaged to mow the grass. Here we have another 21 farm strips. Most are updates to existing fieldsbut a few new ones are included. Most of the airfields are artistic licenceand are not meant to represent the real buildings. I have provided a parkingspot at all of the fields. As MSFS has progressed I am even more convincedthat this simulation when the few problems with the heavy metal have beenironed out will eventually go on to be No. 1 for many years to come. /images/notams/notams21/neil0706/neils-tours-1.jpgIncluded Airfields(N) new (U) updated Berrier (U) EGPQCurrock Hill (U) AG107Felixkirk (U) EGUQEgton (U) EGXXGrovesend (N) AG100Hollym (U) AG95Hollym2 (U) AG96Hornby Hall (U) AG127Ince (U) EGICKnitsley Mill (N) AG222Landaulph (N) AG98Llandegla (U) EGMWNantclwyd (U) EGRUPeterlee (U) EGUKRendcomb (N) AG99Rhos Y Gilwen (U) AG212Roshirwaun (U) AG154Sandhill (N) EGUGTudweiliog (U) AG155Yearby (U) EGRC /images/notams/notams21/neil0706/neils-tours-2.jpg /images/notams/notams21/neil0706/neils-tours-3.jpgGet Neil's Tours - UK Farm Strips - Vol 15 for MSFS at the FlightSim.Com Store See all Neil's Tours scenery
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/images/notams/notams21/neil0416/neil0416.jpgHere we have another 20 hard to find and challenging grass fields. Most ofthe airfields are artistic licence and are not meant to look like the realthing. I have provided a parking spot at most of the fields. As MSFS has progressed I am even more convinced that this simulation whenthe few problems with the heavy metal have been ironed out will eventually goon to be No.1 for many years to come. /images/notams/notams21/neil0416/uk-farms-1.jpgIncluded AirfieldsBognor EGKCBurn EGBYCliffe EGIDColonsay EGEYDefford AG320Fetlar FEAFinmere AG319Graveley EGVRHardwicke EGIPHorham EGZHHoughton (update) EGNAJackrells Farm EGTXNew-Farm (Bristol) AG125Priory Farm AG301Sherburn EGCJSlinfold AG97Stoke Golding EGUXStow Maries EGZXSturton Grange/Garforth EGGFUnst EGPW /images/notams/notams21/neil0416/uk-farms-2.jpg /images/notams/notams21/neil0416/uk-farms-3.jpgAlong with the scenery you also get a 26 page guide book in PDFformat. The guide includes information on all the fields, including writtendetails, charts and photos that will help you find and enjoy the scenery. Purchase Neil's Tours - UK Farm Strips - Vol 11 for MSFS
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/images/notams/notams20/neil1125.jpgNeil's Tours announcing their Thanksgiving Sale for 2020, offering20% off of all but their very latest products. This includes the popularWainwright's Week for MSFS, Prepar3D and X-Plane, which we just reviewed.It also includes most of his UK Farms for MSFS, as well as other packagesfor X-Plane and Prepar3D. You'll surely enjoy touring the Englishcountryside with these packages. Browse Neil's Tours add-ons Shop other Thanksgiving sales going on now at the FlightSim.Com Store
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Wainwright's WeekPublisher: Neil's ToursReview Author: John O'RourkeSuggested Price: $9.99/images/fsc/wbicons/store-buy-now-button.png /images/reviews/wainwrit/t/wainwrights-week-04.jpgAt first sight 'Wainwight's Week'seemed an unusual choice for a flight simulator add-on, but the more Iread it, the more I wanted to visit the places in the book. The English Lake District, the jewel in the English Crown is byAmerican standards tiny, covering a mere 930 square miles. However,the beauty of the place really is what sets it apart. There is so much to see and do in the Lake District, and this iswhat first attracted Alfred Wainwright to this part of England wayback in the 1930s. This book covers as much as possible the route he and his friendstook when they spent their first ever week here in May 1931. Note: All images in this review are taken from the book inquestion. /images/reviews/wainwrit/t/wainwrights-week-02.jpgAlfred Wainwright 1907 - 1991 /images/reviews/wainwrit/t/wainwrights-week-01.jpgAlfred Wainwright loved the Lake District like no one else andspent over 50 years walking over the hills in all weather conditions(once he went down Borrowdale in the middle of winter with 6 foot snowdrifts). The walks he undertook were written down in a series of books forpeople who wished to follow in his footsteps. /images/reviews/wainwrit/t/wainwrights-week-09.jpgIf memory saves me correctly, Neil Birch first wrote about the LakeDistrict way back when FS98 was the current simulator of choice, inwhich he introduced us to his "flying bike". Neil's father apparently used to enjoy cycling around the LakeDistrict at around the same time as Afred Wainwright (I wonder if theyever bumped into each other). He used to cycle up from Lancashire,throw his bike over a wall and go camping. A few days later he wouldcome back to the same wall and his bike was always there, just as heleft it (try and do that today)! FS98 (perhaps a tad later), was about the time when photographicscenery was becoming available for flight simulators. As such, Neilupdated it for FSX, then X-Plane, and then to its latest version,Flight Simulator 2020. Neil's book goes into great detail following Wainwright's journeyfrom the first day over the fells to the tiny hamlet of Patterdalewhen it rained all day (plenty of guide arrows to help you). In fact,according to the book, this was the worst weather since 1925, so not agood start to the week. On the second day, following in Wainwright's footsteps, Neil tookus over the famous or infamous Striding Edge, and then further on tothe summit of Helvellyn. Finally, before landing at a fictional fieldnear the town of Keswick, we performed a quick tour aroundBlencathra. Striding Edge /images/reviews/wainwrit/t/wainwrights-week-11.jpg /images/reviews/wainwrit/t/wainwrights-week-14.jpgOn the third day of our journey, we travelled over many of thebeautiful mountains situated in the Lake District. Some of theseincluded Cat Bells, Dale Head, Hindscarth and Robinson, beforelanding in a field right next to Lake Buttermere, which just happensto overlook the impressive bulk of Fleetwith Pike. Cat Bells /images/reviews/wainwrit/t/wainwrights-week-06.jpgSomething which became quite apparent as I progressed through thebook, is that you start to see the Lake District in a completely newlight when viewing it from above, as opposed to by foot or car. I havea feeling Alfred Wainwright would really have loved it from up here! Fleetwith Pike /images/reviews/wainwrit/t/wainwrights-week-05.jpgThe fourth day began with us flying to the tiny hamlet ofButtermere, then up the steep 3000ft+ climb over Dodd. From here, itwas up to Red Pike, then along the ridges and over Haystack's whereWainwright's ashes were scattered in a small tarn. After climbing oversome impressive looking mountains, we landed at a picturesque fieldright next to the lake in the Wasdale Valley. /images/reviews/wainwrit/t/wainwrights-week-12.jpg /images/reviews/wainwrit/t/wainwrights-week-08.jpg WastwaterOn the fifth day we tackled the impressive 3000ft+ Scafell Pike,passing over a few more mountains before spending the night in thebeautiful Langdale Valley. /images/reviews/wainwrit/t/wainwrights-week-13.jpgThe view below shows the fantastic clarity of the Bing Maps inFlight Simulator 2020. /images/reviews/wainwrit/t/wainwrights-week-07.jpgThere are various ways to climb Scafell Pike; I've done it fromboth sides with my much fitter and younger son, and personally Iprefer approaching it from the side shown in the image above as it'svisually more impressive...if a little more tiring on the legs. The National Trust who maintain and look after the Lake District,had to build a new path up the mountain as the original one was beingworn away from use. As you can see from Neil's screen shot, thefootpath is quite clearly shown zigzagging its way up to thesummit. If you look closely you can see the other steeper footpath onthe right. Again, viewing the hills/mountains from the air, you can't fail tobe impressed by the scenery as shown below: /images/reviews/wainwrit/t/wainwrights-week-15.jpgAt the end of this day's flight we landed in the beautiful LangdaleValley, with the Langdale Pikes in full view. Compared to the hustleand bustle of much of the Lake District (too many people onoccasions), the Langdale Valley has always seemed to be a lot morepeaceful, at least it was when I visited. Langdale PikesOur final day took us up and over the Langdale Pikes following theclearly marked footpaths towards the village of Grasmere, passing overthe rock formation known as The Lion and the Lamb (shown below): /images/reviews/wainwrit/t/wainwrights-week-10.jpgThe Lion and the Lamb /images/reviews/wainwrit/t/wainwrights-week-03.jpgGrasmere Water, as seen in the image above, is quite different tothe village Grasmere, which is an incredibly busy place, especially inthe summer. This is due mainly to its connections with the poetWilliam Wordsworth. Alfred Wainwright and his friends passed through here beforepicking up the bus at Ambleside and then catching the train back tothe smokey mill town of Blackburn. ConclusionHaving made my way through Neil's book, I must say it's certainly aunique and enjoyable way of introducing people to the LakeDistrict. In fact, even if you are familiar with certain areas (as Iam), there is still plenty of new sights to take in. What's also clear from reading through Neil's book, is the love andattention to detail he has put into it. Having purchased quite anumber of add-ons this year (the joys of lockdown), I must say thatthis is perhaps the most fascinating addition to my library yet. Having not been to the Lake District for quite some time now(mainly due to the reason above), Neil's book provides a good excusein which to go exploring, and one that I wholeheartedly recommendothers to try. /images/reviews/wainwrit/title3.jpg Purchase Wainwright's Week for MSFS 2020 Also available for X-Plane 11 Also available for Prepar3D v4 See other Neil's Tours packages for MSFS 2020
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/images/notams/notams20/neil1124/neil1124.jpgHere we are with Neil's Farm Strips Volume 4. This time it is slightlydifferent as we now have quite a lot of custom models, although they aresimply converted models from my FSX scenery so far. All my farm strips aresimply artistic licence and are not meant to look like the real thing butjust to add some life to the scenery. I have placed all the models in a separate folder for you to addyourself, if you have an older computer and the scenery is too heavy simplyremove the model folders. Feel free to use the models in your scenery justgive me a nod, that's all I ask. /images/notams/notams20/neil1124/uk-farm-strips-1.jpg /images/notams/notams20/neil1124/uk-farm-strips-2.jpgIncluded AirfieldsBucknall EGWZElan Valley AG125Fadmoor EG19Green Acres AG129Hollym AG126Hornby Hall AG127Kilkerran AG128Lelant AG130Llandegla EGMWLower Botrea AG131Mount Airey EGFJMount Rule EGZWNantclwyd EGNFPeterlee EGUKPorthtowan EGTMSherlowe EGWGSkirwith AG132Slinfold AG97Tresco AG124Truro EGHY /images/notams/notams20/neil1124/uk-farm-strips-3.jpg /images/notams/notams20/neil1124/uk-farm-strips-4.jpgAlong with the scenery you also get a 51 page guide book in PDFformat. The guide includes information on all the fields, including writtendetails, charts and photos that will help you find and enjoy thescenery. Purchase Neil's Tours UK Farm Strips Vol. 4 For MSFS
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A Beginners View of Flight Simulator 2020By Neil Birch /images/op-eds/neilmsfs/t/bolt-head-1.jpgWelcome to a new era of flight simulation. I have been lucky enough to have flown FS2020 for some time now(was a beta tester), and I must admit that my view is still the sameas when I first experienced it, and that is WOW! I am certainly not an expert on all matters regarding FS2020, Ihave simply flown it, but I must say, it pretty much worked out of thebox for me. In saying that though, this is the first time in my 72years of existence that no manual was included, which I thought wasabsolutely ridiculous for such a complex beast. I have been around flight simulators since almost the beginning,way back to 1980 in fact, and still have in my little black book,Bruce Artwick's telephone number (the younger generation might notknow who he is). I started on the Sinclair Spectrum 48K, the start ofa long line of computers, and the simulator was called "Flight" andcame on a cassette. It consisted (if my memory serves me right) mainly of greensquiggly lines. Back then you had to have a good imagination, but Ican still remember how cutting edge it was, even back then. The successor to the 48K was the Sinclair Spectrum 128K, but Iskipped that and went straight to the Commodore 64, which had slightlybetter graphics. It also enabled me to use subLogic's FlightSimulator II and all the scenery discs which came with it (I purchaseda second floppy disc drive especially for it). /images/op-eds/neilmsfs/t/brighton_pier.jpgAs many of you will be aware, I love microlights and small aircraft(especially farm strip flying), and so when I moved to FS98, Idesigned most of the British Isles for it, and was the first personto design a mesh terrain for the UK. I then started designing my own scenery named "Farm Strips", beinginspired by my late dear friend Bryan Lockyear's, guide book "FarmStrips and Private Airfields Flight Guide". Believe it or not, theUK has no fewer that over 300 grass strips dotted around the country. In 2007, like millions of others, I moved to FSX which was a hugeleap forward in terms of realism, enhanced further by the likes ofJust Flight and Playsim with their photographic sceneries of theUK. Again, the development of my own Farm Strips continued on thisplatform. After over 12 years on FSX I decided to move to X-Plane 11, myfirst true 64 bit simulator. Using Laminar Research's freely availablescenery designer called World Editor (WED) and FlyAgi's add-ons, plusJonathan Harris' excellent FS2XPLANE plugin (without which I wouldn'thave been able to alter my FSX files), I managed to convert some of myFSX farm strips to X-Plane. Note: If you're reading this Jonathan, many thanks...and pleaseconsider making a program called FSX2-2020. Anyway...I won't bore you with the rest, but at least now you havesome idea of where I am coming from. Which leaves us with FS2020. /images/op-eds/neilmsfs/t/fresh-1.jpgWhen I first opened MSFS 2020 I was slightly wary, as it had a similarinterface to FSW (Flight Sim World), Dovetail Games attempt atbreaking into the flight simulator genre; and we all know the outcometo that particular story. Now I must admit, I didn't bother with Courchevel or the flighttraining option in MSFS 2020, I just wanted to fly somewhere that Iknew. Looking at the world map, I was initially very disappointed bythe choice of airports in the UK (I bet I wasn't the only one).However, it wasn't until I noticed the airport search box did Irealise that I had over 37,000+ airports and airfields at my disposal! I typed in EGIL, St. Michael's (a microlight training field over onthe Fylde coast) and to my incredible surprise it was listed...WOW! Iselected it and a few minutes later, there I was, at EGIL. The grasswas unbelievable and for a default aircraft, the graphics were firstclass. So what about setting it up and flight dynamics? Well, this is where I did run into some issues, as MSFS 2020 has beendesigned to automatically detect certain popular makes of controls,but as my joystick is a specially made product from RC Simulations, itdidn't, with the result being that I had to set up virtuallyeverything from scratch (and with no manual). I did get it going, buta lot of it was guesswork, and I must admit I wasn't particularlyimpressed by their joystick interface. In this area, both FSX and X-Plane are far more intuitive and a lotsimpler to setup. I also dislike the `SENSITIVITIES' setup; again bothFSX and X-Plane are superior in this respect. /images/op-eds/neilmsfs/t/lundy-1.jpgAfter a while, I did eventually get everything working, but I stillwasn't happy with the result. Controlling the aircraft was difficult,and I felt the whole thing very unsatisfactory, so I went back toX-Plane. However, knowing that there was potentially a good sim under there,and also the fact that I have never been a quitter, I went back to itafter a while with a fresh mind...and this time, I managed to getthings working. Whether this was due to the sim being updated, or mystubborn perseverance, I'm not sure, but I am a lot happier with itnow. For myself personally, I am amazed that all my grass airfieldswhich I frequent so often, are actually included in the base simulator(albeit with default buildings). All I would like to do now, is toconvert my existing sceneries so that they are compatible with the newsim. Moving on to the flight dynamics of the GA aircraft, and I must saythey are greatly improved. With both the alpha and beta releases ofthe MSFS 2020, I wasn't overly impressed with them, but now they arereally enjoyable (especially flying with my brother in multiplayer). Due to the nature of the aircraft I prefer to fly, I have purchasedthe Premium Edition so have all the aircraft at my disposal (eventhough I have no interest in heavy metal). When it comes to the weather, unlike FSX and X-Plane where I hardlyever had wind turned on, MSFS 2020 is a whole different ballgame; it'sactually like real world flying! /images/op-eds/neilmsfs/t/ss.jpgStaying with real world flying for the moment, and as much as Ihate to admit it, but...finding my farm strips in MSFS S2020 is reallydifficult...because they don't stand out any more, they just blendnaturally into the scenery. Just like real life, they are difficultto spot, and it made me realize how lazy I had become as a virtualpilot. What I am trying to say here, is that MSFS 2020 really is thatdifferent to past flight simulators. It's such a massive leap overwhat has come before, that it will take some time to get to know. Ifyou can invest the time in it, then I truly believe that MSFS 2020 is theperfect sim, both for enjoyment and also for learning. For myself, as a 72 year old enthusiastic scenery designer...I'venever been happier! Neil Birch View Neil's Freeware Neil's Tours
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/images/notams/notams19/neil1123.jpgTour The English Lake District With Neil's ToursThe Lake District is a popular tourist destination in themountainous region of northwestern England. Its scenery is famous, withbeautiful lakes, forests and mountains. Alfred Wainwright helped makethe area popular with his pictorial guide books. It's a great place tovisit on foot, and now thanks to Neil's Tours, by air. /images/notams/notams19/neil0330/wainwright-2.jpgNeil's Tours, now on sale at the FlightSim.Com Store at 50% off, offstour guides and scenery for FSX, Prepar3D and X-Plane pilots to explorethis scenic country, following in the footsteps of Alfred Wainwright. /images/notams/notams19/neil0330/wainwright-3.jpgFree background scenery for X-Plane is available from the FlightSim.Comfile library either as a regular browser download or viatorrents. These are the three scenery files: Part 1: Lake-District.zip Part 2: Lake-District-2-4-4.zip Part 3: overlay.zip About The Author Neil BirchNeil Birch is a long time flightsimmer and has been creating sceneryand tours for FSX for many years. This is his first venture into X-Plane.Neil is a pensioner who lives not far from the Lake District. Read our interview with Neil Birch Purchase Neil's Tours - now on sale
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/images/notams/notams19/neil0812/neil0812.jpgThe final volume in the Lake District adventures. This volume covers mainly the North Western region of The Lakescovering Borrowdale, a tour down two of the Lake District's roadpasses, Buttermere, Kirk Fell, 2949 foot Great Gable, the 2569 footGlamara and many many more of The Lake District's hills and mountainsfinishing off with a guide tour around Lake Windermere. Includes areadme/Installation Guide, a 70+ page guide book in PDF format and 1.5GB worth of scenery. /images/notams/notams19/neil0812/westwood-walks-1.jpgAbout The Lake DistrictSurely there is no other place in England like The LakeDistrict. Here in such a small compact area lies the jewel of theEnglish Crown. So many mountains and fells, a lifetime's work to mapthem. Alfred Wainwright did his utmost by writing seven volumes ofguide books. I in my own little way am going to try and show you thatsame beauty from a slightly different perspective. A number of yearsago I started to show you the beauty with my Flying Bike Tour inFS2004 but graphics have improved since then and will no doubtcontinue doing so in the future. Many guide books have been written about the lakes even long beforeWainwright first visiting The Lake District. The first I think waswritten in the mid 1700's. William Wordsworth wrote quite a few guidebooks himself but then complained there were too many visitors! Thebest known today are the seven volumes of Wainwright's GuideBooks. Today thanks to computers I myself have the capability to givepeople around the world some idea of what The Lake District has tooffer and together we can learn as much as we can. It is very difficult to compartmentalise The Lake District so wewill occasionally re-cross footpaths from different directions butthat will just add to our knowledge as we learn together. I will alsotell you a little bit about the history of the areas that we will beflying over so you will know even more. /images/notams/notams19/neil0812/westwood-walks-2.jpgSceneryTo make these flights possible I have created three ortho files @18 magnification which is the best (although i can supply 19X which iseven better (USB only) which are free to download here onFlightSim.Com (or if you prefer they can be supplied (for a deposit +postage) on a USB stick as two of the files are quite large). You canof course use these free ortho files on their own for you to enjoy thescenery. The free background scenery is available from the FlightSim.Comfile library either as a regular browser download or viatorrents. These are the three scenery files: Part 1: Lake-District.zipPart 2: Lake-District-2-4-4.zipPart 3: overlay.zip /images/notams/notams19/neil0812/westwood-walks-3.jpgThe TourThe tour package includes additional scenery of airfields, a fullset of flight plans and an extensive guidebook in the form of a PDFfile. The 62 page guidebook is the heart of the tour, offering maps,photos, instructions and a detailed week-long itinerary that willguide your flights to the best parts of the scenery. About The Author Neil BirchNeil Birch is a long time flightsimmer and has been creatingscenery and tours for FSX for many years. This is his first ventureinto X-Plane. Neil is a pensioner who lives not far from the LakeDistrict. Read our interview with Neil Birch Purchase Westwood Walks In The Lake District Volume 4 North West for X-Plane
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Westwood Walks In The Lake District Volume 3 North Western for X-Plane
Nels_Anderson posted an article in X-Plane
/images/notams/notams19/west0719/west0719.jpgWestwood Walks Vol. 3 is the third of four volumes in the LakeDistrict adventures. This volume covers mainly the North Western region of The Lakescovering the area around the beautiful village of Grasmer, home to thefamous poet William Wordsworth. Fly around the 2847 foot Blencathra, explore the 3000 foot Skiddawrange, take a tour down the Borrowdale Valley, discover Catbells andmuch more. Includes a readme/installation guide plus a 70+ page guidebook in PDF format and 912 MBs worth of scenery. /images/notams/notams19/west0719/neils-tours-1.jpgAbout The Lake DistrictSurely there is no other place in England like The LakeDistrict. Here in such a small compact area lies the jewel of theEnglish Crown. So many mountains and fells, a lifetime's work to mapthem. Alfred Wainwright did his utmost by writing seven volumes ofguide books. I in my own little way am going to try and show you thatsame beauty from a slightly different perspective. A number of yearsago I started to show you the beauty with my Flying Bike Tour inFS2004 but graphics have improved since then and will no doubtcontinue doing so in the future. Many guide books have been written about the lakes even long beforeWainwright first visiting The Lake District. The first I think waswritten in the mid 1700¡¦s. William Wordsworth wrote quite a few guidebooks himself but then complained there were too many visitors! Thebest known today are the seven volumes of Wainwright¡¦s GuideBooks. Today thanks to computers I myself have the capability to givepeople around the world some idea of what The Lake District has tooffer and together we can learn as much as we can. It is very difficult to compartmentalise The Lake District so wewill occasionally re-cross footpaths from different directions butthat will just add to our knowledge as we learn together. I will alsotell you a little bit about the history of the areas that we will beflying over so you will know even more. /images/notams/notams19/west0719/neils-tours-2.jpgSceneryTo make these flights possible I have created three ortho files @18 magnification which is the best (although i can supply 19X which iseven better (USB only) which are free to download here onFlightSim.Com (or if you prefer they can be supplied (for a deposit +postage)on a USB stick as two of the files are quite large). You canof course use these free ortho files on their own for you to enjoy thescenery. As I said earlier the files have been specifically created @ 18magnification for low level visual flight and are ideal for use by theAerolite 103. Two of the file sizes (3) are large but all three can be suppliedon a USB stick if required. A £á/$ 25 deposit will be required and£á/$21 (£á4 p+p) will be refunded on return of the stick. If you would like the scenery at 19 magnification @ just over 200GB this can only be supplied on USB. The free background scenery is available from the FlightSim.Comfile library either as a regular browser download or viatorrents. These are the three scenery files: Part 1: Lake-District.zip Part 2: Lake-District-2-4-4.zip Part 3: overlay.zip To obtain the scenery on USB stick contact the author:neil.birch@ntlworld.com /images/notams/notams19/west0719/neils-tours-3.jpgThe TourThe tour package includes additional scenery of airfields, a fullset of flight plans and an extensive guidebook in the form of a PDFfile. The 70 page guidebook is the heart of the tour, offering maps,photos, instructions and a detailed week-long itinerary that willguide your flights to the best parts of the scenery. About The Author Neil BirchNeil Birch is a long time flightsimmer and has been creatingscenery and tours for FSX for many years. This is his first ventureinto X-Plane. Neil is a pensioner who lives not far from the LakeDistrict. Read our interview with Neil Birch Purchase Neil's Tours - Westwood Walks Vol. 3 -
Neil's Tours Releases Westwood Walks Volume 1 /images/notams/notams19/neil0515/neil0515.jpgIntroductionWestwood Walks Vol-1 is the first of four volumes covering the EnglishLake District in greater detail thanks in the main to the 18xmagnification of the free Ortho files (download at FlightSim.Com). This particular volume covers the Far Eastern side of the LakeDistrict, covering a quieter more serene area (normally). Mainlybecause it's harder to reach by road which is stopped dead by themassive bulk of the surrounding hills overshadowing the small carpark. /images/notams/notams19/neil0515/neil-1.jpgWe start our journey at a fictional airstrip near Haweswater Damand spend the next week exploring just what this area has tooffer. I will show you a High Street without shops, a bell that doesn¡¯tring, a Hall where the film Withnail and I was shot and also tell youa little more of the fascinating history of this area and leave youknowing as much if not more than many people who have visited thisarea for years. Our vantage spot up in the air also allows us to seethings mere mortals probably don¡¯t even know exist: /images/notams/notams19/neil0515/neil-2.jpgHaweswater DamSwindale BeckHaweswater DamRiggindalePatterdaleHelvellynHart Crag Blea WaterPurchase Neil's Tours - Westwood Walks Vol. 1 For X-Plane Purchase Neil's Tours - Westwood Walks Vol. 1 For FSX/P3D
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/images/notams/notams19/neil0330/neil0330.jpgThe English Lake District for X-Plane 11 onlyThe Lake District is a popular tourist destination in themountainous region of northwestern England. Its scenery is famous, withbeautiful lakes, forests and mountains. Alfred Wainwright helped makethe area popular with his pictorial guide books. It's a great place tovisit on foot, and now thanks to Neil's Tours, by air. /images/notams/notams19/neil0330/wainwright-2.jpgThis is the first of possibly 6/7 volumes of flights exploring andshowing people from all over the world what the English Lake Districthas to offer. The first being Wainwright's Walk of 1931. This was Alfred Wainwright's first ever weeks holiday in the LakeDistrict where along with three of his friends they went on to walkover many of the hills and mountains. To make these flights possible Ihave created three ortho files @ 18 magnification which is the best(although I can supply 19X which is even better (USB only) which arefree to download here on FlightSim.Com (or if you prefer they can besupplied (for a deposit + postage) on a USB stick as two of the filesare quite large). You can of course use these free ortho files ontheir own for you to enjoy the scenery. /images/notams/notams19/neil0330/wainwright-3.jpgThe free background scenery is available from the FlightSim.Comfile library either as a regular browser download or viatorrents. These are the three scenery files: Part 1: Lake-District.zip Part 2: Lake-District-2-4-4.zip Part 3: overlay.zip To obtain the scenery on USB stick contact the author: neil.birch@ntlworld.com /images/notams/notams19/neil0330/wainwright-1.jpgThe TourThe tour package includes additional scenery of airfields, a full setof flight plans and an extensive guidebook in the form of a PDF file. Alsoincluded is a new/old livery for the Aerolite 103, which is an idealaircraft for exploring the region low and slow. The 54 page guidebook is the heart of the tour, offering maps, photos,instructions and a detailed week-long itinerary that will guide yourflights to the best parts of the scenery. /images/notams/notams19/neil0330/wainwright-4.jpgAbout The Author Neil BirchNeil Birch is a long time flightsimmer and has been creating sceneryand tours for FSX for many years. This is his first venture into X-Plane.Neil is a pensioner who lives not far from the Lake District. Read our interview with Neil Birch Purchase Neil's Tours - Wainwright's Week for X-Plane 11
