my Spa Shop-Articles

The moment I write this I am 64 years old and so is the peace that followed World War Two. This means that I'm "post war", and that's the way I want to keep it! It also means that I only saw Roy Chadwick's Avro Lancaster impressive in peaceful fly-by's which is a scarce enough happening, considering that there are only two (!) airworthy Lancasters left in the whole wide world. There's very little airtime to be shared among the eager crowd, so there are probably less than a dozen people who get to fly a real Lancaster from the left seat every once in a while.

The closest us mere mortals can come to flying Lancasters, is via simulation. I am dedicated to Microsofts Flight Simulator X, in which I fly "my own" version of the B1 Lancaster, a hybrid based on the "Wings of Power" version for exterior and flight dynamics, and for the panel on just about everything including the kitchen sink. Out of many existing panels and gauges that I collected all over the place, I created a strictly individual panel version.

Panel redrawing required!

There are several reasons for me to design my own panels. Firstly because there's no ready made Lancaster panel available that's even remotely to my liking "looks-wise". Secondly because all available panels put the simulated captains eyepoint somewhere in the lateral center of the cockpit, like straight behind the throttle and propeller levers. That's truly bad because it takes away much of the illusion or immersion. Although my real world flying experiences are sadly confined to single engined pipsqueeks like Cessna 172 and Piper Cherokee, I know that Lancaster pilots did not sit with their family jewels shoved painfully into the throttle/propeller quadrants of their Avro Lancaster bomber!

My panel redesigns produce a more natural pilots position, and considerably enlarged instruments. Simulation, including flight simulation, is simply illusion - and I don't give a fig about the panel lay-out being realistic: I want it to look and feel realistic within the confines of a computer screen!!

The controls and such

To produce a decent level of realism, flying your simulated bomber with the keyboard or mouse won't do. If you can even remotely afford it, a steering yoke is an absolute must, with a set of pedals coming in a close second. Fortunately these things are available in a wide price range, from remarkably strong but equally expensive, to somewhat wobbly but easily in the affordability sector of most of us.

Now, bashfully I have a confession to make. Some six years ago I got the cheapest yoke and pedals I could get, and I'm still using them without a problem and to my great satisfaction! In those years I must have bought for more than a couple of thousand dollars worth of other flight sim equipment, but I never saw any reason for discarding my old and faithful pedals/yoke set! Sure, eventually I'll replace them, even if it is only on account of normal wear and tear from almost daily use, but I'm not holding my breath in either hope or despair.

A red and sweaty face!

I will never say that a relatively simple computer simulation like MS Flight Simulator X can ever give you the joy of flying the real thing, but sometimes it comes astonishingly close. I've made many a simulated landing under conditions that turned my face red with concentration, and sweaty with almost physical fear! Nor am I the only one with such experiences. I think it was around 2004 that an RAF flight crew trained for, and eventually flew, an MS-simulated Dam Busters raid. Those fighter jocks and "Anything, Anywhere, Anytime" types left their specifically constructed after their last more or less successful flight with a healthy respect for flight simulation, and for the good old Avro Lancaster bomber. You won't see them looking down on "that game" or "that old bomber" anymore!

Edinburgh Airport Car Parking - How You Can Reduce Costs For Edinburgh Airport Car Parking.
Information on how to get the best out of Edinburgh airport car parking. Save money and get a better service with these frequent flyer tips.

Important Information And Facts About Purple Parking Gatwick Service
Purple parking is a service being offered at all airports across the United Kingdom of England. It is one of the cheapest parking available and apart from parking it also offers ride facility.

Do You Have Any Idea About Callerton Parking Newcastle Airport? Few Useful Advice About It
Whether you are going on a flight for a business trip or for a vacation, people will always want to bring their own cars so that they can experience the convenience of not going through the not sub-par conditions of the public transportation system.

Air Port Auto Parking Newcastle Upon Tyne What Exactly Are The Type Of Advantages
Getting to the places that you want to go can be quite a hassle. It's not so much on the part that you have to think about the travel expenses.

Airport Parking Near Newcastle Airport Can It Be Worth It To Save Some Money
Office life can be extremely exhausting and most of the time, while you are toiling in your cubicle, your mind will be preoccupied with thoughts of taking a break. A break from all of the chaos inside the workplace can be a very healthy way to freshen up your batteries.

Newcastle Airport, A Modern Day Surprise For North Of England
How hard is it for you to carry all the baggage that you need to the airport? Truly, it can be very tedious to bring all of the things that you need. And if you think about it, you cannot solely rely on public transportation to help you out

Manchester Airport Parking Is The Way To Stay
Open twenty four hours a day it is no wonder so many people choose to park their car in Manchester Airport parking lots.