Hi Simmers of the world
I have been a member of the Flight Simulator User Group, UK
http://www.flightsimgrpuk.free-online.co.uk for over a year now and would just like to talk on club life. I have never considered myself a club type of person and didnt know whether I would fit in to a small meeting environment every month at Ipplepen, near Newton Abbot, Devon, UK, I do mainly VFR flying ( more on that later ) although the serious simmers seem to fly heavys. But I loaded my three screen system into the car, and arrived early to set up as I had heard it is also a walk in meeting for none members. I was made most welcome, learnt a few tips which improved the running of my machine dramatically that coming from a person who thought he new it all, they also benefited and learnt from what I was doing, regular club members I now see as friends. Simmers from other areas have attended, seen what we do and tried to get similar local meeting going within there area, but there must be something about simmers world wide for the best part, we seem to be anti club and loaners, or not realize the benefits of self help within a club, now to me life without the F.S.U.G. would be like life without SurClaro let me know if you are interested. Recently we were honoured with a visit from a fellow simmer, all the way from Calgary in Canada, although his stay didnt coincide with one of our regular meetings we gave him a day to remember, starting at a member with two flightsim in one room one sporting a helicopter jig, then another member with a large projector system, then up to my place for a go one my muli screen set up now sporting six monitors. He added at the end that he would be looking into starting a similar club in Canada, if you are Canadian and interested E-mail me for details.
Now for VFR flying my style, no charts just road maps and a little protractor for navigating, beats just looking at a needle, and you get to see the place names. I hope to upgrade to ordinance and survey maps one day. Flying away from home I do mainly in New Zealand, I have Christian Stocks 20m mesh and Topo Scenery its not photo but these two transform New Zealand into the most awesome place to fly in the virtual world. If you havent tried mountain flying in the most detail mesh yet, it is highly recommended. As lots of club members have seen at the meeting. Plus a lot of fellow simmers who attended the Bristol Show this year, and saw my stand
Think about it, sharing your simming experiences with others, even if its only two or three local members its a start, its how we started, now just to cope, we have eight plus hands on stations at every meeting, and nearly always end up laughing at some impossible challenge tried by some adventurers simmer. Small local meetings lets you stay currant review new aircraft/scenery that other members have purchase, in the new year we are hoping for a demo on projectors at Ipplepen by a local firm.
Happy Landing
Howard
(biggles)
1biggles1@onetel.net
