"If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger. If you pull the stick back, they get smaller. That is, unless you keep pulling the stick all the way back, then they get bigger again."
Scott's Cessna Simulator Project
Being an avid flight simulator user for many years, at some point several years ago, I decided that flying with a joystick on a desk in front of a small monitor wasn't realistic enough. I needed something more. So I built my first set of rudder pedals out of plywood and drawer rollers and guides. That helped some, but still, not enough. I went to an off-the-shelf desk-mounted flight yoke, which was ok for a while but lacked the "immersive" experience I wanted.
In 2005, N78LD, a 1969 Cessna 172K became a victim of Hurricane Rita. She was located at Southeast Texas Regional Airport (KBPT) in Beaumont, Texas when the storm hit. N78LD was totalled, suffering severe airframe damage-- in fact, the entire empennage was twisted completely off of the airplane.
After examining the pitiful thing, I decided that despite the extensive work that would be required, N78LD would make a great flight simulator. No airplane should end up in the boneyard junk pile.
At the time, I don't think I truly knew what I was getting myself into, I just knew that I was going to do it. You should have seen the look on my wife's face when I brought her home!
What a completely fun and rewarding endeavor it has been...
-Scott
I owe a special thanks to the following for not only the sim, but for MUCH more:
Capt. Vincent for creating "the spark" - without you, the dream of flight would remain a dream
Liz Trevino, for the first flight
My mother-in-law, Shirley who gave me the first flight as a birthday gift
Lee Parks, for the second flight and being a mentor
Austin Meyer (X-Plane author) - pure genious. Need I say more?
All of those sim 'pit builders that have inspired me along the way (mycockpit.org)
Ron Wolf of T&M Aviation- thanks for helping achieve the dream!
Keith Smith - PilotEdge Founder - a brother from another mother
Homayoun & Joann - couldn't have done it without ya!
The Cougers - for the encouragement with hardware
Chuck L. - your encouragement and wisdom is priceless
Roxanne Q. for pointing me in the right direction
Suzanne, Dr. B and Dr. M
John W. - my flyin' buddy, and Ed J. for being you.
Lou and Jim
Bob, Joe and the United Flight Systems staff
The good folks in the tower at KDWH
Dad, wish you could fly with me. Someday I'll fly with you.
The Good Lord, and all of those aviators that have inspired me to not sit idly by.
My boys and all of my family
--and mostly to my loving wife, Mitra who puts up with all of my crazy endeavors. I love you.
