This is going to be one hell of a necro, and for that I apologise...

But yesterday I had my first ever flying lesson, in a Schleicher ASK-13 glider. I had been pretty unconvinced that the (many) hundred hours' flight time I've had as a virtual pilot would be of any value at all, but my instructor had been pretty complementary about my turns and remarked that they had been very good for a first timer. That suddenly got me thinking back to having read Dart's article about his transfer from Sims to real aviation, and I went to re-read it.

Very similar experience in some ways, although I had only 30 minutes airborne and about 15 in control (more a taster than a lesson). Very little need to explain the controls & principles of flight, and flying with FFB stick & pedals on the PC with the sensitivity turned way up high had clearly helped as I was very smooth (if I say so myself) rather than massively overcorrecting or yanking it about as I was expecting I probably would.

As with Dart's write-up - landing is a whole other issue in the real world and thank god I wasn't trying it, is all I can say. With no ability to make a pass and second attempt in a glider, getting the bird down where you want her the first time around is bloody important - so the approach was short, steep and frankly - bloody terrifying! 50kts never felt so fast.

Loved it. Can't afford to take regular lessons, can't afford the club membership fees, but I get three months temporary membership included with the trial and I intend to get a few more flights in before it ends. Even if it will only make it harder to stop at three months having briefly satisfied the urge to fly. Strongly recommend every other virtual pilot out there who hasn't flown for real to give it a try, even if only the once. It's amazing.

Loved the article as with many others here, brought back more than a few memories and good to see the southern cross area being represented.