Kudos to my controllers last night!

[wpatrick]

New to X-Plane and to Pilotedge, but a GA pilot with my PPL, I bought a gaming headset yesterday and tried the introductory learning flight last night. When asked to Ident I didn't even know how to zoom in to hit the Ident button on the transponder (need to learn my X-Plane views) but the controller was more than patient. I also didn't know how to easily pan the view in the cockpit to look left for the aiport, etc. so needed to often "pause" my flight as I learned X-Plane operations. Terrible flight paths and landings on my first flights, but the Pilotedge environment was one in which you almost HAD to learn something - which is exactly the purpose.

I often fly with flight following in the real world and land at controlled airports, and I was AMAZED at the knowledge and workload-handling capacity of the controllers who were on the network. I'm hoping to master being able to control my virtual plane so I'm not as much of a burden on the PE ATC crew, and I'm really looking forward to sharpening some skills as I progress through my instrument training.

Kudos to the PE team!

Wade

[Keith Smith]

Wade, welcome to the network. It's great to see a real world pilot joining the simulation community. Once you get through the learning curve with the sim, you'll really be able to take advantage of the service. Definitely spend the time to learn how to get around in the cockpit. The QuickLook feature is gold, allowing you to save a bunch of 3d views, mapped to the number pad. CTRL-numpad saves the view, then pressing the the number pad alone recalls the views. You can save up to 10 views (numbered 0-9).

[stealthbob]

XPlane in general can be a little clunky when starting out, here is a good vid to get you properly setup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMSoOlfIdVA

[wpatrick]

Wade, welcome to the network. It's great to see a real world pilot joining the simulation community. Once you get through the learning curve with the sim, you'll really be able to take advantage of the service. Definitely spend the time to learn how to get around in the cockpit. The QuickLook feature is gold, allowing you to save a bunch of 3d views, mapped to the number pad. CTRL-numpad saves the view, then pressing the the number pad alone recalls the views. You can save up to 10 views (numbered 0-9).

Thanks Keith! I read about that this morning and I also went home at lunch just to change my default view to 3D, change my hat button on the joystick to pan left/right/up/down instead of trim, etc. I'll get more comfortable...I just need to spend the time.

Wade

[wpatrick]

XPlane in general can be a little clunky when starting out, here is a good vid to get you properly setup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMSoOlfIdVA

Thanks SB. I think that's one I found this morning along with some other things, so maybe tonight I'll get some SIM time. As my friend/CFI usually says..."that's one more spoonful of experience for your bowl". LOL