We are making plans for an online extension to our training program, using the RealFlight software.
RealFlight is a longtime recommendation for beginners to develop their skills. But it also enables you to join online sessions along with others at our virtual Marymoor field.
To join in, start RealFlight, choose Multiplayer from the menu, click Join, and if we have a server currently running you can select the Mar_C-field. You will be almost instantly transported to our beautiful location, currently hosted in Chris Randall’s basement, to fly whatever plane you select.
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to meet an instructor there, and take a class in advanced or 3D skills along with a few fellow students? You could watch demonstrations by your instructor, see others fly under instruction, then take your turn to have the instructor give you running commentary and advice on your performance.
That’s what we’re thinking. Sessions could be recorded for later review, and for others not yet ready to take part to see what’s involved and to benefit from reviewing classes from some of our most accomplished pilots.
Of course, there’s no substitute for real-life stick time. But where else could you get to fly boutique planes, with a pilot who has decades of experience at your side, without fear of the whole affair going sideways in an explosion of carbon fiber and monokote? There’s no judgement and no shame at the virtual field.
But in case you fear there is, the only chance of embarrassment occurs in the brief moment between crashing and hitting the reset button.
Check out the field whenever you can. It may not always be available, but we do our best. Also, it isn’t available on other flight simulator platforms. For the best experience, you should try a headset with a mic (an inexpensive USB gaming version works well).
We’ll have more info on the virtual training program as plans firm up, and though we clearly can’t provide tech support, we will curate setup and configuration instructions to help get people up and running quickly.
Go on – sign in and crash something *expensive*!