Yesterday was my Birthday.
Pause......while you all say Happy Birthday.
My darling wife organized an awesome surprise present.
Thanks to our neighbors, owners of a commercial flight school, I got to log .5 as PIC in an Airbus A320. That's half an hour in the left seat of one of the nicest flying twin engine commercial aircraft in service today. Simulated of course.
As a high time GA pilot of advancing years and limited disposable cash, actual flying has been non existent over the past ten years or so.
The opportunity to fly a full motion sim, usually reserved for airline pilots to train or practice on was indeed a thrill I've still not yet got over.
The realism of motion and the view out of the cockpit are totally immersive, imagine the best CGI Hollywood can provide visually, and that's what you see and experience out the window.
From take-off to landing I was lucky enough to hand fly the A/C without intervention from the FAA training Capt. seated behind me and overseeing the 'flight'.
He threw a couple of minor league curve balls at me, adding heavy chop turbulence, and snow at one point but I'm proud to say I still managed to put it on the numbers 'shiny side up'.
I'm so lucky to have a wife who knows instinctively what I'd like, and friends with the resources to make it happen, thank you to all of them, this was truly a memory I can cherish forever.
I just had to share this with you guys.
Best regards everyone, stay safe and well.