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THE LOUNGE / Web Site Problems Apr - May 2023
« on: May 08, 2023, 07:18:59 AM »
Any resolution on inability for users to pull up the web site frequently (random availablity)? It also effects ability to use KACARS.
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THE LOUNGE / TWA site certificate expired 21 April
« on: May 02, 2021, 06:12:20 AM »
lately have been bypassing security warning to get on the web sites, but KACARS won't validate member log in. Checking, says not secure / expiration 21 April.
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GALLERY / Inex-Adria flight 1308 22 Oct 1981
« on: April 02, 2021, 04:38:51 PM »
I became interested in this accident because I was deployed in the 6th Fleet at the time, and Navy ships and aircraft crews were ready to assist in any way requested. However, the location of the wreckage was quickly discovered - but hardly accessible - in rapid order.
The flight was flown in a recently manufactured MD-81, registration YU-ANA and owned by the Yugoslavian state government airline Inex-Adria Airways. The plane was loaded to capacity with 173 Slovenian tourists, including several children sharing seats. The crew consisted of 7 Adria employees.
This was a same day out and in trip to the French Island of Corsica, and the capital city of Ajaccio. The short flight departed what is now the Jože Pučnik Airport in Ljubljana, now the capital of the independent nation of Slovenia. Slovenia became independent, along with numerous other areas that were previously part of the Yugoslavian federation, before the fall of the Soviet block.
This was a relatively short flight, crossing the north Adriatic and central Italy before entering French airspace approaching the northeast of Corsica..
To make matters brief, the plane crashed into a mountain while descending in a holding pattern, in IFR conditions. If it were not so tragic, it would be a comedy of errors on the part of the crew, ATC and the entire airspace management system in Europe at that time.
I think most would find the events of this tragedy very insightful; see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inex-Adria_Aviopromet_Flight_1308#Investigation
as well as a few other articles you may Google.
I painted this CLS MD-80 model to match the few pictures I found. Note the "DC-9" on the nacelles, though the plane was in fact an MD-81. It turns out that in the early days of the MD-80 series, it was marketed and certified as a DC-9 Series 80. Later many airlines painted MD-81/82/83, "Super 80" or airline names on the cowls, and MacD changed its marketing to emphasize the series 80 aspect of the design . YU-ANA clearly looked like a DC-9 at first glance because of the DC-9 script. The paint scheme is extremely close to the ALITALIA scheme in early jet days, though I have found no specific relationship between the two companies.
I also posted a copy of an annotated approach plate (plan view only) that gives some better clues as to where mistakes were made. Note the bottom limit of the holding pattern over the Ajaccio VOR - 6800 ft MSL. Also note no clear indication of altitude limits on the 247 deg radial outbound from Ajaccio to the final approach phase, though other information I found indicates it was likely 3300 ft minimum
The flight was flown in a recently manufactured MD-81, registration YU-ANA and owned by the Yugoslavian state government airline Inex-Adria Airways. The plane was loaded to capacity with 173 Slovenian tourists, including several children sharing seats. The crew consisted of 7 Adria employees.
This was a same day out and in trip to the French Island of Corsica, and the capital city of Ajaccio. The short flight departed what is now the Jože Pučnik Airport in Ljubljana, now the capital of the independent nation of Slovenia. Slovenia became independent, along with numerous other areas that were previously part of the Yugoslavian federation, before the fall of the Soviet block.
This was a relatively short flight, crossing the north Adriatic and central Italy before entering French airspace approaching the northeast of Corsica..
To make matters brief, the plane crashed into a mountain while descending in a holding pattern, in IFR conditions. If it were not so tragic, it would be a comedy of errors on the part of the crew, ATC and the entire airspace management system in Europe at that time.
I think most would find the events of this tragedy very insightful; see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inex-Adria_Aviopromet_Flight_1308#Investigation
as well as a few other articles you may Google.
I painted this CLS MD-80 model to match the few pictures I found. Note the "DC-9" on the nacelles, though the plane was in fact an MD-81. It turns out that in the early days of the MD-80 series, it was marketed and certified as a DC-9 Series 80. Later many airlines painted MD-81/82/83, "Super 80" or airline names on the cowls, and MacD changed its marketing to emphasize the series 80 aspect of the design . YU-ANA clearly looked like a DC-9 at first glance because of the DC-9 script. The paint scheme is extremely close to the ALITALIA scheme in early jet days, though I have found no specific relationship between the two companies.
I also posted a copy of an annotated approach plate (plan view only) that gives some better clues as to where mistakes were made. Note the bottom limit of the holding pattern over the Ajaccio VOR - 6800 ft MSL. Also note no clear indication of altitude limits on the 247 deg radial outbound from Ajaccio to the final approach phase, though other information I found indicates it was likely 3300 ft minimum
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GALLERY / TWA MD-11F freighter - repaint
« on: February 12, 2021, 09:37:17 AM »
Fictional livery for the recent FlySim payware MD-11/MD-11F package. Nowhere near as good as the FSX PMDG MD-11, but PMDG is not going to move it into P3D4 capable, and I use P3D4 almost always now.
FlySim model is great externally - fair VC, lousy FMC, a little pricey, but as I say - I don't play golf!
I equipped mine with a payware GTN750 system, makes a nice substitute for the useless FMC for flying modern SID/STAR and other navigation processes.
Has a very nice assortment and activity of ground support equipment. A pretty good paint kit makes it fairly easy to figure out and have many variations.
FlySim model is great externally - fair VC, lousy FMC, a little pricey, but as I say - I don't play golf!
I equipped mine with a payware GTN750 system, makes a nice substitute for the useless FMC for flying modern SID/STAR and other navigation processes.
Has a very nice assortment and activity of ground support equipment. A pretty good paint kit makes it fairly easy to figure out and have many variations.
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GALLERY / TWA Cargo - new mission
« on: December 13, 2020, 11:37:22 AM »
I primarily fly in P3D4; however my two favorite airplanes of all time, the Captain Sim 707 and 727 series, are not available for 64 bit, so to use them I fly them in FSX Steam.
I recently stumbled across the fact that the Thomas Ruth 727 series had been upgraded to FSX, tried it out and found it will work in P3D4 so I gave it a try.
This is a fictitious repaint of a 727-200 cargo bird using the provided paint kit. It is posed for takeoff at Willow Run (KYIP) west of Detroit. It is a pretty good freight locaton, and in reality is a base for Kalitta Air Cargo. You may recall they provided some crucial airlift of US citizens out of China when this whole COVID crisis came on stage. A few of my AI Kalitta planes are in the background.
I am about to fly a second flight today with this airplane on the same route I used this AM in FSX-SE with my Captain Sim 727-200 freighter. I want to to cross check performance. I already have done a little tweaking of cruise performance fuel flow vs speed and weight at altitude.
The VC cockpit is VERY good for freeware. However, engine N1/N2 and EPR gauge readings are kinda crazy.
I recently stumbled across the fact that the Thomas Ruth 727 series had been upgraded to FSX, tried it out and found it will work in P3D4 so I gave it a try.
This is a fictitious repaint of a 727-200 cargo bird using the provided paint kit. It is posed for takeoff at Willow Run (KYIP) west of Detroit. It is a pretty good freight locaton, and in reality is a base for Kalitta Air Cargo. You may recall they provided some crucial airlift of US citizens out of China when this whole COVID crisis came on stage. A few of my AI Kalitta planes are in the background.
I am about to fly a second flight today with this airplane on the same route I used this AM in FSX-SE with my Captain Sim 727-200 freighter. I want to to cross check performance. I already have done a little tweaking of cruise performance fuel flow vs speed and weight at altitude.
The VC cockpit is VERY good for freeware. However, engine N1/N2 and EPR gauge readings are kinda crazy.
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GALLERY / DC-3 by Airline Heaven: finally, a production DC-3!
« on: October 10, 2020, 08:40:36 AM »
This is Airplane Heaven's new DC-3, for P3D-4. Available for FSX as well.
This is my repaint, and I must say, the paint kit was barely useful - a series of flat targa files, no layers, and identifying many parts and areas was a Hurculean challenge.
However, it is the first model in modern times (as I can recall) of a true production DC-3.
Manfred Jahn's remarkable freeware DC-3, unfortunately, is a militarized version with a combination of cargo / passenger doors and an astrodome, none of which you can get rid of.
Microsoft's FS DC-3 is pretty good but dated, and repainting it is a real challenge since their is no paint kit, and the mapping from left to right is hard to figure out - impossible for me, anyway.
This AH DC-3 is otherwise a gem. The VC is terrific, it handles very well and it's performance is quite accurate.
Researching this paint job was also a challenge. Many old photos of TWA DC-3's exist - and the number of variations in configuration (doors and windows) and paint scheme are quite noticeable.
This version is a production ,post-WWII ,eight window, left door P&W with a paint job and registration I took from an old, fairly poor photo.
But I'm happy with it until I find something better.
This is my repaint, and I must say, the paint kit was barely useful - a series of flat targa files, no layers, and identifying many parts and areas was a Hurculean challenge.
However, it is the first model in modern times (as I can recall) of a true production DC-3.
Manfred Jahn's remarkable freeware DC-3, unfortunately, is a militarized version with a combination of cargo / passenger doors and an astrodome, none of which you can get rid of.
Microsoft's FS DC-3 is pretty good but dated, and repainting it is a real challenge since their is no paint kit, and the mapping from left to right is hard to figure out - impossible for me, anyway.
This AH DC-3 is otherwise a gem. The VC is terrific, it handles very well and it's performance is quite accurate.
Researching this paint job was also a challenge. Many old photos of TWA DC-3's exist - and the number of variations in configuration (doors and windows) and paint scheme are quite noticeable.
This version is a production ,post-WWII ,eight window, left door P&W with a paint job and registration I took from an old, fairly poor photo.
But I'm happy with it until I find something better.
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THE LOUNGE / Speaking of Trans Texas Airlines -- ya gotta read this --
« on: September 07, 2020, 02:54:45 AM »
As I was researching some Trans Texas stuff on the web to find good pictures of their DC9-14's, I stumbled across an accident they had with one of their CONVAIR 600's. The 600 was a CV-580 but with RR vice Allison turboshaft engines essentially.
These links include the The NTSB accident report, a written transcript of the CVR around the time of the accident, and an actual copy of the CVR sound file.
This was a horrific instance of lost "situational awareness" and the old non-CRM mentality that existed at the time.
I believe the "Page VOR" the Captain refers to is now the RICH MOUNTAIN VOR (PGO), which either replaced it or is in roughly the same area.
Take your time to review all of this - you will hardly believe this could happen, but it did. I will say that flying in the Gulf states area is tough, especially at lower altitudes because of the constant, always changing thunderstorm activity. I lived with it for two tours as a jet instructor at Beeville, Texas,and you really had to have some backup plans in your pocket all the time.
Local area tactical training was not a big issue, but instrument training flights usually included out-and-in flights/practice instrument approaches at various military bases within a 500 nm radius, and things could change in a hurry.
Luckily a jet gives a lot of options in getting around many of them, but the downside is always !!FUEL!! vs alternate destination options.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TrPR4e9Dr0 ------------ (sound)
https://www.tailstrike.com/270973.htm ----------------------- narrative and CVR transcript
https://www.baaa-acro.com/sites/default/files/2019-01/N94230.pdf ------ NTSB report, inclues a map of flight track (poor quality)
These links include the The NTSB accident report, a written transcript of the CVR around the time of the accident, and an actual copy of the CVR sound file.
This was a horrific instance of lost "situational awareness" and the old non-CRM mentality that existed at the time.
I believe the "Page VOR" the Captain refers to is now the RICH MOUNTAIN VOR (PGO), which either replaced it or is in roughly the same area.
Take your time to review all of this - you will hardly believe this could happen, but it did. I will say that flying in the Gulf states area is tough, especially at lower altitudes because of the constant, always changing thunderstorm activity. I lived with it for two tours as a jet instructor at Beeville, Texas,and you really had to have some backup plans in your pocket all the time.
Local area tactical training was not a big issue, but instrument training flights usually included out-and-in flights/practice instrument approaches at various military bases within a 500 nm radius, and things could change in a hurry.
Luckily a jet gives a lot of options in getting around many of them, but the downside is always !!FUEL!! vs alternate destination options.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TrPR4e9Dr0 ------------ (sound)
https://www.tailstrike.com/270973.htm ----------------------- narrative and CVR transcript
https://www.baaa-acro.com/sites/default/files/2019-01/N94230.pdf ------ NTSB report, inclues a map of flight track (poor quality)
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GALLERY / TWA DC9-51 Repaint
« on: August 26, 2020, 03:25:08 PM »
Attached are two shots of my SkySim DC9-51 for P3D4. They are at the "Stash" area at the north end of KDCA. The Pentagon (my "home" at one time for a few years, both on active duty and later as a civilian) in the background and the Crystal City area off to the west.
This payware is a pretty good bundle, but the original autopilot was a travesty. A freeware improvement was developed which makes it pretty satisfactory.
This airplane, N415EA, obviously once belonged to Eastern. It seems TWA had a very eclectic collection of DC-9s including some -40s, which were pretty rare.
This payware is a pretty good bundle, but the original autopilot was a travesty. A freeware improvement was developed which makes it pretty satisfactory.
This airplane, N415EA, obviously once belonged to Eastern. It seems TWA had a very eclectic collection of DC-9s including some -40s, which were pretty rare.
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THE LOUNGE / KACARS problems popping up again - Thur 23 July
« on: July 23, 2020, 02:42:48 PM »
At least Tom Burrill and I are having problems. I get an error saying administrator of a switch error, "switch = verify" when I try to log in.
Anyone else?
Anyone else?
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GALLERY / Another repaint: PMDG 737-800 for P3D4
« on: March 21, 2020, 12:54:12 PM »
This payware is pretty pricey, but an outstanding airplane. An FMC with very accurate performance data, and VNAV / LNAV that is virtually flawless.
I repainted using Photoshop, and our hangar freeware version as an example. Not a great photo of it, it is much brighter and crisp but I cannot get a good way to capture it.
I unwittingly stumbled on a freeware font for the Boeing script often used on their aircraft - see under the registration number.
I repainted using Photoshop, and our hangar freeware version as an example. Not a great photo of it, it is much brighter and crisp but I cannot get a good way to capture it.
I unwittingly stumbled on a freeware font for the Boeing script often used on their aircraft - see under the registration number.
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GALLERY / TWA B747-400F: Paint for PMDG QOTS II
« on: February 13, 2020, 01:40:36 PM »
I am gradually getting better at repaints.
I am lucky enough t own the P3D version of PMDG's 747-400 and F series models; put a hole in my wallet, but I don't play golf, have no children at home, etc.
Anyway, it is a magnificent piece of payware.
I used one of our hangar download textures as an example for this repaint, done with a very involved paint kit.
The ground shot is at KILN in Ohio, a major DHL trans point with long runways. I have some scattered stretch-8 AI airplanes coming and going, which I also painted and programmed.
The air shot is passing near the Kennebunk (ENE) VOR just abeam Portland Maine, enroute from Halifax to KILN at FL340. The airfield below is the former NAS Brunswick, now closed, but a major P-2/P-3 ASW base in its day.
For a long time I kept away from VC cockpits and FMS type airplanes, preferring steam gauge vintage stuff. However, the quality of newer payware makes VC quite realistic, and learning how to use all the modern technology involved with an FMS-driven plane is very interesting and enlightening.
I am lucky enough t own the P3D version of PMDG's 747-400 and F series models; put a hole in my wallet, but I don't play golf, have no children at home, etc.
Anyway, it is a magnificent piece of payware.
I used one of our hangar download textures as an example for this repaint, done with a very involved paint kit.
The ground shot is at KILN in Ohio, a major DHL trans point with long runways. I have some scattered stretch-8 AI airplanes coming and going, which I also painted and programmed.
The air shot is passing near the Kennebunk (ENE) VOR just abeam Portland Maine, enroute from Halifax to KILN at FL340. The airfield below is the former NAS Brunswick, now closed, but a major P-2/P-3 ASW base in its day.
For a long time I kept away from VC cockpits and FMS type airplanes, preferring steam gauge vintage stuff. However, the quality of newer payware makes VC quite realistic, and learning how to use all the modern technology involved with an FMS-driven plane is very interesting and enlightening.
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THE LOUNGE / Some Aviation Trivia --
« on: December 26, 2019, 04:03:35 AM »
First, happy holidays to all.
Second - attached is a short file I wrote several years ago for the Washington DC Chapter of the Tailhook Association. At the time I was assigned to the Aircraft Carrier Programs Section of the Navy (OPNAV) Staff in the Pentagon. I was surprised to find out how many aviation personnel actually did not know the specifics of these terms.
Hope you find this "illuminating"
Second - attached is a short file I wrote several years ago for the Washington DC Chapter of the Tailhook Association. At the time I was assigned to the Aircraft Carrier Programs Section of the Navy (OPNAV) Staff in the Pentagon. I was surprised to find out how many aviation personnel actually did not know the specifics of these terms.
Hope you find this "illuminating"
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GALLERY / New Paint Job finally finished - WHEW!!
« on: November 30, 2019, 05:49:51 PM »
This is the latest release of the FeelThere payware ERJ-170 for FSX and P3D.
I used the freeware download texture from our hangar site as a model, though none of the textures can be used in the Ffeelthere paintkit, which is a layered Photoshop set of files and rather involved.
I am no expert but gradually learning, and I think this turned out pretty well, but a LOT of work went into it.
Scene at Bangor, Maine (KBGR), one of my favorite departure / arrival points.
Screenshot not great, I need to learn a little about posing /size etc.
I used the freeware download texture from our hangar site as a model, though none of the textures can be used in the Ffeelthere paintkit, which is a layered Photoshop set of files and rather involved.
I am no expert but gradually learning, and I think this turned out pretty well, but a LOT of work went into it.
Scene at Bangor, Maine (KBGR), one of my favorite departure / arrival points.
Screenshot not great, I need to learn a little about posing /size etc.
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GALLERY / TWA B737-200 (fictional) repaint
« on: October 14, 2019, 04:39:10 AM »
Seems some interest in the 737-20, though apparently TWA never had any.
I am getting better with PhotoShop and Paint kits. I own the Captain Sim 737-200 for P3D4 and tried my hand. here are the results. A fine airplane for a decent price IMHO.
Mike Concannon
I am getting better with PhotoShop and Paint kits. I own the Captain Sim 737-200 for P3D4 and tried my hand. here are the results. A fine airplane for a decent price IMHO.
Mike Concannon
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THE LOUNGE / Back in the saddle - long hospital stay
« on: October 14, 2019, 04:08:25 AM »
I am finally at home and somewhat functional after nearly a month of intense hospitalization.
I am nearly 77, and had my left knee replaced in 2015. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the replacement got infected and I was in serious trouble when I realized I needed to go to an emergency room. Lost a lot of blood, seriously septic, in ICU for 2 weeks, 11 transfusions, heavy antibiotics etc.
My total recovery will take a few more weeks. Sorry for any inconvenience caused by my inability to file weekly summaries.
I am nearly 77, and had my left knee replaced in 2015. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the replacement got infected and I was in serious trouble when I realized I needed to go to an emergency room. Lost a lot of blood, seriously septic, in ICU for 2 weeks, 11 transfusions, heavy antibiotics etc.
My total recovery will take a few more weeks. Sorry for any inconvenience caused by my inability to file weekly summaries.
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