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Simfest 2007

PostPosted: 28 Oct 2007, 17:53
by Vegascrazy
Just found out all about this through a friend of mine who is participating in this event which starts next Sunday. In a nutshell, Simfest is a round the world charity flight in a flight simulator (built by a 23 yr old in his parents garage!!) - all proceeds to Cancer Research.

Link here to read more >> http://www.gary-oliver.co.uk/simfest/

Video here showing the simulator in action >> http://www.gary-oliver.co.uk/simfest/in ... age=videos

This links gives an idea of flying "shifts" involved >> http://www.gary-oliver.co.uk/simfest/WF2007_Routing.xls

Cheers
James

PS: Daniel, my mate participating, may be joining VFlyer imminently!!

PostPosted: 09 Nov 2007, 23:50
by Vegascrazy
When I made the original post Dan (Glider Pilot) hadn't joined VFlyer...well some of you now know him so I figured a quick reminder about Simfest would be appropriate. Tonight (and through the entire weekend) Dan and 16 other pilots are participating in a virtual round the world "World-Flight". It consists of 6 homebuilt simulators flying online round the world to raise money for a number of Charities - this year Cancer Research UK.

They're flying under as many real-world rules and regulations as possible and are guided by teams of virtual air traffic controllers using VATSIM, the free global virtual air traffic controller network.

If you're into flying this is pretty cool stuff...you can follow the mission right now in real time via web cams and online tracking at http://www.gary-oliver.co.uk/simfest/co ... bcams.html

Dan is "on shift" (check web cam) at these times:-
Sat 00:01-05:00
Sat 16:00-20:00
Sun 03:00-07:00

Take a look....

Cheers
James

PostPosted: 10 Nov 2007, 01:12
by HighFlyer
Awesome!

Reminds me of when we used to play Flight Sim in the office. The uber nerds used to set up a flight to the West Coast, real time. Take off, switch to manual and go to work. By the time you got home from work you'd be ready to do your descent.

Will check out the cam over the weekend. Hope it all goes well Dan!

Thanks,
Sarah

p.s. How do we get a go on the sim ;)

PostPosted: 10 Nov 2007, 10:49
by Vegascrazy
Originally posted by HighFlyer
Awesome!

Will check out the cam over the weekend. Hope it all goes well Dan!

Thanks,
Sarah

p.s. How do we get a go on the sim ;)


...I'm sure Dan has connections Sarah...perhaps next year a few VFlyers could partake in Simfest! Just looking at the Live Flight Tracking Board it seems they're tracking about an hour behind....in fact it looks like Dan landed in Nagasaki late when he touched the 777 down just after 5 this morning;)

PostPosted: 10 Nov 2007, 11:08
by VS045
Cheers:) Had a look; there seemed to be a lot of hand waving going on...

45.

PostPosted: 10 Nov 2007, 11:36
by Darren Wheeler
Originally posted by VS045
Cheers:) Had a look; there seemed to be a lot of hand waving going on...

45.


I saw that too. Just seen what looks like the seat being reclined... :D

It's all for a good cause though.[y]

Having said that, guys, you really have far too much free time:D

PostPosted: 10 Nov 2007, 12:05
by Vegascrazy
During descent into Anchorage yesterday they were hoping to get a visual approach into RWY25L. Were told to expect 07R, unfortunately looks like the controller heard them say that! So at 3 nm from 25L they were vectored down to 1500ft and told to take the visual approach to 25L. Some skillful flying by Mark got them right on the numbers. Thanks Scottish World Flight ATC Team! Video of yesterday's Alaskan stitch up here....worth watching!!

PostPosted: 10 Nov 2007, 22:03
by Scrooge
Yeah, got to love the Scot's and their sense of humor, a few years ago I used live ATC, it got to the point where I began to think there were certain controllers with either ADD or they were picking random numbers.

Having a 744 do S turns isn't a whole lot of fun on a 15 inch monitor, though I do have to say, with that set up I would love to give it a try [y]

PostPosted: 11 Nov 2007, 09:09
by Vegascrazy
Agree Dave, so would I ;)

Must admit, this whole "World Flight" thing has been a total eye opener for me, had Dan (aka Glider Pilot here on VF) not been on the crew I'd have been none the wiser. To think this simulator has been home built by a group of mainly twenty something enthusiasts is amazing...I think they have some 16 computers powering it all - see photos

Their RTW charity flight has been running since last Sun and completes in Sydney at 10:30 this morning (BST), so for those of you keen to watch the landing check our the flight arrivals board.

Dan did an evening + night shift last night (Manila - Surabaya and later Perth - Adelaide) but I wasn't going to get up at 3am to watch the latter...sorry Dan :) Sounds from the flight blog that you had a challenging approach into Surabaya!

Well done to all involved, hats off to you all for raising so much for Cancer Research, I for one will have my eyes set on the live stream for the landing in Sydney in a couple of hours [y]

PostPosted: 11 Nov 2007, 16:33
by Glider Pilot
Thank you all for your support. We touched down in Sydney
this morning. Has been a great weekend. Sadly, came home today
to find my boiler has gone wrong....bathroom was like a sauna!
Currently waiting for the plumber to come and look....
Will hopefully be online tonight to chat to you all

Cheers :D