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THE
PARADOX OF FLIGHT-SIM
MANIA
How do you know when you have
become completely obsessed by flight simulation?
Is it possible to delve deep into such a complex hobby and identify the
essential addictive ingredient?
Well, we at FS Flight Club are in a good position to answer both of
these questions.
One
of the best known exponents of flight simulation once put this way: “Flight simmers are technical
people who are interested in technical matters. They like to fly
realistic planes through realistic scenery using realistic panels and
instruments. But they also like fantasy, because that's what flight
simming is.”
If you think that you may have become hopelessly addicted to
flight simulation then, like us, you have probably already discovered
the “essential
paradox” of this amazing hobby. Or perhaps you can only
instinctively identify an oddity that you haven’t yet been able to put
it into words? Well we at FS Flight Club think that we are able to
define that oddity quite precisely. But before we do, let’s explore
some of the telltale signs of flight-sim
mania.
As a visitor to this web site, it is likely that you are already
as addicted to flight simming as we are, or maybe more so? What makes it
hard to know for sure is the attitude of the non-simming mortals with
whom you must associate on a daily basis. You will notice that while
these associates may exhibit a high degree of tolerance to an excessive
enthusiasm for popular pursuits such as televised sports, they may react
very coolly when you tell them of your passion for flight simming. They
may stare at you blankly as you stammer through an explanation of what
simming is, and when you’re done they may even come to the conclusion
that you’re a bit of a dork. (Although that’s hardly likely is it?).
If you don’t want to answer this question then just relax and read
on…
THE TELL-TALE SIGNS
Has something like this happened to you? You are introduced to
someone from some exotic location (e.g. Capetown, South Africa). As you
extend your hand to make their acquaintance you have to stop yourself
from saying “Oh that’s
a coincidence, I flew into Cape Town last Tuesday. It was raining and
the wind was gusting in from the southwest,” as you recall your
approach into runway 19 on your Microsoft flight simulator. In other
words you have a vivid memory of a place that you have not actually ever
visited.
This is a classic symptom of flight-sim
mania. Or perhaps you can identify with the following situation?
There
is a look of grim determination on your face as you fly on into fierce
headwinds, trying to calculate whether you have enough fuel to reach
your proposed destination. There are lives at stake. As you consult your
approach charts for possible alternative destinations your concentration
is shattered by a voice over your right shoulder.
‘It’s 2.00 am’ says your wife. “Are you coming to bed or are you
going to sit here all night?’ Losing all track of time is another
classic symptom and a measure of the level of concentration required for
this activity.
I sometimes think that we should rig up web cams to our computers to
record the look of intense concentration on our faces as we deal with
particularly difficult instrument approaches and landings. No, perhaps
not: Actually I’ve just thought of another pastime which requires the
same degree of focus to achieve complete satisfaction, and I wouldn’t
want to be photographed doing that either. (Kids, if you don’t know
what I’m referring to, go and ask mum or dad for a detailed
explanation, and be sure to ask for diagrams.)
THE
ESSENTIAL PARADOX
So
let's now uncover the aforementioned essential paradox at the heart of flight simulation. And what is it?
Well, the thing is; the more that you understand and apply the
technicalities of flying, the more realistic the FS fantasy becomes. And
paradoxically, the deeper you immerse yourself in the fantasy the
greater chance you have of losing touch with reality. This is what makes
flight simulation unique!
But there are so many technicalities involved in FS, you may wonder why
more of us don’t get overwhelmed and give up before we become hooked.
Well, for the uninitiated to understand a subject as broad and as
complex as aviation, it is necessary to dip into it to find some small
part which is easy to understand and then work from there. This is
exactly what the Microsoft flight simulator program allows you to do.
The realism of the program is infinitely adjustable according to the
user’s capabilities. Just as in books and in films about aviation, the
technicalities of the subject are always pared down to suit the age of
the audience. So what can seem technically realistic to a ten-year-old
will seem laughably simplistic to an adult.
The
important thing is, when you decide to get serious about FS, the
internet will supply you with all the information necessary to feed your
insatiable need to increase the realism that you desire in order to
escape reality. (The essential
paradox again).
If you can identify with the concept of FS Mania, maybe you'd like the
opportunity to tell us about it? You might like to keep yourself
anonymous and begin your message with “I have a friend who thinks he
might be addicted to flight simulation”, and then proceed to detail
all kinds of obsessive behavior. Rest assured, all your confessions
would be treated in the strictest confidence (Except
for the really funny ones, which we will publish here at Toomuchfs.com
for everyone else’s amusement).
Bill Smith
Perth, Western Australia
leesmith@ca.com.au
Discuss
this commentary in Flight Talk
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