1) My birthday2) The fifth anniversary of my first discovery flight from Toronto City Centre airport.3) My first RW solo flight!Yes, I just finished my first solo flight in a C-172 at CNQ3.I'm now very drunk on gin, so I'll keep this short.My wife surprised me five years ago with an introductory flight from CYTZ around the CN Tower. Honestly, it was fun, but I thought that would be the end of it--just a one-time fun experience like sky-jumping, or glow-in-the-dark bowling at midnight.However, the day after I took that that discovery flight, I picked up a copy of FS2004, just for the heck of it.I have flight simulation to thank for sustaining my interest in general aviation over the past five years.And I have you, the users and administrators of AVSIM, for helping to make flight simulation so interesting over the past five years. No, it's not as big a deal as Lucky Lindy crossing the Atlantic, but flying solo was a dream come true, and I honestly wouldn't have done it without you fine folks at AVSIM. I share this minor personal victory with you!Sorry if this doesn't make complete sense, but like I say, I'm very drunk on gin!Charlie

Congrats!

Congrats!! Sounds like you had lots of fun. I went flying for my first time yesterday. The feeling is out of this world, literally. Looks like FS is helping out a lot of people in real world flying; today when I booted it up and flew I noticed a lot things that I didn't before. Used to think the plane going up and done in FS was my control inputs but now I know its the winds, updrafts, etc, after flying in RL. It's a great tool! Hope you have many safe flights to come, and don't drink too much gin before flying :(

Congrats!

Thanks gman!I actually just read your post on your first discovery flight. Very well written - a pleasure to read.As an aside, I rarely drink, but my wife insisted that I indulge on this occasion. So while the gin's a-flowin', congrats on your first flight, gman!

1) My birthday2) The fifth anniversary of my first discovery flight from Toronto City Centre airport.3) My first RW solo flight!Yes, I just finished my first solo flight in a C-172 at CNQ3.I'm now very drunk on gin, so I'll keep this short.My wife surprised me five years ago with an introductory flight from CYTZ around the CN Tower. Honestly, it was fun, but I thought that would be the end of it--just a one-time fun experience like sky-jumping, or glow-in-the-dark bowling at midnight.However, the day after I took that that discovery flight, I picked up a copy of FS2004, just for the heck of it.I have flight simulation to thank for sustaining my interest in general aviation over the past five years.And I have you, the users and administrators of AVSIM, for helping to make flight simulation so interesting over the past five years. No, it's not as big a deal as Lucky Lindy crossing the Atlantic, but flying solo was a dream come true, and I honestly wouldn't have done it without you fine folks at AVSIM. I share this minor personal victory with you!Sorry if this doesn't make complete sense, but like I say, I'm very drunk on gin!Charlie

Very, very cool. Enjoy the gin for what is and will be one of the highlights of your life.Big congratulations-and save a little gin for more future hight points!

Congratulations on making your first solo, although according to tradition, you are supposed to buy us drinks, not consume them all yourself LOLStill you can get as drunk as you like and you will never forget that day. I can remember my first solo like it was yesterday, scary but exhilarating at the same time, and when you land, you feel like the biggest ace pilot in the world. Al

Very, very cool. Enjoy the gin for what is and will be one of the highlights of your life.Big congratulations-and save a little gin for more future hight points!

Thanks Geof,I have you specifically to thank for your post (perhaps two years ago?) on 3D simming.That prompted me to pick up a pair of EDimensional 3D shutter glasses, and subsequently, Nvidia 3D Vision shutter glasses.That, along with the Freetrack head-tracking software, has really made simming in FSX a truly immersive experience. I'm amazed at how useful FSX has been as a tool for preparing for today, especially in terms of nailing my post-taking and pre-landing check lists.Again, not to get too sappy, but my "solo" flight really was a team effort, and people like you at AVSIM certainly have played a big part, so thanks again.

Thanks Geof,I have you specifically to thank for your post (perhaps two years ago?) on 3D simming.That prompted me to pick up a pair of EDimensional 3D shutter glasses, and subsequently, Nvidia 3D Vision shutter glasses.That, along with the Freetrack head-tracking software, has really made simming in FSX a truly immersive experience. I'm amazed at how useful FSX has been as a tool for preparing for today, especially in terms of nailing my post-taking and pre-landing check lists.Again, not to get too sappy, but my "solo" flight really was a team effort, and people like you at AVSIM certainly have played a big part, so thanks again.

Thanks for the nice words! By the way my wife got me started in a similar fashion 21 years. I think she probably regrets the move now...shhhhh.....don't tell your wife... :(

Thanks Al. Again, not to get too sappy, but you're one of the people in particular who has helped sustain my interest in flight simulation, and real-world flying, and I doubt today could have went down as it did without your informative (and witty) posts. I have you specifically to thank for introducing me to Multi Crew Experience, which really helped me nail my radio calls while flying the circuit. Consider this an I.O.U. for one tall drink.

And before the gin buzz wears off completely, special thanks to:Flight Ontario (flightontario.com) for their fantastic Golden Horseshoe scenery. Extra special thanks to Jim Kanold for e-mailing me the model of the Port Colborne grain mills (my crosswind target on today's cross-wind leg).Aerosoft for their Niagara Falls cityscape (my downwind target on today's downwind leg).Bill Womack for his free black Carenado C-172 panel repaint.Tim Fuchs and the gang at REX for making FSX (+ FS9 + XPlane) look so awesome. Carenado, Multi-Crew Experience, Freetrack developersOrbx for deciding to make the Great Lakes region their next big project (a fella can dream).Me ma

It's a matter of pride that you are going to fly solo and i can imagine how interesting it.

Congrats!This is fantastic. I've always wanted to fly up to City Centre... Toronto's a great town.Have fun and stay dry!Andrew

Great, congratulations! :( I'm sure you're enjoying it. I can very well remember my first solo, as well as the fact how much FS participated in getting me there quick... uh haha! :(

Definitely sounds like a day to remember, congrats and happy birthday!

grats :)