TODAY...Saturday, September 4, 2004. It's 9:30AM Eastern time. I just flew from KMIA to KPBI (Miami to Palm Beach) in an Airbus 320. Only 55 miles, but USE REAL WEATHER, and you will find it a challenge. The winds are incredible as you come into Palm Beach. I nearly stalled and crashed with Autothrottle on at 230 knots. It's raining profusely, and visiblity goes in the toilet as you come onto runway 9. It should be this way for a while. Enjoy it.

Thanks for the heads up. Great flying! Dave Vega

Can't really enjoy it guys. That thing is headed right for us here in Polk County (again). The real challenge is getting my house and hangar secure. Already flew one airplane out on Thursday but the other one will have to stay. Wish us, and everyone else in Florida good luck.Leon

Hi allI tried it with the new crj700 from PAD. active runway was 27 at Palm Beach with winds from 340 degress at 40 knots. Nothing like touching down at a 45 degree angle to the runway. Definately a challenge for us sim fliers not so much fun thou for the folks that are there. Last hurricane close friends had about 200,000 dollars worth of damage and still not recovered from that one yet. And to make matters worse theres tropical storm IVAN following almost the exact same course as francis right now. I love Florida but this time of the year it can be a scary place to be.Don

It's nature's way of trying to rid Florida of those screwy chad-laden ballot sheets...

I flew from KMCO to KMIA in the new PC-12 last night with the latest AS2004 and it was pretty interesting to say the least - gonna try the NG I think later today when the full brunt of the storm hits the coast. Best wishes to everyone who's going through this storm in real life by the way.