I dont think about any earth bound ground ground issues when I fly.. well except landing. I can leave all those issues on the ground. I think flying when done properly brings focus and almost clarity maybe bot in a zen way or maybe. But its an escape. It brings perspective. Even if I we don't realize it. And its cool.

After My solo I got soaked (like in ice bucket challenge). When I drove from the airport I stopped by a gas station for soda and snacks. The clerk looked at me and wondered if I " wanted to use the bathroom"...You see my pants were partly soaked ,but it looked like I had completely wet myself 😁

Aviation is my hobby, it is my secret escape where all my regular life problems disappear for awhile.

On 10/11/2020 at 9:39 PM, birdguy said:

Which is why I have to smile when I hear simulator pilots who have never flown a real airplane talk about 'immersion'.  Or argue about which simulator comes closest to real flying

This tid bit is a very interesting observation as well. And I agree whole heartedly.

Despite those of us who have flown real aircraft (hey, a few hours in gliders count too! ) sharing a knowing grin when "immersion" comes up in conversation, I still think that it is a somewhat valid and relevant argument when it comes to flight simming: 

I believe that anyone who has watched good, high resolution cockpit footage of real aircraft being piloted will develop an idea of what they "should" see on the screen and hear through the speakers (and to a greater degree in VR. Which I can only assume, never having owned a system or tried it)  - the "immersion" factor as far as they can observe. Even though this immersion will not be physical - unless the user has access to some type of motion system, there is still " immersion" to be enjoyed... and compared to other sims.

One thing that has not been mentioned in this discussion is something that cannot be duplicated even in a full motion simulator is the 'fear factor,.

I think it is in the back of every pilot's mind when he enters the cockpit.  In fact in another thread the other day about a real aircraft mishap was the guy who thought he should not fly that day.

We who have flown VFR in general aviation aircraft in that airspace between the ground and 18,000 feet are automatically looking at places that would be the best landing spot for a forced landing.  That's part of our training, or was back when I learned to fly.

That fear in the back of your mind that surfaced on your first solo surfaces again anytime something unexpected happens.  It's happened to me three times.  Twice when I got caught in unexpected weather conditions and once when I got lost flying in southern Utah.

No simulator can duplicate that. 

Noel

A very wise CFII once told me, "If you are fairly certain that a crash is unavoidable, don't waste time thinking of the loss of the airplane, because your insurance company now owns the aircraft."