Tag: virtual military jet

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Flight Simulation

Challenging virtual flights : the interception of aircrafts in flight simulation.

An interesting challenge for flight simulation enthousiasts consists in searching and intercepting virtual aircrafts that are flying randomly: those without any known flight plans.

The degree of difficulty varies accordingly with the intercepted aircraft and the interceptor.

The screen capture below shows a relatively simple interception since it is not too difficult for the AV-8B Harrier to modify its speed according to the high cruising speed of a Beechcraft B350.

Virtual Beechcraft B350 aircraft intercepted by an AV-8B Harrier.
Virtual Beechcraft B350 aircraft intercepted by an AV-8B Harrier.

In order to increase the difficulty, the flight simmer could attempt the interception in flight of a relatively slow aircraft with a military jet.

A challenging virtual flight can be executed by using a CF-18 and adapting its speed and altitude to that of the intercepted aircraft while flying in formation for one minute. In order to succeed, it will be necessary to set the CF-18 in a slow flight configuration with the wheels out.

Virtual Cessna C208 aircraft intercepted by a CF-18
Virtual Cessna C208 aircraft intercepted by a CF-18

This type of interception is sometimes done in real life when an aircraft accidentally (or not) enters a restricted zone. A military jet must then take-off, reach the unknown target, get very close and make the appropriate signals ordering it to follow him to the closest military base.

Once in flight, do not forget to take a screen capture! Good luck and have a good flight!

Click on the link for other challenging virtual flights on my blog.

Categories
Flight Simulation

The Captain Sim’s B-52 in flight simulation

Here are a few modified screen captures of a recent virtual flight made with the Captain Sim’s B-52.

Captain Sim's virtual B-52 aircraft in southern California
Captain Sim’s virtual B-52 aircraft in southern California

The high quality of the modelized clouds and of the landscape in the background helped create screen captures that were even more realistic. FSX was the flight simulation platform used for the flight.  REX Simulations made the virtual cloud textures.

The landscape is a creation of ORBX. At the base of the three screen captures were the following ORBX products: FTX Global Base Pack, FTX Global Vector, FTX Global Open LC North America, FTX Global Trees HD and NA Southern California. The time for the flight was early in the morning.

Virtual clouds created by REX. FSX flight simulation platform.
Virtual clouds created by REX. FSX flight simulation platform.

In the picture below, a few modifications were made using Photoshop to induce a feeling of speed. When comes the time to modify the screen capture of a virtual aircraft with an image editing software, the same rules apply as for a normal picture: moderation gives better results.

A virtual B-52 at high speed and low altitude in Southern California.
A virtual B-52 at high speed and low altitude in Southern California.

The sound of the Boeing B-52’s eight engines is quite impressive. Despite the enormous power available for take-off, the flight simulation enthousiast cannot simply apply full power and hope that the military jet will get airborne. By the book procedures have to be followed, otherwise there won’t be any take-off. A parachute can be deployed when landing for a better visual effect, but the flight simulator will not include it in its calculations for the required landing and breaking distance.

Categories
Flight Simulation

The new Metal2Mesh Mirage 2000C

Metal2Mesh Mirage 2000C on a test flight over Afghanistan
Metal2Mesh Mirage 2000C on a test flight over Afghanistan
Metal2Mesh Mirage 2000C and VRS Simulations weapons
Metal2Mesh Mirage 2000C and VRS Simulations weapons

The most recent creation from Metal2Mesh is a real stunner, graphically and when it comes to simulating the real aircraft. In the above picture, the Mirage 2000C is in flight over England and carries virtual armaments designed by VRSimulations (Tac Pack). The Rafale is visible in the background and was automatically generated by the computer (AI). The clouds are a combination of REX and CumulusX, for the shadows on the ground. ORBX is responsible for generating a virtual England.

Reading a minimum is necessary before you learn how to select and install the weapons, something I did not do since I was a bit too eager to do a flight test with that superb aircraft. I had to start over, but it really comes quickly and the manual provides you with clear instructions. You will need a small free program (available on page 9 of the manual, and created by Peter Dowson) in order to see the speed, altitude, etc, directly on the HUD.

For more articles on flight simulation on my web site, click on the following link : Flight simulation

Have fun!