Blog

In May of 2020 SpaceX launches its first 2 person manned Dragon capsule atop of a Falcon 9 rocket for docking with the International Space Station.  While the docking can be accomplished with an autopilot, the Dragon can also be flown manually.   All of the control inputs are done by  pilots using touch screens.

Thanks to SpaceX you can also use the flight simulator program to dock the Dragon with the ISS.  If you have either a phone with a touch screen, or a laptop or desktop with a mouse, you can fly the same flight sim that the astronauts were trained on and used to dock on the ISS.

The same things you learn on the X-plane 11 flight simulator (rotate, pitch, and yaw) all are used in the Dragon spacecraft, as is controlling your approach speed.

Below is a link for you to do some international flying.   Landing is actually harder than it looks! Please remember both the Dragon and the ISS are both moving at incredibly high speeds.  If you watch you will also be able to find some instructions as provided, although most controls are pretty intuitive.  For those of you who like to experiment, maybe try flying a pattern around the ISS, before landing.

Click or paste the link to fly the SpaceX Dragon:  https://iss-sim.spacex.com/   Enjoy flying high – Real High!

Hi Flight Enthusiasts,  I know a number of you are asking when our next workshops will be held.  Sorry to report that because of the coronavirus (covid 19) we have had to suspend holding such events for the time being.  Please check in again later this year (in early Aug) for any news regarding upcoming schedules.    Say safe and God bless,  Terry

At total of 10 youth attended our first full two day workshop of 2020.  The workshop ran from 9:30 until 4:30 both days.  For lunch, students were served hot dogs, chips, snacks, home-made chocolate cake, and drinks.

Thanks be to God, as everyone learned many things and at the same time had a very enjoyable experience.  Two of the workshop attendees had previously attended a level I workshop held in April.

Jan 3 included a review of many of the basics associated with flying a Cessna 172, together with some new videos and discussions concerning decision-making, and emergency procedures.  Jan 4 included more discussions about being a Christian and becoming a pilot.  Martin Thorner gave a presentation which was very well received, entitled Change Your Attitude – Change You Life.  Student also worked mostly in teams in a cross country race from the Guadalajara Airport (MMGL) to the lake immediately to the south and back.  This was followed by a challenging exercise which involving finding and landing on a short grass runway. Everyone landed safely, although not everyone found or landed on the intended runway.

On Jan 4 the program also included a talk and demonstration by drone pilot Jim Miller.  You can check out the link to some of his drone photography here:  https://vimeo.com/382964022, as well as a larger number of other photos on Facebook taken by good friend Alfredo Molina here: https://www.facebook.com/alfy.mochand/media_set?set=a.2479575128958185&type=3.

You may need to cut and paste the above links into your browser.

In the afternoon there was more flying exercises, followed by  a testimony by Terry MacDonald describing his emergency landing, because of an electrical failure on a small grass runway in Canada at 2:00 am.  Almost complete darkness as the night sky was fully overcast.  Praise and thanks be to the Lord for his mercies and grace.

The workshop wrapped up with the presentation of certificates together with snacks and drinks and a few visitors who were wanting to see what was happening.

The photos following capture just a few of the moments during the workshop. Two of the Level I and II workshop students are eligible for a local flight, with parent or guardian approval, and which is expected in the next short while. Special thanks to pilots and support provided by: Martin Thorner, Lourdes Esquivel, Pam Landone, Ted Baehr, Ernest Gebbard, and Jim Miller.  Special thanks also to Marvin Golden of Lake Chapala Real Estate for again providing an excellent venue (the Upper Room) in Ajijic for us all to use.

More workshops are now being planned.  Anyone interest in attending a workshop either for youth or adults should use the Contact form to reach out to us.  Volunteers are also welcome!

WHAT: Are you interested in learning how to fly?  We’ll be doing some flight demos, passing out brochures, playing videos, etc.  Come by and test fly one of the many aircraft in the X-Plane 11 Flight Simulator. 

 WHO: Everyone is Welcome – Are you interested in learning about flying? Kids, youth, and adults are all welcome.  No sign-up is required!

 WHEN: Saturday Dec 14, 2019 – from 12 pm until 3:00 pm. 

 WHERE: The Upper Room – CONSTITUCIÓN # 26 – AJIJIC.  (Lake Chapala Real Estate Main Office Entrance, then upstairs to The Upper Room).

Here is Atilla showing us what it is like to fly a fighter aircraft.   Sometimes it is difficult to see who is having more fun flying the coaches or the students.

Here Jim is observing one of the students practicing taking off and flying to a specifc altitude and heading.  Atilla has just made a repair to the flight simulator and has gotten it  back into action again.  Thanks Atilla!

>> SEE MORE DAY 1 PHOTOS BELOW <<

Here are a few photos from the first day (Sep 21, 2019) of the With God as My Co-Pilot Workshop program being held at Lighthouse to All Nations Church in Regina, SK Canada. Day one of the event included orientation to flight simulation of course, but moved on to taxiing, taking off, slow flight and stalls as well as flying circuits in an airport pattern.  The importance of having God as one’s co-pilot in life was also emphasized and included a personal testimony by Atilla Csakany who is also one of our instruction team.

If you would like to learn to fly, you can sign up for a 4 hour Udemy video course which is available online for $54.99.  It cost nothing to preview the course content. Sometimes the course is available from UDemy on sale for a much lower price. Here is the link to access the Udemy course and content preview:  https://www.udemy.com/learntofly  The course provider uses the older FSX flight simulator software (your cost will be between $45-90) and the CH simulator yoke and rudder pedals which will costs you about $200-225 if you can find and buy a used setup, or in the neighborhood of $300-350 for a new setup.

OR ……

You can also register online for an in person hands on course, offered by 1st Christian Flight Ministry, for little or no cost and discover the same secrets about learning to fly.  With 1st Christian Flight Ministry you will have the opportunity to use the latest version of the ultra powerful X-Plane flight simulator software, plus use the larger full featured Logitech G Pro (formerly Saitek) flight simulator yoke, throttle quadrant, and rudder pedals.  You will also receive personalized coaching along every step of the way by an experienced  licensed pilot.  Check out the courses now being planned (see Courses menu), or email us of your interest and we will contact you when a course is being held near you.

Or do both.  YOU decide!

The other day I came across this video on YouTube that provides a useful add-ons and how you can get them for the X-Plane flight simulator to enhance the flight training experience.  It’s from 2016, but still relevant. Here is the link is: https://youtu.be/EREA6D7dIRc

We are excited to be planning a workshop with Youth for Christ Regina on July 23 from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm.  This will be as we say “a pilot” workshop”.  We will be using a couple of Saitek Flight Simulators and the X-Plane 11 Flight Simulator Software.   This will be a pre-introductory workshop and will highlight a couple of areas of the With God as My Co-Pilot workshop program.  Should be a lot of fun for those who will be able to attend.