Flyboy

I just flew with an FO over a week ago who completed his training in about six months down in Tampa area while working. He spent 70k to do it, but now his first year pay is 70k and he'll easily double that in the next few years so good return on investment. Another FO about a month ago spent a year to get his ratings while paying for it and working (he is six feet eleven and gave up a possible NBA career to do what he's always wanted to do). Like like Ludwig said, now there are opportunities to have other people pay for your training also.

In this industry, things can change dramatically overnight. I've seen it swing both ways in this industry. Right before 9-11 there was a huge hiring boon and several people at my company left for United, Delta, etc only to find themselves out on the street a few months later. Not to be discouraging, but to encourage others who want to get in to do it soon but also have a backup career/skills you can fall back on if things go bad. There is a competition and good times for pilots today, but that won't always be there. I thought this was good advice given by a guy on one of the pilot forums: "I have been around the flying business long enough to see it go boom-bust-boom with a long period of blaaaaah interspersed in there when the retirement age was raised from 60 to 65. I have generally made my career decisions by asking myself the question, "Do I want to be there if the music stops?" Because the next bust is coming. The music always stops, but nobody knows when it might happen. Nobody foresaw the late 90s hiring boom going bust at the end of 2001. Nobody made their career plans based on five years of stagnation due to few retirements and minimal hiring. We may already be in a recession. Where will you be on the day it's officially called? Will you be happy in that seat if you're in it for several years?"

I have a gaming MSI laptop with i9 and a 3080 card. But maybe you’re right that it’s diff for being a laptop.

I don't have a Display option. Under the Select a Task... the only options are: 3D settings -Adjust image settings with preview -Manage 3D settings -Configure Surround, PhysX Developer -Mange GPU Performance Counters

It's only required for Part 121 flying (135? not sure), and I think some companies can waive it down some with special circumstances I think. But there are many other commercial jobs available that don't require this and will help build time.

I don't know how to get this exact screen open for the driver. I opened nvidia control pad but I don't see it there.

Thank you! I just tried your exact settings (except I put the visible range down to 130) settings and went from about 40-45 fps to 55-60. I left shadows on your settings because in WW1 especially that can be a big help locating airplanes.

Definitely not like that when I got started. When I got out of the AF I went to Horizon and had to sign a two year contract. When I left after a year to go to Airborne Express I had to pay over 2,000 for leaving early.

Did you switch to XRS? I had similar happen to me and you have to do the following each time you update to new version or repair. After any update/repair - Copy/paste the openvr_api.dll file into the bin folder (the file from the xrs update that I keep a copy of in another file). Need to do this also for IL2 - Change name of, or delete, D3DCompiler_47.dll so it’s not used (e.g. D3DCompiler_47.dll old)

Flight sims are a lot of fun and I love it, but it's not the real thing and won't pay the bills. I got my private pilot license in college, went on to become an Air Force pilot (large aircraft) and have flown for the airlines since 1995. I've already been helping one person interested in a pilot career and thought there might be others, so I thought I'd start this thread for anyone interested in aviation as a career or hobby. There are several of us here that have real life experience, either as a pilot or other area in aviation (mechanic, flight dispatcher, drone ops, etc.), and thought this could be a place for anyone who wants to ask questions or get some advice either on this thread or PM. And even if you don't necessarily want to go into aviation as a career, I would highly recommend at least taking $200 or so and going up for an aircraft demo flight with an instructor (even better if you can do an aerobatic lesson) so you can get a little hands on experience. It just might enhance even further your love and view of online sims also! In the meantime, here is a good site for info on pilot stuff, including information on individual airline companies (salaries, work schedules, etc.) and a forum discussing it all. www.airlinepilotcentral.com www.airlinepilotforums.com

No this is F-86 v Mig 15 where their descriptions of split s maneuvers during the engagements. Has great interview with surviving American pilots and one story is especially incredible. His wingman has damage and leaking too much fuel to get back so he gets behind and pushes him for nearly 30 min to get him to friendly territory so he can eject. Sadly the pilot drowns when he’s caught up by his own chute lines caused by rescue helicopter roter wash

Just watched this great documentary on Mig Alley dogfights. I am highly suspicious of their multiple descriptions of split s maneuvers but the stories are pretty amazing.

Yes I think that should work thanks

@TedsOnMeds

So I'm studying and watching tutorials on the Mig-15 in my hotel room. I'm thinking this should be the place to start since aren't we doing an online Korean War event on July 24th? If so would like to be ready and participate. Maybe Monday night I could get some flight lessons? I'm hoping to be home some this weekend to get the controls set up and play with it a little before then.

Big sale now on for everything IL2

Just bought the Syria and Persian Gulf map plus F86, Mig15, and Mig19 all at great prices. Mig21 isn't on sale yet so I'll wait a little.

@Vonrd how about this for a helmet?

I came across this pic I kept from years ago. Even more valid today with the new tech that keeps improving.

I'm going to need some help with this. I spent well over an hour last night trying to get it to work but it made fps worse so I disabled it for now and went back to Steam vr. I'm sure I had something set wrong. More than anything I really would like that XR Necksafer to work on DCS.

I like it. Was mostly trying to be funny and not really a critique. But this looks great!

These all look great, and I can't believe how you can do this so well. But for some reason the eyes of the M21 pilot remind me a little of a Monty Python cartoon. Only a little and just the eyes. Maybe this one? Plus they all look so young..........

I will be online around 9 or 9:30 ET tonight for either DCS or FC