Hi,
I just wanted to share with you some of the stuff that I have been doing with FG and, hopefully, get some pointers as to how to do better.
Today, I flew the C172r first on a short warm-up leg from KSFO to KOAK - easy and fun. Then, from KOAK I decided to try something a tad more involved. I would fly from KOAK (Oakland) to KMRY (Monterey Peninsula, near Carmel). I decided to set the time to 'dusk' for some pretty scenery. I knew that the 70nm flight would take me into the early night, but I figured that with route manager set for the AP and with the HUD for the landing, I would do fine. Sure enough, I got their at dark already and I could not see *any* light anywhere, not even at the airport (which, according to AirNav had a beacon and dusk to dawn lighting). I ended up circling the place, getting as low as 700ft just to try to spot the airport, but to no avail. Then, rather frustrated, I decided to cheat and "switch on the light" by setting the time to 'noon'. I was baffled to find myself over open water with no land in sight whatsoever. Either I had screw-up badly, or my AP when whacko. Last time I checked, the Bermuda Triangle was not off the coast of California
To top if all off, when I decided to play the game to the end a ditch in the water (at slow speed and a nice AoA) I found out that... .... I could "land on water". I guess FG (1.9.1) does not see a problem with landing on water
Couple of real complaints now:
a) is there a way to make the ATIS louder without making all the sounds, including engine noise, louder?
b) is there a way to flip the cockpit light on in the 172r? Instruments are neither backlit nor illuminated in any way.
It tough being a noobie. Not. I still love FG and I have a great time with it, even if I end up in really bizarre situations..
Cheers!
FG
PS: I forgot to mention the best part of my 'adventure': 9 miles out of KMRY, I listed to the ATIS, then proceeded to radio the ATC and announce myself. I did get a reply and even a runway (consistent with the info on AirNav!). Heck, he/she even cleared me for my 'final'. Except there was no land in sight....