"Kevin" wrote in message
ups.com...
Thanks for the help. I appreciate you looking past my "stupdity".
Also, since you use x-plane as well, what is the best way to learn how
to fly...besides taking lessons. MS Flight simulator runs you through
a tutorial, but x-plane doesn't provide this feature. Any suggestions?

Well, you could get MSFS and learn to "fly" there, using their tutorials.
Alternatively, pick up an actual private pilot training manual.

Basically, the hard part about flying (especially with respect to flight
simulators, which allow you to ignore a whole slew of other stuff real
pilots have to worry about) is landing the airplane. Doing that is simply a
matter of following a regular routine.

A standard landing pattern involves a rectangular course in which you
parallel the runway in the opposite direction from your landing, flying past
the runway for some distance, and then making a couple of turns to get lined
up with the runway for landing. You start a consistent height above the
runway (800' to 1000' is typical for light planes, 1500' to 2000' works
better for larger airplanes), begin the descent just as you pass the end of
the runway going the opposite direction, and set your throttle so as to get
a constant rate of descent that puts you right above the runway just before
touchdown.

It's important to position the airplane so that it's lined up with the
runway well before the landing, and also important is to adjust your
altitude, throttle setting, and descent rate (angle) so that you arrive at
the runway prepared to land. Practice makes perfect.

There's nothing like taking lessons in the real thing to enhance the
learning process, but the beautiful thing about the simulator is that you
can crash over and over without anyone getting mad at you. It might
take longer to pick up, but if you pay attention to the above, you'll
eventually get it.

Pete